There was no accommodation available in
Broken Hill and I'd driven from
Kimba . I was in a hurry to get home so with night approaching, I zoomed up the highway at the breathtaking speed of 80km/h. Keeping a wary eye out for animals, I finally made
Wilcannia. Not the sort of spot I wanted to wander around finding a bed, so it was on towards
Cobar and the dark for the night. Truck after truck sped by while I looked for the whistle stop that I knew would be open. Finally I spied the lights off to the right and pulled in for a coffee.
Just the two customers, myself and a station owner who was drinking, not exactly suburbia but a welcome break. Had a longish yarn, was shown Paulene Hanson's book ("she's been on dancing with the stars ya know. I reckon she'd fancy me if I put my teeth in" says the owner.)
Nine thirty and I'm off again into the dark. Suicidal roos, goats, emus and other wanderers take years off my life with worry. Just one more truck pull off before
Cobar and I'm too tired to go any further so its in I go, followed by a truck that has refused to pass me for the last 50K. It turned out to be an explosives truck with a lady driver.
Ready to kip, all organized in the passenger
seat. Turn on the radio and note the world is still turning.
Just about asleep, when I feel the truck moving from side to side, like a giant hand is rocking it. Peer out of the slightly opened side window, and can't see anything, even that truck. Huh ? Tree branches about 20m up are waving like they're at a rock concert. Oh. It's a dust storm, a beauty. Roll window up but find later that it's too late. Instant change of colour of the vehicle's inside.
Next morning roll almost into
Cobar, looking forward to a feed.
But...both sides of the highway are being stopped by half the police in NSW, assisted by customs and customs dogs.
I roll in and am told by the female constable (fonstable ?)
to stop my engine. Oh how silly of me. Engine stopped. She reads me the relevant act and hands me a copy that she's signed...thats a newie.
Meanwhile a male constable does a visual and the dog handler and dog have a sniff around the vehicle. I get out and open the doors so the dog can run riot. It sure likes dirty socks.
Do you want to do a license check I ask the girl. That would be nice.
Good, cause the buggars in
Eucla missed me this year I tell her.
License comes back and she wanders off.
Are you going to test ME for illegal substances I ask a
young constable ?
Well...I'm not exactly sure of what we're doing she says, I just got here. Typical.
The original gel comes back and looks amazed. You can go now she tells me. Apparently I've outstayed my welcome.
Later as I head out of
Cobar I see a
sign telling me I'm now in "Bogan" shire.
That explains a lot ! :))