Day 123: Sat 21 Aug -The Dig Tree to Thargomindah (another new road), 323 km; total towed: 15 793 km

8-29 deg C, another fantastically sunny day, with a light breeze

A funny thing happened last night - we ran out of gas. It couldn't have occurred at a worse time, in the middle of nowhere. We worked out that we'd left the spare full bottle turned on (but plugged into the feed line) and it eventually all leaked out. It was the oldest and roughest looking swap and go bottle we'd ever seen. All the more annoying was the fact that we'd handed over a brand new bottle in its place. Fortunately, it was daylight when we discovered both bottles were empty and Greg was able to visit some nearby vans and borrow a cylinder from a very generous couple. When we returned it this morning, he refused payment and said "pass it on". This is the kind of thing you see all the time on the road; restores your faith in human nature.

We were on the road just after 8:30 am heading back down the very rough dirt road. We came across the camels we saw yesterday and there were at least 20 odd, including a tiny baby that stuck very close to its mum. A couple of old bulls brought up the rear of the convoy. They really are a fascinating creature, just slowly wandered away when we drove past them.

The road today was pretty good in the main, although undulating on one stretch as we travelled through the Grey Range. The bad bits of road were the ones that had been subject to recent flooding which is a rare event out this way. The scenery was quite speccy.

As we had no gas, (fridge operates off the car battery only while we're driving) we didn't stop, except for a comfort stop, until we got to Thargominda. We refuelled before we set up camp at the Explorers Caravan Park, at a powered site. None of the service stations sold gas. The only place in town which has gas cylinders, the recycling centre, is only opened Mon to Fri. We should be able to get gas at the next town. Anyway, this is a very nice CP, and we have a drive-through site, which makes it very easy for Greg in the morning.

After lunch and a little down time, we hit the streets of Thargomindah on the bikes. They have a wonderful cycling/walking track that takes in all of the highlights the town has to offer, including Pelican Point, The Old Hospital, the Hydro Power Plant, and The Old Gaol. Thargomindah looks a really progressive town with very expensive looking outdoor gym equipment stationed at regular intervals along the path. Compared to our little towns back home, Torbanlea and Howard this place is doing very well. We called in at the pub to book a table for dinner but they don't take bookings. At that time there were three blokes in the pub playing pool and the language was not the best. Wendy asked a couple of old timers out the front if it was safe to go inside and was assured that it was safe now, perhaps not later though!

Back to the van where Greg got a haircut and Wendy caught up on publishing yesterday's blog. We then set off to the pub and approached cautiously. There was no sound coming from the pub so in we went. Old Lady mate behind the bar (later identified as being Surly Shirley) was still full of the joys of spring. Anyway, we ordered our drinks and meals and parked ourselves in the dining room, only to be told we couldn't seat ourselves due to COVID. Back out to the bar then until the meals were ready then we would be told where we could sit. Given we were the only diners, it was a bit of nonsense, however, we played the game for fear of being ejected form the pub by Shirley! Only after we'd ordered our meals did we read the reviews of the pub, and the negative ones regarding Shirley were pretty darn accurate. We wondered how our meals would turn out.

Our meals were served and we were plonked on the table we sat at originally. Whilst the steaks were both cooked to our liking, the veggies had been overcooked (or from last night) and waterlogged. But there was a good serving and it all hit the spot.

Meals consumed, we walked the 200m back to the van with appetites satiated. If we were to find ourselves back in Thargomindah again, we might just try the restaurant at the Oasis Motel directly across from the pub.

After a week of being off-grid, it might be hard to get used to the bright lights of the caravan park, but it is quiet and relatively dark so can't see it being a problem.