Strange call
N 23°18'28.1" E 144°22'24.5"
Day: 175 Stage three / total expedition days 566
Sunrise:
05:33
Sunset:
18:39
Total kilometers:
5771 Km
Temperature - Day (maximum):
39° degrees, sun approx. 59°
Temperature - Night:
17° degrees
Latitude:
23°18'28.1"
Longitude:
144°22'24.5"
Bimbah-Camp – 07.11.2002
During further route planning, I found out that some of the stock routes were closed. Due to the drought, the government can no longer guarantee sufficient food in these regions. For this reason, I try to call the relevant authorities to get a permit for us. After a few phone calls, I am referred back to the Department of Primary Industries. As the inspector who examined our animals a few days ago didn’t bring us the promised transport permit, I took the opportunity to call him straight away.
“Hello, it’s me, Denis the camel man. Can you still remember me?” “Yes,” it answers coldly. That uneasy feeling creeps up on me again. “I just wanted to ask if there are any conditions for us to go on a closed stock route?” “No. This ban only applies to professional cattle drives.” “Ah, very good. Just one more question?” I say, so as not to steal too much time from the apparently very busy man. “Do we need that transport permit you told us about or not?” Suddenly the voice becomes very friendly again. “Where are you at the moment?” “At Bimbah Station.” “I’ll bring you the permit tomorrow. Is 08:30 okay with you?” “But of course. Thank you very much. See you tomorrow then,” I reply and end the call. I sit on the phone for a while and wonder why such a busy inspector is bothering to bring us the transport documents in person. Somehow I don’t want to believe that he is doing this for purely friendly reasons. Does he have any further questions? Is the case still not closed? I tell Tanja about the strange phone call. We talk about it for a while, but can’t make any sense of it.
