Emerald Botanic Gardens and Emerald Parkrun

Saturday 13 July 2019 – 268 177

Up early and packed down in time for Emerald Parkrun. 

https://www.parkrun.com.au/emerald/ 

The local council has provided a sign with a map as well as numbered bollards along the course.  Despite the complexity of the course it would be difficult to get lost.

Then homeward bound.  We stopped off in Dingo for burgers and hot showers.  Sharing the drive, we got home just after 7pm.  A great trip!!

Home 268 974

Old Rainworth Fort, Emerald and International Coal Centre

6 July 2018 - Old Rainworth Fort, Emerald and International Coal Centre

 Old Rainworth Fort was our first stop.  On arrival I slammed my thumb in the car door, producing an instant purple thumb.  The pain was overwhelming and for the first time in my life I fainted, much to the distress of Hayden and Drew.  After about twenty minutes I started to feel better and we went in.  The lady running Rainworth Fort is a lovely, lively elderly lady who has lived on the property since childhood.  She assures us that the stone house was built as a house with a storage cellar underneath.  The time of its building coincided with the local aboriginal population killing most of a party of white people, so it became known as a fort.  This was a very picturesque and peaceful part of the country and was a lovely spot to sit and have a cup of tea.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Rainworth_Fort

On the road heading north from Springsure to Emerald we had to slow to cattle walking pace and sometimes stop altogether; as we made our way through a mob of about 2000 head of cattle, including a lot of calves, being driven by young ladies on horseback.  Great to see droving still happening, sad that it is due to the dry conditions. In Emerald we looked at the Giant Easel and the Centenary of Federation Mosaic Pathway.  This has many mosaic pictures representing times from creation to 2001 – beautifully done!  

monumentaustralia.org.au › Themes › Culture

Then onto Blackwater for the International Coal Centre.  This looks like it was a very well designed and informative centre but unfortunately many of the interactive exhibits need maintenance.  Tonight, we are camped in a small town called Dingo.

https://bicc.com.au/

19 June - Happy Birthday Me!

19 June 2016 – 174 386

Happy Birthday Me!

Lots of rain during the night, a few minor leaks in the van and massive puddles in the caravan park – the rain is really really cold!  We all slept in this morning, with Hayden not stirring until about 6:30.  Mum phoned about 7am for my birthday and then we all had a snuggle in bed as outside was pouring and pouring with rain – but thankfully no cats or dogs.  I am planning to postpone my birthday to a better day.  We did a bit of rearranging and then Hayden and I went to Emerald Baptist Church – very small and quite different to what we are used to.  Back to the van, Hayden is having a school work day since it is raining.  I met up with Jane (from bookclub - who moved to Emerald 3 years ago to be with her partner) for a birthday lunch; a delicious potato gnocchi with cheese sauce followed by a chocolate brownie.  The afternoon eased to showers so a round of washing, followed by a rearrangement of the car and van – I am sure we will do this many, many times.  Hayden spent some of the afternoon feeding lorikeets and some playing a cross between AFL and Rugby League with three other boys.  There are all sorts of setups here, ranging from a converted semi trailer with a trailer behind it big enough to hold the family van (and probably a bit more as well), down to a tent trailer that can be towed by a motorbike with the gas stove and fridge in the side car!

Mum

18 June - Long Drive

18 June 2016 – 173 722

Long Drive

The alarm got us up at 5am, quickly changed into our running clothes and quiet pack down in the dark, away at 5:50.  We headed to Maryborough parkrun to complete my 50^th parkrun.  It is a lovely course along the lagoon and in a large park, but constantly up and down – quite different to the pancake flat course I am accustomed to.  http://www.parkrun.com.au/maryborough/

From here we drove, and drove and drove; heading north almost to Rockhampton before turning inland; stopping for the night at Emerald Cabin and Caravan Park.  We opted for a powered site as heavy rain was expected and the solar may not have got enough sun. http://www.emeraldcabinandcaravanvillage.com.au/

Cooked up a delicious garlic ginger chicken and vegetable stir fry for dinner.  All exhausted from our long drive – so off to bed.

Mum