A CHANGE OF PLANS

2^nd February, 2017

How does that old saying go - the best laid plans of mice and men …. There we were back on the Sunshine Coast reunited with our rig and ready to hit the road again for a few months. We had planned to head south to Victoria and slowly travel along the coast to Adelaide. Maybe even taking a detour across to Kangaroo Island for a few weeks. But it was not to be. We were trying to find a place at Kawana that made window awnings for caravans and as Robyn walked up the driveway she tripped over a concrete garden edging, stumbled through the partially excavated garden and smashed her right elbow into the garden edging on the other side and bumped her head. People came running to her aid and called an ambulance as she was in obvious pain.

Wok keeps Rob in the shade as we wait for the ambulance

An x-ray at the hospital confirmed what we suspected. A broken ulna and 'smashed to smithereens' radius. A specialist orthopaedic surgeon was organised to come up from Brisbane to do the operation and everything went as well as could be expected.

Arm in a sling and a lovely black eye

The doctors assure us that all the metalwork holding her arm together won't set off the alarms at airport security.

Now if only they could give us a new brain we should be good to go

Well eight weeks later after many trips to and from the fracture clinic and physiotherapist we were given a six week break between appointments so we decided to make a quick trip away and get the cobwebs out. We headed west to Kingaroy and stopped at the showground for a couple of nights.

A double rainbow at Kingaroy Showground

Kingaroy is the 'peanut capital' of Australia and the Information Centre has a wonderful museum with heaps of exhibits and information. Across the road from the centre are the peanut silos – hard to imagine these large bins full of peanuts.

Peanut silos at Kingaroy

We were going to stop at a freecamp beside a weir further to the west but the rain depression caused by cyclone Debbie was slowly working its way south. Coastal areas were being pounded by wind and rain and the inland areas were also getting their fair share. We decided to get as far away as possible and headed further west to Roma where we checked in at the Roma Gun Club caravan park and hunkered down. Not long after setting up the rain caught up with us. After 24 hours of non-stop rain the clouds finally drifted away. The south east corner of Queensland and the northern rivers area of New South Wales were in dire straits with flooding and storm damage. We had been extremely lucky to have made our escape to the west when we did. With the rain cleared away we drove south following some back roads and found a lovely campsite beside the river at Meandarra. Operated by the local council there were sites with power and water for $10 per night. It was a bargain with even more of a bargain when we were offered a site at 3 nights for $10 by the ranger when he came around to collect the fee that afternoon. We had the whole place to ourselves the first night and were joined by a couple of other campers for the following two nights. We then headed south to Goondiwindi crossing several flooded causeways still being impacted by the swollen rivers and creeks. The showground in Goondiwindi was a good place to camp for a couple of nights while we explored the area and took a guided tour of the old restored pub in the middle of town. Then we headed south into New South Wales and at the rest area at Coolah found the legendary Black Stump. It is here that the colloquial saying 'Beyond the Black Stump' meaning is said to have originated.

Of course the original black stump is long gone but a replica stump marks the spot.

Wok with the replica black stump at Coolah

Its not often that we run into a road block out in the back country but in the middle of nowhere the police had set up a veritable blockade with vehicles travelling in both directions were being pulled up and breath tested. Of course Wok obliged with a sample and we were soon underway.

It was coming up to Easter and we arranged to meet up with Wok's sister Gwen and husband Roger at Milton Showgrounds where their caravan club was holding a rally. We had been there before and enjoyed a lovely week joining in with the activities in the hall. Then it was time to start the journey back to the Sunshine Coast for Rob's next check in with the doctors. We spent a couple of nights at our son Trent's place before finally arriving back on the coast. As we were only going to be here for a few nights we decided to check into Mudjimba Beach Caravan Park (our old park that we once managed) and caught up with some of the residents that were still there. Tina and the girls came for a visit and we took a walk along the beach and the girls had a swim.

Talia was writing Happy Mother's Day wishes in the sand

Shakiah practised her 'walkovers'

It was a lovely way to end our stay – Mudjimba Beach is one of our favourite places.

Wok, Shakiah and Talia at Mudjimba Beach

 

CHRISTMAS IN TASSIE

17^th December, 2016

This year we will be spending Christmas in Tasmania. Three years ago we house sat for a couple (Joe and Maria) at Taroona south of Hobart. They are going overseas for a holiday and have asked us whether we would like to housesit their home and dog for them again. It didn't take us long to accept the housesit as Tasmania in summer is the place to be if you are in Australia. We're not taking our car this time so we fly out of Maroochydore to Melbourne and then on to Hobart. Joe is waiting at the airport for us and the following day Joe and Maria fly out for their holiday. Apart from walking Ishta (the golden retriever) every morning and afternoon the rest of the time is our own. Tasmania can be a tad cooler than the mainland and with a fall of fresh snow on top of Mount Wellington near Hobart sitting in front of a roaring fire is the way to go.

Wok is all set up in front of the fireplace

The house is on the waterfront of the Derwent estuary and in the early evening we watched the moon coming up over the water. Yes … we know … it's a tough gig but someone has to do it !

Moonrise at Taroona

Joe and Maria have kindly allowed us to have our family with us in their home for Xmas and a few days after we arrive our son (Trent) flies in. This is the first time in Tasmania for our family so a lot of touristy stuff will be going on while they are here. We take a drive south with Trent through the Huon Valley to the Tahune Air Walk.

Just a small log in the forest

High up in the forest canopy we get a birds eye view of the tree tops and river far below.

Trent and Wok in the treetops

Ok - so it moves when you walk on it.
MAN UP !

On the way back to Taroona we stop for a look at the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin and take a guided tour of the workshop.

Wok and Trent getting a tour of the Wooden Boat Centre

We just love to see lovely things being made out of wood and it is interesting to see how the wood is being shaped into these wonderful sailing boats. In the workshop a group of students from the Netherlands were industriously working on a new boat which they hoped to have up and sailing in a fortnight.

A wooden sailing boat being built

Xmas Day has arrived and Ishta let us dress her up for a Xmas photo.

Ohhh - isn't she just adorable !

Xmas afternoon Tina and Paul (accompanied by our grandchildren Josh, Shakiah, Talia and Josh's girlfriend Lily) arrived and the girls soon made friends with Ishta.

Ishta is quite happy with all the pats she is getting from Talia and Shakiah

Over the next week the family had a great time visiting all the tourist spots within reach of Hobart. On the days when they did manage to wangle some spare time they enjoyed going swimming with Ishta

The family enjoy relaxing on the waterfront

Shakiah and Trent brave the cold water

or just sitting quietly watching the dolphins swim past.

Lily has a quiet moment with Ishta

Of course after swimming in the sea one has to wash the salt out of one's fur. Having an army of willing volunteers to scrub one down is quite an indulgence.

Ishta with her wash slaves - Wok, Shakiah and Tina

Then it's time for a morning nap

I'm worn out after my morning swim

before settling down for an afternoon nap.

Doesn't everyone have a favourite teddy bear that they sleep with ?

As they had extra time to spend the family also spent a week touring through northern Tasmania before returning to spend a few days with us before flying home. We spent a further couple of weeks enjoying the view of the water from the house and our walks along the foreshore with Ishta before Joe and Maria returned home. We are going to miss our walks along the foreshore with Ishta and the lovely cherries bought fresh from the farms … probably have cherry withdrawals over the next few days.

INVERELL, TINGHA AND HOME

22^nd November, 2016

We arrive in Inverell and by lunchtime have set up the vans in a caravan park. Inverell was settled in 1836 and today has a thriving beef, lamb and olive industry. It is a pretty town with heritage buildings and is situated on the banks of the Macintyre River. The town is known as The Sapphire City with the blue sapphire being the most prized. There are many fossicking parks in the surrounding area. The districts rich volcanic soils offer other gems and minerals. Diamonds, black tourmaline and quartz can be found along with tin. We take a drive to Copeton Dam which is 17 klms south of Inverell. It is a massive body of water and is 3 times the size of Sydney Harbour. Water skiing, sailing and kayaking are popular water sports and for the fishing enthusiasts, yellow belly, murray cod, catfish and silver perch can be caught. On the way to the dam we stop in at 'Olives of Beaulieu' for a taste test. Wayne was in olive heaven with lots of different flavours to try. There were also home made jams and pickles to taste. Needless to say we didn't come away empty handed. Of course with two guys in tow it was a no-brainer that we would pay a visit to the National Transport Museum. This museum has oodles of vintage, veteran and classic vehicles on display and the guys were suitably impressed. The following photos give a snapshot of what is on display.

Wayne and Wok are undecided as to where to begin their tour

Wayne loved the motorcycle exhibits

And Wok loved this little goggomobile

This double decker bus brought back fond memories

We leave Inverell and head south east, stopping at Gilgai to take a look at New England Woodturning Supplies.

This woodworks is the work of one man (Rob Day) and he has made a welcoming drive onto his property with carvings set into the trees.

Beside his workshop where Rob is happy to show you his current works in progress is a wonderful gallery filled with all things wooden.

Wok liked seeing how this clock worked

The surprise to see in the gallery was a display of didgeridoos. Rob explains that a few years ago he became interested in how didgeridoos were made. More importantly in how they sounded. So he started experimenting with different types of wood and in the process learned how to play. We were the only people in the place but he happily put on a demonstration for us – playing different didgeridoos and what he called 'oddgeridoos'.

Rob playing one of his 'oddgeridoos'

We have seen and heard many didgeridoo players in our travels and Rob Day is up there with the best. What we thought was going to be a usual 'run of the mill' woodworks turned out to be a highlight for us all. Before lunch we pull into the small caravan park at Tingha. Tin was first discovered here in the early 1870's and the small town developed to service the tin mining communities. We have arrived in time to visit the Wing Hing Long museum in town.

Wing Hing Long Museum at Tingha

This living museum is run by volunteers and only open for a few hours on certain days. Established as a general store in the 1880's the stock consisted of anything and everything. Between the opening of the store and 1915 five Chinese owners managed the store. After the second world war Mavis Pratt (a daughter of Chinese owner Jack Lowe who bought the store in 1915) took over management and ultimately ownership and continued running the store until her retirement at 81 years of age in 1998. The store and its contents were acquired by Guyra Shire Council for community management as a living museum. As we walk through the front doors we step back in time. The shelves and every nook and cranny are crammed full of leftovers from a bygone era. It is fun just wandering around finding things that we saw our parents and grandparents using as well as remembering using them ourselves. It is rare these days to find an operational money exchange trolley system and the boys had fun trying it out.

Wok - "I just pull this rope right?"
Wayne - "I have no idea.  Just pull it and see what happens!"

At the rear of the store was a residence and shed. The family lived in the upstairs residence and the Chinese employees were housed in the back of the shed where stock was stored.

Residence upstairs - Storeroom and employees rooms downstairs

This slice of history is a big undertaking for a very small community to try and keep running. We do hope that they manage to maintain this living museum for generations to come.

Well we have finally come to the end of our journey with Wayne. We head east to a freecamp at Guyra before parting company. Wayne turns north for home while we cross the Great Dividing Range to the coast and spend a few days relaxing at Iluka.

Wok takes in the sunset at Iluka

Then it is time to head back to the Sunshine Coast to help look after the menagerie of animals at Tina and Paul's while they take a week's cruise with the girls.

Wok feeds Pedro and Usher while the chooks get the leftovers

It will be a lot of fun this week.
Just us … the dog ... the cats … the budgerigars ... the goldfish … the alpacas … and the chooks.

EMUS, THE WARRUMBUNGLES AND MOREE

17th November, 2016

We have come as far south as we are going on this trip and the weather has certainly improved. The 40 degree days are now a pleasant 32 degrees. Yep …. still hot but after those scorching hot days it actually feels quite pleasant. We head north along the Newell Highway and turn left at Gilgandra. By lunchtime we are at our next stopover – Tooraweenah Caravan Park. We will spend a couple of nights here while we explore the area. The red dust all over our cars and caravans get the better of Wayne and he spends the rest of the afternoon washing his van and car.

We hope Wayne is going to clean our van when he finishes his ....

The following day we head off towards the Warrumbungle National Park. Along the way we stop for a visit at an Emu Farm.

We are the only visitors and are taken on a personal tour of the farm by the owner's daughter. She is very knowledgeable about all things 'emu' and our first stop is at the juvenile enclosure.

The young'uns

Lots of chicks (both small and not so small) to see and we learn about the incubation of the eggs and raising of the chicks. Then it is on to one of the larger enclosures where hundreds of emus are milling about.

Wok is not sure that going into a paddock full of emus is a good idea

Inside the enclosure we get up close and personal with some of the inmates.

Wayne tries to make friends

And Wok has found two emus eager for a pat

And this emu kept coming back for more - Looks like we get to take it home

We thought that there wasn't much to learn about emus but we were mistaken. Our personally guided tour has taken about an hour and we thoroughly enjoyed out time with them. It was well worth stopping for a visit. We leave the emu farm and head east into the Warrumbungle National Park. We stop and take a walk to White Gum Lookout where this volcanic landscape spreads out before you.

Well it is quite obvious why this is called White Gum Lookout

This park is home to Australia's largest optical astronomy research facility at Siding Spring Observatory

and we spend some time wandering around the information centre before heading up to the large dome housing the giant telescope.

Wok and Wayne outside the observatory

From the public viewing area inside the dome we can see just how enormous the telescope is

Wayne checks out the telescope

and outside there is a grand view of the volcanic peaks of the Warrumbungles.

The Warrumbungles

It was only a few years ago that a massive fire storm swept through the Warrumbungles destroying much of the habitat. The observatory was extremely lucky in sustaining only the loss of a couple of buildings. The research buildings and observatory domes escaped the inferno. It is good to see the trees and undergrowth in the park sprouting new growth and starting to look green again. Back in Tooraweenah that night we walk around to the pub for dinner on the verandah. Every Saturday a fundraiser group puts on dinner outside the pub which raises money for their specific charity. One week it can be for the pony club, the next week for the school, etc. etc. We certainly don't mind supporting these kind of events and the meal was quite good too.

Outside the pub in Tooraweenah

Time to move on. We are heading north to Moree and along the way stop off at a rest area. Hidden around the corner at the back of the rest area was a small gorge which had water cascading down its cliff face into a pool. Very picturesque.

It has been quite a while since we had visited Moree. Its main claim to fame is its Artesian Baths but we had not come here for that. With the daytime temperature still in the early 30's the last thing we want to do is soak ourselves in hot water. We have come to visit our niece Rhonda and husband David who is doing a country stint as a paramedic. We have just set up camp in the showgrounds when David rolls up in his ambulance to pay a quick visit.

Wayne, David and Wok - with ambulance at Moree

We arrange to meet up with the family for dinner that evening at a local hotel and have a great time catching up with everyone.

Back row - Rhonda, Wayne, Robyn
Front row - David, Jessica, Brendan, Ethan, Wok

The following day we break camp and take the road east. The weather is beginning to get a little cooler … only 30 degrees today ! Woohoo … !