Out there

I was talking to a mate of mine a couple weeks ago and told him I was looking forward to some time off work over the Christmas/new year period when I'll have a couple weeks to do nothing, or everything, but only what I want to do. He suggested we go to a huge property he knows of over the New South Wales/Queensland border due north from a place called Bourke. They run cattle on the property and need some shooting done to keep feral populations of pigs, goats and camels down. We'd have the run of the place and they'd also provide a vehicle for us when there so we'd not have to fuck up our own four wheel drives on what will be very rough, or non-existent, tracks. I liked the idea.

We'd be about here, 28°37'21.4"S 145°30'41.8"E, or there abouts as I'm not keen to give the exact location; suffice it to say it's a long way out there being some 1,327km (824mi) from home which is about the distance from the south of the UK to the very north (Penzance, Cornwall to Duncansby Head Lighthouse, Wick).

I'm not sure if I'll do it yet, it'll mean being away from home yet again and for six days all up.

The good thing is there's not much to impede one's progress on the way there so the drive will be an easy run at 120kph with intermittent fuel and food stops. We figure it'll give us three and a half to four days of shooting and fuck load of driving so it'll be a pretty full on trip.

There's not a lot of time to plan so I have to get organised if I'm to make it happen although being a pretty organised fellow means it's pretty much just making some selections on the appropriate guns to take, throwing some load out into the four wheel drive and heading off. Ok, it's way more complicated then that but I've got it covered. The main things is, do I really want to go?

Yes is the answer, but I really need some time at home, to recharge, after what has been a full on year and going on this shooting trip won't be a relaxing time, it'll be work, a lot of it. Having said that, the chance to shoot in a new location, meet some new property owners and open relationships is a good opportunity. I'll have to think on it for a few days I guess, but I'm leaning towards yes.

The Australian outback is tough and unforgiving country where mistakes bite hard; get it wrong out there and a world of pain will follow. I love that about it though, the need for specialised skills, self reliance and the right equipment which makes for a challenging experience. I thrive in those environments.