Day 26 – Adel’s Grove to Borroloola

I woke up to get showered and dressed and have breakfast. We weren’t in too much of a rush as I didn’t want to leave early to avoid the rising sun in my eyes and also to arrive and fill up at Gregory Downs after they opened (10). The camp opposite us had a flat battery in their HiLux after running everything off the battery for a day and were looking for jumper leads – one of the things I didn’t pack as that was the reason I had two batteries. Eventually they found some and were jumpered to start. We packed up and were on the road before 9. It was a good run to Gregory Downs – except for seeing so many camped in the river bed despite express warnings against doing so – there was a free camping area just up from the pub! We got to the pub and – no diesel in the tanks! He was just starting to transfer a few thousand litres over, so we just had a drink in the pub. Then it was along the road back to Burketown until the turnoff to Doomadgee. The road was good and there were many eagles along the way – a few very large wedge-tails – but none were game enough to stay on the road to be photographed. We also saw a pig cleaning up some roadkill. At Doomadgee we went to get lunch – only chips and fish, the bakery was closed and nothing else available. I had chips and Lynn got herself lunch from the food on board. We arrived at Hells Gate just after 1. I had an ice cream and drink there and took a few photos and decided to head off for Borraloola, figuring that even with the dirt surface I’d be there well before sundown. Most of the road was reasonable, with a few corrugated sections and at least six creek crossings – all negotiated with care successfully. However the driving did take a little toll and so when we arrived in Borraloola we decided to take a cabin in the caravan park rather than set up. Of course, after we did, we then found there was no place to have tea in town. The only alternative was another 40 km on, so instead we settled on cheese on toast. I had ALDI signal so I sent texts and went online. I updated my blogs and photos, rang Fran, Jason and Vanda and tried to get my emails. Connection was very slow. Eventually I went to bed and to sleep.