Day 20 – Cobbold to Normanton

I got up at 6:20 as there was enough light to see and showered and dressed. Then we had breakfast at the barbecue centre just up from the camp kitchen. We packed up at a leisurely rate as I didn’t want to leave too early – before 8:30 and the sun would be in my eyes driving. So not long after 8:30 we were off and had a good drive into Forsayth – I photographed some cattle and some signs to others may appreciate what it actually is. The road from Forsayth to Georgetown is partly sealed and the unsealed section again was not too bad. Then we were up to Georgetown, where the southern town entrance has a beautiful lookout and garden, together with a mural on the water tank. We drove through Georgetown, but there was no immediate appeal so we pressed on to Croydon. We pulled in at the Information Centre, had a look and watched a short film about the history of the area (alas, spoiled for me as some tourists brought their dog in with them and I quickly had shortness of breath). We did a quick drive around the historic precinct (worthy of at least another visit), tried the pub for lunch (no meals during the day on Sundays) and ended up having chips at the café. At the same time I booked the trip on the GulfLander to Critters’ Corner. Then it was on to Normanton and Lynn had to look out for the stop at Critters’ Corner – it is about 30 km by road from Normanton. When we arrived at Normanton (about 3), plan A was the Tourist Park, plan B was another park in town (there are two others), plan C was to go back to Leichhart Lagoon and plan D was to go back to Croydon (if there was no other accommodation available). As it turned out, there was room at the inn, so we selected a shady spot and set up the tent. Then we did a quick drive around, looked at the town (nothing much open), found a shady spot on the old road, but now pedestrian, bridge and then went back to town. Lynn wanted to do a pub crawl, so we started with the Albion. Our drinks there were accompanied by a singer and guitarist. Then Lynn hit the Purple Pub while I got some drinks at the supermarket. After that we had some time with Krys – Lynn with her head in its mouth (I need to get one with me). Back at the park I returned some calls and Lynn returned some of hers and the temperature gradually cooled from the 32°C it was during the day. We had some tea and then were to bed by about 8:20.