Morning Came the 56th Day.

June 9th. I can't believe we have come this far.  We did "the walk" again this morning, this time to the Stockmen's Hall of Fame. Wiser, we booked on line for 9.30. I was a bit sceptical but found it to be both informative and interesting, including the architecture.

Although the sun was now out the wind was biting. And I hadn't brought a coat .

We were amazed to see the number of stations in the Outback we have had the privilege of visiting over the years. Many were inscribed on this metal tank. The galleries were to an exceptional standard.

The tour started with a well-made film; we then had a show in the arena demonstrating various aspects of cattle management, clever sheep dogs and compliant sheep. 

The finale! Barney the bull. We were glad we had made the effort. The chilly wind made for a brisker walk home. Speaking of which, there is real public transport through our back window- coach and horses.

Our last activity in Longreach was a Stockmen's dinner and boat ride on the Thompson River.  Personalities surely make such activities and tonight we struck gold. 

It was a pretty slick operation:

A sunset cruise with nibbles

Then back to a fire, excellent stew and Masterchef standard mashed potato, apple pie and custard. 

The bus driver was also an excellent singer and then came Scotty, the elderly bush poet. And was he good. He doesn't write poetry but he can really recite - the last of the Lighthorses (so sad), I Can't Back a Trailer  (i died laugjing) Haircut for the Pope were just three. Me and Scotty.

Next was an outdoor movie on Starlight follwed by damper and golden syrup with billy tea. The bus driver, Jonesie, was a talented singer; our boat driver , younger son of the owners, would have to get the tourism personality of the year. His natural, laconic humor had us in stitches the whole trip- so country, so natural . 

The family own 2 properties approx 100km east. Some years ago, in severe drought, his Dad said, " If I could get $1 for every caravan that passes here, that would really help". The whole family is involved- a shop, accommodation, 2 large coaches, 2 river boats and coaches and horses., and the tours on top. All quality stuff.  Outback Pioneers, Kinnon & Co. For future reference.

On the homeward bus Jonesie told us about Scottie, whom we had noticed wore no shoes, although we were on gravel in freezing cold. When he was 16 he had a dire accident on a horse. He was in a coma for a long time. When he eventually woke up , the long term effect was he suffered from vertigo.  To overcome this he had to have bare foot contact to walk. No issue for him, he did 40 yrs in Dept. Primary Industry like this till one day a bureaucrat pulled OHS and he had to go!

No matter, he set up his own business- lawnmowing 🤣. That went well until the Council decided they would pull OHS. The town were outraged.  Council came to do an inspection. Scottie had at his front door, a brand new pair of work boots....with the soles cut out. He was allowed to continue. As well, he collects the recyclables and donates the funds to charity...0,000s of $s apparently. As well as an incredible ability to memorise, he has an engaging, unaffected way of reciting and story telling. A warm character.

These were the two sons. .

And this waa the screen story they had devised..

So ended the 56th day...on a very high note for us. For some, a low note, Qld lost the 1st State of Origin match.