Balyando Crossing - Lake Tinaroo

Never fear for the Smith’s are here.

'Windy Hill' near Atherton QLD - puts Gerringong's little wind mill to shame - there were
20 wind mills 80m high!

NEWS FLASH!!! We’ve created a new meal it’s called ‘SECOND BREAKFAST’ yep you read it correctly – ‘second breakfast’ was created out of pure desperation by the youngest Smith on the tour. It’s not to be confused with ‘brunch’ or ‘morning tea’, no sir-ee, second breakfast is the wedgy meal, only the truly hungry consume after a hearty bowl of cereal at the crack of dawn,  closely followed by what the rest of the family are having for normal breakfast

Whilst in the cold mountains of NSW in the first part of our trip. When we were wearing every item of clothing to bed enduring below zero temps – Geoff made the announcement….”Anyone who complains about being too hot when we get up North faces eviction” Here’s my disclaimer – I am simply making a comment and am certainly not complaining one little bit. But gee it’s getting WARM!!!! We are daringly showing a bit more skin, have  cracked out the ‘double pluggers’ and are warming our bones.  The nights are still a bit cool, about 13 degrees but manageable.

We finally bid farewell to Lake Elphinstone after 6 nights. It was such a lovely, relaxing place to be. We feasted on Red Claw every which way possible – thanks to the generosity of some lovely people we met, who shared their catch more than a few times. We met some great people there and some characters too.

We celebrated Marley’s 9^th birthday at Lake Elphinstone, we thought it might be a special but low key affair. But things happen for a reason and the day turned out to be spectacular. Being on the weekend some of the locals were camping there too, and they just happened to have some girls Marley’s age whom she befriended and the girls father just happened to own a thumping big ski boat. And they invited Marley to ski with them all day. Nice! We celebrated with stale fairy bread, a few cheezels and a bit of cake from the next mining town. Great day had by all.

After Lake Elphinstone we headed to Balyando Crossing, stayed out the back of a road house and enjoyed extremely high pressured, extremely hot showers and took advantage of the $2 per load washing machine. If you are ever out that way and need a place to stay, Balyando is worth popping in to. (It’s only 200 odd km from anywhere)

Our road train next to someone elses

A snappy visit to Charters Towers for some groceries then onto a free camp at Fletcher Creek, a close encounter with a black snake made the kids think twice about playing in the long grass.

After Fletcher Creek we left heading North, this is where things got interesting. We were sharing the road with road trains 4 trailers long. I know I mentioned the trucks previously, but that was nothing compared to what were came across. You can see in the picture that our driveway is wider than this road. The truck drivers have call points along the road where they call up on their UHF and let you know they are entering the particular call area. Lucky I am such a top gun radio operator and I was able to use my superb radio skills to advise the road trains that we were coming along the opposite direction. And when you cross paths the smaller vehicle (us) has to drive on the edge of the road. Not for the feint hearted. So glad I wasn’t driving let me tell you.

The Beef Rd - Central QLD (not much road)

We spent a night at Undara NP visiting the Undara Lava Tubes, a pretty amazing sight to see these massive tubes underground made a bazillion years ago by lava flows, we even got to swim in one of the tubes.

We are now nearing the end of 4 days at Lake Tinaroo near Atherton QLD, albeit a little sun burnt and in desperate need of a shower. Lake Tinaroo is  another rather large lake in a NP which just happens to be stocked with Barramundi. So far we have managed to catch a 4 inch baby Barramundi, a turtle, two yabbi’s and a few bait fish. We suspect we don’t have the correct lures and also the Barramundi are more active in the warmer months, but try we will. Stay tuned.

Can I just give everyone (and us) a bit of a reality check here for a moment. As you can tell we have visited some really amazing places and seen some fabulous sights. And are experiencing a once in a life time trip that we are thoroughly enjoying! But living out of the camper trailer still poses the same ‘issues’ and presents the same ‘dramas’ as living at home. The kids still argue and fight amongst themselves as much if not more than at home. The day still requires routine and formalities. It is still a challenge to get the kids to help out with chores and jobs. I take my hat off to the kids teachers we struggle to get Ben and Marley to complete their daily journal, which is the only school work they are required to do whilst away. (any motivational advice greatly appreciated)

It’s just that we are in a different environment and I don’t have to look at my dirty floors or the lawns to be mowed. And the washing up consists of 5 of everything because that’s all we brought along….five plates, five spoons, five cups – you get my drift?  One other challenge that Geoff and I are facing is trying to help the kids appreciate the NOW instead of worrying what we are going to do tomorrow or the next day. Children, we have realised have a different sense and understanding of time. Geoff and I both know that before too long we will be back at work – re living the memories of this trip through our photo’s. But it’s all a big learning curve for all of us as individuals and as a family. But a very positive one. We have met some interesting and very generous people who have made this holiday most enjoyable.

I have a few questions for you….

Why was there an odd number of Salada’s in the packet this morning?

Why won’t the kids willingly ride in the roof top basket? It would be water and dust proof.

Why do some campers feel the need to chose the spot right next to you in the middle of a NP when there are acres of other vacant sites around?

Why do Kookaburras choose to perch in the tree above our camper and cackle away right on the dot of six every morning no matter where we are?

Why didn’t we bring a boat?

Why can’t we catch a Barramundi?

Why are my kids always hungry?

Why do ski boats choose to drive in the bay that I am fishing in?

Lake Tinaroo - we really wanted the water front site

Bidding farewell and love to all, I hope you are enjoying our stories and are not too bored?

Geoff said ‘good morning’ to an old snoozer at a camp site the other day.

The old snoozer asked if Geoff was having a good holiday?

Geoff replied ‘It’s better than being at work!’

The old snoozer replied with ‘Aaaah – work is for fools and horses!’

So the saying of the holiday which always brings a laugh from Geoff and I is…

‘WORK IS FOR FOOLS AND HORSES!’