Gidday all,

Plan B, the day of departure from here has been put back, due to having got word that the camel Deb has been waiting for was due to arrive on the weekend. Couldn’t leave without welcoming her into the herd.

 

She arrived on Saturday, a bit worn out from the trip, but in good condition.

 

 

 

She was promptly tethered around camp and given a welcomed feed. Then slowly introduced to her new herd.

 

 

 

Coco accepted the newcomer quickly, which was unusual for her, she normally doesn’t like strangers. Ziggy was next and he quickly informed her he was head rooster around here then with a few more sniffs, promptly ignored her. I think they will get along well.

 

 

We will hang around for another few days to see all is well and there is no problem with Deb and her new family. Still looking forward to the slow trip home and the greenery and hopefully wildflowers up the Birdsville track. At the top end, the inside track, which we came down, is closed at the moment with all the rain they have had, so will see what it’s like when we get that far.

 

Gidday all,

Things have been happening for Deb in the last couple of weeks here in Copley. The Community here have welcomed us all and said Deb can camp down at the old yards just out of town and make it her own as long as she likes. They want her to take on a position as teaching office skills to the younger ones a few days a week.

The camel road train moving camp to the old yards at Copley

 

 

 

We have been busy setting up camp and fixing up an existing shelter at the yards for her.

Also Deb has been networking with various government departments about setting up a small business idea and working livestock museum (camels, donkies, horses, ect ) in the area. They have been interested and supportive so far, with the closure of the coal mine, they are looking for future development of the area.

 What an extraordinary experience we have had, trekking the old ghan line with two magnificent gentle, yet powerful and faithful camels, Coco and Ziggy

and Deb, a resourceful, determined outback legend.

 

. Not to forget Thac the dog.  

 

 

 

 

.  It took six weeks on the ground to cover the one hundred and seventy ks. But we wouldn’t have done it any other way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So she is excited about her prospects and so are we. Will hang about for another week or so, help with a few things, then leave her to it, probably go back up the Birdsville track and the Diamantina River Road to Winton, the way we came last September. Will be interesting to see the difference in the countryside as the rains have come in the last few months. We have already seen a difference in the landscape around here.

 

Looking forward to catching up with them all next year, on our annual southern migration.

Now looking toward our next adventure, heading home.

 

After lots of enquiries and meeting most of the elders of the Copley community, Deb has been offered a position teaching the young people in the place office skills, to help with administration duties.
This would be a great base for her to get some of the things she wants to achieve happening, like a camel museum and setting up some kind of short paying trips with the camels and wagon.

                                                            Emus saying hello to ziggy.

 The weather has turned colder, minus 1 last night, but still warm enough in the camper.

                                The frost covered everything, a winter wonderland in the morning.

Gidday all,

Decided to park up the camels and wagon in the yards at Copley and go for a drive to Lyndhurst, Farina and Marree, as there was the camel cup on at Marree on Saturday.

 

First stop Farina, there are a mob of volunteers restoring the ruins of the old Ghan town. They work there for two months every year, doing a great job. They have restored the old underground bakery and sell pies, cakes, rolls and bread during that time, all made in the old wood fired oven.

 

Camped at Farina and headed to Marree the next day. Pulled into the racecourse, a small crowd were there and some donkies were racing.

Spent the day there and camped overnight. During the night it started raining, only light but enough to make us pack up early in the morning and get on the road back to Copley as most of the way is dirt and if it rained much more the roads might be closed.

Got back to Copley Sunday arvo and greeted the camels who were happy to see us.

Gidday all,

Still in Copley, have met most of the locals and most of the kids have been over for a look and to see if we have any bickies or milo, or anything really. Having had a pat and feed they disappear for a couple of hours then return.

One of the men dropped off a roo back the other day and we roasted it with all the vegies and gravy, was wonderful.

 

Deb has an appointment in Leigh Creek late next week so will hang around till then then off to Lyndhurst and Marree.