Atherton to Bilyana

As promised, here are the next two weeks of my travels.















Rocky Creek



 Thursday 26th July, I had stayed at Rocky Creek campground last night, along with another hundred or so many of whom were making their way to Mareeba for the Christmas in July, Motorhome Rally.  I was set up in time for M/tea where a lot of friendships were renewed, some from my home chapter of Wide Bay Wanderers, then off to a Line dancing session till lunch time.  After lunch Judi & I rode our bikes into town, going on what looked like a short cut but wasn't really.  Collected my mail, got some bargain shirts at Rivers and found a red dress at the Op Shop for Saturday night's dinner!!  Afternoon tea turned into a music session with one on Ukulele, another Harmonica and others with various percussion instruments, lots of fun but had to get ready for the official opening and evening entertainment.

Friday I went to a craft session all morning, there was unplugged music under the Fig tree at 4pm and this was great impromptu entertainment, after dinner we had the Hillbilly Goats band playing and we were dancing on the grass.
Saturday I went to Coffee Works with 3 other ladies, now I don't like coffee much but found that with a dash of chocolate liquour followed by all the chocolate in about 14 different flavours that you could eat it wasn't bad.  There is a really interesting museum of coffee and tea memorabilia and a lovely gift shop.  Spent the afternoon decorating my van in Christmas finery, then went to the unplugged music again and this time 

Dancing up a storm

 got up the courage to play one song on my Ukulele with another lady (my first public appearance and maybe my last).  All our tables were decorated for the Christmas Dinner tonight and most dressed for the occasion.  What an effort to cater for 400 of us out in the open a lovely roast dinner and all came out hot.  This was followed by a tasty trifle. 
Sunday one of the local Churches conducted a service under the Marquis, there is a local market held here regularly so it was a chance to get local F & V, then check out lots of motorhome accessories.  Lot's of socialising today, with A/tea with lots of Solos to celebrate a few birthdays then it was time for the Closing ceremony.  Weather had turned cold so no one stayed out to late tonight.
Monday 30th, said our goodbyes and spent the morning on the ususal filling of gas, petrol, water, food, doing washing etc.  Leo, Judi & I met at the Information Centre to drive to Kairi and were joined by Ivan & Gloria.  Judi had been given a bottle of Asti-Ricadonna so opened it to celebrate our last night together with a few glasses!!
Tuesday I drove back to Atherton, and looked through the Crystal Caves then the Patchwork shop before returning to Bob & Gloria's for a few days.  We shared stories of our weekends, my Rally and her family get together with 22 visitors!!  Gloria had sewn all her quilt blocks together but needed another fabric for the border so we drove to Atherton Wednesday for that then went up to the Lookout, it is really beautiful countryside.  We then spent the afternoon sewing, I cooked dinner tonight of Kangaroo rissoles.



at Mt Hypipamie

Thursday morning Bob left early to go gold prospecting on a friends property, in the hope of striking it lucky.  Gloria was explaining how to get to Mt Hypipamie National Park with the Crater and Dinner Falls, then said lets go and drove me there, we had a lovely walk and M/tea of orange and mandarin from her trees.  Back home for lunch before I left to drive to Herberton, where I walked around the old mine shaft areas then sat watching a beautiful sunset.

Friday 3th August I visited the Museum at the Information Centre, then did a guided tour of the famous Spy Camera Museum which was fascinating, he talked to me for over an hour.  Then the drive to Irvinebank, most of it gravel road but not to bad, just that my little van lets lots of dust in.  Every year the little town of 200 swells to at least double that number for a Country Music Weekend, with lots of the motorhomers from Mareeba making their way there.
Saturday they block of the street, there are market stalls, a truck pulling competition, bush poetry, vintage 


the Truck Pulling comp.

 

car and bike display and more with the Hillbilly Goat band playing throughout the day.  I rode my bike to the Museum and around the lake.  There was a country dance with the traditional cup of tea and sandwiches for supper.  Sunday had a quiet morning, the band were playing at the Pub for the recovery breakfast session, and it was nice to just hear it in the background.  I left at midday to drive to camp spot at Liverpool Creek stopping on the way at McHugh Lookout at Milla Milla then went to the Falls, checked out the Henrietta Creek camp spot in National Park.  Stopped to watch a cane fire with Walter Hill Range in the distance, asrriving about 5.30 to meet Judi again.

 Monday we were going to Paronella Park but Judi had to call RACQ, so we played Jenga while we waited.  Another green tree snake in a nearby tree kept us amused for a while but was hard to photograph.  We drove to Mena Creek in time for lunch then did a tour of Paronella Park, what an amazing story of a man well ahead of his time to design and build a castle in such a place.  We also did the night tour and it was spectacular when lit up.  Next morning we walked across the swing bridge to look at the Falls from another  

Judi & I at Etty Bay

angel before we left to drive to Etty Bay.  I had heard so much about this place, it was a pretty little beach, we enjoyed fish and chips for lunch and walked along the beach but didn't see the Cassowary which Etty Bay is renowned for.  Camped at ElArish tonight and it was one very large and one unusual looking spider in the tree we were looking at today. Wednesday it was cold and windy, before leaving I had Hot Chocolate for M/tea with some other campers at the Food Van that comes at 6.30 each day.  We drove to the Murdering Point Winery (the name intrigued me) which is at Kuramine Beach and did some tasting, left with a few bottles of liquour then to Tully and as Judi had lived here a year ago she showed me around, then we had lunch and said goodbye again.  I drove to Bilyana and 10 mins after I arrived a Cassowary came out of the bush right in front of me, lots of cameras clicking but all with a wary eye on the big bird who can be quite vicious. 



 

To be continued - Louise :-)

Paper daisies at Herberton

 





From Rainforest to Tablelands

As it has been a month since my last Blog, I am writing it in 2 parts.


Barron Falls

 After collecting the Van from the mechanic, I camped at Freshwater to be ready to catch the train to Kuranda in the morning.  Used Leo's generator as it is still raining, hopeful that it would clear tomorrow.  The morning began clear but alas my sight of the Mighty Barron Falls was covered in low cloud. I walked through the shops at Kuranda before having a tour of the Wildlife Park, which included a drive through the rainforest in an Army Dukw (an amphibious vehicle, pronounced duck), watching aboriginal dancers and trying my hand at throwing a boomerang.  I returned to Freshwater by Skyrail, this time getting a great view of the Falls from the air as well as from the 3 lookouts where you get out half way down.  Spent the next day in Cairns, I had received an email from Judi looking for travel companions to Cape Tribulation and Cooktown, Thursday morning Judi, Margaret & I set out.  It was a beautiful drive along the Cook H'way  we stopped at Rex Lookout then drove into Mossman Gorge.  A Tourist Centre opened here 3 weeks ago and take visitors by bus to the Gorge, a good idea on seeing the narrow road.  We had a picnic lunch in Mossman, then over the Ferry Margaret led the way to Waluwurrigga/Alexander Range Lookout.  Then to a camp spot at Lync Haven in Diwan for Judi & I, Margaret was booked into Noah's Beach.  We played Triominos, then it was bedtime after a long day with the rain gently falling on the roof.
Friday 13th
Our host Scott did an early morning tour of the park, saw my first Cassowary and a chic, learned about

 

Doris

Boris the crocodile who they rescued from a pet shop and later found it should be Doris.  I drove the 3 of us to the end of the bitumen, we walked along the beach then up to the lookout.  The sand was fascinating it stuck to your skin and left a silver glitter on everything.  After lunch walked along Noah's beach and the sand was soft, white and squeaky so different.  We walked along the Marrdja boardwalk the mangroves looked like something from prehistoric times.  Saturday we were in no hurry to leave it was a lovely spot.  Stopped to take photos of Tea plantations, got F & V at the markets in Mossman and I drove us to see Port Douglas, we had lunch and the water looked so inviting I decided to have a quick dip, Judi watched but after a while she came in clothes and all!!  Drove to Mt. Molloy to camp and met up with Leo and lots of others on their way to Christmas in July in Mareeba.  Sunday had a quiet morning, then some Uke practice trying to learn to strum.  Judi and I walked into the little town after lunch along the road then found the bush track on the way back.
Mon 16th


Yummy

Had a long drive today to Helenvale where we camped behind the Lion's Den Hotel built in 1875.  Tried skipping stones across Little Annan River on our walk.  Shared a giant Pizza for dinner at the Pub and still had leftovers.  My challenge today was to open a coconut that had rolled under my van yesterday.  I did it using the small axe come hammer that was my dads, we enjoyed the milk and fibre, Judi took photos and video which is pretty funny.  Tuesday it was on to Cooktown, stopping at Black Mountain lookout on the way, we were told this is actually white granite with a lichen growth on it?  Met Judi's pen friend of 20 years (this was through the Grass Roots magazine) at the Pub and he drove us to his place 30klm from town on a gravel road.  A tin and bamboo A frame 2 storey shack with dirt floor and no doors, there was a resident carpet snake in the rafters, Jack is 80 and Paul his nearest neighbour is 5klm away.  We stopped and met Paul on our way back to town, he offered us A/tea of freshly baked fruit pizza, and fresh orange & passionfruit cordial.  They both sent us off with enough citrus to eat for weeks.  We booked into the Cooktown Van Park (no free camping here).  We did all the tourist things for the next few days, Lighthouse, sat on the Queens steps (made for her visit in 1970), Art Gallery with a fabulous exhibition of botanical  
drawings by Sydney Parkinson, Botanical Gardens and had fish and chips on the Wharf near James Cook's statue and monument.

Thur 19th



A great camp spot

Visited the Cooktown Museum for 2 1/2 hours and could have spent longer, the building started out as a Convent in 1889, had lunch on the lawn before leaving and Judi had a snake drop from the tree onto her, it was harmless and scared me more than her.  A quick look through the Cemetry before leaving Cooktown to drive back to Mt. Molloy arriving at 5.30 both very tired.  Friday drove to Mareeba and is my usual habit visit the Information Centre on arrival.  Well  the local history display was so good we spent over an hour went out and had lunch and went back for another hour.  Camped at Rocky Creek War Memorial Park, this was an enormous war time tent hospital with over 3,000 beds.  Some fellow travellers were just waiting for another couple of card players so we played Bush Rummy till dark and cold.  Walked around the park the next morning really rugged up from the wind so it was into my van for more cards till lunch time.  I left to drive to Malanda stopping at the 'Curtain Fig Tree' near Yungaburra on the way.  Arrived at my friends Gloria and Bob at about 4, and Gloria spent the next few days being the best tour guide I could have had.  After dinner she drove to Hasties Swamp to watch the birds at dusk from a viewing hyde.



Looking over the Atherton Tablelands

Sunday 22nd
Had an early rise to watch the birds leaving Bloomfield Swamp sitting on our chairs with rugs a cup of tea and binoculars, saw some Brolgas but most were sheltered from the cold somewhere else.  We walked around Lake Eacham before going home for breakfast.  I went to the Baptist Church just along the road, Gloria had to go to work so I spent the afternoon working out how to put her lovely candlewicking into a quilt. Great excitement mid afternoon as Bob called out, a tree kangaroo had plopped out of the Black Bean tree in their back yard he had climbed back up by the time I got there but could be seen with the binoculars.

Monday Gloria & I drove to Atherton for some material and stopped at Gallo Dairyland - Cheese & Chocolate for Devonshire tea on the way home.  Spent the afternoon sewing, thank goodness for Bob doing the cooking.

Tues 24th

Up at 6am to find Platypus at Peterson Creek at Yungaburra and we did WOW!  A drive to Tinaroo Dam then a 5klm walk around Lake Barrine followed by lunch on the deck.  We met Bill & Neidra from Sydney  

Tranquility at the Lake

an amazing couple in their 70's who have walked over 30,000klm in most countries in the world.  They have given me info on walks to do in and around Sydney.  Wednesday an animal we didn't want to see, I heard Bartleby (the dog) growl and looked out to see a dingo, it already had one of their chooks.  Time to leave this beautiful part of the county but will be back next week, and that is another story.

Bye for now

  Louise :-)



 



Cairns for a few days



Cooking marshmallows



After my relaxing 3 days at Fletcher Creek I had decided to go as far as Greenvale to stop the night.  The attraction here are 2 'Sausage trees', 2 of only 4 known in Australia.  Nothing else to see so I kept going, when I passed a sign to the Undara Lava Tubes (this wasn't on my list of things to see) I stopped anyway.  Did a walk around the park and to the Bluff with my neighbours Ross & Bernadette to watch the sunset then after dinner listened to the entertainment around the open camp fire.  I toasted marshmallows when the singing had finished and shared some with a few backpackers who had not tasted them this way, among the guests was Barry & Debbie Maluga from Gladstone, it is a very small world. 



Sausagea tree



On Wednesday I did the guided tour of the Lava Tubes, very interesting and unusual, from the bus we saw some rock wallabies watching us.  They are very shy so we only saw their heads from a distance, we would never have seen them if it weren't for the guide who knew where to look.  Drove to Ravenshoe to stop the night, on the way paddled my feet in the natural hot springs at Innot, some spots were absolutely boiling, others were very pleasant and people had dug holes in the gravel and made their own private pools.  That night there was a town meeting to discuss the free camp spot that is near the railway line in town, my neighbours Rick & Jean were going so I went along.  The local businesses want it back so that is good for the travellers and locals, then we went to the local hotel for dinner.

Jean & I checked out the Vinnies across the road then I walked through town looking at galleries and shops, Ravenshoe township is the highest elevation of any town in Qld so a windfarm sits right beside the road at Windy Hill!!  The drive down to Innesfail on a winding road with low clouds was not much fun it was like fog at 3pm, I was glad to get to Fred Drew Park to stop for the night.
I met another Solo going to Cairns for the Ukulele festival here and we travelled together for the next 2 weeks.  Leo is a birdwatcher and bird survey volunteer so I learnt to appreciate the sounds of the bush and to spot a bird, things I took for granted before.
Saturday 30th we drove into Josephine Falls and as we walked up to where some were swimming I saw my first Ulyssus butterfly, what a magnificent colour.  Then to the Golden Hole for lunch before driving to Babinda to stop for a few nights, this town is Qld's wettest, so my solar wasn't working to well, used Leo's generator.  From Babinda you can see Mt Bartle Freer, Qld's highest mountain.
Monday we moved to The Boulders only 10klm away, another lovely camp spot, I am getting plenty of exercise walking to see the sights.


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at The Boulders



Tuesday it was Fishery Falls Van Park to charge my batteries and do the necessary filling and emptying of bits as well as washing.  The falls are on private property so I asked permission to walk to them, it is part of Cairns water supply.  Wednesday I drove into Gordonvale, didn't stay long the smell from the sugar refinery in the middle of town was terrible, I guess the locals just get used to it, then I met up with Leo at Aloomba to camp.  I have been doing lots more Uke practice as we get closer to Cairns, but wonder if I will manage to play for the 6 minutes we need to for the record attempt.

Thursday another short move, 10klm to Behana Gorge.  After a clean I had my own ensuite, with shower & toilet, it obviously hadn't been used in a long time.  A 3.5klm walk up what the sign said was medium incline, I would say steep.

Friday 6th July - Arrived in Cairns midday and had lunch on the Esplanade, walked through town and got groceries and some fruit & veg from Rusty's Bazaar markets.  There was a concert at the Hilton at 6.30 of Australian Ukulele artists, it finished at 11pm, thankfully it was a short walk to where we were camped.  Saturday morning I did a workshop with Manatoba Hal (a canadian I had never heard of) learning Blues for everyone, something to aspire to.  There were markets in Fogarty Park, as well as free workshops and lots of stalls all afternoon before the World Record attempt was made.  What a logistical nightmare, hats off to the organisers.  We didn't break the record but had 1,395 people playing the song 'Travellin' at the same time.

Sunday morning I went to Church, then spent the afternoon at the Botanical Gardens, it was raining but that just added to the rainforest feeling.  Monday I had the Van booked in for a service, Leo has a nephew in Cairns who is a mechanic, who fitted me in.  If I had taken the computer I could have written this while I waited!!!

Bye for now

at Cairns Gardens

Now in Charters Towers

I have added some photos to the last post and finally come out of the bush.

Lightening Ridge sunset

When I was leaving Lightning Ridge I had gone to pack up when the raffles were being drawn, then heard my name and won a beautiful solid white opal, not sure what I will have it set into.  I had bought myself a small red on black opal ring for my pinky finger in town Saturday, oh well a girl can't have to much jewellery.  After my time at Dunkeld I drove to Mitchell to meet up with some friends who are doing a Tag-A-Long through to Darwin, it was lovely to see some I knew who had come from Brisbane and the coast for just a few days.

Neil Turner Weir

Tues 12th June

Stayed a few days with Darryl & Rose who I knew from Gladstone Pipe Band days.  Took the bike off and rode around town, there was a great patchwork exhibition in the Gallery.  Rode out past the Neil Turner Weir to where others were camped at the Race Course for afternoon tea and a chat. There were campfires at night under the stars again, the weather has been very kind, beautiful days and just a bit cool at night. There was so much mud on all our vehicles, Darryl brought out his pressure washer which was kept busy for the next few days.

Sat 16th June

After a visit to the local craft shop where Rose and other locals sell there hand made goods, I bought a bottle of lemon butter Yum.  I stopped at Roma and visited the farmers market then I drove to Injune to camp the night.

Sun 17th June

The Information centre recommended a trip into Carnarvon Gorge and I wasn't dissappointed.  Expensive to stay a few nights but all my free camping makes up for the nights I treat myself.  Walked around the park and found a family I had met down in Victoria so a pleasant happy hour + was spent with Rob, Leonia & Damon.

Ward's Canyon

Monday after a talk with Fred the aboriginal guide, I walked to the Art Gallery with Rod & Jenny who invited me to join them.  It was a great day, the art work I can't describe the feeling of just being there, I felt I had to speak quietly, a truly spiritual place.  We walked into Ward's Canyon then the Moss Garden on the way back to our camp and had quite a few stops to just sit on the warm rocks and enjoy the scenery.  I walked to the lookout back at Takarakka to watch the sunset, then an early night.

Tuesday I was to be at the Helipad for my first helicopter ride and I was so excited.  It wasn't meant to be as the oil gauge wasn't working so his 3 passengers got their money back and went on their way by road!!  I drove into Emerald, stopping at Rolleston & Springsure then camped beside the river which was still running very fast after the floods.

Wednsday 20th June

Maybe next time!!

Walked through town checking out the Art works some were by Margaret Worthington of Gladstone.  Then just had a relaxing afternoon, a couple from Vic I had met at Kyabram last Dec were near me so we enjoyed catching up over Happy Hour.

Thursday morning I had a new radio/CD and outside aerial put into the van, then drove out to Fairburn Dam for the afternoon.  I met a Solo for afternoon tea, she is working in Emerald just now not travelling but answered an email I had sent looking for company.

Friday morning woke Tess another Solo who had camped near me during the evening, then left about 9.30 to drive to Belyando Crossing, not much here but it had started raining & I needed to stop.  The road is long straight stretches and can get a bit boring. 

 Saturday I drove to Charters Towers, another little town with lovely old buildings,  I did the a Heritage Walking Trail, drove to the Lookout before going to Macrossan Park, a free campsite beside the Burdekin River, amazing to see the height the water came during many floods over the years. My camp spot was at Fletcher Creek and I was backed up to the water and could hear the water over the rocks, very relaxing, stayed 3 nights (the maximum stay is 1 month, not to many like that).  The Van got a thorough spring clean, after that nothing to do but read and enjoy.

Carnarvon Gorge stepping stones

Bye for now

In Dunkeld Qld

Jan with Dingo pup!

My last post a month ago was from Costerfield.  I drove from there to Shepparton to drop off the quilts I had made, then met the Goulburn Valley Gypsies at the Dingo Farm at Nalinga.  The afternoons activity was to catch yabbies in the dam which were then to be raced for the opportunity to win a great trophy.  No luck and only one yabbie was caught despite our best efforts.  Those who wanted could then go and help feed and mix with the dingoes.  After a BBQ dinner we sat around the camp fire under the stars.  Sunday was cold and wet so all headed off before lunch, I had to drive through a wine growing area called Upottipotpon!! just to see the sign for myself and make sure someone wasn't pulling my leg.  It was Mothers Day and all the family phoned I stayed with a friend in Corowa the night.



I arrived at the Blaze Aid Camp in Wagga Wagga about 3pm and was met by Eugene the co-ordinator, I had a guided tour and then met other workers over dinner.  Tuesday the alarm went off at 6am and the temperature inside my van was 2.1o Brrrrrr  Cam drove the team of 5 30klm to our farm where we removed debris most of the day.  It was good to get in a hot shower as I hadn't done anything that physical for a while. 

Wednesday went to Wantabadgery Station and Sally Sara from ABC and a team flew in by hellicopter to do a story on the floods in the area and Blaze Aid's involvement.  I was asked if I was willing to be  interviewed and photographed, they spent the day with the team and then came back to the camp ground that evening.



Blaze Aid in Wagga



By the 3rd morning I was getting used to the cold, with frost on the fences till about 9am, got some great photos.  We were working along the Murrumbidgee River bank today and it is a thrill to see the before and after and know I helped a little.

A day off and went into town, met Allan free camped and he helped put Wikicamps on my phone.  I am enjoying all the technology now even though it takes me a while to recall the instructions some times.
Back to work on a different farm, clearing debris then rolling damaged wire and afterwards setting fire to the dry grass. Sunday was my last day and a new skill was learned.  I am now officially a twitcher!!  This is simply tying the wire onto the fence post with a small piece of plain wire. Back at camp after dinner I played a few tunes on my Ukulele as a few of us sat in front of the log fire.  Before leaving on Monday I did some mending of trousers for Eugene and Graham.  Graham and I had gone to Nimbin High School together, it really is a small world.  Went into Wagga at lunch time then drove to Jugiong to camp for the night.
Tuesday did my usual check of the van before taking off and found a flat tyre, Oh Bother.  The NRMA man came and changed it but it couldn't be repaired.  Drove to Yass they had none the right size, drove to Goulburn and thankfully they checked all my tyres and I had odd sizes so now have 2 new tyres.  Finally arrived at my cousin Marilyn and Keith at MossVale at 4.30 not before lunch as planned.  We hadn't seen each other since teenage years and she is doing family history and contacted me, it was a wonderfull time of catching up.
 I left after lunch next day to drive to my sister-in-law at Barrack Heights not enjoying the trip down Macquarie Pass.  I am now the proud owner of 2 Ukulele's as Sue has given me a very old one that has been in her family, I will have 2 new plugs made for strings and look forward to playing it.  Then it was off to Sydney to spend a week with Cath's family who are still settling in after moving from Melbourne.  I slept in the Van and Georgia would phone me to say breakfast was ready, they loved to come a have a picnic or watch TV.  Lily was home from school with a bout of Croup and with wet cold weather they were getting cabin fever.
One of my great highlights was sailing on Pittwater, I met Barbara & John while in Tasmania and they had invited me to come and stay.  I took them up on the offer and enjoyed 2 nights stay and a beautiful day on the water.  Barbara also took me Square dancing with her, I hadn't done that since I was very young.


Georgia & Lily



Back at Cath's and on Friday night I went to her Craft Group and helped prepare the goodie bags for the 'Sew It Together' workshop she is attending in Canberra next weekend, sounds like lots of fun except for the cold weather -7o forecast.

Saturday afternoon I went to Sydney Wanderer's weekend at Wheelers Hill just up the road from Cath's, I took Lily for a sleep over which she enjoyed despite the rainy weather.  She was delighted to win a box of chocolate coated shortbread from the raffle.  A very interesting talk on tyres after dinner I learnt a lot.  Pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast next morning before Lily was picked up to go out for the day.

The beret I had crocheted for myself was far to big so Cath got that one and I will make another.  Said goodbye to them all and drove to visit my sister Marion at Berowra for lunch and afternoon tea before leaving Sydney.



Hunter Valley Gardens



Tonight's camp was at Ourimbah and I woke Tuesday to the sound of the Bellbirds.  Thankfully it was a lovely fine day, I went to Wyong for Gas along the old Pacific H'way.  Stopped at the Cessnock Info Centre who recommended the Hunter Valley Gardens, I opted for the guided tour in a gold buggy but then went back to take photos and was there for hours. It was just beautiful.  My camp tonight was at Casillis as the book said power and showers and I needed my heater there was a bitterly cold wind blowing.

Wednesday 6th June - The Transit of Venus a once in 100+ years event.  I got updates thanks to a facebook friend who was able to take photos.  Stopped at Dunedoo for a hot pie lunch then as I drove through Mendooran saw Allans van parked and stopped to say hello.  This was a good free camp so I stayed the night, the offer of a camp fire was a good decider but the rain chased me in at 6pm.

This orning it was athe Kookaburras laughing that I could hear from my bed.  Drove to Coonabarabran and then in through the Warrambungle National Park.  I visited the Siding Springs Observatory then walked ato Fan's Horizon a steep rise with over 1,000 steps.  It was getting late so I stayed in Camp Wambelong for the night.

View from Fan's Lookout - 1,000 steps up!!

There was some dirt road but only for 8klm on the way to Gulargambone, stopped at Coonamble for groceries, at Walgett for water and a gas bottle refill and arrived at Lorne Station, Lightening Ridge about 5pm.  The road into here was not what I had expected, I almost turned around but pulled over and waited for another vehicle to go through a huge mud crossing then I followed. I was driven into town to experience the Hot Springs and sat in 40o water for about an hour, thoroughly enjoying it.  Spent the next few days with some new and old friends enjoying the bush, cricket matches, sight seeing and sitting under the stars in front of a log fire.

I left Sunday to drive to Dunkeld to help with Blaze Aid again, have never seen so much wildlife on the road emus, cattle, echidnas, deer & roos.  I worked at the base this time helping in the kitchen, cleaning amenities and tidying the garden around the golf club rooms where we were staying. 

Bye for now   

Now in NSW



Costerfield gold mine ruins



Mon 7th - Wed 9th was as relaxed as last week, with gardening and more craft, the weather has really turned cold with frosty mornings.  I rode my bike to collect the mail and passed the remains of what was once a gold mine employing up to 700 workers 100 years ago.



Autumn in Costerfield



Thurs 10th - Took the Van to Heathcote for a new radiator and some belts to be replaced, he also reset the timing from the problem I had last week and was most apologetic.  Heathcote is a very Historic town and I walked up and down looking at some of the original buildings.  The highlight was a walk through the Valley of Liquid Ambers, the colours of Autumn were absolutely spectacular.  I found more material at the Op shop so had an early tea then made up another quilt.

Fri 11th - My last day so spent it packing the Van and getting the house ready for Margaret's return.  Drove into town for petrol, gas bottle refills and some shopping.  Margaret arrived at 9.30pm tired from a day and a half travelling.  She brought me some Irish tea towels and lovely Celtic monogramm bookmark.


Yabbie fishing


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Jan and dingo pup



Sat 12th - I got away just after 8, Drove to Shepparton to leave the 5 quilts I had made with a friend of Nell's.  Found an RV shop and bought edge stripping to do some maintenance on the Van at my next stop.  I arrived at the Dingo Farm at Nalinga after lunch to meet with the CMCA Goulburn Valley Gypsies.  The afternoon's activity was to catch a yabbie in the dam to have a yabbie race tomorrow morning.  Only 1 yabbie was caught between the lot of us (it was far to cold) so no race!!!  There was chocolate cake for all the mothers at afternoon tea.  At 5pm most went up to see the dingoes, and help feed some of them.  Alan had cooked a BBQ for everyone for dinner which was very welcome.  Then we sat around the camp fire under the stars till about 9pm and the cold sent us indoors.   

Sun 13th - I woke at 7 but stayed in bed reading till 9, there was a cold wind blowing this morning.  The fire was relit & I played a few tunes on my Ukulele while others sang. It started to rain at 11 so it was time to leave.  I had heard that the name of the area near us was Upottipotpon, so I had to go for a drive and find it, I wonder what the origin of that name was?   I drove to Corowa to visit a friend so am now in NSW.



My welcome to NSW



A week in the country

This has been a quiet week with my days spent doing some gardening, sewing and watching movies from Margarets large library.
Monday 30/4 - I put binding onto a second quilt and watched the movie 'Nell' in the afternoon.

Tuesday 1/5 -  The binding went onto a third quilt and I spent the afternoon on the computer, working out how to use the Hot Spot from my Smart Phone.  It took a while but I was determined to make it work.

Wednesday 2/5 - a neighbour gave me a lift into town to collect my Van from the mechanic in Heathcote, I had planned to get a Tune Up here after the problem in Sale.  Margaret had offered me the use of her little car while she was away so I was glad of that but happy to have my own wheels back.

Thursday 3/5 - I drove to Bendigo to see the Grace Kelly Style Icon Exhibition, this was fabulous and so popular it was necessary to purchase tickets to attend at a specific time of day. After checking out a few shops I had afternoon tea with one of Margaret's friends before driving home.

Pink Cliffs - Heathcote

Friday 4/5 - Went into town this morning, drove just a few klm out of town to see the Pink Clifs, a colourful reminder of the Gold Rush era in the early 1900's, on the way home I saw an Auction at a Farmhouse so decided to stop for a look, a real country experience but I wasn't tempted to make any bids!!!  The movie after dinner tonight was 'The Kiss'.





Costerfield Post Office



Saturday 5/5 - I started sewing my 4th quilt then finished the Christmas wallhanging I began at Tannum Sands last July.  I stripped the vinyl floor of the Van and put 2 coats of sealer on it.  A friend from Kilmore phoned to invite me to dinner, so I drove with the intention of staying overnight.  I hadn't seen Fay for over 20 years when she lived in Rockhamnpton, so lots of catching up on what we and our families were doing now.

Sunday 6/5 -  When I went to leave there was oil on the road where I had been parked.  Another call to RACV and I was missing a bolt from the Distributor!!!  No damage done so it was replaced and filled with oil before I drove home, the dogs were very happy to see me.  I put 2 more coats of sealer on the van floor then watched the movie 'Beyond Borders'.  Now have less than a week before it is time for me to move a little further north.

This was our view of Melbourne from The Edge