We meander on to Brisbane........

I know this sounds awfully like a repeat of last years trip but it's not really.  It was time to get the suspension on the van serviced and we decided the people who made it were the best ones to do that.  Where are they - Brisbane of course!  As we were heading north we decided to call through there and get it done on the way.

The one thing we were sure of was that this time it not be a four day dash along the Newel Hwy.  Last years run to Brisbane had cured us of that.  We made our way from Sprindale to Lake Cargelligoe and set up at Dead Mans Point once more.  The camp spot was much busier this year and there were at least six vans each night.  Last year we had the place to ourselves.  

While there Bill went out to Round Hill Nature Reserve one day looking for birds while I stayed home and did all things domestic - cooking, cleaning and sleeping in!  He checked out the treatment plant too though not as much success as last year.

The next day we drove out to have a look at 'the bush church'.  It's real name is Farm Chapel and it is about half way between Lake Cargelligoe and Condobolin.  Built in 2008 The Farm Chapel stands at the base of Mt Bolo surrounded by the farmhouse and outbuildings.  It is a circular design representing the form of eternity with a bronze cross on the roof symbolizing redemption through Jesus Christ.

The domed roof is covered by a large fresco representing the universe and Christ the King.  The Chapel was built by a Swiss master builder and the beautiful artwork was done by a master artist from Bulgaria.  The Chapel has a Hermit in Residence living there in an apartment underneath though he was away on Retreat when we visited.  There is a service held there once a month.  A truly amazing thing to find out here in the middle of nowhere.

We hit the road again on Thursday and drove to Cobar stopping at the tiny hamlet of Mount Hope for lunch.  Not much here but a hotel, one house and a community hall.  We arrived at Cobar a couple of hours later and made our way back to Newey Reserve where we set up camp beside the lake.  Once again many more vans here than the three or four last year.  I think I counted 26 but there were some more around the corner.  

Our next stop was back at Bourke where we decided to camp at the same spot as last year.  The large area beside the Darling River was perfect and we imagined it would be full of the many vans we had seen during the day.  What a surprise we got when we arrived and only found one other van here.  Not sure where all the others are but we enjoyed two peaceful days watching the birds, the river and the old paddle boat Jandra.  

Since leaving home in search of some warm weather we have run into what is said to be 'the coldest start to winter' in NSW for a number of years.  The nights have mainly been 0, 1 and 2 with the days while clear and sunny still very cold at 14 -16 degrees.  Here at Bourke it has been 20 and lovely.  Hopefully this is the start of something warm.  The road from here to Cunnamulla very quickly turned red and we knew we were heading into the outback.

We spent two very quiet days at Bourke before heading up to Cunnamulla where we spent the night behind the pub.  I was looking forward to having the night off from cooking but that was not to be as the pub didn't open on Sunday!

The next morning we drove the few km out to Bowra, the bird sanctuary we had tried to visit last year but were unable to with all the wild weather.  This time our luck was in and we booked in for three nights.  What a lovely spot.  

Bowra is a 14,000 ha property now owned by Australia Wildlife Conservation.  Extending from the flood plain of the Warrego River with it's Gidgee, Poplar Box and Cypress woodlands, westward through riparian stands of Coolibah and Red River Gum to dissected tablelands and low rocky hill of Mulga woodland it provides a varied habitat for many birds and animals.  Limited numbers can camp around the homestead which is manned by volunteers on a monthly basis.  There is also limited accommodation in the old Shearers Quarters if you don't want to camp.  Once on the property there are a number of tracks mapped out for the bird watcher/photographer to wander around as they like.  Hot showers and toilets are a real treat as well.

We camped beside the waterhole and enjoyed our time here.  Bill made the most of his time with the camera getting up and out early each morning.  I was not quite so keen staying in bed until it was daylight at least.  He did find some lovely birds each morning.  This Crested Bellbird was one of his favorites.

I joined him later each day as we explored further afield.  Each evening at six o'clock everyone met for 'Bird Call' and listed how many birds and where they had seen them.  While we are not truly Bird Watchers it was interesting to learn how the other half work.  All the people we met were very friendly and one lovely lady in particular made our stay a lot of fun.  

I called Marilyn a fabulous 'old bird' and we really had a laugh with her.  She and Bill headed off one day to find the Bourks Parrot which was alluding him and while they did see it he didn't get any usable photos.  Next time eh.  South Gumholes was a great drive but no birds today.

After three days here it was time to leave and make our way into Brisbane for the work to be done.  By now we had added a car service and some airbags to be fitted as well.  Our first night out we stopped at Wallam Creek in Bollon and the next day we stopped for coffee at The Jack Taylor Weir in St George.  Lovely parkland beside the Balonne River was just the place for a rest from the car.

Next day we drove to Bowenville Reserve and camped at Oakey Creek again.  Both places very well looked after and quite a few vans there already.  We stopped at Moonie for a break on the way into Dalby and were surprised to know that they have been drilling oil there since 1964.

Leaving early the next morning we drove through Towoomba, Ipswich and the outskirts of Brisbane as we made our way to the Pine Rivers Show Grounds in Lawnton where we would stay for the next week.  This is a Nothern suburb of Brisbane and a great place to stay with shops, laundromat and the railway all very close. 

We set up and settled in hoping the forecast rain would not dampen our spirits too much.  I guess that was a little too much to hope for because a short while later it arrived and continued all night and most of the next day.  We braved the rain and armed with raincoats and umbrellas walked to the station on Sunday and went to the Brisbane Caravan and Camping show.  No we didn't want a new van but did want to look at some accessories.  We managed to stay almost dry and came home with most of what we wanted.  The sun shone the next day and we actually got the washing done and dry so I was smiling again.

An early morning on Tuesday as we delivered the car to Coorporoo for its service.  We caught the train into Brisbane and checked out the city while we waited.  Love the butterfly artwork in the mall.

Another early start on Wednesday as we hooked up and took the van across to Geebubg for its turn.  This time we drove to Noosaville on the Sunshine Coast and enjoyed a walk along the riverfront and a coffee.  It really is a very pretty place though I imagine it would be very busy in the real tourist season.  And of course I just had to have a picture of The Big Pelican.

As we left and returned to collect the van the rain came down in torrential showers and continued until well after we arrived back at the show grounds.  We were both rather damp when we finished setting up again.  Nothing a nice warm shower couldn't fix though.

And just for something different another early start on Thursday as we took the car to Caboultre to have the airbags and radio fitted.  Another day spent in a local shopping centre was not what I really call fun but it was just down the road and we stayed dry!  Once the work was done it was back home for a quick change and we were back on the train to Southbank where we met Brenda and David for dinner.  We chatted non stop catching up on the last two years, loved meeting David and enjoyed a nice dinner and drink together.  Saying goodbye again and heading back to the train I couldn't resist the obligatory photo of the Brisbane Wheel.  It was two very tired bodies that hit the pillow that night.

With all the work done it was time to pack up and get out of the city and suburbia so the next morning we packed up, hitched up and hit the road again.  Our first stop was not too far down the road as we were going to visit Sheree and stay overnight with her before hitting the road for real.  We made our way through Brisbane and out the other side to Karana Downs near Ipswich and enjoyed a wonderful night with our favourite 'rock chick' Sheree.

Once again it was a great night of good food, good wine and great company.  In the morning we met Sheree's housemate Lisa and her friendly dog Tex.  We slept in the van but loved having breakfast cooked for us in the morning.  Sheree really spoiled us.  All too soon it was time to say farewell again and so it was into the car and back on the highway.  To where, we don't know yet, but we'll work it out after we do the shopping at Towoomba.  Stay tuned.

until next time..........