Friday 21st August:- Mt Isa
After visiting the historic underground hospital, we we had a revitalising swim in Lake Moondara, about 13 km out of the Isa, waterskiers and much bird life added to our interest from one of the gazebos on the well mown grass by the lake. There was also a great bird watching spot a few hundred yards from our cabin, so that made up for the poor accom.
We stayed overnight at Cloncurry and enjoyed their pretty landscaped pool for a long time.
On Sunday 23rd, I drove from The Curry to the Burke and Wills Roadhouse and after lunch at a lovely spot by the Gregory River bearby, Irene drove on to Lawn Hill and Adel's Gorge where we stayed. Our pre arranged tent was pitched within its own gazebo, the floor of which was up off the ground and the roof of pitched galvanised iron allowed breezes to flow. It is a beautiful spot but a running river in which we swam as often as possible.
Monday A half day tour of the Riversleigh Fossil installation, the surrounding area and Riversleigh Stn (which is run in conjunction with Lawn Hill Stn) was terrific. In the afternoon we drove to Lawn Hill Gorge and canoed through the gorge sticking to the shady side - beautiful, cool, fun, I was in the back with the double paddle so I let the water run down the handle onto my sarong over my legs - you can't get better than that! Back at Adel's Grove, we walked throught he remains of the original grove of trees planted by Albert de L... now it's used by caravaners and campers as a delightful, sheltered camping area. Worth looking up on the internet I'. sure.
25th
Sunrise at the nearby hill top was beautiful with 360 views and interesting cairn constructions by many travellers. On the road back to the highway, the air was thick with locusts; we say a jabiru (Aus b/w stork), an emu and 3 chicks and 11 brolgas! From the road house I drove 200 km to Normanton. Boy was that big pool a welcome spot; much more welcome than the intruder Irene saw in our cabin at 1:50 am, head inside our doors, but that's all thank goodness. Of course, next morning we discovered our sarongs were missing. Bugger!
26th
Karumba beckoned and I dipped my toe in the Gukf, duly recorded by Irene on my camera. There many bird stops there and back - 170 - 200 brolgas at just 1 of them and 2 jabirus separately caused sudden u turns.
Thursday 27th
I drove to Crodon, stopping on the way at Black Bull Siding where the old Gulflander happened to be stopped - good timing. At Cordon we ate the remains of the prawns for lunch - we had bought them at Karumba and had them for a posh dinner in Normanton. Irene drove on to Georgetown stopping at a beautiful lagoon by the old Cumberland Chimney - I saw my first bee-eater bird.
The cabin at Georgetown was horrendous and was topped off by the smoke alarm which decided to go off several after we went to bed .
Friday
The TerrEastrial display is an incredible exhibition of minerals collected by an amazing man - Ted Elliott. I drove from G. to Mt Surprise where we had a seed removing car wash. Great.Irene drove on to Undara Resort in the Undara National Parl. Our tent accom was fabulous - it looked like a pyramid shaped, hovering space ship.
We enjoyed an afternoon tour of the lava tubes and a campfire talk about the wildlife of the park. Look upwww.undara.com.au I'm sure it will show a bit.
29th
We climbed Kalkani Volcano before I drove to Greendale, flinging Daisy off the atrocious road to doge numbers of big trucks, Bdoubles, trebles and vans!
On to Charters Towers and a spa and swim.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Chunk 1. Longreach and Beyond.
Scenic Tours, Planes, Birds and so on
After writing up a great new blog I found that the library computer in Mt Isa would not accept my USB, *#!***!# So I must use the short time available for this post.
My good friend Cherril took me the scenic way to the airport up Lygon St, across to Moonee Ponds and out along Mt. Alexander Road. My trip to Brisbane had a tail wind so we arrived 15 mins early after a clear trip on which I could have plotted the flight path if I had a NSW map. I spent a great night with my cousin Jan and her husband Trevor who have a coffee lounge in Carindale Shopping Centre - French Twist. Great coffee, yummee pastries! Very French. Jan and I had a terrific time catching up, then she too gave me a scenic tour of Brisbane - a city I have not seen before. I was delighted.
The flight to Longreach was booked out and I had an aisle seat on the Fokker Friendship; but someone missed the plane, so after take off I was able to move to the window seat in front on mine and use my map to plot the sights below. Much burning off and smoke, but otherwise a very clear view of the Carnarvon National Park, the landscapes, the small towns etc. We were told that we had special passengers aboard, the descendants of the Qantas initiators, so I guess we were in the best plane with the best staff etc.
Irene met me at Longreach airport and drove me and my no-wheels bag 200 m along the road to our caravan park where we had a very bushy site, across the paddocks from The Stockmens Hall of Fame. The pool was inviting and the G&T that followed, greatly enjoyed.
We drove to Lily's Lagoon and saw some wonderful birds - white necked heron, fly catchers, spinifex pigeons, great egret and .... a black feral pig. The nearby cattle hardly rate a mention. I will have many wonderful photos from this trip!
The next day we walked to the Qantas Museum for a tour of a 747 and a great stooge around the history of the airline. Then a short walk along the road took us to the Hall of Fame. I love the architacture and the environment of that building. The exhibits are also excellent. As we stocked up the next morning in town, we saw a T-Model Ford driving along the street with 3 passengers dressed in khaki, one wearing a pith helmet. An hour or so into our drive to Winton, we passed it and its support vehicle. Most of the traffic came from the opposite direction, however, we were passed by a red greyhound bus, which flew past off the road at roadworks where the speed limit was 60 km. We were pleased not to be passengers!
We repeated our exercise of swim followed by G & T (Irene's tipple was whisley and coke). There is a brand new dinosaur museum just out of Winton and we booked in for a tour. We heard there would be a street parade to celebrate the pioneer Qantas chaps searching for good sites for landing strips 90 years previously. The T-Model Ford turned up!!!! The jigsaw pieces fell together. The Australian Age of Dinosaurs property was donated by a loval grazier- it is atop a tabletop mountain 12 Km out of Winton and their preparation lab is the largest in the world. We were able to walk through it, talk to the techies, be excited by their latest find, they even used our cameras to photgraph it! We handled Wade's bones and viewed those of Matilda, Clancy and Banjo. It was an inspiring experience. I bought some fossils and postcards (esp for Christos) and promptly left them on the counter, so I am very angry at myself!
Winton to Boulia brought changing landscapes, empty grassy plains as far as the eye could see followed by ranges of eroded. tabletop mountains. We ate lunch at the Hilton - a grass topped shelter in the centre of Middleton. Middleton also has a pub over the road, a telephone booth and a monument. I took one photo of the lot, just to show its grand size.
Boulia had no accessible pool, but the front verandah was a draw card for Irene with her binoculars - there were so many bird varietie she was in bird heaven! Before we left, the van decided to alert us to a flat battery (thank goodness it happened there). Despite the local mechanic being away, we were assisted by the man at the supermarket who "only does tyres". He fixed Irene up with a new battery and our stress levels lowered. We envisaged being caught there for another day or two.
The stonehouse museum was the focus of our attention, because Dick Suter (Dinosaur Dick - it's on his t-shirt, really!) showed us his fabulous display of marine dinosaur bones and the work he is doing. Unfortunately, professional jealousy abounds, and because of his lack of qualifications, Q'land Uni boffins, use his ability to find but do not acknowledge his work otherwise. Silly them!
We also viewed the Min Min Encounter, also worth a visit.
Now we're in Mt Isa for 2 nights - washing, internetting, and a little sight seeing.
Hold on for Chunk 2. Goodness knows when I'll be able to send it. My new phone is the pits, so I don't have much luck contacting that way. Cheers to all, Sue.
After writing up a great new blog I found that the library computer in Mt Isa would not accept my USB, *#!***!# So I must use the short time available for this post.
My good friend Cherril took me the scenic way to the airport up Lygon St, across to Moonee Ponds and out along Mt. Alexander Road. My trip to Brisbane had a tail wind so we arrived 15 mins early after a clear trip on which I could have plotted the flight path if I had a NSW map. I spent a great night with my cousin Jan and her husband Trevor who have a coffee lounge in Carindale Shopping Centre - French Twist. Great coffee, yummee pastries! Very French. Jan and I had a terrific time catching up, then she too gave me a scenic tour of Brisbane - a city I have not seen before. I was delighted.
The flight to Longreach was booked out and I had an aisle seat on the Fokker Friendship; but someone missed the plane, so after take off I was able to move to the window seat in front on mine and use my map to plot the sights below. Much burning off and smoke, but otherwise a very clear view of the Carnarvon National Park, the landscapes, the small towns etc. We were told that we had special passengers aboard, the descendants of the Qantas initiators, so I guess we were in the best plane with the best staff etc.
Irene met me at Longreach airport and drove me and my no-wheels bag 200 m along the road to our caravan park where we had a very bushy site, across the paddocks from The Stockmens Hall of Fame. The pool was inviting and the G&T that followed, greatly enjoyed.
We drove to Lily's Lagoon and saw some wonderful birds - white necked heron, fly catchers, spinifex pigeons, great egret and .... a black feral pig. The nearby cattle hardly rate a mention. I will have many wonderful photos from this trip!
The next day we walked to the Qantas Museum for a tour of a 747 and a great stooge around the history of the airline. Then a short walk along the road took us to the Hall of Fame. I love the architacture and the environment of that building. The exhibits are also excellent. As we stocked up the next morning in town, we saw a T-Model Ford driving along the street with 3 passengers dressed in khaki, one wearing a pith helmet. An hour or so into our drive to Winton, we passed it and its support vehicle. Most of the traffic came from the opposite direction, however, we were passed by a red greyhound bus, which flew past off the road at roadworks where the speed limit was 60 km. We were pleased not to be passengers!
We repeated our exercise of swim followed by G & T (Irene's tipple was whisley and coke). There is a brand new dinosaur museum just out of Winton and we booked in for a tour. We heard there would be a street parade to celebrate the pioneer Qantas chaps searching for good sites for landing strips 90 years previously. The T-Model Ford turned up!!!! The jigsaw pieces fell together. The Australian Age of Dinosaurs property was donated by a loval grazier- it is atop a tabletop mountain 12 Km out of Winton and their preparation lab is the largest in the world. We were able to walk through it, talk to the techies, be excited by their latest find, they even used our cameras to photgraph it! We handled Wade's bones and viewed those of Matilda, Clancy and Banjo. It was an inspiring experience. I bought some fossils and postcards (esp for Christos) and promptly left them on the counter, so I am very angry at myself!
Winton to Boulia brought changing landscapes, empty grassy plains as far as the eye could see followed by ranges of eroded. tabletop mountains. We ate lunch at the Hilton - a grass topped shelter in the centre of Middleton. Middleton also has a pub over the road, a telephone booth and a monument. I took one photo of the lot, just to show its grand size.
Boulia had no accessible pool, but the front verandah was a draw card for Irene with her binoculars - there were so many bird varietie she was in bird heaven! Before we left, the van decided to alert us to a flat battery (thank goodness it happened there). Despite the local mechanic being away, we were assisted by the man at the supermarket who "only does tyres". He fixed Irene up with a new battery and our stress levels lowered. We envisaged being caught there for another day or two.
The stonehouse museum was the focus of our attention, because Dick Suter (Dinosaur Dick - it's on his t-shirt, really!) showed us his fabulous display of marine dinosaur bones and the work he is doing. Unfortunately, professional jealousy abounds, and because of his lack of qualifications, Q'land Uni boffins, use his ability to find but do not acknowledge his work otherwise. Silly them!
We also viewed the Min Min Encounter, also worth a visit.
Now we're in Mt Isa for 2 nights - washing, internetting, and a little sight seeing.
Hold on for Chunk 2. Goodness knows when I'll be able to send it. My new phone is the pits, so I don't have much luck contacting that way. Cheers to all, Sue.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Longreach and Beyond
Our list of destinations in Queensland from Longreach:-
Winton, Boulia, Mt. Isa, Cloncurry, Lawn Hill
Normanton, Karumba, Georgetown,
Mt. Surprise - (Undarah; lava tubes), Charters Towers, Clermont, Carnarvon National Park, Roma, St. George.
Then into NSW:-
Lightning Ridge, Gilgandra, Dubbo, Cowra, Wagga Wagga,
Our final stay will be in Victoria:-
Rutherglen.
We expect to arrive home on about September 12th.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Painting with Michele and Planning for Longreach
Last week, Andy's partner Michele and I continued with the job of making signs for the nursery where she volunteers. They'll be going in to the veggie patch at Mornington Peninsula Youth Enterprises, a nursery set up to provide skill training for unemployed and disadvantaged youth on the Mornington Peninsula. The website is http://www.mpye.org.au/
Our young friend Christos designed the font and helped with the painting the previous week. Michele has a great blog http://www.landforveggies.blogspot.com .
I leave for Brisbane on Saturday 15th August and fly to Longreach on the Sunday, where I will meet my friend, Irene. We have planned our trip carefully, allowing flexible stays at various places, with our eventual arrival home about 12th September.
Our first few days will take us from Longreach to Winton, Boulia, Mt Isa, Cloncurry, maybe Lawn Hill, Normanton and Karumba, where Irene intends that I should "dip my toe in the Gulf"!
What an excitement - the only part of Queensland that I have seen is Brampton Is - on our honeymoon in 1970.
Our young friend Christos designed the font and helped with the painting the previous week. Michele has a great blog http://www.landforveggies.blogspot.com .
I leave for Brisbane on Saturday 15th August and fly to Longreach on the Sunday, where I will meet my friend, Irene. We have planned our trip carefully, allowing flexible stays at various places, with our eventual arrival home about 12th September.
Our first few days will take us from Longreach to Winton, Boulia, Mt Isa, Cloncurry, maybe Lawn Hill, Normanton and Karumba, where Irene intends that I should "dip my toe in the Gulf"!
What an excitement - the only part of Queensland that I have seen is Brampton Is - on our honeymoon in 1970.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Painting - at last
I have decided to set myself a goal - I will work towards an exhibition in November; so I have a weekly routine of at least 2 days painting. I came home from Wiluna so inspired that I decided this time I won't let time fly away. I am pleased with my progress so far, having several paintings on the go and a few only needing minor details when they dry. I'm excited.
July activities
This week I have been looking after Luna, Michele and Andy's dog. She is a little hussy and she gives Byron a hard time, taking over his bed whenever she has the opportunity. But at least she acknowledges me as top dog, and so I continue to assert myself and boost Byron's confidence. I was pleased to see that today the game of chasey had Byron as the chaser ... good boy!
Yesterday when I arrived home I found the back deck covered with what looked like snow, but what was actually the insides of Luna's bed - they had torn it in half and the stuffing had floated everywhere. I sewed her a new mattress and stuffed it with all I collected - she's a lucky girl.
Yesterday when I arrived home I found the back deck covered with what looked like snow, but what was actually the insides of Luna's bed - they had torn it in half and the stuffing had floated everywhere. I sewed her a new mattress and stuffed it with all I collected - she's a lucky girl.
Newsletter from SW WA
Newsletter 5
…and so I leave Wiluna with mixed thoughts: I’ve had a most incredible time; I look forward to the south west of WA; I wish I could stay to help and to continue to enjoy; I’ve been away from my home and family for ages and I miss them all.
Marce and the children met me at Skipper’s air port; how excited the littlies were, it was marvelous to see them again. Bailey proudly lent me her pretty bedroom and we settled into a young family’s domestic bliss. I really enjoyed myself and I very much admire Marce and Al for all their love and hard work, it is NOT easy.
Hearing that two of the Wiluna artists had been taken to Royal Perth hospital, Marcie kindly took me to town so I could visit Sheila Yakka Jones and Nyapurla Morgan. Sheila is diabetic and her trip to hospital was for an organised treatment, but Nyapurla was flown down by the Flying Doctor with pneumonia! Heather and I had been upset to hear about this because we were so worried about her condition on the trip, we took her to the Warakurna Health Centre where she was carefully checked over by a nurse and again be a doctor. At that time, she did not have pneumonia, but we really tried to care well for her in the ensuing days of our Desert Art Tour.
Coincidentally, I met Sheila in the foyer of the hospital; she was visited by young family and she was off on a walk. How surprised she was to hear I had come to visit her! I gave her a copy of the photo of us all at Laverton, standing as a group by the bus. Knowing she is so on the ball and obviously well looked after by family, I went on up to find Nyapurla – she cried! … totally surprised by a visit from anyone, least of all me. She is one of our (Heather and my) favourites. She is a very cheerful lady and she hugs those she likes and shows emotion – unlike many of the other indigenous people we know. She even hugged Basil Hall! Now that is most unusual, for an indigenous lady to hug a white man. We love her. I sat with her for some time and she insisted I display her photo of the Desert Art Tour group on the wall next to her bed. She was very proud when I told her room mates and nurses that she is one of the best artists in Wiluna. Although she asked me for money, I said I was not able to. Not knowing what the future held for her visit, I paid for two days of television for her and I included in our conversation the lady opposite who was able to translate for her a bit with nurses – Nyapurla has a different language from the usual Martu people of the area round Wiluna. This lady, who lives in Karatha, had known a man in Leonora who spoke the same language. I hoped that she would be good company for Nyapurla in hospital.
That afternoon I had the opportunity to babysit Bailey and Baxter and Judy came over too. We walked to a great pizza place to collect a take away which we enjoyed before Judy drove back to her hostel for the first time at night. On Friday, after her treatment, Judy collected me and we had lunch with Bailey and the kids at a nice café before setting off for Bunbury for the weekend. The weather was appalling and every time Judy said to watch out for something special, a squall flew through and all we could see was the water logged windscreen and the dim tail lights of the car ahead. Therefore, at that time, I missed the views from the bridges at Mandura and the wonderful sand dunes at Australind; but I saw them on the Monday when I went back to Al and Marcie’s with Judy to collect the art works that I had left at their house!!!! Take two! I bussed to Bunbury on Monday evening and Russell collected me from the bus port.
We had a lovely weekend, shopping (I recovered from my lack of retail therapy that day!) in the very pretty little town with Judy while Russell worked on Saturday; a great dinner at a special restaurant that night; then a Sunday drive that included lunch at Capel Vale Winery and a walk on Peppermint Cove Beach where the WA Grays all spent Easter. Very nice.
On Tuesday I bussed to Busselton and was met by Rosemary MacPherson whom I had met at Wiluna when she camped in Heather’s driveway with Kaye and Graham Swiney in August last year. I was in “hog heaven”; Rosemary has a lovely home and garden that she has built in less than four years. Her art collection is exciting and after working two days each week, Rosemary attends art classes and creates great art works. I am inspired by her experimentation and was delighted by her company. Her lovely dog, Dougie, was a great companion and helped me recover from missing Byron so much. Our last activity together was a folding book with watercolour washes that I will detail when I am at home. What fun!
On Thursday, Kaye and Graham collected us for a drive to Knee Deep Winery and Restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious luncheon. Graham is a font of information and a great story teller, what wonderful hosts they were over those few days – I felt so relaxed and welcome. My map of the area from Busselton to Augusta is now covered with red lines showing all the beautiful places Graham took us to and I took many, many photos! Finally, we all met up again in a great little café for lunch and a quick whip through a local gallery before they waved me off on the Saturday bus to Perth.
My flight from Perth was at a civilized hour and I was greeted by gorgeous Allison at the airport. She has looked after the house and Byron all this time and I am most grateful. She had prepared pumpkin soup and after tea and lots of excited chat, she left, allowing me to enjoy my first night at home.
What an adventure! Love to all
Susie.
…and so I leave Wiluna with mixed thoughts: I’ve had a most incredible time; I look forward to the south west of WA; I wish I could stay to help and to continue to enjoy; I’ve been away from my home and family for ages and I miss them all.
Marce and the children met me at Skipper’s air port; how excited the littlies were, it was marvelous to see them again. Bailey proudly lent me her pretty bedroom and we settled into a young family’s domestic bliss. I really enjoyed myself and I very much admire Marce and Al for all their love and hard work, it is NOT easy.
Hearing that two of the Wiluna artists had been taken to Royal Perth hospital, Marcie kindly took me to town so I could visit Sheila Yakka Jones and Nyapurla Morgan. Sheila is diabetic and her trip to hospital was for an organised treatment, but Nyapurla was flown down by the Flying Doctor with pneumonia! Heather and I had been upset to hear about this because we were so worried about her condition on the trip, we took her to the Warakurna Health Centre where she was carefully checked over by a nurse and again be a doctor. At that time, she did not have pneumonia, but we really tried to care well for her in the ensuing days of our Desert Art Tour.
Coincidentally, I met Sheila in the foyer of the hospital; she was visited by young family and she was off on a walk. How surprised she was to hear I had come to visit her! I gave her a copy of the photo of us all at Laverton, standing as a group by the bus. Knowing she is so on the ball and obviously well looked after by family, I went on up to find Nyapurla – she cried! … totally surprised by a visit from anyone, least of all me. She is one of our (Heather and my) favourites. She is a very cheerful lady and she hugs those she likes and shows emotion – unlike many of the other indigenous people we know. She even hugged Basil Hall! Now that is most unusual, for an indigenous lady to hug a white man. We love her. I sat with her for some time and she insisted I display her photo of the Desert Art Tour group on the wall next to her bed. She was very proud when I told her room mates and nurses that she is one of the best artists in Wiluna. Although she asked me for money, I said I was not able to. Not knowing what the future held for her visit, I paid for two days of television for her and I included in our conversation the lady opposite who was able to translate for her a bit with nurses – Nyapurla has a different language from the usual Martu people of the area round Wiluna. This lady, who lives in Karatha, had known a man in Leonora who spoke the same language. I hoped that she would be good company for Nyapurla in hospital.
That afternoon I had the opportunity to babysit Bailey and Baxter and Judy came over too. We walked to a great pizza place to collect a take away which we enjoyed before Judy drove back to her hostel for the first time at night. On Friday, after her treatment, Judy collected me and we had lunch with Bailey and the kids at a nice café before setting off for Bunbury for the weekend. The weather was appalling and every time Judy said to watch out for something special, a squall flew through and all we could see was the water logged windscreen and the dim tail lights of the car ahead. Therefore, at that time, I missed the views from the bridges at Mandura and the wonderful sand dunes at Australind; but I saw them on the Monday when I went back to Al and Marcie’s with Judy to collect the art works that I had left at their house!!!! Take two! I bussed to Bunbury on Monday evening and Russell collected me from the bus port.
We had a lovely weekend, shopping (I recovered from my lack of retail therapy that day!) in the very pretty little town with Judy while Russell worked on Saturday; a great dinner at a special restaurant that night; then a Sunday drive that included lunch at Capel Vale Winery and a walk on Peppermint Cove Beach where the WA Grays all spent Easter. Very nice.
On Tuesday I bussed to Busselton and was met by Rosemary MacPherson whom I had met at Wiluna when she camped in Heather’s driveway with Kaye and Graham Swiney in August last year. I was in “hog heaven”; Rosemary has a lovely home and garden that she has built in less than four years. Her art collection is exciting and after working two days each week, Rosemary attends art classes and creates great art works. I am inspired by her experimentation and was delighted by her company. Her lovely dog, Dougie, was a great companion and helped me recover from missing Byron so much. Our last activity together was a folding book with watercolour washes that I will detail when I am at home. What fun!
On Thursday, Kaye and Graham collected us for a drive to Knee Deep Winery and Restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious luncheon. Graham is a font of information and a great story teller, what wonderful hosts they were over those few days – I felt so relaxed and welcome. My map of the area from Busselton to Augusta is now covered with red lines showing all the beautiful places Graham took us to and I took many, many photos! Finally, we all met up again in a great little café for lunch and a quick whip through a local gallery before they waved me off on the Saturday bus to Perth.
My flight from Perth was at a civilized hour and I was greeted by gorgeous Allison at the airport. She has looked after the house and Byron all this time and I am most grateful. She had prepared pumpkin soup and after tea and lots of excited chat, she left, allowing me to enjoy my first night at home.
What an adventure! Love to all
Susie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)