Saturday, 15 August 2015

At Gin Gin showground





Gin Gin showground
Sunday 16th August 2015.
Since our last email from Theresa Creek dam, I have been a bit slack on the email.
From there we travelled to Emerald for a look around and something to eat.  Then on to a lovely free camp site at Duaringa having travelled a whole 296 Km for the day.
We were now travelling on the Capricornia Hwy. along side of the electrified railway transporting coal to Gladstone.  We had seen some long ore trains in WA and now we were seein extremely long coal trains.  The advisory speed signs for the trains that we saw were 80 Km on the curves and 100 Km on the straights.  I wonder how long it would take to stop one from that speed!
Next day was a 116 Km drive to Rockhampton where we went straight to the Great Western Hotel to get details of the Tuff Bull rides series.These are held in an indoor arena in an undercover area of the hotel.  $15 each entry with show starting at 7.00 pm. Was advised to line up by 4.45 pm to get tickets, so guess who was first in the doors!  Had steak sandwiches & chicken chips whilst waiting for bull rides to start.  Out of the 61 riders, there were a number of them from NSW.  Singleton, Tamworth, Walcha, Goulburn, Roxby (near Maitland) I think Muswellbrook as well.  It was a good night and ended about 10.00 pm.
The trains run down the side of the street across the street from the hotel
We had parked in a side street around from the hotel next to a steel yard and opposite Pauls milk depot.  So, we decided to stay there for the night.  A few Linfox trucks pulling semis with packaged milk came and went, then milk vendors.  We did get a fair amount of sleep though.
We washed the motorhome and Des had his hearing aids cleaned and re-tubed.
Yesterday morning we visited a big shopping centre before driving 289 Km to Gin Gin for 2 nights.  before heading towards Bundaberg.  I (Des) want to have a look in the Sola’n’sat shop here before we leave. 

So, that has been a bit of a catch up on our travels.

Theresa Creek dam









Wednesday 12th August 2015.
Theresa Creek Dam, 22km from Clermont.
We came out here yesterday for the night but have decide to stay tonight as well.  It is very peaceful here with a water front site looking over the dam.
Tomorrow we will pause in Clermont to send this email and get more water before travelling on through Emerald to a camp site about 70 km west of Rockhampton.
Friday we will go to Rockhampton and see what we can find out about the bull riding at one of the hotels on Friday & Saturday night.
Another nice day here, but the wind is picking up a bit now at 3.00 pm.
That’s all for now.
Regards from Des & Bev.

Monday, 10 August 2015

To Clermont






Monday 10th August 2015
Clermont Qld.
Yes, tonight’s new comes to you from Clermont.  Travelled 422 km today from Fletchers Creek.
Spent some time in Charters Towers this morning shopping, getting fuel and water,  had a big pie and coffee before setting off again south.
It was 10 deg. again this morning and reached about 25.5 today as we travelled.  We have now travelled 13468 km since leaving home.
There was some very dry poor looking country as we travelled today, and some very skinny cattle.  Saw the first fat good condition ones about 40 km north of Clermont.
We are starting to get sick of seeing straight sections of road that stretch up to 40 to 50 km in a straight line as seen in the attached pic.
OK, I am starting to whinge now so I had better finish up and go to bed.

Des & Bev.

Colin Brierly, Indee station ABC interview

 
Just in case you missed it.
Play the sound file at the top of the page on this link.
 

Des

Helicopter pilot wife's story

To Fletcher's Creek

Saturday night 8th August 2015.
Fletcher’s Creek. 40 km north of Charters Towers.
Yesterday we had travelled 420 km from Leichardt Lagoon to Mt Surprise.  To day we travelled 367 km.
Had a nice roast pork and vegetables lunch at the Three Rivers Hotel at Greenvale (well known by the Slim Dusty song written by Stan Coster.)
Then for dinner tonight it was beautiful Barramundi supplied by Pat & Wayne.  Thanks guys, it was great!
I will try and download Bev’s pics from today and attach a pic of the Sausage tree at Greenvale.
Here is hoping that it will go out.
Des. 




















More from Mount Surprise

Saturday 8th August 2015
Planet Earth Adventures  CVP
Mt Surprise.
Brrrrrrr!  7 degrees this morning! Not used to this!  Nice sunny day with no wind so looking good.  Had no wind yesterday either.
$17 per couple here with power, $10 unpowered sites, with water.  About 15 units camped last night.
Bed Rock CVP over the road is $28 powered site, $26 unpowered.  We did not need a swimming pool or games room so gave them a miss.
Have a nice day down south.





Des & Bev.