Europe Report Card Week 5 Photos

Jacobs Ladder

Macedon Regional Park

From the top of Mt Macedon in Victoria...looking out towards Hanging Rock (yes...the same as in 'Picnic at...' and then a waterfall at Stanley Park on the way down...

Ballarat Region

Creswick Regional Park and Kryal Castle

Hill End Nov 2008

Eastern Spotted Quoll

Abandoned Gold Mine at the Razorback, Mt Morgan

In the late 19th Century goldmining at Mt Morgan was in full swing. The whole area was being prospected and there were many mines started and then abandoned. This walk was to investigate one of these, which is on private property.

We met early at The Spire and drove up towards The Razorback (click to see more information), to meet up with some of the others as well as the property owner at the memorial park. Once our guide arrived, we drove a few minutes west to his property, and found a good place to park in a steep paddock. Initially, after leaving the cars we walked down into the gully, but were soon headed up the side of quite a steep hill. About a quarter of the way from the top we reached the entrance to the old mine.

I marveled that men from a different century had dragged heavy mining equipment all that way. The entrance seemed in good condition with strong timbers supporting it, and we headed in the tunnel. Iridescent purple moths, that had also been present in Blue Bag mine at Glassford, and some small bats were soon disturbed by us. Not too far in there was a rockfall, which most did not feel safe in traversing, but Glynn clambered on until his progress was defeated but the whole tunnel being blocked.

Discussion ensued regarding ventilation shafts, and Darryl, Dave and a few others climbed further up the hill and found a caved-in ventilation shaft.  They also climbed to the top of the hill to catch the views. When they returned we traipsed back down the hill – me taking it very easy so as not to compromise my knees. For some of us, that was the early end to the walk – Darryl and I were going home, while Dave was going geo-caching. The rest walked to Mt Dovecott.

Gold Mine at Razorback

Historic Buildings Walk Rockhampton 23 Aug 08

I have thought for a long time that I would like to lead a 'Bushwalk' on the Historic Buildings Walk in Rocky. We have many beautiful buildings, and some years ago a local group got together and put up brass plaques on the more significant ones. This was also linked to the 10,000 steps program, and a booklet was published telling of the individual histories.

Around 10 of us met up on the Riverbank across from the Criterion Hotel - the site of the first hotel, called The Bush Inn, in Rocky. We leisurely strolled along the riverbank, viewing and photographing the beautiful old buildings, while I read out some of the history. Our walk took us up as far as Derby St, with the Walter Reid Warehouse, which has now been converted to apartments, on the corner. We made our way to East Street and walked in a northerly direction until it ended at Archer Street, then we crossed the road to come back down East Street on the opposite side. My idea was that the view of the buildings was much better from the opposite side, although the plaques are attached to the buildings as named.
I had intended to continue up East St to Derby Street, but we ran out of time, so we went back to the Criterion, and drove to the 'Coffee Star' Cafe for a delicious morning tea. We will have the rest of the walk at a later time, and no doubt I will run it again at another time.

Cawarral to Mt Chalmers

A car shuffle was required for this walk, as some of us were only going one-way, so Darryl and Ros headed off to leave our car a Mt Chalmers.

It was a lovely, but cool, morning and when they returned the group headed west along the railway easement. The first section had all the tracks and sleepers removed and had been bulldozed so the walking was very easy...just like walking along a gravel road. There were several casualties with several snakes crushed by the dozing (I took a photo of a Bandy Bandy Vermicella annulata a nocturnal burrowing snake), which had suffered this fate. Further along the easement we got to the point where the workers were loading sleepers on a truck, and after this the track was in various stages of removal, until we got to track which was untouched. Along the way we stopped for morning tea, and to wave to curious passing locals.

After around 7km of walking we arrived at Mt Chalmers and headed up to the museum, (click to see a photo) which was behind the school. We investigated the rooms, learning all about the history of Mt Chalmers and it's mines, and watched the interesting video. Lunch was enjoyed, before a tour of the township. Those who were walking back took off, as the ones returning home drove back with us to Cawarral to pick up their car. This photo is of the group on the Mt Chalmer's railway bridge.

A Day at the Races - Rockhampton

On Saturday Darryl and I did something that we have never done before - went to the races!

Rockhampton Business Machines were sponsoring a race a Callaghan Park, and had offered the opportunity for us to attend the lunch and entertainment. We arrived before the rest of the group, and were slightly lost, but after being directed found ourselves at the bar. Darryl had just organised drinks when Allyson and David arrived.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch, followed by a delicious dessert, and the afternoon glided by as we enjoyed the company of the others in the group.

There were 5 local races and we put bets on each. We tried all different techniques for picking the winners..from colours, to looking at the horses 'pluck', checking their form, and following tips! Luckily we ended up only $3 down for the afternoon - thanks to Darryl's betting skill making up for all my losses!

Allyson and Craig went down to present the prize for their race (photo on left). I must admit, I quite enjoyed myself, although I don't think I will take up 'going to the races' as a hobby.

Weekend at Byfield 21 & 22 June 2008

A group of bushwalkers met at Dot's place, which is along the Byfield Road. Once we were all assembled a convoy headed off up to Waterpark Creek Farm (click on the name to see photos of the Farm and Tours).

The cars were parked out of the way, and Darryl, Dave and Ann went paddling while the rest of us went on our first adventure -  was a ride in a cart drawn by two horses. This took us down past the donkeys and numerous healthy cattle. Next was a tour around the farm on the back of a truck, which had been nicely modified with comfy chairs, rails and a roof. First stop was down at the creek, where we walked down through the rainforest to the jetty and boarded the boat 'Water Dance'. It was a very peaceful and quiet journey down Waterpark Creek to the weir and back again. Our bus trip continued over the paddocks into the middle of the fields of Teatree Oil plants. I was amazed by all the sundew growing in grass. This part of the tour was also afforded a beautiful view of the Byfield Mountain range. We continued down to the distilling shed where we learned all about the processing from cut branches into the strong smelling pure oil. Afternoon tea was provided, along with an opportunity to purchase merchandise.

Most of the bushwalkers then left, but a hardy few were camping overnight, and we enjoyed a BBQ in the pleasant surroundings near the house.

Darryl and I slept in our tent, and were snug and warm despite the cool environment outside. The morning was crisp and fresh. Darryl had thought he would go for another paddle, but decided to pick it up and head home. A lovely enjoyable weekend!

It is interesting that this farm was the place first taken up by the Ganter family in the 1880's. The Ganters are related to Darryl from the marriage of Charles Louis Ganter to Emily Mary Crosthwaite on 29 April 1914.

Mayday

Anzac and May Day Weekends - Calliope

Halloween 2007

We decided to have a Halloween morning tea to celebrate Sara finishing her traineeship. As you can see, I got pretty freaked out by the 'eyeballs'.
Gordo "the Vampire" strikes again!

Linda and Kat were the little devils!
Kathlene made these delicious Witches Fingers  - some had pus under the fingernails and some had blood......

Linda and I do 'trick or treat....

Darryl was not too impressed with my pet tarantula...ooops...no....he didn't like my hair!

Yes - I'm still alive! - Brisbane

I have been pretty busy since our Kakadu holiday in June, and haven't had time to post things up. So, I am just going to start little - this is my youngest brother, Steve and I when we caught up in Brisbane (both down there for work) in August.

Northern Territory - June 2007

Darryl and I travel to the Northern Territory in June 2007 - click on the photo to see the whole photobook. For the best effect look at it fullscreen.

Heeland Coo

This is a wee video of a Heeland Coo (Highland Cow - Bos taurus) taken in the Scottish Highlands 1 Oct 2000.

Sunday 18 February 2007 - Rockhampton

Nothing major is happening at present. Shane has gone back to Brisbane, and he is all signed up for the next 12 months. Now he is looking for somewhere to live. Darryl has been going on his bike rides and walks up Mt Archer, and Marc has been on holidays. He went to the Gold Coast for the Big Day Out, and has had a few relaxing weeks off. He is still regularly going wake-boarding.
I took a day off work, last week, to go to a couple of events. One was called 'Picturing Rockhampton' which was held at the Rockhampton Art Gallery and was about collecting old stories about the area. In the afternoon I went to a family history writing workshop which didn't really meet my expectations....but there you go - everything is a lesson!

My great-great Grandparents - John Turner Smith and Margaret Agnes Coutts

Merry Christmas

May your Christmas Joys be many and your needs be few
And may Good Luck and Happiness be yours the whole year through!