Emerald to Mt Isa via Jericho and Longreach

Wednesday 14th May

Leaving Emerald we headed west to Alpha where there are supposed to be 27 murals. Well we found a few but someone had forgotten to paint them after the sun faded them. So they were a bit of a let down. So we went to Jericho on the River Jordan,
In 1988 the town built a sculpture called The Crystal Trumpeters in memory of the Israelites who walked around the Walls of Jericho for 6 days, before blowing their trumpets on the 7th day and watching as the city walls collapsed. The crystals represent various moments in the Old Testament.

One of the crystal trumpeter depictions

The crystal trumpeter sculpture

A Crystal Trumpeter

There was a free camp there at a place called Redbank Park and it was beautiful. The nicest free camp we have stayed at. Right on the river with some grass around and even some flushing toilets which is always a bonus.

Our camp at Redbank Park, Jericho

The free camp area at Redbank Park, Jericho

River Jordan at Jericho

We left Jericho and headed towards Longreach stopping at Barcaldine for morning tea. We went to the Apex Park beside the Thomson River at Longreach. It is a free camp and is always packed. Everyone keeps a reasonable space between each other so no one is crowding you.

The Apex park free camp at Longreach

Our camp at Longreach. We are in the middle of the picture

Paddle steamers on the Thomson River at Longreach

Thomson River, Longreach

We decided to stay 2 nights as Longreach Show was on Friday and Saturday and we thought that would be nice to go to.

The weather is clear but there is a stiff breeze blowing which keeps the temperature down but stirs up the dust. We went to the show. Only $10 each to get in. Not a lot to see. We looked at some alpacas and learnt about their habits. They had some alpaca garments for sale but they are pretty pricey. A 50g ball of natural spun alpaca wool was $11.50.

Alpaca at Longreach Show

We had a look at the chook pavilion and the arts and crafts and spent some time looking at the cattle judging.

This little bull won first prize in the 16month to 20month section. He is going to be a big boy when he grows up.

Ray had a dagwood dog which he hadn't had for years but was disappointed as it was made with a frankfurt instead of a saveloy.

We bought some beautiful cheese from a couple who go around the show circuit selling cheese from artisan cheese makers throughout the east coast.  We bought some smoked, red Leicester, vintage and a mild blue. I also bought the obligatory show bags, only 2 though.

On Saturday we were on the road again. We stopped at Winton for a late morning tea/early lunch. Leaving Winton we had to pull over again for another wide load, 6 metres this time.

Give Way to another wide load

Next we saw a huge herd of wild camels and an abundance of road kill with various birds getting a good feed from it. We had decided to stop at Kynuna Roadhouse for the night. Nothing special but it was quiet but the flies could pick you up and carry you away. We had dinner and breakfast at the roadhouse.
Next morning we headed to Mt Isa via Cloncurry.
We are staying here for 2 nights to catch up with the washing and the Blog and then we will head further west staying at Wonorah Bore on the Barklay Highway and then over to Three Ways and north up to Banka Banka Station,then Daly Waters to visit the well known pub and then to Katherine. I will update the Blog again in Katherine