We're away

Well  yesterday was a huge marathon effort.  Washing the sheets and towels, carrying endless loads of things to the caravan, clearing the fridge, pantry, tidying…there’s no way we could have come close to leaving without such great help from lots of people!  I am so grateful.

After such beautifully  warm weather, it was a bit of a shock to be freezing last night.  Carrying loads of clothes and books down the driveway at 3am was pretty cold!  And then standing in front of the car for a final photo, cooper had to be wrapped in a big blanket – I think the top of his head is all we can see. Finally, after last minute trouser patching this morning, we were away, with farewell waves from Karen and Tim. 

The seating arrangements! (Back, Joe, Dom, Oskar; Katie, Nadine, Cooper)

We managed to lose our travelling companions (Thelma and Gordon) within a few kilometres, but they caught us up on the great dividing range.  The car noticed the climb up the range – I think we were passed by a truck!     

Dominic and Cooper at Queen's Park in Toowoomba

We stopped in Toowoomba for breakfast – took a little navigating to find Queen’s Park but the flowers are already beautiful.  We ate toasted muesli with yoghurt in the van – and every time someone came in we’d all shout “close the door” – it was 6.8 degrees centigrade (or 2.4 with the chill factor! Thanks iphone) and cold yoghurt was the last thing I felt like eating!  I scrounged around for warm shoes and jumpers  and we all ran among the garden beds.

Back in the van.  The headwind was huge and Grant struggled to keep the car at 85 km/h in fourth!  Gobbled up the fuel.   Grant thought there was something wrong when the engine started missing, but it was easy fixed with a full tank)  Stopped in Dalby for petrol and gas and managed to lose Thelma and Gordon when their car wouldn’t start – but they caught us up again at Chinchilla where we had lunch.  It was still freezing cold!  We found a windbreak in the cemetery across the road and wandered the catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian sections.  Graves a bit broken and worn out, but interesting nevertheless. 

Cooper in front of an old Train engine at Wallumbilla

Toilet in Wallumbilla – don’t blink – and more fuel Roma….Mitchell creeping up slowly but surely.  And everyone seems happy enough today….wait and see if they want to do it all again tomorrow!
_______
Vicki