Friday, July 22, 2011

More photos

Photos:
1. Dunk Island
2. Ray and his truckies knot (what do you think Dad)
3. Devastation at Mission Beach
4. The sugar cane train





















Photos:
1. Eugine, Volunteer Coordinator
2. Clearing the paddocks
3. Mark on the chainsaw












Day 5
The day was spent with all volunteers helping to move the Blaze Aid camp to another spot (Frog Hollow at Mission Beach) because the Tully Show is on this weekend.
We were allocated to Admin and the dining room which included the BBQ, all the safety equipment and the spare camp beds and linen.
It took us all morning but we are all now established in our new home and a whole lot of new volunteers have arrived.

We spent the rest of the afternoon checking out the local beaches which are really beautiful but you can see where the cyclone has done a lot of damage.

Volunteering with Blaze Aid

Photos:
1. Janet with Day 4 Team
2. The shed, dumped from 2km away
3. White lipped green tree frog in Janet's diningroom
4. This Cassawary thought we looked like an interesting exotic fruit




















Day 3
Today we were assigned to go to the property of Justin and Jan (the neighbours of Mark).
Our team consisted of Jenna and Kathleen (Kat) two English backpackers and Pattie (a backpacker from Taiwan)

Justin has hurt his foot and was very embarrassed that we were there to work and he could not help us because of his injury, but Mark came to help out. We were supposed to help pull down a shed that had been demolished but Justin felt bad and he insisted we go back to Marks to do some work on the pump and water tank so that Janet would have clean water on Marks property.

Jan and Justin own an exotic fruit farm. All the fruit trees were uprooted and blown away during the cyclone. There is no sign of the trees, but there is the remnants of an entire shed, including some very heavy girders, too heavy for two people to lift, that has been deposited on their property from 2 km away.

With Mark’s assistance and the tractor we managed to clear a paddock of fallen timber so that the field could be slashed then we went into another part of the farm a cleared a track that has been impenetrable ever since the cyclone because of fallen trees and a small stream that has become a deep ravine. It will require a bridge to be built over this area to make it passable.

Jan and Justin live in a beautiful totally green self sufficient home in the rainforest which Justin built. Their water comes from two springs on the property and they have recently put down a bore, their electricity is totally solar energy and their toilet is a very efficient composting toilet (no water needed to flush and definitely no smell) and it is inside the house right next to their bedroom making it an ensuite. There is a beautiful claw bath outside in the fernery beside the house and because it is so secluded and tropical it would be a very relaxing way to take a bath in the open with a view of the rain forest. The whole house is very open and there are forest views from every room. They were there in the house during the cyclone and they said it was very frightening.

There are feeding stations for the Cassawarys on Jan and Justin’s farm and we inadvertently parked the car right next to one. The Cassawarys came in looking for food when they saw the car and as there was no food in the box they turned to us. We were wearing our orange safety Blaze Aid jackets and they must have thought we were big oranges or some fancy fruit because they started to approach us. They were between us and the car and we had nowhere to go but bush. Pattie now has a new name “Pattie Pancake” because Jenna, who was terrified, nearly crushed her trying to get into the car.

Day 4
Back to Jan & Justin’s to clear the road to their orchard, make sure the pump had filled the tank for Janet and take a load to the tip.
We also did some tree clearing in what was the orchard.

Justin is a ships captain and is away a lot of the time. He used to captain ships for scientists doing research out to sea and now he captains a ship which farms ocean mur (black sea cucumbers) an Asian delicacy as well as being used in medicine and it is very expensive, so a lucrative occupation.
Jan had been developing the orchard of exotic fruits so Justin could retire on the farm to spend more time with her, but that was all put on hold when the cyclone blew all of the trees away.
Justin explained the composting toilet today and it all revolves around the air being extracted. They dig out the compost (which by then is just dirt and doesn’t smell at all) about 2 wheelbarrows a year and put it on the garden.
There is also a green lipped tree frog that has made his home in a pot plant in their dining room.
They have a very idealistic life style there, except for the cyclones, of course.

The three girls working with us today (Stacey who is Irish and Kat and Jenna who are English and all about 24 years old) were good fun and they worked very hard.



Tuesday, July 19, 2011

VOLUNTEERING WITH BLAZE AID













Photos:

1. Our first volunteer team: Ray & Jenny with Christian & Stacey

2. Mark and Ray in his chainsaw gear

3. Volunteers in the field

4. A Cassawary wandering through the property


We arrived in Tully on Sunday 17th July at 4pm.
Eugene welcomed us, signed us up and got us organised with all the stuff we needed to know and the equipment we would need (chainsaw, gloves etc.) Apparently they are going to feed us as well. Eugene is very well organized. There is lots to be done. The damage in the area is due to the cyclone in February and we will be helping to clear fallen trees and mending fences.
All the volunteers are camped at the Tully showgrounds. Most of them are Grey Nomads but there is also a few backpackers and a family travelling with their four young children. We met Joan and John, a lovely couple from Kurrumburra who have been very helpful.

Day 1
We were assigned to Mark Gayles property along with Stacey (an Irish backpacker) and Christian (a German backpacker).
We cleared trees (blown down in the cyclone) from the driveway and around the house and down to the water pump using the chainsaw and then we dragged it all into huge piles for burning later on. Janet (something of a recluse) lives alone on the property in squalid conditions. Along with her neighbour and Mark they made a lovely morning tea and lunch for us while we worked. They were very happy with the progress we were able to make. We will probably come back tomorrow to continue in another part of the property.

Day 2
We went out to the same place today and did more of the same thing.
Ray got to do a bit of chain sawing. We are very hot, tired and muscle sore. It was very hot today and we were working out in a paddock where there was no shade in the afternoon. Stacey had to take a break because she was getting over heated. She is Irish with peaches and cream skin after all.

We all take turns helping out in the kitchen back at the volunteer camp. Ray was on dishes last night and tonight I was on cooking. A bit daunting cooking for so many people.
We are enjoying ourselves though and meeting lots of very nice people.

First Volunteer job













Photos:

1. Morning tea on the job

2. Whats left of the toilet

3. Whats left of the house

4. Working in the field (Ray and Christian)







Hughenden to Tully



Photos:

1. Hinchenbrook Island from Cardwell

2. Sugar cane fields Townsville to Cardwell


We have decided to cut across to Tully from here, where we will volunteer with Blaze Aid for a couple of weeks.
Travelling through Charters Towers, Townsville, Ingham and Cardwell.
Beautiful misty mountain scenery with miles and miles of sugar cane fields.
Cardwell is opposite Hinchenbrook Island where there is much evidence of the terrible cyclone earlier this year.
The Tully residents were very badly hit by the cyclones and many of them have still not had any assistance. The insurance companies are proving very difficult to deal with and depression has started to set in with many of the smaller farmers in the area. This is a huge sugar cane area and the sugar refinery in Tully runs 24 hours a day with smoke/steam billowing from its three huge chimney stacks.
Finished my first ‘Drunkards Path’ block.

.

From outback Longreach to dinosaur country: More photos







Photos:

1. Coolabah tree (more than 140 years old) at Hughenden

2. Flinders Poppy (wildflowers near Kimburra)

3. Little black & white bird for Ray to identify (it is not a magpie)





From outback Longreach to dinosaur country: photos






















PHOTOS:


1. Dinosaurs at Hughenden

2. Ray and Banjo Paterson at the Waltzing Matilda Centre Winton

3. Jenny with the Drover at the Outback Centre in Longreach

4. Ray's pride and joy a Major Mitchell cockatoo

5. Visiting Brolgas at Longreach








From outback Longreach to the dinosaur country

Headed north through Charleville to Augathello, where we stayed overnight, then on to Longreach. There were lots of huge road trains in this area.
We passed the “wild dog fence”. At Blackall, we had lunch by the river and spotted an azure kingfisher. The roads are narrow and very lumpy.
The weather is warmer but still very cold at night.

We have arrived at Longreach having passed over the tropic of Capricorn. The weather is warming up and the nights are mild. We’re gonna breack out the shorts.
It was a long hard drive today and we are going to stay here for a while to recuperate. There is lots to see here. Ray says ‘Banjo Paterson sneezed twice here’.
We visited the Qantas Museum, where Qantas is reported to have originated and they had their first airport.
We also visited the Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Centre. All beautifully set up for the many visitors.
We went for a walk by the Thompson River just north of Longreach – a bit of a non event.
Where we are staying they have a couple of beautiful Brolgas that visit each evening
Getting along with my ‘Drunkards Path’ block.

Leaving Longreach at 9am heading for Winton.
Overcast, slight showers, what’s happened to our good weather?
The Bogonvillea is beautiful, we passed a herd of wild camels and we spotted some little zebra finches on a wire fence coming into Winton.

Winton is in dinosaur country. The fossils and dinosaur bones are fascinating. We have to come back here to checkout some of the archaeological digs.
There are some really important finds in the area between Winton, Richmond and Hughenden.
Also in Winton is the Waltzing Matilda Centre. Banjo Paterson wrote Waltzing Matilda at nearby Dagworth station and it was first played at the North Gregory Pub in Winton.

At Hughenden we did the eco river walk along the Flinders River (the longest river in Queensland). There are lots of dinosaur attractions around town.
We visited the Coolabah tree with blazes put there by Frederick Walker when he was exploring north in 1871 and William Landsborough whilst he was searching for the missing Bourke and Wills in 1872.

Stopped overnight at Kimburra on the Campaspe river (no facilities) – lots of wildflowers in the area and many apostle birds at the campsite. Ray to checkout name of little black & white bird.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

More photos of Eulo













Photos:

1. The famous Lizard Race Track

2. The smallest patchwork shop ever in Eulo
3. The Artesian Mud Baths

4. The Paroo River at Eulo






EULO

Places of interest:

· The Eulo Queen Hotel
· Lizard race track
· Paroo Patch
· Date winery
· Artesian mud baths
· Air-raid shelter WWII

Spoke to some of the locals about Uncle Les. They know him has Puddy or Puddy Nose (don’t know where it comes from)
The guy at the Date winery remembered him fondly and said he ran a good pub.

We stayed at the pub and had one of their famous pub meals – pretty good T-bone steaks. There were 5 dinner guests that night, including us.
I’ve started drinking shandies – very outback.
Attended the Pub campfire (damper and golden syrup is all the go out here)
A surprising number of people passing through and staying at the camping ground behind the pub (at least 15 vans last night).

The Lizard race track is in good condition, but the races are not held anymore because of Greeny objections and some of the locals are not happy about it.
The earth Eulo is very outback red.

Even found a patchwork shop in Eulo. The Paroo Patch would have to be the smallest patchwork shop ever and it’s shared with the saddler.
The lady (Helen) had attended the Kaffe workshop when he visited outback Qld earlier this year. Left my card.

Bought some wine and Eulo honey at the Date winery and had a guided tour of the artesian mud baths. They even have a WWII air-raid shelter here.

No wonder Uncle Les liked the place. Everyone seems to have the same sense of humour as him.

Heading out of town, a bird hit the top of our windscreen. He met his end at the hands of the great white box.
The many emus and kangaroos by the side of the road can be a problem as they are very unpredictable and can run in any direction. Approach with caution.

Eulo and the Pub
















Photos:


1. The main street of Eulo


2. Inside the Eulo pub


3. The Eulo Queen Hotel


4. Entering Eulo







Even more of Bourke













Photos:



1. J.V. Jandra on the Darling



2. Emus on the roadside



3. The Darling at Bourke









Still at Bourke, waiting for the tyre repairers to return from their weekend away.



Did some walking.
Went down to the P.V. Jandra paddleboat to watch it come in. Seems to be the only paddleboat on this part of the river.
After lunch we walked along the Darling river near town – very rustic.

Monday – up early to get tyre fixed – ready to leave at 9.25 am (pretty good for us)
Crossed the Qld border at Barringun at 11 am.
Lots of emus and kangaroos and a wild pig sighting
Stopped off at Cunnamulla for lunch on the way through to Eulo.




Saturday, July 9, 2011

More of Bourke



































To complete the day we visited the grave of Fred Hollows and the old Bourke wharf.









Brewarrina

This afternoon, after a quiet morning, we visited Brewarrina to see the 40,000 year old aboriginal fish traps. These structures are intriguing and we just happened to spot a couple of young boys making the most of the good fishing spot. A great way to spend their school holidays.








Bourke

Arrived Bourke for late lunch.
Unhooked the van and took a trip out towards Louther, down the Darling.
We wanted to check out access to the river for future reference. Superman thinks he will try his hand at paddling the Darling on a future trip. Batgirl (AKA old bat) needs a little more convincing.
While we were 4x4 driving in and out of access roads to the river, we got a flat tyre. Back to town to try to get it fixed, only to find that at 5.20 pm on Friday evening, the only tyre repair place in town had already turned the compressor off and planned to go away for the weekend. So there is nothing we can do until Monday. We’re in the Outback now.

Last night we attended a community campfire (BBQ, pancakes & billy tea) with aboriginal dancers and a fabulous bush poet.
It was a great night and we met a few fellow grey nomads who are a wealth of information.






Broken Hill to Cobar

Left Broken Hill fairly early, there was a mass evacuation of the caravan park. Everyone else had the same idea.
It is amazing how many grey nomads are doing the same thing. They are going in all directions.

We drove to Wilcannia but kept driving because we didn’t like the feel of the place. Arrived at Cobar – quite a lot to see here.
Saw lots of wild goats and eagles along the way and fabulous wide open vistas of saltbush and grassy plains.

Patchwork shop at Broken Hill

I have discovered, by chance, that a patchwork group meets at the Broken Hill YWCA every Monday and Wednesday and the Quilt Guild meets on Saturday morning. I would have liked to join them, but because of school holidays they are not meeting this week, so I have missed out. There is a small patchwork shop at Broken Hill which also passes for a craft and gift shop

Tonight we are at Cobar and there is a very nice patchwork shop with a great selection of fabrics. I am so far resisting because I have brought so much hand sewing with me that, at the rate I am going, will keep me busy until September.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Broken Hill

Photos:
Mundi Mundi at sunset
Sturt Desert Pea
Pro Hart Gallery (2)

































































Had a fabulous first day in Broken Hill.




Started off with a walking tour around town.




Then we drove to the top of the Mullock Heap that dominates Broken Hill. There is a scenic lookout and cafe with 360 degree views. Also lots of old mine machinery and a memorial site.







We then visited the Pro Hart Gallery. I loved this, and I was surprised to find that his art was much more diverse than I realised. And it is all very nicely set out in his special gallery. Ray liked the painted Roles Royce out the front.







In the afternoon we drove out to the Living Desert and rock sculptures - a great place. The sculptures were great, but the views were spectacular. I had my first sighting of the Sturt Desert Pea growing wild in the desert. It is more beautiful in reality than I imagined it could be.






We then drove to the historic town of Silverton famous for its silver mine (lots of Mad Max memorabilia). We drove onto the Mundi Mundi Lookout - a magnificent vista at sunset. With 360 degree desert views. The photo doesn't do it justice. It's no wonder people thought the world was the shape of a dinner plate.