LEODESTRAVELOZZ

20220601 The farmers have started harvesting there cotton as we pass many trucks carting the huge bales wrapped in yellow plastic and the farms are lined with cotton bales ready for pick up.  We arrived  in Mungindi and noticed a nice cleared patch of grass right next to the cemetery that had our name on so Des was quick to turn around and claim it for the night. Once we parked up we walked down the road to what we thought was the main town only to find we had to take a left turn and walk much further to get to the town centre, arr well, we could do with the exercise. With a Population of around 700, which I’m guessing must be out on stations because the town shows no signs of much activity and most of the shops are closed down, even the local pub shut down a few weeks back. T he district produces wheat, cotton, sheep and beef cattle for local, national and international markets. It’s a fact that Mungindi is unique in as it is located in two states, QLD and NSW,  although it has a New

20220601 Our drive from Moree took us through a small town about 50ks along the Carnarvon Highway to Garah. The town’s main attraction is the Hotel but as I walk the the street I came across an old church, still standing and some run down buildings with the old outside Dunnie and a tank stand barely standing and it’s only use is for some great photos. Every year around June Garah host’s the Talmoi Picnic Races, one of the oldest and longest running picnic races still held in Australia, having first been held in 1911. St David's Presbyterian Church in Garah One of the old deserted buildings that line the Main Street. I wondered out the back of this old building and found this old water tanks still standing, but I’m thinking, not for much longer. I’m not sure what the story is here I’m thinking it may have burnt down and they built around the old chimney, but I guess I will never know.   One of the old time favourites, who remember’s using one of theses, I  remember  when I was aroun

20220529 Travelling along the Gwydir Highway (B76) to the town of Pallamallawa or "Pally" as the local’s call it, a small rural village just 30ks east of Moree that backs onto the Gwydir River. The town services the surrounding area who’s main crops are cotton, pecans and livestock, mostly beef cattle with the added bonus of Olive’s. Driving into the town there’s a small convenience store on the corner of the street and a Pub/Caravan Park on the other, and if you drive around the bend there’s a free campground beside the river. We couldn’t fit into the caravan park due to the low bearing trees, but the owner did let us use the shower’s and as I walked into the park I said to owners, ha guys, instead of standing around talking why don’t you chop those branches down so we can fit in here, don’t worry they all laughed.😂😂 The town’s local cafe and convenience store. Pubs and Inns around our country have been a huge part of the Australian history that dated back to the first set

20220528 Waking to many Birthday wishes as we pack up and head to Inverell for supplies, but beware of the dreaded Covid, we were told it’s hit the town and spreading, we could skip it but what the hell, it’s everywhere anyway. Then as we drive into Inverell this banner was the first thing I see, gee Des I don’t think it’s Covid we have to worry about, violence seems to be on the agenda this week. Domestic violence-related assaults were up 26 per cent in Inverell. Des then takes me to the tiny town of Delungra to celebrate my birthday at the local Pub, he’s such a romantic.😕 We couldn’t fit in the show ground’s even though there was only two van, but that’s ok because we remember the last time here we walked the back street’s and happen to notice a bitumen slab that’s just perfect to park a van on.   Sunset over Delungra, not bad if I do say so my self. With no meals at the pub tonight Des takes me to the local bowels club where I pig out on my favourite travel meal of crumbed chops,

20220522 Aww, finally the sun is out in Tenterfield but that could change with the blink of the eye. We packed up and head a 143ks up the road to the tiny town of Ashford and bugger me dead if we didn’t bring the rain with us, It seems the more we try to avoid the rain the more we find it and it’s so difficult taking photos through rain drops on the windscreen, especially when Des randomly uses the wipers, so down the window goes to snap that fly by shoot. This bridge was washed out by the floods over a year ago and apparently this isn’t the first time so it’s back to the drawing board to try to construct a new bridge that won’t wash away. I manage a fly by shoot of this old tobacco huts, I would love to see inside. We made it to Ashford and decided to stay in the new caravan park and wait out the rain, and at 20 bucks a night that’s a bargain and it’s solid ground. Walking the streets we came across this old garage that so happened to have the same name as my grandson without the moto