Mysterious world of darkness: Mitchell outback Qld

Night-time in Mitchell can be magical, especially when the moon is full and glowing. With no city lights to diminish the effect of the heavens above, space seems infinite and everything seems possible.

Across the road, massive white-trunked river gums cling protectively to the riverbank, casting their reflections deep into water holes, along with reflected light from the clouds above.

The restless eerie cry of an owl opens up the vast mysterious world around me. Darkness suggests distant enchantment.

The velvety darkness that envelopes the town after a sweltering 40°C day throbs with the throaty music of frogs, crickets and bats. Sometimes this music rises to a frenzy but then slips back to a more tranquil place, lulling me to sleep.

A Willie wagtail utters its, "Sweet pretty creature" call from a nearby silky oak and I know all is well in my world.

1940 Plymouth Update: Mitchell outback Qld

After quite a lot of work -- some enjoyable, some not -- Doug has a Roadworthy Certificate for his 1940 Plymouth Sedan. Application has been granted for Historic Car Registration through the Mitchell Government Agency.

Now he can drive around town in style.

In many ways this car is ideal for Mitchell. Time is more elastic in outback Australia. There is no need to rush from one place to another; there's time to drive sedately and safely; time to savour the internal workings of this sturdy yet stylish motor car.

Doug is justly proud of his car and will keep it here in Mitchell where the air is dry and rust rare.

Orchid pods in abundance: Mitchell outback Qld

For the first time in five years our bush orchid (Cymbidium caniculatum) has produced lots of pods -- evidence of the successful pollination of the orchid flowers.

The reason is due, I believe, to the small native bees I saw busy within individual flowers. Other years I've seen a variety of insects hovering around the blooms, but never native bees.

I've read that every species of orchid is pollinated by a particular insect; that they have co-evolved in this unique way.

Now I watch the developing pods (around 80) and marvel at the production of seed so dependent on one insect and an astonishingly complex orchid flower.

Shedding his skin: Mitchell outback Qld

At over 40 years of age, Stego stumpy-tailed lizard has shed his skin countless times. With each shedding, he grows a little larger and sports a new beautifully-marked, shiny skin.

If the climate is dry (which is the case in outback Queensland), shedding skin can be difficult. The skin needs moisture to come away, especially from the feet and rear end.

This morning I did my usual, "Hello, Stego. How are you?" to be greeted by one very stressed and hungry lizard. First I fed him half a banana, and then attended to the problem of his partly shed skin. He said he felt itchy and was frustrated because he couldn't get the last skin off his back legs and rear end.

Using the laundry trough, I ran him a shallow lukewarm bath and then gently lowered him into the water. But his impatience was clear to see!

After letting him soak for a couple of minutes -- to soften the skin on his back -- I gradually eased the skin off his rear end. All that remained to be done was to remove the old skin from his back legs and toes. This was more difficult and he squirmed impatiently. Finally he was free, handsome and restored to his usual calm and happy self.

PS

A small three-toed skink was sunning itself on our front verandah this morning. When I first saw him I thought, Baby snake. But then I saw tiny legs and admit I felt great relief.

A frog visits our renovated bathroom: Mitchell outback Qld

Our bathroom has undergone a renovation that has left it looking spacious, clean and definitely improved. Doug did the tiling (his first experience and he says his last!) and painting, and we added a new toilet, vanity unit, light fitting, towel rails, and mirror. The blue bath and black-and-white tiled floor remain untouched, except for a thorough clean.

Nearly always there's a green tree frog in residence: but how they get in is a mystery. Usually we relocate them to a moist place in the garden but some return -- like homing pigeons to their loft.

What amazes me about frogs is that they allow us to pick them up, and will sit quietly on our hand; whereas, if they see Katie our cat, they cry out in alarm.

John and Honey at the Courthouse Pub: Mitchell outback Qld

The Courthouse Pub is a favourite 'watering hole' for John and his horse Honey.

Honey is 23 years old and John's constant companion. Whether it's relaxing on John's verandah in the afternoons, having a drink with friends at The Courthouse Pub, walking up Mitchell's main shopping strip, or strolling along the Maranoa River to the Major Mitchell Caravan Park, John and Honey are well-known and popular, both locally and around the world.

Travellers who stay in Mitchell soak away their aches, pains and tensions in our Great Artesian Spa, and often meet up with John and Honey -- discover yet another hidden outback gem.

The empathy that flows between man and horse is extraordinary. They are as one.

Ladies' Day Treat: Mitchell Outback Qld

The lady retailers of Mitchell held a special ladies shopping day this morning -- Sunday morning. This event was a treat for the ladies of Mitchell and surrounding countryside, with bargains, drinks, chocolates, nibbles and many other tempting offers.

From shop to shop the ladies strolled, laden with bags and full of the buzz that a good dose of shopping therapy can give.

Poppy' s Boutique was crowded as I entered, with shoppers keen to try on and buy the quality clothes Katrina has on offer. From Poppy's I stopped off at the Mitchell Craft Centre, then on to Lemon Pie Gifts where Krystal offered frozen strawberry cocktails and a huge assortment of quality gift-ware.

My next port of call was the Mitchell Newsagency, and then finally the Mitchell Cafe where Janelle served high tea in her newly decorated shop. Janelle has the gift of serving customers with natural grace and friendliness, as if each and every one of us were guests in her home.

Sunday shopping for ladies is a new Mitchell experience that turned out exceptionally well for both the retailers and their enthusiastic customers, with most ladies dressed up for a morning out on the town.

Janelle's high tea at the cafe was a lovely social occasion in itself, rounding off what was, for most ladies, a good dose of shopping therapy.