Bird feeding

Each afternoon at 4pm, the owners of the bush park feed the birds just outside their home and office.

Duck or bird drinking little area, these ducks are cement.

Not quite the twelve that they are named after, known as the aposile bird.

Here she has  the ducks from the garden.

 

Bush camp.

 We are 13 kms from Wondai, about 7kms from Murgon and the same from Cherbourgh.

Very nice bush caravan park. The two events we are here for are or were in Wondai. Both have now been completed.

We are alongside a cabin, huh, owners were a bit concerned that as the ute is not a 4wd, we may not have been able to get into no. 2 camp spot. It is not a drive thru, if it was not possible then we could take no. 4 which was a drive through.

Bruce (and Warren)did a good job of getting the caravan up into the nice flat spot.

Had to reverse twice but that was my fault, I thought he wanted it paralell to the back wall but no he wanted it paralell to the side wall. Nice and straight now and a bonus the ladies toilets are just across the road, 35 metres away.

The back wall and the bush, havent seen any creatures around except magpies and a couple of crows.

My cardigan

 I made z cardigan but I dont like it. It fits but the way the colours came out is not the best. I will undo it and repurpose the wool.

However I will make another in plain colour.

I was being lousy and didnt buy the pattern. It was $12.50 and stated that there was no increasing or decreasing. Basic stich throughout so I thought it was rather expensive so I made up my own pattern.

Two panels each 9 inches wide, stitch the two together for the back stitch the sides together. Sleeves needed to be wide enough to around the arm hole left. Single then a double stitch around and Bobs your uncle.

Its the colour that I dont lije and I know I would not be comfortable wearing. I do have enough of red yarn but could I see myself wearing red, probably not.

I want to make the next one longer, this only came to my waist as per the picture I saw. I will use a th8nner yarn as well. On the back burner at the moment but I will try again.

Mothers day gifts

 Long way away seeing that it is in May but good to be prepared. Our crochet tutor's daughter works at a school, think she teaches or admin. Anyway this year she thought it would be good to have a small gift for each mum. She asked her mum, our tutor if she could make a small something. After agreeing, she was then told, 200 items were needed!

Upshot was Robyn asked the group for ideas and some of us made several crochet different key rings. Apparently the mothers were delighted.

Now the push is to do something different for next year and a few ideas were put forward. When I was at the Nest, the craft place, I saw wooden coat hangers. I bought a set and crochetted a cover for them using up scrap yarn. Also played around with making slippers. They were done over about four days.

I do have plastic tubing to cover the handles.

Slippers are for inside use, sizes are adults 6 to 9. Thicker yarn for one on right and probably fit up to a 10. Very quick and basic.

Polo tops

 I have been making pjs and polo tops for uniforms for kids.

There was a nice piece of fleece in an astec design, I made one top and there was a reasonable amount left over. Not enough tomake another but too much to just throw out.

As we need to add some uniform fabric, they already are a mix match. My pattern requires a small piece doubled for front and back with sleeves needing much more fabric. I had the spotted piece in similar colours but it was quite thin.

At first, it was going to be the body and the sleeves in the spotted but with still a narrow strip of the grey and white so I added it down the middle of the sleeves.

This is the result. I hope some kid likes it as much as me.

Bottom bed drawer

 Wkhen we were shopping for our new king sized bed, I wanted one that had drawers. Our Queen sized bed had two drawers either side and as we dont have a lot of drwer spzce in our bedroom, I didnt want to lose these.

I got the bed with two large drawers at the bottom of the bed. Felt a bit bad about it as the display bec was the only ond that had drawers. I wanted to buy it and they took 50% of the price, that was a bonus that I didnt expect.

Anyway, I digress. I keep winter clothes in there. Dec.ided to see what was in there a coupke of weeks ago as the weather was getting colder.

Pretty sure I didnt even look in there last winter as only one pair of the pants fitted me, several pairs of socks, rarely do I wear socks and there was a pair of pjs. Hum, thet didnt go to op shop but the pants now cone up to jyst under my boobs and the top comes down to my knees.

Now my summer pants are packed away in the bed drawer.

Park run at Ocean view

Up at 5am, shower, dress in warm clothes as its going to be cold, like 8degrees. Coffee for breakfast ready to leave at 5.45. GPS told us 45 minute drive but we lijs to have timd up our sleeve plus it was dark out which brings out ghe big hoppers (kangaroos).

We had three choices to get there, straight out from our place and up the mountain, road is mainly gravel with cut outs for water run off, okay it taken slow during daylight. Second way was to go north and then cut back along a windy mountain road. We chose the three option, head south and then west before hitting the mountains. The way west was through bush but at keast by the time we got there, it was starting to get light so we would bs ablt to see any furry friends. We didnt actualy see one until on our way home, one had been hit during the night, it was dead on the side of the road.

We were one of the first to arrive with Chrus and Sheri just behind us.

Between us we did three voluntree roles, Sheridan tail walker, Warren walked with her, Chris did bar cord scanning and I did finish tokens. There were only 27 runners. Pretty hard course through the vines, up and down hills.

After we went to oyr favourite bakery in Dayborough for breakfast, home by 10.30am.

 

We're gone security minded.

 So much stuff on the news about home invasion etc so we decided to put up a camera. 

Warren wanted to put it up in the eves of the house, which meant heim getting up a ladder, I wasnt real keen on that. We visited a friend down the street who had cameras and has also had two lots of unwelcome visitors in the last three years, hence the cameras.

Hers are quite intense and wired in. One set is above her garage and another on the corner of her house.

We decided to put it up over the garage which covers anyone coming up to the front of the house and also going into the back yard.

It takes a photo when theres movement. Works off solar.

Gold class

 Warren had been watching a series of movies a few years ago on Disney. We no longer have this as we didnt see the point as there was nothing else we wanted to watch on it.

However a new movie was released and aired at cinemas last week. 

I suggested we go and watch it.

Warren thought that if we were going, we would go gold class. 

Tuesday is the cheaper day today and it was raining so what better day to go.

Gold class seats, more room and recliners, lunch delivered when required. We choose a seafood basket to share about halfway and we got drinks to take in with us.

Two tickets and lunch was $55, drinks were $18, large drinks as I was thirsty.

Movie was good but I felt it was too long and we both put our fingers into the tartare sauce while reaching for food in the semi darkness.

Probably three or four years since we have been to a cinema. The ads for the next up and coming movies did not entice us to visit again in the near future.

Linville

 When we travel west, we usually stop at Moore, a small town about 70 kns from home. Great pull off spot with toilets and c.offee shops although I usually prepare our own.

There is no caches there!

Lat time we passed through, I said we needed to correct that and suggested in May that we do something about it. Today was the day.

Linville is seven kilometres out the road and the rail trail goes through there and on to Moore. We drove there first and walked along some of the bike trail. The train line hasnt been used in many years and has been converted to a bike and walk8ng trail. Warren and I did it on e bikes, five years ago for his birthday.

Warren getting a cache, it was under the rail bridge

The community hall had a piano outside with an invite for anyone to play.

Acroos the road was a free camp, several caravans were camped there. There was a toilet block with showers, $2 for a shower. Hole in the wall at the hall for shower money or there was a qr code to pay online.

 

An interesting gateway

Down the back were these glass panels, pretty but unfortunately no information. 

We ended up having lunch at the pub, which is supposed to be haunted. Jyst as well we stopped there gor lunch as two of Moores coffee places were closed for business and the other has morphed more into a bike place with drinks and icecreams.

Two caches were set in place, one a traditional and the other a multi.

Uniforms for kids

 I havent been to U4Ks for a couple of months because of holidays. They only meet every fortnight and last time my sister was visiting up the coast. It was their only free day on Wednesdays meeting day. 

Anyway, I have been sewing in the meantime. Opal, convenor, piled some extra fabric in my bag the last time so I did have plenty to sew. I also got some pieces from ths opp s,hops.

I moved my ironing board today and my pile of sewing for u4ks was in danger of falling off the bench that I had been putting finished items.

Decided that it was aj good opportunity to iron and pack said items for this weeks meeting.

Eleven pairs of shorts or pants

Eight sets of pjs

Ten rugby style tops some long sleeved.

Bigger shirts, size 10 was the pattern but could fit up to 12 I think. The red has long sleeve and second red has short sleeves. Sleeves do use a lot of material.

Also made 15 drawstring bags from a bed sheet, it looked too much lije a sheet to make clothes, 5 pencil cases with off cuts and 16 hats.

Still have three pieces of fabric and three days before our meeting, hope to use it all.

New fangled toaster

 Our prep trip in the caravan tossed up a few things we either didnt have or we thought it would be good to have.

I went shopping to cross some things off the list.

While in Nanago, I bought a small frypan, we had take n the one from home but wanted aone that would stay. Love the idea of deciding to go somewhere and just throw some clothes and food into the caravan and head off. Probably never happen but one can dream?

Pillows, a toaster, serving spoon and egg slide. Pack of utensiles got the big spoon and egg slide, left the slotted spoon and spagetti spoon at home. Nice big fluffy pillows but no toaster unless I wanted a four slice toaster. We never had a toaster in the camper trailer but it is our go to snack now seeing that no cakes or biscuits are in the house or caravan.

I did think about buying a new toaster, 4 slice for home and taking the home one in the caravan, then I saw this.

Ten dollars more than the 4 slice toaster, its a little higher and has two shelves. Toast or cheese on toast or similar. Cross between toaster and air fryer, it does work quite well. Has a timer and a temp gauge.

Nanago 2

 Quite a lot of murals in town.

Nanago was a woodcutting town and this gentleman was in the main street just outside where we had coffee.

An old mayor

Bullocks ready to haul a couple of logs.

This is Hannibul, a massive bucket used in roadwork construction. The park run run behind Hannibul with the main road in front of it.

Caching in Nanago

 Heaps of caches here and we choose a road just out of town that had a few.

Someone had put a lot of thought into them.

The nose pulled off and log was inside, unfortuneatly the paper was very wet.

Came across this catsus while following my phone directions. Completely straight about four metres tall. Tree with face is just off to the left side.

This one was called dreadlocks and it had a hinged bottom.

Nanago

 First trip in the caravan, only 200 kms away for four nights.

Fridge seemed to be working well but the 12volt lights were not. Apparently we blew a fuse on the way up. Didnt notice the difference until we wanted to turn the outside jights on. Warren thinks he can rewire with heavier wire.

Making a list of what we need/want. Better pillows! We bought new pillows but they are not good, second night we put the back rest from the lounge behind us then the pillows.

I want a clock, not essential but I like to know the time.

Toaster and serving spoon. Wash8ng up liquid, I didnt have any at home because we use the dishwasher but thats fixed as we are only 200m from a servo and they had a few groceries items.

Need to replace paper towel holder, first stop, I opened the door to be greeted with paper towel unravelled all over the floor.

Dragon boat racing

 Early visit to Bribie Island and the dragon boats were out in force.

As my daughter exclaimed that they were vintage rowers, she said she didnt didnt want to use the word old.

We saw a mens team as well as the womens, ten on the mens, twelve on the womens, rowing in pairs, with one at the end beating the drum and one person at the other end with the steering oar.

Berthing the boat, then they picked it up and carried across the road to the enclosed boat lock up. Dont know when they started but they were out of the water by 7am.

Easter bunnies

 We did our grocery shopping on Wednesday as I knew Thursday was going to be busy, after all the shops would close for Good Friday. People do go a bit nuts before a public holiday.

I had a couple of things to do at a nearby suburb so we combined those, shopping and the usual morning tea.

These were our coffees, complete with Easter bunnies!

I did look at Easter chocolate eggs but Warren said we didnt any. Hot cross buns, love them but store only had fruit free ones so they were left there.

A fall from above

 Monday we were sitting quietly in the lounge while the floors were drying. Lucy was asleep and there was a mighty crash coming from the kitchen.  

The exhaust fan had fallen out!

The plastic cover was on the floor and the rest of it was resting on the stove top with the electric cord dangling. A gaping hole in the ceiling.

I was hoping there wasnt sets of eyes looking down at us. Possums and or snakes have been known to reside in ceilings.

On further investigations, there appears to have had three plastic clips holding it in place by screws, two were broken.

Warren got out the ladder and was able to screw it back into place using the outer rim.

Thank goodness we didnt have to put up with the hole in the ceiling for long. I guess after holding on upside down for twenty four years, it felt intitled to let go. Hopefully the repair will last a few more years.

Tenterfield

 Last motel stop, only 320ks from home. As we are maybe coming back here next month for an event, we didnt linger long. However I did see a famous tree not far away in town that was worth a quick visit.

It is a cork tree.

Believed to be the oldest and largest cork tree in Australia bought out in a jam jar in 1861.

Some people or something has prised some cork off it in places.

I went up the street to take this photo to try to get the size of it.

Moonbi and Uralla

 

Next stop was Uralla fir another walk around for an ad lab, first one 2as zcross from a school and we had to find what 6d would buy. The area was a very old unused swimming pool, the surrounds were almost completly overgrown. We had to resort to a location photo that was supplied, 6d or sixpence got the use of a locker. Then we walked the town for the rest. The sign Uralla was at the end if start of the town, in the top of the A is a sticker of a pair of undies. Someones sense of humour I guess. It rained most of the day, except when we walked the town and when I drove (usually if its going to rain it will do so when I am driving. Although I did have several kilometers of cattle to drive through yesterday.

We stopped at Moonbi to fill up with petrol, eckk $110 and the tank wasnt even near empty.  Fuel has increased in price from $2.04 to $2.49, luckily we wont need any more before getting home tomorrow. We moved on to a nearby park to have our morning tea and there was the chook about six feet off the ground. No explantation for it all.

Henty and The Rock

 Following adventure labs, we did four on this day. Coffee at a vintage cafe. The tables and chairs were older than fifty years. Our first table and chairs were similar but upmarket orange. Apparently when the woman decided to open the cafe, she put out a call for the old tables and chairs and got several offers, some had been used in shearing sheds but no longer needed. 

The Henty man carved out of a tree stump at a rest stop a few kilometres out of Henty.

The Henty showgrounds.

These were in a circular garden, the poppies are made from sheet metal and then painted.

Painted water tank.

Nagambie and Benalla

 Nagambie was a very small town with not a lot going for it wgen we lived there. That was over 50 years ago!

Warren did his clerical training at Puckap7nyal and the boys and I with our dog Reuben lived in the carzvan at the caravan park. We only stayed for about eight weeks, it was the muddle of winter and very cold. I remember that the shower block had no ceiling, it was cement blocks. With two small boys, one two and a half, the other ten months old and me pregnant, it was decided to relocate to Mum and Dads for the rest of his training.

Fifty years on and it is very upmarket, the laje is used for water sports and there were about eight cafes/coffee shops.

We were walking the town checking out the churches.

We sat out on the balcony overlooking the lake.

We were at the Black Cavier cafe, I assume the horse or trainer was from Nagambie.

A statue overlooi8ng the lake.

Then we travelling east across to Benalla.

Wow, what a contrast. Several shop fronts were empty, the place looked run down.

They did have an art gallery with a painting of Ned Kelly on the wall.

The art gallery in the background.

This was a virual and the requirements were to take a foot selfie with the gallery.

Also needed to write something in Dr Seuss vein.

This was mine.

Here us my foot

Without a boot

We are on a road trip

And stopped at this strip

Is it art or not

Maybe but good for a rest spot.

Deloraine and Devonport

 Deloraine has a river running through it and on either side were some structures. We took the opportity to walk and visit.

A tiny one.

Rowers on the river

A postie  delivering mail

And another down the main street.

Wood cutter

The priest who rode to his flock usually going cross country.

Vietnam vets memorial in Devonport, a virtual. There were three that I planned to collect but some roads were closed due to a triathalon so this was the only one we could assess.

Our cabin on the Spirit. Two single beds shower and toilet plus a window.

Goodbye Tassie.