13 April 2024
We were not looking forward to the walk back as we had sore feet, and it was getting hotter. Soon after leaving the mine pit, we saw a 4WD heading up. They’d done well getting that far.
Another 30 minutes along we saw what looked like an RACQ rescue helicopter heading our way, over us, and then doing multiple circles around the old mine. We thought it may have been to rescue that 4WD that had disappeared down one of the larger potholes. Or maybe it was making some sort of mercy call for us. It turns out it was neither, apparently doing some survey work.
So, on we walked, hoping that that 4WD would offer us a lift on the way back. Nicole’s foot was getting very sore due to the Plantar Fasciitis she used to suffer badly from. We were both intensely thinking about devious ways to get them to stop and take mercy on us.
Anyway, as it turned out no devious plans were required. They pulled up, said hello, and asked if we needed a lift as we were looking pretty buggered. I gave them an A+ for observation and we quickly agreed to take up their generous offer.
Unfortunately, there were already five in the car, but they said we could sit in the back cargo area. As we contemplated how to do that with the other gear they had on board, they took additional mercy measures and asked their two late teen kids to get in the back so we could have the back seats. Very generous.
We had a good chat and found out they were Mount Isa locals visiting over the weekend. They even suggested we camp on their property in a few nights’ time instead of paying for a caravan park in town. Wow.
So, if ever you hear someone say bush hospitality and think it is just a cliche, it is most definitely not. The people out here are so friendly and helpful it is hard to believe.
As another example of this, the family we met when staying at The Lake outside Quilpie who had hired a motorhome, ran out of fuel when the regular driver was napping in the back and the stand-in driver missed a turn. They got to within 10 km of Quilpie and ran out of fuel. Within 5 minutes some young locals pulled up and agreed to run them in with a jerry can. While some waited with the vehicle over the next 30 minutes, aniother four locals stopped also offering assistance. After getting some fuel in the motorhome and getting it into Quilpie, they said they were heading for a beer at the pub and would the motorhome crowd like to come. And so they did, and had a great night in town.
God bless the bush.
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