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Peter Spriggins's avatar

Did your swag make it all the way to Numery Station Hugh? Sounds like it would have been comfortable with the thick foam mattress and six blankets on a cold desert night.

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Hugh Lunn's avatar

Being on watch for two or three hours a night was the uncomfortable part Peter.

I got out of Numery on the owner Richard Apel's single-engine aircraft.

He insisted we take off before dawn to see the sun come up over the ridges of the Simpson desert -- formed long red lines. You're not supposed to take off until you've notified air aurhorities. But Richard couldn't wake them .. so we took off anyway.

Had we crashed no one would hae known where we were.

Hugh

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Sheryl Chambers's avatar

Love the story. You are a braver person than I am. I couldn’t go on a Drovers run in the Outback. But my husband whose grandparents owned a dairy farm would have loved to go on a Drovers Run. I was amazed by the $$ difference in 1974 to move the cattle overland rather than take them by road train. Also interesting it was the first Drover’s Run in 10 years.

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Hugh Lunn's avatar

Sheryl, as that time some graziers were shooting their cattle because it cost more to see them to market than they received. I drove four hours west of Brisbane to watch one grazier do it.

Now that was sad.

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Sheryl Chambers's avatar

That would be very sad.

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John and Rae Sheridan's avatar

Very concerning but obviously you survived otherwise no story. Gripping!

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Hugh Lunn's avatar

Yes I did survive, as you will see in the Part 3. But I was never the same person.

When Chris Herrmann retired aged 60 his family put on a surprise party -- and invited me as the surprise guest!

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Gay Strong's avatar

Beautiful read Hugh.

Like the above , look forward to part 2 ! Gay S.🤗

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Adrienne ODonnell's avatar

Great story, Hugh. Looking forward to part 2!

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Hugh Lunn's avatar

It was cold out there at night Adrienne and I could have done with some nice knitted wool socks!

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Adrienne ODonnell's avatar

If only I had known you then!

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MelitaO's avatar

homesick!

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Hugh Lunn's avatar

I didn't think someone living in Switzerland would ever long for the red bullldust of the Outback!

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