Australia Visit - Day 16-18 - Last days in Richmond

I was woken up bright and early by Mitchell so we headed down to the Park in the center of town. We played on the swings and see-saws for a while and then came home via the cannons in the park across from the family house. When we got back it was time for breakfast and then I took the kids down by the lake to fly their kites.

The old man with his new-best-friend at Breakfast


It was a good, steady breeze for it and I especially liked Laura's parrot kite and she could make it perform cool tricks. We couldn't stay too long as I'd promised to take the kids to the Museum. Richmond has a lot of dinosaur fossils and there is a museum in town. It's quite expensive so I was happy when Kylie (my brother's wife) got us in for free with her local connections. The kids were a bit bored with things as they'd seen it all before so I couldn't spend too long looking at things. I was amazed at the amount of stuff that has been uncovered out there. Apparently, every time there's a big rain some cattle of sheep farmer that's out with his stock uncovers new, amazing finds. I think the kids enjoyed it to but I think the main attraction was the milkshakes I'd promised afterwards and picking out gifts from the gift shop.

Laura and Mitchell outside the Dinosaur Museum (Kronosaurus Korner)

This is actually how the fossil came out of the ground after a rainstorm

Another high quality Fossil

In the afternoon we all headed down to the lake so the kids could catch some little grunter and things on bait. After a dozen or so fish the kids tired of that and enjoyed themselves swimming.
We sat and watched the sun set over the lake while some locals zoomed around the lake waterskiing. On the way home we stopped by the sub-yard just outside town where Paul explained to me a little about what all the things are, where the lines are coming from and how and why the voltages are changed. We then did a quick zip around town as he pointed out some of the things that people just don't notice but are essential to delivering power. It really was quite fascinating and I reckon I could get into it. When we got home Paul showed me some of the texts he's had to learn and certainly, playing around with electricity isn't something that should be tackled by someone without a brain. It was also great to see Paul enthusiastic about something, and clearly with a very good understanding of his job.

Kylie running away from the camera as the sun sets over Lake Fred Tritton

The Sub-yard out of Richmond

When I was little I loved the movie "the man from Snowy River" and always remembered the scene where they ate wallaby stew. As a result I had always wanted to eat wallaby stew, a desire that hadn't been fulfilled in my 31 years. However, never had I been in a location with so many wallabies and kangaroos around, so that evening we headed out with the .22 rifle and a spotlight to bring a childhood dream to reality. We headed down along the (now dry) Flinders River and it actually took us a while to find a suitable roo that stayed close enough to ensure a good shot. After field dressing the animal (and you get a surprising amount of meat from a roo) we headed home where the girls slipped away while it was boned out and dressed. We would have our wallaby stew and the dog would eat like a king, but first some sleep.

The most essential ingredient in Wallaby Stew

One of the guys Paul works with (Pete) runs a cattle station just outside town. I can't remember the dimentions now but it's a fair chunk of land, especially by American standards (I think 20 000 acres). He invited us out to have a look and because I've not spent much time around cattle I was eager to check it out. When we got to the first gate it was clear that the old man couldn't help himself, he had to do all the gates. I wouldn't have minded doing at least a few (just to say I'd done it) but anyway....... When we got to Pete's house he was just finishing up some stuff and his old horse (18 year old) came up to check us out. He was a fine old man and he knew this place was his and he wanted to check us out. The kids loved giving him a pat and I think he liked it to. I'm sure he'd done his share of mustering in his day.

Mum and the Kids with Pete's old horse

All Aboard

The plan was we'd accompany Pete as he checked the waters around the property. The old man and I rode with Pete in his vehicle while Paul followed with mum and his family. We got to see the place and I learned a heap. You somehow know there's much more to running cattle than you think, but it was fantastic to actually learn a little bit of it. The old man and I alternated between sitting up front in the cab or in the back with his Border Collie. It was an awesome experience and one I'd do again in a heartbeat. It sure wouldn't be an easy life but it just has to be much better than any city job. I'm sure it can be a lonely place at times but, as Pete says, behind his place is a great place to lay and watch the sunset, then the stars while sinking a few beers with your horse and dog. I reckon that sounds pretty bloody fantastic. I could write for a month on just this few hours but I'm sure I couldn't do it justice so I'll just leave it by saying it was definitely one of the highlights of the trip (and not a fish in sight!!) and Pete is a top shelf bloke and I'm guessing a good cattleman. Check out the movie of a couple of roos keeping up with us in the truck at the bottom of this post.

Checking the Waters

Checking the windmill
The old windmillSpinning the Wheels

Cattle Yards

In the afternoon Paul took me down to the Flinders River to show me the spud gun he and Brad (another workmate) had built. Unlike ost spud guns I've seen that fire parts of a spud, this one fired the whole thing, and fired it a couple of hundred meters. Now that is an awesome spudgun. According to Paul, he and Brad had been riding motorbikes and shooting them at one another and when he finally hit Brad the poor bastard was in pain. I believe it. The good thing about Brad is that he doesn't seem to let things get to him and he seems like a good bloke to hang out with when you want to have some fun. That evening we headed over to the picnic area at the lake for a BBQ of wallaby steaks and wallaby stew but I think the stresses of the trip were wearing on everyone so it was a relatively early retreat to the beds for the morning would see the drive back to Cairns.

We were on the road fairly early but Mum, Kylie and I did get to accompany the kids off to school in the morning. It has that distinctive Queensland primary school look and feel and I think both kids like attending, although perhaps Laura likes it a little less than Mitchell. I heard later that Laura actually got an award at assembly that morning so that is good. Both kids are good kids and I had a great time with them. It's a shame I see them so infrequently.

The Richmond Primary School


The drive home was a long one but we did get to finally sample the famous "Hughenden Pie". It was worth the wait and was easily the best of the trip (and I sampled quite a few). Paul even had us stop at a small rest-stop with an unusual sign: "I love Nola". It's not exactly a common name (it's our mother's name) so wondered if the old man had done it. Turns out he hadn't but it was worth getting a photo.

The water tower
A road-train from the mines

As we drove along the coast from Townsville to Cairns it brought back plenty of memories from my university days when I'd make the trip between the two places. It seemed to be very little changed and the coastal hills seemed like Montana mountains after the plains from out west. The farmers were out harvesting the sugar cane and the mills were all in operation. The last couple of hours dragged on and it seemed longer than twelve hours. After a quick dinner Paul had me out on the boat in the inlet. No rest for the wicked.

The old barra honey hole "smelly-croc" near Ingham