This Adventurous Age

Adventures travelling and working around Australia.

Category Archives: 2013 Travels


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2013 Travels November 12

TUESDAY 12 NOVEMBER     HOME TO COROWA     331kms

We had a calm and methodical final pack and departure – not always the case with us! Left home at 11.20am.

The BOM radar this morning had showed much rain happening over Gippsland, so that cemented the decision to turn northwards, rather than to the east.

Took our usual route through Yarra Glen, to Yea – lunch stop at one of our favourite bakeries. John had a pie and pasty, I had a very nice salad roll.

Couey settled back into the routine of Bus travel quickly.

We’d fuelled up at the servo at Murrindindi, on the way to Yea. This was a really easy servo for John to pull the rig into. $1.499cpl.

By the time we reached Yea, it was showering rain.

As we travelled, discussed options for the next few days, as we would not be getting to Canberra until Friday, in time for the weekend sporting activities. We decided to go to the Rutherglen/Corowa area. John liked the idea of visiting some wineries at Rutherglen. I suggested we stay at Corowa, because I thought John would be interested in doing some bowling there.

Given our late morning start, the focus was more on getting to a destination to prop for a few days, rather than doodling around byways, sightseeing. So, from Seymour, it was up the Hume to beyond Wangaratta, then via Rutherglen and across the Murray to NSW and Corowa.

It teemed rain as we neared Benalla, but we drove out of the rain band just before Rutherglen, about 4pm.

The first caravan park we saw, once across the river, was the Rivergum Holiday Retreat – a Top Tourist one, so we pulled in there. They did not have en-suite sites, but did offer “riverfront” powered sites. After discount, we paid $33.30 for a powered site.

The man checking us in seemed a bit strange and not quite with it. We explained the length and height requirements of Bus. One would not have thought he was ignorant of the requirements of motor-homers, anyway. The site he allocated us was a shocker. It was small, with low hanging trees and was very definitely not level. The park itself was a huge one, with the front section full of cabins and permanent accommodation structures, and slightly seedy in appearance. The van sites were at the lower level, a long way from the office.

We had a look around the van sites area and saw a number of sites that would be better than the one allocated. There was hardly any other vans there. John walked back up to the office and obtained a site of our choice. Bit of a lesson there – next time, walk around and have a look first! You would think we’d know by now…

Our new site was very pleasant, with a view down to the bush area by the river, which couldn’t be seen. There was a nice grassed area between us and the bush – great for dog exercise!

Corowa site

An amenity block was not too far away from us and was clean and adequate.

Given the large quantity of permanent accommodation structures up the hill, I would not like to be here in summer and school holiday times, when it would be full.

There were numbers of ibises and ducks wandering about. Our cement slab was poo covered. I swept it clean before we set up. The grass was likewise liberally decorated.

Set up the camp, then sat in our very comfy new chairs and had a beer each, to celebrate being mobile again. John then went inside to have a nap, while I took Couey for an explore to the river. There was a good track going from the park towards the Murray. The river was running at a good high level – pleasing to see.

I’d intended to follow the track alongside the river for a while, but Couey got buzzed by a dragonfly, of all things, and it really frightened her, so she was reluctant to go further. Big, brave, black dog – not.

Before we left this morning, I’d picked a big bagful of broad beans from the prolifically bearing plants in the vegie garden. We had some of those for tea, with roast turkey thigh roll, left over from last night’s meal. That was followed by some strawberries – a gift from our flat tenant yesterday.

Watched the Keating Interviews on TV – reception was alright. Former Prime Minister Keating had been known for being blunt and forthright, as well as for his ego: the program was excellent!

It was a cool night but the doona was still too warm.


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2013 Travels November

NOVEMBER 2013

After some weeks at home, Bus was being readied for another trip, but not such a long one this time. Shorter, more frequent,  forays were one of the things I’d hoped for when we bought Bus, as it was easier to prepare and travel with than the van had been.

John had been bowling several times a week. Had also undergone yet more medical checks, investigating the suspect lungs. What appeared on xrays to be a worrying shadow on one was determined to be “just” the lung folded up on itself and thus not fully inflated. Seemed it would stay that way.

I still had a sore on lower leg, from insect bite back at Forrest Beach, months ago. Occasionally it became infected and might be turning into an ulcer. Quite strange how it hadn’t healed, and I was beginning to wonder if it was something other than the sandfly bite I’d assumed.

Two faces of springtime in Melbourne…

On our brief September stay in Canberra, there had been no swimming competition where John could see his grandsons compete. Now there was a meet happening this month, as well as a triathlon, their other sport, and John was prepared to forego local bowls in order to go see them. So a plan for a short trip that included Canberra had evolved.

I phoned and booked one of the en-suite sites at the Eaglehawk Holiday Park, for the weekend we’d be in Canberra.

We bought two new camp chairs – quite luxurious ones. The old director chair style ones had done great service over more than 20 years.

I’d ordered LED light bulbs for the Bus interior from an online supplier in North Qld. This was after trying to obtain same at local RV supply places. Sales people seemed to know little about these, and we had wasted money on ones that didn’t fit. I wanted to change all our Bus house lights to LEDs, in order to reduce power usage and provide brighter light, especially over the sink and food prep area, and the table where we sat to read, write and use computers. The LEDs from Qld fitted perfectly and were just what I had envisaged.

Our original idea had been to go through Gippsland and along the coast, then up to Canberra. But the weather forecast for this region was horrible, so the night before departure, I suggested an inland route instead.


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2013 Travels September 19

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19     WODONGA TO HOME     343kms

As we hadn’t had to unhitch the Terios last night, it was easy to get away this morning, after giving Couey a run in the back paddock.

It was a noisy departure, though. I took Couey on the lead with me and walked to the office to turn in our gate card and en-suite keys, after John had driven out through the boom gate. Dog thought Bus was going without her and complained loudly. Had she been IN the Bus, she would have complained equally loudly about me walking off without her. At least, she was then fast to get onto Bus!

Routine run down the Hume Freeway, to Seymour. Turned off there, for Yea. There was the usual hold-the-breath moment when going under the railway bridge at Seymour. It suddenly occurred to me to wonder if those extra few pounds of pressure in the tyres had made us higher? But there were no nasty scraping noises. I am sure there  was quite adequate clearance above us – but the optics were uncomfortable.

Stopped for lunch at Yea. We could always find a place to easily park the rig there. Walked to the bakery. John bought a pie and I had a lovely, freshly made salad and ham roll.

We were home by mid-afternoon. Couey obviously recognised the area and got all excited as we turned the corner into our street. Beats me how she knows, especially after months away.

Had to park the rig in the street, a bit before our first driveway. I took dog and put her in the house, then  unhitched Terios, which I drove up into the carport. John then drove Bus into its parking bay.

We managed most of the unpacking before dark. A lot of stuff stays permanently in Bus, so unpacking mostly involved some clothes, perishable foods, the electronic gear and all the dog’s gear.

Our house gas hot water service and ducted heating were a bit slow to fire up and required some fiddling about by John. We have never before left the house un-lived-in for such a lengthy period. However, John’s car, which had been on a trickle charger all the time, started first try.

The place looked good. M had mowed the lawns recently.

Tea was fish and chips from our local shop. Always delicious.

It had been so good to have an extended trip away again. It had been too long since the last big one in 2009. But it was also nice to get home again, to the garden in its spring finery, and to a normal width bed again! The house always seemed so huge after months spent in a confined space. 

STATISTICS

Bus: 7611 kms.

Terios: towed for 7611kms, plus driven 2287kms independently

Accommodation: $2599.10    86 nights away.

Chain discounts gained: $67.30

Number of different places stayed at: 27

Dearest accommodation: Cool Waters Kinka Beach $58 per night

Cheapest paid accommodation: Theodore Showgrounds  $15

Cost diesel (Bus)  $2044.99

                                      ***************


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2013 Travels September 18

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18     SUTTON TO WODONGA     374kms

Left the park about 10am. We were a bit slow to get going this morning, possibly because of sitting up late last night. The port wouldn’t have had anything to do with it!

The day was grey and cool, but Canberra’s rain soon turned to light showers only, which became more intermittent through the day. By the time we stopped in northern Victoria for the night, they were only occasional.

The drive was uneventful. We went my way this time: down the Federal Highway to its intersection with the Barton Highway and thence to Yass. Very preferable to the back roads of Gungahlin!

The suburban neighbourhoods of the planned city gave way to the lifestyle small acreages of the fringes, often with grape vines growing,  interspersed with grazing country.

We did not need to go into Yass so were able to use the bypass to get straight onto the Hume Freeway.

John continued to be happy about the results of the changed tyre inflations.

We took a break at Gundagai, at the Dog on Tuckerbox stopping place. Had coffees. Bought a bag of apples.

Couey was totally indifferent to the ancestral dog on tuckerbox statue – but would really have liked to get into the pool at its base! Again, we spoiled her idea of a party.

No – it is not a fancy dog pool…

Stopped for lunch at Holbrook – always a great place for a break. We didn’t need to visit the tempting bakery there, though, because I’d made us lunch sandwiches before we left this morning.

Refuelled at Holbrook – $1.619cpl.

I didn’t want to do any driving today. Had lost a bit of confidence after the Dubbo effort.

The Albury bypass had made a great difference to progressing through that city. So much easier now.

We found the Borderland Holiday Park at Wodonga, on the Victorian side of the Murray, with no problems. Our en-suite site there cost $38.70, after discount. The park was pleasant enough. Very dog friendly, with a big off lead exercise area in a van storage paddock at the back.

En-suite site at Wodonga…

I cooked up a chicken stir fry, with rice, for tea.


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2013 Travels September 17

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17     SUTTON

Canberra had some three inches of rain overnight!

Today was cold, grey, damp. It had only been five days since we were sitting around in over 40 degree heat. Too much of a contrast!

I had originally tried to book us into a site at the Riverside Caravan Park, at Queanbeyan, where we had stayed before. They didn’t have a site big enough for Bus, which was why I’d booked us here. Now, I was very pleased  because, with all the rain, the other park could have been much more than soggy!

I walked up to the service station next to the caravan park, to get bread for breakfast. They only had white. Oh well, beggars and all that. But it made horrible toast.

Late morning, we drove to the family’s apartment, through drizzly rain. It was much easier in daylight.

The rented apartment was almost new, ultra modern, at ground level. The lawn beyond the patio fronted onto Lake Burley Griffin and there were great views across to the War Memorial building from their living room. SIL said they might move to a more spacious one on the third floor, whilst they wait for the lease on their own home to end.

The youngster with the sore ear was home from school, so his dad was also home from work. He made us some sandwiches for lunch. It was suggested that John take grandson to Questacon, for a couple of hours. I wanted to drive Terios back to the caravan park before the late afternoon traffic rush. So, SIL would drop John and the boy off at Questacon and pick them up later, after collecting the older boy from school. Questacon is an interactive science and technology museum. Neither John nor I had ever been there, but it would clearly interest John.

I followed them as far as Questacon, then took the Northbourne Avenue/Federal Highway route back to Sutton. It was easy driving, despite the continuing rain.

I had a quiet rest of the afternoon at Bus. It was still drizzling and chilly, so Couey got no more than the minimum necessary trips outdoors. She really wanted to investigate a couple of rabbits that were grazing not far from Bus, but I stopped that bit of fun.

I wasn’t very hungry, so just had some soup for tea. My stomach was still a bit painful.

SIL dropped John back at Bus at about 10pm. It was nice of him to drive the man back, instead of letting him taxi it. John had a really good time – especially spending time with the boys, who he sees so rarely. The younger boy was born in Brussels and to date, they’d only spent about three years of his life in Australia. We sat up for a while, with a nightcap of port, talking about his day.


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2013 Travels September 16

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16     YASS TO SUTTON     68kms

As soon as it was business hours, John phoned the RACV, who passed him onto the NRMA, for advice about tyre repair. He wanted to find a place that had the equipment and knowledge to deal with a vehicle like ours. Yass, being by the Hume Highway main route from Sydney to Melbourne, was much more likely to have same than a smaller town. John was told of a tyre place, which he then phoned, and was told to drive around there when we were ready.

Having two wheels on each side at the back, meant we could drive Bus – very slowly – without changing the flat tyre. It was only about a km and we were there at 9am. Had to disconnect the Terios, to fit into the yard, and also because Bus would have to be backed out and one is not supposed to reverse when flat towing.

Of course, it was raining.

The tyre man was an old-style expert – it is getting harder to find this sort of expertise these days, with the growing dominance of big chains and franchises in so many fields. His company did a lot of truck and bus tyres, which was really reassuring. This was new ground for us, after all. He found the seam on the tube had split, which he said was old age and not related to my driving mishap. Not sure I totally believed him, but it did make me feel a bit better.

We bought a new, heavy-duty tube, plus two spare tubes suitable for the front and back wheels, that we would carry packed away in Bus, “in case”.  He also sold us flexible valve extensions which would make checking tyre pressures on the inside rear wheels much easier. He said our tyres should be inflated to 75 on the front and 65 on the back. They had been well under that. We had never questioned the pressures Bus came with when we bought it – assumed that the dealer’s service centre had been correct.

The lovely man even crawled under Bus to check the pressure of the spare wheel, and he checked the age of all the tyres. They were 2012 vintage, which was good to know.

So we were mightily impressed  with the service and found his charges most reasonable. We each slipped him an extra $10 to buy himself some liquid refreshment of his choice.

Once Bus was under control, John phoned daughter and they sorted out visit arrangements, so it was with lighter spirits that we drove on to Canberra. John said Bus handled differently – and better – with the changed tyre pressures.

Again, faith in the GPS, rather than this human navigator, let the driver down. We were heading for a caravan park at Sutton, to the NE of the city. “She” had him turn off the highway and take suburban streets, with lots of tight roundabouts and much Monday morning traffic, through Gunghalin. We eventually reached the Federal Highway near Sutton. It might have been the most direct way, but it sure as hell wasn’t the easiest.

The way into the Eaglehawk Holiday Park, where we hadn’t been before, was not the easiest, either, with a confusing slip road to navigate.

I had only been able to book a powered site – no ensuites available. It was a long, narrow site, terraced from the next one. It cost $32 per night. We had to unhitch the car so John could back onto our site, because of the position of the cement annexe slab.

The park was huge, with only a few van sites of any sort. The couple of ensuite site buildings were at one end of the large grassed oval, away from where we were. There was a section for permanent residents, up the hill, then many rows of cabins and bunkhouses. The establishment was very geared to tour and school groups, with a dining hall as well. It was all very modern, well laid out and clean. The oval would have been great for dog exercise, had it not rained the whole time we were there.

Sutton site. Little buildings with caravans, in background, were the en-suite sites.

John had made arrangements to meet the grandsons and their father at a pool in the centre of Canberra, at 4pm. We found our way there alright – the GPS was a help!

We watched the ten year old train for a couple of hours. He did 4.3kms in that time! We were greatly impressed. John got some quality Grandad time with the eight year old, who wasn’t swimming, due to an ear infection. He helped with some homework. The boys attended a school that ran the International Baccalureate Program; it was very obvious from the nature of the homework the Grade 2 boy had to do, how much more rigorous this curriculum is, and how much children attending “ordinary” schools are not challenged to reach their capabilities. Even the fact that the boy had about an hour of homework to do at all…. This issue of low expectation and hence reducing standards is a long-time hobby horse of mine.

By the time we left the pool, to follow SIL and the kids on their way to pick up John’s daughter from work, it was dark as well as teeming with rain. There was peak hour traffic, rain, lights coming from all directions, the roads were unfamiliar, and we were trying to follow a “local” who didn’t adjust his driving to wait for us. Canberra drivers are not friendly people! Rain made the side mirrors on the Terios useless – a flaw we had not had occasion to discover before.  John ran over a traffic island barrier thing he didn’t see, at the government building – some very loud clunks.

By the time we’d followed the family to their apartment building, we just wanted to keep on going, back to the safety of Bus, rather than make the planned brief stop for drinks amidst their tea time preparations.

And that was a horror drive too. GPS took us via the Madura Road, which was the logical route – except we hadn’t come in that way. There were lots of roadworks, flashing lights, confusing signs, last minute lane changes in the still-heavy traffic – and the heavy rain. It was really scary, and John did well to get us back to Bus without an accident.

We were supposed to go to the family, for tea, tomorrow night. I told John there was no way he was doing that drive again, in these conditions. He should go alone and get a taxi back. He actually agreed with me – a sign that the drive had indeed been horrendous.

Our – late – tea was pasta and bottled pesto.


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2013 Travels September 15

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15     COWRA TO YASS     140kms

Had a bad pain in upper abdomen during the night – it kept me awake for a while. Same as I’d had a few times before, and a bit worrying in the dark depths of night, when the imagination runs riot.

John’s daughter phoned at breakfast time. Said the boys and their father were at the snowfields until tonight, so we wouldn’t be able to see them until at least Monday. We hadn’t wanted to book into a Canberra caravan park until John had heard from her and when I started making calls, found I couldn’t get into any where until tomorrow. The Floriade Festival was on, of course.

So, after the long days of travel, we had to slow down again. John didn’t want to stay another night at Cowra – which was a good decision, as it turned out. So we left the park at 10.40 am and headed through Boorowa to Yass.

This was a pleasant drive, through pretty country.

We were now into long trousers and appreciating the cooler conditions.

Booked into the Yass Caravan Park. This was adequate for an over-nighter. They had a number of drive-through sites, so we were able to keep the Terios  hitched on. The sites were narrow, though, and our neighbours seemed very close. Our site cost $27. There was an oval behind the park, which was excellent for dog exercise. John could only get SBS on TV, though. Not so excellent!

After we’d set up, I noticed Bus was on a slight lean, and the back left tyre was flat. It was, of course, the wheel that I’d run along the stone kerbing yesterday in Dubbo, so I felt really bad. The first flat we’d ever had on Bus, and it was my fault!

Flat tyre at Yass

Being Sunday, there wasn’t much we could do about it, so decided to leave it till the morning to work out what to do.

Had a pleasant, long walk, around the oval area, with John and dog.

Late in the afternoon there was a light, drizzly rain. A while since we’d had rain – it was almost welcome!

I cooked a chicken stir fry and noodles for tea, and enjoyed it much more than last night’s.


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2013 Travels September 14

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14     NARRABRI TO COWRA     542kms

Had another early start as John wanted to put in another day of big kms.

It definitely grew cooler as we headed south.

Refuelled at Gilgandra. $1.599cpl.

We made very good time to Parkes, despite the fact that I drove for some of the time and I drive Bus a bit more slowly than John. Traffic on the Newell Highway was predictably constant, but there were few hold ups and adequate places where faster vehicles could pass us.

Distant Warrumbungle Range from the Newell Highway

At a roundabout in Dubbo I was crowded by a vehicle in the lane to my right and ran the rear Bus wheel along a high kerb, quite markedly. It did not feel good.

John’s leg seemed to be improving, under the combined onslaught of pills and cream. Given that, he decided to detour to Canberra to see his two grandsons. They were keen swimmers and he wanted to see them train – or compete – for the first time, as the family had only been back for a few months from their recent three year overseas posting. So he phoned daughter and left a message for her.

Pulled into a roadside stop to eat lunch and give dog a walk. I’d made some sandwiches this morning for John, with the last of our bread. I had a muesli bar and a mandarin – better than a sandwich with somewhat stale bread!

Cloudy skies created interesting light effects on the fields

I suggested we go on to Cowra today. Left the Newell at Parkes and travelled via Eugowra and Canowindra. These “back” roads were fine and the scenery through farming country really lovely, after the inland dryness of the past few days.

We’d had the Warrumbungles in the distance, around Coonabarabran, to provide some travel interest. Further south, the crop land areas provided contrasts of green with the impossibly vivid yellow of vast canola crops. It was so good to see  green vistas again.

At the Cowra Holiday Park, on the northern edge of town, we had an ensuite site, for $36, after discount. The bathroom was good, but up steep steps. I quite liked the park, even though much of the surface was gravel. I thought they were trying really hard to cater for their travelling clientele – and the guy told John he could let the dog run loose on the grass along their fence line. Much appreciated by dog! As well, the TV reception for tonight’s football was good.

Cowra site

After set up, I asked John to drive down to the shops and get some bread, for toast tomorrow and lunch. He came back with donuts – a weakness of his – and crumpets. They would be good for breakfast, but not going to do much for tomorrow’s lunch scenario!

After such a long couple of days of travel, I suggested to John that we indulge in KFC for tea, if he would go and get same. Very rare for me to suggest something like that but I really did not feel like cooking tea. I should have, because the chicken was too greasy for my taste.

Watched the football – a final of some sort. John’s team, Carlton, lost badly. That ended their 2013 season and he was not happy.

I got the doonas out of storage – nights were chilly again.


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2013 Travels September 13

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 13     CALIGUEL LAGOON TO NARRABRI     448kms

Early start. Left at 7.40am. Today was forecast, in these parts, to be hotter than yesterday.

I’d have liked to stay at the Lagoon an extra day or two, as our friends were doing, rather than travel on this day. Not that I am superstitious, but why tempt fate? However, John had lapsed into the dreaded “let’s get home, fast” focus, that seemed always to afflict him whenever we turned in that direction. No more “dawdling” now.

The road was very “bouncy” south of Moonie, even with Bus speed down to 60kmh. Passed the remains of what seemed to have been a fairly new and large Royal Flair caravan, beside the road. The van was in small pieces. It looked to have been a very recent happening. We thought it likely that the appalling road conditions had contributed to that disaster. Not far on from that, we were passed by a 4WD towing a large Traveller caravan. We thought he was going too fast for the road condition – the van was really wagging its tail and bouncing up and down on the road. The contents of its cupboards would have been interesting, at the end of the day!

Goondiwindi had been the initial target for the day. We stopped there to give dog a walk around, and then decided to press on to Moree, as it was still only mid morning.

Back on the Newell….

Back into NSW. The run to Moree was uneventful, with us sharing the driving, and the road surface much better. When nearly at Moree, we both decided to continue on, to Narrabri.

Refuelled at Moree – $1.629cpl. While John was doing that, I phoned ahead and booked a caravan park site. We were able to pull into a parking area by the Mehi River, in the town, and I made some lunch.

We reached Narrabri about 4pm. A long day in Bus but not too tiring. It is comfortable to travel in.

Our ensuite site at the Highway Caravan Park cost $40.50, after discount. There was a great grassed area behind the park where we were able to give Couey a good run and ball chase.

Narrabri en-suite site

John took the car to the shops to try to get some dressings for his leg. He came back with a cream recommended by the pharmacist – Flaminal Hydro. I’d not heard of it before, but he said she was definite that it would improve the sores.           

For tea I cooked steaks with creamy peppercorn sauce from a packet.

Watched AFL football after tea – parts of the finals series. That time of year again.


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2013 Travels September 12

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12     MILES TO CALIGUEL LAGOON     40kms

John woke up with his sore leg red and with a burning sensation, so he was quite worried about that.

We decided that V and F would head off straight to tonight’s possible destination of Caliguel Lagoon, just south of Condamine, whilst we would see if we could get some medical attention for John, before joining them. If they didn’t think the Lagoon was any good, the fallback position was that they would wait for us in Condamine and we’d have another think.

Went to the Emergency Department at the Miles Hospital. They sent him on to see a doctor – after scaring him silly by saying that he had to act promptly if he wanted to keep the leg! Doctor gave him a script for really strong anti-biotics – the same as he’d had in Innisfail. He was told one shouldn’t take more than one course of these because they can damage liver and kidneys. Of course, he didn’t mention that he’d not long completed a course of same. Found a chemist and had the script filled.

By then, we’d had a message from V saying they were at the Lagoon and were keeping a nice spot for us. That was reassuring.

It was another hot day, forecast to reach the low 40’s in these parts.

Set out south. Passed through the small town of Condamine. About 3kms south was the turn off to Caliguel Lagoon, the Meandarra Road. The camping area was about 4kms along this road.

We parked up at the spot V and F had chosen, near them, right at the edge of the  camping area, away from other campers and with no room for anyone else to squeeze in next to us. This was good because, as the afternoon wore on, the place became quite busy, with later arrivals casting around for a place to camp.

Waterfront sites at a premium. One vanner had the best site, down below the rig with blue 4WD

One caravanner had found a lovely place to camp, down a short little lane that dipped down by the water and back up. They had a great view over the lagoon from what was really only a spot big enough for one rig. Later, he found himself closed in by a motorhome that reversed back down it and parked only a couple of inches from the back bumper of the caravan. Some people are just unbelievably crass.

Our camp

Overall, the camp area was really pleasant. There were trees for shade, an adequate amenity block, even a small fresh water tank. All free, too. At this time of year, and with the drought, it was dry and dusty, but would have been an excellent place to stay for a while, earlier in the year.

Caliguel Lagoon

The lagoon appeared to be a long backwater of the Condamine River, filled in flood times, I guess. There was a boat ramp, so the place might have been busier and noisier on weekends.

Through the afternoon F fished – unsuccessfully – though Couey was in danger of being caught a couple of times, being enthusiastic about things being thrown in to the water.

V tried to sort out a problem with her notebook, and emails. John’s help did not seem to make things any better.

They defrosted a parcel of mackerel, caught on the recent stay at Cooktown. I cooked it in tempura batter for us all, and we made some salad as well. F loved the batter so much that he got V to ask me for the recipe. They were both surprised to hear it was tempura batter mix from a packet, with some lemon pepper added! Very easy.

We cooked the fish outdoors, on a single burner butane gas stove of F’s. It was good not to have the extra heat, and fish smells, in Bus. It might be useful to get ourselves one of those.

After the dishes were done, we sat outdoors, drank port and talked – under a myriad of stars. A wonderful night – shades of the old days at Adels Grove!  Our friends promised to come and visit us in Melbourne, sometime in the next few months.