Carnarvon Gorge ,Central Queensland, 18 - 22 October 2021

Ten of our Dragon Boat Club members made the road trip, 8 hours drive NW of Gympie.   Two of the girls went with spouses by caravan but it was definitely a girls getaway, with lots of giggles and many hilarious happenings along the way.   Obviously 2 days were allotted to travelling there and back and we had 3 BIG  days of walking tracks in the gorge.

One of the roast nights at the Bush Bar.  Everyone together at the one time.

At the beginning of the first day, before the soreness set in…

The first day wasn’t a good start after discovering our communication skills were so lousy we met at different places and times.  Thereafter it became apparent, we would tee up arrangements with individuals otherwise we’d end up doing very little.  However on our first walk we got a good feel for what the heat and terrain were going to be like for the following days. 

,

Beautiful clear sky and gorgeous palms in front of the sandstone cliffs

From the track looking down into the creek.  It was as peaceful as it looks.

“Picture says a thousand words” but this picture needs some clarification.  Billie at the back of photo has hips and all sorts of foreign pieces and Sylvie in the front goes close to rivalling what Billie has had done to him.  Helen in the middle is there to prod and pull them along.  Seriously they made a terrific effort, well done guys.

The Moss Garden was the destination for many that day, 7 km return along winding, sandy-pathed tracks, uphill and down dale, surrounded by cycads and palm trees and through dappled sunlight.  Despite an absence of rain in the area for weeks, there was a small amount of water dripping from the sandstone walls, supporting a lush carpet of mosses, ferns and liverworts.  Truly nature can be amazing!

Some of us felt our stamina would hold up if we ventured a little further along the track so we continued along the track for a look at the Amphitheatre.  It was truly worth the trudge as we came to a massive chamber 60-metre-deep hidden inside the walls of the gorge.  Access was up some ladder steps and through an incredibly cool ‘air condition-like gap in the gorge rocks to be greeted by a solemn-like chamber.  Awesome is an accurate description of the feeling of being inside.  It was very cool and a  feeling of being minuscule in amongst nature’s wonders.

A would-be yachtie correctly informed us we must descend the ladder facing inwards.

A pity the photo is dark but part of the inside of the amphitheatre.

Some of the first day heroes, Helen, Gwyn, Jean and Sylvie. Helen cause it’s one of the few social occasions she has gone away with us, Gwyn cause she’s 70 something and Sylvie cause she has nearly had her entire skeleton ‘fitted out’.  

We had varying degrees of fitness, confidence and robustness within the group, so on the 2nd day we decided to split into those with aspirations and those who felt their capabilities were not so great.

Day 2 - Gwyn, Barb and Jean set off on the walk to the Big Bend which was a 19.4 km return trip taking about 7-8 hours.

 

Some of the 13 creek crossings we made, they caused a great deal of focus!  The Cathedral cave we passed on the way, a massive wind-eroded overhang which apparently the Aboriginal people used as shelters for thousands of years.

Part of The Art Gallery, many engravings, ochre stencils and freehand paintings adorn the 62 metre long sandstone walls of the indigenous site.

Barb and Gwyn guarding the entrance!

Pleased to be resting for a couple of minutes

Barb displaying her balance skills.

After endless but pretty scenery, many loose stones trying to twist ankles, much sweating and few grumbles we reached the Big Bend.  Personally I didn’t think the area itself was worth the walk but good to have achieved a long trek, no blisters or dehydration, just 3 very chuffed ‘old girls’

Yaaay, we made it!

It was a long hot walk back with everyone encouraging one another.  Gwyn suggested a long dip in the creek back at camp would be just the medicine required and she was dead right.  We slept like good babies that night and barely a drop of wine passed our lips..

Day 2 - Boolimba Bluff Walk

A 2-3 hour return trip covering 6.4 kms with a very steep climb!  Barb was still on a ‘high’ from the previous walk so she joined Gwyn and I.  We were up a bit earlier than usual to beat the heat.  Luckily it was a little overcast so the heat did not become an issue.

As you can see there were formed steps so the climb was really only an exhausting aerobic exercise.

Some rough terrain

One of our rewards!

A special view

The girls improving my panorama

The rooftop of Queensland

We were ecstatic to say the least to have accomplished the climb without mishap.  I was particularly impressed with Gwyn’s effort and I always knew Barb had it in her, she’s just one of the lazy ones that need pushing.

We discovered this small cool overhang-cave on our descent.  We obviously were so focussed on the way up we missed it.

It took us about 45 minutes to reach the summit and we probably spent the same amount of time making up stories that we were going to attempt to make the others to feel lousy about not making the effort but stopped feeling mean halfway down.  However we felt  sufficiently elated to accompany Barb on a walk back to the Amphitheatre which she had missed seeing on the first day.  We had energy to spare!

Such beautiful bush

The other (slack) group of girls spent the last day being a bit more adventurous  and wandering up country.  Apparently one of the girls, Jan has a very melodic voice and entertained them all with a rendition of “How great thou art” whilst in the amphitheatre.  It’s a pity someone didn’t record it.

Our quarters for the time we glamped.   Each tent had facilities for 4, a bit cramped but okay for 4 days.  A bar fridge was provided and a set of shelves, table and chairs out on the deck.  The tank next door was the toilet and shower, a bit hot at this time of the year but better than walking to camp facilities in the middle of the night.

Anyway the trip had to come to an end and we learnt how fortunate we were because the National Park closed on our last day there.  A wildfire had entered the gorge from a private property, the winds were quite strong while we were there and the gorge had to be evacuated, so we were so lucky not to have had our trip cut short.  All in all, it was a wonderful time together - the caravanners made our situation a lot more comfortable than it would have been cause Norma wouldn’t allow all the mod cons to go along.

Really it was a lot of fun and laughs.  Billie and Chris (two husbands) were really good troopers and just went along with all the festivities and silliness that occurred from time to time.

At Eistvodt, halfway home and still good friends!

This type of photo goes close to typifying the gorge - really pretty stepping stones

A marvellous place to have visited and there are a couple of side gorges we didn’t have the time or energy to get to - Boowinda, wards Canyon and closer to camp, Mickey Creek gorge, so I do have an excuse to go back.

Dragon’s Climb!

As a variation to our usual socialising for the Dragonboating club, we figured a climb up one of the local mountains would be a good cross-training exercise.

 As I recall from many years ago (when I made the climb) it was a moderately easy ascent.  However since then, my fitness level had diminished and coupled with a few extra kilos, I wondered if it was the same mountain I’d been up and down on a 37 degree day and barely worked up a sweat!  It turned out to be more challenging 12 years later.

The six sensible dragons, Coach Sandy, Binnie, Elaine, Jan H, Heather and Andrea who opted to walk the streets of Pomona and go on a short shaded walk around the base of the mountain.  They lunched, op-shopped and browsed the art gallery whilst the other (demented) mob attempted the climb. 

Norma, an octogenarian, Linda, myself and Meg the koala kid were the four who set out believing they could make the climb safely.  After we’d dawdled up the path for 30 minutes or so with Meg giving a running commentary on the native flora and all the time hoping for a glimpse of a koala, we quickly realised this was no ordinary walk in the woods.  At the 2nd benched seat  we “oohed and aahed”  at the amazing views and sights when we looked backwards but following that it didn’t take us long to see the track had been unmaintained, was badly eroded with loose rubble just waiting to cause a bad slip to unsuspecting optimistic oldies.  Self-preservation kicked in and Meg suggested it was folly to continue so poor Norma who’d had been keen to do the climb succumbed to peer pressure. 

Linda and I reckoned we’d nothing to lose except our pride so up we went.  After much scrambling, (moaning) and abseiling of sorts we made it.  Fortunately only the occasional back tracking when we’d picked the wrong course but I definitely appreciated having the strength in my legs and arms as it was not easy negotiating that climb. 

 But then as I remembered the view was breathtaking from the summit.

Magnificent

Splendid

Relieved, stuffed and quietly concerned about getting down

Pondering the possibility of knees giving out on the descent?  Only a brief doubt .....

Yay, success.  Glad to have achieved it for a second time and Linda who has made the climb MANY times, we both agreed it was the last.  Dear Meg was at the bottom to greet us. She was excited to find some “lerp” (bush tucker food), so she had been snacking during the wait.

However as far as extra curricular activities go, we have a trip to Carnarvon Gorge planned for October and we’ll fit a climb of the Story Bridge in Brisbane once the regattas have finished.

Go Dragon’s!

Sixty Nine!

 Many years ago my mother gave birth to ….  

As a birthday present, each year David treats me to a golf course of my own choosing (within reason) upon which I can play.  He has the honour of driving me around the course and making the appropriate comments.  However, he’s close to getting the sack, I caught him looking at his phone a little too often.

I chose to play on the Maleny Golf Course which is pictured below.

For years it has been a 9 hole course but just recently it’s become an 18 holer.  The locals are renowned for attempting to keep their little piece of paradise untouched, but as they die off, a bit of progress has happened, a great golf course.  There are many stands of magnificent large native trees and the large tree ferns and really pretty shrubs and plants.

 Somehow the panoramic shot doesn’t capture the real hilliness of the course.  Anyhow it’s immaterial as I was driven around in a cart.  Anyway, as you can see it’s beautiful green countryside, the fairways were beautifully cut and greens had recently been top dressed.  However hazards took the shape of ‘long kikuyia’ grass - impossible to even find your ball let alone hit out of.  I found a few of them ie the grass.  The bunkers were a little different to other courses in that they had reveted sides.  The course is in a high rainfall area and these types of ‘walls’ keep together instead of being washed out.  Strangely enough, they didn’t pose a problem for me and good to be in a fully sanded bunker for a change.  Anyway the course was interesting (honestly) as there was no water, dams, creeks or drains, instead there were environmentally sensitive areas, usually in gullies and of course no human was allowed to enter!

The highlight of my game was a par on hole 1, thereafter it all gradually went downhill.  The weather was perfect though so all round a good day spent.

For those who aren't from around the Sunshine Coast, a description of it's location.   It's situated on the plateau of the Blackall ranges in an area known as the Glass House Mountains.  An idyllic spot as you have the coolness of the higher ground with a great view of the Sunshine Coast.  The Hinterland is home to many 'greenies' and arty crafty folks, a favourite retirement place for people who have lived in hot and humid places like Darwin.  It's usually packed with visitors on weekends, long weekends and holiday periods so normal people avoid it except on week days.

To really cap the celebrations off,  we stayed in a lovely cosy cottage secluded amongst gorgeous gardens with brilliant fountains and features around every corner.  We had 2 nights stay so relaxation was the main theme.

This was my view from the hanging egg chair on the verandah

A seafood restaurant down the road topped off my indulgence - a mango dream cocktail, some fine white wine and a whole lobster mornay.  I managed it all but could not 'fit in' sweets.

A super couple of days.  Many xxx to hubby.

The Mango!

 

From seed to fruit ….  what every gardener strives for!  It's been in the making for at least 10 years -

 a Bullock Heart mango lovingly grown by Dave.  It's an absolute beauty, one single fruit in it's first 

ever crop.  It sounds fairly meagre but mangoes in this climate are hard to grow successfully.  This 

particular tree was grown from seed, has weathered frosts, years of neglect while Dave has worked 

offshore with only spasmodic watering by Jean.  It's only been in the last year since Dave has retired 

that it has received regular and generous waterings.

Anyway the 'prized' fruit was watched over for months while it grew, finally protected in a special bag 

from the birds.  It's dimensions were 15 cm in length (I should have measured it's girth as well 

but didn't) and it weighed a whopping 1.1 kg

A real beauty!

The eating ceremony was a big occasion!  Needless to say it was absolutely delicious.  Some may 

not know but this type of mango is not usually sold in the shops, apparently the size is not 

commercially viable.  The characteristics of the fruit is that it has no stringy fibres and has a very 

small seed.

As you can see the tree is a fairly miserable specimen.  The white paintings on the trunk and most 

of it's branches are protection against disease.  It's suffered in it's existence and never really received 

any sprays of any kind when it was afflicted so it's a real survivor.  Anyone, except Dave would have 

chopped it out but his determination to persevere has paid off.  In the past it had borne fruit but the 

winds in November have always destroyed them so we were lucky in a way.

Dave is especially proud of his little mango tree and all efforts … I could be a real killjoy and calculate

the amount of water and fertiliser it received and it would be a very expensive mango.

However I expect there will be more fruit to come so it'll probably be a worthwhile part of the garden.

Onya Dave!