Time out at Blackall

On one of the back tracks at Blackall

We had to leave the cattle station a day early as I needed to get to a doctor about my ruptured ear drum and the nearest doctor was in Blackall. It was as slow driving out as it was driving in even though it was a different route. (3 long hours!)

Two of the statues around Blackall

We stopped at Tambo for lunch as well as to have a break from the driving. We were soon back on the road, arriving at Blackall (Camps 6: 686). It is not a free camp spot but it is very cheap campsite on a marshy river/creek at just $5 per night and just one block behind the main shopping part of town. There is a toilet on the corner and though there is no shower on site, however there is one within walking distance at the local amenities block. The worst part about Blackall (and a lot of towns in outback Queensland) is the strong sulphur smell from the bore water supply. It seems to be worst first thing in the mornings. We parked under the watchful eyes of a hawk statue.

 

Closeup details where you can see spanners and lots of other tools

We were delighted to meet up with Tom and Bet, a couple we had befriended back in St George.
The next day the doctor confirmed that I had a ruptured ear drum with a small infection and needed medication. We will need to follow up at Longreach. He also reassured me that it was unlikely to be permanent damage but the discharge and the deafness will persist for a good while yet. Boo Hoo!

We walked everywhere and ended up at Tom & Bet’s van and had a cuppa there. We agreed to meet up at the local swimming pool the next afternoon. What a delightful pool this is, there is even a bore fed spa pool there too. I had to take care not to get my ear wet but there was no way I was going to sit and watch the others have fun. For the next 2 months, even in a shower I have to take care not to get anything in my ear – Have you ever tried to wash your hair without getting your ear wet???

The marvellous pool and spa at Blackall

On Saturday Tom & Bet showed us how to go yabbying – a first for both if us. We placed these opera house style netted pots in the river just up a bit from where we were camped, and came back for them several hours later. We caught something like 15 yabbies. We are so ignorant that we also had to learn how to cook and eat them. Gee - you gotta go through a lot of yabbies to make a meal out of them!

Bob checking out the pot

My first yabbies. Yeach! Do I have to touch them too!

The AOG church at Blackall was very welcoming. Being Mother’s Day All the mums including myself were given a little gift, mine was a lovely handmade black & tan flower brooch. They also had a coffee and we were strongly encouraged to stay and enjoy fellowship with them.