Winton to Cloncurry

We stopped for 2 nights between Winton & Cloncurry, 1 night each in Hughendon & Julia Creek. We won't write much about wither of the towns, because there is really not much to write. In both places it was mid 30's and no pools open because it is "winter". They were really just places to rest for the nights. However Julia creek did have an airconditioned library with the internet ($3 for 15 minutes!!!). And they had a free book exchange so it gave me (lauren) an opportunity to get some more books to read...as i have read 6 since being on the road.

Cloncurry, however, was fantastic. The van park we chose was great. Lovely large sites separated by 2m high bouganvillea vines, so very private. Still mid 30's, but they had an OPEN pool, which Alex and I made use of. The pool was surprisingly cold, so Antony wasn't as tempted. The town had a Woolies which was fantastic, as shopping at the little grocery stores and supermarkets was becoming expensive.

We were in Cloncurry for the Curry Merry Muster Festival, which started on the Friday night with a Street Parade/Madis Gras. Everything and everyone was pink as it was to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. There were cowboys/girls riding horses with painted pink hooves & pink braids. The floats were pink, even the cars/trucks were decorated pink! There were lollies thrown from most of the floats, we had almost half a backpack full by the time Alex had run around collecting them all...funny thing is, Alex isn't a huge lolly fan! shucks, i guess his Mum & dad will have to help him :)

On the Saturday we went to the Mary Kathleen Museum & park, where there was lots of old railway machinery & the museum was a historic police house. After that was the Rodeo, and it was fantastic! It is the highest paying Rodeo in Australia, so there were all the good 'riders' there. There were horse obstacle races, bull riding, & steer chasing. We saw one bull rider finish his ride on an overly wild bull, then after he jumped off the bull turned, charged then threw him about 2.5m into the air! You could tell the locals from the visitors at that point, as the women visitors squealed and covered their eyes, and the locals didn't even flinch! Needless to say the Ambo's were needed for that one.

Some of the braver kids, including Alex, sat on the fence to watch the rodeo. It was pretty funny when the rogue bulls/horses ran towards them at full speed, they couldn't get off that fence quick enough :) Unfortunately we don't have many photo's of the rodeo, as we had forgotten to charge our camera batteries.