Telecommunications country wide

 When I crossed the Great Dividing Range into western Queensland I soon found that my mobile telephone no longer worked. It is such a common problem that the tourist information centre I visited had maps on hand to explain it all - only Telstra works outback. Only Telstra SIM cards are sold at the shops.

Years ago I had transferred my number from Telstra to Belong (a discount brand from Telstra) in order to get more data at a reasonable price. I had thought that Belong - being owned by Telstra would work. I was wrong. 

In the meantime Telstra now includes a enough data for my purposes in its plans (not a huge amount) so I have switched back.

DRCS mast at Larks Quarry

Early in my career I was a member of the team that automated outback communications with the Digital Radio Concentrator System. I enjoyed seeing the tall masts in remote places.

The ways of Queensland

The highways of Queensland are given interesting names. In the last 5 weeks we have travelled on Warrego Way, Leichhardt Way, Pacific Coast Way, Overlanders Way, Matilda way, Great Inland Way, and Australia's Country Way.

Take me home country roads...

 

Heading home on the Australian Country Way - after 5 weeks in outback Queensland it's time to head home.

Wilderness no more

Carnarvon Gorge is very popular with very many walkers hiking along the trail each day. It is not a lonely experience. There is little chance of seing wild animals with so many people around.

The rocky formations are spectacular. But the plants are still recovering from the last bushfire. The Xanthorrea are just small grassy tufts. And the Banksia are all skinny twigs with no flowers.

The saddest thing was 20th century initials and dates carved through the aboriginal rock art. The people viewing the the art were all very respectful.

Vitamin E

 A couple of weeks ago I cut my thumb with a hand saw. I was treated at the Townsville Hospital where the doctors cleaned the cut, inspected the moving parts under the skin and stiched it up.

It has healed nicely. 

Years ago when a melanoma was removed from my nose, the surgeon recommed rubbing Vitamin E oil from oral pills into the wound to minimise scarring. 

So I have been rubbing Vitamin E oil on my thumb scar as well.

Towers of Stone

Someone at Takarakka camping ground at the entrance to Carnarvon Gorge is obsessed with balancing rocks. The are everywhere particularly in the river bed. I even found where some had been glued - surely cheating.

Making towers stops the stones from being shelter to plants and invertebrates. 

Just like staying home

When some people go bush they bring their home comforts with them.

Other people make do with less when they travel.