Charleville

We camped up at the Evening Star Cattle Station, just out of Charleville.   Nice to be on power and charge that damn  troublesome battery.  The next day, the car was dead,  after a long night of charging, so we took the bus & car into Charleville.  First up we did a tour out of the Info Centre.  It was a US Convoy tour, the secret behind the US being in Oz. during the war.  Just us, and the tour guide and she took us around what was "the secret" airforce base in Charleville in the 2nd World War era.   3,500 US airmen were stationed here, and at one stage over 250 aircraft flew in, to be loaded with bombs and sent out to fight the Japanese and prevent them from attacking Australia. It was so top secret, only a few knew of its existence then and even now.   The lady doing the tour has had to trace details back in time thru both the Pentagon and retired airmen who were stationed here.  Sadly only 1 US airman is still surviving and his memory is going.    Our tour guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic and we were rapt in the tour she took us on.  Of course, almost nothing exists of the base today, just a vivid imagination, and the ruins that they are uncovering as they turn back years of bush, dust and growth. Well worth the time.   Above is a photo of only 1 of 2 existing hotels here in town.  Once upon a time there were 12.    We didnt get to see or experience much more of this town as we needed to see a mechanic about not being able to get our car started.    It turns out we didnt have battery problems but immobiliser problems with an after market installation by Suzuki.  Its now been bypassed by the mechanics and we are now sweet.

The entrance to the cattle station.  Kangaroos & emus wandering around here.  33,000 acre property.  Been in the same family since the 1800s.  6 generations have run the farm, but sadly, it has now been sold as the current owners are divorcing and the property isnt being retained.   Very sad for the 3 teenage sons who would love to have continued the tradition.   Still we sat around the campfire and enjoyed the company of our fellow travellers.  BUT  MKR was on the TV in the licensed bar area, so I went off, with two british backpackers to get my fix.  Havent seen it since I left home and was craving to know who was still in.   The asian chicks were, but thankfully, Justin let me know they were eliminated the next night.  Justice!!!!!!!!!   Still need that TV fix now and then.    It has been extremely hot though.   Around the 33oC mark and muggy, so we dont want to be inside the bus anyway.