22nd to 28th June

Yaraka, situated 230klm south of Longreach is a township of about 18 people. Roscoe and two mate, Peter bell & Jonno Mouser, have been hunting on properties in this district for the past 19 years and have made many friends over that time. We headed out on the Jundah Road for about 130klm on the blacktop before turning off on the Yaraka road which is gravel, in fact the locals call it "rotten rock" and we're not sure if it's because the grave isn't good for any other purpose, or because of the very large rocks which work their way to the surface and are a hazard.
About 60klm along this road we enter Gundoo property, but we turn south thru Arno property onto our destination Mt Marlow some 45 klms along that road.

Mt Marlow homestead sits on a ridge, a jump-up, on a large flood plain, and you can see a couple of tall tree near the house from many klms away. There are a couple of ways up, but a call to Lach & Ruby on the 2-way and we had instructions to come in on the main track.

Mt Marlow homestead is surrounded by lush lawns and gardens which keep Ruby very busy. It is an oasis, especially in the dry times. 

 Over 3 days we had a greta time with Lach and Ruby, driving to Mt Slowcombe on the first evening for a stunning sunset and we were joined by Sue Glasson. Lach took us both on his "water" flight over the property to check all the dams and fences. This takes about 1 1/2hr flying and we got some great photos.
 
One afternoon we had a sausage sizzle on the banks of Chinaman's Waterhole and Evi caught her first yellow-belly. It was just such a relaxing oasis that it was hard to leave.

We now retraced our route back to Gundoo to visit Paul and Angela Moody and their kids. Here we also met a great young couple, Clare & John from Victoria, working their way around Australia. The Gundoo team were mustering cattle when we arrived, so after a quick set-up we were in charge of getting the BBQ fired up for that evening....an old tractor bucket upside down with a roaring flame beneath, a bright sunset overhead and rum'n'coke in hand...doesn't get better than this.  

The next morning duty called...Roscoe spotted a wild pig off to the side of the road, and as he coincidentally had his rifle handy, he did the right thing and shot it. It was a magnificent shot at about 300mts off the shoulder (Roscoe wrote this, probably more like 80mt). 
 
Afterwards we went searching for team Gundoo who were fencing well off the road. Evi spent a gainful arvo with a shovel and crowbar, and Roscoe and Clare went off to run about 2 klm of wires. Of course, a bush BBQ for lunch was a good enticement, but it was billy tea and soft drinks only :-(
 
 While at Gundoo we went to see other friends on adjacent Sunbury & Lumely properties, however, they were helping with lamb marking on a neighbouring property. No worry though as the weekend ahead was the local gymkhana where all the district would gather!