Longreach

Looks like I (Jase) have been given Blog duties for the immediate future…Nat is keeping a written journal and I am told it is a way for Mav & Z to get my perspective on the trip….so I am happy to do it.

We awoke this morning to find 4 red claw in the pots, needless to say the boys were extremely happy with themselves. Maverick had fruit as bait and Z Mann had John West Tuna in an Elmo snap-lock sandwich bag…he pulled 3 and Mav got 1. There was a fight to see who was the best so I said they break even because Mavs was bigger but Z got 3….they seemed to accept that..... smallish but enough for a feed.

We packed up and went on to the QANTAS museum. This was very good, lots of memorabilia and good reading (when the boys would let us), & certainly worth a look. It gave us a great insight into where a brand known internationally began and it makes you feel proud that you are Australian.

The Stockman’s hall of fame was good also but the boys ran riot. We have come to accept that there will be things we simply can’t embrace due to the fact we have 2 very young & active boys who just can’t comprehend, have no interest in, or, the physical capability of accomplishing…but that is OK and we do accept that. Planes are great but cowboys and whip cracking don’t do much for them. We wish we had more time and patience here, but it wasn’t to be…..

After a big day we decided to go and spend the night with the nomads we avoided last night rather than keep going north. This proved to be quite intriguing and everybody had a story. One bloke travelling on his own with an 18 yr old staffy (and 45 yr old caravan) had a story about writing off his brand new motorhome (I had my doubts) - another lady was telling us they just go and stay where they want - inclusive of cemeteries where they can because “nobody ever goes there,” Another bloke who just got pinged for DUI out on the highway has to stay for 15 days until he goes to court. It pissed him off because he should be fishing in the top end….bloody funny…. and a bloody idiot…. Zander introduced himself to just about every van, and proceeded to take his scrapbook “so far” and show them…it pleases us greatly he is so outgoing and sociable, this trip will only enhance this. He still knows however how to press our buttons though the little bugger…
Red Claw for dinner, Little Fockers on the big screen TV & off to bed….

Jase

Tieri to Longreach

This morning we left our good friends in Tieri, Dave, Anna and BJ bound for Longreach. A great couple of days were spent there & they were extremely welcoming, great company and as always a good laugh - thanks again guys & we will catch up again soon.
Yesterday the boys invaded the next door neigbour's house and ate all of their chips and crackers. Zander was making eyes at the little girl there a who is a few years older than him & Maverick just wanted to watch the motorbikes, eat some more, watch the bikes and then eat some more. They have also found a great friend in BJ who was unfortunately just coming to life as we left after being a bit off colour when we arrived.
We also caught up with Josie and Dylan who used to work with me on the Gold Coast and recently moved out there. They are doing well and I think will have a couple of mates in Dave and Anna now.

Tonight we find ourselves sitting on the river bank of the Thompson River - a few klms north of Longreach. Almost 500 clicks on the odometer so a long day for the boys but they are doing better than we thought. We had a brilliant coffee at Rubyvale in the Gemfields along the way which brought back memories from when I worked in this area. Nat is still astonished at how people live in the bush, I expect it will only get more interesting...

We then had lunch in Alpha and carried on to here - a good road and an easy drive.
There was a free camp further up but it was packed with grey nomads so I said to Nat, "lets go down where it says 'no camping' and see what is there".
I had some inside knowledge from Dave and Anna's neigbour who is from the area.... he told me not to worry about the signs & to go down and find a spot by the river. We could throw our pots in & its almost a guaranteed catch of redclaw. Apparently they just dont like caravans down here for fear of getting stuck and nobody will bother you. He was right.......

We are dead set on the river, where the trailer is strategically placed looking out across .......and the boys have their pots in. Nobody in sight, not a cloud in the sky, no wind and it is not cold, so after a little bit of aprehension from my adorable wife, she managed to reluctantly say to me that this is better than the place we could have stayed up the road!!
Z & Mav have been a handful but I guess it is to be expected as they have been in the car all day. I hope we catch a couple of redclaw because they will be ecstatic and those are the sorts of things that will make the journey worthwhile.

QANTAS museum and Stockmans Hall of fame tomorrow. We might grab a spot in town to stay, then soldier on.
We have decided to not have a beer tonight as we have been 3 quarters cut 4 nights in a row...time to ease up a bit...

Jase

Carnarvon Gorge

We have just spent the last 2 nights at Carnarvon Gorge.  What an amazing place & we highly recommend going.  We stayed at Takarakka Bush Resort which was awesome (although there was no phone or internet service!)  & managed to get the boys out bushwaking.....although we did get some resistance from Mav.  He did really well considering we made him walk about 4kms yesterday and today we walked another 3kms. 

We also celebrated my birthday yesterday, can you believe I am 21???!!! Hehe.  We had chocolate coated icecream as my birthday cake, it was gold.

Mav also learnt to ride his bike without training wheels and he did very well. He took to it like a duck to water with no broken arms as yet - touch wood!

Zander has been making lots of friends with the Grey Nomads & even wants to invite them over in the afternoon for cheese and biscuits!!!

We left Carnarvon Gorge this morning heading NE to Emerald, and then onto Tieri to stay with friends Dave, Anna and little B.J.  I am looking forward to doing my washing and sleeping in a real house!  All I can say, is thank goodness for the iPod otherwise Jase and I would have to talk to each other in the car!

Nat

The boys enjoying the creek crossings at Carnarvon Gorge.

I think they only fell in once each!

Yulebar - Day 1

Day 1 almost done. 440klms and into a free camp at Yulebar rather than Roma in a paid site. Nothing flash, set up in 10 mins and we are all inside due to the wet. Cobb & Co used to run a mail service from where we are camped.

Boys have been great although they are pretty excited to be sleeping in the trailer again - I am sure that will wear off quickly. Zander managed to ask if we were there yet before we got to the end of Mt Cottton Rd and Mavvy just copies everything the Z Mann does.

Riding bikes in the mud seems to be fun which I dont get and apparently fluffing in the car is a blast too. I told them to keep count - but they only count if they stink....this way I might be able to sneak a few in too and blame them.

Passed a sign today that said Orgasmic coffee 10klms, text XXXX and we will have one ready for you...great advertising but I wonder how many coffees they make that dont get picked up.
48 hours go I was chewing on an $80 steak at Moo Moos in Broadbeach, tonight Cup-a-Soup, bread and VB - does it get any better?

Canarvon Gorge tomorrow.

Jase.

All packed up and ready to go, after 18 months thinking about it - it is now a reality. 2 more working days....Gold....

4 more sleeps..... 

First stop - Roma