Winton to Blackall. Aug 15th. - A parting of the ways

So after almost 6 weeks and over 6500km on the road together - today the parting of the ways. Marco and Ursala are heading back up to Mount Isa via the Boulia Road before continuing to central Australia, possibly after a detour north to Katherine.... they are in no hurry. Tempting as it was to join them for a visit to Alice and Uluru Kata Tjutu that will have to wait for another occasion. We had a great time, rode some great roads and visited (& revisited) wonderful places.

I'm taking the direct inland route back to Canberra. Today clocked up 400km through Longreach and Barcaldine ending up at Blackall. Wide open roads through wide open countryside. Heaps of roadkill to assail to nose. Also a couple of parties of emus playing chicken with me. I was surprised at how quiet the roads were - not much traffic heading south - mostly north. Plenty of people/travellers in Longreach where I stopped for coffee

and Barcaldine where I had lunch. The caravan park here in Blackall is also packed, however I got here early enough to get a shady/grassy spot to camp.

More expensive than Winton, but free wifi and an excellent camp kitchen with a fridge. Showers are good with an endless supply of hot water from the artesian bores and (a nice touch) a supply of fresh bathmats!

Tomorrow on south towards Charleville. Weather is still hot in this part of the world and is expected to be hot again tomorrow. After that it should get cooler as I get closer to home.