Mitchell's Annual Camel Races

The Annual Camel Races and Ute Show was held today at the Mitchell Showgrounds. After a fine warm day yesterday, today was, unfortunately, quite wet; however, that didn't stop the crowd enjoying the Calcutta Race program, Ute show, wheelie bin and hoop races for the kids, hot food, ice creams and the bar.

This annual event recognizes and celebrates the camel's role in opening up vast areas of outback Australia, Mitchell included. Old photographs taken in the 18oo's show strings of camels hauling huge loads of wool through the newly established township of Mitchell and over the Maranoa River at the old crossing -- to markets on the east coast. On their return trek, the camel trains brought provisions for the new settlers.

Camels, with their soft feet, their ability to haul loads on limited water intake and diet of rough native grasses and shrubs are superior to horses in their endurance.

Today Mitchell celebrated camels and their part in our history.

The HANGING in Mitchell's Maranoa Gallery

Today -- Monday 25 July -- marked the day when a group of talented artists and helpers hung the artwork that comprises Mitchell's annual Landmark Art Show.

Over 200 pieces of art were entered, from all over Australia, as well as many from Mitchell and the surrounding area. Paintings, photography, sculptures, weaving and jewellery -- all needed to be tastefully displayed to show their individual beauty and creativity. Hanging is an art in itself.

Doug was there too, climbing ladders, banging in hooks and nails, and doing other handyman tasks around the gallery.

Now in its 12th year, the Landmark Art Show is well-known for its high-quality art work. This year's guest judge is Des Rolf, an artist famous for her spiritual and energised landscapes. She will be giving a workshop on Thursday, which I will attend. On Friday the 29th of July, Des will judge the entries and then declare the art show open at 5:30 p.m.

Today's hanging in the Maranoa Gallery was the start of a very busy week of art and culture in Mitchell, outback Australia.

Ace Drapers No 1 in Roma is an outback legend

When we bought our home in Mitchell, five years ago, we furnished it as inexpensively as possible because we didn't know how much of each year we'd spend in the outback, or to what degree we'd enjoy the experience.

Consequently, the table and chairs we bought were actually an outdoor setting. Five years down the track I find myself wanting to upgrade certain things, especially the table, because in reality we love living in Mitchell and spend over seven months of every year here in the outback.

The problem was that I couldn't find another small, circular, glass-topped table: so think laterally, Robin. Perhaps a tablecloth would improve the image?

But, although I searched high and low in Melbourne, Phillip Island, Mitchell and on the Internet, I couldn't find a circular, green coloured cloth. In Roma though, at Ace Drapers No 1 (nicknamed the Overflow), I found a tablecloth which was perfect -- circular, good quality cloth in a plain sage green,. This shop is a legend in the outback. With boxes stacked sky-high and every imaginable article in stock, the owner can put his hands on everything anyone could possibly want -- along with a smile.

So I have my tablecloth, and the table setting is greatly improved!

PS. You can see a bit of our marimba in the background.

Musical stock grid in Mitchell, outback Australia

Work continues on Mitchell's musical stock grid, located on the banks of the Maranoa River. This past week has seen the addition of steel posts arranged in circles to create a maze-like arrangement around the drum and musical grid.

Last month, cattle stations in the semi-arid country surrounding Mitchell were invited to contribute their own entrance gates, which will form part of the maze. Bonus Downs and Hillyview gates are already in place and look great, with historic touches such as a cow bell, horse shoes, hand shears and an axe head.

Late this afternoon, as Major and I walked along the river, a young boy was playing the grid, creating pleasing music that drifted down into the riverbed. He finished off with a haunting drumbeat.

Burls, angophoras and red dirt country

I didn't know what a burl was, until we came to live in Mitchell -- in outback Australia. Soon I was to learn that a burl is an unusual growth on a tree trunk or branch, caused by an injury to the limb.

For trees growing alongside the Maranoa River, the injury is usually caused during floods, when logs, propelled by a mighty force of water, crash into trees.

Brian Waldron is a collector of burls and has an enviable collection stacked neatly in his shed. Brian uses the burls to create bowls, ornamental clock mounts, pens, house signs and many other artistic pieces. Last year Doug asked Brian to make me a bowl from an ooline burl, as a birthday present. It's a beautiful centrepiece for our table.

Last week, after a 30 minute drive north of Mitchell, we stopped on a stony hillside of remarkable vegetation that included this angophora with a burl on its trunk. The tree looks ancient, and with its creamy-coloured bark and its roots thrust deeply into red earth, it looks as if it'll live forever. I hope it does.

Sometimes called a smooth-barked apple, this tree's botanical name is Angophora leiocarpa.

Camp fire at the Major Mitchell Caravan Park

Looking back to our more primitive origins, a camp fire has always been a welcome source of warmth, light and security. Every caveman had a fire! So, it's not surprising that travellers are drawn to a camp fire, especially when staying in unfamiliar territory.

Here in this arid region of outback Australia, the timbers are dense, slow burning and throw out huge quantities of heat. Mulga, gidgea, desert oak, ironwood, bloodwood, beefwood, brigalow and coolibah -- all make excellent camp fires.

Travellers who stay at the Major Mitchell Caravan Park bring with them a wide variety of talents and skills. Musical instruments of all shapes and sizes provide entertainment, along with singing, bush poetry and stories of outback Australia.

This late afternoon, early evening camp fire in Mitchell provides warmth, light, somewhere to cook your camp oven dinner, and an opportunity to socialise.