We came to Croydon for Michael to catch the Gulflander. This fabulous excursion covers 150 kilometres over five hours in a train whose front resembles a truck and is referred to as the Tin Hare. After much humming and hawing, Michael decided he really wanted to ride the train that travels "from nowhere to nowhere". And so we found ourselves in Croydon, Michael ready for a bucket list adventure.
We watched the Gulflander arrive in Croydon on Wednesday afternoon from Normanton. The carriages spilled their cargo of passengers onto the platform. Most of them headed for a meal and a drink at the Club Hotel, before they were to be transported back to Normanton by chartered bus. Some looked enthused and pleased; others looked weary and hot. Hmmm...
We were delighted to be invited onto the train whilst it was manoeuvered into its position for the later sunset tour. We pottered around the station for a while then returned to the caravan park aware that we needed to be awake and organised at sparrow fart to deliver Michael to the Gulflander at 8 o'clock.
Surprisingly, we were at the station ahead of departure. With a intimate bunch of other train lunatics, Michael boarded the Gulflander with delighted anticipation. I waved them off and pottered around Croydon for another hour before I set off in Romeo for a morning tea tete a tete at 10.15 at Blackbull (otherwise known by me as Blackbum!)...
Blackbull turned out to be a most interesting stop. The water tower stood there as a sentinel of the past, along with a few corrugated iron structures. We enjoyed tea, coffee and muffins before the Gulflander set off again for another three hours.
Apparently, Michael nodded off to sleep with the Gulflander's motion. Driver Glen and guard Kiwi Ray pointed out a bower bird's nest, various relics and ruins and wetlands and the different species of trees that were native to the Gulf.
I arrived in Normanton ahead of the train and checked into the caravan park. Our site was tiny and I had to reverse Romeo between our neighbour's 4WD and a large tree. I left to fetch Michael off the Gulflander at the Normanton Station at 1.30.
He'd had a marvellous time. Bucket list wish ticked off. We explored the museum at the station and admired the displays and potted plants. We retired to the Central pub at 3 o'clock to meet Kiwi Ray. Whilst there, life intruded with a lengthy phone call from Neurosciences in Perth (!) in relation to Alex's upcoming assessment. We enjoyed dinner and returned to our night site. The following morning, I realised my favourite earrings were missing. presumed lost at the pub. Unfortunately, they remained lost for another day...
We finished our brief visit to Normanton, exploring what could be the old tip. I was catapulted back to early days with Michael who took me frequently to where dead things smell. The Norman River was smelly; the remains of a kangaroo carcass was on show and junk was evident. Outstanding...
We waved goodbye to Normanton. Even though we'd only stayed a short time, the town did have interest to us and charm. Another place to return...
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