20140915 Qld Cooyar, Dalby to Chinchilla
20140915 With the vans all packed we hit the road once again for another short trip, this time heading towards Esk then inland to a rest area at Ravensbourne only once there the rest area wasn't very appealing so we left for Chapman Park Rest area at Hampton only this time we had no reception and we so wonted to watch Home and Away tonight only to see who gets killed, (how boring are we) so we left for Crow’s Nest only stopping for a quick photo.
A memorial to Jimmy Crow who lived in the area and gave the town its name. An exceptional tracker and traditional man who lived in his gunya which was a big hollow tree, it is said that he knew the area well and would often help people who came through on horseback with directions. He was the only aboriginal after whom a town was named.
Onto Cooyar, Swinging Bridge Park where we camped up for three days with the added bones of power for a donation at the local drinking hole. There's not a lot to see or do in small towns like Cooyar with only one shop and Hotel so after a walk of the town we just lazed around reading, sun baking and writing my Blog.
Cooyar Swinging Bridge leads to a little bit of history with it's old machinery on display across the bridge.
20140918 We left for Dalby to spend the night with Sue McNeal but not before stopping at Kaimkillenbun to check out the Bun Hotel and the proprietor's old cars which Dave told us about.
Check out the old Sandman and he also had a EH Premier that was also in great condition, you gotta love the old cars.
At Sue’s it looked like a camp site with two other vans parked up along the fence line, Sue’s brother and his mate had also arrived and wright in the middle of poor Sue having new linoleum laid and her house is turned upside down, but that didn't deter us from having a BBQ followed by to many drinks, well! for me at least, but I left with Sue and Richard laughing at me falling asleep at the table, one of my many tricks.
20140919 After a shower we packed up and said our goodbyes then left for the Chinchilla.
Chinchilla is known as the 'Melon Capital of Australia', and plays host to a Melon Festival every 2nd year - the next to be held in 2015.
Des threw in a couple of yabby pots but on the first pull had not a one so he left them in overnight.
20140920 Nop no luck with the yabbies it must still be too cold so he gave up. Again theirs not a lot to do apart from read, watch the midday movies, go for small walks and watch the water skiing around the lake but it is very relaxing.
A memorial to Jimmy Crow who lived in the area and gave the town its name. An exceptional tracker and traditional man who lived in his gunya which was a big hollow tree, it is said that he knew the area well and would often help people who came through on horseback with directions. He was the only aboriginal after whom a town was named.
Onto Cooyar, Swinging Bridge Park where we camped up for three days with the added bones of power for a donation at the local drinking hole. There's not a lot to see or do in small towns like Cooyar with only one shop and Hotel so after a walk of the town we just lazed around reading, sun baking and writing my Blog.
Des and I walked to the hotel to pay for donation for the camp site and have a drink, we said hi to a guy as we walked into the pub only to be surprised by his replied, hallow Des Cathcart, we both stared at the chap, and then the light went off in Des's head, "Dave Butcher" and the reunion began, they reminisced about the old days at the Sands Hotel with Noel Hayman, Jeff Williamson (baldy) and Mick the school boy and how they would ride home blind on their bikes.
Wednesday night is BBQ night and the locals and campers take the night off from cooking but as Des and I had eaten we just drank while Dave, the pub's right hand man cooked up a feast of steak, rissole's and sausages followed by some yummy salads. Cooyar have a lot of bikes stay over night or for the weekend and the publican puts on a BBQ in the large area out the back. You can stay in the camp area or book a room but make sure you get in early as there is only 10 rooms.
Dave being a clown but it's always great to catch up with old mates.
Wednesday night is BBQ night and the locals and campers take the night off from cooking but as Des and I had eaten we just drank while Dave, the pub's right hand man cooked up a feast of steak, rissole's and sausages followed by some yummy salads. Cooyar have a lot of bikes stay over night or for the weekend and the publican puts on a BBQ in the large area out the back. You can stay in the camp area or book a room but make sure you get in early as there is only 10 rooms.
Our last night at Cooyar so we thought we should catch up for a few drinks with poor limpy Dave who was driving a tractor when a tree hit him in the leg breaking his knee cap, Yep! trees jump out at you in Cooyar, just joking Dave.
Dave being a clown but it's always great to catch up with old mates.
The camp grounds at the back of the Cooyar Hotel shared the only grave site of a 5 year old girl 'Ethel Tebb' that drowned in 1904, how very sad.
Cooyar Swinging Bridge leads to a little bit of history with it's old machinery on display across the bridge.
Before leaving Cooyar we stopped to say goodbye to Dave only he wasn't their so we took a photo of his three legged trike and the van behind the trike is Dave's home for now.
20140918 We left for Dalby to spend the night with Sue McNeal but not before stopping at Kaimkillenbun to check out the Bun Hotel and the proprietor's old cars which Dave told us about.
Check out the old Sandman and he also had a EH Premier that was also in great condition, you gotta love the old cars.
At Sue’s it looked like a camp site with two other vans parked up along the fence line, Sue’s brother and his mate had also arrived and wright in the middle of poor Sue having new linoleum laid and her house is turned upside down, but that didn't deter us from having a BBQ followed by to many drinks, well! for me at least, but I left with Sue and Richard laughing at me falling asleep at the table, one of my many tricks.
Talk about a blast from the past, Bill McIntyre who use to run the carrier business in the Redlands in the 90's and I use to be friends with his wife, apart for the graying hair he still looks the same.
20140919 After a shower we packed up and said our goodbyes then left for the Chinchilla.
Sue and her Mum sending us off with some very good direction for a camp spot at the Chinchilla Weir with free power, thanks for a great night Sue.
Chinchilla is known as the 'Melon Capital of Australia', and plays host to a Melon Festival every 2nd year - the next to be held in 2015.
Des threw in a couple of yabby pots but on the first pull had not a one so he left them in overnight.
20140920 Nop no luck with the yabbies it must still be too cold so he gave up. Again theirs not a lot to do apart from read, watch the midday movies, go for small walks and watch the water skiing around the lake but it is very relaxing.
The Weir about 9ks from Chinchilla is a great camp spot with free power and you can stay for 48 hrs.
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