.Day
65 - 30/7/07 - Arriving at Tilpa
Steve's Report: Today was a bit cooler with some reasonably strong headwinds at times. Still managed 44km into Tilpa where David Bristow had organised a room for us.
David left just after sunrise and I set off about 8.00am. The sun doesn't get up until around 7.00am out here but it is still light at 6.00pm.
The Tilpa weir took over half an hour to negotiate and the rest of the trip into Tilpa was only good in the pools. In between was shallow and I ran aground a lot.
Deb, the lady who runs the pub, said that the river had only been running for three days. So, decision time tomorrow I guess. It might be back on the road.
Still can't get phone or internet reception on Next G.
David Bristow's Observations: I tried looking for Steve a few weeks back, but failed due to the flu…this time I was more successful and found him and Jonathon down the Darling River below Louth back of Bourke.
Both men were in fine spirits, dangerously healthy and enjoying the country fully. Jonathon cannot wait to pit himself against the elements, and Steve I think he is hoping the elements aren’t home to hear his pleas.
The river is amazing, I’ve travelled a lot of Australia and the country is really unique, the shelter of the river gums and the river wet and flowing through some very dry woodland, clay pans and open plains, not the total desert country I was expecting to see.
There are some great people keeping watch on the river and an eye out for Steve…his reputation precedes him.
Jonathon is running a tidy camp with food, that while it takes his imagination a little time to concoct, was always welcome and finished to the metal plate every time.
I spent two glorious days down the Darling with Steve and Jonathon…I even scouted out the Tilpa Pub…not a bad establishment for a population of 6…cold beer, friendly landlady (Debbie) and the counter meal as good as Jono’s cooking.
Steve has almost as many new questions about the river as he has had answered along the track, and local opinion is divided over his message, but as Banjo P once said, he remains undaunted and his courage fiery hot…don’t know who’s listening, but as I retraced Steve’s steps this week back up the track, his well remembered, and the yarns abound.
Anyway thanks Steve and Jonathon for being great hosts during my impromptu visit. The sun rises and sunsets were great and the yarns and ideas on the river even better.
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| View from the cockpit. That's Tilpa on the map |
This is more like it - a bit of sand for lunch |
Solar panels and old windmill |
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Can't help thinking -"This is more what the
river
banks should look like" |
Steve fixing a punctured tyre |
Steve heading off after fixing puncture |