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
Jericho 8Junebackto4june2017
Oh dear, I'm slipping.
5th we went to Blackall, a nice size country town with a huge Council camping area right in town for $8 a night. We could hook into water, no power but hot shower and toilet in the middle of town which was within walking gistance. There would have been 50 vans there & there was a 3 days limit on your stay.
We needed a new connection for out satellite dish & Brian was able to get that. Post cards bought, written & posted to the 4 little grandchildren and about 4 things at the Supermarket. I'm glad I didn't have to do a major stock up there $$$$.
This is where the saying comes from" Beyond The Black Stump", the Station where it is is in this area.
There are lots of huge wedge tailed eagles & there is a great metal one on its nest within the park. (photo next entry)
We watched a woman on a motorised scooter zooming around the park, really enjoying herself. Brian was just starting to put the awning down & she came and asked if she could help. We saw she had a disability and had a ver nice time with her. Claire was 24 & has SMS Syndrome, she came in and inspected our van, helped Brian and we chatted about Sheena & I showed her photos. She was great, then Dad came looking for her, he saw her scooter & said that he didn't her to outstay her welcome. They only have a small van & Claire was to sleep in a swag under the awning but it had been too cold at night so they had to make the table into a bed....life was squishy! Dad was very appreciative of understanding.
We only stayed 1 night then left early next morning for Barcaldine 120k. We didn't stop there but it looks a very nice town, it's where we turned east onto The Capricornia Highway for 86k to Jericho on the Jordan Creek!
Arrived here around 11am 6th June. There is the Post office which serves as P.O. Centrelink, Medicare, Library, souvenir shop, toy shop , newsagent, Information Centre. There is a Pub where you can order bread & milk for delivery twice per week. There is a 9 Student School, a Mechanic place (looks as if they could repair machinery & there is one pump, don't know if it's both petrol & diesel or neither.
The park and toilet amenities are beside the road & railway and have a number of attractions. The highlight is 'Crystal Trumpters' constructed in 1988 in member of the Bibical story where the Israelites marched around the walls of Jericho (all photos later) there is also a big metal figure of Joshua with his trumpet. There are lots of wonderful murals on buildings and corrugated iron fences.
Today we went to the Jordan Creek which is behind the town, it's beautiful & we could have camped there for a donation but it's very dusty every time a car drives past. Only toilets there.
We are at the Show Grounds, where we have power, water, a concrete pad, hot showers & toilets all for $50 per week!!!! AMAZING. We plan to stay at least 2 weeks, may be more as we have TV, internet, and phone. Day temperatures are beautiful, nights cold, but we have an electric heater. What more could we want.if we stay longer we will go to Barcaldine for supplies. Nice people here, doing the same as up....dodging the cold.
Naturally I won't have much to report over the next week or two, just a bit on Facebook.
Love to all our followers.
Saturday, June 3, 2017
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