Drive: 240
km
We arrived home about midday and had lunch.
While Wendy
got stuck into the washing of the sheets, etc, Greg washed the van. It still had half of Carnarvon road on it
from the trip in whilst it was raining.
It took him a good couple of hours to clean it like new.
Ride: 30 km
After
breakfast and coffee, we rode into Agnes Water and then 1770, just so that we
could say we had seen both places. On
the way through 1770, we checked out both their caravan parks and neither were
as nice as the one we were at, so our choice had been spot on. One of the parks was on the side of a “hill”
and most of the sites were not even. We
were going to have mornos in Agnes on the way home as we had to stop for a few
groceries. However, it was heating up
and there were a few lumps in the road on the way home, so we decided to press
on and have mornos back at the van.
Wendy worked in the afternoon while Greg went for a ride and read his book and napped. The afternoon was very relaxed, with pre-dinner drinks again at the Fischer’s. Dinner was left over veggies with steak, followed by a relatively early night. Home tomorrow.
Drive: 229 km
We had breakfast earlier than usual, packed up, and decided to visit the Botanic Gardens and Zoo while waiting for Fischers to pack up. Both the gardens and zoo must have sustained major damage during cyclone Marcia early this year, as there was still evidence in some of the trees, and many zoo exhibits and areas of the gardens were closed for reconstruction. We didn’t stay long, but managed to visit most creatures in the zoo and a few areas in the gardens.
We met Fischers at a rest stop just outside of Rocky and had mornos there to save having to stop again just up the road. Lunch was consumed in Miriam Vale – a sleepy little town with a fantastic day area for passers-through (just like us!). We then headed out to Agnes Water. Wendy had done some research into van parks in both Agnes and 1770 and came to the conclusion the parks in Agnes were better. We thought we should check them out before deciding on one or the other as one was right in town and the other was about 7km out of town. So, into town we went, and thankfully that park only had one site left. We say thankfully, as although it was in a very good location (on the water), everyone was packed in like sardines. We were all quite happy to head back out of town to check that one out. And, although it did not have sea views, it was quiet with only a few other tenants. So, we checked in to The Reef Caravan Park, and at $35/night for a powered site, it was not cheap, but quite comfortable. We were not given a particular site, just told to park where we wanted. We chose site 10, and Fischers took 14.
After an afternoon brew and a nana nap, Greg went for a ride through the bush and Wendy prepared the veggies for dinner, with pork chops.
Ride: 21 km
After an early morning ride, we had breakfast and it was then into the truck with Fischers for a tour of Yeppoon an Emu Park. On our way to Yeppoon we stopped at the local markets which were nothing new really! We found Yeppoon to be very busy and parking to be at a premium. We did however, jag a spot just across the road from where we wanted to have coffee. Fischers shouted us coffee in return for ferrying them around the various places we had visited thus far. Greg and I also had HUGE pieces of carrot cake each, whilst Fischers shared one, which was much more sensible. We then walked along the beach for a short while to try to settle the stomach contents.
It was then
off to Emu Park, with no Emus to be seen anywhere! There is however, a Singing Ship Monument
which marks Captain Cook`s discovery of the bay in May 1770, and commemorates
his Bicentenary in 1970. The memorial
represents the billowing sail, mast and rigging of his ship Endeavour, and concealed organ pipes use the sea
breezes to create eerie music. There is
also a Centenary of ANZAC Memorial consisting of a Cenotaph, sculptured wall
and memorial walk (still under construction).
The whole precinct will recount, preserve and honour the history of
Australia’s war heritage, and those who created it through service and
sacrifice, providing a lasting legacy.
The walk will eventually be 175m long and will finish at the Singing
Ship.
After that, we had all had enough and decided to head home for lunch. We did have to stop at Woolies on the way for another resup. Lunch was followed by a nana nap, and then we were on the bikes to visit other friends of Greg’s (he met them on a non-cycling trip to Vietnam in 2011), Lyn and Tiny, and their very spoilt pets. We couldn’t stay long as we had to get back to get ready to go out to dinner with Fischers. We walked to the Glenmore Tavern (a favourite of Gunther’s during his Uni days) and had very filling meals. Greg had his favourite – Atlantic salmon and Wendy had a pizza! The walk home did all of us a lot of good.
While Wendy
slaved over a hot computer all day, Greg went exploring. First up after breakfast, he did Mt Archer,
the top of which is 603.5m above sea level.
It took him about 60 minutes to get to the top, and only seven minutes
to come back down! Greg was back in time
to have mornos with Wendy before heading back out to meet up with an old SIB
mate of his (Tex Fermie). He returned
after lunch and pottered around while Wendy continued to work.
After completing her full day’s work, Wendy prepared the veggies for dinner. We had roast veggies and chicken done in the Weber BabyQ.
Ride: 13 km
We were on the road 15 minutes ahead of the newly agreed departure time of 9am. We stopped in Emerald to refuel then headed for the Botanic Gardens which happens to have a free camp beside (would be a bit noisy at night as it is under the rail line and right next to the highway). After a short walk around the gardens, we had mornos.
Our lunch stop was at a free-camp at a place called Duaringa. Out came the table and chairs and we all had sandwiches with various fillings. After a short discussion, we thought we might drive through Rocky to Yeppoon and stay there for a couple of nights. However, upon reading the reviews of the various parks in both Yeppoon and Emu Park, we decided on Rocky as a destination and headed for the BIG4 park on the north side of town.
We were set up in no time and set out on the bikes to find a Tourist Information Centre to find out what to do whilst in Rocky. We found a sign opposite the shopping centre that told us the Info Centre was just 3 km away. So, off we went, over the big bridge on the wrong side (no separate pedestrian/bike lane), so needless to say, Wendy was less than impressed. After riding 4km with still no Info Centre, we took a quick tour of the city, then rode along the river back to the bridge, this time crossing on the correct side where we were protected from the traffic. We stopped off at the shopping centre to do some grocery shopping and then made our way back “home”. Dinner was leftovers from last night.
Just as we were going to bed, the wind changed direction and brought with it the smoke from the nearby bushfire. So, we decided to close all the windows and put the aircon on, using the fan function only. The air quality was better almost instantly.
Tomorrow,
Wendy works again, whilst Greg explores.
This was the day we were going to make it BIG!! We were up early and had completed the morning routine in record time. We thought the mine “Miners Heritage” was within walking distance, and it probably was, if we had researched it a bit more. However, like all tourist maps, things are not drawn to scale. So, after a short walk to where we thought the mine should be, and after consulting “Google Maps”, we decided that if we wanted to make it to the 10:15am tour, we would have to drive. So, it was back to the van park and into the BT50 for the relatively short 2km drive. We arrived with some minutes to spare so perused the shop - lots of sparkly things, but none that got the attention of anyone.
We bought our tickets and were soon taking a tour of the once active mine, for about an hour. The tour was really informative and at the end we were all really excited that we could actually find something that would change our lives forever. So, each couple bought a bucket of “wash” (dirt and stones from a working mine which may contain gems) for $20 each, were given a quick demo on how to “sieve” (wash the dirt from the stones) and sort the rubbish from the good stuff. Fischers were a lot more pedantic and careful with their bucket and managed to find a few more “jewels” than we did, but after half an hour, both Wendy and Greg were a bit over the novelty. After taking our find to be “graded” we quickly decided that this was not the way to make a million bucks quickly. We did, however, find some stones that were worth keeping, but could not be cut (so we were told). Oh well, at least the stuff we did find might have gotten us $5 and could be used to make sandpaper! It was then back home for lunch and a nana nap.
Greg then went for a ride to explore more of the local area and came across a deserted dry creek bed and thought be might get even luckier if he “fossicked” for a bit. As the place was in the middle of nowhere, Greg thought he would be quite safe and would not be intruding on anyone's lease. So, you can imagine his surprise when not long after starting to scratch around, he heard footsteps behind him. He innocently looked around to find a woman walking her dog; “Hi” she said and kept walking!!
Whilst Greg was out trying to find the big one, Wendy did a bit more Army work to get on top of the audit reports before getting home and having to prepare for Dusseldorf.
The usual night time routine followed; pre-dinner drinks at 5pm with dinner at 6:30pm. We had a tasty mince, with smashed veggies and spelt pasts spirals dish. We think we both ate far too much, but went to bed feeling quite comfortable..
Drive: 299 km
We drove out at 9:45am and stopped at the helicopter tours as Bostons had lashed out and bought themselves a couple of tickets. We then all travelled in convoy to Rolleston where we all refuelled. Bostons then left us for Emerald where their daughter was waiting for them, and us and Fischers found the park and had mornos. We then made it to Emerald, found the shopping centre, had lunch (Wok Me) and did a grocery resupply shop.
After placing the fridge stuff in the fridge and the rest of the stuff in the van, we headed off to Rubyvale, in the Gemfields. This stop was suggested by Fischers as we could tour a sapphire mine and maybe have the chance to sieve and find our very own gems.
Due to the resupply stop, we arrived in Rubyvale a little later than usual, but we were set up in no time at all. It was quite a warm day and Fischers were hot and sweaty by the time they had set up their house. We had already decided to stay for two nights as this would give us a good chance to find that massive gem! As they were setting up their camper, Gunther discovered a broken spring on one side of the trailer. So, after removing that, it was well after 5pm that we had our traditional pre-dinner drinks.
