Wow Doug! 4WD with the Avan on behind... well done! Just as well the trucks were stopped, if a road train was coming at you in that situation it could have been very sticky!! Enjoy T'ville and your family, get plenty of rest, it will take days to clean your van and beautiful tough 4WD Prado.
What do you mean "keep bumps off garage floor for safety?" I put a bump on our garage floor so I know where to stop when parking. (yes I can get my car into the garage now!)
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Sunday 14th of April 2013 02:24:46 PM
Dougwe said
07:52 PM Apr 14, 2013
Ok here I am and another week has gone so time for another instalment of my Northern Migration adventure.
All is good in my world at the moment, I am getting closer to my daughter and grandchildren in Townsville, only a few days now not weeks, so really looking forward to that, I have met great people, formed friendships, stayed in really nice places and seen and done things all new to me so yeh, all is good.
Monday I played tourist all morning and gave my camera a good work out now part of me reckons I should have had the good workout but I did do a lot of walking around and pushing the shutter release to take the pic so that was my work out for the day.
The afternoon was spent with Mrs and Mr Bohemian Gypsy again and we parted company late afternoon and I went and refuelled in readiness for an early departure Tuesday.
Tuesday I told navlady to head to Roma Queensland but I upset her by wanting to stop earlier, that was payback for the times she upsets me. I stopped at a lovely free camp, well a gold coin donation camp really and put $5.00 dollars in the big steel box as that is what the others told me is the going rate, I reckon $5.00 was more than fare too.
Speaking of Nav lady, she decided to tell me on the screen that I was not on the road and to head to the nearest road, well I was already on the road so not sure why she got upset with me, I told her off though but I don't think she listened.
I spent the day as the traveller and did no touristy things as I wanted to get closer to Longreach. I did however see heaps of cotton fields as it was cotton country and it was educational as well, here I have been all these years thinking cotton came on a plastic reel thingy and you got it from a sewing supply shop, well I never, you learn something every day.
I also saw my first 2 and 3 trailer Road Trains Tuesday and a large truck with pilots moving a rather large piece of farming machinery, it took up both sides of the road and I had to move of the black stuff completely so they could get past, no problem as I heard them on the CB and then saw them shortly after so had heaps of time to get out of the way, but wow was it big, they grow them big out here.
Wednesday I left camp at 8.00am and much the same as yesterday only those 2&3 trailer road trains well, they grew rapidly over night to 5 trailers, man are they big, they dwarf anything near them. More farming equipment on the move as well and me and others moving off the black stuff. Road works, well, most of Between Surat and Tambo has major road works and will do for some time yet, the longest I sat and waited my turn was 35 mins and minimum was 10 mins.
I had my first encounter with about a dozen Emus on and near the road but didn't think of getting out the camera did I while stopped waiting for them to make up there minds where to go.
No problem though as more where on their way but in smaller numbers, so I got a pic in the end. I'm not used to Emus on the road or in the wild so another experience, I'm just like a big kid, well I am in the playground.
I aimed for Blackall today, now I did think of wombats but thought, nah, could be messy. By the time I got to Tambo I had had enough for the day so stopped at a free camp along side a dried up creek, no one there when I arrived at 3.00pm but within 10 mins 3 others arrived, good, At least I was not by myself, I didn't want that but was going to stay anyway. Q'land Stubby Bend Camp # 617, Bible 7.
Thursday, Navlady took me to Longreach well I actually stayed in the Iifracombe CV Park and was recommended to me by a few GN's as everything around this area is soaked but did check out The Stockmans Hall Of Fame but that was all as I now intend to come back to this place sometime in the maybe not too distant future. I wanted to move on Friday and head for Townsville with a stopover at Hughenden as it is just too far in one hit. Besides, it was raining in down town Longreach and most of the way from Tambo too so I was not really in the touristy mood. The road I just mentioned was driving on a dirt road as lots of road works, my big rig and Prado looked like it had been off road.
The Quantas Museum had 4 big buses parked in the carpark so gave that a miss too, bloody buses :)
I am seeing heaps of Emus on and near the road still so that's different to Roos and I spose Wombats :) And few Gypsy looking people around too, good one BG. I was looking for Ray but couldn't find him.
Now, Friday, well that proved to be an adventure indeed, I had decided to just make the day a travel day and just keep going until I couldn't go any further. I am continually amazed at the number of round abouts in out back Aussie and more than likely ahead of me, that's fine though as I can deal with them as I actually like round abouts. It just doesnt feel like outback but there are signs everywhere telling you are, oh well no problem.
When I arrived in Winton Q'land I refuelled and people in the servo where talking about a big truck roll and damaged road due to heavy rain Thursday so I asked some questions as you do and found out that the road I was about to travel on was open to 4x4's only. Now I have a 4x4 and would like it to be a Ford Ranger when I grow up and one day it will be but in the mean time the Prado will have to tackle this experience. I had a chat to the Local Shire people and they suggested as the damaged road was only 30km's out I should go have a look as I could turn back and stay in town until all was OK, now if I didn't stay I would have two extra nights to do the detour as it was a big detour.
I checked the road and decided the Prado would get the Avan through so selected Hi range 4x4 thinking that was what was needed for what was in front of me and proceeded slowly but steady and without stopping and wow, 10km's later got to the end of the adventure. That was my first sort of real 4x4 experience and the mud was about 150mm of thick sticky mud and seemed to be reasonably solid under, good fun though. The Avan came through looking like it was a mud wrestler, without the fun of watching, now I have to work and clean it. All trucks had been stopped from this road as well until it improved.
After more road works and another section much shorter of the muddy condition I decided to travel through to Townsville, 844 km and 12 hours later I arrived. Navlady was chucking hissy fits a fare bit today so I told her to settle grettle. I think I had been running on adrenalin because as soon as I settled in Townsville I started to go down hill so wanted to park the car properly but that has to wait and was out for the count very quickly.
Ah, Q'land sunny one day and heavy rain and flooded for the next week. All good fun though. Sort off.
Now for some family time and enjoy the grandchildren.
Saturday was family time and enjoyable as well. I have decided no driving at all for two days. I changed the bed clothing to warm night stuff as it was very warm last night.
Sunday was update day, catch up with a few emails, download my photo's and more time with the grandchildren.
A good read Doug, and a real adventure that's for sure but pleased to see you made it to your destination all in one piece if a bit tired............you will have to stop and smell the roses on your return trip, so much to see up that way and very friendly people as well, keep up the good work.
dazren said
08:47 PM Apr 14, 2013
thanks for the up=date Dougie boy. you are having some adventures arn't you !!I enjotyed the read BUT !! really mate ?? all that travel and only 3 photo's ????? we don't want to just ''hear your adventures we want to see them to. ok !!
Keep safe and happy mate . daz/
Dougwe said
09:12 PM Apr 14, 2013
To be honest Dazren I was a bit off colour while in Longreach so not many pics taken sorry. Then decided to just make tracks to Townsville.
The next few weeks will see shorter updates and probably no pics anyway. I hope in about 3 weeks time to do some short trips and the camera should come out of hiding as well mate. I want to send you an email so can you PM your email address please.
Happywanderer said
09:34 PM Apr 14, 2013
Great update Doug. Pleased to see you have arrived safely. Enjoy your family for a while then get out there and see more playground.
Dougwe said
10:31 PM Apr 14, 2013
Gerty Dancer wrote:
Wow Doug! 4WD with the Avan on behind... well done! Just as well the trucks were stopped, if a road train was coming at you in that situation it could have been very sticky!! Enjoy T'ville and your family, get plenty of rest, it will take days to clean your van and beautiful tough 4WD Prado.
What do you mean "keep bumps off garage floor for safety?" I put a bump on our garage floor so I know where to stop when parking. (yes I can get my car into the garage now!)
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Sunday 14th of April 2013 02:24:46 PM
You can trip over them GD. I am very much into safety GD.
pauline said
10:31 PM Apr 14, 2013
Doug what's all this PM/Email stuff about................secret mens business I suspect.
Dougwe said
10:33 PM Apr 14, 2013
I have decided that when I'm finished here in Townsville I am going to head south and to South Australian Coast for a while Marj.
briche said
11:52 PM Apr 14, 2013
Man you are having a great time. Full to the hilt of experiences, the only way to travel. Take care out there and don't over do it.
Brian
fireheart said
12:47 AM Apr 15, 2013
Sounds like you are having a ball Doug, keep up the good work. Looking forward to your next posting.
Sharon.
Dougwe said
12:50 AM Apr 15, 2013
dazren wrote:
thanks for the up=date Dougie boy. you are having some adventures arn't you !!I enjotyed the read BUT !! really mate ?? all that travel and only 3 photo's ????? we don't want to just ''hear your adventures we want to see them to. ok !!
Keep safe and happy mate . daz/
Yep, great adventures for sure mate, enough to even make a wombat jealous I reckon.
Dougwe said
12:53 AM Apr 15, 2013
pauline wrote:
Doug what's all this PM/Email stuff about................secret mens business I suspect.
Very secret Pauline, that secret, if I told you, you would have to self distruct in 15 seconds.
Dougwe said
12:55 AM Apr 15, 2013
fireheart wrote:
Sounds like you are having a ball Doug, keep up the good work. Looking forward to your next posting.
Sharon.
Great fun infact FH and I tell you that for free. It's a treat out here in the playground.
GaryKelly said
01:21 AM Apr 15, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed the read, Dougwe. But you worried me a little with those roads and my 2WD. I think staying put in wet weather would have to be the go for me. Otherwise, sounds like you're having the time of your life, and I can't wait to follow suit.
Dougwe said
01:39 AM Apr 15, 2013
Hi Gary, There are signs like the one in the photo that warn you of road closures but in this case heavy rain happened overnight and I don't think they had time to update or I missed it, probably the later. There was a way around but it would have added two extra nights till I got to Townsville and I was starting to get impatient to see the grandkids. Besides that is why Ingot a 4x4 anyway, to get me out of any trouble. The little fella just turned 1 a couple of weeks ago and I have missed the last 8 months of him growing and my little mate is 5 next weekend and wanted no hold ups getting here.
jules47 said
01:49 AM Apr 15, 2013
Sounds good Doug - Longreach is a great place to stop - the free camp out at Apex Park, right near the river is a good little stopover - can get pretty busy - there are toilets there, and fish in the river. The paddle boat ride at sunset is a must do - make sure it is the paddle boat though - they pick you up from the camp, you go for a sunset cruise on the paddle boat, then you get droppepd off the boat for a drovers dinner and entertainment - then they drop you back at camp - lots of good fun. (Take your own drinks tho, they have to charge a "cruise tax", which makes their drinks, even soft drink, pretty expensive. The provide nibbles on the cruise as well.
Enjoy your family - and Townsville.
yeoeleven said
02:56 AM Apr 15, 2013
Well done Doug a comprehensive report, am a bit jealous but will get on my way again in around three weeks.
Townsville is one of my favourite places especially those free camps just north.
John
BohemianGypsy said
03:59 AM Apr 15, 2013
Yayyyy Doug you got there and in good time too. I'm pleased that there were no major hassles for you and you can now rest for a few days and have some major family time.
We are meeting up with Jim and Leonie this coming Friday when they come to Inverell to get some supplies, so am excited to meet up with another great grey nomad.
Have a fabulous time with family Doug and enjoy your overnight jaunts with your camera my friend.
Michelle
_wombat_ said
02:36 PM Apr 15, 2013
Enjoy your trip mate, safe driving, look after the wombats
Dougwe said
04:51 PM Apr 15, 2013
"Overnight jaunts with your camera" ???????? I am usually asleep overnight! Maybe you are having a gypsy moment BG.
fireheart said
05:07 PM Apr 15, 2013
I am sure both the D's are two of the nicest people anyone could wish to meet, however that does not mean that you can get up to no good if left to your own devices. As the old saying goes, it is and quiet ones that you have to watch. Just never know what they will get up to. One the other hand as you are a member of this website and only the best venture here, I will just have to believe every word you say, however if Big W and BH tells us anything to the contrary, then that has to be taken into consideration also.
This is fun, pick on Dougwe week. Poor Dougwe, I am sure he can take it. Probably sitting back smiling those pearly whites as we type.
-- Edited by fireheart on Monday 15th of April 2013 05:09:21 PM
dazren said
05:22 PM Apr 15, 2013
Dougwe wrote, ------------------ "Overnight jaunts with your camera" ???????? I am usually asleep overnight! Maybe you are having a gypsy moment BG. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmm ! maybe you should listen to BG, Doug ??? Some one once told me that ? A Camera, and A Condom, have a lot in common ??????????????
Apparently, They are both capable of ''Capturing That Magic Moment''
BohemianGypsy said
05:29 PM Apr 15, 2013
LOL you both have dirty minds it would appear. Doug do you remember telling me that once you settled into your daughters and the birthday party was over you would perhaps do a few overnighter trips and take your camera with you???????????????????????????? Look who's got the bad memory hey?
Michelle
Dougwe said
06:24 PM Apr 15, 2013
You two are very naughty indeed. I don't remember that at all BG. But it could happen though, you just never know where or what Dougwe and his trusted camera will do/be. The Strand in Townsville is very nice at night. It is romantic as well but as a Solo that could be difficult. Maybe I could let Gene out when there.
fireheart said
07:24 PM Apr 15, 2013
Sounds like Dougwe is having a very good time in Townsville. We might have to keep an eye on him and Gene, never know what he might get up to. Sounds like Dougwe and Dazren together could be a bit of a handful. Have fun Doug that is the main thing. Enjoy your grandies and your family.
glassies said
09:20 PM Apr 15, 2013
love the stories ,great stuff rest up now and enjoy your family, and enjoy your travels when you leave, we are on the sunshine coast if you ever make it this way
cheers Della & graeme
Duh said
09:36 PM Apr 15, 2013
Dougwe wrote:
Gerty Dancer wrote:
What do you mean "keep bumps off garage floor for safety?" I put a bump on our garage floor so I know where to stop when parking. (yes I can get my car into the garage now!)
You can trip over them GD. I am very much into safety GD.
My cousin has a tennis ball hanging from the ceiling on a string, when the tennis ball touches his windscreen he knows it is time to stop.
For ourselves, we have an old lampstand (heavy base) with an ozzie flag attached at the top, when the vehicle bumper nudges the stand upright we know it is time to stop (flag waves), usually do so just before that happens.....
Duh said
09:46 PM Apr 15, 2013
Nice report Doug and the photo's. Thanks.
I'm a bit puzzled why you wan't to head to the south coast of SA, starting to get very windy and cold down that way now, although I love the place, great state is SA with lots to see and do.
Dougwe said
10:22 PM Apr 15, 2013
It'll keep me off the streets Duh, ummm, I'll be on the streets come to think about it won't I, never mind, I like rough seas and have seen a lot of the East Coast now but never SA. You never know Duh if I can get over wombat phobia I might head further West.
Wow Doug! 4WD with the Avan on behind... well done! Just as well the trucks were stopped, if a road train was coming at you in that situation it could have been very sticky!!
Enjoy T'ville and your family, get plenty of rest, it will take days to clean your van and beautiful tough 4WD Prado.
What do you mean "keep bumps off garage floor for safety?" I put a bump on our garage floor so I know where to stop when parking. (yes I can get my car into the garage now!)
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Sunday 14th of April 2013 02:24:46 PM
Ok here I am and another week has gone so time for another instalment of my Northern Migration adventure.
All is good in my world at the moment, I am getting closer to my daughter and grandchildren in Townsville, only a few days now not weeks, so really looking forward to that, I have met great people, formed friendships, stayed in really nice places and seen and done things all new to me so yeh, all is good.
Monday I played tourist all morning and gave my camera a good work out now part of me reckons I should have had the good workout but I did do a lot of walking around and pushing the shutter release to take the pic so that was my work out for the day.
The afternoon was spent with Mrs and Mr Bohemian Gypsy again and we parted company late afternoon and I went and refuelled in readiness for an early departure Tuesday.
Tuesday I told navlady to head to Roma Queensland but I upset her by wanting to stop earlier, that was payback for the times she upsets me. I stopped at a lovely free camp, well a gold coin donation camp really and put $5.00 dollars in the big steel box as that is what the others told me is the going rate, I reckon $5.00 was more than fare too.
Speaking of Nav lady, she decided to tell me on the screen that I was not on the road and to head to the nearest road, well I was already on the road so not sure why she got upset with me, I told her off though but I don't think she listened.
I spent the day as the traveller and did no touristy things as I wanted to get closer to Longreach. I did however see heaps of cotton fields as it was cotton country and it was educational as well, here I have been all these years thinking cotton came on a plastic reel thingy and you got it from a sewing supply shop, well I never, you learn something every day.
I also saw my first 2 and 3 trailer Road Trains Tuesday and a large truck with pilots moving a rather large piece of farming machinery, it took up both sides of the road and I had to move of the black stuff completely so they could get past, no problem as I heard them on the CB and then saw them shortly after so had heaps of time to get out of the way, but wow was it big, they grow them big out here.
Wednesday I left camp at 8.00am and much the same as yesterday only those 2&3 trailer road trains well, they grew rapidly over night to 5 trailers, man are they big, they dwarf anything near them. More farming equipment on the move as well and me and others moving off the black stuff. Road works, well, most of Between Surat and Tambo has major road works and will do for some time yet, the longest I sat and waited my turn was 35 mins and minimum was 10 mins.
I had my first encounter with about a dozen Emus on and near the road but didn't think of getting out the camera did I while stopped waiting for them to make up there minds where to go.
No problem though as more where on their way but in smaller numbers, so I got a pic in the end. I'm not used to Emus on the road or in the wild so another experience, I'm just like a big kid, well I am in the playground.
I aimed for Blackall today, now I did think of wombats but thought, nah, could be messy. By the time I got to Tambo I had had enough for the day so stopped at a free camp along side a dried up creek, no one there when I arrived at 3.00pm but within 10 mins 3 others arrived, good, At least I was not by myself, I didn't want that but was going to stay anyway. Q'land Stubby Bend Camp # 617, Bible 7.
Thursday, Navlady took me to Longreach well I actually stayed in the Iifracombe CV Park and was recommended to me by a few GN's as everything around this area is soaked but did check out The Stockmans Hall Of Fame but that was all as I now intend to come back to this place sometime in the maybe not too distant future. I wanted to move on Friday and head for Townsville with a stopover at Hughenden as it is just too far in one hit. Besides, it was raining in down town Longreach and most of the way from Tambo too so I was not really in the touristy mood. The road I just mentioned was driving on a dirt road as lots of road works, my big rig and Prado looked like it had been off road.
The Quantas Museum had 4 big buses parked in the carpark so gave that a miss too, bloody buses :)
I am seeing heaps of Emus on and near the road still so that's different to Roos and I spose Wombats :) And few Gypsy looking people around too, good one BG. I was looking for Ray but couldn't find him.
Now, Friday, well that proved to be an adventure indeed, I had decided to just make the day a travel day and just keep going until I couldn't go any further. I am continually amazed at the number of round abouts in out back Aussie and more than likely ahead of me, that's fine though as I can deal with them as I actually like round abouts. It just doesnt feel like outback but there are signs everywhere telling you are, oh well no problem.
When I arrived in Winton Q'land I refuelled and people in the servo where talking about a big truck roll and damaged road due to heavy rain Thursday so I asked some questions as you do and found out that the road I was about to travel on was open to 4x4's only. Now I have a 4x4 and would like it to be a Ford Ranger when I grow up and one day it will be but in the mean time the Prado will have to tackle this experience. I had a chat to the Local Shire people and they suggested as the damaged road was only 30km's out I should go have a look as I could turn back and stay in town until all was OK, now if I didn't stay I would have two extra nights to do the detour as it was a big detour.
I checked the road and decided the Prado would get the Avan through so selected Hi range 4x4 thinking that was what was needed for what was in front of me and proceeded slowly but steady and without stopping and wow, 10km's later got to the end of the adventure. That was my first sort of real 4x4 experience and the mud was about 150mm of thick sticky mud and seemed to be reasonably solid under, good fun though. The Avan came through looking like it was a mud wrestler, without the fun of watching, now I have to work and clean it. All trucks had been stopped from this road as well until it improved.
After more road works and another section much shorter of the muddy condition I decided to travel through to Townsville, 844 km and 12 hours later I arrived. Navlady was chucking hissy fits a fare bit today so I told her to settle grettle. I think I had been running on adrenalin because as soon as I settled in Townsville I started to go down hill so wanted to park the car properly but that has to wait and was out for the count very quickly.
Ah, Q'land sunny one day and heavy rain and flooded for the next week. All good fun though. Sort off.
Now for some family time and enjoy the grandchildren.
Saturday was family time and enjoyable as well. I have decided no driving at all for two days. I changed the bed clothing to warm night stuff as it was very warm last night.
Sunday was update day, catch up with a few emails, download my photo's and more time with the grandchildren.
Until the next instalment
Keep safe and happy mate . daz/
The next few weeks will see shorter updates and probably no pics anyway. I hope in about 3 weeks time to do some short trips and the camera should come out of hiding as well mate. I want to send you an email so can you PM your email address please.
You can trip over them GD. I am very much into safety GD.
Man you are having a great time. Full to the hilt of experiences, the only way to travel. Take care out there and don't over do it.
Brian
Sharon.
Yep, great adventures for sure mate, enough to even make a wombat jealous I reckon.
Very secret Pauline, that secret, if I told you, you would have to self distruct in 15 seconds.
Great fun infact FH and I tell you that for free. It's a treat out here in the playground.
Enjoy your family - and Townsville.
Well done Doug a comprehensive report, am a bit jealous but will get on my way again in around three weeks.
Townsville is one of my favourite places especially those free camps just north.
John
Yayyyy Doug you got there and in good time too. I'm pleased that there were no major hassles for you and you can now rest for a few days and have some major family time.
We are meeting up with Jim and Leonie this coming Friday when they come to Inverell to get some supplies, so am excited to meet up with another great grey nomad.
Have a fabulous time with family Doug and enjoy your overnight jaunts with your camera my friend.
Michelle
Enjoy your trip mate, safe driving, look after the wombats
I am sure both the D's are two of the nicest people anyone could wish to meet, however that does not mean that you can get up to no good if left to your own devices. As the old saying goes, it is and quiet ones that you have to watch. Just never know what they will get up to.
One the other hand as you are a member of this website and only the best venture here, I will just have to believe every word you say, however if Big W and BH tells us anything to the contrary, then that has to be taken into consideration also.
This is fun, pick on Dougwe week. Poor Dougwe, I am sure he can take it. Probably sitting back smiling those pearly whites as we type.
-- Edited by fireheart on Monday 15th of April 2013 05:09:21 PM
Dougwe wrote, ------------------
"Overnight jaunts with your camera" ???????? I am usually asleep overnight! Maybe you are having a gypsy moment BG.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmm ! maybe you should listen to BG, Doug ??? Some one once told me that ? A Camera, and A Condom, have a lot in common ??????????????
Apparently, They are both capable of ''Capturing That Magic Moment''
LOL you both have dirty minds it would appear. Doug do you remember telling me that once you settled into your daughters and the birthday party was over you would perhaps do a few overnighter trips and take your camera with you???????????????????????????? Look who's got the bad memory hey?
Michelle
you leave, we are on the sunshine coast if you ever make it this way
cheers
Della &
graeme
My cousin has a tennis ball hanging from the ceiling on a string, when the tennis ball touches his windscreen he knows it is time to stop.
For ourselves, we have an old lampstand (heavy base) with an ozzie flag attached at the top, when the vehicle bumper nudges the stand upright we know it is time to stop (flag waves), usually do so just before that happens.....
Nice report Doug and the photo's. Thanks.
I'm a bit puzzled why you wan't to head to the south coast of SA, starting to get very windy and cold down that way now, although I love the place, great state is SA with lots to see and do.