Good morning everyone,

What a fantastic rain! Now I know it is probably a pain to some travellers who have an ideal trip mapped out, but being an old “cockey” it was a lifeline.

We seem to have a quiet week to follow, and of course pretty well all unsealed roads in the outback are closed, so not a lot of options available. Perhaps sit back in a Caravan Park, check out the town, and goodness knows who you will meet. Remember a stranger is only a friend you haven’t met yet!

Wasn’t Louth lucky to get their Race meeting in last week end. I believe the coveted “Louth Cup” is sitting proudly at the Tilpa Hotel, thanks to Justin, Julie and family’s horse “Win for Wilson”. And won the Duck Creek meeting as well!

Racing legend Frank Stacey is said to have commented, “It takes a bloody good horse to win the Louth Cup.”

Heard from a lovely lady at Bourke that the “Poetry on a Plate” group up there have a Camp oven Dinner 3 nights a week at Kidmans Camp, with some good story telling and poetry thrown in. That will definitely pass a couple of days while the roads dry out. Still at Bourke, Andrew Hull is getting close to launching a programme on the ABC, called “On the Road”.  Guess you would tune to 657 Western Plains. Knowing Hullie it will be done well.

Otherwise, the big Shoot at Milparinka I believe went well, as did the Land Care Forum at White Cliffs, 75 attended i think. Including a live broadcast by ABC Broken Hill, well done Julie.

Would you believe I can’t find a single activity next weekend! However, reaching out, we have Fathers Day Cricket match at White Cliffs, obviously on the 7^th. and BBQ at the pub afterwards. Underground Arts Festival  26-27-28^th. Sept.

National Parks now have a new walking track at Kinchega, “The Old Homestead Billabong Walk”. And check out their website too for “Discovery Tours in all  National Parks.

Take care now, and don’t get caught on a wet road, a day or so and it will be dry, saves a lot of hassle. Cheers Bill Elliott.  WCTA.

“An after dinner speech should be like a lady’s dress. Long enough to cover the subject, and short enough to be interesting.”