Sat, 6th Oct, 2018 Bush camp by Diamantina River, Birdsville to Birdsville Van Park, Birdsville, Qld (Greg’s birthday)

7.30am overcast and 17 degrees.

Parked and headed into town. Rang Greg to wish him a happy birthday.

The sky is clearing. Went for a drive around town. Stopped opposite the hotel to check out the plaques. Will have to walk over and check out the pub later.

Found some more Birdsville information -

The Birdsville Pub was built in 1884 but burnt down in 1970s and was rebuilt. Reg Sprigg & family were the first people to drive across the untamed Simpson Desert in 1962 in a motor vehicle – a Nissan G60 Patrol. The Simpson Desert is the world’s largest sand dune desert.

Plaques about the various explorers on the edge of the airfield.

Drove past the Bakery then around the houses – new house blocks for sale.

Into the Van Park and met Gavin. He and his wife, Steph, are from Bundaberg and hit the road. They arrived here and volunteered for the Big Red Bash then picked up the job managing this Council owned van park. They have three weeks left and are keen to get travelling again. We picked a spot close to the new camp kitchen with the big TV. Nice spot with trees for a bit of shade and view down to the Billabong. Lots of corellas live in the trees down there.

Set up camp putting out both fly meshs though we will be in the air conditioning most of the time watching Bathurst.

Made a cuppa and wandered up over the camp kitchen. Great facilities – only opened November last year. 

I washed my hair – it was feeling like straw from the dust then put the washing on. Steve got the TV going and we settled in to watch the broadcast. Power here so got on with my blog too. Sent Brian, Ian, Louis and Fozzie texts as to who they think will get pole position.

Great Top Ten Shootout with Reynolds getting pole by 0.0009 seconds from Whincup. Reynolds’ team mate, De Pasquale, is a rookie here and he managed to put in a fast lap and ended up in 3^rd position. Betty and the Erebus team are very happy.

Back to the truck for late drinks as the sun went down over town.

Cooked dinner then played Skipbo – Steve winning most of the games of late.

Lots of birds still making a racket well into the night down at the Billabong.