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Post Info TOPIC: MAY 2016 UPDATE
Dougwe


Chief one feather

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Date:
MAY 2016 UPDATE
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June, yep June already, well sort off. I'm actually sitting at the start of May to  tell you about, well, May.

 
You might remember April finishing by  leaving Byron Bay so I spent the first morning heading north along Highway 1. Rain rain go away, come another day was the order of the day but nope, the rain gods decided to let me have it head on. Rained all morning from just before crossing into QLD. It stopped about half hour before I arrived at my first stop for the night in Gin Gin rest area, just on the north side of town and on the Bruce Hwy, well to the side of it actually.  This is a 20 hour stop over and very nice indeed. Two toilet blocks but no showers. A water tap that allows a bucket of water but is chlorinated, you can smell it but ok for washing etc. Trucks on the highway until around 11.00 at night then again you hear then 5.00 in the morning. Now I found out the next day that the ABC news said it was the hottest night on record in many QLD towns, including Gin Gin, any wonder I was hot all night. 
 
The second day I was up and at 'em at day break ready to hit the frog and toad once again, this time the fog gods decided to let me have it for 2 hours solid. No problem I just took it easy. The fog finally cleared and I travelled along happily chatting to the truck drivers letting them know I will back off on the next overtaking lane for them, then a thankyou to me from them.
 
I always use the UHF to let the truck drivers know I know they are there and my plan for them. They appreciate it too. Not only am I chatting to them and them me, others are listening on the side and I believe it gives us GN's a good name. We are not all morons on the road. There are plenty though.
 
Monday 2/5 was a public holiday in QLD and surprisingly the roads were not busy, mainly due to me leaving early I think. I arrived at my second night for a one night stand at Waverley Creek rest area, again on the Bruce Hwy about 11km south of the St Lawrence turn off and approximately 160km north of Rockhampton. Another great stop for the night with a 24hr maximum stay, clean toilets but no showers. There is a couple of taps in the middle section and next to the toilet block but all say, not for drinking. I must say that the water looked, smelt and actually tasted OK but washing was what I used it for.  I think tank water is sometimes available but not while I was there. Trucks zoom past but slow to very few around 11.00 at night until around 5.00 in the morning.
 
My third day travelling started at 6.00am and heading further north, I had a slower run this time as heaps of road works slowing us all to 60kmh and even a full stop for a few minutes in a couple of places. I also got held up behind a big double Tanker who was held up by one of the biggest mobile cranes I have seen, they certainly grow things big here in QLD. We both managed to make a run for it on one hill with overtaking lane for about 2kms with about another 2-3km os straight road in front of us. I noticed another 3 trucks behind me so had a chat with them and I talked them through overtaking me and the tanker assisted soon after the second truck behind came out to overtake, good team work by all and I tell you that for free. That didn't last long as for the second time for me in the same morning the truck in front and myself got waved in by a lady in blue, well black actually. Random breath test, "breath into this please" Guess who got waved through, yep the mobile crane, bugga.
 
Continuing along our way with the truck in front as I let him go first we caught up to the crane after about 30 mins. He pulled in to a roadside stop area so we both, yet again made a run for it. The truck took off like a bat out of hell. The Run was good from there and after 5 hours made it to Home Hill Rest area. You can find this great spot behind the shops on the left coming from the south. Clean toilets, showers, covered BBQ area and all free, yep, free. Another one night stand for me. Oh! They have cut of the hot water in the showers and taken power points away from camp kitchen due to some abusing the system. Shame some people have to do these things. 
 
It was extremely hot, around 33c with high humidity, very sticky indeed, very uncomfortable as well. Two fans running on 12v and my wet towel wrapped around my neck and shoulders was the order of the day. I decided to venture across the road about 5.00 to the middle pub to cool off, had a couple of cold drinks, lemonade of course, then a meal in the Bistro. Sat in there reading for a while then back to the van to settle in for the night.
 
Fourth and final day of travel was Wednesday and arrived in Townsville around 10.00am and all set up at my daughters by lunch time,  Mission accomplished. 
 
The rest of the month was spent doing family things, lawn mowing duties, getting poppies taxi service fired up and even a little baby, well kids sitting. All good as It is good to be here again helping where I can. I have caught up with a few fellow GN's and a couple of friends I have made that live here in the tropics. 
 
Rugby season is here in Townsville in full swing and as usual but even more so this year due to the big win at end of last season for the Cowboys, the colours are everywhere you go. It is hard not to get caught up in all the Cowboys excitement. Every second shop has items for sale and heaps of people looking and buying.
 
Weather, hot is probably a good word. Around 30c + every day with humidity around 60% and upwards, nights get down to a very low of around 18-24c with the humidity not a lot different, sometimes hitting the 90% region. Very little rain to none and the odd day with moderate winds. All in all, not bad really. 
 
So there you have it, my May. June brings winter with it so BRING ON WINTER. Spose it will get down to the high teens nudging low 20's now, bugga hey. Still, you know what they say, someone has to, oh! ok then I wont say it. 
 
My plan at this stage is to be around here until mid to late August so if anyone is in the area or passing through give a hoy. I will be heading a little further north sometime in June for a week though but will return. 
 
Until next time, keep safe everyone.
 
Some pics below as usual.
 
 
Top..........Gin Gin rest area
Middle.....Waverley Creek rest area
Bottom....Just one of many cane fields in QLD
image.jpg
 
 
 
Top..........Home Hill rest stop
Middle.....Home Hill rest stop
Bottom...Jetty on the Strand in Townsville
image.jpg
 
 


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DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

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rockylizard


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Gday...

Good read as usual Doug.

Stay well and you will acclimatise to the heat - better than down here at the moment.

Cheers - John



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Bryan


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Good read Doug.

 

Enjoy the heat, its freezing in Perth at the moment. I suppose I could switch the heater on but then I'd have nothing to whinge about. I think a nice hot curry for lunch will do me good.



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Bryan
Tony Bev


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Hello Dougwe

A very good read so thanks for that

Home Hill rest stop, was recommended to me by many travellers, so it is on my future bucket list


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Tony

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Hey Jim


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Hi Dougwe,

Its nice to here your keeping warm.

Your welcome to Sydneys Weather Two nights of 4 deg and not much better in the day, with the wind chill making it the start of winter for us. The vans near ready to roll.

Say well. Jim & Lambie 



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Juggenaut


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Good read Dougwe, sounds like the same trip i done approx 2mths ago. heading off at the end of august.



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Happywanderer


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Great read Doug. A shame about Home Hill. When I was there last year the hot showers were beautiful. It's a great set up all round.
A shame some spoil it for others.

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ken thomas


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Keep up the good work Doug, bloody cold here in Echuca
Ken

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DUN WURKUN
Dougwe


Chief one feather

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Cold, brrrrrrrrr. One of the reasons I am here and not there Ken and Jim.

Thanks for the comments everyone, great to see people read my updates and go to the trouble of replying. I try and put some info for fellow travellers each month about places stayed or seen that might interest them as well as my occasional typo :) They are there to keep you alert :) and Happywanderer something to tell me off for :)


Keep Safe out there.

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Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 
Gaylehere


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Thanks  Dougwe for your update and the photos.  Hope to head up that way later this year or around April next year.  Haven't been any higher than Rockhampton (coast roads) for many a year.  Cheers.



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Woody n Sue


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Great up date Doug and nice pics on he way I sure do wish I were heading up your way just lit the fire here n waiting for it to kick in as we are waiting on a pork roast to cook in our new Baby Q done some great pizzas already first roast almost ready
Woody

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rayaroundoz


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Another great read Doug. I enjoy reading your monthly reports. I'm in the south west of WA and it was 1deg this morning and same again tomorrow morning. Once I get through the next three winters it will be summer all year round for me.

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Bruce and Bev


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Hey Doug - whats the lawn mowing stuff - I thought you and mowers together had been banned after last years scare !

Like Ray we're in sorta south-west WA - Baldivis to be exact (which is just north of Mandurah). I'm actually glad it getting down to about 12c at night round here - got a border collie to cuddle up to and keep me warm (wife sleeps on dog pillow lol) - rather put up with the cold than handle all that wet heat/humidity you've got.

Another good read and as usual - informative as well as amusing and entertaining. Thank you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



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Dunmowin


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Thanks for the report on my home turf.  Did you eventually get to have a decent shower?



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Joe50


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ken thomas wrote:

Keep up the good work Doug, bloody cold here in Echuca
Ken

I second Ken's post ... I'm stuck here in Echuca (Rotary Park) until repairs to my little Terios are finished, hopefully this week, then I'll be off quicker than one of the Chief's arrows, straight up to Queensland to get away from the c-c-c-c-cold.

Joe



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Kiwi-as


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Great read Doug, we are in Ballarat at the moment staying with a friend. Have the Diesel Heater cranked up, was 3deg last night.

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Nooms


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It was a good read and lovely pics. Making me grateful for the cooler Perth weather though (plus now I know I have "neighbours" in Perth :) ).

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Bryan


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Nooms wrote:

It was a good read and lovely pics. Making me grateful for the cooler Perth weather though (plus now I know I have "neighbours" in Perth :) ).

I think there are a few of us hiding away in Perth. 



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Bryan
Happywanderer


The Master

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Joe50 wrote:
ken thomas wrote:

Keep up the good work Doug, bloody cold here in Echuca
Ken

I second Ken's post ... I'm stuck here in Echuca (Rotary Park) until repairs to my little Terios are finished, hopefully this week, then I'll be off quicker than one of the Chief's arrows, straight up to Queensland to get away from the c-c-c-c-cold.

Joe

 I didn't know you could park at the Rotary Park Joe. That's new to me. Is there any charge?



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Joe50


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Hi Marj

There's a $5 per night 'donation'. There aren't any signs regarding length of stay, I was here for 7 nights prior to taking a run up to Deniliquin for the weekend. Got back yesterday and staying until my car is ready. There are some events that occur here during the year but don't know if camping is allowed at those times - there's the annual vintage steam rally coming up over the Queen's Birthday weekend. Also seems the park is in for a redevelopment according to this newspaper article http://www.mmg.com.au/local-news/echuca/millions-planned-for-echuca-s-rotary-park-1.103357. It mentions the installation of a dump point but that's already been put in, looks to have been done fairly recently.

Been following your posts in Health and Wellbeing, hope things are working out for you and also for Alice.

Cheers, Joe

 



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Nooms


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Bryan wrote:
Nooms wrote:

It was a good read and lovely pics. Making me grateful for the cooler Perth weather though (plus now I know I have "neighbours" in Perth :) ).

I think there are a few of us hiding away in Perth. 

 It's a good place to hide :)



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rainy1850


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Loved reading the different places you have been. So totally jealous. Have our new van but hubby got out of hospital today after breaking his elbow and ribs tripping over the dog on our one and only weekend away with the van. Dam!! Trips to come soon, be hopes



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Happywanderer


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I'm surprised to hear all that about the Rotary Park Joe. Finally Echuca is getting it's act together for travellers.
Yes the dump point would be very new. Didn't hear anything about it when I was home at Xmas.

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Don't worry, Be Happy! 

Live! Like someone left the gate open

 

 

 
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