Shot of Mally in the hinterland of Cairns...there's a waterfall somewhere there in the background and that ain't spray from it.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Queensland...sunny one day...
Shot of Mally in the hinterland of Cairns...there's a waterfall somewhere there in the background and that ain't spray from it.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Pics of Heidi & Gary at Port Dougles
Some pics of our friends in their apartment at Port Douglas, (we went home to a caravan if you remember).
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Ankle bracelet...
I'll tell you about the ankle bracelet in a minute but first there's a few items I need to clear up.
1-If any Queenslander ever goes on about how great the weather is up here tell 'em they're dreamin'. Up until Townsville the weather has been crap all the way down the coast. Which is a tad disappointing when you come north in the belief there's paradise awaiting and it's their bloody dry season.
2-We just worked out why there seem to be less people to talk to...it's because heaps of 'em are from overseas, (mainly Dutch and German) and they don't get the rules. And those rules are:
-always say good morning in the dunny block even if you have a mouth full of toothpaste
-always say gidday no matter who it is, (except if you know they're German or Dutch)
-always talk to the guy next door even if he only wants to tell you about his bloody turbo charged diesel that gets 14.94 litres per 100 kilometres and that's better than the guy he talked to at the last caravan park who only gets 17.6 and he paid $107,000 for his series 200 Toyota bloody Landcruiser and my guy picked up a bargain and only paid $35,000 for his series 100 Toyota bloody Landcruiser.
3-If you ever see photos of blue skies, white sand and blue water...that only happens in brochures. It doesn't happen pretty much anywhere north of Townsville, (or not this dry season anyway). There's bloody mud flats, brown water, mangroves, crocodiles...midges, (jeez I love midges).
Anyway, on with the prattle. We are currently at Airlie Beach but let's clean up some of the stuff that's happened before now.
From Karumba we went to Mount Suprise and visited the lava tubes...you gotta do this if you ever get a chance, they are amazing. Then on to the Atherton Tableland which is just great country. Some places remind you of Tassie. Saw all sorts of stuff around Atherton, Mareeba etc, terrific.
Next, Cooktown which is terrific, blows like a bugger, but it's really interesting what with the old captain fixing his boat here.
Almost forgot, Cooktown also has the most bad tempered fish and chip shop owner in the world, (almost like the soup Nazi out of Kramer only grumpier).
We were waiting for our order and a young female backpacker, (probably an Ozzie) came in. There's a sign on the counter that says "all produce is local"...so the poor innocent backpacker for reasons best known to herself asked if the calamari was local.
Mrs Grumparse replied, "No, it's from New Zealand but it's crumbed here". The young backpacker quickly ordered and waited outside until her order was ready. Mally had a kind word to her as we left, we think she was in shock as a result of the verbal attack.
From Cooktown, we went down to Cape Tribulation along the dirt road, crossing the Bloomfield River along the way and having a beer at the Lion's Den tin shed pub on the way back. Fantastic, unspoilt rainforest country...bloody lovely.
Next down to Wonga Beach which is above Mossman and the beginning of sugar cane country...(Christ there's a lot of sugar cane and Italian names in the area).
Did a day trip back up to Cape Tribulation, another on the Daintree River, (more crocs) and had a pretty good look around.
But best of all we met a lady with an ankle bracelet.
Her name was Lois and her husband's name was John, (John's father was a famous war artist, can't remember his name).
Anyway, when we first met Lois I spotted that she had an ankle bracelet and I just couldn't take my eyes off that bracelet. The reason was that right next to the ankle bracelet was a nipple...Lois is 76...so good on her for wearing an ankle bracelet.
Went down to Port Douglas on Sunday for the all you can eat brekky on the marina as well as the market.
On to Cairns which has a most magical backdrop of hills and rain forest. Not much to report about Cairns except that it has a terrific boardwalk which has a huge swimming pool that looks like it stretches into the ocean beyond...seems odd in a way, all that water out there and you have to swim in a pool.
(We went back to Port Douglas from Cairns the following Sunday to catch up with Heidi and Gary (who Mally knows from the tennis club, Gary is the nice one) as well as their friends. Lovely lunch on the balcony of their apartment overlooking the water, (they were staying in a luxury apartment, we went home to a caravan).
Also met the guy in the van next to us, he and his wife come up from Tassie every year and stay in the same site for 4 months. They do the water aerobics on Wednesday and Saturday mornings as well as the line dancing, (all organised by the caravan park). (I was joking about the line dancing but I think they did have other activities not dissimilar).
Next we stayed at Kurrimine Beach where the weather was probably the worst. But still, there was heaps to do and see including going back up onto the Atherton tableland to see more of the fantastic countryside as well as Mission Beach.
Probably the highlight was going to Paronella. This Spanish guy, (Mr Paronella) built nearly all of it by himself in the early 1900's. Something else you've got to see if you ever make it up this way. It was like I would imagine Ankor Wat would look like, ruins being taken over by the rain forest only this was a series of small castle turrets, hydro electric scheme and incredible gardens.
Another highlight, (if only for a night), was meeting Derek and Chalice, (yes, as in the thing you drink out of). Ex Rhodesians who live in Ferntree Gully. We'll catch up with them when we get back so we can talk some more about the final solution to the black situation both here and in Zimbabwe.
Townsville is an interesting place, it's the biggest city in Queensland, (outside of Brisbane) with over 200,000 people and it doesn't have a Myer, (Marilyn almost went spare). Plus, while it's a lovely looking place, has a beautiful strand on the beachfront...it doesn't have any dress shops in the CBD, (so you can imagine we didn't stay in Townsville very long).
Next we were Goin' to Bowen... and what a beautiful coast line they have, (helped a lot by sunshine).
So now back to the beginning...Airlie Beach. Great place, heaps of young Swedish nymphets for me, (not sure what Mally's doing).
Naah, just jokin', but it is party town for heaps of backpackers. Been on an all day cruise out to Hook Island, Whitehaven Beach and Daydream Island...and guess what. We went in a helicopter over the islands and the helicopter had no bloody doors, (amazing what those pills can do), Mally is the brave one. It was terrific.
We leave tomorrow to catch up with Robbie, (that's Barb's son. Barb's my middle sister and Robbie is Barb's youngest. She also has Karl who is in Abu Dhabi and Simon who is in Warrnambool), and Robbies new wife Suzy, (she's from New Zealand so an assessment will be posted after we meet her).
So in summary...
-weather is improving as we approach Victoria
-midges are a pain in the freckle
-and we're havin' a nice old time, (even if it doesn't sound like it)
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Glenda is a grandmother. Molly Grace James. Congratulations Glen on all your good work.
Gazuntight to all those Dutch and Germans out there and gidday to everyone who speaks English.
Say hello to the person you're standing next to, (or lying next to if you're in bed). Every little salutation helps make this a better world.
Goodbye to Kevin 07 and Guillotine Gillard, may your stay in opposition be long and longer).
(I made a joke up...Kevin Rudd had his gall bladder out so that he would no longer have that galling feeling after being knifed, (but then again, Julie could have removed it while she was knifing him in the back).
Apologies to all those comrades and true believers, these are my sentiments, based on a fear that our children will pay the legacy for totally inept and inward looking leadership. (Written and spoken by Peter Ward, Caravan Park, Airlie Beach)
So, time to go.
Cuddle up, turn out the lights and don't let the bed bugs bite...the bloody midges will do a good enough job on their own.
(Reminder to me to tell you about Bob and Janice from Sorrento, Perth and the couple next to us who are from hell).
1-If any Queenslander ever goes on about how great the weather is up here tell 'em they're dreamin'. Up until Townsville the weather has been crap all the way down the coast. Which is a tad disappointing when you come north in the belief there's paradise awaiting and it's their bloody dry season.
2-We just worked out why there seem to be less people to talk to...it's because heaps of 'em are from overseas, (mainly Dutch and German) and they don't get the rules. And those rules are:
-always say good morning in the dunny block even if you have a mouth full of toothpaste
-always say gidday no matter who it is, (except if you know they're German or Dutch)
-always talk to the guy next door even if he only wants to tell you about his bloody turbo charged diesel that gets 14.94 litres per 100 kilometres and that's better than the guy he talked to at the last caravan park who only gets 17.6 and he paid $107,000 for his series 200 Toyota bloody Landcruiser and my guy picked up a bargain and only paid $35,000 for his series 100 Toyota bloody Landcruiser.
3-If you ever see photos of blue skies, white sand and blue water...that only happens in brochures. It doesn't happen pretty much anywhere north of Townsville, (or not this dry season anyway). There's bloody mud flats, brown water, mangroves, crocodiles...midges, (jeez I love midges).
Anyway, on with the prattle. We are currently at Airlie Beach but let's clean up some of the stuff that's happened before now.
From Karumba we went to Mount Suprise and visited the lava tubes...you gotta do this if you ever get a chance, they are amazing. Then on to the Atherton Tableland which is just great country. Some places remind you of Tassie. Saw all sorts of stuff around Atherton, Mareeba etc, terrific.
Next, Cooktown which is terrific, blows like a bugger, but it's really interesting what with the old captain fixing his boat here.
Almost forgot, Cooktown also has the most bad tempered fish and chip shop owner in the world, (almost like the soup Nazi out of Kramer only grumpier).
We were waiting for our order and a young female backpacker, (probably an Ozzie) came in. There's a sign on the counter that says "all produce is local"...so the poor innocent backpacker for reasons best known to herself asked if the calamari was local.
Mrs Grumparse replied, "No, it's from New Zealand but it's crumbed here". The young backpacker quickly ordered and waited outside until her order was ready. Mally had a kind word to her as we left, we think she was in shock as a result of the verbal attack.
From Cooktown, we went down to Cape Tribulation along the dirt road, crossing the Bloomfield River along the way and having a beer at the Lion's Den tin shed pub on the way back. Fantastic, unspoilt rainforest country...bloody lovely.
Next down to Wonga Beach which is above Mossman and the beginning of sugar cane country...(Christ there's a lot of sugar cane and Italian names in the area).
Did a day trip back up to Cape Tribulation, another on the Daintree River, (more crocs) and had a pretty good look around.
But best of all we met a lady with an ankle bracelet.
Her name was Lois and her husband's name was John, (John's father was a famous war artist, can't remember his name).
Anyway, when we first met Lois I spotted that she had an ankle bracelet and I just couldn't take my eyes off that bracelet. The reason was that right next to the ankle bracelet was a nipple...Lois is 76...so good on her for wearing an ankle bracelet.
Went down to Port Douglas on Sunday for the all you can eat brekky on the marina as well as the market.
On to Cairns which has a most magical backdrop of hills and rain forest. Not much to report about Cairns except that it has a terrific boardwalk which has a huge swimming pool that looks like it stretches into the ocean beyond...seems odd in a way, all that water out there and you have to swim in a pool.
(We went back to Port Douglas from Cairns the following Sunday to catch up with Heidi and Gary (who Mally knows from the tennis club, Gary is the nice one) as well as their friends. Lovely lunch on the balcony of their apartment overlooking the water, (they were staying in a luxury apartment, we went home to a caravan).
Also met the guy in the van next to us, he and his wife come up from Tassie every year and stay in the same site for 4 months. They do the water aerobics on Wednesday and Saturday mornings as well as the line dancing, (all organised by the caravan park). (I was joking about the line dancing but I think they did have other activities not dissimilar).
Next we stayed at Kurrimine Beach where the weather was probably the worst. But still, there was heaps to do and see including going back up onto the Atherton tableland to see more of the fantastic countryside as well as Mission Beach.
Probably the highlight was going to Paronella. This Spanish guy, (Mr Paronella) built nearly all of it by himself in the early 1900's. Something else you've got to see if you ever make it up this way. It was like I would imagine Ankor Wat would look like, ruins being taken over by the rain forest only this was a series of small castle turrets, hydro electric scheme and incredible gardens.
Another highlight, (if only for a night), was meeting Derek and Chalice, (yes, as in the thing you drink out of). Ex Rhodesians who live in Ferntree Gully. We'll catch up with them when we get back so we can talk some more about the final solution to the black situation both here and in Zimbabwe.
Townsville is an interesting place, it's the biggest city in Queensland, (outside of Brisbane) with over 200,000 people and it doesn't have a Myer, (Marilyn almost went spare). Plus, while it's a lovely looking place, has a beautiful strand on the beachfront...it doesn't have any dress shops in the CBD, (so you can imagine we didn't stay in Townsville very long).
Next we were Goin' to Bowen... and what a beautiful coast line they have, (helped a lot by sunshine).
So now back to the beginning...Airlie Beach. Great place, heaps of young Swedish nymphets for me, (not sure what Mally's doing).
Naah, just jokin', but it is party town for heaps of backpackers. Been on an all day cruise out to Hook Island, Whitehaven Beach and Daydream Island...and guess what. We went in a helicopter over the islands and the helicopter had no bloody doors, (amazing what those pills can do), Mally is the brave one. It was terrific.
We leave tomorrow to catch up with Robbie, (that's Barb's son. Barb's my middle sister and Robbie is Barb's youngest. She also has Karl who is in Abu Dhabi and Simon who is in Warrnambool), and Robbies new wife Suzy, (she's from New Zealand so an assessment will be posted after we meet her).
So in summary...
-weather is improving as we approach Victoria
-midges are a pain in the freckle
-and we're havin' a nice old time, (even if it doesn't sound like it)
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Glenda is a grandmother. Molly Grace James. Congratulations Glen on all your good work.
Gazuntight to all those Dutch and Germans out there and gidday to everyone who speaks English.
Say hello to the person you're standing next to, (or lying next to if you're in bed). Every little salutation helps make this a better world.
Goodbye to Kevin 07 and Guillotine Gillard, may your stay in opposition be long and longer).
(I made a joke up...Kevin Rudd had his gall bladder out so that he would no longer have that galling feeling after being knifed, (but then again, Julie could have removed it while she was knifing him in the back).
Apologies to all those comrades and true believers, these are my sentiments, based on a fear that our children will pay the legacy for totally inept and inward looking leadership. (Written and spoken by Peter Ward, Caravan Park, Airlie Beach)
So, time to go.
Cuddle up, turn out the lights and don't let the bed bugs bite...the bloody midges will do a good enough job on their own.
(Reminder to me to tell you about Bob and Janice from Sorrento, Perth and the couple next to us who are from hell).
Friday, July 2, 2010
As high as we go this time...
We've been in Cooktown for a couple of days now which is as high as we will go on this trip, (so I suppose it's all down hill from here).
Now, before I go on, I've gotta expand on some of the people we met at Karumba...
There was Evan who knows a heap of stuff and has a very definite opinion on everything. When you first meet him, he seems pretty serious, but once you learn that he has a limited time left on this earth due to health problems, you realise he hasn't got time for stuffin' around with fools and all he wants to do is fish and enjoy the moment. (Evan has a funny black hat that has red hair attached to it, he wears it to happy hour a lot). Evan also greased me nipples, (on the van that is).
Del, that's Evan's wife. She loves to go out in the boat with Evan but doesn't like trolling very much...just likes being out there in the boat, which is pretty terrific.
Then there was John. A big happy bloke who was always up for a chat and knew lots of stuff about fishing...and generally almost everything else.
His wife Pauline, who, when you first meet her you would think she wouldn't say boo; but get her going and she was a real match for John. Pauline doesn't go fishing at all.
We went to the local pub with John and Pauline for the Tuesday night special: chicken schnitzel, crumbed steak or ribs all including vegies and only $17 for 2 meals. Gee it was cheap, christ it was awful.
Then there was Kathy who we only met once at happy hour...she bayed at the moon...
Now you gotta understand that this is a small sample of perhaps a thousand or more senior folk who every year, pack up their vans, put their boats on top of their four wheel drives and head up to Karumba to stay for anything up to 6 or 7 months. And they do the same thing every year for years on end.
John and Pauline are from Ballarat and they're busting to come down to Phillip Island, (John wants to fish there for Snapper). So they're coming to stay with us, (John's bringing his boat, it's a Quintrex...I haven't got a boat).
So, while this has been a pretty disjointed series of paragraphs, what it comes down to is this...we do have a wonderful tradition of mateship and larrikanism that is uniquely Australian, (it's alive and well in the outback).
Our country folk are suffering from the effects of years drought and small towns are dying.
People employed in the mining industry don't know what the hell is going on.
We do have heaps of senior people who go north to get away from the cold. They laugh a lot and have more wisdom and knowledge than most people you would ever like to meet.
So, I ask the question. Why the hell don't our dear politicians stop quibbling and grand standing and get off their collective arses to make sure that they don't give the whole country away and bugger the whole thing up entirely.
The further you get away from the so called sophistication of the big cities, the more you see what a stuff up it has all become...
Australia is not being served well by people who want it to have a bigger population as well as being a player on the world stage.
So, enough of that and back to the story.
No, I've decided the story will have to wait 'til next time.
Happy birthday to all those having or are due to have birthdays.
Happy yunikers to our Jewish friends.
Congratulations to Glen on the purchase of her new Mazda 3, (it may not be white and a sedan...but does that really matter when it looks better in Charcoal and is a hatchback).
Hello to all Geelong supporters.
So it's goodbye from me and goodnight from her.
Muzzletov.
Now, before I go on, I've gotta expand on some of the people we met at Karumba...
There was Evan who knows a heap of stuff and has a very definite opinion on everything. When you first meet him, he seems pretty serious, but once you learn that he has a limited time left on this earth due to health problems, you realise he hasn't got time for stuffin' around with fools and all he wants to do is fish and enjoy the moment. (Evan has a funny black hat that has red hair attached to it, he wears it to happy hour a lot). Evan also greased me nipples, (on the van that is).
Del, that's Evan's wife. She loves to go out in the boat with Evan but doesn't like trolling very much...just likes being out there in the boat, which is pretty terrific.
Then there was John. A big happy bloke who was always up for a chat and knew lots of stuff about fishing...and generally almost everything else.
His wife Pauline, who, when you first meet her you would think she wouldn't say boo; but get her going and she was a real match for John. Pauline doesn't go fishing at all.
We went to the local pub with John and Pauline for the Tuesday night special: chicken schnitzel, crumbed steak or ribs all including vegies and only $17 for 2 meals. Gee it was cheap, christ it was awful.
Then there was Kathy who we only met once at happy hour...she bayed at the moon...
Now you gotta understand that this is a small sample of perhaps a thousand or more senior folk who every year, pack up their vans, put their boats on top of their four wheel drives and head up to Karumba to stay for anything up to 6 or 7 months. And they do the same thing every year for years on end.
John and Pauline are from Ballarat and they're busting to come down to Phillip Island, (John wants to fish there for Snapper). So they're coming to stay with us, (John's bringing his boat, it's a Quintrex...I haven't got a boat).
So, while this has been a pretty disjointed series of paragraphs, what it comes down to is this...we do have a wonderful tradition of mateship and larrikanism that is uniquely Australian, (it's alive and well in the outback).
Our country folk are suffering from the effects of years drought and small towns are dying.
People employed in the mining industry don't know what the hell is going on.
We do have heaps of senior people who go north to get away from the cold. They laugh a lot and have more wisdom and knowledge than most people you would ever like to meet.
So, I ask the question. Why the hell don't our dear politicians stop quibbling and grand standing and get off their collective arses to make sure that they don't give the whole country away and bugger the whole thing up entirely.
The further you get away from the so called sophistication of the big cities, the more you see what a stuff up it has all become...
Australia is not being served well by people who want it to have a bigger population as well as being a player on the world stage.
So, enough of that and back to the story.
No, I've decided the story will have to wait 'til next time.
Happy birthday to all those having or are due to have birthdays.
Happy yunikers to our Jewish friends.
Congratulations to Glen on the purchase of her new Mazda 3, (it may not be white and a sedan...but does that really matter when it looks better in Charcoal and is a hatchback).
Hello to all Geelong supporters.
So it's goodbye from me and goodnight from her.
Muzzletov.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
We're in bloke heaven...
But more about that later. In the meantime, a quick catch up on all the really exciting things we've been doing and seeing.
While we were in Charleville, we went to the Comos Centre. Bloody amazing, skies so clear that their telescopes can pick up stars you wouldn't believe...and best of all, we saw Saturn with its ring of moons. It was truly spectacular.
Dunno if I told you, we met up with a couple from Kilmore, John and Wendy, bloody terrific couple, so no more to report there except we keep on bumping into them, (sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes not).
Stopped at Blackall and enjoyed more country singing, (naturally John and Wendy were there). Then onto Longreach via Isisford. Isisford is sort of off the beaten track, almost like an outdoor museum of old buildings. Lovely place. On the way we came across all manner of animals including Brolgas, wild pigs, brumbies, kangaroos, eagles, emus and untold numbers of brahman cattle, (they've had a very good season up here).
Oh yes, we also bumped into with John and Wendy at Isisford.
Next Longreach. Stockmans Hall of Fame was OK but the Qantas museum was fantastic. Also went on a paddle steamer ride on the Thomson River which to begin with seemed like a waste of time and money. But when we got back to the shore, we were treated to a camp meal and Milton!
Milton is a retired, 70 year old shearer who comes to Longreach every year because he loves the bush, and more importantly he loves keeping the tradition of bush poetry alive.
He was fantastic. Funny as hell, melancholy, downright sad, uplifting...he had a poem for almost every situation and emotion. Mally and I really enjoyed the night...it reinforced what we probably already knew, that there is a real Australian spirit and larrikanism that is alive and well in outback NSW and Queensland. Which is sort of different to the rest of Autralia. There it's terrifc and varied scenery, outback NSW and Queensland it's pretty boring grazing country but a real sense of Australian history and culture.
On to Winton, Banjo Patterson country and more country music and bush poetry.
Next stop, Mt Isa. The mine with a town attached to it.
Haven't come across John and Wendy for a while, but we met this funny old fella' as we were coming in to the caravan park who very loudly explained that Evernews were great vans...and so was his...a Paramount.
Now, we didn't take issue with him because he was so loud, but had to cut the conversation short when he exclaimed that "Jaycos were a loud of junk, and why would you buy one when you would have to trade it in after 2 years...'cause they're a heap of /#*>!".
We were standing in amongst I reckon 10 vans, about 6 of which were Jaycos and many of which were occupied at the time...by their owners. Interesting the people you meet on the road.
Next stop Gregory Downs and Lawn Hill National Park...a bloody lovely experience. About 350kms north of Mt Isa, Gregory Downs is in the middle of nowhere. There's a pub and about six people live in the town.
It's all cattle country and really not too interesting, but when you get out to Lawn Hill, all that changes. There's a permanent spring fed river and a series of cascades with palm trees and bamboo along the banks...it's hard to imagine how the countryside can change from semi arid to lush green so absruptly.
Spent the next couple of days investigating the area around Gregory Downs based on local knowledge provided by Mick and Dawn. They actually live in Bayswater in Melbourne and come up and stay for 7 months every year to act as caretakers at the camp ground. Really great people but they've been doing this for 8 years, get their food and lodgings and bugger all else...and they don't even get on with the owner of the camp.
Anyway, they sent us to 3 beautiful spots along the Gregory Rive, 1 of which you would never find, (and you will never find because we will never tell you and neither will Mick). Beautiful clear water, fish, birds, peace, quiet...bloody paradise.
Then, Normantown and only 75kms to the Gulf...sounds like we are Burke and Wills and in some ways we felt like we were. 'Cause we went bush bashing to the cairn that marks the location of Burke and Wills most northerly camp, (camp 119). These guys were so close to achieving their goal of reaching the sea it is heartbreaking.
So now we sit in bloke heaven...it's called Karumba, it's at the mouth of the Normanton River and I reckon every bloke here except me has a wife who loves him...they're all got BOATS!
Admittedly they're all tinnies, but at least they're boats. Many of them come up here for the dry season, (some stay as long as 6 months and have been doing it for multiple years).
And why are they here...because of the Barramundi, Jew fish, Grunters, Sharks...you name, it's here, (including the crocs and a few midges).
Currently it's about 30 degrees, nice sea breeze and we've just finished lunch...fresh prawns straight from the co-op.
Ah life's good.
Suppose it's time for a little lie down now.
So, until next time, it's adios, adieu, benvenuti and wishing you were here...
While we were in Charleville, we went to the Comos Centre. Bloody amazing, skies so clear that their telescopes can pick up stars you wouldn't believe...and best of all, we saw Saturn with its ring of moons. It was truly spectacular.
Dunno if I told you, we met up with a couple from Kilmore, John and Wendy, bloody terrific couple, so no more to report there except we keep on bumping into them, (sometimes that's a good thing and sometimes not).
Stopped at Blackall and enjoyed more country singing, (naturally John and Wendy were there). Then onto Longreach via Isisford. Isisford is sort of off the beaten track, almost like an outdoor museum of old buildings. Lovely place. On the way we came across all manner of animals including Brolgas, wild pigs, brumbies, kangaroos, eagles, emus and untold numbers of brahman cattle, (they've had a very good season up here).
Oh yes, we also bumped into with John and Wendy at Isisford.
Next Longreach. Stockmans Hall of Fame was OK but the Qantas museum was fantastic. Also went on a paddle steamer ride on the Thomson River which to begin with seemed like a waste of time and money. But when we got back to the shore, we were treated to a camp meal and Milton!
Milton is a retired, 70 year old shearer who comes to Longreach every year because he loves the bush, and more importantly he loves keeping the tradition of bush poetry alive.
He was fantastic. Funny as hell, melancholy, downright sad, uplifting...he had a poem for almost every situation and emotion. Mally and I really enjoyed the night...it reinforced what we probably already knew, that there is a real Australian spirit and larrikanism that is alive and well in outback NSW and Queensland. Which is sort of different to the rest of Autralia. There it's terrifc and varied scenery, outback NSW and Queensland it's pretty boring grazing country but a real sense of Australian history and culture.
On to Winton, Banjo Patterson country and more country music and bush poetry.
Next stop, Mt Isa. The mine with a town attached to it.
Haven't come across John and Wendy for a while, but we met this funny old fella' as we were coming in to the caravan park who very loudly explained that Evernews were great vans...and so was his...a Paramount.
Now, we didn't take issue with him because he was so loud, but had to cut the conversation short when he exclaimed that "Jaycos were a loud of junk, and why would you buy one when you would have to trade it in after 2 years...'cause they're a heap of /#*>!".
We were standing in amongst I reckon 10 vans, about 6 of which were Jaycos and many of which were occupied at the time...by their owners. Interesting the people you meet on the road.
Next stop Gregory Downs and Lawn Hill National Park...a bloody lovely experience. About 350kms north of Mt Isa, Gregory Downs is in the middle of nowhere. There's a pub and about six people live in the town.
It's all cattle country and really not too interesting, but when you get out to Lawn Hill, all that changes. There's a permanent spring fed river and a series of cascades with palm trees and bamboo along the banks...it's hard to imagine how the countryside can change from semi arid to lush green so absruptly.
Spent the next couple of days investigating the area around Gregory Downs based on local knowledge provided by Mick and Dawn. They actually live in Bayswater in Melbourne and come up and stay for 7 months every year to act as caretakers at the camp ground. Really great people but they've been doing this for 8 years, get their food and lodgings and bugger all else...and they don't even get on with the owner of the camp.
Anyway, they sent us to 3 beautiful spots along the Gregory Rive, 1 of which you would never find, (and you will never find because we will never tell you and neither will Mick). Beautiful clear water, fish, birds, peace, quiet...bloody paradise.
Then, Normantown and only 75kms to the Gulf...sounds like we are Burke and Wills and in some ways we felt like we were. 'Cause we went bush bashing to the cairn that marks the location of Burke and Wills most northerly camp, (camp 119). These guys were so close to achieving their goal of reaching the sea it is heartbreaking.
So now we sit in bloke heaven...it's called Karumba, it's at the mouth of the Normanton River and I reckon every bloke here except me has a wife who loves him...they're all got BOATS!
Admittedly they're all tinnies, but at least they're boats. Many of them come up here for the dry season, (some stay as long as 6 months and have been doing it for multiple years).
And why are they here...because of the Barramundi, Jew fish, Grunters, Sharks...you name, it's here, (including the crocs and a few midges).
Currently it's about 30 degrees, nice sea breeze and we've just finished lunch...fresh prawns straight from the co-op.
Ah life's good.
Suppose it's time for a little lie down now.
So, until next time, it's adios, adieu, benvenuti and wishing you were here...
Monday, May 31, 2010
Keep the seat warm...
For those of you who haven't been with us before...you'll get used to it.
(This paragraph is for Rob Preston. Rob is from England and plays golf very badly. For those of you who remember, Rob likes paragraphs. Rob has a very nice wife named Julie).
More about the seat later on.
We're off on the trip at last...
That became official when we were having lunch on the first day, (Hungry Jacks on the Hume Highway). This man at the table next to us must have seen us pull up with the van and asked Mal where we were travelling to. She told the man, (who was from Warrigal, let's call him Warren from Warrigal as we didn't get his name) that we were going north and they were going north too, (their van is a Jayco, ours is an Evernew).
Anyway, after they left, Mal said..."Gee, now it really feels like we are on our way because we just met our first set of caravan people travelling north". (We were at Diggers Rest...so you can imagine how exciting the rest of the trip is going to be!). For those of you who don't know where Diggers Rest is...it's almost a northern suburb of Melbourne, so we hadn't gone far.
We stayed the first night at Nagambie, only about 150kms north of Melbourne. The caravan park is beautiful, right on the Golbourn River.
We didn't meet anyone here, (mainly 'cause there wasn't anyone to meet), but a couple of strange things did happen...
They have very aggressive possums. The bloody things walk into the light at the communal barbecue and expect to be fed. Possums are nocturnal and can't really see in the light, so while I was trying to shoo them off, I felt like I was denying food to blind paupers. (God possums can make you feel guilty).
Next morning, I went to the ablution block, (isn't block a wonderful word) and proceeded to have a shower in me Y fronts, (I hadn't finished getting undressed for some reason. Dunno why, it may have something to do with age).
But there's more...I reached down and picked up the shampoo that I had very deliberately placed on the soap holder, only to discover it was underarm deodorant. (Probably is age when I think about it).
Later that night, Mal came back from the ablution block, (read dunnies) and was laughing her head off...she was wearing 2 Berkinstocks, (now you may think there's nothing funny in that but one was mine and the other was hers...and they were both left feet). Now that is definitely not old age, that's the white wine talkin' right there.
The next morning off we went, onward and upward. There were heaps of vans heading north and only a few heading south, (there were 2 Evernews heading south which we suspect were being returned to Heidelberg so that Bruce, (the owner of Evernew) can fix 'em, (our van is an Evernew).
Stayed at West Wyalong, didn't really meet anyone here so we'll move on.
Next day we visited the Dish at Parkes, it's amazing...gotta be pretty proud of Ozzie technology. We passed more trucks and stayed at Nyngan. It has a beautiful river with a sad name, (the Bogan) and fantastic caravan park with a bar the defies description. Sort of a cross between Wycliffe Downs and Daley Waters for those who have been there.
We did however meet some people at last...Kevin and June from Coffs Harbour. I started talking to Kevin when his wife appeared from around the back of their caravan and proceeded to tell me that he always does this, (this being talking to people). It was 3.30 in the afternoon and June was wearing a bright pink, (terry towelling) nighty and slippers, (she looked quite fetching really).
Probably the highlight of the trip so far has been Bourke. It really is the start of the real outback and has so much history attached to it. Henry Lawson was sent here to try to dry out, (the pub he used to drink at is still standing!). He spent the following 2 years writing some of his most memorable poetry.
The first shearers strikes occurred at Bourke, leading to the setting up of a workers union.
The Darling River is amazing, so much water so far outback...enough to support cotton growing, orchards of lime trees and heaps of other irrigated crops.
Probably the most moving moment was a visit to Fred Hollows grave...
We met John from Kilmore at Bourke, (his van is a Paramount, ours is an Evernew). John is a real nice bloke but we didn't see his wife 'cause she had a 48 hour bug, (she'd had it for 72 hours).
Oh yes, we also met Helen, (not Helen Goland or Helen Limbach who also talk a lot). This Helen lived in Murray Bridge. She had been in the Navy, been a music teacher and travelled at this time of year, playing her guitar and singing all kinds of songs for a gold coin donation. We went to one of her singalongs with a whole lot of other mature aged people, (a lot of them joined in the choruses).
Next night we went to a barbecue and log fire in the camp and this bloke, (a local cocky) stood up and started reciting some of Henry Lawson's poetry. It was fantastic...
From Bourke we travelled to Nardoo Station, (not Nardoo as in Indira, this is a 110,000 acre working cattle station). Had another night around a camp fire with about 40 other people and the property managers wife. She had just come in from mustering cattle and cooked a roast dinner for all of us. (Wish I could get my wife to multi-task).
And how small is this world. We got talking to Janis Hill...who went to Stewart Street State School in East Brunswick. That's where me and me 2 sisters went, (that's Lorraine, (not Lorraine from New Zealand but Lorraine, Cate and Shane's mother and my oldest sister) and Barbara, (that's my middle sister, Karl and Simon and Robbie's mother) to school in the 50's.
Janis is married to Rex, (their van is an Evernew, ours is an Evernew to only smaller). Janis and Rex live in Traralgon...she talks a lot but he's OK.
We're currently at Charleville. There's so many people on the road that there's caravans squeezed in everywhere, but everyone is pretty relaxed and friendly, especially the guy who was standing outside the toilet door this morning, who, as I left simply said with a wry grin..."Did you keep the seat warm for me..."
Sort of poetic that...
(This paragraph is for Rob Preston. Rob is from England and plays golf very badly. For those of you who remember, Rob likes paragraphs. Rob has a very nice wife named Julie).
More about the seat later on.
We're off on the trip at last...
That became official when we were having lunch on the first day, (Hungry Jacks on the Hume Highway). This man at the table next to us must have seen us pull up with the van and asked Mal where we were travelling to. She told the man, (who was from Warrigal, let's call him Warren from Warrigal as we didn't get his name) that we were going north and they were going north too, (their van is a Jayco, ours is an Evernew).
Anyway, after they left, Mal said..."Gee, now it really feels like we are on our way because we just met our first set of caravan people travelling north". (We were at Diggers Rest...so you can imagine how exciting the rest of the trip is going to be!). For those of you who don't know where Diggers Rest is...it's almost a northern suburb of Melbourne, so we hadn't gone far.
We stayed the first night at Nagambie, only about 150kms north of Melbourne. The caravan park is beautiful, right on the Golbourn River.
We didn't meet anyone here, (mainly 'cause there wasn't anyone to meet), but a couple of strange things did happen...
They have very aggressive possums. The bloody things walk into the light at the communal barbecue and expect to be fed. Possums are nocturnal and can't really see in the light, so while I was trying to shoo them off, I felt like I was denying food to blind paupers. (God possums can make you feel guilty).
Next morning, I went to the ablution block, (isn't block a wonderful word) and proceeded to have a shower in me Y fronts, (I hadn't finished getting undressed for some reason. Dunno why, it may have something to do with age).
But there's more...I reached down and picked up the shampoo that I had very deliberately placed on the soap holder, only to discover it was underarm deodorant. (Probably is age when I think about it).
Later that night, Mal came back from the ablution block, (read dunnies) and was laughing her head off...she was wearing 2 Berkinstocks, (now you may think there's nothing funny in that but one was mine and the other was hers...and they were both left feet). Now that is definitely not old age, that's the white wine talkin' right there.
The next morning off we went, onward and upward. There were heaps of vans heading north and only a few heading south, (there were 2 Evernews heading south which we suspect were being returned to Heidelberg so that Bruce, (the owner of Evernew) can fix 'em, (our van is an Evernew).
Stayed at West Wyalong, didn't really meet anyone here so we'll move on.
Next day we visited the Dish at Parkes, it's amazing...gotta be pretty proud of Ozzie technology. We passed more trucks and stayed at Nyngan. It has a beautiful river with a sad name, (the Bogan) and fantastic caravan park with a bar the defies description. Sort of a cross between Wycliffe Downs and Daley Waters for those who have been there.
We did however meet some people at last...Kevin and June from Coffs Harbour. I started talking to Kevin when his wife appeared from around the back of their caravan and proceeded to tell me that he always does this, (this being talking to people). It was 3.30 in the afternoon and June was wearing a bright pink, (terry towelling) nighty and slippers, (she looked quite fetching really).
Probably the highlight of the trip so far has been Bourke. It really is the start of the real outback and has so much history attached to it. Henry Lawson was sent here to try to dry out, (the pub he used to drink at is still standing!). He spent the following 2 years writing some of his most memorable poetry.
The first shearers strikes occurred at Bourke, leading to the setting up of a workers union.
The Darling River is amazing, so much water so far outback...enough to support cotton growing, orchards of lime trees and heaps of other irrigated crops.
Probably the most moving moment was a visit to Fred Hollows grave...
We met John from Kilmore at Bourke, (his van is a Paramount, ours is an Evernew). John is a real nice bloke but we didn't see his wife 'cause she had a 48 hour bug, (she'd had it for 72 hours).
Oh yes, we also met Helen, (not Helen Goland or Helen Limbach who also talk a lot). This Helen lived in Murray Bridge. She had been in the Navy, been a music teacher and travelled at this time of year, playing her guitar and singing all kinds of songs for a gold coin donation. We went to one of her singalongs with a whole lot of other mature aged people, (a lot of them joined in the choruses).
Next night we went to a barbecue and log fire in the camp and this bloke, (a local cocky) stood up and started reciting some of Henry Lawson's poetry. It was fantastic...
From Bourke we travelled to Nardoo Station, (not Nardoo as in Indira, this is a 110,000 acre working cattle station). Had another night around a camp fire with about 40 other people and the property managers wife. She had just come in from mustering cattle and cooked a roast dinner for all of us. (Wish I could get my wife to multi-task).
And how small is this world. We got talking to Janis Hill...who went to Stewart Street State School in East Brunswick. That's where me and me 2 sisters went, (that's Lorraine, (not Lorraine from New Zealand but Lorraine, Cate and Shane's mother and my oldest sister) and Barbara, (that's my middle sister, Karl and Simon and Robbie's mother) to school in the 50's.
Janis is married to Rex, (their van is an Evernew, ours is an Evernew to only smaller). Janis and Rex live in Traralgon...she talks a lot but he's OK.
We're currently at Charleville. There's so many people on the road that there's caravans squeezed in everywhere, but everyone is pretty relaxed and friendly, especially the guy who was standing outside the toilet door this morning, who, as I left simply said with a wry grin..."Did you keep the seat warm for me..."
Sort of poetic that...
Saturday, May 15, 2010
It's getting near that time...
As many of you may remember, Peter and his missus, (Marilyn, that's not Mrs Marilyn, Marilyn is her first name) last year took their caravan, (it's an Evernew) up the centre of Australia and down the West coast. It was an exciting and eventful trip during which we met many interesting people, (don't ask about the aboriginals).
Many of our friends, (these were mainly Marilyn's as Peter tends not to have many friends for some reason) were kept up to speed on all the goings on via email during the 4 month odessy; however this year we are trying a new tack...a blog!
The name of blog is RETIRINGTYPES. The origins of this name may not be obvious to all of you, (especially the English and New Zealanders), so I will explain...
RETIRING as in we are retired, ((but wait there's more). As you can already tell, we really are quite reserved and RETIRING, (get it, RETIRING!). I find that very funny...but there's more.
TYPES, as in TYPING...get it, that's how this blog came about, by TYPING.
Now if you put the both together you get RETIRINGTYPES... (having been in advertising really comes in handy sometimes).
So this blog is going to be all about our trip this year which will commence in June and last for four and a half months.
We will be going up through central NSW, then on to Mount Isa. Following that it will be on to Cooktown and then follow the coast and hinterland down ending up back in Victoria when the cold weather has passed and hopefully shortly after Mr Rudd and Mr Brumby have been removed from office.
So we hope you enjoy meeting interesting people, being told about interesting places and not discussing aboriginals. (There can be no promises made regarding photographs being sent through as the technology still remains a mystery.
We hope you all stay well and happy and look forward to keeping in touch...happy barmitzvah and shalom.
Many of our friends, (these were mainly Marilyn's as Peter tends not to have many friends for some reason) were kept up to speed on all the goings on via email during the 4 month odessy; however this year we are trying a new tack...a blog!
The name of blog is RETIRINGTYPES. The origins of this name may not be obvious to all of you, (especially the English and New Zealanders), so I will explain...
RETIRING as in we are retired, ((but wait there's more). As you can already tell, we really are quite reserved and RETIRING, (get it, RETIRING!). I find that very funny...but there's more.
TYPES, as in TYPING...get it, that's how this blog came about, by TYPING.
Now if you put the both together you get RETIRINGTYPES... (having been in advertising really comes in handy sometimes).
So this blog is going to be all about our trip this year which will commence in June and last for four and a half months.
We will be going up through central NSW, then on to Mount Isa. Following that it will be on to Cooktown and then follow the coast and hinterland down ending up back in Victoria when the cold weather has passed and hopefully shortly after Mr Rudd and Mr Brumby have been removed from office.
So we hope you enjoy meeting interesting people, being told about interesting places and not discussing aboriginals. (There can be no promises made regarding photographs being sent through as the technology still remains a mystery.
We hope you all stay well and happy and look forward to keeping in touch...happy barmitzvah and shalom.
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