On day nine I rode from Walgett to Brewarrina – I got a 70km lift from John in his covered twin cab ute from Lightning Ridge to Walgett after a 7.00am pickup from the Opal Caravan Park. Fortunately John’s generous lift enabled me to have a good coffee in Walgett and to get to Brewarrina before dark as the 10-15km headwind for most of the day probably reduced my average speed to around 15kms per hour over the 140kms. At that speed the extra 70kms would have taken me four or more hours and even a 4.00am start from Lightning Ridge would not have necessarily seen me arriving at Bree before dark.
Not only was John a great lift giver. He also knows how to use the iPhone camera.
It had been raining the night before in the region and the wet patches /puddles on the road were largely drying by 8.30am when I took off from the Walgett levee bank. At least the sun was shining. 
The wind swept terrain made heavy work and my tender legs particularly the knees and thigh muscles at the end of that day required some special care.
You are supposed to get the impression of a headwind here at the Briery Station gate.
Fortunately for me there was Glen at the Royal Hotel at Brewarrina who had the right remedy for my knees. He told me about Lectric Soda granules that he gave to me and he loaned me a modified sock so that I could wrap the granules around my particularly tender left knee with the help of some gaffer tape. Apparently: Lectric Soda Crystals are used by a variety of health professionals to help reduce swelling and relieve aching muscles and joints. (from a quick Google search).
Well Electric Soda worked for me by the following day and I thank Glen for his advice and good conversation.
The light before the storm? Fortunately there was only dizzle leaving Bree.