Unlike Wally, I don't have a major problem with SE night operations
when necessary, but within reason and reasonably close to civilisation and available landing areas.
I would not include Cunnamulla as being
"reasonably close to civilisation and available landing areas."
Talking of PC Plod's linguistic tallents - and I know this is thread drift - but at 8.45 am Tuesday 24 September, on the Landsborough Highway between Longreach and Winton, Sgt Plodd from Winton had cause to pull me over just as I passed a B Double with trailer (three trailer Road Train):
"Do you know what speed you were doing driver"?
"No idea, wasn't looking, but I'm sure you will tell me".
"134 kilometers per hour."
"I knew you were waiting for me so came as quick as I could."
On being presented with a yellow Infringement Notice for $366 and 4 points, I asked whether I'd get a discount because of my Senior's Card?
Actually, $366 is more than reasonable for four years of undetected crime!
There is something highly comical about a harmless grey nomad being pulled over on the Landsborough Highway, miles from civilisation, to be confronted by Sgt Plod in full riot gear, pistol, Tazer, Pepper Spray, batton, three pistol magazines, handcuffs, two way radio and a few other odds and ends, all attached to a flack jacket. I couldn't help myself:
"Have the grey nomads been parking illegally again or did I interupt your deployment to the front line in Afghanistan"?
Fortunately he had a sense of humour.
And if you drive out west, avoid Adavale as that cops books everything not screwed down. Local rumour tells me he even booked his own wife for driving without a seat belt.
Yep, country coppers can be something else.........