20th August

Well at long last have got back to bring this up to date.
12th August Left Winton & went down to Illfracomb. Booked into the caravan pk for the night. About 5.30 I got a phone call from a friend who is travelling around up in this area. Well would you believe they were at Longreach. We drove past where they were camped. Made the decision to go back to Longreach & spend Monday night with them. They were at a big free camp just north of Longreach. Lots of vans in there.We had a lovely night with them. Tuesday we went our separate ways. Geof & Betty were heading to Camooweal we headed to Blackall. Pulled into the caravan pk which was rather full but we got a good spot. They had a camp oven dinner on which we dined on, after the main meal they had damper & billy tea. Yum. Chris rocked them with his large panikan. A few people thought it was something that he kept under his bed. Ha Ha.Was rather a good talking point.

Eulo Caravan Park,

Ted

Next morning headed for Charleville. Pulled up at the Union Hotel for lunch.on the way was very enjoyable. Stayed in Charleville at the Cobb & Co caravan park. A good park, good showers & toilets la.rge spots not on top of each other. On our way toCunnamulla we have to pass through a little town called Tambo. They are famous for the Tambo teddies. So guess who had to get lose in there yes me another Teddy this time one called Ted after my late Dad.

Hungerford     Pub

Next day off to Eulo. A little township about 60 kms west of Cunnamulla. Caravan pk behind the pub, $15 a night good showers etc good meals at the pub. Next day we headed for Hungerford. Another little place on the N.S.W. border. Very old hotel dating back to 1874 and still trading. Very friendly people & they make great steak sandwiches.




On our way back to Eulo noticed a dingo on the side of the road. Just stood & watched us go by.

Marys Pub at
Barrigan N.S.W.

Left Eulo & headed for Bourke. On our way there we crossed the N.S.W. border & came to a little pub out in the middle of nowhere. It is run by a woman called Mary all of 88. What a lovely lady a wealth of knowledge and as sharp as a tack. I suppose she would have to be to be running a pub at her age. When we were leaving we said to her that we would see her next year & as quick as a flash she said no you wont because I'll be dead. We just said to her no you wont be we will see you next year.Camped up at Kidman Camp for the night & then
off to Cobar for the night & then down to Hillston for our last night on
the road. Great disappointment when we got here, The club doesn't
open of a monday night so have missed out on my yummy chinese meal. What a blow. Have to settle for a steak. Maybe I can con him into stopping at Hay for a chinese lunch tomorrow. The weather is getting rather cold down here now but just heard it is supposed to be 20deg at Balranald tomorrow which is where we are headed. Think I can cope with that.
Another little bit of good news Chris's nephew & his wife had a new baby girl the other day. Wont say little as she was 9lb 13ozs.  First Coates girl born for 33years. Big celebrations.no doubt.
Well will continue this when I get back into range.

11th August

Not a great lot happening. We are at Winton.
Left Mareeba on Monday travelled down to Greenvale. Very sorry to leave our new friends behind. Guess we will catch up with them soon.
Stayed the night at Greenvale then onto Charters Towers. Weather not too bad much the same as Mareeba.
Ready to leave Charters Towers & noticed a half flat tyre on the van. Hightailed it to a servo to pump it up & noticed a nail in it. So off to the tyre place for a new one. Finally hit the road about 10.30 for Hughenden.
Booked into the caravan park for the night & just relaxed.
Next morning off to Winton. Got here about lunch time. Had a drive around to look at the caravan parks & decided on the Tattersall Hotel one. Straight across the street from the pub. Not a bad park. Considering it is on the main road was very quiet over night. Booked in for 2 nights but decided on a third night as the washing had to be done.

After the drive from Hughenden opened the van up & there was poor old Teddy with his head on his hands I didn't think my driving was that bad. What a classic.
Yesterday we took a drive out the Lark Quarry to see the dinosaur footprints. 110kms out but well worth the drive. All very interesting when it is all explained. Saw a bit of wildlife on the drive a few emus one old man emu with his chicks. Then on the way back noticed something on the road ahead got up closer & it was a dingo. He just ambled across the road & stood & watched us go past.
Very windy here not normal for this time of the year. But we cant have it good all the time I suppose.
Went & had a look at Arnos fence. What a sight everything including the kitchen sink.

 Some photos of the footprints. Is really amazing how these fellows find
all these things.Is a really good setup out there all under cover with a walkway beside the prints.

They also had some fossilised plant life on rocks. Also very amazing to think it has been preserved for all those years. Well the wind has died down so will go & sit in the sun & enjoy it while I can.

3rd August

The old Border Morning
Mail 1939.

I have one of these at
home. It belonged to my
Dad.

 Well I'm back. Not a great lot happening getting organized to leave this lovely spot & head back south.
Will be a slow trip to try & dodge the cold weather.
Sunday we went down to Cairns for the day to catch up with friends of mine. Have been friends with
Sue since high school days. We catch up whenever we are up here so is a lot of talking going on but a
good day all the same.
Wednesday we went out to Herberton for the day. It is an old mining town. They have the most
fantastic village museum. 47 displays set up with the most interesting old things. The old school room
even has questions on the blackboard. I dont think too many grade 5 kids of today would be able to answer
the questions.
Was very interested in the display with all the old sewing machines. How they ever turned the handle &
steered the fabric through. Always seams were straight. Boy have things changed with the sewing machines
of today. Another display was of old newspapers. Was looking through them & what did I find a copy of the
Border Morning Mail. 1939. Some of the beautiful embroidery & clothing that probably was hand made. Think it is well & truly out of my league.
We are off to the leagues club tonight for dinner with Keith & Kate. Will be a good night The food is really good there.

What hard work this would be.

The old horse drawn hearse
White horses for a child &
black for an adult.

Well have run out of news so will put a few photos on so you can see this old village.

27th July

Well have been a bit slack on this but will bring it up to date.
Am sitting outside lovely to sit out in the mornings.
Went down to Port Douglas last sunday & boy was it cold.
Even the locals reckon it was cold. Had a lovely lunch at the
yatch club. We always have a lovely meal there. Reasonable
prices too.
A big week end up here this week end. The Motor home group
all gather for christmas in july. There is motor homes everywhere.
Not up to much for the rest of the day so maybe will pick up my
embroidery & do a bit of it. Cant rush these things.
Got a delivery of yummy prawns yesterday so will be living on prawns
when I get energetic to cook them.

21st July

Am a few days behind but never mind will catch up. Have had a couple of interesting days.Wednesday afternoon we spent time with a lovely couple we met at the Mareeba markets. He is a wood turner &
a good one at that. Went out to pick up some things I had ordered from him well talk about lovely
country hospitality. We were loaded up with lovely fresh mandarins & passionfruit. Also a fruit

which is a cross between a pink grapefruit & an orange.

If anyone has any ideas on what it is called please let me know. Tastes very similar to a grapefruit but not as bitter.

Yesterday we went for a drive out to Chilligoe. Has become a regular thing with us we always go out there when we are up here. Have found a good pub out there. They have a $7.50 t-bone steak & salad on the lunch menu. Is a nice piece of steak too. Some people reckon it is road kill but who cares it tastes ok.

On the way back we pulled up at a little place called Almaden. What a strange place. The cattle out number the people. They just roam all through the place. All that is there is a pub & a railway station. Of course had to try the beer at the pub. 

Savannah Land Train

who would believe it

they are very quiet 

toobWas rather a long day but thats what it's all about.

There used to be a copper mine at Chilligoe but because of the downturn in the copper prices the mine & the 

donger village is all in moth balls. Chilligoe is also famous for its marble which features in Parliment house.

Our friends Kate & Keith took off yesterday for a trip up to the cape. Hope they have a great time. Not too  
many rough roads. We will still be here when they get back as I think we are extending our stay for another week.

My pride & joy.

Been busy hand sewing. Have to keep occupied. Made this pin cushion am rather proud of the way it turned out. Wouldn't like to be making too many by hand but who knows what I will do when I get back to my machine.

17th July

Well back again. Went out for dinner on Sunday night. Met up with Kate & Keith at
the Leagues club for dinner. Yummy roast.
Monday catch up day. The washing never stops coming. Got it all done & dry.
I am sure  some people dont wash for weeks & then do it all in one big hit.
Went for a drive up to Atherton this morning.
 not too bad up there usually freezing cold & misty rain but ok today.
Bought a few patchwork books so will have a few ideas.
Have to go & do some research for Mandy this afternoon. She wants prices of a beer
at the pubs up here.
Weather not bad a bit overcast but not cold.

15th July

Down across the main road

Rather a grey day. Threatening rain, but suppose we cant have everything.

up up & away

Had a hot air balloon land on our doorstep this morning. Not
real good for the ones in it.

Also had a bit of drama with the toilet key.

 Wont mention any names. But the panic was on. Searched the van even walked back over the tracks. No key. I came in to recheck talk about a man look. Found it lying in front of him. Where would they be 

without us. haha

14th July

Thought I had better bring this up to date.
Went to the markets this morning. Great market lots of local produce & hand made things.
Then went for a drive out to the rodeo grounds. At a guess I would say there is a thousand
vans & motor homes out there. Glad it is them & not me. They are really crammed in. I
like my space too much.
Sat down with my embroidery this afternoon. Did a little bit can't rush these things.
Spare ribs & roast veges for dinner tonight. Will be nice.
What a great game of footy. Great for the Gold Coast Suns. What a legend
Karmichael Hunt. Good to see the underdogs get up. Go Suns!!!

13th July

Well here I am back again. Went for a drive this morning to stock up on our fruit & veg.
Lovely local fruit & veges up here. Have managed to find a couple of places where you
can buy direct from the grower. Totally different taste to the shop bought things. Weather
not too bad partly overcast but still hot.Big night here tonight with the rodeo parade. Good
place to be away from.

12th July 2012

Hello Everyone. Sitting out in the lovely sun. Lovely & warm not much on today but guess I will

The mist over the Daintree.

find something to do. Maybe good day for the bubbly haha

May 2012

May 2012 we hit the road. First  stop Balranald 2 weeks there with family & friends.Spent a day in Denny  with Jennifer. She was there for an inter school cross country which her son Haydan was competing in. Was very exciting to see him come in third. First big frost we hit the road.
June 6th. Hillston. Good chinese meal at the Bowling club.Night in the caravan park which happens to be next door to the club. So a nice walk to walk your dinner off.
June 7th Peak Hill. Overnight in the caravan Park.
June 8th Free camped at Gungal. Nice spot but freezing cold over night awoke to thick fog.
June 9th & 10th Denman. Good caravan park. Nice area. Top of the Hunter Valley. Travelled down to Bulga & caught up with Mat & Ash. Was really good to see them. Mat was busy working on his new toy.
Found a nice winery at Denman. Two Rivers. Have a very nice drop of Sparkling Moscatto. One regret should of bought more.
June 11th Singleton. Managed to get into the caravan park there. Full of permanents because it is a mining area. Nice park.
Went down to Newcastle that night to help Taya celebrate her 13th Birthday. Went to Cravon theatre restaraunt. Taya is Ashleigh's niece.
Weather wasnt very good but we managed to get around & see some of the sights. Found the womans answer to Bunnings. Very nice store called Masters.
Went on a grand tour of the Hunter Valley. Some very nice wineries came away with the car well stocked.
Caught up with Mat when he wasn;t working. Our last night there we went out for tea with Mat & Ash at one of the local hotels. Also had tea one night out at Ashleighs parents place.
June 16th Left Singleton & headed to Narrabri. Spent the night there in the caravan park.
June 17th Moree night in the caravan park.
June 18thSpent the night at Moonie. Caravan park at the side of the roadhouse.
June 19th Gympie. Spent 3 days there catching up on the  washing etc. Chris visited his friend Gary King. Was good to have a catch up with him.
June 21st Monto. Night in the caravan park.
June 22nd. Onto Emerald but caravan parks all booked out so kept going to Capella. Nice caravan park there was lucky enough to get in there. Good to be up in the warm weather. Decided it might be a good idea to ring ahead & book into Charters Towers caravan park. Was a good move. There is lots of vans on the road this year.
June23rd. Onto Charters Towers. Struck a couple of wide loads on the way all you can do is just sit behind them until they pull over for a break. Lucky we rung & booked into the park at Charters Towers was packed out.
June 24th. Greenvale. Greenvale was a booming mine town in 1972.Modern brick homes were built to house the220 mine workers.The mine was worked for 20 years until the mine was exhausted.The town is now down to about 16 residents. It hosts the Three Rivers Hotel which was a famous song by Slim Dusty.There is talk about the mines reopening but will just have to wait & see.
June 25th. Back to our winter hideout. Mareeba. Is good to be back. Weather hasn't been very kind to us but at least it isnt cold. Will spend a few weeks here then slowly head back south & home. Haven't done much but we will get around the traps. Went to Port Douglas for a day at the markets. Caught up with friends at Julattan on the way back. Have been up to the Daintree but it was a horrible day. Misty rain but still not cold.
I am hanging out for the markets here this saturday. Big weekend this weekend the rodeo is on so there will be lots of people in the town. We haven't seen the caravan park as full as what it is.
Have met some lovely people here. I must take this opportunity to say thanks to Kate for helping get this blog up & running. Set it up over a couple of glasses of bubbly. Will try & keep it up to date from here.

My latest creation minus his eyes.

This ones for you Erica. Hows all the girls going? Am having a ball up here. Weather just lovely.