Eggbert's Travels

.Friday 1^st September 2017

SHE SAID:

Birdsville Race Day 1 dawns.

We headed to the race course around 1.45pm, & caught the end of the second race.

Masses of people were cramming themselves & their chairs into all the available shaded spots...there is never enough shade.

There were a few people in strange costumes, though with the temperature rising to 30C, they must have been uncomfortable!

I had a mammoth bet of $5 on the 3^rd race & Geoff the same on the 4^th race; we both got second to last placings!

First up today, the Birdsville Billabong

Whilst photographing this Little Eagle I was 

photo-bombed by the sightseeing helicopter

Too basic for my liking!

Plenty of police watching on

Finishing post

All dressed down for the Races

Cantering back after Race 3

Laughing Horse

Incoming

And they are off....

HE SAID:

Upon entry to the race course our first task was to have a look around and soak up the atmosphere. The crowd was not as large as I expected, and were certainly better behaved than I expected. The hunt for shade between races left only a few hardy souls by the track railing, until the next race, when most people seemed to throng trackside.

The betting ring was constantly busy, as was the bar. Our bets were based on the horses names, and the results were typically unflattering. 

We saw a few races, but had had enough after a couple of hours, so headed back to the van.