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.