This morning was cold. Windy and cold. We packed early, having now gotten into a bit of a routine. Fairly straight forward with Peter rising early to make G a cup of tea in bed. Breakfast followed by a few checks, and we are off.
We knew today would be boring as the map showed but few corners in an otherwise straight few hundred ks to the mining giant of Broken Hill. As the kilometres wore on we discovered some beautiful little beast called fantails. Bright yellow with speckles of black resembling the letters of the alphabet upon their bodies, they were quite the site. Indeed, they were scrumptious. Thank God we got the big packet for they are definitely an endangered species.
Cold mornings bring on predictable bodily reactions. So, like it or not we had to call into the lovely roadside amenities about 50 km east of Wilcannia. Ominous was the wet paint sign, yet it did nothing to hide the hell hole within. It was a short stop that took our breath away for some hours afterward.
We stopped in Wilcannia for a coffee at the great little coffee house we had visited last time we were through. It was closed. On we went.
The artic wind was rising fast, becoming stronger as each kilometre passed. Puma was making really hard work of the trip and guzzling fuel like never before. We arrived in one piece at Broken Hill just on lunch time. Our plans to head into town for a lovely cup of Wilcannia coffee were put on hold as we again entered the ring with Telstra. This time it was a cage fight and G was in the cage. Oh, poor Telstra!
The afternoon was spent doing the things you just have to do on a trip. Things like tidying up around the van parked in the saddest spot in the Lakeview Caravan Park that is not within a year of a lake. We think it’s Landrover thing. Maybe we can add the letter ‘L’ to the list of those discriminated against and march upon parliament for no good reason.
With news of a cold front about to descend upon us over the next day or so, we are preparing to hunker down. Still, we will try and check out the Pro-Hart Gallery, Silverton, the big rocks on the hill and the mine lookout. Should be a treat in 70-km/h winds with rain added for effect.