Day 52 - Tewantin to Chinchilla

Another stunning morning. We really have been spoilt.

Departure day today so back to the rigmarole of putting things back where they belong.

Graham and Karen left early to take Ruby to the Vet for a checkup.

Mitch, Kat, Harvey, Elyce and Zali brought us coffee to say farewell, where there was more nanny cuddles for the ladies, to get them by for the next 6 or 7 weeks.

I was finally rewarded with a sighting of the rare Caravanus Parkus Stewardessus. I recall Peter has managed to snap a photo or 2 of these extremely rare beings in previous locations. They are very rare and elusive and are only ever able to be captured as they make their way to their destination. I shall make it my mission to capture them on film, as they commence their return journey to allow me to identify each species.

The park was quite small in terms of the ability to connect our chariots without blocking the roads. Connecting up had to be the last operation and needed to be completed with precise coordination when all 3 were ready, to avoid major road closures.

It wasn’t long till we were away from the lush tropical surrounds we had come to love. We were back in the typical Aussie outback.

Roads……..roads…….have I mentioned in previous posts the state of the roads we’ve had the displeasure of meeting. We battled to keep grounded on many occasions. It was like an extended audition for a rodeo where the cowboys had every right to file for compensation. I honestly cannot believe how such substandard work is allowed.

For us to get advanced warning from Graham of the state of the roads meant we were in for a challenge…….and that it was.

But the rodeo like ride lead us through some amazing towns and sights.

A solar farm the size we had never seen before. A quick google search revealed it was a 600 hectare installation designed to power 126,000 homes a year.

The towns we passed through were awesome. We’ve obviously passed through many many towns so far on our adventure. The common occurrences are usually pubs, bakeries and tributes to those who have served our country.

My personal opinion is that we experienced 2 of the bests so far. The bakery and the tribute at a small town called Goomeri. The pastries were amazing from the bakery as well as the condiments they had on offer.

The memorial in the centre of the road in the centre of the town was a tower with a clock. It’s not till you focus on the clock at the top that you realise, that is the uniqueness of this particular tribute.

More roads and more turbulence before we arrived at our Hip Camp in Chinchilla.

Given Graham arrived sometime ago he gave us a heads up of what to expect. His prime advice was not to cross Shelley.

You arrive at the abandoned looking toilet sized structure, referred to as the office and are presented with a sign directing you to call one of three people, but before you can unlock your phone, Shelley comes screaming up on her supercharged golf cart.

We have to turn around but “it has to be here”, “if you can’t turn here you must drive up to those tyres up there and turn”, “don’t turn on that grass I’ve just watered”.

We could see Graham and Karen so mosey’d on over to form a fortress of vans (as one of the photos will depict).

Normal quick setup for off grid stays (well, most us that is) followed by cleansing ales.

Peter was volunteered to cook spag bol, and we collectively agreed it was pretty damn good.

It was Karen’s turn to get the camp fire cranking with only the aid of Julies flint. It took a few turns but we were all rewarded with our first fire in some time, to sit around and recount our experiences of the day.

You may recall yesterday’s post where I expressed my feelings about missing life events of our offspring. It just so happens, without being privy to my writings, Bri had a very emotional day back home as well.Read more