As you note, it’s over a month since my last update. Now for the story:-
Fathers Day lunch was a great success with most campers participating in the beautiful meal....note $5 Per plate! How exceptional.
The not so good side was we both got the flu, Brian knows how to get a ‘GREAT’ flu and I’m much more sensible and just get the basic variety. We had both had our immunisation shots before leaving Melbourne, but Brian had Whooping Cough before we left Melbourne and that affected him badly. This flu has the same effect, no energy, continuesly tired, sleeping anything up to 14 hrs per day.
We saw a Doctor in Townsville and were given antibiotics and Ventoline puffer. We were very pleased that we had decided to stay at Black River Stadium for the month of September because that gave time for Brian to recover......well, sort of!! During this time we had some wet weather so it was good that we were not missing the nice weather.
We had the car booked in for a warranty repair, the casing of the springs were cracked which needed both casing & springs replaced. It was a full days booking so Brian took the opportunity to go on a full days Tour of the sights and Military places around Townsville. He came back with so much information about the history of Townsville,that made it so very worth while.
Another highlight of the month/year/century!......RICHMOND FOOTBALL CLUB WON THE AFL GRAND FINAL. 🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅 Tigers for ever 👏👏👏👏👏👏
Then the next day The Nation Rugby League grand final was won by Brian’s favourite team there, also....The Melbourne Storm.
On our last day at the Park we took a drive to the places we had missed, some that Brian had seen on his tour and wanted to show me. The special was Castle Hill which is only just misses being a mountain. Some school children build bits & pieces to make it height enough to be a mountain! It’s so nearly there. Hundreds of people walk, run, etc up it every day (they are plum crazy) it’s a very busy road. The views were magnificent
2nd October we set out for Doris southbound trip. Crossing the Burdekin River was quite a thrill, a most wonderful construction, almost a covered bridge but not covered. Also it was great to see a river that actually had water flowing.
We stopped in Bowen and went for a days outing to Collinsville, 90 k inland, it’s an historic coal mining area. It’s worth looking up the history of Coal in that town. They had a huge disaster there on 13 October 1954, with the loss of 7 lives and it changed mining thereafter. There is an excellent museum with a movie re-enactment of the disaster which is very sensitive handled.
Bowen is a fruit and veg growing area & we were canled on the ocean in a small park. Bowen and Collinsville have wonderful Murals of the history of their areas and are well worth visiting them. Bowen tomatoes are first class and so are the Mango Sorbets........I should know! (I love Mango ❤️❤️❤️)
During our time in Bowen we went to Airlie Beach, this is such an Tourist Resort area, made us think of Surfers Paradise, they are still recovering from cyclone damage so a lot of the water front is under construction and a lot of damage is still visible.
I’m so glad we saw the Burdekin river because most of the rivers we cross have turned to sand!!! Yes it’s very dry. Hard to imagine the wet up here when they become raging torrents.
Our final night in Bowen we went to the ‘Grand View Hotel’ and we had Chilli Chrispy Skin Soft Crab on jasmine rice.....it was up to our high expectations. Such a beautiful hotel, fairy lights in the trees in the open area.
So many if there smaller towns have such nice entry and exit areas of trees and flowering shrubs as we left Bowen we passed the big salt mounds and great areas of salt collection field.
9th October we moved on and for me like pure joy......driving through sugar can growing areas.
We drove through Proserpine on to Clermont for free camping, we stayed here on the way up and the were about 30 vans there then, now there were only 2 of us.....that tells us we are too late in the season, we should have come south earlier.most uninviting so we packed up and went to the caravan park for the night. It was worth the $30 to have air conditioning. On to Roma we booked in for 1 night and.....stayed 8! Brian got another dose of the Flu, so it was back to bed...again! OK, decision made, time to head for home in the shortest and most sensible manner. We have had one night stops, drive about 200k, have dinner, then it’s back to bed Brian, and up for tea and then early to bed..
We are in Seymour today, I have written this while Brian slept, now we will pack up as much as possible and will be home about 10.30 tomorrow, Tuesday 24 October and will see the Doctor at 4.30pm.
So ends our wonderful 2017 trip, it has been really great and now we have great expectations of good health so that we can do a similar journey in 2018..
Thank you for your interest in our travels., bye for this year,
Rosemary and Brian.
Sunday, October 22, 2017
Sunday, September 17, 2017
17th September Townsville
A special day! Its Christy's Birthday 🎂🎂🎂. It's been lovely chatting to her this morning. Both our girls and their children are meeting up for time together to celebrate.
They wouldn't want either of us there as we have 'quarantined our caravan......Brian has the flu & I have the sore throat. Have just been to the 7 Days per week Super Clinic and both been given antibiotics....here's hoping.
We are enjoying the weather up here, after all, that's what we came for.
Our first few days were great as there were people here that we had met in Mareeba. Trish & John had a combie bus so they came with us up Saddle Mountain to the Heritage Tea Rooms in what was The Eureka Hotel, the oldest known building in North Queensland. It's a long way up but appears gradual, that is, until coming down, then it is considered as very steep because it's such a long way especially for trucks. We will go up that way with the caravan when we leave here beginning of October and go again to Fletcher's Creek before starting our trip south.
We went for scones, jam & cream and were not disappointed, they were stunning. It was very interesting & had a best craft shop I've been in, have got some new ideas.
We have had trip to Townsville CITY, golly it's big. We had a meal at the Casino with Janet & John from Ballarat ( saw them last in a Cooktown) , it's great catching up with folk you know.
The Strand is beautiful, Brian had a walk along it one day while I visited a shopping centre, but he found it very hot.
We have a craft group in the community area on Monday mornings & I was shown a cute casual handbag.......so I had to have one.....Called at a Vinnies Super Store (huge) and got a pair of size 0 jeans with elastic in top. As they were not lined, I also fought a red apron to use as lining.
First cut off the legs, these are then cut up to make the shoulder strap. Then stitch in the lining and sew up the bottom. It's such a cute 'Jeans hand bag' with its little pockets etc. It would be easy with a sewing machine but rewarding to do by hand.
We have been The Brothers Club (Nation Rugbt League) their club is 'Cowboys' and like The Tigers in Melbourne (Aussie Rules) they are in 'The Semi Finals' everyone is excited.
We have another 2 weeks here, first....get over these colds, then more lovely places to go.
We were only staying 30 days,but.......then there are the 2 Grand Finals on for both Football codes so....we are staying the extra day to be sure of good TV reception. 🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉
You really have to live in Australia to appreciate the hype!
They wouldn't want either of us there as we have 'quarantined our caravan......Brian has the flu & I have the sore throat. Have just been to the 7 Days per week Super Clinic and both been given antibiotics....here's hoping.
We are enjoying the weather up here, after all, that's what we came for.
Our first few days were great as there were people here that we had met in Mareeba. Trish & John had a combie bus so they came with us up Saddle Mountain to the Heritage Tea Rooms in what was The Eureka Hotel, the oldest known building in North Queensland. It's a long way up but appears gradual, that is, until coming down, then it is considered as very steep because it's such a long way especially for trucks. We will go up that way with the caravan when we leave here beginning of October and go again to Fletcher's Creek before starting our trip south.
We went for scones, jam & cream and were not disappointed, they were stunning. It was very interesting & had a best craft shop I've been in, have got some new ideas.
We have had trip to Townsville CITY, golly it's big. We had a meal at the Casino with Janet & John from Ballarat ( saw them last in a Cooktown) , it's great catching up with folk you know.
The Strand is beautiful, Brian had a walk along it one day while I visited a shopping centre, but he found it very hot.
We have a craft group in the community area on Monday mornings & I was shown a cute casual handbag.......so I had to have one.....Called at a Vinnies Super Store (huge) and got a pair of size 0 jeans with elastic in top. As they were not lined, I also fought a red apron to use as lining.
First cut off the legs, these are then cut up to make the shoulder strap. Then stitch in the lining and sew up the bottom. It's such a cute 'Jeans hand bag' with its little pockets etc. It would be easy with a sewing machine but rewarding to do by hand.
We have been The Brothers Club (Nation Rugbt League) their club is 'Cowboys' and like The Tigers in Melbourne (Aussie Rules) they are in 'The Semi Finals' everyone is excited.
We have another 2 weeks here, first....get over these colds, then more lovely places to go.
We were only staying 30 days,but.......then there are the 2 Grand Finals on for both Football codes so....we are staying the extra day to be sure of good TV reception. 🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉🏉
You really have to live in Australia to appreciate the hype!
Saturday, September 2, 2017
2nd September 2017 Townsville
Well, I have some catching up to do.....
From Atherton we went to Tully.
The drive from Atherton to here this morning has been the most glorious, uplifting, spiritual, joyous part of our trip. The beauty of the mountains, tablelands, sugar, bananas. Oh yes I'm raving on.... I guess you get the message. Oh how I love it all. We were here 2 years ago & stayed at South Mission Beach & did all the Tourist things. This year we have thoroughly enjoyed doing a lot of it again. We signed in at the Tourist Information Centre to stay 2 nights at the Showgrounds for free. A great concrete site, toilets, dump and water available. We drove out to beautiful Mission Beach, then out to Tully Heads. We were able to sit outside our van and watch the white smoke from the Sugar Mill. We were facing the main road into the town from the Bruce Highway so watched trucks moving the sugar and the waste products out and the trains bringing the cane in for processing. We went through the mill last trip. It was great seeing the machines cutting the cane, loading it into the train bins and the trains moving it on their special tracks. I went into the town & was silly enough to go into a Homeware Shop that had the most amazing array of gadgets I have ever seen, very high quality with prices to match! No I only drooled, I didn't buy. Then I went to Vinnies & bought a top for $2! 😁.
Then the aromas from the bakery tempted me, well it was afternoon tea time! That's my excuse.
I was telling the sales lady how much I loved the trip from Atherton to Tully, and a man came in and asked for "His daily bread". .......when I went to the car he came up to me and spoke about my expressions of the trip & then added 'You sound as if you are a Christian' & I responded 'So are you' & he asked 'How do you know?' answer, you asked for your daily bread!. He is the CEO of Vinnies & does a lot of the home visits for delivering aid to outlying families. He was telling me about one visit where the woman was amazed that he drove 170k and his response to that was "Jesus went a lot further to Calvery for our salvation." It was a privilege to meet him.
We also had a lovely trip up the Tully Gorge the wonderful variety of trees and every shade of green. Even typing this my very 'being' thrills at the mountains, the trees, the sugar cane, the bananas, and I must include the warmth.
The day before we left Atherton the latest 'Grey Nomad' email came with an article on an over 50s Caravan Park in Townsville........well we changed our plans and have come here , booked for 30 days. It is purely over 50s, Black River Stadium, 27 k out of the CBD. It's only 7k off the Bruce Hwy, very secure, huge sites & $30 per night BUT.....if you book for 30 days, you only pay for 24 😁😁😁😁. It's very community, some people come year after year for the winter. We are testing it.
The facilities are exceptionally good, hot, hot showers, great kitchen set up that any one can use & they put on meals at lease weekly. This Sunday, Fathers Day, they have a chief cooking a meal, $5 a plate! 😁😁. We have booked.
Bye for now, off the 'Happy Hour'.
From Atherton we went to Tully.
The drive from Atherton to here this morning has been the most glorious, uplifting, spiritual, joyous part of our trip. The beauty of the mountains, tablelands, sugar, bananas. Oh yes I'm raving on.... I guess you get the message. Oh how I love it all. We were here 2 years ago & stayed at South Mission Beach & did all the Tourist things. This year we have thoroughly enjoyed doing a lot of it again. We signed in at the Tourist Information Centre to stay 2 nights at the Showgrounds for free. A great concrete site, toilets, dump and water available. We drove out to beautiful Mission Beach, then out to Tully Heads. We were able to sit outside our van and watch the white smoke from the Sugar Mill. We were facing the main road into the town from the Bruce Highway so watched trucks moving the sugar and the waste products out and the trains bringing the cane in for processing. We went through the mill last trip. It was great seeing the machines cutting the cane, loading it into the train bins and the trains moving it on their special tracks. I went into the town & was silly enough to go into a Homeware Shop that had the most amazing array of gadgets I have ever seen, very high quality with prices to match! No I only drooled, I didn't buy. Then I went to Vinnies & bought a top for $2! 😁.
Then the aromas from the bakery tempted me, well it was afternoon tea time! That's my excuse.
I was telling the sales lady how much I loved the trip from Atherton to Tully, and a man came in and asked for "His daily bread". .......when I went to the car he came up to me and spoke about my expressions of the trip & then added 'You sound as if you are a Christian' & I responded 'So are you' & he asked 'How do you know?' answer, you asked for your daily bread!. He is the CEO of Vinnies & does a lot of the home visits for delivering aid to outlying families. He was telling me about one visit where the woman was amazed that he drove 170k and his response to that was "Jesus went a lot further to Calvery for our salvation." It was a privilege to meet him.
We also had a lovely trip up the Tully Gorge the wonderful variety of trees and every shade of green. Even typing this my very 'being' thrills at the mountains, the trees, the sugar cane, the bananas, and I must include the warmth.
The day before we left Atherton the latest 'Grey Nomad' email came with an article on an over 50s Caravan Park in Townsville........well we changed our plans and have come here , booked for 30 days. It is purely over 50s, Black River Stadium, 27 k out of the CBD. It's only 7k off the Bruce Hwy, very secure, huge sites & $30 per night BUT.....if you book for 30 days, you only pay for 24 😁😁😁😁. It's very community, some people come year after year for the winter. We are testing it.
The facilities are exceptionally good, hot, hot showers, great kitchen set up that any one can use & they put on meals at lease weekly. This Sunday, Fathers Day, they have a chief cooking a meal, $5 a plate! 😁😁. We have booked.
Bye for now, off the 'Happy Hour'.
Tuesday, August 29, 2017
29th August 2017 Atherton
We are again at the War Memorial Camping Park 12 k north of Atherton. A $5 per night donation for use of toilets, non drinking water and nice flat 'dry' grass surrounded by trees, what more can one ask for? We had our 2 days at Rifle Creek, very nice parked amongst trees then on to Mareeba Rodeo Camping ground. There is opportunity to get fish and chips there on Friday nights and even people come out from the town to cue up for them to open at 5.30. It was a long cue by the time they opened some even had their chairs, some, on bikes, some in their cars..so we sat with our neighbours and waited until it had well reduced before joining it. They were wonderful......no wonder they were well patronised. We had 3 nights there before coming here in our red dust covered car. It was a big trip 😉😉 27k...we set up the van , went into Atherton, through the car wash, oh it looks like new. Called at the $2 shop & bought 1 ball of wool I needed, then to The Salvation Army Op Shop where Brian bought another book & I got talking to the girl behind the counter. 'What's new?' She wasn't Army but asked if I had seen the display in their window. I went and did so, it was heart warming, a great display of all thing Army, photo of the Founder, a Bonnet, the Yellow Red & Blue Flag etc. I went back and asked the young lady to convey my congratulations on to whoever did the display. With that another young woman came and said, it was the one behind the counters idea & research as well as design. The second lady was the lady Lieutenant in charge of the Corps. They have between 6 & 30 on Sunday mornings but have a 50 Volunteer base from other Churches who man their 2 Op Shops and a a caravan. It made me sorry we were not going to be here for a Sunday. Then we came home in time to cook our midday dinner!
To day we have been to Yungaburra (again), it's still the prettiest place ever. The original huge hotel has such an interesting display of photos depicting the settlers of the area. I went into a little shop & the sign said 'Closed' Monday & Tuesday! Today was Tuesday.....the guys response was , 'Well if I feel I don't want to work, I don't have to come in'!!!! He then said where in NZ are you from, I'm from Christchurch.....my response was, tell me more....he said , well Ashburton....OK, I was born there!! Then St Albans, Christchurch! ........I said 'Rutland St' he says, I know that!!!! Golly life is amazing.
There was another amazing book shop, mostly second hand & expensive, but wonderfully set out in categories, Brian bought 2. Its very much a tourist spot. The hanging baskets were and are annually funded by the Bingo at the Hotel. Oh, it's soooo pretty.
Tomorrow we are off again.
To be continued.
To day we have been to Yungaburra (again), it's still the prettiest place ever. The original huge hotel has such an interesting display of photos depicting the settlers of the area. I went into a little shop & the sign said 'Closed' Monday & Tuesday! Today was Tuesday.....the guys response was , 'Well if I feel I don't want to work, I don't have to come in'!!!! He then said where in NZ are you from, I'm from Christchurch.....my response was, tell me more....he said , well Ashburton....OK, I was born there!! Then St Albans, Christchurch! ........I said 'Rutland St' he says, I know that!!!! Golly life is amazing.
There was another amazing book shop, mostly second hand & expensive, but wonderfully set out in categories, Brian bought 2. Its very much a tourist spot. The hanging baskets were and are annually funded by the Bingo at the Hotel. Oh, it's soooo pretty.
Tomorrow we are off again.
To be continued.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
24th August Rifle Creek
Rifle Creek is a 2 night 'Free' camping area about 40k north of Mareeba, well , $2 per Vehicle donation requested! A really beautiful spot, lovely tall trees, flat, gravel well made tracks, picnic tables under cover, non treated water taps, toilets (with paper 😁😁!!) cold shower, the area can easily accommodate 50 camper vehicles. It quite suitable to leave the van for the day and go tripping if you wanted to..
Back to Sunday 20th at Cooktown. Friends from Ballarat tat we met in Warrnambool, pre Easter 2015. We have been to visit them at their beautiful property at Mt Helen ......well after that preamble......they arrived in Cooktown & we met at their van about 2.45 next went to collect fish & chips and back to our van and never stopped chatting until they left about 9.30pm. We had SUCH a lovely vist woth beautiful people.
After they left we packed and prepared for moving Monday morning to Laura 140k southwest and then northwest. Interestingly through banana plantations and watermelon growing area which was quite unexpected..
We had booked into a caravan park for 3 nights..........
Laura, Queensland. Hot! This is our second night here in the Caravan Park, ( no comment!)
Today we went for a drive north, about 30k. It's the only Road up to the tip of Australia. Originally we had intended leaving our van here and driving the car the 600+k up and stay in Roadhouses but we have reconsidered after today's trip.
The first 5k were sealed then 25k of roadworks....real roadworks, traffic lights, lolly pop people, detours, huge construction vehicles as well as the normal traffic, a huge water spray truck to help keep the dust down. Then 100 metres of paved.....then a sign "Gravel Road to the Top"!!!!!!
Brian said, well we have come this far we had better do some corrugated road.......another 100metres........we turned around and came back. No alternative route. 😡😡😡😡
We came back and went to the Cultural Centre which was excellent, photos, history, art work & a great Video of the area & the Aboriginal people. When we came out I saw our car 😭😭😭 it was covered in red dust!!, oh well, it proves we have been out and about.
There are interesting termite mounds in the Park, (must say something nice!)
That's enough of this place, we will forgo our third night and move on.......it's proved to be very good move, it was nice going through the watermelon & banana area again as we came down here the 205 k. We stopped at Mt Carbine Roadhouse for a hot chocolate, what a beautiful building, stunning polished stone throughout, wish I had taken my phone in so I could have taken photos. We are very near Mt Molly.
Tomorrow we head off again, don't get excited....it's 40k to the Rodeo Caravan Park at Mareeba AGAIN, For the weekend & good TV reception. This has been a happy spot,
Oh, by the way......the dark glass cover to our flyscreen door hasn't been unable to release for the last month, we have had to either have the door open or suffer the heat with it closed, lucky not too many flies. We have enquired of others who have the same door & have been offered various suggestions but none have worked. So, a couple of days ago we rang Jayco, & eventually they got back to us with more suggestions, one of which has worked sufficiently to allow it to open & then it can be attended to upon our return. Hip-hip-hooray.
Back to Sunday 20th at Cooktown. Friends from Ballarat tat we met in Warrnambool, pre Easter 2015. We have been to visit them at their beautiful property at Mt Helen ......well after that preamble......they arrived in Cooktown & we met at their van about 2.45 next went to collect fish & chips and back to our van and never stopped chatting until they left about 9.30pm. We had SUCH a lovely vist woth beautiful people.
After they left we packed and prepared for moving Monday morning to Laura 140k southwest and then northwest. Interestingly through banana plantations and watermelon growing area which was quite unexpected..
We had booked into a caravan park for 3 nights..........
Laura, Queensland. Hot! This is our second night here in the Caravan Park, ( no comment!)
Today we went for a drive north, about 30k. It's the only Road up to the tip of Australia. Originally we had intended leaving our van here and driving the car the 600+k up and stay in Roadhouses but we have reconsidered after today's trip.
The first 5k were sealed then 25k of roadworks....real roadworks, traffic lights, lolly pop people, detours, huge construction vehicles as well as the normal traffic, a huge water spray truck to help keep the dust down. Then 100 metres of paved.....then a sign "Gravel Road to the Top"!!!!!!
Brian said, well we have come this far we had better do some corrugated road.......another 100metres........we turned around and came back. No alternative route. 😡😡😡😡
We came back and went to the Cultural Centre which was excellent, photos, history, art work & a great Video of the area & the Aboriginal people. When we came out I saw our car 😭😭😭 it was covered in red dust!!, oh well, it proves we have been out and about.
There are interesting termite mounds in the Park, (must say something nice!)
That's enough of this place, we will forgo our third night and move on.......it's proved to be very good move, it was nice going through the watermelon & banana area again as we came down here the 205 k. We stopped at Mt Carbine Roadhouse for a hot chocolate, what a beautiful building, stunning polished stone throughout, wish I had taken my phone in so I could have taken photos. We are very near Mt Molly.
Tomorrow we head off again, don't get excited....it's 40k to the Rodeo Caravan Park at Mareeba AGAIN, For the weekend & good TV reception. This has been a happy spot,
Oh, by the way......the dark glass cover to our flyscreen door hasn't been unable to release for the last month, we have had to either have the door open or suffer the heat with it closed, lucky not too many flies. We have enquired of others who have the same door & have been offered various suggestions but none have worked. So, a couple of days ago we rang Jayco, & eventually they got back to us with more suggestions, one of which has worked sufficiently to allow it to open & then it can be attended to upon our return. Hip-hip-hooray.
Saturday, August 19, 2017
19 August 2017 Cooktown
It's catch-up day, we have had a wonderful week here in Cooktown and surrounds. This has been such a sightseeing experience, today is the only day we haven't gone travelling. I'm so sorry, no photos as I haven't learnt how to include them. You need to send me a friend request on Face book 'Rosemary Lantz', because that is where I post photos.
One days trip took us south 65k to Bloomfield Falls, lots of interesting sights on the way and some not so....drove a long way into Trevethan Falls and then ran out of road so nothing doing there! Black Mountain was fascinating, they are mountains of hard black granite and there are many very strange tales about happenings there, people & animals disappearing, planes reporting disturbance as they fly over etc. there are flying foxes, snakes, caves, & the Aboriginal people are scared of it or have taboos in certain areas. It's very strange, worth looking up in Google. The small towns we went through were well kept and it's lovely to see the flowering bushes. Brian walked to the falls but I'm not game to try that type of walk/climb. I'm using a walking stick nowadays because of poor balance. These falls are the most significant we have visited this trip. We had a picnic lunch in the park at Rossville & every person from that village waved as they drove out to the main road.
Another trip was north, 70k to Elim, we first went into Isabella Falls, had to ford a shallow creek and then onward......well we gave up & turned around, got back to the creek and saw the signs .....the falls were just on the left of the Ford!! Definitely NOT Niagara 🤣🤣 & difficult to get a spot to see them & take photos, but we did. On then to an Aboriginal Community, Hopeville, a very nice small town, very tidy & most facilities. On to Elim beach with its colonial sands, Beautiful cliffs of bright colours and driving in to that area one could be excused for thinking they were in NZ with snow on the Southern Alps BUT, it was pure white sand among the green bushes. The sand is exported to Japan for glass making because it is 97% pure. You can not drive on the beach at Elim because it is sinking sand. Cars have been completely sunk there. There is a sign that it's $2,000 to be towed out ( if they can!) Brian walked out a little until he started sinking, took a photo and got out. There was one hermit living there and a number of derelicted corrugated iron shacks still with bits of furniture, bed, chars, tables. A bit further away was very basic camping ground with toilets & water (not one we would stay at) but it was where we had to pay $10 to go and see the coloured sand.
We have ticked of most of the sights, some we found most interesting. Mt Cook (green with NO SNOW). We can't drive up it, there is only a walking track & it's very steep. Grassy Hill and Lighthouse is spectacular, the sight where Captain Cook chartered his passage out of the Endeavour River where he was stuck for 45 days due to tides, damage and the unusual reefs that he could see. Its great to see the Endeavour River and it tributaries from so high up. We had been on a sunset cruise on the river, 2&1/2 hours of pleasure, good company, good commentary, a, lovely cheese platter.. the sunset over the water turned on a perfect display. We sailed among the Mangroves (not Mangoes!😞)
The water front with its displays, James Cook statue, Musical ship, the wharf with numerous fishing boast and cruise boats. So far we have only had 'Fish & Chips' once......I did say 'so far' it's on the menu for tomorrow night, our last night here. While we were waiting for the fish & chips to be cooked, we chatted to the couple who had just eaten theirs while at the tables on the veranda, they were Aboriginal from the Community where we had been. Their granddaughter is at the Uni in Melbourne studying Community Health & a grandson is in NZ, he went there for Bixing & is now in Christchurch. It was a most interest & delightful conversation. They are worth the trip to Cooktown. We have been out to Endeavour Falls, they are in a Caravan Park which is spectacular but there is 3k of awful corrugated unsealed road to get there. So glad we hadn't chosen to stay there even although it is perfection. Again the Falla were 'piddly' not Niagara, but the setting made up for it.
The Cooktown Historical Centre is worth every cent of the $5 entry and in reality it's worth a 2 day visit because it is full of history & ever so interesting. They are to be very highly congratulated.
The local IGA has everything and at prices to be expected but not bad really.
I know it's hard to believe, but I haven't looked through the shops, it's a small town really.
Monday we go north to Lara.
One days trip took us south 65k to Bloomfield Falls, lots of interesting sights on the way and some not so....drove a long way into Trevethan Falls and then ran out of road so nothing doing there! Black Mountain was fascinating, they are mountains of hard black granite and there are many very strange tales about happenings there, people & animals disappearing, planes reporting disturbance as they fly over etc. there are flying foxes, snakes, caves, & the Aboriginal people are scared of it or have taboos in certain areas. It's very strange, worth looking up in Google. The small towns we went through were well kept and it's lovely to see the flowering bushes. Brian walked to the falls but I'm not game to try that type of walk/climb. I'm using a walking stick nowadays because of poor balance. These falls are the most significant we have visited this trip. We had a picnic lunch in the park at Rossville & every person from that village waved as they drove out to the main road.
Another trip was north, 70k to Elim, we first went into Isabella Falls, had to ford a shallow creek and then onward......well we gave up & turned around, got back to the creek and saw the signs .....the falls were just on the left of the Ford!! Definitely NOT Niagara 🤣🤣 & difficult to get a spot to see them & take photos, but we did. On then to an Aboriginal Community, Hopeville, a very nice small town, very tidy & most facilities. On to Elim beach with its colonial sands, Beautiful cliffs of bright colours and driving in to that area one could be excused for thinking they were in NZ with snow on the Southern Alps BUT, it was pure white sand among the green bushes. The sand is exported to Japan for glass making because it is 97% pure. You can not drive on the beach at Elim because it is sinking sand. Cars have been completely sunk there. There is a sign that it's $2,000 to be towed out ( if they can!) Brian walked out a little until he started sinking, took a photo and got out. There was one hermit living there and a number of derelicted corrugated iron shacks still with bits of furniture, bed, chars, tables. A bit further away was very basic camping ground with toilets & water (not one we would stay at) but it was where we had to pay $10 to go and see the coloured sand.
We have ticked of most of the sights, some we found most interesting. Mt Cook (green with NO SNOW). We can't drive up it, there is only a walking track & it's very steep. Grassy Hill and Lighthouse is spectacular, the sight where Captain Cook chartered his passage out of the Endeavour River where he was stuck for 45 days due to tides, damage and the unusual reefs that he could see. Its great to see the Endeavour River and it tributaries from so high up. We had been on a sunset cruise on the river, 2&1/2 hours of pleasure, good company, good commentary, a, lovely cheese platter.. the sunset over the water turned on a perfect display. We sailed among the Mangroves (not Mangoes!😞)
The water front with its displays, James Cook statue, Musical ship, the wharf with numerous fishing boast and cruise boats. So far we have only had 'Fish & Chips' once......I did say 'so far' it's on the menu for tomorrow night, our last night here. While we were waiting for the fish & chips to be cooked, we chatted to the couple who had just eaten theirs while at the tables on the veranda, they were Aboriginal from the Community where we had been. Their granddaughter is at the Uni in Melbourne studying Community Health & a grandson is in NZ, he went there for Bixing & is now in Christchurch. It was a most interest & delightful conversation. They are worth the trip to Cooktown. We have been out to Endeavour Falls, they are in a Caravan Park which is spectacular but there is 3k of awful corrugated unsealed road to get there. So glad we hadn't chosen to stay there even although it is perfection. Again the Falla were 'piddly' not Niagara, but the setting made up for it.
The Cooktown Historical Centre is worth every cent of the $5 entry and in reality it's worth a 2 day visit because it is full of history & ever so interesting. They are to be very highly congratulated.
The local IGA has everything and at prices to be expected but not bad really.
I know it's hard to believe, but I haven't looked through the shops, it's a small town really.
Monday we go north to Lara.
Sunday, August 13, 2017
13th August Mareeba Rodeo Camping Groungs
Well we had our 5 days ar Rocky Creek War Memorial Park, we contacted the 'Authorities' for permission to extend our stay 2 days beyond the allowable 3 days & had no problem with that. It was great fora $5 daily donation. We had trips to Atherton, Yungaburra, one of the prettiest little towns I have ever seen. Lake Tinaroo withe its moving Afghanistan Avenue of Honour , The Curtain Fig Tree. We did all this 2 years ago, but this time was just as special.
Our car was serviced on Tuesday and Wednesday 9th we took the BIG trip to Mareeba......36k!
We knew about the Rodeo Camping ground, so came straight here. It's huge, power & water & $18 per night. Great public showers, all we can possibly need & only 3k out of town. We booked for 5 nights and have done the rounds of the area, been to the Golden Drop Mango Winery, I really didn't know how Mangos were grown & the thousands of trees are in flower at the moment. Brian went to Granet Girge & Park and did 2 of the 3 walks he knew his limitations....grade 3 Track has long , steep, rock sections! I went to 2 Coffee experiences, the first was a working Coffee grower and ever so interesting. I had no idea how coffee was grown and there was a film on the whole process. The second one was ultra commercial with an amazing shop with coffee , tea & chocolate. One needed an open bank account to go there!!! The exquisite things for sale could be most tempting. I yielded not 😇😇.
Today we went out to the Airport, very small but lots & lists of light aircraft. We saw the MAF Hanger. The runways are skirted by banana plantations! What a pleasant landing. We went to the Infirmation centre again & went through their heritage display which has doubled in the last 2 years. We had been there to get some ideas about going to the top of Cape York & have made the decision not to go. Tomorrow we go to Cooktown & are booked into the Cooktown Caravan Park for 5 nights.
The weather has been very good , we had rain last Sunday, well, showers. It was raining as it went the the BapBaptist Church in Atherton, a very good and inspiring service.
Our temperature is around 11 in the mornings and high of about 28.....expecting about 33 in Cooktown 🌞🌞🌞🔥🔥🔥.
I don't think I can add photos because the have to be in Google and mine aren't!
Our car was serviced on Tuesday and Wednesday 9th we took the BIG trip to Mareeba......36k!
We knew about the Rodeo Camping ground, so came straight here. It's huge, power & water & $18 per night. Great public showers, all we can possibly need & only 3k out of town. We booked for 5 nights and have done the rounds of the area, been to the Golden Drop Mango Winery, I really didn't know how Mangos were grown & the thousands of trees are in flower at the moment. Brian went to Granet Girge & Park and did 2 of the 3 walks he knew his limitations....grade 3 Track has long , steep, rock sections! I went to 2 Coffee experiences, the first was a working Coffee grower and ever so interesting. I had no idea how coffee was grown and there was a film on the whole process. The second one was ultra commercial with an amazing shop with coffee , tea & chocolate. One needed an open bank account to go there!!! The exquisite things for sale could be most tempting. I yielded not 😇😇.
Today we went out to the Airport, very small but lots & lists of light aircraft. We saw the MAF Hanger. The runways are skirted by banana plantations! What a pleasant landing. We went to the Infirmation centre again & went through their heritage display which has doubled in the last 2 years. We had been there to get some ideas about going to the top of Cape York & have made the decision not to go. Tomorrow we go to Cooktown & are booked into the Cooktown Caravan Park for 5 nights.
The weather has been very good , we had rain last Sunday, well, showers. It was raining as it went the the BapBaptist Church in Atherton, a very good and inspiring service.
Our temperature is around 11 in the mornings and high of about 28.....expecting about 33 in Cooktown 🌞🌞🌞🔥🔥🔥.
I don't think I can add photos because the have to be in Google and mine aren't!
Friday, August 4, 2017
Photos 5Augusr2017
Arco Creek early morning as every had gone
Misty Mountains just out of Ravenshoe
Rain forest entry into Atherton
Our current park 4.30pm Rocky Creek War Memorial Park
Rocky Creek War Memorial Park 5th August 2017
We had a most enjoyable stay at Archer Creek, it's only 11 k out of Ravenshoe which was on the news 2 years ago when a car ran into the bakery and the gas tank exploded . The young woman who was looking after it for her Grandparents to go away on holiday, was badly burnt. The town was badly shaken by this , but like small towns, have rallied around and the bakery is flourishing again. We don't know about the young woman.
We had good company, the campfire at night was most enjoyable & they moved on the next morning. A small 'slideon' (small accommodation that slides on a small tray truck) came in and set up on our other side. They were very friendly, Gordon & Melva, they immediately got busy setting up and strung a clothes line up between trees & hung out the wash they had done at the Community Caravan Park in Ravenshoe while having a lovely hot shower there. Only a gold coin donation & you don't have to be staying at the Park! They were just passing through. I had been into the town during the morning and was able to get the few things I needed, especially nice 'Helgas Bread' I have a pet hate of white bread!!
Mid afternoon we heard a very upset Melva, crying!!! Gordon came over & asked if we would watch their 'stuff' as they wanted to go back to the Caravan Park........Melva had lost her watch, a valuable gift. Brian immediately said , no need for you to pack down, he would take her in. What a thrill that someone had handed it in, they had been camping there but had now left. One VERY grateful lady. Also very grateful to Brian.
On the 4th we set off for Atherton, but stopped at Ravenshoe for a beautiful shower!💦💦💦💦
Oh, the drive into Atherton is transporting one into another world. Australia is an amazing country, kilometres after kilometres of dry scrub and then into rain forest of the Atherton Tablelands, its such an extraordinary thrill winding our way through the magnificent scenery. We came straight out to this Park, only 8 k north. It is the sight of the largest military hospital in the Southern Hemisphere, a 3000 bed hospital which treated 60,000 patients from 1943 to 1945. The park is divided into two areas, one for camping which would take abou 150 self contained caravans, no tenting allowed. And a Memorial area, of rocks with plaques telling the names and units of service personnel who died here.
Today, 5th , we have been to town, needed gas bottle refill & a look around to renew aquatance with the town we stayed in 2 years ago. Also went for a drive out to lake Tinaroo through such fertile grounds. One of Australia's food baskets.
We are staying here until Wednesday because we are getting the car serviced on Tuesday morning. It's been quite a search to find somewhere without having to go to Cairns. Brian was not happy with the service that was done on our Ford Territory in Cairns so didn't want the Isuzu done there ( they did a lot of fancy extras & charged the fancy price!).
Well, I'm up to date again. And will post some photos next.
We had good company, the campfire at night was most enjoyable & they moved on the next morning. A small 'slideon' (small accommodation that slides on a small tray truck) came in and set up on our other side. They were very friendly, Gordon & Melva, they immediately got busy setting up and strung a clothes line up between trees & hung out the wash they had done at the Community Caravan Park in Ravenshoe while having a lovely hot shower there. Only a gold coin donation & you don't have to be staying at the Park! They were just passing through. I had been into the town during the morning and was able to get the few things I needed, especially nice 'Helgas Bread' I have a pet hate of white bread!!
Mid afternoon we heard a very upset Melva, crying!!! Gordon came over & asked if we would watch their 'stuff' as they wanted to go back to the Caravan Park........Melva had lost her watch, a valuable gift. Brian immediately said , no need for you to pack down, he would take her in. What a thrill that someone had handed it in, they had been camping there but had now left. One VERY grateful lady. Also very grateful to Brian.
On the 4th we set off for Atherton, but stopped at Ravenshoe for a beautiful shower!💦💦💦💦
Oh, the drive into Atherton is transporting one into another world. Australia is an amazing country, kilometres after kilometres of dry scrub and then into rain forest of the Atherton Tablelands, its such an extraordinary thrill winding our way through the magnificent scenery. We came straight out to this Park, only 8 k north. It is the sight of the largest military hospital in the Southern Hemisphere, a 3000 bed hospital which treated 60,000 patients from 1943 to 1945. The park is divided into two areas, one for camping which would take abou 150 self contained caravans, no tenting allowed. And a Memorial area, of rocks with plaques telling the names and units of service personnel who died here.
Today, 5th , we have been to town, needed gas bottle refill & a look around to renew aquatance with the town we stayed in 2 years ago. Also went for a drive out to lake Tinaroo through such fertile grounds. One of Australia's food baskets.
We are staying here until Wednesday because we are getting the car serviced on Tuesday morning. It's been quite a search to find somewhere without having to go to Cairns. Brian was not happy with the service that was done on our Ford Territory in Cairns so didn't want the Isuzu done there ( they did a lot of fancy extras & charged the fancy price!).
Well, I'm up to date again. And will post some photos next.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Archer Creek2August2017
Historical day.....I drove this mighty beast! Yes we left this free camping site along with 16 other vans that were there with us just over night. I negotiated all the turns correctly then onto the Great Outback Way, some part normal highway, some without edges, narrow one way bridges, some road works, cattle along the roadside!!, dead kangaroos 'Roadkill' I was fortunate there was nothing following me so I didn't have to contend with that BUT, there were plenty coming the other way, cars, caravans, trucks, & Road-trains (Prime movers with 3 trailers) they are huge, also they have right of way and all other traffic must move over for them.
WELL, this old chook took it in her stride, drove between 90 to95k per hour! After the first 10 minutes Brian said I looked terrified, and at that time I felt it......but very soon got over it, naturally!
All safety parked at Archer Creek, just out of Ravenshoe for the next 2 nights. All happy now. By the way I didn't back the van into this parking spot!
This was my Facebook post today.......now back to leaving Fletcher's Creek, we were given a Royal farewell, friends, Connie & Peter came and brought home made scones & chocolate brownies for afternoon tea, Val (the Chocolate making lady) & husband Peter came to wish us safe & happy travels. This all happened on the 31st & they all came again at 8am for hugs & kisses as we took off. It was another of those 'To be treasured ' memories.
These were the leftovers, devoured for tea!
We only drove 160k Greenvale which turned out to be quite a surprise as we only expected a Roadhouse & found a nice little town with is great free camping area. We were first there, lt was a bit like a car park, with 6 foot wide grass strips between the rows. Toilets a rubbish bins provided. The van that parked opposite us immediately recognised Brian (I was inside)......they had been at Fletcher's Creek and camped next to us the first week there & I had bought one of her craft tea towels. It was like meeting old friends, Amazing how easy it is to talk to strangers. I love it. They left 15 minutes before us this morning & came for hugs goodbye!
You will have read about our trip today!!😇😇😇😇😇
Now it quite chilly & Brian is next door carrying around the campfire but I wanted to finish this.
Please excuse any and all mistakes as I'm scared to correct anything because it can just wipe out everything and that would make me 😭😭😭😭😭😭 Goodnight.
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Fletcher's Creek 29th July 2017
Yes we are still in the same spot. Actually we have been here 4 weeks today. Tuesday 1st August we will take off again.
We have, and are enjoying our time here, climate is great, cool first thing in the morning and then between 24&28 degrees during the day, no mozzies, sandflys, & very few flies, don't even have to bother with screens.
We have continued to have our weekly trip to Charters Towers, they are always busy, gas, water, fuel, laundry, Telstra, Camping shop, book exchange, Chemist and Supermarket. The obligatory visit to Target, Millers!!! And $2 shop!! .
The internet connection is not good here, we are just too low & it is very frustrating, I miss my regular daily 'fix'!
I've just read 'Spirits of the Ghan' by Judy Nunn & thoroughly engaged it. A real insight into Aboriginal life.
There are not so many staying here now, the creek isn't flowing now, many came for fishing, it was when we came. I guess that will mean mozzies very soon. The cattle come through twice every day, about 40 of them & it's a great sight.
We are feeling very brave, to save our good water, we have a cold shower every second day in the public ablution blockIt takes a bit of courage to really get under that COLD water. This 'Old Chook' feels pretty pleased with herself! 😁😁
Market again tomorrow morning, Nice to chat to other folk.
I will post a new photo of 'Bridge over troubled waters' ....More trouble, poor cattle are running out of water!
Oh, we saw the camels 🐫 again last Thursday, it's quite special.
Richmond is playing & Brian is able to watch it on his iPad, he's hoping for a win , they are in the 4th quarter & 26 ahead!! He VERY vocal!
Trust I will have more to report over coming days.
We have, and are enjoying our time here, climate is great, cool first thing in the morning and then between 24&28 degrees during the day, no mozzies, sandflys, & very few flies, don't even have to bother with screens.
We have continued to have our weekly trip to Charters Towers, they are always busy, gas, water, fuel, laundry, Telstra, Camping shop, book exchange, Chemist and Supermarket. The obligatory visit to Target, Millers!!! And $2 shop!! .
The internet connection is not good here, we are just too low & it is very frustrating, I miss my regular daily 'fix'!
I've just read 'Spirits of the Ghan' by Judy Nunn & thoroughly engaged it. A real insight into Aboriginal life.
There are not so many staying here now, the creek isn't flowing now, many came for fishing, it was when we came. I guess that will mean mozzies very soon. The cattle come through twice every day, about 40 of them & it's a great sight.
We are feeling very brave, to save our good water, we have a cold shower every second day in the public ablution blockIt takes a bit of courage to really get under that COLD water. This 'Old Chook' feels pretty pleased with herself! 😁😁
Market again tomorrow morning, Nice to chat to other folk.
I will post a new photo of 'Bridge over troubled waters' ....More trouble, poor cattle are running out of water!
Oh, we saw the camels 🐫 again last Thursday, it's quite special.
Richmond is playing & Brian is able to watch it on his iPad, he's hoping for a win , they are in the 4th quarter & 26 ahead!! He VERY vocal!
Trust I will have more to report over coming days.
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Fletcher's Creek 17th July 2017
Yes we are still here. The early mornings are fogged in but it's gone before we emerge from our van (after it all, it's usually 9.30!) beautiful warm sunny days, it gets dark about 6.30, really dark and the stars look lovely through the skylight.
TV via the dish is very good, internet via the Dongle strung up in a tree is also very good. Phone is NOT good. Some times I get connection by standing in certain spots & other times it doesn't work. We hear our phone ring but then can't answer the call.....quite frustrating when we are so used to instant contact.
This last week has seen a great number of vans leaving so it looks quite deserted now after the huge number that were here when we arrived. 2 vans near us are here for the whole season!
This coming weekend there is a Rodeo in Charters Towers so we plan to go that.
We had a very good day in Charters Towers last Thursday, both had hair cuts, a tourist trip up Tower Hill & saw through 2 of the 'Pill Boxes' (Concrete BombStorage) which had been set up since we were here last year, as interactive information areas of what had gone on in this site during WW11. There are so many of them built into Towers Hill. The Bombers were kept in Charleville but the bombs were here, nearer the coast.
During lunch at one of the Pubs, we sat with a man who told us about an 'Inverter' that we can use our 12Volt cigarette solar/battery connection to run our small electric necessities on, hair clippers, laptop recharge, power tool battery recharge. It's 400 watt & can also run directly from the car battery. NATURALLY........we now have one! Happy Birthday Brian! (Yes it's on the 21st, so he got it a week early)
The creek is very low at the moment, the regulars tell us that it's exceptionally so. I have a Post Card of cows crossing it when it was really flowing.
Sundays Market had more stalls but less buyers. A lot of work for very little return. I think The Chocolate Lady did the best. (To be expected!)
TV via the dish is very good, internet via the Dongle strung up in a tree is also very good. Phone is NOT good. Some times I get connection by standing in certain spots & other times it doesn't work. We hear our phone ring but then can't answer the call.....quite frustrating when we are so used to instant contact.
This last week has seen a great number of vans leaving so it looks quite deserted now after the huge number that were here when we arrived. 2 vans near us are here for the whole season!
This coming weekend there is a Rodeo in Charters Towers so we plan to go that.
We had a very good day in Charters Towers last Thursday, both had hair cuts, a tourist trip up Tower Hill & saw through 2 of the 'Pill Boxes' (Concrete BombStorage) which had been set up since we were here last year, as interactive information areas of what had gone on in this site during WW11. There are so many of them built into Towers Hill. The Bombers were kept in Charleville but the bombs were here, nearer the coast.
During lunch at one of the Pubs, we sat with a man who told us about an 'Inverter' that we can use our 12Volt cigarette solar/battery connection to run our small electric necessities on, hair clippers, laptop recharge, power tool battery recharge. It's 400 watt & can also run directly from the car battery. NATURALLY........we now have one! Happy Birthday Brian! (Yes it's on the 21st, so he got it a week early)
The creek is very low at the moment, the regulars tell us that it's exceptionally so. I have a Post Card of cows crossing it when it was really flowing.
Sundays Market had more stalls but less buyers. A lot of work for very little return. I think The Chocolate Lady did the best. (To be expected!)
Sunday, July 9, 2017
Fletcher's Creek 10th July 2017
Same spot, same husband, same car, same Caravan......life is wonderful.
Sorry about the date of the heading last entry, I don't even know what month it is, have to look up the iPhone to know the date!
We are having very foggy early mornings but they don't take very long to clear and it doesn't get cool, just perfection. I've only had 3 mozzie bight, very few flies, so this area is great.
It appears that most of the cattle up here are Brahman & they wander round our camp site to get water from the creek.
Sorry about the date of the heading last entry, I don't even know what month it is, have to look up the iPhone to know the date!
We are having very foggy early mornings but they don't take very long to clear and it doesn't get cool, just perfection. I've only had 3 mozzie bight, very few flies, so this area is great.
There is one 'wicked' 5th wheeler van here, its 'The Chocolate Shop', written across their awning & Val makes a huge variety of yummy chocolates........I abstained for a WHOLE week 😇😇😇😇😇 (it's slipped now!). There was a Market here on Sunday, bring your own table and sell whatever you want.....it's a great idea, wasn't many here but some amazing craft. ONLY 3 Card Makers with beautiful cards, 1 all toll work, 1 hand drawn & coloured of Tasmanian wildlife, and the other was Connie with her 800 already made, lovely variety, we saw them in Jericho.we are entertained by Roadtrains , 3 trailers with 60 cattle in each heading for the Townsville abattoir.
Crocheted hats, Dream Catchers, Books, Chocolates, and bric-à-brac that people wanted to get rid of from their vans.
It appears that most of the cattle up here are Brahman & they wander round our camp site to get water from the creek.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Photos 5July2017
Dongle strung up above Brian's head.
Our home as viewed from the Dongle spot.
The bridge behind us with a path and foot bridge that leads to toilets (2) & cold showers.
Fletcher's Creek 5th June 2017July
Its still a great life, cloudy, dull morning with a bright sunny afternoon, only a high of 27 today!
We now have our Telstra 4G Dongle hung on a pulley rope up a tree and that way we have the Internet. Necessity is the mother of invention! 😋😋
The local cows wander past to get to the creek, Roadtrains rattle as the cross the bridge, birds wake us at 8.15am! We can make phone calls if we are standing beside a certain rock as long as you face the correct direction! I'm considering getting an old rocking chair from an Op shop when we go to Charters Towers tomorrow so I can sit and talk instead of standing.....🤡🤡🤡 I guess I would have to nail it down, then get a sail cloth for sun protection. Imagination is running away with me........
As you can tell, I haven't really got any update, just some fun.
We now have our Telstra 4G Dongle hung on a pulley rope up a tree and that way we have the Internet. Necessity is the mother of invention! 😋😋
The local cows wander past to get to the creek, Roadtrains rattle as the cross the bridge, birds wake us at 8.15am! We can make phone calls if we are standing beside a certain rock as long as you face the correct direction! I'm considering getting an old rocking chair from an Op shop when we go to Charters Towers tomorrow so I can sit and talk instead of standing.....🤡🤡🤡 I guess I would have to nail it down, then get a sail cloth for sun protection. Imagination is running away with me........
As you can tell, I haven't really got any update, just some fun.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Photos5 29June
Green fields after only brown and dust.....Emerald green, on the way into Emerald plus my beautiful gist of Emeralds.
Clermont 29th June 2017
It was 5th May 2016 that we were here in a beautiful Caravan Park......today we are free camping in the BP fuel station along with a lot of other folk.
Let me go back to Jericho....we have had a lovely 3 weeks just doing nothing in the Showgrounds at $50 per week.
Some of the 'few' highlights of this delightful stop are:
Market day in front of the P O, one of the campers from the Showgrounds had her 'Cards' for sale, Connie had 800 for sale!. There was the usual trash & treasure, the School Children had n ice cream table (9 children attend the School) we both bought books and I got a beautiful Thermomix Fruit Cake as well as an orange one. Fully recommend. There were about 6 stands as well as the sausage sizzle. It was also a meet & greet the new Police man. There had been no presence for 19 months and he said his primary tasks were to help this small community & its outlying properties. Speeding through the Main Street would not be tolerated. He is involved with the Fire Truck, the Ambulance, the Men's Shed, Council, the Councillor for any disputes and anything else you can think of. He is posted from Brisbane for 9 months.
Jericho has the smallest Drivein Movie Theatre in Australia & show a movie once a month. We went to 'Lion', $8 each, had a hot dog from the 'School Kids' the woman who was running it has 3 of the children attending the school! Well.......we saw the first 12 minutes of the film then it went all red!!! They tried everything to get it going & eventually did so....but...no sound!!! We were offered our money back but no one took it as it was for the School.
One Friday night there was a private function at the Showgrounds, a girl who grew up in the school had her 21st, there were about 60 from the local Stations attend & it was silence from midnight. We found out after that it was because they were going to the Races at Alpha the next day!
We had a number of nice and different neighbors but all are just passing travellers.
On 27th we moved in the Gem Fields, came to Sapphire to free camp for 2 nights. It is 50k from Emerald & we went for the 100k return trip both days. We had mail to pick up that Beryl had forwarded, a couple of things at Mitre 10, a pair of saddles for me, bits from The Reject Shop, and supplies from the Discount Chemist. We had our prescriptions filled at Sapphire, it was a tiny Pharmacy in a shack attached to the shack type P.O. The Pharmacist was most obliging & able to fill all scrips on on first day ( nice to help the 'small' trader.) our second trip to Emerald was to stock up ready for our month at Fletcher's Creek, 40k north of Charters Towers. On the way home, Brian handed me a little box......Emerald Pendant & Earings. Oh yes, I have a GEM' of a husband.
After attending to all the storage required, last evening, one light after another stopped working....we ended up with the only lights being the ones over our bed head. OK, sleep on it.......it was something to do with battery.........this morning, Brian changed the connections on the 2 batteries & that didn't work. He phoned half a dozen different places re service, all too far away, or couldn't attend to it for a week, at last got hold of 'Rod's' auto electrical in Emerald & they said just bring it in. So, off to Emerald again, we were going to take a shorter route north but took the long way with pleasure to get attention. It turned out to be a broken connection & $66.60 and I was given a coffee while it was done.
Sometimes things really work out well, we are most grateful.
We were able to drive the 112k through a lot of agricultural land, Sorghum, Wheat, Chickpeas, Sunflower, & Mungbeans. Arrived in Clermont in time to cook dinner, then Brian had his very necessary sleep (SCAN) senior citizen afternoon nap! We had since had a lovely hot shower at the BP Fuel Station. Now for a restful night then a roadside stop to morrow and on the Fletcher's Creek.
Photos on next entry.
Let me go back to Jericho....we have had a lovely 3 weeks just doing nothing in the Showgrounds at $50 per week.
Some of the 'few' highlights of this delightful stop are:
Market day in front of the P O, one of the campers from the Showgrounds had her 'Cards' for sale, Connie had 800 for sale!. There was the usual trash & treasure, the School Children had n ice cream table (9 children attend the School) we both bought books and I got a beautiful Thermomix Fruit Cake as well as an orange one. Fully recommend. There were about 6 stands as well as the sausage sizzle. It was also a meet & greet the new Police man. There had been no presence for 19 months and he said his primary tasks were to help this small community & its outlying properties. Speeding through the Main Street would not be tolerated. He is involved with the Fire Truck, the Ambulance, the Men's Shed, Council, the Councillor for any disputes and anything else you can think of. He is posted from Brisbane for 9 months.
Jericho has the smallest Drivein Movie Theatre in Australia & show a movie once a month. We went to 'Lion', $8 each, had a hot dog from the 'School Kids' the woman who was running it has 3 of the children attending the school! Well.......we saw the first 12 minutes of the film then it went all red!!! They tried everything to get it going & eventually did so....but...no sound!!! We were offered our money back but no one took it as it was for the School.
One Friday night there was a private function at the Showgrounds, a girl who grew up in the school had her 21st, there were about 60 from the local Stations attend & it was silence from midnight. We found out after that it was because they were going to the Races at Alpha the next day!
We had a number of nice and different neighbors but all are just passing travellers.
On 27th we moved in the Gem Fields, came to Sapphire to free camp for 2 nights. It is 50k from Emerald & we went for the 100k return trip both days. We had mail to pick up that Beryl had forwarded, a couple of things at Mitre 10, a pair of saddles for me, bits from The Reject Shop, and supplies from the Discount Chemist. We had our prescriptions filled at Sapphire, it was a tiny Pharmacy in a shack attached to the shack type P.O. The Pharmacist was most obliging & able to fill all scrips on on first day ( nice to help the 'small' trader.) our second trip to Emerald was to stock up ready for our month at Fletcher's Creek, 40k north of Charters Towers. On the way home, Brian handed me a little box......Emerald Pendant & Earings. Oh yes, I have a GEM' of a husband.
After attending to all the storage required, last evening, one light after another stopped working....we ended up with the only lights being the ones over our bed head. OK, sleep on it.......it was something to do with battery.........this morning, Brian changed the connections on the 2 batteries & that didn't work. He phoned half a dozen different places re service, all too far away, or couldn't attend to it for a week, at last got hold of 'Rod's' auto electrical in Emerald & they said just bring it in. So, off to Emerald again, we were going to take a shorter route north but took the long way with pleasure to get attention. It turned out to be a broken connection & $66.60 and I was given a coffee while it was done.
Sometimes things really work out well, we are most grateful.
We were able to drive the 112k through a lot of agricultural land, Sorghum, Wheat, Chickpeas, Sunflower, & Mungbeans. Arrived in Clermont in time to cook dinner, then Brian had his very necessary sleep (SCAN) senior citizen afternoon nap! We had since had a lovely hot shower at the BP Fuel Station. Now for a restful night then a roadside stop to morrow and on the Fletcher's Creek.
Photos on next entry.
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Photos of15June
Memorial for the 1892 Shearers strike. Front & back view of a shearer & the plaques of the men who were jailed for their involvement.
The Tree of Knowledge and the foundation of the Australian Labor Party as a result of the strike. The huge building covers the preserved tree which was poised in 2006 (a world first process. At night it is lit up & photos are beautiful. We didn't stay to take any at night.
The railway it right beside this & goes through Longreach to Brisbane twice per week. The Brisbane one was there while we were there.
Dinner today!!!😁😁😁
Tea tonight! ☹️☹️☹️
Jericho 15th June 2017
Today we actually DID something!
9.30am we set out for Barcaldine, 89k west. There were at least 24 caravans heading east during the trip! These small towns would die without us Grey Nomads.
We were able to get all we wanted, Chemist, Coax Cable for the TV Dish (ours had died!), Post Cards for Grandchildren, photos of the historic town due the 1892 Australian Shearers Strike. Also The Tree of knowledge which is an great attraction.. then the big shop at IGA which was well stocked with good variety. I didn't buy any fruit or veg (get that from the Container on Sunday) but got enough meat and dairy plus extras for the next 2 weeks Brian expected $200......he got $1.23 change!
We had a lovely meal at Ridgee Didge Cafe, mine was huge, enough for two, roast beef, scolloped potatos, mashed pumpkin Doreen beans carrots &!roast onions. Thursday special, $10. Brian had Fish & chips with salad & potato salad $14, it was definitely to be recommended.
The Information Centre was helpful and interesting.
We have been away for more than 4 weeks and that was our first meal out.
On the drive back we only passed 14 vans going west. Most people have camped by mid afternoon.
Well it's 8.15, meat has been repackaged & in the freezer (the worst part) & everything away. A light tea, and now it's AFL! & crochet!
I will try & post photos. My Blog App is supposed to be redundant soon and moving to Google. I don't understand it all but I have been able to do this in Google and it also comes up on the original Blog site. However I don't know how to add photos. The confusion of the Internet plus me!!!
9.30am we set out for Barcaldine, 89k west. There were at least 24 caravans heading east during the trip! These small towns would die without us Grey Nomads.
We were able to get all we wanted, Chemist, Coax Cable for the TV Dish (ours had died!), Post Cards for Grandchildren, photos of the historic town due the 1892 Australian Shearers Strike. Also The Tree of knowledge which is an great attraction.. then the big shop at IGA which was well stocked with good variety. I didn't buy any fruit or veg (get that from the Container on Sunday) but got enough meat and dairy plus extras for the next 2 weeks Brian expected $200......he got $1.23 change!
We had a lovely meal at Ridgee Didge Cafe, mine was huge, enough for two, roast beef, scolloped potatos, mashed pumpkin Doreen beans carrots &!roast onions. Thursday special, $10. Brian had Fish & chips with salad & potato salad $14, it was definitely to be recommended.
The Information Centre was helpful and interesting.
We have been away for more than 4 weeks and that was our first meal out.
On the drive back we only passed 14 vans going west. Most people have camped by mid afternoon.
Well it's 8.15, meat has been repackaged & in the freezer (the worst part) & everything away. A light tea, and now it's AFL! & crochet!
I will try & post photos. My Blog App is supposed to be redundant soon and moving to Google. I don't understand it all but I have been able to do this in Google and it also comes up on the original Blog site. However I don't know how to add photos. The confusion of the Internet plus me!!!
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Jericho 14 June 2017
We have had a week here and are staying another 2weeks. We saw all the sights in the first week!
Tomorrow we are going into Barcaldine, 89.4 km ! To do a grocery shop as there is nothing here. We could order bread & milk at the Pub for a twice per week delivery! Fruit & veg come weekly Sunday at 12.30 for 1 hour! This is an amazing service. I will take photos next Sunday.
We have met some very nice people, short time and long termers. Weather is really good with cool nights but with electricity, water, hot showers & toilets for $50 per week........what more could we ask for? True... nothing.
Tomorrow we are going into Barcaldine, 89.4 km ! To do a grocery shop as there is nothing here. We could order bread & milk at the Pub for a twice per week delivery! Fruit & veg come weekly Sunday at 12.30 for 1 hour! This is an amazing service. I will take photos next Sunday.
We have met some very nice people, short time and long termers. Weather is really good with cool nights but with electricity, water, hot showers & toilets for $50 per week........what more could we ask for? True... nothing.
Thursday, June 8, 2017
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