STILL in Winton - Sunday 17/10/2010

We thought we were going to be marooned in Winton for longer than we wanted to be - we still will be in a way. This morning the whole of Winton was without power - no big deal for us really, we just put the fridge onto gas and used the water in the van tanks (the park had no water as they have water stored in tanks and then have pumps to pressurise it). Of course we couldn't go anywhere as we were almost out of fuel and no power = no fuel from servos. We are staying longer than expected anyway - thanks to Aus Post. Daughter Jacki is forwarding our mail to Post Offices we nominate as we travel. J forwarded mail to Winton last Monday from Ipswich - 5 days later has not arrived!!!!!!!!Talk about snail mail.
Just an interesting fact about Winton - the water comes from the Great Artesian Basin - comes out of the ground at 80 degrees C. It then goes into cooling tanks before being supplied to housed - at about 30 degreesC. Different parts of the G.A.B have different temperature water. The water is very high in 'sulphur' smell that fortunately tastes OK.
Yesterday we went to a place called Pelicans Waterhole - the original site of Winton;- the township was later moved to its present site as the original was prone to flooding. The drive to the old site was a bit of fun - muddy road = slip sliding = underneath of ute caked in mud. Bugga - was fun though.
And now, as per usual, here are a few photos. We hope you have as much fun looking at the photos we take as we do taking them.

This is how some Wintonites decorate their front yard.

This old ute was just discarded when it had outgrown its usefulness.

This was the only pelican we saw at Pelicans Waterhole.

And this is how some other people decorate their fron yard - but wait, there's more...

pictures following are from the (famous) Arno's Wall. He collected junk from the tip and other places and made a wall......

Some call this 'art'.

This is more of Arno's 'art'.

More excellent 'art'

Oh look! Even more 'art'. This just goes to show - what is one man's junk......is still 'junk'...not bloody art!

 

Must be something about Winton - sort of a bit like parts of ......er.....a tip?

I was washing the car and this little bloke just had to watch. It's an Apostle Bird.

These two were most interested in leaves caught under the wipers.

This bird was most indignant that I was in his territory.

This Apostle bird at one stage had a grub in its beak and was trying to feed the 'bird' in the mirror.

Flowering River Gum

Picnic area on the banks of Western River

Really old River Gum - seen on the drive called 'Route of the River Gums' - can only be done in the dry.

Stay tuned for the next blog...........for the 'boys' really. I(Terry) went to the National Truck Museum at Winton.