Blog 13 – Orinya to Bollon (Sept 25 – Sept 31, 2012)

This is one of the nicest camps we’ve been to – Bollon on Wallam Creek……. 

The Big Picture

This Leg

Tuesday 25 September, 2012 – Eulo

Our last morning at Orinya – after being there for much longer than we had expected, it was time to move on once again.   We ended up staying for about 11 nights in all, a wonderful country fix.  Thanks guys for your hospitality.  After morning tea, we headed off once more, heading south towards Eulo where we stayed for the night.

Having a grass fix at Eulo.. Green Green Grass!!!

Eulo Lizard

Poo Pit at Cunnamulla - Pooh Bear!!

Wednesday – Monday (26-31 September, 2012) - Bollon

The weather has been perfect since we arrived.  18 degrees in the early morning up to mid 30s during the day.  Just how I like it.  With a small breeze – just glorious!!!

We have a great site right on the banks of Wallam Ck, which is ideal for us with the kayaks.  At last, we have taken them off the roof of the truck, for only the 3^rd time since leaving Straddie, and have been going for a paddle each day since being here. 

Because we’re right on the bank of the creek – we can leave the kayaks tied to the branches of the gums which saves us having to drag them up to the van each day.  Makes it very easy for us oldies…

Tie up to the trees

It’s so quiet and peaceful paddling on the creek - the only sounds are of turtles breaking the surface or fish splashing and birds singing and diving into the water.  Absolutely beautiful!! 

What we’ve been doing is paddling upstream for a couple of kms as quietly as possible, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible so we can capture nature at its best.  But then on the return leg, we have been pacing it up and having a bit of a race back to the van.  I usually let Roy win!!!!

There is so much bird life here, but no luck with the fishing.  Roy has put the yabby pots out, but no luck as yet.  He's only got one lonely one..   Nevermind, the kayaking makes up for the fishing.

Lone Yabby

 More hassles setting up the sat dish.  Roy has got the steps under control now – but getting the reception is the finicky thing ……  Each time the meter makes the buzzing noise, which tells you that you’re on the mark, it stops beeping as suddenly as it starts!!  So frustrating!!

New friend - Sam

It’s a great way to meet new friends though ha ha… Sam (our new friend) couldn’t bare watching Roy any longer, so came to the rescue.  It turned out that the disc was not getting reception because of the trees.  After moving the disc a few times - presto – up and running….. We have a bit more to learn yet!!

We are in dire need for some exercise as we’ve done nothing but sit and eat  (and drink) for far too long.  I am looking like a grey old townhouse!!!

Grey Nomad - No Comment Please  !!!!

There is a “Walking Path” right in front of our van, which meanders along the banks of the creek and at intervals has workout stations (exercise equipment that looks like kids playground equipment – but made for adults to use).  These workstations are fantastic – there should be more of them about!!!

Walking Path

Work Station on walkway

Bollon is a lovely little town – the Shire has gone out of its way to make it “tourist friendly”.  The town’s main street is only about 500m long and consists of a pub, petrol station, coffee shop, fire station and police station, emus strolling leisurely across the main street, and the drawcard - beautiful Wallam Creek with free camping and hot showers.  It is a really welcoming little town, which is why we’re staying here for a few days.

Wallam sunset

 I’m glad no one here knows us, because we have been using the workstations each day on our daily walks.  We must look like dick-heads, but I have to say that we are feeling much better with the exercise.  (Unfortunately, we won’t be staying here long enough for it to undo the damage already done).  Its become a bit of fun in our daily routine.  

The kayaking is fantastic, it’s been so good to do some paddling at long last  – I’ve been taking the camera in a waterproof bag, so of course am taking heaps of pics.

Stomach Crunches - OOoch!! - Dickhead 1

Glad no-one can see me...... Dickhead 2

DRAMA - There was a Situation at beautiful Wallam Creek Free Camp on Thursday night.  This is the gossip we heard the next morning. 

Apparently it started when a woman and her boyfriend, who had just arrived that afternoon, were playing their Yodelling Country Music turned up really loudly (Country Music is very annoying anyway!!)  Ooops!!  At about 8pm, a man from a nearby camp asked her to turn it down a bit.  This then stirred up some young guys who were also camped nearby, but who had been drinking, and were also fed up with the music  (They say the woman is a Shearer’s Cook of about 40 – very rough and with a very foul mouth – her boyfriend is a toyboy about 30!!). 

Things escalated which led to a punchup between the boyfriend and one of the young guys.  Someone rang the cops!!  The young guys were the ones told to leave.  The shearer’s cook stayed.  No-one is game to go near her!!

Who would have thought this could happen when camping…  Roy and I were already in bed and missed it all…

On Friday night we decided to try the pub meal.  We had barra and it was quite nice but not as good as the barra we had at Karumba.

The weather has changed – its still nice and warm, but has turned to drizzle and light rain.  Perfect TV watching weather, but we’ll still do our exercises too..

I had a rare domestic fix the other morning and decided to try to make yoghurt. Thanks for the inspiration Beth!!

Banana Yoghurt

When we were at Orinya, Beth showed me her Yoghurt Kit.  I was interested but didn’t want to buy any more appliances.  So after a bit of thought, decided to try to make it using the appliances that we already have.  So, Roy bought a sachet of yoghurt from IGA and we had a go - using our Dreampot for the vacuum to process it in, and a sauce bottle to mix it in.  Not thinking that it would turn out – but, Oh My Gawd!! What a surprise, - it worked…  Beautiful Banana Yoghurt….. Look out Elly!!  Nearly as good as your Coconut one…

Our future plans……….

We’ve decided to stay here until Monday and then will move on to Nindigully for the night.  Then on to a free camp west of Inglewood called Whetstone.  If its ok, we’ll stay there for a few days, then we plan to go to the Millmerran Campoven Festival, getting there on Friday for the weekend…….

From Millmerran, we’ll head to Clifton, Heifer Creek and then to Bretts’ at Grandchester. We have to be at Bretts’ (Roy’s brother) place at Grandchester for his 50^th birthday on Saturday 13^th October. 

Then home to Straddie!!!

We’ll be home for a week, and then have to babysit Joe’s house and dog at Tugun for one week while he and Ez are away (23-28 Oct).

That’s the plan for now anyway – but plans are made to be broken…..

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Carp

To be continued....

Blog 12 – Orinya (Sept 14 – Sept 25, 2012)

Yahoo – we’re still here.  Since the last blog we haven’t moved….  We’re still at Orinya.  This has turned into an extra long country fix. 

Wednesday 19 to Tuesday 25 Sept, 2012 - Orinya

We had planned heading off on Thursday last week – but as it turned out, we stayed for an extra week and are still here.  We now plan on leaving tomorrow, Tuesday 25^th.

Lots of this stuff here ....

Magic Sunset

Storm clouds early one morning - only got 6 drops of rain....

We have had the most restful time, just pottering about leisurely, but keeping busy in a SLOW way.  Roy has had time to do some reading, in between collecting the eggs from the chook pen, greening up and weeding the vege garden, fixing the fence around the vege garden so the cows don’t get in, and yabbying – oh, and watching lots of TV….. It gets soooo hot and dusty (43 degrees on Friday) that you have to get under cover in the middle of the day.  We’ve had all the windows open (letting the dust in), but keeping cool – lying on the bed watching the midday movies!!!!  How Lazy, but who cares!!!!

Some locals

We also had time to wash the car, and the van, inside and out, getting rid of most of the red dust we’d accumulated over the past few months.  Cleaned all the screens including the horrible ones around the air vents (toilet and shower ones), cleaned the awning (the first time in 3 years) and cleaned Jeddy who was looking more like a Red Dog rather than a Blue Dog, and not to mention that Wally has been doing his bit - working out with the clothes and mats that rarely get done!!!!

More neighbours

I finally got to see a doctor about my spider bite on Thursday.  I made an appointment in Quilpie (100km north) – Yeah, Civilization!!!!..They have a Hospital and a Clinic!!  I went to the clinic.   The doc (indian locum) said to stop the antihistimes and anything else I was using, and he has prescribed an antibiotic ointment, with a steroid in it….. Lets see how this goes!!!

Toompine Pub

On Thursday night we had a lovely campoven tea (roast lamb) with Ben, Mary, Peter Brown and Craigie (Ben’s mates) and we spent Saturday afternoon and evening at a Campdraft at Toompine.  Benny had to help with the organising. 

Campdraft

What a surprise! -  Pete dropped in out of the blue.  He’s working in South Australia at Moomba and had to come to Quilpie on Saturday for work - so afterwards, he dropped in to the Campdraft and stayed the night at Orinya before heading back to Moomba the next morning.

Roy, Mary, Ben, Peter Brown, Pete
(The Country Boys)

We plan to pull up anchor tomorrow (Tuesday 25^th), after catching up with Beth and Alan, who will be getting back tonight from Rockhampton.  We are still not sure of our destination.  Somewhere down Cunnamulla way because we have to stop for a shop there.

So when the midday movie has finished and the temp drops down a bit – we’ll start packing up in readiness for our departure in the morning.  We seem to have spread out a tad – we have stuff everywhere!!!! It might take us a while – but we have lots of time…..

Our Squatters Camp

  

Happy Birthday Ezza!!!  Best wishes sweetie – I hope you have a wonderful day.

Happy Birthday Ez

Mulga

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To be continued....

Blog 11 – Birdsville to Orinya (Wednesday Sept 12 – Wednesday Sept 19, 2012)

It might look like we only have one or two sets of clothes – this is part of travelling you know!!!! We try to wear one set twice.   

Blog 11

Wednesday 12 Sept, 2012 - Innamincka

We left Birdsville mid morning and had a long, long day travelling.  We went down the Cordillo Downs route, stopping at the Cadelga ruins along the way.  

Cadelga Ruins

Another flat tyre, poor Lily – the same tyre as before.  Those plugs are wonderful (one of Roy’s best buys) – Lily was up and running again in about 15 mins.  Good Girl!   The northern section of the road was terrible – corro and huge sharp gibbers, but south of the station (Cordillo Downs) the road got better. 

We didn’t get into Innamincka until dusk and were quite buggered. We didn’t bother setting up as we were moving off first thing in the morning.  I was disappointed that we weren’t staying longer but it was really windy and cold.  That bloody cold again!!!!

Jeddy doesn't like the cold..

Thursday 13 September, 2012 - Noccundra

Off to Noccundra – I couldn’t wait to get there, hungering for a nice juicy steak for lunch……. Ha ha ha

Our camp - Noccundra

We had been here 3 years ago and it hasn’t changed at all.  (I thought there could have been a change of management during that time – but no).  The inn-keeper was the very same and a most unwelcoming man he is.  All he could provide for lunch was frozen pies, heated in the micro.  What a disappointment.  Oh well, better than nothing.  Roy ordered a beer for himself and a wine for me.  You should have seen his reaction to the wine order – I asked if there was a problem – but he just shrugged.  A very strange man.

Our camp was right on the Wilson River, but it was blowing a gale and freezing.  We turned the van away from the river as a shelter.    Early the next morning, I did get some great pictures but, very disappointed the conditions have deteriorated once more as I was looking forward to kayaking the lovely river. 

Wilson River - Noccundra

Oh well – Off to Orinya (Roy’s sister’s property 30km south of Toompine).  The family consists of Beth (Roy’s sister), husband Alan, and 3 sons Peter, John and Ben.  Pete is away with work - drilling, but the rest of the family should be home.

Friday to Wednesday (14 – 19 Sept, 2012) – Orinya

We stopped at Thargo for fuel and a few supplies – can you believe, the only pub in town, did NOT have ANY RED at all.   Bloody hell!!!!!  These country towns – how do they survive- no red?

Orinya gates

Roy, Johnno and Al

Orinya

It was great to be back at Orinya after 3 years.  The obvious change being that there is now a second house on the property.  Ben lives in the original house and Beth and Alan have the new one.  Johnno is moving to WA next week, to work as a water ski instructor and diesel mechanic, and Pete is off drilling somewhere in SA.

We had no sooner arrived and Johnno had us out helping him with some fencing repairs. ha ha (Not really, Roy and I just watched in case we messed things up – we’re city folk remember!!).  Ben was away mustering when we arrived but would return on Saturday.  Four of his mates were here already, with their dogs, for a week of pig hunting.

Some of the Hunting dogs

   

My god, there are so many dogs here, about 20 belonging to the property and each of Ben’s mates has brought at least 2 of their own hunting dogs, and not forgetting (the city slicker), Jeddy.  What a ruckus when they get stirred up….

Some of the dogs

Country life – there’s always something to do – But never a rush!! 

Our Camp

On Saturday morning Roy spent a bit of time (a lot of time) trying to get the SAT dish working, but with no luck. The Sat Dish is turning out to be quite a nightmare….  Still can’t get it working – will try again later!!!!  It’s supposed to be as simple as ABC…  So much for the Easy To Use Manual!!!

In the arvo, after Johnno had finished his chores, we watched him Horse Wrangling.  How awesome!!!  This must be what a Horse Whisperer does.

Separating

This is my description of what he did…..  First off, he separated the horse that he wanted from the group.  Then after talking to it and getting its confidence, he put a halter on it.  

Watching Johnno break in the horse

Next he ran it around a small enclosure for a bit, then gently put the saddle on it, and a bit more running around with the saddle on.  

Then he put the bridle on over the top of the halter, and he tied off the bridle to the saddle so the horse could run around alone - getting used to the restriction of the bridle, but on his own terms.  

All the time, Johnno was talking to the animal, keeping it calm.  Awesome!!!  On ya Johnno!!

After doing this for a few days (or when the time is right), he attempts to sit in the saddle.  Unfortunately we won’t be around to see the end result – but I’ve booked my ride on the beautiful chestnut for next time we come out here.

Day 2

 Beth, Al and Ben had to go to a party in Quilpie, so Johnno, Roy and I went to the Toompine Pub for tea.  Yummy meals…. (Thanks Mary – you’re a great cook)

Al, Beth and Roy

Roy and I just stayed for tea and a quick drink then borrowed the property vehicle to return home.  Johnno stayed on with the hunting boys… My GAWD! - what an experience getting home!!!!  The lights wouldn’t come on when we first jumped into the car – but after banging on the bonnet, they miraculously blinked on.  On the way home – 30km – they went out twice.  Bloody scary!!! – it was a big relief when we finally saw the Orinya gate looming up..

The next day we did the domestic stuff – with Wally – then Al took Roy and me to put some yabby pots in one of the creeks.

Yabby Pots

A bit more sufferance with the Sat Dish and still no go – Roy decided to ring Russell (the Sat Man) and 5 minutes later – Up and Running!!!  Just a small adjustment and whammo – it works!! Thanks Russ.   I watched the Home and Away catchup series (I love Home and Away!!!)

Gearing Up for a fish

 In the arvo, Al, Johnno, Roy and I went to the Bulloo River for a fish.  Roy and Johnno did some kayaking (this was the 3^rd time only that they have been taken off the roof on this trip), while Al and I did some fishing from the bank. 

Roy and Johnno - kayaking the Bulloo

 How hilarious!! While Roy was attempting to get out of the kayak, he slipped and went in.  It was so deep he couldn’t touch bottom and so slippery that he couldn’t get out. Ha ha ha   I eventually gave him a hand ….  You should have seen the poor bugger, freezing cold and covered in mud.  And to add to that, he then had to squeeze into my jumper, because he was cold and had nothing else to wear.  What a sight!  You should have seen him in a girls’ jumper with the pretty fur collar and 3 sizes too small!!!  I call him Bulloo Boy now!!! ha ha ha

Ooops - splash!  What are you doing in there  Roy...

Bulloo Boy - Oooooo its cold!

Come on Roy

Ben, Mary and Peter Brown and the hunting boys arrived and we ended up staying at the river until about 6:30 (waiting patiently for the fish to come).  Only 2 – but they were both good sized yellow-belly.  It took about an hour to get back to the homestead, so we were pretty hungry by then.  The yellow bellow added to our salmon from Karumba, and we had a fish feast for tea.

Jeddy - full  of life again!

The next day we checked the yabby pots – 40 big fat ones in the first round - then re-baited for more.  It’s the rule that you’re supposed to check the pots on a daily basis!

Yabbies - for tea

We ended up with enough to feed 8 of us, for entre’ done in garlic, followed by Al’s baked ham and veges – yum!

Beth, Al and Johnno left for Rockhampton on Tuesday morning.  Roy and I will be leaving on Wednesday or Thursday or Friday (whenever).

Benny to the rescue! – the ground is so hard that Roy couldn’t dig a hole for our loo stuff – so Benny brought out one of his toys, a Post Hole Digger and presto…… one hole for Roy.  Thanks Benny!!!!

Benny

This is the way to dig a hole!

Where to next ---- don’t know.  Homeward bound, but not sure where yet!!!!

You’ll just have to keep reading

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To be continued....