26 June at Longreach Qld

26 June 2012 - 8th wedding anniversary for M and me.
Today we have moved on to Longreach from Alpha (in the rain). We have found our free camp about 4km NW of Longreach, on the bank of the Thompson River (which is a tributary of the Cooper Creek - we passed a sign today to indicate we have moved into the Lake Eyre Basin - isn't that something!) There are at least 30 - 40 rigs here, the signposted maximum stay is 4 days. We have spent an hour or two late this afternoon talking to the couple adjacent (Mick and Jean from Goolwa SA) who travel for 6 months of each year, all around Australia. They have given us a wealth of information about good campsites, availability of good water etc. We may stop a couple of nights here, have a look at things in Longreach, go fishing here for yellowbelly perch and perhaps organise a BBQ with our new neighbours tomorrow afternoon.

Here are some photos:

 Thompson River, adjacent to the campsite. The yellow colour isn't "dirty", just the runoff from the claypans!

 Just some of the rigs here - we are in the middle.

  

Down to the cheese and bickies, in the van

R outside the van.