YEPPOON

Tuesday, 11 June 2019

Theodore sunrise through the mist

Jennifer (or possibly Harold, or maybe Nigel) waiting for us

Palm trees, sunshine, shorts and linen shirt at last

Singing Ship Memorial

Still smiling...

Keppel Islands

ANZAC Centenary Walkway

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ANZAC Centenary Memorial

Keppel Marina Headland

It didn’t take long to pack up on Monday morning, considering we hadn’t really unpacked!  We were a little sorry to say goodbye to Theodore, it seemed a very nice little outback town.  However, the tropics beckoned as we passed through little towns with unusual names like “Banana,” more coal mines and extremely long and numerous coal trains.  We passed through Rockhampton on our way to Yeppoon for three nights, arriving at NRMA Capricorn Yeppoon shortly after noon.  A friendly greeting from a pleasant receptionist and we were soon ready to meet the welcoming committee of one on the office verandah – a small snake which quickly decided it needed to be somewhere else urgently!  One sight of the caravan park and we were immediately relaxed – palm trees, tropical gardens, green grass, slabs, gardens between sites and three curlews just waiting for us to arrive!  The sunshine and 25 degree temperature didn’t go astray, either.

We are paying the same amount here as we paid for the run down caravan park in Toowoomba and there is no comparison.

Today was officially declared the start of “summer” and part of the morning was spent in swapping over the wardrobe – all the winter clothes were packed up and stored under the bed; the summer clothes were unpacked from under the bed and stored in the cupboards and wardrobes.  It is starting to feel like we are really on holiday now.

We also enjoyed a drive to Emu Park, about ten kilometres south, with a visit to the car wash the first port of call to remove all the mud we have been carrying for a few days.  Then it was a stop at the Singing Ship Memorial to James Cook, with its magnificent views across the sea to the Keppel Islands.  Wandering along a path from the memorial to a lookout, we came across an ANZAC Centennial Walkway and memorials – one of the best we have seen, it was so well done.  Along the pathway were silhouettes of World War I soldiers, together with posts listing the major battles Australian forces had been involved in.  Then we came to a shelter with information boards, artwork on the floor as well featuring poppies and a red cross (over 61,000) representing every life lost by our servicemen during the war.  The pathway ended opposite the RSL Sub-branch, with a new sandstone memorial.

The lovely weather is expected to continue…

MILES & THEODORE

Sunday, 9 June 2019

A "Dreamliner"

Possum Park

Rail crossing and station

The place that smells of flowers

Catholic church

Not much happens in Theodore on Sunday afternoon

Town clock

War Memorial

Anglican Church

Sun hats - finally!

The dark and ominous clouds were still present when we left Toowoomba on Saturday morning, heading for our overnight stop at Miles.  The road was excellent until we were well past Wellcamp and the new bypass and the traffic increased when we returned to a “normal” highway.  It wasn’t long before the drizzle started and was raining well and truly by the time we arrived at Dalby before easing off slightly.  Heavy rain again at Miles and as we continued north along the Leichardt Highway for about 18 kilometres to the turn off to Possum Park.  Despite raining solidly all day, the gravel road was in fairly good condition as we would our way up the hill past some bunkers (and lots of bougainvillea) until we reached the camp site proper.  Such a quirky little park, such a shame about the rain and mud.  We were shown onto a muddy drive-thru site, connected the power, lowered the jacks and didn’t venture outside until the next morning.  Unfortunately, the nightly camp fire get together just didn’t happen.

Possum Park is the site of a World War 2 RAAF ammunition storage area, with a rail line and station, as well as many bunkers, some of which have been turned into guest accommodation, along with a number of railway carriages.  There is even a TAA Electra which has/is being converted as well.

This morning was cloudy and mild; it didn’t take long to wind up the power cord and the jacks, as well as wash off some of the caked-on mud!  We continued north along the Leichardt Highway, with the roadway very good for a distance before becoming rather bouncy.  We didn’t encounter much traffic and were at Theodore Showgrounds well before lunch.  This place is excellent value for $20 per night, large and grassy sites with power and water and a new amenities block.  It would appear that a number of caravans have been here for some time, enjoying a small country town atmosphere.  A walk down the main street and back filled in some of the afternoon, before we worked on increasing our vitamin D levels.

Time to put away the thermals and possum hat; time to find the t-shirts and sun hats!

TOOWOOMBA (Continued)

Friday, 7 June 2019

Collection of windmills

Evandale next year!

Wishful thinking

Local wildlife

Coach 100

Ambulances have come a long way...

so have caravans!

It's a billy cart

Trees in the Queen's Park Gardens

Fountain in the gardens

It was a beautiful sunny morning, with a bit of a bite to the wind, as we set out once more to be tourists in Toowoomba.  The Cobb & Co Museum was our point of interest today, with a walk through the Queen’s Park Gardens.  After a guided tour of the museum, we were free to wander at will and return to areas of interest.  Himself positively drooled over the workshop where the old carriages are repaired and/or restored, as well as the collection of model trains.  The many horse drawn vehicles were the centrepiece of the museum, many of which were in excellent condition.

A visit to a shopping centre rounded out our day – we wont be near a supermarket for a few days – and the discovery of a Lenards Chicken just added to the experience!  Unfortunately, the brilliant sunshine has given way to dark and ominous looking clouds.

TOOWOOMBA

Thursday, 6 June 2019

Japanese Gardens

At Picnic Point, looking over Tabletop Mountain

New bridge

Wednesday morning at Warwick was far more pleasant, weatherwise, than the previous morning at Glen Innes.  The sky was clear, no wind and we didn’t even need our coats to hitch up.  The road to Toowoomba passed through many sunflower paddocks (all dead stalks now) before we arrived at the Big4 Toowoomba Garden City.

Hmmmm, average park with a less than warm welcome – we hadn’t booked!!!  The entrance is off a small street and after turning into the entrance, a sign reads “Do not block roadway, park on street if checking in.)  Himself quite rightly refused to reverse back out on to the street.  Two female individuals eventually acknowledged my presence, I asked for a powered site for three nights and was told that we shouldn’t have parked in the driveway.  Pointed out the sign was not apparent until we had turned in; was told if we had booked we would have been informed (it is possible to book online); no smiles.  When Les came in to the office to see if everything was all right, another staff member abused him soundly for parking in the driveway.  The two office ladies immediately took up the conversation, saying how rude some people are.  I asked if they would prefer we went to another park, in which case they could refund my money.  Suddenly, I have two new friends!  Not a good first impression to a very average park, now owned by Freedom.  Sites are run down, amenities are okay, grounds around caravan area need a good tidy up, security must be a problem because everything is locked, including the dump point according to the rules and regulations.  At least the weather was nice, even if we were shaded by a large pine tree.

After lunch we decided to visit the Visitors’ Centre for some information on places to see and things to do – two very pleasant and helpful ladies helped us – and then we decided after two weeks of freezing weather, perhaps we should purchase a new heater.  Found a lovely one which throws out so much heat (wish we had it before Canberra!) and has a remote control.  Herself has ownership of the remote and can turn the heater on before getting out of bed.  Bliss.

Today we acted like tourists, (it has been eleven years since we visited Toowoomba) and our first stop was at the Japanese Gardens.  These were very tranquil, with numerous red bridges, lots of Japanese maples and other deciduous trees, some camellias still in flower, many magpies and LOTS of domestic ducks.  It was very pleasurable walking around the paths.  Next stop was Picnic Point, with its views over Tabletop Mountain to the bottom of the big hill and the valley beyond.  With a very nice looking restaurant/café on the edge of the lookout, it was time to quality control the Toowoomba version of a Devonshire tea – reports were favourable.

As there are six to eight thousand trucks passing through Toowoomba each day, a toll road is being built around the hill, which should reduce the long crawl into and out of the city, as well as the traffic.  A lookout on the edge of the city gives a good view of a new bridge and roadworks currently under construction.

GLEN INNES TO WARWICK

Tuesday, 4 June 2019

Lovely old hotel at Glen Innes, with modern roundabout sculpture

Even the Glen Innes rubbish bins have a Scottish flavour

Grand Town Hall

A snowy start to the day

War Memorial at Warwick, including new memorial to the Dungaree March

By Monday morning, the thunder had disappeared but the rain persisted as we hitched up for the next stage of our trip north.  The trucks were out in force as we started the long climb up the first hill, only to discover another hill, then another!  The fuel companies must love this stretch of road, as we continued to climb to 1,500 metres and travelled along the New England Ranges.  We had planned on overnighting at Armidale (1,100+ metres) but when we arrived on the outskirts, we decided to continue to Glen Innes (1,100+ metres also).  However, the road in between was between 1,400 and 1,500 metres elevation and snow was forecast for tonight and tomorrow – down to 1,000 metres!  At least the elevation would drop quickly north of Glen Innes and we thought it better not to tow the caravan through snow (although someone rather liked the idea!).

It wasn’t long before we realised we were in a Scottish/Celtic region, passing Ben Lomond and Glencoe, before arriving at the Celtic centre of Australia and its famous Standing Stones.  We are staying at Fossickers’ Caravan Park at Glen Innes – not our first visit – and the very friendly manager allocated us a drive through site and assured us that snow was on the way.  As we entered the caravan park, the rain fell down and it was a quick dash for the umbrella before directing Himself onto the site.  Luckily, we could stay hitched up, so it wasn’t long before we were enjoying the comforts of our poor, overworked heater.  This afternoon, we rugged up with scarves, hats, gloves and down jackets – not to mention umbrellas! – and enjoyed a brisk and chilly walk up and down the main shopping centre, with a few browses in heated shops to warm up!

The locals certainly know their weather!  It was still snowing in the early morning and still snowing when we left.  Very, very, cold – extremely cold, in fact! – and felt like -8 degrees when we departed, heading north for Queensland.  After all, Queensland is supposedly warmer!!!  Don’t believe it!!!!!

The snow turned to rain for most of the journey; the road conditions were good, not a lot of traffic and no ice.  We drove down the main street of Tenterfield, because that’s where the highway went, but decided to continue to Warwick for the night.  The temperature had reached a warm 5 degrees when we crossed the state border but the wind chill factor had certainly set in by then.

We are staying at the Freedom Leisure Park, which used to be Big4 Kahlers and was taken over about two years ago.  The grounds are looking very tired, although severe drought conditions don’t help.  We had a quick trip to the shopping centre for a few provisions and treated ourselves to some comfort food for lunch.

Toowoomba tomorrow for three nights, and hopefully some warmer temperatures.

DENMAN TO TAMWORTH

Sunday, 2 June 2019

Part of a coal mine

Another part

Waiting for fairy bread

Playing in the autumn leaves

Billabong in the Denman Caravan Park

Heading into the New England Ranges

It was a mild four degrees and sunny as we packed up and departed Mudgee on Friday morning, heading for Denman, with a slight detour to Gulgong first.  The road was very busy with lots of trucks and a very slow caravan (not us!!!) which was trying for the world record of the longest time to travel from Mudgee to Gulgong.  After Gulgong, we continued through lovely grazing country until we arrived at Ulan and its massive coal mines.  It was incredible just how far these extended.  Once we turned onto the Golden Highway, it was back to the heavier traffic, with many, many trucks and caravans.

We arrived at Denman, a small town of approximately 1,200 residents situated in the Upper Hunter region.  We are staying overnight at the Denman Van Park, an interesting little park on the edge of town which has a very friendly and helpful manager, not to mention his two year old assistant, Xavier!  During a walk around town after lunch, we came across an old church, the local bowls club (two grass greens) and the main drag, with two hotels, numerous coffee shops, small supermarket and health centre.  With the temperature reaching sixteen degrees, Cat even agreed to partake of a little fresh air, but was rather apprehensive of all the fairies at the bottom of the garden!

Saturday morning we definitely made a left hand turn and headed due north, along with many trucks and other vehicles.  We passed through a massive coal mine not far from Musselbrook – hard to believe how big some of these holes in the ground are!  The countryside around the Scone area was very pretty, with all the large horse properties and the mountains in the distance.  We climbed and wound our way along the New England Ranges, seeming to have left the trucks behind somewhere, before we arrived at Tamworth, our stop for two nights.

Amazingly, the temperature was twenty degrees and we were able sit outside and share our lunch with the flies.  We are staying at the Big4 Paradise, which is literally next door to the Country Music Hall of Fame and only a block from Woolworths and a short distance from the CBD.  A long walk down the main street after lunch saw us ready for a foot massage.  A surprise was the large number of fruit bats/flying foxes that appeared at sunset.  Sunday started out fine and warm, brunch on the “patio” for he who clung to his bed and then we enjoyed the local bowls club’s $10 lunch special.  Storm clouds are building to the north and rain is expected in the very near future.