Charters Towers – Forsayth
G’day all. Fletcher’s Creek is still just as good as it was last year. A few less caravans, more water in the creek, more grass in the area and more Redclaw in the pots. It seems Ranger “Dave” has been at it before we even got there. You see the creek is cordoned off from the water by a row of timber bollards. That should keep caravans away from the creek, right. WRONG. If something is in the way, pull out a chainsaw and cut it off at the ground then burn the evidence. Bloody Victorians. Of course now Dad is an official member of The Grey Nomads it seems he has to take this sort of abuse on board and solve it. This of course leads to much name calling and threatening of where things can be shoved. This is going to be interesting touring with them for the seven or so months.
Still Fletcher’s was great (still free, got to be good). The Toyota got fixed (don’t need to trade her in, the car that is). Drove down to the Burdekin for another look after the floods. Where we drove on the edge of the river is about 10m above the water line. Up in the tree line was flood rubbish about another 8m high. The river in this area is about 200m wide. So that’s 200m by 18m of rushing water flowing down a river that right now is 2m wide and 1m deep. There is a water depth marker at the Macrossan River showing the flood depth at 27m above the normal water line. (OMG they had some rain)
The time had now come to make the run up The Lynd (300 km of single lane road with road trains going both ways), “she’ll be right Jules.” After all the horror stories of what this particular stretch of Qld highway was supposed to be like it wasn’t that bad after all. Granted it took about four hours to travel 150 km, as you have to get off the road every 5km or so to let through a road train that had total right of way, but they were more than friendly as long as you had a two way and were happy to pull off for them. Still we passed a couple of old farts with no towing mirrors or UHF radio. Bloody idiots. After an overnight stay half way up the road (Jules couldn’t handle going any further in one day, something about needing a drink for the nerves), we made our way past Greenvale and up to Ravenshoe. First let’s dump the porta loo and refill the water, too easy. No worries pulling in, but a horrible screech on the way out (S—t). It seems that awning on the side of the van is destined to be destroyed. “Didn’t you see that post?” “Well yeah, but I wanted to see if I could drive over it rather then around for a change.” “Idiot!” “Fair enough.”
We pull into a place called the Railco, $6 a night with power and water and two minutes walk from town. I reverse the van up over a train track and into the little space that the old caretaker wants us to park in. With plenty of faces waiting for us to hit something while manoeuvring through the dog leg, I was quite happy to push it into place in one go and hop out and have a beer. Stick it up your bum that is how it is done (silly old farts). “Really becoming a people person hey Jules”. Met Alan and Linda next door to us in an old furniture removal trailer and prime mover called The Highway Hilton. He was an ex truckie who fitted out this rig by himself and did a bloody good job. Jules was envious, they had 2500 lt of water (we have 210), they get 2500 kms out of their tank (we get 560), they have three air cons, a rear patio and storage space for Africa (we have a 27ft van between four of us). “Theirs was twice the price too Jules”. While dad was off working for Ergon, we toured the area and its waterfalls (bloody how many walks do we have to go on says Mum), the museums and the wind farm up on Windy Hill (20 big windmills the create enough power for 3500 houses).
The weekend came and we went to the Ravenshoe market which only happens once a month (glad we weren’t here just for that, took 15 minutes to walk in and out). “And it only happens once a month hey, can’t imagine why?” We took the old stem train ride up to Toumolin and back, which was pretty good (just like being on Hogwarts train, Harry Potter for those that don’t know). With a mixture of being the highest town in Qld and light misty rain for a few days, it turned out to be a little chilly, so the girls were happy when we pulled stumps and headed down the range. We ran into the Atkinsons who we had met at Emerald Distance Ed, on their way back from doing a couple of weeks of touring the outback. They were giving it a trial run in a camper trailer with two kids and came to the conclusion that they probably wouldn’t tour Oz at this stage, as they wanted to stay together and keep the kids alive. Smart people.
We continued our drive through Mount Surprise (Dad thought the police station out here would be a good transfer opportunity for Randall (got those stripes yet),( Mum was just asking), and into Georgetown on our way to Forsayth. Erica (that’s my other lady in the car, she gives directions and doesn’t back chat (the bloody Tom Tom Jules said to say) led us out of town and into Forsayth, eventually. As we are finding, these GPS units are good until you get west then they get confused and keep trying to put you on the train lines (must have been put out by Microsoft). Pull into this little town (population 30) and reverse into another tight little spot pointed out by the caretaker. Mum makes another friend when the cranky pom beside me comes out of her van yelling you can’t park their that is where Harry is parking on Monday (today is Sat). “F—off idiot that is where we were told to park!” yells out the mighty blonde midget. “Hey Jules, maybe that’s where I got my people skills from you think?”
We’re going out to Cobold gorge tomorrow then back to Georgetown on Monday so dad can work at Ergon. We may never get out of Qld at this stage, but it is interesting.
Happy birthday Rocket on the 3rd, hope basic training was good and good luck to Beau on his upcoming tour.
Jenny and Rich, NO alcohol was used in the writing of this blog, but copious amounts are consumed in the gathering of notes.
Happy birthday also Uncle Rob (Bundaberg) on the 17th, remember you are only as old as the woman you feel. Sorry Ma
R & R hope all is going well, thinking of you guys.
Amy, how is Josh Jr coming along (don’t over cook him), Tayla said Josh’s ties have been acceptable lately.
Good to here from you lover, and glad to see you decided to keep at this stupid bloody internet thing. You think Em is a pain, trying living with her in a small caravan in the middle of nowhere, and that time of the month breathing down your neck.
What’s happening Danni? Hope all is going well, and there are no bodies in the back yard yet. Go the Lions and Go Holden.
Cliff, Log into Google, creates an account, then go to www.blogspot.watteva08.com
Miss you Gran, but it sounds like you have been busy lately anyhow.
And of course to the rest of you people who like to hear about others misfortune and mundane life, we still miss you all and hope to see you sooner rather than later.
Till next time, Love You all
The Wattevas
G’day all. Fletcher’s Creek is still just as good as it was last year. A few less caravans, more water in the creek, more grass in the area and more Redclaw in the pots. It seems Ranger “Dave” has been at it before we even got there. You see the creek is cordoned off from the water by a row of timber bollards. That should keep caravans away from the creek, right. WRONG. If something is in the way, pull out a chainsaw and cut it off at the ground then burn the evidence. Bloody Victorians. Of course now Dad is an official member of The Grey Nomads it seems he has to take this sort of abuse on board and solve it. This of course leads to much name calling and threatening of where things can be shoved. This is going to be interesting touring with them for the seven or so months.
Still Fletcher’s was great (still free, got to be good). The Toyota got fixed (don’t need to trade her in, the car that is). Drove down to the Burdekin for another look after the floods. Where we drove on the edge of the river is about 10m above the water line. Up in the tree line was flood rubbish about another 8m high. The river in this area is about 200m wide. So that’s 200m by 18m of rushing water flowing down a river that right now is 2m wide and 1m deep. There is a water depth marker at the Macrossan River showing the flood depth at 27m above the normal water line. (OMG they had some rain)
The time had now come to make the run up The Lynd (300 km of single lane road with road trains going both ways), “she’ll be right Jules.” After all the horror stories of what this particular stretch of Qld highway was supposed to be like it wasn’t that bad after all. Granted it took about four hours to travel 150 km, as you have to get off the road every 5km or so to let through a road train that had total right of way, but they were more than friendly as long as you had a two way and were happy to pull off for them. Still we passed a couple of old farts with no towing mirrors or UHF radio. Bloody idiots. After an overnight stay half way up the road (Jules couldn’t handle going any further in one day, something about needing a drink for the nerves), we made our way past Greenvale and up to Ravenshoe. First let’s dump the porta loo and refill the water, too easy. No worries pulling in, but a horrible screech on the way out (S—t). It seems that awning on the side of the van is destined to be destroyed. “Didn’t you see that post?” “Well yeah, but I wanted to see if I could drive over it rather then around for a change.” “Idiot!” “Fair enough.”
We pull into a place called the Railco, $6 a night with power and water and two minutes walk from town. I reverse the van up over a train track and into the little space that the old caretaker wants us to park in. With plenty of faces waiting for us to hit something while manoeuvring through the dog leg, I was quite happy to push it into place in one go and hop out and have a beer. Stick it up your bum that is how it is done (silly old farts). “Really becoming a people person hey Jules”. Met Alan and Linda next door to us in an old furniture removal trailer and prime mover called The Highway Hilton. He was an ex truckie who fitted out this rig by himself and did a bloody good job. Jules was envious, they had 2500 lt of water (we have 210), they get 2500 kms out of their tank (we get 560), they have three air cons, a rear patio and storage space for Africa (we have a 27ft van between four of us). “Theirs was twice the price too Jules”. While dad was off working for Ergon, we toured the area and its waterfalls (bloody how many walks do we have to go on says Mum), the museums and the wind farm up on Windy Hill (20 big windmills the create enough power for 3500 houses).
The weekend came and we went to the Ravenshoe market which only happens once a month (glad we weren’t here just for that, took 15 minutes to walk in and out). “And it only happens once a month hey, can’t imagine why?” We took the old stem train ride up to Toumolin and back, which was pretty good (just like being on Hogwarts train, Harry Potter for those that don’t know). With a mixture of being the highest town in Qld and light misty rain for a few days, it turned out to be a little chilly, so the girls were happy when we pulled stumps and headed down the range. We ran into the Atkinsons who we had met at Emerald Distance Ed, on their way back from doing a couple of weeks of touring the outback. They were giving it a trial run in a camper trailer with two kids and came to the conclusion that they probably wouldn’t tour Oz at this stage, as they wanted to stay together and keep the kids alive. Smart people.
We continued our drive through Mount Surprise (Dad thought the police station out here would be a good transfer opportunity for Randall (got those stripes yet),( Mum was just asking), and into Georgetown on our way to Forsayth. Erica (that’s my other lady in the car, she gives directions and doesn’t back chat (the bloody Tom Tom Jules said to say) led us out of town and into Forsayth, eventually. As we are finding, these GPS units are good until you get west then they get confused and keep trying to put you on the train lines (must have been put out by Microsoft). Pull into this little town (population 30) and reverse into another tight little spot pointed out by the caretaker. Mum makes another friend when the cranky pom beside me comes out of her van yelling you can’t park their that is where Harry is parking on Monday (today is Sat). “F—off idiot that is where we were told to park!” yells out the mighty blonde midget. “Hey Jules, maybe that’s where I got my people skills from you think?”
We’re going out to Cobold gorge tomorrow then back to Georgetown on Monday so dad can work at Ergon. We may never get out of Qld at this stage, but it is interesting.
Happy birthday Rocket on the 3rd, hope basic training was good and good luck to Beau on his upcoming tour.
Jenny and Rich, NO alcohol was used in the writing of this blog, but copious amounts are consumed in the gathering of notes.
Happy birthday also Uncle Rob (Bundaberg) on the 17th, remember you are only as old as the woman you feel. Sorry Ma
R & R hope all is going well, thinking of you guys.
Amy, how is Josh Jr coming along (don’t over cook him), Tayla said Josh’s ties have been acceptable lately.
Good to here from you lover, and glad to see you decided to keep at this stupid bloody internet thing. You think Em is a pain, trying living with her in a small caravan in the middle of nowhere, and that time of the month breathing down your neck.
What’s happening Danni? Hope all is going well, and there are no bodies in the back yard yet. Go the Lions and Go Holden.
Cliff, Log into Google, creates an account, then go to www.blogspot.watteva08.com
Miss you Gran, but it sounds like you have been busy lately anyhow.
And of course to the rest of you people who like to hear about others misfortune and mundane life, we still miss you all and hope to see you sooner rather than later.
Till next time, Love You all
The Wattevas
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