SIXTH DAY – WEDNESDAY 14TH JULY
It began to rain about 5.30 am really heavily and didn’t stop. It was also windy so we slept in a bit. We were in no hurry to get going as we only needed to be in Goondiwindi by 9.00 am so Graeme could pick up parts for the van – just in case!! We left Boggabilla about 8.40 after having breakfast and packing up. It only took about 15 mins to get to Goondi. We found the Repco store where a part was being delivered for us and it had arrived so all is good. It appears to be a nice tidy town, nice gardens and parks around. We are now finally in Queensland. We filled up on fuel and off we continued north towards Toowoomba. The terrain is very flat where crops of maybe corn or maize and cereal crops have been grown. The wayside stops in Queensland are not as nicely kept as the NSW ones. We have noticed prickly pear is rampant in the bushland along the roads. In section the prickly pear bushes were fruiting so of course Graeme stopped to pick/cut off some pears to try out. Some of the bushes are enormous – as big as some of the trees. Graeme recksons they need to get the beetle that eradicated it someone else, he thinks its called the Cockchaffer Beatle – I’ll have to look that one up when I get a chance. Saw a few wallabies just having a nibble along the roadside. It was drizzling most of the morning and complete cloud cover. We had a toilet break in Millmerran and discovered the town has some great murals on some of the old buildings and big water tank so we checked them out. We then kept going and noticed that the paddocks don’t have any fences in this area as they are all crops and very large ones as well. As we approached Toowoomba it became hilly and also got quite cold. We ended up putting on more clothes. We found the info centre and then tried to buy another battery for my camera. Went to Harvey norman, good guys, then Owens Cameras and had no luck – no one had one in stock but could order one – didn’t really have the time for that. It didn’t really matter I just wanted another back up one as the ones I have are getting old and don’t hold their charge so well anymore. But they’ll have to do. We continued on to the find the Crows Nest National Park were we have decided to stay the night. There were lots of baby pine trees growing as well as adults and teenager pines! along the way. It was a little bit hilly to get to but not bad. We had to register and pay – honour system really. Then picked a site. There is only one other couple here and we can’t even see them – hidden behind the toilet block. It is a lovely place. Very quiet and peaceful surrounded by bush. We set up camp and then went for a walk on one of the walking tracks to Crows Nest falls. It was a lovely walk through bush and along a very craggy rocky creek to the falls. Well! I was a bit disappointed by the ‘falls’ of which there was a trickle- if that, however there was a big water hole which is surrounded by rock cliffs – quite spectacular. It was worth the walk. We got back to camp before the sun went down. Graeme made a great fire and we cooked our vegies in foil in the coals of the fire. I also cooked a little roast beef in the oven. We had a lovely dinner with a glass of red on the side. I even managed to get the internet here so will attempt to add this to my blog.