Madi’s Manoeuvres. Jervois (Jer – voice) Station. Day 13 – 13 June 2024.

Awoke early for the long walk to the loo and hopped back into bed to watch the sunrise and numerous breeds of birds flitting, flying, chirping and calling. The colours in the sky in both directions are beautiful.
Others were up a bit later.
Stef and Brian and Ann went to talk for station folk and pay for our camping and enquire about any courier or transport options for Kate’s shocker. The answer was the plane leaves at 10 today and would have needed to know about it yesterday.
Phil got onto the phone from 8am and got lucky on his second call and Pedders came good with a pair of shocks. So once Kate was back from showering and Yoda was unloaded they took off for the 3 and half hour drive to Alice Springs. They also had a shopping list from the rest of the group.

Meanwhile back at camp we were all very busy pottering around – under cars to identify rattles, check for damage from horror stretch (I found a broken bracket on my bash plate but Stef reckons it’s ok), some read, we all did washing (Jackson’s secured a washing machine at the house) the rest of used tubs or scrub a bag and the sink in the campground. Brilliant drying day. Nice to have everything back to square one.

A truck/camper just like Stef is building came in for fuel so he was lost to a chat and look around to see what he could learn from their experience.

The fellas with some help from us jacked up the Pajero to remove the wheels and shot shock absorbers. After kindly asking at the station about some jack stands Tia (the key lady at the station) ran them over to us in the ute. They only ask for a donation to the School of the Air. Then we finished the job. It was hot and dirty work.

Folded washing, got Jerry cans untied ready for fuelling up which we all did this arvo.

Then we all went to fuel up Jerry cans and cars and spoke to the women manning the small shop and fuel bowser. We also partook of some chips, chocs, lollies and drinks.

A few fun facts about Jervois.
• The Jervois Cattle Station is 1.2 million acres.
• It has 120km frontage on the Plenty Highway and 52km back from there
• They run 8000 head of cattle
• A B double of cattle makes them $200k
• The shop and fuel station earns $100k a year.
• They have been selling fuel here for 50 years.
• They used to provide fuel for local aboriginal community, who now have their own fuel.
• A Bore run takes 3-6 hours x 6 bores, so checking the bores alone is a 3 day job.
• 9 adults and 4 kids on the station.
• The kids schooling with School of the Air costs about $80k a year. Tia indicated that it’s the most public school in the country. It will actually be cheaper for them when the kids go to boarding school in Adelaide.
• We’ve seen 3 Station dogs. Squid the Chiuahua, Baked Beans the Coolie and Rooster of unknown breed.

Kate and Phil returned at about 5:15 and in a flash Phil was installing the new shockers onto the pre prepped vehicle, with the help of Brian, Steve with his tools, Stef with his all round knowledge and Col also in support. The car was back together in no time at all.

We’ve all taken on some water here, direct from the ground. It’s all the station folk drink.
Pad Thai for us for tea tonight.
Fire is lit and snacks are out, with drinks, spotting satellites. The International Space Station came over and Ann spotted it.
Pad Thai for tea tonight.
Then it will be showers and off to bed. Not too late to bed for me.