We met up with Vicky and Murray this morning and went for a long walk. Murray had a swim at the end. We met up for morning tea at the café at the bottom of their complex before they headed back home to Gosford.
Bruce went to Tea Gardens where there is a Coles, to do the shopping and I cooked a Lime Yoghurt Cake for afternoon tea this afternoon. My Mum and sister, Margie, are arriving for a few days, staying at the same place as Vicky and Murray.
Mum and Margie arrived about 2 o'clock and checked in. Bruce and I went over for afternoon tea before we all headed over to the van. Bruce and Margie then drove over to Tea Gardens to pick up a wheelchair and shower chair they had ordered for Mum for while they are here just to make it easier for Mum.
On arriving back at the van Margie took out of her car 3 medium size crates of patchwork fabric she no longer needed. She had brought them up to me to share with Katrina. I had forgotten she was bringing them. It will be good to go through them with Katrina. She will be happy; Matthew will probably tear his hair out wondering where they will fit!
Margie and I had a good walk after that, the second for the day for both of us.
Bruce and I cooked dinner at the van for the 4 of us. After washing up we went over to Mum and Margie's unit to play Rumikub. Margie won 2 games and I won 1. Bruce and I haven't played since the boys were much younger. Mum plays on a regular basis with the oldies and Margie has played recently I think. It was a good night.
Monday, 31 March 2014
Sunday, 30 March 2014
Hawk's Nest - 29 - 30 March 2014
Saturday, 29 March
We woke to some sunshine and some cloud, but no rain. Hopefully, that will be the end of it. I think there was only one day when we didn't have any rain.
We got a walk in after breakfast and then I got my oven out and made a slice, and did some washing. About lunch time long time friends of ours arrived for a couple of days. After I did my secretarial training in 1969 I started work at the Department of Housing in Sydney. Vicky started the next year in 1970. I started going out with Bruce in 1971 and he worked at Housing as well. Vicky started going out with Murray soon after that, so we have known each other for over 40 years. We usually catch up about once a year, and this is our catch up for this year. Vicky and Murray are staying at units over the road from the caravan park and will go home on Monday.
We had lunch at the van and talked for a while before heading over the road. There is a restaurant and bar under the units they are staying in, so they checked in and we retired to the garden lounge for a drink and talk before heading into the restaurant for dinner. We had a lovely meal. Their room is at the front of the unit complex and has a view of the water.
Sunday, 30 March
Bruce and I did a good walk this morning after brekkie. Murray was going to have a swim in the surf and Vicky intended reading the paper. They came over for morning tea about 10 and afterwards we went for a drive to Jimmy's Beach, which is on the other side of point and faces across to Nelson Bay. There is a caravan park there and it looks really nice and we would probably stay there if we came back. The one we are at suits us for this trip as it is closer to the units Vicky and Murray are staying at. Mum and Margie are coming up tomorrow for 3 nights and are also staying at the same units.
We drove through the caravan park at Jimmy's Beach and saw the same van as the one we have. We stopped to talk to the guy and asked if he had any leakage. He said he hadn't, and had had the van for 3 years. When we got back to our van Murray and Bruce started looking to see where the leak was originating from. They think they have found it - a couple of holes in the track where the water runs, and the holes go right through to inside the van so the water seeps in. Why on earth they didn't see it when we had it in last time, I don't know.
Vicky and Murray picked up a brochure at their units advertising a Jazz afternoon at the Golf Club on the last Sunday afternoon of the month - today. We headed over there. No jazz we could hear, so we asked the lady behind the bar about it. She said they stopped them about 3 years ago as they weren't getting the numbers. Bruce and Murray watched the football while we had a drink/cuppa before heading back to the van park to organise a barbecue for dinner.
The BBQ facilities at the van park were very good, although some people would miss the lack of a jug or the instant boiling water some parks have. We were the only ones taking advantage of the BBQ area so we had it to ourselves. We even had a magpie and butcher bird come in close to investigate.
After dinner, we each went our separate ways - Vicky and Murray to watch The Block and we went in to watch last week's episode of Midsomer Murders on IView.
We woke to some sunshine and some cloud, but no rain. Hopefully, that will be the end of it. I think there was only one day when we didn't have any rain.
We got a walk in after breakfast and then I got my oven out and made a slice, and did some washing. About lunch time long time friends of ours arrived for a couple of days. After I did my secretarial training in 1969 I started work at the Department of Housing in Sydney. Vicky started the next year in 1970. I started going out with Bruce in 1971 and he worked at Housing as well. Vicky started going out with Murray soon after that, so we have known each other for over 40 years. We usually catch up about once a year, and this is our catch up for this year. Vicky and Murray are staying at units over the road from the caravan park and will go home on Monday.
We had lunch at the van and talked for a while before heading over the road. There is a restaurant and bar under the units they are staying in, so they checked in and we retired to the garden lounge for a drink and talk before heading into the restaurant for dinner. We had a lovely meal. Their room is at the front of the unit complex and has a view of the water.
Sunday, 30 March
Bruce and I did a good walk this morning after brekkie. Murray was going to have a swim in the surf and Vicky intended reading the paper. They came over for morning tea about 10 and afterwards we went for a drive to Jimmy's Beach, which is on the other side of point and faces across to Nelson Bay. There is a caravan park there and it looks really nice and we would probably stay there if we came back. The one we are at suits us for this trip as it is closer to the units Vicky and Murray are staying at. Mum and Margie are coming up tomorrow for 3 nights and are also staying at the same units.
The BBQ facilities at the van park were very good, although some people would miss the lack of a jug or the instant boiling water some parks have. We were the only ones taking advantage of the BBQ area so we had it to ourselves. We even had a magpie and butcher bird come in close to investigate.
After dinner, we each went our separate ways - Vicky and Murray to watch The Block and we went in to watch last week's episode of Midsomer Murders on IView.
Saturday, 29 March 2014
Hawk's Nest - 28 March 2014
Today we were meeting up with very good friends of ours, Win and Ken, who live in Sydney. We have known them for 39 years. They were going to drive up for the day to have lunch with us. Bruce thought it would be a good idea to meet them part way and thought the Hunter Valley was a good option. We settled on the Lovedale area, which we both know quite well. After consulting Trip Adviser, we settled on Emma's Restaurant, which was No. 3 restaurant in the area.
What a great meal we had. Ken and I had a great Lamb Rump dish and Bruce and Win settled on a Chorizo and Prawn Rigatoni dish, which they thoroughly enjoyed. We were the only ones there today, the weather that we have been having no doubt keeping quite a few people away. The weather behaved while we were there so they missed out on a great experience. We would definitely go back there. We spent about 4 hours there having a good talk, and surprisingly we didn't lose our voices! It was great to see them.
They headed back to Sydney and we headed back to Hawk's Nest, driving through a bit of rain. When we got back to the van I went for a walk. Bruce had to put his footy tips on so he stayed behind. About 8pm the skies opened and we had torrential rain for quite some time. And our van leaked in the usual spot. Luckily we were still up and were able to save Bruce's bed from getting wet, but what a hassle and a pain. We certainly don't want to have to worry about this happening so something will have to be done.
What a great meal we had. Ken and I had a great Lamb Rump dish and Bruce and Win settled on a Chorizo and Prawn Rigatoni dish, which they thoroughly enjoyed. We were the only ones there today, the weather that we have been having no doubt keeping quite a few people away. The weather behaved while we were there so they missed out on a great experience. We would definitely go back there. We spent about 4 hours there having a good talk, and surprisingly we didn't lose our voices! It was great to see them.
They headed back to Sydney and we headed back to Hawk's Nest, driving through a bit of rain. When we got back to the van I went for a walk. Bruce had to put his footy tips on so he stayed behind. About 8pm the skies opened and we had torrential rain for quite some time. And our van leaked in the usual spot. Luckily we were still up and were able to save Bruce's bed from getting wet, but what a hassle and a pain. We certainly don't want to have to worry about this happening so something will have to be done.
Friday, 28 March 2014
Scott's Head, NSW - 21-27 March 2014
We had a lovely, relaxing 6 days at Scott's Head. The first 2 days we
relaxed, doing a good walk each day, and spending the rest of the day reading,
and in my case, sewing. We only had spasmodic internet reception and for my
phone calls, I had to walk up the track to the beach which took you on to the top of
the sand bank.
Scott's Head is just south of Macksville and about 12kms off the
highway. Neither Bruce nor I have been here before. The caravan park is
separated from the ocean by a large sandbank, covered in trees, shrubs and
grasses. It gives good protection from the onshore winds, good shade and plenty
of bird life. We even had a huge goanna – about 2 metres long – crawl along
behind our site. Apparently there is quite a few around but he was the only one
we saw. We also saw a wallaby with a joey in her pouch, on the sandbank just
behind us as well.
There are a couple of great mosaics at the park at the entrance to the headland and there is also a table covered in mosaics in the shape of a whale. Very creative.
On Tuesday, we drove to Nambucca Heads, about 30kms north of us. We
went to the movies and saw Monuments Men, which we thoroughly enjoyed. After
that we drove out to the main part of Nambucca Heads, which is off the highway,
and had a wander through town, stopping off at the Red Cross Cafe for a lovely
toasted sandwich for lunch.
We had fish and chips for dinner last night at the Takeaway just across
the road from the van park. We were talking to the fellow who owns it and he
was saying he had nearly halved his weight in the last few years. His heaviest
weight was 198kg and he is now 102kg. He wants to get down to 80-90kg. He runs
most days and swims 1 km in the surf every second day. He has done well
considering he runs a takeaway food place.
The weather has been overcast, and showers most days, the whole time we
have been here except for the first day, last Friday, which was sunny. On
Monday, we had a very heavy downpour in the afternoon and Tuesday night it
rained the whole night. The rain has been a good test for the van. We have
found we still have a small leak. The water is not getting as far as Bruce’s
bed, so that’s good, at least he is staying dry. It is just in the top cupboard
above his bed. We are getting our 12 month service at the end of April so will
mention it to them.
We were able to pack up the van this morning without getting wet, which
made it easier. We got a reasonably early start and made it to Hawk’s Nest by
about 1.30. We had showers during the day, but it was dry when we stopped at
the Old Bar Crematorium, where my Dad is buried, to see if his site needed a
clean-up. It was weed free and well looked after.
It didn’t start raining till we had nearly finished setting up the van
with Bruce finishing it off in a light drizzle. We are staying at the Hawk’s Nest
Caravan Park and it is quite a big park. It seems to be clean and well looked
after. It is not too crowded today but no doubt over the weekend, it will fill
up a bit.
Monday, 17 February 2014
Maleny - 13-16 February 2014
Our second trip away with the caravan club we have joined, the Brisbane Roustabouts, was to Maleny. We stayed at the Maleny Showgrounds, which was great. It had a newish amenities block with showers and toilets, power and only $15/night. The Showgrounds are well used by the community. Contained within the grounds of the Showgrounds is a huge, undercover equestrian centre, a tennis complex, a croquet field, Sea Scouts hut, gym, craft centre as well as a few other buildings for use during their Annual Show. The locals also use the grounds to run in and also walk their dogs. A creek ran next to where all the caravans were placed. Apparently, it floods but absolutely no chance of that this time with 35 deg. C temperatures
As you can see, we had a great setting and this is the view we had out the door of our van.
We arrived on the Thursday and from the time we arrived, there were groundsmen working on the cricket pitch shown above. They even started work on it on the Saturday morning about 5.30. I never heard a thing. The oval was mowed and the covers went over the pitch. So much work went into the oval that we thought maybe South Africa or England were coming to play. But no, the 2 local teams turned up at 8 am on the Saturday for their match and that was it.
There is a lovely boardwalk from the Showgrounds along Obi Obi Creek into town, through the bush.
We walked it to town a few times and also did a walk around the Showgrounds themselves to check out what was there. But quite a bit of the Thursday (after setting up) and the Friday we spent relaxing under the awning out of the sun and the heat. I got quite a bit of sewing done and Bruce quite a bit of reading.
Other members of the Club arrived on the Friday (there was only 3 vans there on the Thursday) so it became more social (noisy with exchanges of greetings and news). On our last trip away with the Club, to Jacobs Well, there were only 6 vans and by Saturday night there were 10 vans, a camper trailer and a bus so we met quite a few more people this time and it was good.
Jean and Stuart have the camper trailer and we became friendly with them at Jacobs Well and had kept in contact since then. They arrived on Saturday morning about 7 am and the four of us walked into Maleny to have breakfast at one of the great looking cafes in town. We had another wander through town before heading back to prepare for our afternoon at Barefoot Bowls.
We did think twice about playing as it was very hot - about 36 deg - but there was a bit of a breeze so we decided to go ahead. We couldn't play barefoot though as the synthetic turf was too hot. We broke up into about 4 teams and spent about an hour playing. Bruce and I played with Doug and Terry and by a fluke Bruce and I won. It was great fun and we all enjoyed the afternoon. A few members of the Bowls Club were on hand to give us guidance and a bit of tuition. The ladies of the Club provided an afternoon tea for us and we had a good chat after our game as we sat down inside under the fans, cooling off. I don't think I will be taking up Lawn Bowls any time soon but would be happy to have the odd game of Barefoot Bowls.
On the Friday and Saturday we all got together for Happy Hour and a good chat. It's great to listen to all the good tips of some great camp spots around the place. We have added a couple of new places to our list of destinations to try.
We got up about 5.30 on Sunday morning and went for a walk up in the hilly areas of Maleny. There were some lovely old houses and also some lovely modern homes. It was certainly a good walk as we would walk up some streets and get to the top to find the road didn't go through!
Jean, Stuart and I went to check out the local Markets on the Sunday morning. When we returned the meeting was held to elect the office bearers of our new Branch and we met a couple of the Committee members of the Australian Caravan Club, who had joined us for the meeting. As Bruce and I are very new to caravanning, and still working, we didn't want to take on any role in the club. Maybe in a couple of years.
After the meeting, we left to come home as we had work on the Monday. Quite a few of the others were staying to the Monday. We have a schedule of camps for the year and it looks pretty good. There will be a few days away (from 4 days to 2 weeks) every 6 to 8 weeks. Some of them we will go on, others we will be away ourselves.
It was a great weekend away and I think we will have some good times with the Brisbane Roustabouts and just caravanning in general. Our next trip away is at the end of March for 3 weeks and we are heading along the coast of NSW.
As you can see, we had a great setting and this is the view we had out the door of our van.
We arrived on the Thursday and from the time we arrived, there were groundsmen working on the cricket pitch shown above. They even started work on it on the Saturday morning about 5.30. I never heard a thing. The oval was mowed and the covers went over the pitch. So much work went into the oval that we thought maybe South Africa or England were coming to play. But no, the 2 local teams turned up at 8 am on the Saturday for their match and that was it.
There is a lovely boardwalk from the Showgrounds along Obi Obi Creek into town, through the bush.
We walked it to town a few times and also did a walk around the Showgrounds themselves to check out what was there. But quite a bit of the Thursday (after setting up) and the Friday we spent relaxing under the awning out of the sun and the heat. I got quite a bit of sewing done and Bruce quite a bit of reading.
Other members of the Club arrived on the Friday (there was only 3 vans there on the Thursday) so it became more social (noisy with exchanges of greetings and news). On our last trip away with the Club, to Jacobs Well, there were only 6 vans and by Saturday night there were 10 vans, a camper trailer and a bus so we met quite a few more people this time and it was good.
Jean and Stuart have the camper trailer and we became friendly with them at Jacobs Well and had kept in contact since then. They arrived on Saturday morning about 7 am and the four of us walked into Maleny to have breakfast at one of the great looking cafes in town. We had another wander through town before heading back to prepare for our afternoon at Barefoot Bowls.
We did think twice about playing as it was very hot - about 36 deg - but there was a bit of a breeze so we decided to go ahead. We couldn't play barefoot though as the synthetic turf was too hot. We broke up into about 4 teams and spent about an hour playing. Bruce and I played with Doug and Terry and by a fluke Bruce and I won. It was great fun and we all enjoyed the afternoon. A few members of the Bowls Club were on hand to give us guidance and a bit of tuition. The ladies of the Club provided an afternoon tea for us and we had a good chat after our game as we sat down inside under the fans, cooling off. I don't think I will be taking up Lawn Bowls any time soon but would be happy to have the odd game of Barefoot Bowls.
We got up about 5.30 on Sunday morning and went for a walk up in the hilly areas of Maleny. There were some lovely old houses and also some lovely modern homes. It was certainly a good walk as we would walk up some streets and get to the top to find the road didn't go through!
Jean, Stuart and I went to check out the local Markets on the Sunday morning. When we returned the meeting was held to elect the office bearers of our new Branch and we met a couple of the Committee members of the Australian Caravan Club, who had joined us for the meeting. As Bruce and I are very new to caravanning, and still working, we didn't want to take on any role in the club. Maybe in a couple of years.
After the meeting, we left to come home as we had work on the Monday. Quite a few of the others were staying to the Monday. We have a schedule of camps for the year and it looks pretty good. There will be a few days away (from 4 days to 2 weeks) every 6 to 8 weeks. Some of them we will go on, others we will be away ourselves.
It was a great weekend away and I think we will have some good times with the Brisbane Roustabouts and just caravanning in general. Our next trip away is at the end of March for 3 weeks and we are heading along the coast of NSW.
Monday, 20 January 2014
Mt Warning, Northern NSW - 17-19 January 2014
We hadn't been to Mt Warning for quite a few years so were looking forward to this weekend very much. It is an easy drive from home too. There was rain forecast but as it turned out we didn't get a drop. It was pretty warm and humid though which is to be expected at this time of year.
The Mt Warning Rainforest Park is the closest caravan park to Mt Warning and is quite a large park. There are 3 areas to the park. The first one is an animal friendly part and mainly for permanents. The next area has powered sites for vans and also a few for camper trailers, as well as a few tent sites. The last area is unpowered and is mainly for tents, although there was a camper trailer there on the weekend. Separating each area is an amenities block. There was also a camp kitchen between the van area and the tent area. I don't think I would like to be there over a long weekend as there were only 2 toilets and showers in the block near us. The shower had a timing switch but I had time to have a lovely shower and wash my hair. We paid $30 a night but if we had booked online, it would have cost us $35.
We were set up by lunchtime and spent the rest of the day reading, sewing and dozing (me) and reading and sudokus (Bruce). Bruce has had a busy couple of months at work so it was good to be able to just vege out. Just as we pulled up, another van pulled up beside us. They had 2 young children with them. Bruce spoke to the guy when he washed the dishes at the camp kitchen on Friday night. They had spent 2 weeks at Yamba and had paid $1,300 for the stay. We're glad we don't need to go away at Christmas.
It is only a few kms to Mr Warning from the caravan park, so we headed up to do the walk up the mountain on Saturday morning. It is a 5km round trip. When we got to the car park at the beginning of the walk, however, it was overflowing with cars. We managed to get a space where someone had pulled out but we decided not to do the walk. There would be too many people on the track. We will come back later in the year when we can come during the week, and it will be a little quieter. There is a little 20 minute walk (10 minutes would be more like it) called The Lyrebird Track. We did this without spotting any lyrebirds but it was a nice little walk.
Instead of doing the walk, we headed to Tyalgum, which was about 20-30 minutes drive away. We had been told that there was a nice café there so instead of losing some weight on a walk, we decided to put it on with a morning tea!
Flutterbies is the name of the café but it comprises shops as well as the café in its little setting. There was a gift shop, a Christmas shop and down the back of the complex was a wellness centre. As well as the café, there was also a specialised coffee bar where you could order different sorts of coffees. There was plenty of seating and they had plenty of customers.
We had a wander through town and also drove around to have a look at the free camping spot, but it didn't look very appealing.
After lunch back at the van, we repeated our activities of Friday afternoon before walking down the road to The Rainforest Café. It had tables and chairs set up in the garden under the trees and looked very nice. A place to try another time. We then walked back to the park and wandered up to the end of the tent area to have a look. We did see a great tent.
The park had filled up quite a bit today but there were still about 10 van sites available. The tent area looked full though.
We packed up Sunday morning and headed home via Tumbulgum where we found another lovely café. I forgot to look at the name of it but it is just up from the pub. We had a table outside and it overlooked the river. It is very popular judging by the number of people there.
We had had a lovely, relaxing weekend away. Our next trip away is in a month. We are heading away with the Caravan Club and heading to Maleny. Should be a good weekend if our last trip with them is anything to go by.
The Mt Warning Rainforest Park is the closest caravan park to Mt Warning and is quite a large park. There are 3 areas to the park. The first one is an animal friendly part and mainly for permanents. The next area has powered sites for vans and also a few for camper trailers, as well as a few tent sites. The last area is unpowered and is mainly for tents, although there was a camper trailer there on the weekend. Separating each area is an amenities block. There was also a camp kitchen between the van area and the tent area. I don't think I would like to be there over a long weekend as there were only 2 toilets and showers in the block near us. The shower had a timing switch but I had time to have a lovely shower and wash my hair. We paid $30 a night but if we had booked online, it would have cost us $35.
We were set up by lunchtime and spent the rest of the day reading, sewing and dozing (me) and reading and sudokus (Bruce). Bruce has had a busy couple of months at work so it was good to be able to just vege out. Just as we pulled up, another van pulled up beside us. They had 2 young children with them. Bruce spoke to the guy when he washed the dishes at the camp kitchen on Friday night. They had spent 2 weeks at Yamba and had paid $1,300 for the stay. We're glad we don't need to go away at Christmas.
It is only a few kms to Mr Warning from the caravan park, so we headed up to do the walk up the mountain on Saturday morning. It is a 5km round trip. When we got to the car park at the beginning of the walk, however, it was overflowing with cars. We managed to get a space where someone had pulled out but we decided not to do the walk. There would be too many people on the track. We will come back later in the year when we can come during the week, and it will be a little quieter. There is a little 20 minute walk (10 minutes would be more like it) called The Lyrebird Track. We did this without spotting any lyrebirds but it was a nice little walk.
Instead of doing the walk, we headed to Tyalgum, which was about 20-30 minutes drive away. We had been told that there was a nice café there so instead of losing some weight on a walk, we decided to put it on with a morning tea!
Flutterbies is the name of the café but it comprises shops as well as the café in its little setting. There was a gift shop, a Christmas shop and down the back of the complex was a wellness centre. As well as the café, there was also a specialised coffee bar where you could order different sorts of coffees. There was plenty of seating and they had plenty of customers.
We had a wander through town and also drove around to have a look at the free camping spot, but it didn't look very appealing.
After lunch back at the van, we repeated our activities of Friday afternoon before walking down the road to The Rainforest Café. It had tables and chairs set up in the garden under the trees and looked very nice. A place to try another time. We then walked back to the park and wandered up to the end of the tent area to have a look. We did see a great tent.
We packed up Sunday morning and headed home via Tumbulgum where we found another lovely café. I forgot to look at the name of it but it is just up from the pub. We had a table outside and it overlooked the river. It is very popular judging by the number of people there.
We had had a lovely, relaxing weekend away. Our next trip away is in a month. We are heading away with the Caravan Club and heading to Maleny. Should be a good weekend if our last trip with them is anything to go by.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Jacobs Well, Queensland - 18-20 October 2013
Friday
At the Caravan Show in June, we joined the Australian Caravan Club. It is an Australia-wide club which is composed of Branches or Chapters. Each Branch usually has trips away every 6 weeks approximately. We thought it was worth joining. The members are like-minded people and it would be good to have the opportunity to get away with them now and then. And also, the tips we would be likely to pick up, so we have heard, would be handy.
We had had an email in July asking if we were interested in joining a new Branch about to start up. They were going to be called the Brisbane Rouseabouts and their first trip would be to Casino in the first half of August. Unfortunately we couldn’t make that one.
This weekend is the 2nd outing for the new Branch and it was to Jacobs Well, a little fishing place just south of Brisbane. It is only a 35 minute drive for us, and probably not somewhere we would have even thought of going to. We haven’t been there since the boys were little. There were only going to be about 6 vans going along, so a nice small group to start off with.
Friday was a miserable day. It was a bit drizzly and very windy, but also very cool compared to what it had been. But the rest of the weekend was supposed to be a lot better. We left home about 10am and were well and truly set up by lunchtime, then spending the rest of the afternoon watching the comings and goings of people and vans. I think we were the first ones there, but the others dribbled in over the rest of the day with the last van, or rather camper trailer, arriving about 5.30pm.
After the meet and greet broke up and we headed back to our van, we found the last van, the camper trailer, had set up next to us. We introduced ourselves to Jean and Stuart and chatted to them for a little while. They seem very nice too.
At the Caravan Show in June, we joined the Australian Caravan Club. It is an Australia-wide club which is composed of Branches or Chapters. Each Branch usually has trips away every 6 weeks approximately. We thought it was worth joining. The members are like-minded people and it would be good to have the opportunity to get away with them now and then. And also, the tips we would be likely to pick up, so we have heard, would be handy.
We had had an email in July asking if we were interested in joining a new Branch about to start up. They were going to be called the Brisbane Rouseabouts and their first trip would be to Casino in the first half of August. Unfortunately we couldn’t make that one.
This weekend is the 2nd outing for the new Branch and it was to Jacobs Well, a little fishing place just south of Brisbane. It is only a 35 minute drive for us, and probably not somewhere we would have even thought of going to. We haven’t been there since the boys were little. There were only going to be about 6 vans going along, so a nice small group to start off with.
Friday was a miserable day. It was a bit drizzly and very windy, but also very cool compared to what it had been. But the rest of the weekend was supposed to be a lot better. We left home about 10am and were well and truly set up by lunchtime, then spending the rest of the afternoon watching the comings and goings of people and vans. I think we were the first ones there, but the others dribbled in over the rest of the day with the last van, or rather camper trailer, arriving about 5.30pm.
We did see a funny sight. A fellow came in towing his van. He checked in at the office, then proceeded up to the boom gate where you put in a code to get in. There are witches hats around the post holding the boom gate - in other words be careful! This guy cleaned up the witches hat, turned his van too early and the boom gate next to the entry he used scraped right down the side of his van. He moved it right out of position as well. He stopped, got out and had a look at what he had done, then got back in his car and drove off. It was left to the lady in the office to right things outside but he obviously did something to it as it was blocked off for the rest of the weekend.
Those that were around met up for a cuppa/drink around 4pm
as one couple, Lyn and Warren, had just come down to say hi, but weren’t
staying. There is Di and John. Di had sort of organised the weekend and
originally office bearers were supposed to be elected this weekend. But as only
a few were coming, it was decided to put that off till next time. Also there
were Dianne and Rex, Ken and Graham. They all seem very nice.After the meet and greet broke up and we headed back to our van, we found the last van, the camper trailer, had set up next to us. We introduced ourselves to Jean and Stuart and chatted to them for a little while. They seem very nice too.
Saturday
Saturday was a lot nicer day than Friday, although still a
little bit breezy. But that helped keep the sandflies at bay, so can’t
complain.
The camping area at Jacobs Well is a lovely set up with lots
of trees – melaleucas and fig trees. Unfortunately in the fig tree next to us,
a huge crowd of noisy lorikeets obviously slept there at night. When we got
back to the van, they weren’t sleeping and were very noisy. Luckily they were
quiet at a respectable hour but we figured they would probably be up early –
and as a result so would we.
After breakfast, we went for a walk round Jacobs Well,
heading out to the end of the road. There is a pretty new estate there with
some quite big houses. There were also people fishing on the river’s edge.
Bruce didn’t bring any fishing gear this time, but it is a place we would come
back to another time.
At morning tea time, we all gathered and this time Stuart
and Jean came along to meet everyone. Also, Ken’s wife, Sheryl, was there. She
had come down this morning. We all had a good chat for about an hour before
going our separate ways.
I spent the rest of the day doing some sewing and reading.
Bruce read and did some sudokus and crossword puzzles. I won my fortune ($12)
on a scratchie.
We had booked for dinner tonight at the Jacobs Well Tavern. What
a fantastic night we had. We all got on famously and we laughed so hard and so
much. Rex and Di, particularly Di, had us in stitches with her stories of
things that had happened to them over the years. Then everyone else started
coming out with them. It made for a great night.
Apart from the fun we had, the meal was great. We all
enjoyed what we had ordered. Also, around the walls of the pub were some great
paintings by an artist by the name of Donald James Waters.
I looked him up on
Google and he has been painting for about 30 years. Check out more of his
paintings - www.djwaters.com.au.
Sunday
After breakfast this morning, we packed up and headed down
to the cafe not far away with Stuart and Jean for a cuppa. We are having a
quick get together at 9.30 before everyone heads away, except Di and John who
are staying another night.
We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend and look forward to many
more trips away with the Club.
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