Thanks so much, Hugh, for a wonderful story! It brought back memories for me, as I drove from Alice Springs to Urandangie in 1978, in the luxury of an air-conditioned short wheelbase Landcruiser, with the bulldust cascading all around the vehicle. I am in awe of those drovers, doing it all in the most basic of conditions!
I thought having to drink Boer water was bad enough, but the rain and the grasshoppers made me glad I wasn’t on that Drover’s Run. You all have to be admired for completing that Drover’s run. So pleased you wrote this story as I learnt so much from it.
Thanks so much Hugh for writing this three part epic outback epic story. Even Lawrence of Arabia might have had 'his work cut out' trying to accomplish what Chris Herrmann and his crew and you did, crossing all that Australian desert with water, if available at all, being almost undrinkable. What a masterstroke of yours to make the water palatable by adding Milo!
Lawrence of Arabia is one of my favourite films. I saw it (after completing a UQ English exam) at the Metro Theatre more than 60years ago and still remember the huge experience ... and what Churchill said at then end: "I look all around the world and can not see his like elsewhere"..
Crossing the frying pan on a camel probably finishes ahead of us!
Yet again, very evocative Hugh! Really enjoyed all 3. Having lived in the outback but never with deprivation, I can truly imagine it all. What an adventure! Several years ago I got to stay on a vast remote station in outback Queensland for a couple of nights where they mustered by chopper. Very sobering to realise that even with the Flying Doctor, the massive medicine kit provided by the Flying Doctor Service and modern communication, you can still be up against it. Have a heart attack as one worker did and it is curtains.
Glad you got a chance to check out "...and at night the wonderous glory of the everlasting stars" away from civilization. Recalling the Slim Dusty song, "... with the gravel road beside you and the fence along to guide you..." - you didn't even have those. Well done mate.
Thanks Graham. Have a look at the two new photos of the area we travelled through in 1974 -- just added to my Part 3 of the story: it shows just how right you are!
That song also mentions, "Have you ever had to shoe a mob of cattle, With horse shoes cut in half to make them fit..." I sort of wondered about that happening in real life. You got me straightened out on that. Thanks.....
What a story! Fair dinkum Hughie, until I read your story I had only the slightest idea of what it would be like droving. It must be painful to lose stock and horses and have to kill newborn calves (nobody into veal, apparently). Gosh, you really have been around. Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
Did your editor have a secret reason for getting rid of you for that time?
You are right Peter -- I did have one editor of The Australian who kept sending me far away because he knew I liked staying home with my wife -- like when he made me go around Australia covering an entire Test cricket series competing with the paper's own cricket writer! But not on this occasion. This time it was truly worth it.
Thanks so much, Hugh, for a wonderful story! It brought back memories for me, as I drove from Alice Springs to Urandangie in 1978, in the luxury of an air-conditioned short wheelbase Landcruiser, with the bulldust cascading all around the vehicle. I am in awe of those drovers, doing it all in the most basic of conditions!
I thought having to drink Boer water was bad enough, but the rain and the grasshoppers made me glad I wasn’t on that Drover’s Run. You all have to be admired for completing that Drover’s run. So pleased you wrote this story as I learnt so much from it.
Thanks so much Hugh for writing this three part epic outback epic story. Even Lawrence of Arabia might have had 'his work cut out' trying to accomplish what Chris Herrmann and his crew and you did, crossing all that Australian desert with water, if available at all, being almost undrinkable. What a masterstroke of yours to make the water palatable by adding Milo!
Lawrence of Arabia is one of my favourite films. I saw it (after completing a UQ English exam) at the Metro Theatre more than 60years ago and still remember the huge experience ... and what Churchill said at then end: "I look all around the world and can not see his like elsewhere"..
Crossing the frying pan on a camel probably finishes ahead of us!
Yet again, very evocative Hugh! Really enjoyed all 3. Having lived in the outback but never with deprivation, I can truly imagine it all. What an adventure! Several years ago I got to stay on a vast remote station in outback Queensland for a couple of nights where they mustered by chopper. Very sobering to realise that even with the Flying Doctor, the massive medicine kit provided by the Flying Doctor Service and modern communication, you can still be up against it. Have a heart attack as one worker did and it is curtains.
That's the lesson I learned out there Adrienne -- if things go wrong: no one to help you.
Hugh
Yes Adrienne, people are largely on their own out there.
Two readers (who shall remain anonymous) sent me a lovely email about why they had decided to become paid subscribers to my site this week.
I'd like to tell my modest but devoted substack audience why they said they did it:
"Frequently nostalgic, always entertaining, and leaving us with something interesting to think about. You're a bargain!"
Gave me a real lift, a boost to keep on keeping on.
What would Chris have done with you if you had been lamed Hugh? Good thing all went well. Gripping story!
I became good mates with drover Chris Herrmann but I did make sure I never started limping ... just in case!
Glad you got a chance to check out "...and at night the wonderous glory of the everlasting stars" away from civilization. Recalling the Slim Dusty song, "... with the gravel road beside you and the fence along to guide you..." - you didn't even have those. Well done mate.
Thanks Graham. Have a look at the two new photos of the area we travelled through in 1974 -- just added to my Part 3 of the story: it shows just how right you are!
Hugh
That song also mentions, "Have you ever had to shoe a mob of cattle, With horse shoes cut in half to make them fit..." I sort of wondered about that happening in real life. You got me straightened out on that. Thanks.....
Well I am glad you all finally got there - as even I was getting exhausted by the Drove!
What a learning curve and awakening it was re these Drovers and the Outback.
Glad you survived it too, Hugh - your recollection is incredible as must have made such an indelible mark on your mind…..
🤗 Gay S
Well Gay if you go to my substack site: https://hughlunn.substack.com
you will see i;ve updated the aerial picture showing the Qld border with the Northern Territory and our route!
What a story! Fair dinkum Hughie, until I read your story I had only the slightest idea of what it would be like droving. It must be painful to lose stock and horses and have to kill newborn calves (nobody into veal, apparently). Gosh, you really have been around. Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
Did your editor have a secret reason for getting rid of you for that time?
You are right Peter -- I did have one editor of The Australian who kept sending me far away because he knew I liked staying home with my wife -- like when he made me go around Australia covering an entire Test cricket series competing with the paper's own cricket writer! But not on this occasion. This time it was truly worth it.