This was my permanent home, and it was only about 60 kms away on the other side of Moree and the Gwydir River.
Quietly reassured that evening by the awaited arrival of Patty Paul the vet who had travelled up from Orange to see her good friend Willie, perfectly well known to her, I offered Willie a quiet harbour back over at my place, at no cost other than the trouble of getting there, and safe from interference of stock inspectors demanding he move on before he recovered.
Both lower legs had been strapped and bandaged by the hospital but he had refused plaster, or to stay there; his camels needed his presence for their safety. Willie agreed to come, and with his companion Bill helping somewhat, a two day expedition got the cavalcade across the city, along some of the old stock routes, over the Gwydir Highway bridge and back to my kingdom, well hidden in the bush behind the cotton fields. The bemused property owners expecting a painting were simply told (not asked) what was happening, and advised that I’d be back to continue in a couple of days.