Monday 2 May
Rosie and I enjoyed a lovely walk beside the river before breakfast. We couldn’t venture too close to the water, as it was like walking on plasticine and I had visions of us being sucked into the mud.
It was a beautiful sunny morning when we drove out of our lovely overnight camp. Our route this morning, took us along side the Ballone River up to St George, where we paused to visit the old church that Norm’s grandfather had designed.
Much of the Darling Downs has been taken over by huge cotton growing operations which store enormous quantities of water in tanks to irrigate the crops. As we drove past fields of cotton ready for harvesting, clouds started rolling in and before long the gentle mist turned into a torrent.
Norm had scheduled our stop for the night behind the quaint Mangallala Hotel. After pulling in to the camp ground behind the pub we popped in to the bar where we were greeted by a lovely lady, whom we later got to know a Maureen. When we asked if she was serving dinner, she replied with a wry smile “My husband is out on the property driving fence posts so I expect he will be doing dinner when he comes in.”
.https://directory.fullrangecamping.com.au/item/mungallala-club-hotel-cg/
We returned to the bar after setting up camp. Maureen was still there, chatting to a couple whom I think were her son and daughter in law – and in no time we were included in the chat as if we were family. Soon after Bruce, Maureen’s husband walked in, after a long hard day out on the property. He came across as reticent at first, but he soon relaxed and we felt like we were part of the community with them. He cooked us the best bangers and mash dinner we have enjoyed for EVER!. After dining we enjoyed chatting with Maureen and Bruce and hearing their stories.
The news was all about the unseasonal rain and flooding where we are heading, so we decided to head to Tambo
In the morning Rosie and I enjoyed a walk around town after she spent some time chatting with the local watch dog who greeted us last night at the Pub..
Late night the news was all about the potential for flooding in the areas where we are heading. We decided to drive to Tambo via Augathella, home of the Meatants, and pause a day before proceding.
https://www.thegreynomads.com.au/dino-2/
It was raining seriously so we stayed in for the night. This morning Rosie and I enjoyed a walk down the main street of Tambo before breakfast.
ON THE ROAD 