Got away from Camooweal at last. Got everything ready this morning and picking up a bagman left the town at 2.30 pm. Had a good run out of 50 miles to ‘Austral’ and there stopped. People here are R.C’s but very nice. Only one protestant on the place. Pleased them all very much after tea by showing them the pictures. Had a good talk then until bed time.
Tues June 2………
Stayed at Austral this morning and did some work on the Kodascope and reading.Left after lunch for Lake Nash. Picked up a bagman along the road who was sitting right in the wheel track so as to make sure he would not miss a ride. Stayed the night at the Lake. Mostly all R. C’s here.
Wed June 3….
Did a small job on the car this morning and after Smoko left Lake Nash and went 12 miles over to a sheep selectors home. Stayed here for lunch and afterwards went across country 20 miles to Bullecourt, a small cattle selection. The lady of the house home on her own and not too well, so as could do nothing soon moved on. Did some more cross country work and and came to a family who had been working on the rabbit fence but who are now out of work , through a rabbit boards ceasing to exist. Stayed here. The mother is an R’C but allowed me to talk to the children and give them and herself pictures and reading material. Showed them also my Kodascope pictures. Not feeling too good here and had to prowl about several times during the night.
Thurs June 4…….
Left this home after breakfast although did not have any myself. Had a good run of 40 miles to Headingley Station. A big crowd here. All men. The horses for the Wandangi races have been paddocked here and came out today, so all the owners are here to take charge of their own. Stayed here and had ‘Smoko’and went on traveling 20 miles further to Wandangi. After lunch called on a couple of sick folk and then continued on the road, intending to reach if possible Rocksborough Station 90 miles down along the Georgina River. Passed through Walgia and Carrandotta, only stopping for a few minutes at each and for 40 miles had good going. Left the road then and truck down to the river and started to follow it along. Was then on the Georgina stock route. Mobs of cattle traveling have the country for miles as bare and desolate as it could possibly be. The road is powdered up a foot deep. Very heavy going for the car. Rough in places. Rocky ridges and steep gullies to negotiate. Was 25 miles from Rocksborough and 25 miles from Carrandotta when I stopped to put water in the radiator and then it all happened. Water poured out of the exhaust and the carburettor. I thought a walk was in store for me as I knew it was the cylinder head gasket gone. I took the head of however and saw the break by aid of the spotlight. Lit a fire ten and boiled the billy and had a drink and a few biscuits. Made an attempt to patch up the break although did not know if it would work and put the head back on.
Before putting water into the radiator got down on my knees for a few minutes and then went on with the job and it held. Unrolled my swag then and turned in.
Fri June 5…..
Up with the morning star, boiled up and ate a few biscuits. Packed everything in and turned back as was not risking getting further away from help. Had breakfast with some chaps camped along the river who gave me half a dozen very nice fish. Went on then and reached Carrandotta. Car still going alright so decided to keep going and all went well until about 17 miles from Wandangi when gasket again began to leak. Kept going however and got into Wandangi on 3 cylinders with no further trouble. Think I was very fortunate however to get back so well. Discovered then that I could get a new gasket from Headingley Station and that it would be brought in. Got the bus ready then to put the gasket straight on when it came. Got cleaned and did some visiting and went to be early.
(Saturday and Sunday spent fixing the car and visiting people at Wandangi and conducting Sunday School.)
Mon June 8…..Up before daylight and after having a cup of tea left and was at Headingley by sunrise and there had breakfast. Went on and called in at a drovers camp where last week a chap was sick but who had now recovered. Thought I might have had to take him into hospital. Called at Lake Nash, Arcadia, Barclay and The Selection and reached Camooweal at 4pm after 180 miles traveling.
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