Wednes 19/6/2013 Winton
After doing all the domestic chores we headed out to explore Winton. Winton’s special attractions include Arno’s Wall - a stone wall built by Arno which incorporates items from all aspects of life into its construction such as pots and pans, a concrete mixer , a motor bike and even a kitchen sink!
Another attraction is Winton’s musical fence - the fence wires are tensioned to particular keys and the vibration is transferred to a resonator so a tune can be played on the fence. Also there are musical instruments and a drum/percussion set made from assorted junk items.
We looked at the opal in the local shops. It is very beautiful but also very expensive. Later in the afternoon we went back out to Bladensburg burg National Park and I found another piece of opalized rock. Four to me, none to Gerd ... yet!
Thurs 20/6/2013 to Wednes 26/6/2013 Opalton
Well stocked with supplies of food and water we set out for Opalton. We took about two and a half hours to travel the 115 km of dirt road to Opalton.
At the “Outpost” we met Eric and his son Chris. They directed us to the bush camping ground, explained the local method of fossicking and also showed us some beautiful opal pieces they had bought and mined. They invited us to come out to fossick at their mine the following morning which we eagerly accepted. Thank you for your hospitality.
The bush camp has a flushing toilet and a hot shower using water from the dam if you light up the hot water “donkey”. Within minutes of our arrival and self selection of a suitable spot to camp Daryl, one of the local miners, arrived with kindling and wood for a camp fire. After setting up as quickly as possible we joined the other campers on our knees out under the low trees searching for buried treasure.
Daryl was running a bobcat over the field to loosen up the mullock so that it was easier to work through. He came and showed everyone what to look for. Most of the rocks at Opalton have traces of potch or opal, but of course everyone is looking for that elusive special piece.
We fossicked, took pictures and ate and slept (and Gerd talked to everyone) for 6 days. It was great fun.
A deserted dunny.
A deserted dunny.
The scenery
During this time I discovered that I had a big cattle tick on my back so we had to beg for some metholated spirit from Eric to treat it. Later Gerd discovered that he also had a tick on his thigh, so we had to ask again for some more metho. That night I had night mares about ticks and woke up convinced that there was a tick attached to my leg but because it was the middle of the night I couldn’t do anything about. In the morning my I was glad to find that the terror of the night was only a figment of my imagination.
Daryl tried out his racing car.
The full moon was beautiful.
We have a box of rocks to carry home, but mainly it is rock just for conversation starters.
Thurs 27/6/2013 Winton
Three exciting things happened last night: Qld beat NSW in the footy; Rudd beat Gillard in the parliament and the two Neuschulz returned to Winton and after showers had fresh clothes.
Today was a reorganising day - washing the sheets, towels, PJs, etc.; exchanging the gas bottle; stocking up on food for the next few days (food is much more expensive than in Wodonga), and refilling the water tanks. Winton draws water from the Great Artesian Basin at a depth of 1.3 km. It arrives at a temperature of 88 degrees celsius and is cooled to 43 degrees celsius before being reticulated throughout the town. The water smells of hydogen sulphide gas but this dissipates when it is boiled or stands and then it is quite nice to drink.
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