Monday Sept 16th 1929:
Thankful today to shake from my feet the dust of Mt Isa. Leaving there just before lunch, after picking up Miss Reilly, had a rough and hot trip back to Camooweal. Had no mishaps on the road, but passed four lorries going into Isa and one car flew past us going into Camooweal. At about 2 pm we stopped and boiled the billy and had some sandwiches and finished off a tin of peaches. Needless to say I had most of the peaches. On arriving home a good shower was very welcome and much appreciated, after which banana fritters topped everything off. The weather is warming up considerably and feeling very much like summer. During my absence Cec did the washing and was terse about the number of shirts I left for him to do, only four. He jibbed on the ironing though, making the excuse that the iron would not go.
Tuesday September 17th 1929:
What a curse are reports. I do not know why they want to know what we are doing up here. They do not get much in my reports either. I spent all the morning and part of the afternoon at it although suppose will receive no iron cross for that. (?????) The iron went alright this afternoon but Cec made such a fuss about the ironing that I did my own although the arrangement was fro him to do it all this week. Went across and saw that the Matron was progressing alright and ordered that she get up tomorrow. An evening of gramaphone records, singing, talking and eating chocolates was spent down at ‘The Cottage’.
Wednesday September 18th 1929:
Thought that we would have got away today on the way to Burke Town, but the car is very like a woman, very contrary. Found that in the front wheel there was a broken ball race, so delayed another day in the end, put in a set of balls from a Ford and so am going to take a risk. One wheel also wants attention on account of the spokes shrieking and needs packing and so is creaking but we are hoping that she will stand the trip. Several of us had a moonlight picnic which was most pleasant.
Thursday September 19th 1929:
After getting our papers and mail this morning and setting all things in order and collecting mail and papers for folk along the road, left Camooweal with a leaking radiator, creaking front wheel with half a Ford car in it, faulty carburetor and body falling apart en route for Burke Town, 240 miles away. Cec is very pessimistic about ever reaching our destination and when unusual knock or bump occurred, he exclaimed in an alarmed voice that the wheel had gone. We arrived at Morestone homestead in time for lunch and there decided to remain for the day. During the afternoon we read all the papers and explored the surroundings and had a yarn to some of the men about. There are beautiful surroundings here, the homestead faces the O’Shannessy river, richly bounded on both banks with tropical growth and tall trees although here, near the head of the river at present there is very little water. After tea we had a sing together and retired.
Friday September 20th 1929:
We had a very pressing invitation to stay at Morestone another day but although it would have been very nice we felt that we must move on, so move on we did. Had a little Sunday School talk to the little chap on the place before moving on and then left for our next stopping place, Thornton Station. The country from now on is very rough, hilly and rocky and traveling is…rather slow. Met a couple of chaps from Camooweal who are working on the road and stopped and had a yarn to them. Were kindly received at Thornton by Mrs Finlay and although we were late for lunch, she soon had something in fron of us which was very nice. Had a talk there for a while and borrowed a box of cartridges and fishing line, which we might need then passed on. Still going over rough country and in the afternoon caught up to a drovers’ camp and had some of their cocoa. On the way tried to snap (take a photo) a couple of emus but messed two snaps up and don’t think they will come out. Just before reaching Gregory Downs station shot a wild turkey and took it in with us and pulled up at the station and stayed the night.
Saturday September 21st 1929:
The station here is in a state of turmoil. The late manager gave three months notice but the two owners being on the spot and nasty old chaps, paid him off straight away and last night a new manager was put on. There is no cook in the place though and the stove is about empty. The turkey was very acceptable as a result and was given into the hands of a gin who is making shift as a cook. The homestead here being on the banks of the Gregory River, in a most delightful spot, and in spite of a few disadvantages, we decided to put the day in here fishing and swimming. A wonderful day it was too, about all of it spent on the river or in it. Caught one fish in the morning and in the afternoon when we took two blacks with us they got 5 but Cec and I got nothing. Cec went swimming then and I went after wallaby with the rifle and after stalking one, got him. The two owners here are a pair of queer birds, both coming from Victoria, very pessimistic on their outlook on life and rather mean. All the while we were there we had turkey roasted, boiled, fried and curried, with fish for one breakfast. One of the chaps has the record for the greatest swearer in northern Queensland. Cec got the idea tonight that we are not welcome here and is very eager to get away as soon as possible. If I thought this was correct I would stay a couple of days longer.
Sunday September 22nd 1929:
Left the station this morning and went across to the Gregory hotel and police station and saw the folk there and then moved on. Call;ed at Carrington’s selection, Donaldsons and Mullers but found nearly everyone absent, on account of a big ball to be held in Burke Town. At several pleasant spots along the river we stopped for a while until we at last reached Brookdale station, where lives Oliver Smith with his wife and family of 15. Not all the family were at home though. The shearers are here at present, so quite a crowd was about the place. After tea had an open air picture show showing nursery rhymes and Bible parables at which all were present.
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