From/ To Today = Dimbulah to
Normanton
Km travelled today = 604 km
Fuel cost at =
Croydon $1.699
High points = Black Cockatoos.
Low points = Adventitious back tracks.
General.
Today started under
grey skies but warm. I packed up quickly so as to beat the impending rain. It did not rain, just a shower. The stop in Dimbulah was very refreshing. Maxine (caretaker) had warned me of their possum friends and how they like to visit,
well not one visitor. Heading west I was amazed how soon I was out of the cropping areas and back in the grazing lands. Over every
hill a new world greeted me, more ranges or
miles of lightly wooded plains. Up and down into the numerous creek crossings most of which were dry. This section of road is A class black top. At Almaden I turn south heading for Mt Surprise and the Gulf Development Road. The start of this section is top quality gravel. Still I let the tyre pressure down to soften the ride. By the time I had arrived at Bullock creek a totally different track. Lots of wash outs, very ruff creek crossings and corrugations. Still it was along this section I had the pleasure to encounter a flock of red tailed black cockatoos. They dived in front of the car then glided off into the surrounding bush. No time to get out the camera so hopefully dash cam has caught them. Five motorbikes heading the other way passed me, lots of bikes so far this trip, they look like they are doing it tough. Although the track was only one lane wide, along came a semi so all stop and get out of his way. The driver waved thanks so feel OK. Back on the black top, the Gulf Dev RD varies between a single lane and a standard width sealed road. The edges have signs warning of soft edges but no choice than to move over when traffic approaching. Trucks do not move over so all the way into the gravel to get out of their way. Some caravan owners also maintained the bitumen as theirs causing a last moment swerve off the black top. The eagles were out in force with generally three or more in attendance and each meal. Another sea eagle today and I got a better view this time. White undercarriage, white head and neck and white tail feathers, very beautiful as it rose into the air curving away from me. On to
Normanton and into the caravan park for the night. I have asked for info re good fishing spots so tomorrow
Karumba, fishing then on my way
home. I am trying to put some pics on ExploreOz or Google but the up load time is killing me so a big bunch of them when back on lane line.