RUBYVALE TO NEIL TURNER WEIR AT MITCHELL QLD

 

We left Rubyvale on Monday 22 June and drove to Lloyd Jones Weir which is about 27 Ks from Barcaldine. What a great spot to prop for a while.  There were about 30 vans there when we arrived and the only spot was alongside the river but we had to really chock the offside wheels to get the van level.  Lucky Arnold takes lots of blocks of wood with him for this very reason.

 

 

Even though it looks like we are parked alongside a river, this is supposed to be the weir lol

 

 

 

 Looking up to the van from the bank of the river/weir

On one of the days we went for a walk to have a look at the dam wall.  Doesn't look like much water has been over it for a while. 

 

 

Arnold went and stood in front of the water marker which measures over 7 metres.  Wouldn't like to be there when it floods.

 



 

The following photos are of the scenery and birds at different times of the days we were there.  How weird is the shot below.  I thought it looked like a voodoo head lol

 

 

 

The following shot is my favourite.

 

We stayed at Lloyd Jones Weir for 4 days.  We left on Friday 26 June and drove to Blackall and  stayed at the Barcoo River Camp Ground for 2 nights.  What a lovely little place Blackall is.

 

 



The plaque and eagle were situated at the front of the the campground.  I hadn't noticed it until we drove passed it to an area where we could top up with water.

 



 

The shot below is the area where the tap is.  I had walked back to take a photo of the eagle.

 

From Blackall we drove to a place called Morven where we stayed at their Recreation Ground.  There were so many vans there we just had to pull up where we could find a clear spot.  We were only staying one night as were most people.  The amount of vans on the road at any one time must be phenomenal.  We weren't going very far the following day so didn't leave early as most people did.

 

We are now at Neil Turner Weir at Mitchell.  This area is huge.  What a great place to stop.  It is free and the Council even supply wood if people want to have a fire.  Mitchell itself is a very small town and would probably die if it weren't for the people stopping at the weir and going into town to buy some fuel and groceries.  There are a lot of struggling country towns so its great when the powers that be allow travellers to stop for a while in the great areas they provide.

 

 

I went for a walk down a track so I could take some photos and nearly ended up in the drink.  It was a tad slippery and my old bones aren't as agile as they used to be.  Its lucky I made it back up to the top lol

 

Track down to the water



Looking up to the van from the track

So for now, from Neil Turner Weir in Mitchell, its goodnight.  We leave in the morning. 

 

MOREE TO THE GOLD COAST AND THEN ON TO RUBYVALE

Firstly I apologise for not posting anything for some time.  There were times we didn't have service and other times when the service was so slow the frustration set in and I gave up.  So hopefully I am able to upload photos and update the blog this time.

 

After we left Moree we drove as far as The Maryvale Pub freecamp.  We have stayed here before and it's always a lovely spot to spend the night.

 

 

The following morning we left and drove a short distance to a place called Canungra.  We booked into the showgrounds and found a spot near a small stream to the side of the main arena and set up for the night. 

 

 

We left the following morning (Sunday), parked the car and van in the main street and walked to a small market.  It was mostly craft which didn't interest Arnold at all lol  There was a few cafes close by so we decided to have breakfast.  We had seen a lot of motorbikes coming into town the day before and apparently the café we chose is the place where they all meet.  Lucky we didn't have to wait too long. It was worth the wait - bacon, eggs, tomatoes and toast.  I couldn't eat anything for the rest of the day.

 

From there we drove to Daryl & Grace's.  It was great to see them again.  Also Brandon and Toby the dog.  We love visiting and spending time with them. 

 

On the Thursday Arnold drove me to Helga's place so I could spend a few days with her and also so we could go to the Scrapbook & Papercraft Convention in Brisbane.  We have a great time together and it's always sad to leave which I did on the Sunday.  On the Saturday while I was at Helga's Arnold went to watch Brandon play football.  He was Captain for the day and he also kicked a goal.  He loves his footy.

 

 

 

We left Advancetown on Monday morning 8 June after saying farewell to Grace and Brandon (Daryl had flown to Tullamarine a couple of days earlier to spend a few days with the boys) and drove as far as a freecamp in a place called Warra.  We have stayed here before although this time there were the most vans we have seen there.  We found a good spot though.

 

 

 

We left Warra the following morning and stopped for lunch at a place called Wallabilla on our way to Roma. As we drove out of town we saw their showgrounds so we decided to continue on into Roma, buy provisions (and also a new Navman as our old one died) and drive back.  It was great - gold coin donation and that is with power and hot showers.  We decided to stay 2 nights so we could recharge. 

 

 

We found another Showgrounds to stay at in Springsure.  It's amazing that some are free, some are gold coin donation but some charge $20 a night which this one did and that was unpowered and no water.

 

 

 

In the morning we drove to Bedford Weir via Emerald where we topped up with fuel and groceries.  The weir campground is free.  No power or water but the showers were hot and the toilets ok.  Jill and Barry would meet up with us here for a few days.

 

Arnold surveying the area

Standing in front of a small section of the weir

Our camp for 7 days

 

Beautiful Peacock.  He had a harem of Peahens that trailed along behind him.

 





Cheeky Kookaburra came for a fed every day

 

 

Barry and Jill left about an hour before us.  They were going East towards the coast and we were going West to the Rubyvale Caravan Park where we are now.

 

 

  I really needed to do some laundry.  We got here on Friday and are leaving tomorrow morning, Monday 22 June (the shortest day).  We are going to Lloyd Jones Weir which is about 200 ks away just passed Barcaldine.

 

The weather has been cold, warm, cold and cold so we are hoping the cold snap is gone and the weather warms up .... please!

 

Until next time ...

2015 - CARAVANNING FROM HOME TO THE GOLD COAST AND BEYOND

Hello All,

Well we finally left on Sunday 24 May for our trip to the Gold Coast and beyond.  It has been a long time coming.  This is probably the latest in the year we have left and boy did we know it.  The nights have been so cold - 2 deg celcius - if not lower.  I'm so happy that I had the foresight to bring two extra blankets.   We certainly needed them.

Our first stop was Tocumwal Town Beach.  We love this place.  One day we will come here and stay for a week.

We left the following morning and drove about 350 klms to our next overnight stop - Marsden Free Camp.  After another freecamp last night which we shared with 5 semi trailers, one of which was a refrigerated one and ran its generator all night, we arrived at Moree.  We are staying at the Gwidyr Caravan Park

where the hot spring pools are .... aaah .

So tomorrow will be another day of relaxing in the pools.  So good for the aching bones.

Goodnight.  Will update soon.

BARN HILLTO KARIJINI

 We left Broome on Saturday 19th July and drove to Barn Hill Station Stay, about 150k's down from Broome.  We would stay here for 5 days.

 

Just inside the first gate

The road in

We booked in to the unpowered section, found our spot and set up.

 

 

Then Rose and I went for a walk on the beach.

 



Rose's footprints

View from the cliff looking towards the water

The shower, toilets and laundry are all openair.  You can have a shower with the sun shining on you or sit on the throne and see the stars.  The hot water is generated through black polypipe on the ground being heated by the sun.

 



 

On Sunday we went to the market that is held here.  People sell whatever they have or make.  I bought a beautiful brooch for my mum.  Rose bought some great earrings and a small painting of Boabs.  .

 

Sunday evening was Roast Night.  Everyone has to take their own table, chairs, crockery, cutlery, glasses and drink.  Tables and chairs are put out early to reserve your spot.  After getting dolled up we all went and sat at our table to have Happy Hour before our dinner. 

 

Arnold and Pat went for a walk before dinner.

 



 

Below is a shot of the Aboriginal band which we have seen on a couple of occasions now.

Rose surprised me with a birthday cake and the band sang me Happy Birthday.  What a surprise.  I didn't suspect a thing.  It was wonderful. Thanks Rose. It made my birthday even more special.

 

 

 

 

 The following day we went for another walk on the beach.  Firstly we had to negotiate a small path down the cliffside.

 

 

We walked as far as a rocky outcrop which I call the Lost City.

 

 

I love the picture below of Rose and I.  I am going to have it enlarged and framed.

 



 

Rose wanted to have a dip in the water so she could say she sat/swam in the Indian Ocean.

 



Tuesday was the 22nd and my Birthday.  After having a fry-up for breakfast we went and sunbathed for a little while.  It was Rose's last chance as she was leaving in the morning to fly back home. 

 

 

 

We are driving out to take Rose to Broome to catch her flight home.

 

As we had some time before taking Rose to the airport we had another look around the shops and also went to see the Pearl Luggers which are no longer in use.

Arnold with an old diving helmet on

And so it was time to go to the Airport.  It would have been great if Rose could have stayed longer. We were sad to see her go. 

 



Bye Rose

Before we left Broome we filled up with fuel (diesel and food) and drove back to Barn Hill in time for Happy Hour.

 

We left Barn Hill on Thursday morning 24 July and drove to a freecamp called DeGrey.  We stayed for 2 nights.



 

Saturday morning we drove to Port Hedland to top up on diesel and food again. This is where we said our goodbyes to Pat and Maureen.  We would turn off the main road to go into Karijini and they would continue on to the West Coast.  It has been great travelling with them and we will miss their company.

 

Before we reached Karijini National Park we stopped for 2 nights at a freecamp called Bea Bea.  On a walk around I spotted this Sturt Desert Pea.  I didn't think they grew in this area.

 

We drove on to Karijini and as we were paying for our Park Entrance Fee Kevin Sheedy and a few of his mates turned up.  Such a lovely man.  He didn't mind when we asked for a photo with him.  One of his mates even took a photo of us lol

 

After we went to the Visitors Centre to book in and before we drove to the Campground we stopped to fill up with water.

 

We settled into our site and relaxed. 

 

 

The following morning we started our walk along the rim of Dales Gorge. 

Setting out on our walk from the caravan

Looking down on Circular Pool

Below are a couple of shots of a lizard on the path.  Lucky we didn't step on it.

 

Along the path we saw a Cork Tree.  Strange looking thing.

 

Arnold looking down at the Gorge.

 

 

A tricky section of path.

 

 

Below are some shots along the way.

Fortescue Falls

Fern Pool

 

 We left Karijini the following morning.  The part of the road in is clean but the part going out is red from the soil in the Park.

 

 

We stopped off at the Visitors Centre so I could get a couple of souvenirs.

 

After leaving Karijini we drove about 400 k's to a freecamp called Middle Gascoyne where we are now.  It is a great spot on the Gascoyne River.  We are leaving tomorrow and heading to Sandstone.

 

 

The shot below is Arnold washing our matting in the river.  We then hung it over a rope tied between two trees to dry.  It is now all packed away again.

 

Hopefully I can update again soon.  Bye for now.