May 11th: Into The Wilderness We Go

Day 38 (Day 13 in Australia)

Not a great deal to report today. After safely negotiating the exit from the hotel car park basement level 4, we picked up Phil & Carolyn from the airport at 10:30. 

Phil then drove us to Gunnedah, a seven hour drive with a short lunch stop. 

It rained pretty much for the whole journey. Over 300 miles! The first part of the journey took us back through the Blue Mountains but sadly the view was exactly the same as a few days ago. 

Nothing much to report other than at 12:30 we finally saw our first live kangaroo. And then loads of them. 

Mid afternoon the rain eased for a few minutes and I was able to get a quick shot through the window of Lake Windamere.

I learned a new Aussie phrase: “beyond the black stump”, which means “beyond civilisation”. We went through a town called “Coonabaraban”.

The last hour of the journey was in darkness so Phil was understandably keeping the speed down as kangaroos and wombats get dazzled by headlights and run out in front of them. We came close to a juvenile in the road but luckily he jumped away rather than towards us.

Once in Gunnedah we had a meal in the local pub, The Court House, which resembled a betting shop. Loads of screens showing multiple sports and loads more screens showing the odds. Gambling is a major pastime here in Australia we are told.

And now for an early night after a few late ones. 10pm

Goodnight!