Fri 28th on, The Long Road Home

Friday 28th

The holiday is over, the l3,800km long journey home now starts.

We are on the road by 8:40am, stop when we hit the bitumin to put the solar panels up on the front of the CT, can't charge while driviing as the dead auxilliary battery is sucking everything.

Finish up going to Katherine skipping the Flora Nature Reserve, probably a good thing. Got the aux battery replaced, rang the Big 4 Low Level Caravan Park and booked ahead (good thing as otherwise we would not have got in, really nice park), solar panels on the CT while driving did not put enough charge in. A powered site overnight hopefully will put the CT batteries in good shape for the rest of the trip home.

Saturday 29th

On the road by 8:30am after a refuel. We look like being at our target campsite Banka Banka by about 2:30pm despite strong crosswinds so decide to push onto the Barkley Homestead Roadhouse so that we can finish up in Mt Isa on Sunday night. We turn left for the run to BHR and are now driving into,the wind, diesel consumption climbs to around 22l/100km.

We complete the 840km to BHR by about 5:15pm, it is blowing a gail so do the minimum setup, shower and go up to the bar/restuarant for dinner, we both have Borroloola Barra.

CT batteries appear to have more charge in them than when we left this morning, a positive sign.

Sunday 30th

Our CT battery problems appear to be over, the batteries are still at 75% in the morning. The auxilliary battery must have been dieing for the entire trip. I should have gone with my instincts and replaced it in Karatha early in the trip instead of relying on a auto electrician who seemed to think it was a charging problem.

More headwinds and revolting fuel consumption. Arrive in Isa, refuel, go to the Riversleigh Fossil Museum which was not as I remembered it (not worth it). Go to the Buffalo club for lunch, not a good Sunday roast. Continue to the Sunset Caravan Park which we have pre-booked an unpowered site. Not a good site in the conditions, next to a creek that has water but the area is dusty and clouds of dust are being driven by the wind.

Monday 1st

Drive to Winton, more headwinds, stay in a caravan park in town.

Tuesday 2nd

Drive onto Longreach, do the Stockman's Hall of Fame and then onto the Ilfracombe caravan park. Nice park, clean and well maintained. "Happy Hour" is a talent show not to be missed.

Wednesday 3rd

Continue on east through Emerald rather than going south to Blackall. Drive onto Duaringa where we stay in the large free camp. 550km for the day, both of us are somewhat tired with 3,150km of the 3,800km home completed.

Thursday 3rd

Drive home the remaining 650km arriving at about 4:10pm. Rosie, Chris ' dog has not forgotten us!

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