19th & 20th June
 
 It is almost a 200klm straight line west from Jericho to Longreach, and the land takes on more of a rolling plain aspect. Along the way we passed through the towns of Alpha and Barcaldine. Alpha, we had never been to before, was a pleasant small town which was probably one of our "tidy towns". We stopped there briefly, actually not so briefly as Roscoe had a locally made meat-pie which was just too good to pass up, but it took some time as it was hot, hot!
 

Barcaldine! An historic outback township, Barcaldine was significant in the founding of the Australia Labor Party (but it's still a nice town anyway) and in about 1891 was the scene of the big Shearers Strike. It is also the site of the Tree of Knowledge where the striking shearers met, and it and the old railway building have been well preserved. Unfortunately not that long ago the tree died and though the trunk is still there an interesting monument has been erected over it. You can read all about it thru Google. The town looks like it had about 12 pubs at one time, but the handful which remain are just great examples of Aussie country pubs. 
 

We cannot pass up mention of Ilfracombe, and the famous Wellshot Pub, especially as we couldn't pass up another stop and a refreshing ale in the old bar!
 

Longreach is only 24klm away, so we soon arrive and book into the Longreach Caravan Park. That afternoon we visit very old friends, Arthur & Beryl Moody, and have a night out at the RSL with them. I have been going hunting on the Moody's property, Gundoo, every year for 19 years with a few mates. Arthur & Beryl are now retired and live in Longreach, while son Paul runs Gundoo. It is great to catch up with them.
 

We had two nights in Longreach as we decided to swap the wheels & tyres on the Lotus and put them on the patrol. Turns out to be a good move as the Lotus tyres are brand new, and a little larger. Also had a phone booster aerial fitted....looks cool! Meanwhile Evi restocks with food and supplies for a planned 10 days south at Yaraka, not to mention Roscoe ensures that we have sufficient alcohol that we don't die of thirst.