It’s been a while since I updated the Captain’s log. There has been lot of sorting out to do, including working out travel plans, a lot of major first events without Chris. 2025 was a year I was glad to see the back off. But starting 2026 without Chris is not an easy thing to do either. 40 years together, 40 years of travels together, fitting that in with my new life moving forward alone.
Chris and I talked about any future travels for myself, and it was his wish that I continued for the both of us, easier said than done. I also had to work out if it was something I still wanted to do without him. Do not worry it is, the travel bug is still in there. Just baby steps adjusting to the change as it is not easy doing it without him.
I had done a few short trips with my friend Judy, before we headed off on a bigger trip end of July 2025 for 3 weeks. Main destination was Charlotte Plains west of Cunnamulla, in Qld. A place Chris had wanted to go to on our last trip together, but we did not have enough time. This trip was for him and see how I go for me. Have to say we were disappointed with Charlotte Plains, but more on that later. We did find a few other hot pools we loved.
Unfortunately, the weather was not kind to us. We had rain, flooded roads, mud, creek crossings all which caused us to change our plans many times on the fly. But with your house on your back, you have the freedom to do so.
There had been a lot of rain out west before we left, most of the areas we were heading had a decent amount of rain. Being black soil country we needed to be careful where we stopped making sure our wheels stayed on solid ground. It also meant it did not take much rain for areas to start flooding.
We were thankful it was not raining the day we headed off nor did we get rain on us for a few days. Our first night was Lake Clarendon, near Gatton.
Lake Clarendon
Chris and I had called in here many years ago, but the lake was dry and the grass was very overgrown and dry. This time the lake was very full, lots of bird life on it. It was a bit wet in some areas due to the recent rain but still plenty of high and dry areas.
If it’s flooded forget it. And that is exactly what we did. We had planned to stay a few days at Bowenville Reserve west of Toowoomba about 20km’s from Dalby. But we had a flooded creek, blocking our path.
Flooding Creek heading into Bowenville Reserve.
So we kept driving, with areas off the side of the road very damp we decided to head to Tara, camp on the bitumen for a few nights. The area has changed substantially from the first time Chris and I stayed here. It is still great value, safe, lots of places to walk, showers, toilets, lagoon and potable water. We loved it so much we spent a few more nights here on our way home.
Beautiful artwork on the back of a shelter.
Lagoon boardwalk.
From there we headed to Westmar. Westmar is a small town at the crossroads of the Moonie Highway and the Meandarra-Talwood Road 116km west of St George. The Anderson brothers, owners of the Western & Maranoa Transport Companies, opened a fuel depot and rest stop for their truckies at this intersection. The name Westmar was derived from WESTern and MARanoa Transport.
Not a lot there just a big rest area, has shower toilets and bins. Popular with truckies, lots of trucks pull in. Big grass area across for them, we managed to get ourselves in a corner out of the way, further away from the trucks.
Nice hidden spot.
A servo/corner store with a bottle shop opposite. Looks quite nice and well stocked.
It was a cold night, poor Jess was shivering during the night, had to put her heat pad on for her.
Live long and Prosper.