8th & 9th Sept

 Houston we have a find! Lake Houdraman, about 5klm NE of Quilpie (which is itself a great place), but first our mechanical woes! All fixed! Replaced a fuse for the indicators...OK! It was about 230klm from Windorah to Quilpie and like yesterday we stopped every 20 minutes. On the 3rd stop we discovered that the exhaust pipe had lost two bolts on a join in front of the rear axle and was blasting hot air onto the chassis. Rosoce backed the Patrol up onto a mound, crawled under and replaced the bolts form his supply and we were running cool again, but still without brakes. Further investigation showed that the brake fuse was also shot, but in a way not obvious so off we go, fixed, relieved & happy.
 
Quilpie is another gem of the west. A visit to the Info Centre and the happy, helpful staff had us trekking 5klm out of town for a lakeside camp. The designated Free-camp area takes up about a kilometre of shoreline guarded by large river gums and wildlife. We chose a camp near the northern end and had great shade (it was 32c), a beach and a lovely view down the length of the lake. This was quickly designated a two night stay.
 
An afternoon sitting in the shade of the river gums on our private beach with Emu's, Wedge-tailEagles, Pelicans, fish and locals waterskiing passed in a very relaxing way.

Day two we hit Quilpie for coffee's and a town walk, it really is a great place. We then headed about 6klm out to Baldy Knob, a jump-up with great 360 degree panoramic views. We had the place to ourselves for about an hour! Hard to imagine how the early explorers opened this country in it's distance and harshness.
 

Next up a walk along the Bulloo River, well marked and signed with info on trees and wildlife! Hell 2pm, time for relaxation back at our private beach. Later we get an email from friends from Birdsville telling us about their great camp they found...300 metres from us, not knowing we were there, so we paid a surprise visit for Happy Hour, then all adjourned to our camp where we had a fire ready for a BBQ and several (too many severals) more drinks. A great night with a huge sky, roaring fire, overhanging river gums, glassy lake and good friends.