Emerald to Malanda………

We said farewell to Alex and the family as the kids left for school.  It has been wonderful to see them again and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with them all. Our first stop was in Clermont where we had a coffee at Lotta Lattes then we continued on towards Charters Towers.  We camped that night just out of Belyando Crossing.  

Leaving early the next morning we got into Charters Towers in time for lunch.  We had a look around before leaving a short while later and we continued on to Bivouac Junction where we stayed for the next few days.  As it was the first week of the school holidays we expected it to be busy but it wasn’t so we were very pleased.  The days and nights are a little warmer so we can finally change out of the jeans and sleeves.

We had no plans to go into town but the next morning decided to return to Charters Towers as Bill had to find some gadget for the internet and I was still looking for a new hat.  The one I have is useless in the sun but so far I’ve not had any luck.  Still didn’t that day either.  A walk around the streets took us past the Church of England and we saw the old Bell Tower there.  The John Emerson Bell Tower was first erected in 1883 and relocated to its current location in 1994.

After a few days enjoying the warmer weather it was time be get moving again and our next stop was to see Sandy and Patrick in Townsville.  We arrived intending just to spend overnight out the front but on arrival Patrick asked what our plans were and did we fancy going to Ravenswood with them to camp for a couple of days.  Of course we said yes and after a delicious barbecue dinner we all settled in for the night before our adventure tomorrow.

The next morning we followed Sandy and Patrick to the Showgrounds in Ravenswood and set up camp.  Their favorite spot was available and someone had left heaps of wood so it wasn’t long before the fire was on and we whiled away the afternoon solving the problems of the world.  The gorgeous Molly kept a close eye on everything we did.

The following day we walked the five minutes into town to have lunch at one of the two pubs in town.  The Imperial Hotel was our choice and the bar inside was certainly a bit special.  Lunch was delicious and after finishing we walked down to the other hotel, The Railway, to have a drink.  While there we did a tour of the downstairs Whiskey Bar where the owner, Terry, has been very busy creating an amazing space in the underground cellar.  Our tour ended with a rather quirky photo op.

The next day we packed up and left after breakfast returning to Sandy and Patrick’s place for another night and the yummiest ravioli made by Sandy.  Eaten with a couple bottles of red we all slept well that night.  Once again we had a fabulous time with our good friends but there was still time for one more meal to share.  Together with their little grandson, Ollie, we walked around the corner to the Commonwealth Hotel where we enjoyed breakfast before finally saying goodbye and continuing our trek north.  The sky looked very grey over Castle Hill as we left and with heavy rain forecast we didn’t know where our next stop might be.

We usually stay at Tito Wetlands at Ingram when in this area but with the weather forecast as it was we knew they would be closed so half way there we saw a little caravan park and decided to stop for a couple of nights.  Well Crystal Creek Caravan Park was another real little gem.  A lovely little park with green grass, palm trees and birds everywhere.  The amenities were large and spotless and the owners delightful.  We had just set up when we heard a voice calling out Bill Harris and on looking outside our door we found Bob and Ollie, our friends from Clermont.  It was great to see them as they had been gone as we came through there this year.  After saying bye to them we popped back to the office and extended our stay another two nights.  Seems to becoming a feature of this trip.

The next day was very pleasant and no sign of the forecast weather so after breakfast we had a walk around.  We found Bob and Ollie together with some friends of theirs and joined them for a while.  Bill talked all things birds with the guys and I joined the ladies for a somewhat more rounded conversation.

Leaving them Bill and I went just up the road to Frosty Mango where we had some lunch and of course a mango ice cream.  It was quite fun watching all the people coming in and taking selfies with Mango Man. Back at home we settled in and tried to catch up on all things social media.  Not very easy with the very patchy signal.  Oh the joys from getting away from the mainstream towns.

The next morning it looked like the forecast cold spell and big rain event might actually happen now.  The sky is as black as and the temperature is falling fast.  It’s time to get the jeans and sleeves back out again.  It had rained a bit during the night and the ground was a bit soggy but held off today till later in the afternoon and when it began it didn’t stop all night again.

A night of steady rain meant an even soggier ground this morning and with no end in sight we decided to drive into Ingham as Bill wanted to research a mobile modem.  We had coffee at JK’s, picked up some shopping and returned home where it continued to rain for the rest of the day.

After all the rain yesterday the ground was very soggy again this morning.  Bill was going to visit Don up the hill in Paluma.  He had been given his name and number by Bob and he was waiting to visit so he could see the Victorias Riflebirds.  They were talking each morning about the weather up there and if it was suitable to get photos.  Still too wet and dark so after the research on the mobile modem yesterday we decided to pop back to the outskirts of Townsville and visit a Telstra shop.  Well that turned into a nightmare of which I won’t go into here but suffice to say after a few hours and two different Telstra shops we came home with what we went for.  Now all we have to do is see if it works.

On our arrival home Don rang and said that tomorrow looked good for Bill to go up so the next morning  he got up early and set off up the hill.  Everyone had told me how scary the road was going up and down so I decided to stay home and do some chores and finally enjoy some sunshine.  Bill enjoyed himself and came back with some lovely photos of the many birds that come into the garden each morning.  The Riflebirds were in short supply and Don had told him that he should have come a bit earlier so they decided he should go again the next day to see if he could improve on the day.  Another extension was necessary and in the end our original two days had morphed into seven.

The next morning Bill went up at 5 ish and came back much happier.  The birds had come visiting in numbers and he had some beautiful photos of the Riflebird.  So very grateful for Don to be so welcoming to all these strangers who love to see the birds that live up here in the forests. He’s in good company as this is also where David Attenborough came to get his shots of the Riflebird which you can see in one of his shows.  Unfortunately Bill didn’t get it displaying so still something to aim for next time.

Finally it was time to leave this lovely place.  The weather was looking up again and we were still going north up to the Tablelands.  We said farewell to Bob and Ollie and arranged to see them somewhere up on the Tablelands in a few weeks time.  We stopped in Ingham for coffee, shopping and fuel and then continued on.  Our next stop was at the foreshore in Cardwell where we had lunch and then made our way up the range to Malanda where we stayed at the caravan park there for three nights.

Unfortunately there is nothing nice to say about our stay here.  After all the rain it was very soggy and boggy.  While that was to be expected it seems that no maintenance ever gets done here.  It’s dirty, smelly and just very run down.  We did think about leaving but with the weather as it was up here, wet and grey, we decided we might not get into another one.  We won’t be going back though!

We filled our few days in with a drive to Mareeba on Saturday morning to see the market there. I bought some very interesting salt and pepper shakers.  Bill went out to Mt Hypipamee National Park but to many people out there to get any photos.  Monday morning arrived and it was time to move on so we took no time at all to pack up and head off again.  Time to find some sun.

until next time…….