Sun, 7th Oct, 2018 Birdsville Van Park, Birdsville, Qld (Bathurst)

6.30am 19 degrees, clear sky. Birds all awake down at the Billabong.

Ian texted ‘Happy Bathurst Day’.

Packed up our bits and pieces for lunch etc and went up to the Camp Kitchen. TV on and we are all set for a good day.

Sent Libby a happy birthday message and then rang Rick as it is his birthday too. Lou sent a text to see if the Pub was open yet!

Another family have joined us to watch Bathurst. Looks like a nice day down there.

Rain for a bit at Bathurst bringing out the jumpers. Steve adjusted the air conditioning here as we were getting too cool.

More people have pulled in to the van park and are enjoying the coolness of the camp kitchen as it is hot outside, 35 degrees.

Fabulous race but so sad for Reynolds who got a cramp then didn’t make the right decision to get out of the car and let his co-drive take over so he ended up making a mistake and getting a drive through then ended up having to give up and lost more time letting the co-driver take over. Fabulous for Craig Lowndes though as it was his last drive as a full-time driver at 44 years of age and winning today took his Bathurst wins total to 7, only 2 behind his mentor, Peter Brock.

Lou rang, he had been with Fozzie watching the race.

Steve chatted with a young guy from Perth Hills who had just come across the Simpson Desert by himself and said it was all good.

Took out stuff back to the truck then went for a walk. Hopefully we won’t need this chap.

Checked out the fuel prices of the two servos, $1.75 and $1.72 and the groceries in the store. Need some fresh fruit and vegies.

Went into the Birdsville Hotel – lots of photos and Akubra hats on the ceiling. Sign said gold coin donation to RFDS to take photos so will come back tomorrow with some money.

Down the road to the Information Centre (closed) to check out the big wagon nearby.

Checked out the Dreaming Art on the floor of the picnic area.

Then wandered down to the Billabong.

Continued down to the other end of the park and checked out the other camp kitchen. Found some great photos of Lake Napanerica beside Big Red after the flood and one of Big Red and the tracks up it.

Back to camp for a drink and a few games of Skipbo – Steve is on a winning streak.

Cooked dinner then went up for our shower. It is still very warm, 32 degrees, so we sat outside while we had our cuppa and enjoyed the stars. Saw one falling one so made a wish.