Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Toowoomba 29th January 2011
Hi Guys & Gals,
We have been in Toowoomba since Tuesday 25th and are enjoying it in the BIG 4 Caravan Park it is much quieter than the Top Tourist park. It was quite hot on Tuesday so we had a swim in the pool complex which includes a spa. Very Nice. On Thursday we went into the city centre and it has been cleaned up really well & the shops are open Trish's eyes lite up as we went into Grand Cenral Shopping Complex & some retail therapy was experienced!
Today (Saturday) we went to the Toowoomba Japanese Gardens the largest Japanese Garden in Australia & it was really wonderful. Had some very strong winds last night which are continuing today. No rain so far. We are here until Wednesday the 3rd February traveling back to Tara.
More Info on the Japanese Gardens. CLICK HERE
More Pictures for you. CLICK HERE
We have been in Toowoomba since Tuesday 25th and are enjoying it in the BIG 4 Caravan Park it is much quieter than the Top Tourist park. It was quite hot on Tuesday so we had a swim in the pool complex which includes a spa. Very Nice. On Thursday we went into the city centre and it has been cleaned up really well & the shops are open Trish's eyes lite up as we went into Grand Cenral Shopping Complex & some retail therapy was experienced!
Today (Saturday) we went to the Toowoomba Japanese Gardens the largest Japanese Garden in Australia & it was really wonderful. Had some very strong winds last night which are continuing today. No rain so far. We are here until Wednesday the 3rd February traveling back to Tara.
More Info on the Japanese Gardens. CLICK HERE
More Pictures for you. CLICK HERE
Friday, January 21, 2011
Storm King Dam January 21st 2011
The "Happy Apple Resort" where we are parked is quite an experience. We call it Tent City as the place is full of tents. The park is mainly catering for university students & backpackers from around the world who come to this area to work in the orchards & vegetable farms picking fruits & vegetables. The ones we have met are nice young people but communication can be a problem with some.
We have not had one single caravan come in since we have been here we wonder why? however we are here until next Tuesday & intend to enjoy the time.
We went for a drive on Tourist Route 6 which took us past Storm King Dam (see photo's) then through a little village called Eukey and then on to Ballandean. They had an interesting fictional Dinosaur there which they called Fruitisforus which depicts the area. "Fruit is for us". Then we traveled back to Thurlimba for lunch. May have a quiet day tomorrow as there supposed to be a campfire tomorrow night which should be interesting. Take care until the next post.
Some Pictures For you. CLICK HERE.
We have not had one single caravan come in since we have been here we wonder why? however we are here until next Tuesday & intend to enjoy the time.
We went for a drive on Tourist Route 6 which took us past Storm King Dam (see photo's) then through a little village called Eukey and then on to Ballandean. They had an interesting fictional Dinosaur there which they called Fruitisforus which depicts the area. "Fruit is for us". Then we traveled back to Thurlimba for lunch. May have a quiet day tomorrow as there supposed to be a campfire tomorrow night which should be interesting. Take care until the next post.
Some Pictures For you. CLICK HERE.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thulimba 20th January 2011
Here we are again we moved from Tenterfield on Tuesday 17th and headed north all the reports were still that we could not get home so have extended our holiday. We arrived at Thulimba which is 15km north of Stanthorpe in the Southern Downs of Queensland known as the Granite Belt. We are staying at the Happy Apple Resort which is an education in itself & will post a blog tomorrow about the resort.
Yesterday we went for a drive into Stanthorpe and looked around the town & saw the park, bridge & houses that were flooded. (see photo's). Had a look through the Stanthorpe Heritage Museum which was very interesting with a great display unique to the heritage of the Granite Belt.
Today we went for a drive in the country & stopped off at the Castle Glen Estate Winery which is famous for their Liqueurs & Fudge. Then we drove on to the Granite Belt Dairy which is well known for their hand made cheeses. Had a very nice cheese platter for lunch & bought some very nice Pepato Cheese. Traveling on through apple orchards that are full of fruit and the Passchendaele Pine Forest. Then back to the caravan for a nice cup of coffee.
We had a thunderstorm last night but thankfully there was not much rain in it & expecting another one tonight. Well must batten down the hatches & will post another blog tomorrow. Keep safe.
Check Out These Photo's CLICK HERE
Yesterday we went for a drive into Stanthorpe and looked around the town & saw the park, bridge & houses that were flooded. (see photo's). Had a look through the Stanthorpe Heritage Museum which was very interesting with a great display unique to the heritage of the Granite Belt.
Today we went for a drive in the country & stopped off at the Castle Glen Estate Winery which is famous for their Liqueurs & Fudge. Then we drove on to the Granite Belt Dairy which is well known for their hand made cheeses. Had a very nice cheese platter for lunch & bought some very nice Pepato Cheese. Traveling on through apple orchards that are full of fruit and the Passchendaele Pine Forest. Then back to the caravan for a nice cup of coffee.
We had a thunderstorm last night but thankfully there was not much rain in it & expecting another one tonight. Well must batten down the hatches & will post another blog tomorrow. Keep safe.
Check Out These Photo's CLICK HERE
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Tenterfield Railway Museum
Yesterday we collapsed & had a day off from anything. Today we ventured out to visit the Railway Museum in Tenterfield and went down to the creek where we were camping in the Showgrounds to view where the water rushed through. It was amazing how far it had risen & the damage it had done. We are still trapped in Tenterfield but are hoping to get home next Tuesday the 18th. Rang a friend in Tara last night & he went to our house & he rang us this morning & said we still have water under the house but the actual house wasn't flooded & the chooks & horses are ok.
Some Photo's for you CLICK HERE
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Evacuated from Showgrounds Tenterfield
Just dropping a line (not in the water) we were evacuated from the Tenterfield Showgrounds where we were camping. The creek which you can hardly see in the video rose in an unbelievable speed we had to pack up & leave in the pouring rain. Stayed the night on the side of the road for the night to wait out the huge front that we were in but it was still pouring down the next day. Have now parked in a Caravan Park on the high side of town & intend to stay here until we can get home, which may be a while.
This is the video from 2 days ago CLICK HERE
Photo's here show where we were camping CLICK HERE
Photo's here show where we were camping CLICK HERE
Saturday, January 8, 2011
January 8th 2011
The sun was shining this morning "wonderful" so we went for a drive to the Granite drive east of Tenterfield to view some of the unusual granite outcrops which can be found throughout the district. These are quite spectacular & many unique formations of granite can be seen. Mainly a sheep grazing area with some cattle, it is in sharp contrast to the open grazing areas on the eastern side of town.
Unfortunately the road was blocked part way up due to washouts & floods further on so we were unable to reach the lookouts & Mt Mackenzie. This evening it is wet & cold.
Video CLICK HERE
Unfortunately the road was blocked part way up due to washouts & floods further on so we were unable to reach the lookouts & Mt Mackenzie. This evening it is wet & cold.
Video CLICK HERE
Friday, January 7, 2011
Wet Summer Holiday
Hi Folks,
Well we bolted down the Leichhardt Hiway from home on the 3rd of January as we had a window of opportunity to escape to New South Wales heading for Goondiwindi. The trip was slow as we navigated some small floods & lots of potholes. In Goondiwindi we looked up a 2nd cousin who we had not seen for 8 years Denise was so happy to see us & we met her new husband Terry. Had a cuppa & then proceeded to our destination down the Bruxner hiway which was rough & torn up with the rain & floods they had. As we approached Ashford in NSW would you believe it a thunder storm was in front of us! charming as we have to negotiate 30 km of dirt road to get to Kiambal National Park. We eventually arrived at Lemon Tree Flat in the park without any incident & was able to cross the causeways ok. Had to set up the caravan in the rain. Welcome to NSW! Its a lovely spot with not many campers with lots of wildlife and millions of deafening Cicadas & quite a few Goanna's next to the Severn River.
On Tuesday the 4th there was sunshine & it was quite warm so we went for a swim in the morning in the river. In the afternoon we went for a bike ride up the road & then decided to go for another swim. Because it was hot we decided to put "Charlie" our pet cockatiel under the awning while we went for another swim when we arrived back we were absolutely shocked a goanna had tipped over Charlies cage got through the doors & eaten our beloved pet. Was very sad. That night we had another thunderstorm!
On Wednesday the 5th we decided to go into Ashford to fill up the wagon with diesel as we were very low on the return trip we stopped at the Limestone caves in the park which were amazing. Could not do much more as another Thunderstorm was upon us! There was supposed to be a 3G phone signal in the area but all communications were dead at the park.
On Thursday 6th am we had a visit from the ranger informing us that we may have to evacuate as they were expecting a huge front to come & drop maybe 8 inches of rain in a couple of days & we would be trapped & the river may come up too high. He came back after 2 hour to confirm that we need to evacuate asap. well this is turning out to be a nightmare! So we packed up & headed to Tenterfield & as we approached the Ranges another Thunderstorm & we just drove through it & it was still raining when we reached Tenterfield. We found a high spot in the showgrounds & set up there again in the rain. We are staying here for a week until the weather improves.
On Friday 7th we went into town & had a look around & there is plenty of places to see (weather permitting) the rest of the day we collapsed. At least we can get mobile & internet communications here. So until the next blog in a couple of days keep well & safe.
Check out these Photo's CLICK HERE
Well we bolted down the Leichhardt Hiway from home on the 3rd of January as we had a window of opportunity to escape to New South Wales heading for Goondiwindi. The trip was slow as we navigated some small floods & lots of potholes. In Goondiwindi we looked up a 2nd cousin who we had not seen for 8 years Denise was so happy to see us & we met her new husband Terry. Had a cuppa & then proceeded to our destination down the Bruxner hiway which was rough & torn up with the rain & floods they had. As we approached Ashford in NSW would you believe it a thunder storm was in front of us! charming as we have to negotiate 30 km of dirt road to get to Kiambal National Park. We eventually arrived at Lemon Tree Flat in the park without any incident & was able to cross the causeways ok. Had to set up the caravan in the rain. Welcome to NSW! Its a lovely spot with not many campers with lots of wildlife and millions of deafening Cicadas & quite a few Goanna's next to the Severn River.
On Tuesday the 4th there was sunshine & it was quite warm so we went for a swim in the morning in the river. In the afternoon we went for a bike ride up the road & then decided to go for another swim. Because it was hot we decided to put "Charlie" our pet cockatiel under the awning while we went for another swim when we arrived back we were absolutely shocked a goanna had tipped over Charlies cage got through the doors & eaten our beloved pet. Was very sad. That night we had another thunderstorm!
On Wednesday the 5th we decided to go into Ashford to fill up the wagon with diesel as we were very low on the return trip we stopped at the Limestone caves in the park which were amazing. Could not do much more as another Thunderstorm was upon us! There was supposed to be a 3G phone signal in the area but all communications were dead at the park.
On Thursday 6th am we had a visit from the ranger informing us that we may have to evacuate as they were expecting a huge front to come & drop maybe 8 inches of rain in a couple of days & we would be trapped & the river may come up too high. He came back after 2 hour to confirm that we need to evacuate asap. well this is turning out to be a nightmare! So we packed up & headed to Tenterfield & as we approached the Ranges another Thunderstorm & we just drove through it & it was still raining when we reached Tenterfield. We found a high spot in the showgrounds & set up there again in the rain. We are staying here for a week until the weather improves.
On Friday 7th we went into town & had a look around & there is plenty of places to see (weather permitting) the rest of the day we collapsed. At least we can get mobile & internet communications here. So until the next blog in a couple of days keep well & safe.
Check out these Photo's CLICK HERE
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