On blasting off from the Dig Tree we had a little scare when the right undercarriage wheel hit a bit of a hole in the runway and there was a loud bang just prior to rotation. Seemed OK but we would have to wait for the next landing to be sure. Dustin climbed out and circled for photo opportunities before taking up the short 20 nm run south west along the Cooper for Innamincka. The strip was on a steep uphill incline and covered in a thick and slippery covering of gravel but it didn't trouble Dustin. The RG has small wheels and can be a problem on surfaces like this. We grabbed a lift down the hill and into town, which is really just a tiny hamlet. But we were in South Australia home of the fair city and we set our watches back 30 minutes. We would need the extra time.
The landscape here is an ochre colour - apricot almost - and the light is white hot molten metal . The sky is the bluest of blues; no cloud; glare a blazing 3 D assault - sunglasses mandatory. We investigated the Hotel and discovered a little cattle pup paralyzed waist down by snake bite we think. A beautiful animal. But there are no Vets out here. Owners gave him a sleeping tablet and lay him on a blanket in a little box at their feet. They sat holding each other at the bar - inconsolable.
We decided to walk the 800 meters or so down to the causeway that linked the Station with the Town. It had been cut by the flooded Cooper which was still running high and fast across it but the 4 WDs were wading through. It was a pretty sight all rapid flow, deep green and smooth and then erupting into turbulent foam. The large white waterbirds set off the Coolibah trees and not for the last time this trip the cameras got a workout.
Lunch was steak sandwich and chips and a cold drink and then we were on the move again. I gave the Trading Post woman 10 bucks for the landing and 5 for the pickup and she was blown away: 'Where you from? Toowoomba well they are honest people. There was another young man from there came in just a few minutes ago and paid as well. Seems most flyins do a runner but that runway needed all the TLC it could get.
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