Never a dull moment.

Sunday Nov 10^th 1929:

Spent a very lazy day. Did practically nothing except read. Ent out for a run in the car before lunch to see some folk about 4 miles out. Attended at night a united memorial service in Presbyterian Church, in memory of a young minister, drowned a week ago in a water hole at Birdsville. The only water hole for hundreds of miles. Young chap had only recently arrived from England. After Church went to J Moore’s and had a sing.

Monday Nov 11^th 1929:

Just a day in Cloncurry. Still very hot and somewhere rain is falling, not very far distant. At tea tonight at the otel met Mr and Mrs Sutton and Mrs Smelly, from Lake Nash station in the Territory. Having left out there they are making their way east to the coast.

Tuesday Nov 12^th 1929:

Having had an inch of rain last night 40 miles out on the road to Mt Isa, traveling bu car is out of the question, so Cec and I left at 9 am by train and arrived Mt Isa at 4 pm. A hot day. Dull uminteresting journey. Went across to the town. Cec booked a room at the hotel. Left my things at Warren’s office, and decided to bunk there. Had tea and went and saw one or two we knew. Beer strike been on here now for 4 weeks, still going too. Pickets outside both hotels. Publicans are beginning to feel it now. Mt Isa is a different place, no drunks about. First time numbers of men have ever saved money. Neither side will give in. Squash people are doing a great trade. Had wind, dust and rain storm here at night. Storms seem to be following us out.

Wednesday Nov 13^th 1929:

Left at 9 am with Les Warren on the lorry, with loading for Alroy Downs, 60 miles past Camooweal. A long day. Reached Camooweal at 9 pm. Ran intop several stoms on the way out but only bogged once and that only for a few moinutes. Dance in full swing whn arrived. Ent and got my mail and quite a lot too and spent a pleasant hour reading it all. Dust storm followed us and arrived half an hour after we got in. Made a mess of everything too. Had some rain during the night.

Thursday Nov 14^th 1929:

Terrible place this when it rains. Have been carrying around several pounds of mud on my boots. It is good to see the rain though, especially here in Camooweal where it has looked as if it never has rained and never would. Had several showers during the day. Went across to the hospital and visited a couple of my parishioners who are laid up. Did some reading at night. Quite a number of casuals in the town at present, giving it rather a busy appearance.

Friday Nov 15^th 1929:

Just an ordinary day. Settling accounts, writing and posting letters. Visited hospital. Got a surprise at dinner tonight when Jack Williams walked in. Had come in with Mr Schmidt from Alroy. Jack had been held up at Rockhampton waiting to get back here, with two cracked wheels. This makes the 17th wheel since he has had the car. He is very discouraged about it all. Goodness knows when he will get back to Alice Springs now. A couple of other chaps came in from the Territory tonight and about 8 all told came here and had a party with the Dr. It developed into rather a wild night. One or two through having too much refreshment became a little nasty. Jack, the pilot on the plane, and self took our swags out the back away from the noise and got to sleep about 2 am.

Saturday November 16^th 1929:

Weather still very warm and we are still getting showers. All doing good. Reading and writing most of the day. Spent the evening down at the Cottage.

Sunday November 17^th 1929:

Weather not becoming any cooler. While it remains hot however, we will get rain. Had Sunday School this morning. Very encouraging too. 27 children attended. Did some visiting around the town and arranged for service at night. Miss the car for going around, especially in the heat. Not an extra large congregation at the service but have no complaints. Had a yarn and supper across at Reilly’s afterwards.

Monday November 18^th 1929:

South east wind today, meaning rain has gone for a while. Still hot however. At home all day, reading most of the time. Did some writing at night. Town quiet once more as all; visitors have departed. One or two will not be missed either, as could hardly say they were an asset.

Tuesday Nov 19th to Sunday Dec 1^st 1929:

In Camooweal all the time. Frightfully hot weather all the time and although at times plenty of storm clpouds about and rain fallen in other parts we missed. Nothing exciting happening.

Been out to a few parties in the town in honor of different ones leaving on holidays. Have been doping some reading and writing, although not as much as I should have. Jack returned from Mt Isa with two new wheels and went on out to Alroy with Mr Schmidt. He was in over one weekend, so took the service at night for me. There was not a full muster though but expect the extreme heat had something to do with it. Several days it was 114 on the verandah of the hospital and one afternoon in that heat, several of us went out and played cricket. Received communication from the Colonel stating that a new car was being shipped from Melbourne so will soon be proceeding to Townsville to bring it through. Missed a wedding the other day through having no car to go in and the police constable, on the spot, having a licence, did the job.

A chap out on one of the stations, after a beer up, belted and then shot up a nigger. He has been arrested and is now out on bail, awaiting trial. The nigger is very bad and will probably die. He has been taken to Cloncurry by plane for X-ray and treatment.

Had break-up sports for the kiddies on the 29^th over in the school grounds when I had the job, assisted by the H.T, of running the sports etc. Had a very pleasant afternoon and had no arguments with any of the mothers although heard murmurs at times.

A tropical storm

Friday Nov 8^th 1929: Cloncurry

Too hot altogether: have been expecting something to happen as the outcome of the hot, steamy weather and tonight it happened and with a vengeance too. Cec and I went across to Young’s to tea. Big banks of heavy storm clouds had covered the sky and there was a very angry sunset. Plenty of thunder and lightning in the distance. First herald of a disturbance was a terrific duststorm. In a few minutes there was a thick coat of dust on everything. Tea could not be partaken of until there was a general clean up and still we ate grit. Heavens by now was brilliantly illuminated by lightning and with the heavy clouds about was a wonderful sight. Cecil was especially thrilled and would not come in to tea, as he had for a long time desired to see a tropical storm. The thunder and lightning became more fierce and yet more wonderful. A few heavy drops of rain fell and then a lull. A few minutes later though the rain started in earnest, then the wind reached cyclonic force and the lightning made the whole storm rather fearsome. We feared that the house was going to be lifted and deposited, noone dared suggest where. All tins and anything loose lying about were soon fast disappearing in the distance. The lightning was so continuous that outside it was as day. The ground soon represented a vast lake and in front of the house, where there was a small gully, a few minutes before quite dry, now was a swirling race of muddy water. It was all over in about an hour but left traces behind of its visit, so as we would not soon forget. Mencar rang up for us to go home, and after ploughing through mud and wading through ater, we reached high land and a car and went home. What a sight greeted us. Half the home had either disappeared or was blown in. Mencar and his wife were standing in the front room surrounded by everything, some wet some dry, hastily thrown from the two bedrooms which had been unroofed. It was a mess and looked it. Many others in the town were in the same plight. We could do nothing but fix things so if it rained again, nothing more would get wet. This we did. Had many kind invitations from friends to spend the night at different homes but went back to Young’s. The baby had slept through it all. So came and passed on my first tropical storm.

Saturday Nov 9^th 1929:

Joined the crowds of sightseers this morning and went the rounds, inspecting the damage done, did some snapping. A fair amount of damage done, mostly in unroofing places. One hotel lost all its front balcony. One row of shops lost their verandah. Methodism suffered to the largest extent as W(esley) C(hurch)’s were to be found in all sort of odd places and at queer angles. The Cloncurry River was a fine sight although the water was terribly muddy. In the afternoon though there came the reckoning. Mencar got in two girls, one to do the washing and one to clean up the house and they were ‘all out’. Having once held a hammer my job was outside. One wall, having been blown in, has to be shifted and put in position. Iron had to be collected and replaced as well as other jobs. The place was patched up though and will stand for a time until it is done properly when it will have to be rebuilt, that is the portion that was so badly damaged. Had another rain storm at night but no damage done this time. Noone growls about the damage however as the rain is so welcome.

Time in Charters Towers

Friday Oct 25^th to Thursday Nov 7^th 1929:

Travelling from Cloncurry to Charters Towers attending Synod and returning to Cloncurry. Hot steamy weather the whole time. Walking around in bath of perspiration. Terrible weather to be travelling on these trains. Had a rather decent time at Synod. Cec and I stayed at the same place, at Laun’s, relations of Young’s in Cloncurry. Gave us a good time and made us feel quite at home. Too many Synod meetings though and the fuss made of the Inland Missioners was humorous while ridiculous. Had us speaking at various meetings and always we received special mention. The brethren at Synod were a very decent lot and had some helpful times together. Got through the exams fairly well, although am not too sure about the written one. Had one or two off times while down there. Went one afternoon to the weir and pumping station. One night to a Blackheath College concert in the Thornburgh College Arbour. Grils are no good on their own at giving a concert. Went to a private evening the night before returning. Found the Thornburgh bath very acceptable during the heat, also the P.Q.R café with its icecream and squashes. 2 young ladies at the house where we stayed, also contributed to the happy time we spent. The fellowship with the brother ministers and laymen, in and out of Synod meetings was not the least pleasing aspect of the stay in the ‘Towers’. Spent a fair bit of money though, which was not the wisest policy. Had a good and helpful time and made some good friends.

More challenges.

Wednesday Oct 16^th 1929:

Jack and I had the whole day on the bus and at times she had us frather heated. We made fair progress though. Cecil, the gentleman, reclined at ease in the study of Albreck or dining room of Heinreich. A hot windy day, sand everywhere suffocating and choking us. Spent a little time in the evening with both Albreck and Heinreich.

Thiursday Oct 17^th 1929:

Another day on the bus and late in the evening had her reassembled and out of the shed ready for the road. Too late to leave so stayed the night, spending the evening as the previous one. Like Pastor Albreck very much, a fine chap. Mrs Albreck very nice too, speaks to him in German as her English not too good. Would like to have stayed a while and had a look about but no time.

Friday Oct 18^th 1929:

Left the Mission amnd came back to the Alice. Called at the Government half-catse camp on the way in. Had a busy time at the Alice getting ready for the road and left about 4 in the evening. Had tea along the road and traveled until about 9 pm when camped.

Saturday Oct 19^th 1929:

Upn at daybreak and had breakfast, broke camp and off again. Reached Barrow Ck and collected a few things left there after the fire. Went on, inspected the remains of the car, salvaged a couple of things and off again. Did 240 miles for the day. Had a blow out, camped a mile from Tennants Ck telegraph station.

Sunday Oct 20^th 1929:

After mending a couple of punctures went off once more. Called at the Telegraph station but did not stay. A bad day, took us all day to do 60 miles. A hot day and patches on tube started to lift. Had 2 spare tubes but they did the same. Took one wheel off and the tyre and tube out and changed them, put other patches on about 50 times. The jack was no good and had to cut down a sapling every time and lever the wheel up. Crawled in at 5 o’clock to Banka Banka tired, dirty and disgusted. Decided to stay. Had some wireless at night.

Monday Oct 21^st 1929:

Tyres behaved better today. Only had to get out and pump one up about every 10 miles. Cut across country on an old track from Banka to Rockhampton Downs station. To get back on the the ‘downs’ was great. To get back to the ‘Rocky’ station was home again. It was good too. An awful road for 30 miles. Frightfully bumpy but it saved us over 200 miles so it was worth it. Had a nice evening with Mr and Mrs Easy.

Tuesday Oct 22^nd 1929:

Would have liked to stay here a day but no time. Left at 10 am and reached Alroy for lunch. Left there at 2 pm, called at the Rankine and a talk and a sing and left there reaching Camooweal at midnight. 240 miles for the day. Camooweal will do me. It is home. Not feeling in the best of spirits these days. Paying the penalty for neglect in many things. Have to dash on to Cloncurry and then to Charters Towers. Synod, exams, sermons down there and nothing prepared. Dozens of letters to write south and no time to do it. Still we cannot be worried. A poor policy though I am beginning to find. Got a budget of mail when got in. Up half the night reading it. The ‘Tigers’ premiers again. Good on them.

Wednesday Oct 23^rd 1929:

Had a busy day, trying to make amends for the enforced delay. Got the monthly returns and report finished and away as well as settling numerous accounts and writing numbers of business letters and a couple of private ones. A day of rush and tear. An evening in the hall in our honor at night but I was late in getting there. Cec and Jack went down early and I got there in time for supper. Retired about 2 am.

Thursday Oct 24^th 1929:

Up at 5 am and rousd the others and got to work packing up and loading up in oreparation for the trip to Cloncurry. Glen and Dooley had breakfast ready for us at 6.30 and at 7 am we left. A rotten trip all through. The road was awful and the road misbehaved. The body, owing to a broken U-bolt kept moving and so rubbing on the wheel causing endless delays and loss of temper. Had lunch at Mt Isa and journeyed on, eventually reaching Cloncurry at 10 pm dirty, and tired and thankful to be alive. Ran of the road once and up a bank and nearly turned over; Took a dive into a wash-away another time and had to dig our way out and hit very solidly at another spot deep rut. All this was in the dark but no serious damage done. Lost one bag once and had to go back for a mile for it. Got into the bath when arrived at the Parsonage and after having a cup of tea felt much better. A hot night. Retired some time after midnight.

Life was not meant to be easy!

Saturday Oct 12^th 1929:

Up at daybreak and filled up with petrol. Found one tin was leaking a bit so emptied it and all other tins were good. Had breakfast and at 7.30 were once more on the move. The road not bad but getting heavier on account of sand. 26 miles out passed the Taylor Well and crossing and sand now is very heavy. 5 miles further on Cec suddenly exclaims ‘the back is on fire’. Stop the bus and jump out and find the back of the car a mass of flame, all among the three cases of petrol on the bus and the 17 gallons in the two tanks. The wind blowing from the south east was bringing the flames right to the front of the car. It was hopeless from the start and looked it. I then ripped the cover of the back and grabbed the things nearest to me. Cecil’s swag and his bag, the medicine chest and then reaching across got my own bag which was beginning to burn. Was expecting at any minute to be blown up by the petrol exploding but pulled off another tin with a few things in it, the front seat and the two cameras and then the water bags and by this time it was too hot to go near it and not safe as the tins were going off and petrol shooting everywhere. Tried though to keep the flames from the front of the car by throwing shovelfuls of sand on it but it was no use and in the end we had to give in and stand and watch it burn which it soon did. Poor Cecil was that taken aback by the suddenness of it all that at first he could only stand and look but afterwards hopped in and helped throw sand on. We did save the front a bit too, as the two front wheels are alright and one front tyre and the radiator is sound but it is doubtful whether the engine has not been badly damaged. I think we might have saved ourselves the trouble of hal burying the front of the car for all the good it was. When it was over we found ourselves 30 miles away from the nearest means of communication with the outside world, with our worldly possessions sadly depleted…..two water bags with water, a few burnt biscuits and a tin on pineapple, one swag, one medicine chest, one spade, two cameras and two bags containing a few personal belongings. Gone up in smoke were one organ, gramaphone and records, Crayco projector and films, one swag, 2 new tennis racquets, one gun, hymn books and other books and reading matter, tucker boX and besides petrol, oil and numerous articles belonging to the car and sundries. How the fire started is a mystery. The only explanation I can offer is that the exhaust pipe started a flame. There was no backfire though and Cecil had not been smoking at all. There was nothing to do now but to walk back the 30 miles to Barrow Ck. Packed up most of the savings under a bush and making a swag of blankets, a towel, a few biscuits and a tin of pineapple, with the two water bags we started out. It was hot and sand, sand, sand was heavy. We looked well too. I with the swag on my back between us, Cecil with one water bag and the other water bag between us. The five miles back to the Taylor crossing was the longest five I have ever known and do not want to experience again. There were still 26 miles ahead of us and it did not sound nice to hear it. Found an old chap at the well here, with whom we had a drink of tea and bite of bread. He offered to loan us a camel to go to the next well which was 7 miles on. Anything is better than walking so put the two blankets on the camel and with the two of up off we set. It took us 1 ¾ hours to do the 7 miles and in future no more camel rides for me, unless I have a decent camel and a decent seat. When we gort to the next well, we stopped and said ‘Whist-A’ and down he went and off we got. I could hardly walk. A chap here put his horses in the buggy and took us a bit further on and left us with 14 miles to go. Off we went and before longCec began to get blistered feet. He took his boots off and then his socks and before long his feet were too sore to walk at all. Had to put his boots back on and then cut pieces out of the back until 6 miles from the Barrow Cecil would go no further. Wanted me to go on and leave him but refused. Built a big fire and heaped wood to be put on during the night, had a drink of water, rolled up in a blanket and got down by the fire. Too cold and up several times to put wood on. Cecil shifted camp several times too. Altogether a rotten night.

Sunday Oct 13^th 1929:

Up at 4.45 am and after rolling the swag and a drink of water at 5 am started off. Cecil feeling a bit better. 3 miles on came to a camp of a couple of Afghans with a camel team, carting wolfram. At last half a mile in the distant we saw the Barrow Ck station and at the same time heard a motor toot behind us and so had a ride the last half mile. The fates certainly were against us. Had a good fill up at the Barrow and felt a bit better and then Cecil went on into the Alice with the car. I stayed at the Barrow and went across to the police and reported. Came back and had a hot bath in a small tub. Felt better. Washed out the only pair of socks I had. Had lunch and afterwards tried to sleep but flies too bad. Police from Alice Springs arrived at 4 pm in the ‘Flying Bedstead’. One to relieve the police at present at the Barrow. Constable Littlejohn and myself then went out to the car and inspected and came back without lights in the moonlight. Had a good tea and at 10.s0 pm rolled up in the swag and reposed on mother earth.

Monday Oct 14^th 1929:

Up at 4.30 am and after a bite rolled swag, loaded up the ‘Flying Bedstead’, waited for Constable Joh ton and at 6.10 am headed for the Alice. The ‘ Flying Bedstead’ is a great bus: The Police patrol car: an old T-model Ford, no sound part about it: no lights, no brakes, no bonnet, no hood, no windcreens and and every part of it lose and rattling. Does the job though did 180 miles in 8 hours, actual traveling time 7 hours. Had several stops. Had to change a tyre, blow another one up: stop frequently for water. Generally had to push the bus to start her. Passed a policeman and is tracker bringing in two natives who had been cattle stealing for killing. Both were linked together with chains and steel bands around heir neck and both were naked. Called them to give us a push on the bus to start her and poor wretches thought they were going to get a ride but soon found their mistake. Policeman and his tracker were riding camels. Arrived in here at 2.10 pm sore and stiff and eyes smarting through the wind on them and lack of a decent sleep. Jack and Cecil here and Cecil had been to the hostel and had his feet attended to. Jack put on four eggs for me and I ate them all. Had a good wash and clean up and felt better. Did some writing and sent some telegrams before tea. Did some writing afterwards and to bed early. All of us are wondering what reply to our telegram we shall receive from the Colonel. Jack proposes when he gets his car going again and in here to take us across to Camooweal. Proposed this to Colonel in telegram. Heard Labor had scored and Billy Hughes in again.

Tuesday Oct 15^th:

Received telegram today from the Colonel that he agrees to our proposal. Jack’s car has to be reassembled yet, so the three of us went out to the Hermansburgh mission station, where the car is, to be in a couple of days doing repair work. Went out on the 2 ton lorry from the station, with loading and niggers. Travelled in the evening and a great drive along the foot of the McDonal Ranges. Hermansburgh is 80 miles out and have about 400 natives in the mission. Pastor Albreck is the head, Mr Heinreich is the teacher. Both can speak the native tongue (Arunta) fluently and the blacks are taught in their own tongue as well as taught English. They seem to be doing a good work here among the blacks.

On the road again.

Thursday Oct 3^rd 1929:

Was up at daybreak and had a good fire going to get warm by as it was a very cold night. Had breakfast of bacon and eggs and packed up and were on the road by 7.30 am. The next water was 90 miles away so we could not afford to wash during the day, in case we got stranded. We soon got into sand and then the fun started. It was an awful day, and qe thought we could never get through when Cec suggested letting some air out of the tyres, which when we did helped considerably. A couple of times we had to dig ourselves out and use the wire netting that we were carrying to negotiate some of the sand. The country was fearfully rough and there were dozens of steep banked sandy creeks to be crossed which at times looked impossible. The bus stood up to the job well though and only once held us up for any time. Crossing some rough country the oil pipe was knocked off the sump and looked very nasty for a while, but after an hour and a half during which time I got covered in grease oil and dirt, with the help of the soldering iron, solder etc and a bit of soap, we fixed her sufficiently well to travel on again. A welcome sight late in the afternoon was a well and there we filled up with water and had a good wash. Travelling on again we camped at dark near a soak, four miles from the field. Two chaps in a big ‘Chev’ truck, were camped here also and thinking themselves very lucky that they had got through safely.

Friday Oct 4^th 1929:

Did not hurry to break camp this morning but had a shave and clean up before moving on and reached the field about 9 am. Very few are here at present, as the first rush is over and all claims are pegged out and water being scarce has driven most back to safety. Hanlon, the finder of the field and a few of his friends are here, but not too responsible at present, through some of the mining heads bringing out refreshments. There are several of these men here also inspecting and it all depends on them as to what the outcome will be. One old chap showed us the reef and specimens etc and explained how promising it looked, which everyone seems to agree upon but by being in such an awkwardly getatable place is going to be a big drawback. We had a yarn with the men there and Hanlon gave us a donation of 5 pounds and all promised their support to the mission if anything goes ahead at the fiel. We left them some books and Spectators, and moved on. (The Spectator was a regularly published magasine of the Methodist Church in Victoria.) The field is right in the ranges and for 250 miles between the field and Alice Soprings we never got out of tem, except for one stretch of about 30 miles. I never thought that in Australia there were so many ranges and creek beds. It is wonderful country and the coloring of the ranges at a distance is glorious but they lost their beauty when we got into them and had to climb and wander all over them. We camped at night away in the wilds, having no idea where we were and kept the gun loaded in case of an invasion by blacks. Nothing disturbed our peaceful slumber though.

Saturday Oct 5^th 1929:

On and on among the hills and valleys . Rough and hard going. After this trip we are convinced Birtles has nothing on us. ( Birtles was an Australian adventurer in the early 1900’s. )

We passed through today a couple of mica mines where mostly Italians are at work. 67 miles from Alice Springs we came to the first home, rather rough, but it brought us back to civilization. Called in for a while and then 7 miles on came to a police station. ConstbHamilton has a lonely existence here and with him we had a cup of tea and some cakes. Our next stopping place was 10 miles out from the Alice, a station homestead and eventually at 8 pm we reached Alice Springs. Dirty, tired and weary. Found Jack Williams’ tent and nobody home and went across to the A I M hostel but he was not there. Heard he was in town so had a good bath and clean up at the hostel, in the midst of which Jack arrived. Plenty of talking for a while but as everyone was tired we did not stay up late.

Sunday Oct 6^th 1929:

The weather is father warm down here and bed is not inviting once thte sun is up so we were up soon after. Jack baches for breakfast and tea so we had ours with him. He has not much comfort here only a tent and today has been very windy and dusty and everything is a mess as a result. Had our dinner at an eating house in the place. ‘The Alice’ is a very pretty little place, right in the hills and plenty of trees and shrubs about, rather a contrast to Camooweal. Went across to the A I M hostel and had afternoon tea and stayed for tea. The 2 sisters there are very nice and have a great building with a big lawn in front. There were about 30 at the service at night which I conducted and at which Cec sang. A crowd of us sat on the lawn at the hostel afterwards and when lemon drinks and cakes were partaken of, home to bed.

Beauty and heartbreak in the outback.

Thursday Sept 26^th 1929:

A day at Lawn Hill. A good day in every respect. The homestead is situated on the top of a hill and commands a great view of the surrounding country. Through the energetic labors of Mrs Gayden the house is in the centre of shrubs, creepers, trees, flowers and a real lawn, making the place really beautiful. Lawn Hill creek runs along a few hundred yards away and adds to the attractiveness of the place. We had a great day, just wandering about among the beauties. Went in swimming and also saw a crockodile, but he did not come near us. I went fishing while Cec stayed at the house and read and although I could see plenty fish in the creek, only managed to catch one, a black bream about 2 lbs. We had roast turkey for tea , one that we had shot on the way in yesterday. It was good too. A couple of ripe paw-paws from the tree in the garden were relished by yours truly. After tea we all had a sing together and after a prayer, retired.

Friday Sept 27^th 1929:

After breakfast and a final look around the place, loaded up and set off on the way back to Camooweal. 17 miles along came to the Chinaman’s garden on Louis Creek, where Sam Ah Bon reigns supreme. Tried to get from him some bananas on the cheap but he stoutly affirmed, pointing to the car, “you gentlemens, plenty money, you got car”. However in the end we got 12 dozen for 5 shillings which was not too bad. They are not ripe but should ripen in a few days. At The Springs, old chap Walker was our host and entertained us while we were at lunch. From there on over rough country we journeyed until Herbertvale was reached, and there we talked and ate with Mr McMillan. From there on to Gallipoli back into N.T is 20 miles and soon covered, where we pulled up for the night. All the chaps were in and we had after tea a record evening. They were not at all partial to hymns though. The ground was again our bed although did not mind it. Cec could not sleep.

Saturday Sept 28^th 1929:

Calling at a couple of bores on the way in at which there was at one a single chap and at the other a married couple, we reached Camooweal at lunch time. Did a couple of jobs on the car in the afternoon and after tea both of us went down to the Cottage for a while then home to bed.

Sunday Sept 29^th 1929:

A windy, dusty day and not at all conducive to good humor. Had Sunday School in the morning and a nice lot of kiddies attended. We are getting most of the children in the town now to attend very regularly which is quite encouraging. Did the usual round of the town after Sunday School with several of the children on the car, dropping them at their various homes. Several are sick in the hospital at present so after dinner I went across and had a yarn to them. Some queer characters there are about these parts, and you do not know who is who. One chap has read more books about theology than I have ever heard about and is very widely read in every way and is only a ‘bagman’ or swaggie. Had a nice crowd at church at which Cecil again pleased with his singing. Had supper and a yarn across at Reilly’s after church and then retired.

Monday Sept 30^th 1929:

Cec did the washing today while I was at the bus once more. Had to take one front wheel to pieces and pack all the spokes that were very loose. That and several smaller jobs took up the whole day. Cec growled all the morning on account of having so much of my washing to do so in the future I will do it myself. Did some writing and making up of accounts after tea.

Tuesday Oct 1^st 1929:

Ha a busy morning writing and settling accounts, straightening things out in general and loading up the bus. Had a big load on too when finished as we have a big trip in front of us, so we are carrying a big supply of petrol, water, food etc. After lunch we set out for Lake Nash station which was our last port where we could depend on water and food. Picked up three bagman outside the ‘weal and overloaded the bus by putting them on. The road was not good though to Lake Nash so took them that far and left them. Had a pleasant morning at the homestead in very pleasant surroundings. A beautiful evening and much enjoyed as we sat on the verandah in comfortable chairs, with shrubs and flowers adding to the enjoyment. Wednesday Oct 2^nd 1929:

Set out today from Lake Nash for a new silver lead field in the Jervois ranges, right in the centre of Australia. Leaving Lake Nash we traveled south east for 12 miles until we found the netting fence, a boundary of Qld and N.T and keeping on the N.T side of it, followed it due south for about 90 miles and then struck west for 10 miles and came to Tobermory station. This place is one of the tragedies of the drought. There is a beautiful two-storied homestead here, wonderfully fitted, with every convenience but now going to ruin and inhabited by blacks. One young chap, son of the owners works about the place occasionally and looks after the few head of cattle run on the place, but there is no feed and no water so there is not much to be done. Dead cattle in hundreds spoke only too plainly of the plight of the country. By nightfall we had left Tobermory 20 miles to our east and we camped on the last bore on the station. Cec went to open a tin of butter and the contents being liquid when the opener penetrated it spurted all over him, much to his annoyance. We had the gramaphone going while we ate to keep away the evil spirits.

Isolation and alligators

Monday Sept 23 1929:

A beautiful day although inclined to be somewhat warm about midday, the reading being over the 100. Moved on from Brookdale after ‘smoko’ and after also having watched shearing operations for a while. A few miles a.long the road we came to a very pretty creek crossing, known as The Brook and so fascinating was it that we stopped here for quite a while, had some lunch and a lie around in the sun and water. Had Cec have had his own way he would have remained there for a couple of days. After reavelling from here, some 200 odd miles, Burketown gradually became visible out of the haze on the horizon. Half a dozen houses with a couple of stores and an hotel. Drove up to the P.O and billeted ourselves on P.M Young for the period of our stay in the town. Went to the hotel for tea, had a walk and talk and read afterwards.

Tuesday Sept 24^th 1929:

A nice warm day also, very pleasant. Cec today went out with some chaps to the Nicholson River hunting alligators. They had some good sport too they said, seeing plenty of ‘gators and shot one. They also saw a big mob crockodile and Cec was very proud of his achievement in shooting a flying fox and a wallaby. As alligator hunting was not our purpose for coming to Burketown I did not go out but spent a day among the folk. Sent around them all and enquired after their health etc arranged for a service at night. Christened a baby, went to the State School and had a yarn to the kiddies and it was tea time. After tea and before service had time for a little recreation which I found on the tennis court. Thought that Cec was going to desert us for the service but he arrived back just as we were going to the hall and we started without him but he came across later and sang. Had a nice service with practically everyone who could come, present. After service we had a little social gathering in the form of some supper back at the P. O with a tin of pineapple, 2 packets of biscuits and black tea in glasses. All very nice too.

Wednesday Sept 25^th 1929:

Weather is great. Only hope it does not get any hotter. A vain hope though. Had several to see in the town this morning and also had to arrange for someone to take on the Sunday School as the present teacher is shortly leaving to go to Brisbane. As soon as ,lunch was over we ‘hot the trail’ once more and soon Burketown faded out of view. Called at a couple of camps by the wayside and had the father been at home at one camp there would have been another baby to Christen. Not meaning that the father was the baby. The road this way was very rough in spots but we bumped along over it. A lot of smoke was hanging around during the afternoon indicating a fire somewhere and late in the afternoon, big black clouds came up and looked a certainty for rain but nothing happened. Met a chap at the Gregory crossing and after a yarn and leaving some reading with him moved off again. There are some characters out in these parts and we met one today. An old chap who patrols portion of the rabbit fence. We called at his camp and he would not shake hands with me until I had fully explained who I was etc and then was rather reluctant. He gave us a drink of tea but as soon as the last mouthful was done he told us as we intended going on we had better hurry and be off. He is one of those out here to whom anyone who comes near them is an intruder. At 7 pm we reached Lawn Hill homestead, 120 miles from Burketown and getting here a decent reception we took our bags inside. Had a good tea afterwards sat out on the lawn in the cool and talked till bed time. Had a decent bed here too, the first for over a week, as we having been sleeping on boards, floor and ground.