I checked the weather forecast for the next 7 days, for Tibooburra it is 28, 31, 35, 38, 35, 36, 39 and for Birdsville 32, 35, 37,41, 37, 38, 41. I remember Pete Gifford saying to me it’s going to be hot but I didn’t realise how hot. So I have decided that it is not the right time to go further north while camping without power and water and to travel alone on little travelled back roads. I would not like to break down and have to camp on the side of the road in these conditions. I do carry a satellite phone and belong to RACV Total Care, so I could call for help, but I would not enjoy being in such very hot weather. So following the rest of Burke and Wills journey will have to wait for a cooler time of year. I think I will start heading down to the south east coast of SA tomorrow.
Today is my last day following the journey of Burke and Wills and I visited depot camp situated on Pamamaroo Lake about 10 Km north on Menindee. This camp was established after Burke had left for Coopers Creek on October 19 1860 from the Menindee camp. After Burke and his party had left, the rest of the VEE moved the remaining 9 camels, 3 horses and 10 tonnes of supplies to the depot camp. It was set up by early November 1860. When the VEE arrived at Menindee the expedition consisted of 15 men, 23 horses, 27 camels and 21 tonnes of supplies, despite having offloaded a lot of their supplies on the way.
Burke set off set of with Wills, Brahe, King, Gray, McDonough, Patten and Dost. They had 15 horses, 27 camels and 11 tonnes of supplies. They were going to bury some supplies at Torowoto to use on the return journey, Torowoto is about 60 Km south east of Tibooburra. Burke was going to rest for 14 days near waterholes near Torowoto.
Wright, an expert bushman, had lead Burke the 300 Km to Torowoto where they buried some supplies. Wright then headed back to Menindee where on his arrival there were urgent despatches for Burke from the organising committee. These told Burke that Stuart had failed to cross the continent and that this left him clear to win the race. So Wright then organised Dick and 2 others to head off to catch Burke who should be resting near Torowoto. They covered the 300 Km in 5 days but when they got there they couldn’t find the buried supplies despite Dick being there when they buried them. Lyons and McPherson decided to catch up to Burke but the party had already moved on. Their horses died and they only survived on seed cakes that the local tribes showed them how to make. They got back to Torowoto and Dick then set off for Menindee on the only horse, which died after 40 Km, so he walked the remaining 260 Km to Menindee.
With nearly all their horses dead, the people at Menindee had to request extra funds and then buy and break-in more horses. This they did and a party of 7 set off to resupply Coopers Creek. The journey was very arduous and a number of horses died and they had problems with the aborigines. With all the men sick, Wright decided to turn back to Menindee. But his preparations were interrupted by Brahe and the 3 other men who had left Coopers Creek for Menindee on April 21, the day Burke, Wills and King arrived back, they missed by only 6 hours. Brahe found Wright by accident while looking for strayed horses. Brahe told Wright they had stayed at Coopers Creek for 19 weeks and that Burke had only supplies for 12 weeks, so he felt justified in leaving. He had been asked to wait for 3-4 months. On of Wrights party, Becker, died that afternoon.
The combined party set off for Menindee on May 1, but had to stop after that days travel for a few days to let Patten and McDonough recover some strength. While the group was resting, Wright and Brahe wanted to carry out one last check of the depot at the dig tree so they both rode back to Coopers Creek to check. When Burke got to the dig tree he removed the supplies, and placed a note in the buried box and then smoothed the ground so the aborigines would not take the note. So when Brahe and Wright arrived at the camp on Coopers Creek they thought it untouched, as if no one had been there, so they left again. After a very difficult journey back to Menindee because of lack of water, fatigued horses and sick men (Patten also died on the way), they raised the alarm and search parties were organised. It is a very unforgiving part of Australia.
So what if?
Burke had been a less impetuous and better leader.
Burke had used a steamer to bring supplies to Menindee and saved tiring the horses and camels.
The buried supplies at Torowoto had been found.
Lyons and McPherson caught up to Burke and told him there was no urgency to cross the continent.
Brahe and the 3 others had not left Coopers Creek the same day that Burke arrived.
Burke had not covered up that fact that the buried box had been opened.
Brahe and Wright had looked a bit harder at Coopers Creek.
Burke, Wills and King had stayed at Coopers Creek, rather than trying to walk to Mt Hopeless.
It all could have been so different. They did achieve their objective of crossing the continent, but died in the process.
“Follow Burke and Wills” is to be continued.
My journey so far:
Changing direction sounds like a good idea
Yeah, and it wasn’t too hard as it was a turn to the left!
Good move to head south Russ, way too hot for enjoyment.
It is Trish, especially for us Mexicans!
Watch out for the wall!
Really interesting read Dad.
Sounds really interesting Russ. Geoff and I have medical things happening just now been a rough year for us. Geoff lives with chronic Back pain/had an op in his 30’s but they r now saying these ops were of no value.
He is due to see a specialist soon for injection into spine which he has had before. It lasts about 3 months. Plus he is a very motivated man and has started back at the thousand steps in F T G. Does 2hr trip of steps 3 times. I go too but do lower tracks up 10-15mins back 30mins then decide I deserve a coffee and a sit in the sun and read or talk to other walkers. Retirement ay is good but hopefully even better when Geoff can again drive distances so we can do our bucket list. Also I suffer migraines still 17-66 u would think I would b too old now no such luck. Also since losing my precious daughter Natty to the hideous disease the black dog I had nervous breakdown in 2000/2002. So been an horrendous 16 yrs. but will get there with love for my family Becky & Co Ben & Co and Geoff my man of 30yrs. Rhonda is improving but it’s a disease and can b a long haul. Love Glen ????????????
Sorry to hear about your health issues, Geoff certainly sounds motivated and you are also doing well, you do earn your coffee. Pity about still getting migraines. One thing about being retired is that it doesn’t matter how far you drive each day. There are so many good places to stop on your way to your bucket list destination. In the last few years we have been limiting out days travel to anything from 80 to 250 Km whereas we used to do around 400 km each day; and you can share the driving.
The Black Dog is so hard to shake off, maybe Winston Churchill had the right idea by starting each day with champagne! I think he first coined the phrase Black Dog. It is really good that you have a supportive family, that makes all the difference. It is a long haul for you both, but with love and support that you and Rhonda both enjoy will make the difference.
Love Russ
Glad you enjoyed it. Which wall?
Dad, it was the wall trump is going to build to keep out the Mexicans! Funny. ???? And I like churchills theory of starting the day with a glass of champers!!! Maybe just on weekends though!
It’s amazing thinking about the what ifs of the journey they made. Soooo Lang small decisions which added up to such a huge outcome. Really interesting to read about their journey in your blog! I look forward to the next installment in a winter done year ???? Xx
Oh and I just worked out what the question marks are! It’s when we put in smiley faces. Obviously the blog can’t handle them and must change them to ???
Need to go old school. 🙂
Ooh!! And old school (colon dash right bracket) turned into a smiley!!
🙂
😉
:-p
Thoroughly enjoying your blog Russ and happy to hear you are not taking any risks and heading south during this hot spell that is coming.. We are headii g for 30 degrees tomorrow which will be a shock to the system. Much Love Rhon X
🙂
Thanks Rhon. I am on Hindmarsh Island near Goolwa and the Murray mouth, you may remember the secret womens business over the building of a bridge from Goolwa to the island a while ago. The caravan park is a bit random but it is quiet. I have booked a week here and just started working out what I am going to do, apart from relaxing. Tomorrow may be fish and chips on the wharf at Port Elliot for lunch. Sunday may be a steam train ride to Victor Harbour and back, after a tour of the Goolwa market, that’s as far as I have got in my planning. It got to about 33 here today but tomorrow is going to be cooler, which will be good. The blogs will be less frequent now I have stopped following Burke and Wills. Hope you are going well. Love Russ