Mitchell

We left Surat on Thursday and made our way to the Neil Turner Weir at Mitchell. We had a very uneventful trip stopping at Roma to check out the little drapery store next to Mitre 10. This store has so much stock you have to see it to believe it! The shelves reach the ceiling and each shelf is jam packed with reams of material, some have been there so long that they still have pounds shilling and pence on the price tag. I have never seen such a collection of buttons, you name it that store would have it.

 We were pleasantly surprised with the condition of the Warrego Hwy between Roma and Mitchell since we had last travelled this way, a vast improvement from the roller coaster ride three years ago.

We are camped at the Neil Turner Weir that is only a couple of klms from town, it is a large free camp area with many Grey Nomads taking advantage. Friday it was the short trip into town for some supplies and a visit to The Great Artesian Spa. We were very lucky to have the thermal pool to ourselves and the manager very kindly turned the water inlet up so we could enjoy a very therapeutic massage. By putting one leg up against the side of the pool you were able to lean back into the water stream and received a good pounding on you neck and back. We have bought a three day pass so we can go there each day we are here. I went with my shampoo, conditioner and hair dryer, and was able to have a lovely long shower drying my hair, what a luxury. When we are free camping we shower every day but we have to limit the water we use, turning off the tap while you soap yourself then the tap back on for a quick rinse. I am able to dry my hair if Baz fires up the generator, sometimes he is receptive!

There is plenty of fire wood to be gathered in the area so we have been able to enjoy a camp fire and try are skills with the camp oven again. 

Drapery Store Roma one of many isles

Relaxation time in the Thermal Pool Mitchell

Roast beef and veggies

Mitchell campsite

Nindigully-Surat

Woohoo we are back on the road again!

We extended our stay at Moree to 2 1/2 weeks, we still do not know where the time went.  The days passed very quickly as we would start the day with a soak in the pools, then by the time you had your shower it was time for morning tea. A few hours later in was time to hit the pools again before Happy Hour. We also managed to get a few games of bowls in while we were there, with me splurging out for a new set, just could not pass up on the good deal that was on offer from a mobile bowls dealer, I certainly saved Baz some money! hehe!

We parted ways with Alan and Fay yesterday after a very enjoyable three weeks of their company, they are heading towards the coast and we are still heading north to outback Qld,  may cross paths again in a few weeks. They made sure we did not have too much spare time on our hands, with organised bowls games and hanging out at the Service Club enjoying great meals, raffles and a couple a wins on the pokies.

On arrival at Nindigully we found that there had been a few changes along the river since our last stop 3 yrs ago, with a walk way and sections set aside for free camping. After a leisurely afternoon sitting in the sun and catching up on some reading we ventured over to the pub for happy hour, $3 for a pot. When the sun went down it chilled down very quickly but we rugged up and braved the chill to listen to a bush poet (Bushie Thompson)who was entertaining the campers at the fire.  He managed to get quiet a few laughs not only from the poems he recited but also his jokes.

Today we headed a little further north travelling through St George and onto Surat, when we are again free camping along with about 35 caravan, motor homes and buses all enjoying a great spot just out of town on the Balonne River.