Photo's here show where we were camping 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
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Floods Tara
Check these photo's out CLICK HERE
Yesterday we started our journey to the Kwiambal National Park & from all reports the previous day the road was clear. How fast the water rises! There was some floods on the Surat Road west of Tara which we were able to negotiate but when we were 14km from Moonie on the Leichhardt Hiway the Moonie River was far to high & you would have to be a submarine to get through.
So we had to turn around & go home!!! Hoping to get through on Saturday 1st January 2011. The road reports are not very accurate so we decided to unhitch the caravan & go for a drive. The Tara-Surat Road was supposed to be closed but there was no problem! we continued down the Moonie Hiway to Moonie which was supposed to be closed again no problem?
At Moonie we were able to confirm by the locals that the road was blocked to Goondawindi? the road reports the day before said it was open! So what do you do! We had a nice lunch at Moonie then Traveled back to Tara via the Cambridge Crossing Road & was not a problem.
When we got back to Tara to get some bread & milk & fruit alas there was none the town is isolated from the main centers & no supplies were getting in & it was reported that the town is out of fuel. Would you believe it then the power went off for 6 hours! So we lit up the BBQ started up the generator & pretended we were camping. Funny.
Hopefully the next post we will actually be from our destination. Keep posted & Have a happy New Year.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Home to Gairloch Cottage 3-10-2010
We are home & the grass is long it will be a few days mowing lawns, washing the wagon & the van but you should see the wonderful colours we came home too. The wild flowers are a really great display of white, purple & yellow.
The gardens look wonderful thanks to Trish's efforts, native trees blossoming & a myriad of flowers, geraniums, daisies, even the bromiliads & cactus are flowering. Just love the spring time when we get rain.
Talking about rain we have had a decent amount while away as the dam is full & the melon-holes are full so we have these private lakes which is nice except the mossies are out in full vengeance.
Had a BBQ last night & had to put the bug zapper on as the bugs, moths, mossies etc were that thick the air was black with them (see photo's).
The ponies & chooks look like they were having fun but they all were actually pleased to see us. Well now it is time to get some work done & plan for another tour. Yipee!!!
Some Photo's For you CLICK HERE
The gardens look wonderful thanks to Trish's efforts, native trees blossoming & a myriad of flowers, geraniums, daisies, even the bromiliads & cactus are flowering. Just love the spring time when we get rain.
Talking about rain we have had a decent amount while away as the dam is full & the melon-holes are full so we have these private lakes which is nice except the mossies are out in full vengeance.
Had a BBQ last night & had to put the bug zapper on as the bugs, moths, mossies etc were that thick the air was black with them (see photo's).
The ponies & chooks look like they were having fun but they all were actually pleased to see us. Well now it is time to get some work done & plan for another tour. Yipee!!!
Some Photo's For you CLICK HERE
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Cunnamulla & St.George 1 & 2-October 2010
G'day how are you going & where are you from, are the most common expressions that start conversation amongst all the fellow travelers we meet. Well we traveled yesterday from Charleville to Cunnamulla & stopped at Wyandra to get a coffee, the Post Office-Cafe-Store the only one in town was very interesting as the lady owner seemed a bit stoned however we did have coffee & scones.
Then we traveled onto Cunnamulla & were going to stay at the showgrounds however it is now closed to campers because of insurance costs which is a shame but we found a camping ground further into Cunnamulla which turned out ok. Met some more people & we had some drinks & a lot of yarns around the campfire that evening. The was a character there named Peter who had some real funny jokes & stories.
This morning we headed off to St.George nearly 300 km and stopped at Bollon for a drink. The cafe was open & what an interesting place full of old shearing history (see the photo's). We are now in St.George & the shops are shut! yipee said Arthur. Set the van up for the night & went for a walk down to the Bollon River, as all the other rivers it is quite full & flowing. Mucked around down there having fun (see the photo's).
Having a BBQ tonight as the weather is warm & fine. Well the journey ends tomorrow as we travel the last leg to Tara. We want to stay out here & keep going it is such a wonderful life. The Pajero & the Caravan have been wonderful with no major problems.
Cunnamulla & St. George CLICK HERE for Photo's
Then we traveled onto Cunnamulla & were going to stay at the showgrounds however it is now closed to campers because of insurance costs which is a shame but we found a camping ground further into Cunnamulla which turned out ok. Met some more people & we had some drinks & a lot of yarns around the campfire that evening. The was a character there named Peter who had some real funny jokes & stories.
This morning we headed off to St.George nearly 300 km and stopped at Bollon for a drink. The cafe was open & what an interesting place full of old shearing history (see the photo's). We are now in St.George & the shops are shut! yipee said Arthur. Set the van up for the night & went for a walk down to the Bollon River, as all the other rivers it is quite full & flowing. Mucked around down there having fun (see the photo's).
Having a BBQ tonight as the weather is warm & fine. Well the journey ends tomorrow as we travel the last leg to Tara. We want to stay out here & keep going it is such a wonderful life. The Pajero & the Caravan have been wonderful with no major problems.
Cunnamulla & St. George CLICK HERE for Photo's
Friday, October 1, 2010
Charleville 29 & 30-9-2010
Had a good trip to Charleville but nearly ran out of Diesel! managed to get to Auguthella which was great. Charleville is a nice town & we stayed in Cobb & Co Caravan Park for 2 days. Had a nice evening around the camp fire with some more new friends from WA. Bert & Margaret. Tomorrow we are off to Cunnamulla.
Running out of time have to be back on Sunday!!!!
Some Pictures for you CLICK HERE Charleville
Running out of time have to be back on Sunday!!!!
Some Pictures for you CLICK HERE Charleville
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