Friday, 24 August 2012

Blog 7 - Mount Surprise to Karumba (August 10 – August 23 2012)


The highlight on this leg has been our stay at Leichhardt Lagoon, about 20km east of Normanton on the Glenore Station.  It’s absolutely beautiful and the bird life is exceptional….

 

Friday and Saturday (10 –11 August 2012) – Mount Surprise (Planet Earth Van Park)

We took it easy for the next few days and just stayed in camp potting around – I gave Jeddy a bath, got Wally up and running and did some washing, and we went to the local weekly market on Saturday, for some groceries – we had to go all the way out to our front footpath because the market just happened to be held out the front of our van park and stretched across the road to the park. (Mt Surprise isn’t very big – one street). 

Roy got the urge to do some baking - scones in the camp oven!!  Ooopps - they didn’t look quite right – there seemed to be a problem with the rise mechanism (wrong flour I think) ha ha  Anyway they had the right taste and with jam and cream, that’s the important thing  – who cares if they were FLAT….

Ooops - what happened !!

We decided to eat out on Saturday night, so we ventured down to the pub and had a counter meal.  Steak Parmy – different and yummy..

Free Under Wash at Mount Surprise
This is a great van park (not only do you get a free Snake show) – Russell has a big selection of DVDs for his guests to watch - FREE.  So did a fair bit of movie watching too – very relaxing.  The park incorporates a little takeaway/restaurant business and just happens to have REAL coffee.
Russell and snake - Planet Earth Van Park

Sunday 12 August 2012 – Lava Tubes

Eeeeekkkk!!! It got down to minus1 degree last night.  I thought this was supposed to be the tropics!!  Roy brought in a piece of ice from the tap outside.    Very bazaar – the days are up in the 30s and the mornings are freezing….



We spent the day at the Lava Tubes – they are worth seeing but very over priced at $50 each.  If you go – take your own food!!- we had fish and chips that cost $16.50 each and the hamburgers and pies were $17 each…… Highway robbery!! 


This has to be Murphy’s Law!! – 2 little brats (brothers) in our tour this time.  Once again – the Ranger handled them exceptionally well (I wonder if child management is a pre-request for the job).  Thank god they were not as bad as the Chilligoe Kid!! But any longer would have been a test. 2 hrs

Does this man look happy !!
  
Monday to Thursday (13-16 August 2012) – O’Brien Gemfields

We moved out to the Gemfields to try our luck at fossicking.. ha ha 

O'Brien Ck


We spent 3 days having fun but only got three little chips of Topaz for our efforts.  I was just getting on a roll when we had to leave… I’d like to try this some other time, but will make sure we have the right tools next time - ie long handled shovel instead of our little spade and a low stool – it gets quite back-breaking…
O'Brien Ck

Topaz

It seems that this is not going to be our forte either….  Not Gold!  Not Gems! – what else can we try - maybe OIL next!!!

Our Camp - On O'Briens Ck

We had some lovely camp fires here (real ones) and camp oven teas….. yummy!



Thursday to Friday  (16-17 August 2012) – Cobbald Gorge

We stopped off at Einasleigh to see the Copperfield Gorge on our way to Cobbald Gorge.  This is a beautiful gorge right in the middle of the little town – its a bit scary not having any fencing around it.  Apparently only a few months ago, an older man fell to his death here.  A bit of family history at Einasleigh  – Roy’s grandfather was the school principal here 84 odd years ago.  We looked for the school but there doesn’t seem to be one here now… We couldn’t find one anyway.

Copperfield Gorge - Savannahlander in background

Cobbald Gorge was spectacular.  Getting up and close to the Freshwater Crocs was amazing – what an experience!!!  If you haven’t been here already – its got to go on your list of places to go…..

You should see the new Infinity Pool they have here, wow – what a pity it was too cold for me to go in (that’s the excuse I’m using anyway – not the Fact that my togs don’t fit any more)…
Infinity Pool

As we all know – Roy is such a friendly fella!! – which is how each night we ended up having happy hour with a group of about 10 - sharing a community fire-pit, adventures and of course a few drinks……..  Sharing knowledge so they say!!


We visited Agate Creek where you can fossick for Agates.  But we were skint for time so just went out for a look.  We wouldn’t have known what one looks like anyway!! 

Agates

When we arrived back at camp – one of our friends told me that she’d found a little pile of discarded Agates under a tree.  (Obviously not worth anything – otherwise they wouldn’t have been there).  So we took about 6 each…… Now I know what they look like….

Flying Dingo


Saturday to Sunday (18-19 August 2012) – Cumberland Mine Site (The Chimney)

We spent 2 nights here to stretch our dollars after our splurge at Cobbald …..

A lovely little free-camp with a huge chimney left over from the gold days.  We had a great spot just under the dam wall… 


Once again – a happy hour outside our camp…. Roy!!!!!

One of the couples we met here, we run into a few times again…. (Ray and Pat)


Monday to Wednesday (20-22 August 2012)  - Leichhardt Lagoon

Happy birthday my beautiful darling.  I wish you peace with all my heart.


We got to Croydon about lunchtime.  We hadn’t had service for quite a number of days – so had some messages waiting.  Jenny rang with bad news that Robyn Rackley had died.  Very sad news…

We did some site seeing here and booked a tour for Tuesday on the famous Gulf Lander from Normanton.  Then checked in to Leichhardt Lagoon.

Waiting for the train
Critters Camp Siding

The Gulf Lander trip was a 2 hour return trip to a little siding about 20km away called Critters Camp.  (Right opposite Leichhardt Lagoon where we were camped).  We enjoyed the train ride but wouldn’t have wanted to do a longer one.  Now I can say I’ve been on the Gulf Lander…..

Flood indicators at Normanton - highest 1974 flood


What a coincidence – Ray and Pat, who we met at the Chimney free camp last week, pulled in.  They are only staying one night and are moving on to Karumba, so we’ll probably meet up with them again in a few days time.

Amenities - Leichhardt Lagoon


We’ve been fishing a couple of times – but no good!!  Not even a bite!!! Come on fish!!!!  It’s supposed to be too cold still for barra but it can’t be too cold for all the other types of fish …  Where are you, you little buggers….

Glenore Weir - crocy - Roy in distance

A strange thing has happened here… there are dead barra everywhere.  Some of the locals say its because of a very cold week last week and that they froze to death.  I’m not so sure about that (sure it was bloody cold) but why haven’t the crocs eaten the bodies.  Dead barra are floating among the mangroves and stinking up the lovely Norman River.  The river from the weir downwards seems to be stagnant – its really on the nose.  I wonder what’s really going on….. 
Norman River

We called in to Outpatients at the Normanton Hospital to see if something can be done for my poor toe – it was bitten by something over 3 weeks ago when we were at Ravenswood. (think it must have been a spider).  It hasn’t healed yet and is blistering and has peeled and is soooo itchy…..  No doctor in  - so the nurse gave me some cortisone ointment and said to take antihistamine tabs – and to come back next day if no better… Which I didn’t do, of course.  I’ll reassess it at Karumba.
Beware of spiders at Ravenswood

Krys - Replica of a croc 28ft long - holy hell !!!

When we were fishing we saw a couple of crocs in the Norman River – just floating down river watching us fishing.  Scary things…….

I can SEE you  !!

Kite fishing

My god – we have the best site here.  Right on the edge of a huge lagoon full of birds of every description and right on our doorstep.  How beautiful and the sunsets are to die for. 

Our View
You could pay a million bucks in a restaurant for this view

Sunset - Leichhardt Lagoon


 Roy seems to have discovered a new hobby…. Birdwatching!!! (For Real)  He’s dragged out Dad’s Bird Book and the binoculars and is listing the different species he can identify….. hee hee    Is this old age setting in!!

Is this really Roy!!!


We couldn’t ask for better weather - its hot and sunny – yahoo!!!  The nights get down to 17 and the days up to mid 30s. (could be a bit lower but I’m not complaining)….I love this weather and am so over the bloody COLD…

Leichhardt Lagoon
Sunset - Leichhardt lagoon

Sunset


I don’t know what’s happened to Roy’s enthusiasm for scone making – it seems to have fallen by the wayside!!!

Thursday 23 August 2012 - Karumba

We arrived at Karumba at lunchtime – we pre-booked a front row site at Sunset Van Park.  Cooooool.   This is great.  We’re right across the road from the beach and just down the road from the pub.  – What more could you want !!!

A lot of the campers come back here every year and have become quite a close-knit community.  A lot of them have little businesses going – our neighbour makes crafty things (coat hangers, baby clothes, etc).  She makes them at home to bring up here to sell at the weekly Sunday markets.  She’s made about 4 grand this holiday.  Food for thought for me, if we travel next year that is.  Another guy cuts hair (he has a little barber shop set up in his annex and charges $10.  Roy had his hair cut.  Another guy sets up satellite dishes.  (We might go and have a chat to him). They advertise their wares on a Notice Board at Reception – it’s a very large park with about 160 sites. Roast night is on Friday night at the community area outside Reception and FREE INTERNET access!!  The front fence is covered in bougainvillea of each different colour – quite beautiful and we get full advantage of this because we are in the front row.


We got set up and then headed off to get the run of the place.  I think we saw all the sights to see within 1 hr – not much.   Roy got talking to our neighbour (!) who comes here for a few months every year, and has been coming for the last 15 yrs.  He said the fish are biting again – very promising!!!  Roy got excited and so booked a charter for Friday morning.  I hope we have better luck than the last one at Weipa…


We no sooner arrived back at the van, when we had a surprise visit from our friends Pat and Ray.  We decided to get takeaway fish and chips from See Breeze Takeaway (next door) and sit in the park (across the road) to watch the sunset together.  The fish was exceptional!!!! (barra)  I’d recommend this take-away place to anyone staying at Karumba.  Yum Yum  We had a lovely last night with our new friends.  They will be heading off on Friday for Lawn Hill and eventually home to Melbourne.  Safe and happy travels guys – hope to keep in touch and meet up with you again one day.

Pat and Ray and Roy - Karumba

The hair thing is still an issue as you will see in the pics…..

Jeddy has been so very good the whole trip.  He’s starting to slow down considerably though.  He lays around a lot more and takes himself to bed earlier each night.  He has trouble standing up in the mornings, Roy has to coax him up with a biscuit or treat.  Once he’s up Roy takes him for his morning walk (he loves his walks-and waddles off with his tail wagging and his lead in his mouth). After his walk he is much better -  Poo trouble!!  We’ve got him on a special supplement now called Pernaese Powder.  One of our fellow travellers got us on to it – full of dried marine concentrates – green lipped mussel, shark cartilage and abalone - good for his arthritis.  He can’t walk far because he has trouble breathing and is constantly panting – my poor darling …. I love him so much. 

Early to bed - my lovely Jeddy

Tomorrow is our fishing charter – if you want to find out how it went  (MARY!!!) you will have to wait for the next episode…..ha ha


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Thursday, 9 August 2012

Blog 6 - Ravenswood to Mount Surprise FOSSICKING TERRITORY (July 20 – August 9 2012)






Well we’ve had two wonderful weeks with the Gleefuls and are now at Mount Surprise. This is how is went…..

 
Friday 20 July 2012 – Ravenswood Showground

We stopped briefly in Charters Towers on our way to Ravenswood and Roy went to do some shopping while I stayed in the van to get Blog 5 done.  (We parked the rig at the back of a supermarket and got the gennie out and booted it up so I could finish the blog). You wouldn’t believe it – Roy came back to tell me he’d just run into Marina and Brian Power in town!!!  My god, once again what a small world…

My Heart Starter
Roy's Secret Weapon

Saturday 21 July 2012

On our first day at Ravenswood, John and Elly had us out in the bush showing us how to pan for gold.  My, you have to be very patient don’t you!! We found a few bits of gold dust and we’re happy with that – but I can’t see how this is going to make us rich.  We had brought a picnic lunch and ate it in the bush.  The day was lovely and warm - but the night got down to 5 degrees.  After this first night we started using our air con – putting it on reverse cycle and enjoying 18 degrees instead of 5 degrees.

Lunch time

Our Fortune

When we arrived back at camp we had news that the Dunwich PO had been burnt down…

Sunday 22 to Wednesday 25 July 2012

For the next few days our Gleeful hosts kept us busy by showing us the sights of Ravenswood, teaching us gold panning in the goldfields, and touring to the Burdekin Falls Dam which is in flood at the moment and spectacular.
Hunting gold

Roy rang Bob to find out how he was going (he was in hospital) and it turned out that he wasn’t allowed to go home as was planned – he’d taken a turn for the worse.  He sounded so sad, but always hopeful.
Burdikin Falls
The Dam 
 

Each night we had a lovely big fire to keep us warm.  Dinner time turned into a cook-off between the boys, a contest to see who could produce the best meal.  We had great company, great music, plenty of food and plenty of alcohol (probably too much of that)!!


Tour Guide outside Railway Pub

Rossie and Lyn Norris arrived unexpectedly on Monday so Ross was brought into the cook-off competition too.  The Norris’ stayed for 2 days then had to head back for work.  (So sad - We don’t have to do that anymore)!!
A Cook-off with the Norris'


Roy and I lashed out and bought a little twin tub washing machine in Charters Towers – we paid $70 more than if we’d brought it from Brisbane, but we’re not in Brisbane so had to pay – it’s the best thing ever – “Wally” the washer!!!!  I love Wally…

I Love You Wally!!


Thursday 26 July to Wednesday 1 August 2012 - Molongle

We left Ravenswood with Elly and John and toured down to Molongle for a week of fishing….

Last Day at Ravenswood

This is a lovely little fishing spot.  It started as a Fishing Club and got so big that it incorporated a van park.
Bund Wall - Molongle

Molongle - High Tide
My sister and brother in law, Lan and Billy called in for a visit on Friday – they were in Bowen, on their way back to Brisbane from a trip to the Cape. 

Lan and Billy

Billy’s sister died suddenly and they had to get back home quickly.  It was a lovely visit though - I don’t see them often and it was such a surprise when we found out they were so near.  Molongle is only just up the road from Bowen.. (56km)

Elly and I had a lazy week – not doing too much and the boys went out in the boat when the tide permitted.  It’s a tidal beach – so you can’t get out of the channel on low tide.  The days were lovely and warm but the wind when it came up was cold and the nights were cold.  I hate the cold!!!

Roy and I spent one day exploring the little townships to the north of Molongle up as far as Ayr.  Alva Beach, Lynches Beach, Groper Creek and Wunjunga – there are some great little places here.



The boys caught some nice Mackerel and a big muddie. (I’m not allowed to say who caught what!).  Once again – we ate like kings and had lots of alcohol. (I’m getting as big as house). We met some really nice people and one couple (Lotus owners) are going up to Ravenswood when they leave Molongle.  They will probably catch up with Elly and John again, who will be back there by then.

Thursday 2  and Friday 3 August 2012 – Campaspe Ck Free Camp

It was sad to part from our buddies the Gleeful Gleesons, they have been the best company, we will miss them - but time to move on.  We’ll see you back at Straddie in October guys – safe travels and happy gold digging!  Don’t get rusty with your cooking skills Johnny – the comp will be on when we meet up again!!!!!

Its on John!

On our way out of Molongle, we came across a poor roo that had just been hit and left to die.  We stopped for it – but just as we did, a car pulled up and the driver was the one who had hit the poor thing.  He’d gone up the road to borrow a gun from a local farmer to put it out of its misery.  This upset me for the rest of the day.

We spent 2 nights at Campaspe Ck where we met some more Lotus owners.  Sandy and Geoff who had just sold their motel at Maroochydore to go on the road in their Trackvan “Husta La Vista”.  Drinks and nibblies around their campfire – Geoff spent his time out in the bush with his new Minelab… His new hobby.  We might have to get serious with some kind of hobby too…

Saturday 4 August 2012 – Porcupine Gorge

We stopped in Hughenden to get info on what to see there – but not much, so continued on the Porcupine Gorge.

Morticia at Porcupine

Here Lily (the Lotus) got her first flat tyre.  We’d just pulled up at the Lookout and discovered the problem.  A fellow traveller helped Roy to change the tyre – nice fellow!!  It was getting late so we pulled in to camp for the night.  In the morning we had great expectations of trekking to the bottom of the gorge and going for a swim in the rock pools.  But I gave that idea up half way down….. I’m not only as big as a house – I’m as unfit as one too…..  We pulled the pin about ½ way down.  It was 1.2 km down – which meant 1.2km up.  (the thought frightened me – so we went back up).  I’m pretty disappointed in myself – so am giving the fitness thing a bit of thought!!!! That’s about all…..

Poor Lily

Oh – and the Morticia problem still exists…..

Sunday 5 August to Thursday 9 August, 2012 – Planet Earth Van Park (Russells) – Mount Surprise

We travelled most of the day to get to Mount Surprise - a long long day, so decided we need to stop for a few days.  This place advertised a Free Snake Show (pretty unusual) – so this is where we’re staying.
 
Russells Van Park - Planet Earth - Mount Surprise

It also has real coffee and free DVDs for the guests.  It’s lovely and rustic here – the office is just a tin shed with a restaurant and coffee/takeaway shop / museum and tour bookings (10 percent off tours), as well as the snake show….. – and cheap!!  We have an unpowered site but can hook up to water if we want and can have fires and boot up the genie.  Bargain!!!!


We no sooner settled in, when the owner, Russell gathered all the campers up for his Snake Show (in the grounds).  He gave us a talk on snakes, snake first-aid and then you can have the snake around you neck for a photo shoot if you want.  Very informative…


There are 3 parks in town and the population is 65.  The primary school only has 10 kids.  It’s a lovely little town.  We’re decided we’re going to stay for about a week.



We bought a sieve and a fossicking licence from the local Post Office/Gem Store and set off to the O’Brien Gemfields to make our fortune!!! Ho ho ho  We have no idea what a gem looks like so we’ve brought back everything that looks pretty in the hope that someone can tell us that we are rich….

 
Roy was talking to the guy camped next to us (how unusual)!! And woe and behold he knows the Gleesons!!  He is a fellow gold hunter and met them 6 years ago at Palmer River.  Bloody Hell…. (his name is John) 
Hard at it

He was telling Roy that all the regular Palmer River local miners have moved off their leases while a suspected murder investigation is underway, he is one of the miners who has moved off his lease.  I thought this only happened in the movies.  Apparently the property owner (where the gold leases are) is a crazy person and doesn’t take to the miners being on his property, even though they have leases.  Gunshots were heard and a miner is missing!!!!!  This is being investigated.


Well, we took the pieces of precious stones we collected from the gemfield to the local gem expert, and from a bucket full, all we had that was anything at all was one little piece of topaz the size of a little fingernail.  At this rate I don’t think we’ll be relying on gem hunting for supporting our retirement.  At least now we have a bit of an idea what we’re looking for.  Better luck when we go out there again tomorrow…

Our Topaz


BOB


We had some very very sad news on Thursday morning.  Our very dear friend Bob Harland passed away on Wednesday night.  How really sorry we are Lynne.  Our sincerest condolences to you and your family. We will miss Bob terribly. 

RIP BOBBY – you’re at peace now!


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