28-30 September

Being still in Mitchell we enjoy the Artesian Spa – hot mineral water and all natural in this region. The spa is really relaxing unless you've an older couple (aged 45+) who couldn't keep their hands off each other. It looked like they were having sex in the spa. - Not nice! The water is heated to 38C and has several massage tubes in it. Unfortunately the lap pool was closed on Monday so we couldn't go for a swim... but there will be tomorrow. We settled over to the camp spot “Fisherman's rest” nice free of charge spot (except of flies) directly at the water edge. Yes water edge and we're camping there – we're not in croc infested country yet. In the evening one local farmer came around offering his products – fresh lettuce and strawberries... which meant our dessert was saved – fresh, crisp and sweet strawberries.

Next day was meant for R&R; stayed long at the campsite just reading, then heading to town to do some shopping and another round in the spa and this time also the lap pool. The lap pool was not heated so it took a while before we entered but then swam several laps. The spa was not as nice as yesterday – it was really crowded, bit colder than yesterday and dirtier and the massage tubes had less power.

  Then it was time to say good bye to Mitchell and travel further west – next stop Charleville. We are now 800km west from Brisbane. This town is famous for several things: Cosmos Centre, the start of Save the Bilby and someone who tried to create rain by shooting canons into the air in 1902. The Bilby experience was ok, cost just $5 and you could see the Bilbies in their enclosures. The only downturn was that we were around 40 people and had to watch a video which was screened on ABC or SBS.

The night cosmos show was good although around 35 people and just 3 telescopes to have a look. The guide was not the best either – he couldn't talk interesting. He just said three things about the star we were about to have a look at and then every one queued to have a look and then it was a bit more than half-moon so the moon lighted the sky. We had a look a the star-sign Scorpio  (I did noticed the formation), Jupiter (the storm sides were clearly visible), a double star which is actually none as they are not close to each other, have different age and size and a look at the moon itself. T he next day we added another night to our stay as the UHF radio arrived in the afternoon – now we've to fit it which is not so easy...