Day 21 – Normanton

I arose refreshed and ready to face the day – Lynn apparently was not. Dogs and snorers had kept her awake. I had my shower (it did take over ten minutes to get hot water – it’s artesian) but Lynn only had a partial shower – too cold. We had some breakfast – toast and tea for me – and Lynn did the washing and hung it out after breakfast. We headed down to the railway station and found a long queue. There was enough room for everyone, fortunately. We sat in the middle carriage on the way down to Critter’s Camp and in the driving car, immediately behind the driver, on the way back. The line is set on pressed or forged steel sleepers which are placed directly on the ground, to minimise flood damage. The motive power is a Gardiner six cylinder diesel driven through a crash four-speed gearbox. We left at 8:30 and arrived there about 9:15. The entire first carriage then got onto a bus for their tour and the rest of us returned. I asked station staff and found out where to get the magazines – so went down and got them. Then we were off to Karumba – a pleasant drive of around 50 minutes. We got pies for lunch, then investigated the Visitors’ Centre – and had a chat about how to make the region look more attractive to visitors. We went out to the point, met a couple there who we had met at Cubbold Gorge and took some photos. Then we drove back through the town and looked at places of interest – there were quite a few of them. I took some photos and looked at MMG – an Australian-Chinese mid-tier base metal mining company. We drove back to Normanton and I tried to ring Katherine Toyota – no luck. I tried a panel beaters – no luck. The Visitor Information Centre found out it was a holiday in Katherine – just my luck! Then I tried to book in at Adel’s Grove – no reply! Bad luck is mine today. We went to a store and Lynn shopped and I filled ARTIE with fuel – at 139 ¢ per litre, the dearest yet. We returned to the park and while Lynn got the washing in, I tried to connect to the Internet – no luck with my Aldi mobile, so I had to use my Optus (aghh, the cost!). Then I tried to connect to the census (the park owner knew nothing yet) and was told I couldn’t, and should ring. I rang and got told the lines were busy and then I got hung up on. Eventually I got through to the website and found - Staying in other accommodation For those staying at an accommodation service such as a hotel, serviced apartment, hostel or caravan park, your accommodation service provider will give you a form when you arrive. Travelling in remote areas Special Field Officers will be found at certain locations in remote areas such as truck stops and caravan parks. They will provide you with a Census form or information on how to complete the Census online. If you are travelling and staying in remote parts of Australia on Census night, and do not receive a Census form from a dedicated pick-up location, please contact the Census Inquiry Service (http://help.census.abs.gov.au/help/popquestions?gclid=CjwKEAjww_a8BRDB-O-OqZb_vRASJAA9yrc5JUTpKbSonp1Rdw_dUCb3S6hvq7i9AOplzlNA-NXUXBoCuzfw_wcB#backto). So we don’t have to worry – it would have been good if people knew. I had to put the laptop on to charge as it was down to 10%. As it was charging in the kitchen, I had to take it off once we were going to bed.