Chinchilla Watermelon – Trek's Walkabout

Well it was a different kind of trip for me. This was a trip I wanted to do in Chris’s honour. Places he wanted to go to on our last trip that we didn’t have time to do. He loved the hot pools, we both did.

The van “Trek” went brilliantly, the setup we did was very easy to use, setup and packup. I found even in a small space with a Jess in wet weather we could manage. Not ideal in the wet, but we did it. The van setup made it easier for me but also sad for me, as Chris was not there to enjoy it.

Easy to setup or drive.

We had some fun times, laughs, adventures and met some really lovely people. Went to a few new destinations.

It was a challenge for me at times missing Chris, going to places we had been together and having the memories of that time.

Judy was hanging out for a cuppa and tried to take the Cunnamulla Fellow’s one. 😂

The weather had a big impact and changed our plans a lot. So weather wise not the best trip. It also shortened our trip; we were away a little over 3 weeks.

One of the main places Chris wanted to go was Charlotte Plains and it was supposed to be the highlight of the trip. Unfortunately, that did not quiet pan out and was a little disappointing for us both.

Cunnamulla Bushlands.

The highlights for me were Goodooga and Yowah. I think Judy would agree. Both places we said we would go back too. I had a bit of a toast to Chris at the Yowah hot pools. I know Chris would have loved both of these places.

I did learn a lot on this trip, great to have confidence in the van and my ability to deal with it all by myself.

Campfire at Bollon.

I took Chris with me in my heart, his hat and some photos of him. I told him every night, of the day I had, the things and places we did and saw. It’s not the same at all as having him physically with me and that was hard, real hard. The first trip I assume will be the hardest, so I’ve done that. I know he would be up in heaven cheering me on. Pleased I did the trip, thankful that Judy was with me and able to share this first trip with me.

Judy just about blending in with the watermelon. 😂

Until next time, Live Long and Prosper 🖖🏿

I have stayed at Neil Turner Weir several times with my First Officer, Chris. This time it was with my ensign Judy, her first time here. The place full of lots of other starships and explorers docked for a few nights.

I guided Trek through the fleet, to an open space further along. We found a spot in the middle with green grass and open skies for the sun rays to power our ships.

Powering up our ships, with the sun rays.

I set up the ensuite tent. Being 100% full of the sun rays I put the hot water on and had a shower. Least this captain smells nice, not sure about the ensign 😛

Our plan is to stay in this part of space for a few days. We have heard another cosmic rain event was coming on the star day of Thursday. So we carefully planned our route through the stars over the coming week.

We went for a walk and explored this space finding that they have extended the area further east, nearly doubling this part of space. Could easily fit a large fleet of over 100 to 200 starships in here. Not that I would want to be here then.

It is a very large camping area.

Today we had visitors from another dimension, one in a mini shuttle that is a friend of Judy’s. Nice lady, solo traveller in her mini shuttle. People ask her why does she not upgrade to a bigger ship but she loves her mini shuttle works well for her.

Other friends of Judy’s, 2 man crew staying at the star base in Mitchell. Lovely to meet other travellers and share their voyagers, and the places they have explored.

We had noticed all these campers having lovely fires with what looked like milled wood they were getting from somewhere. We found out from a fellow traveller that just past the dump point in Mitchell is a wood mill and they put out their off cuts free for people to use. The same person, our neighbour took Judy for a drive to collect some of the wood and cut it to size for us. What a lovely kind person. There are also free showers near the dump point.

Keeping warm around the Campfire.

We had a campfire with our neighbour and another couple. Good fun conversation.

Heading East through Roma, we stopped for the night at Wallumbilla showgrounds. Spent 1 night in Miles, called into Chinchilla, went to the markets, info centre and the big watermelon. Chinchilla is famous for the Watermelon festival. There is also camping at Chinchilla Weir but it was very full and wet in places, so we went via Tara, for a couple of nights, dodging the rain.

Chinchilla Markets.

Slice of watermelon near the info centre.

Bowenville Reserve, this was supposed to be one of our first stops at the start of our trip. But due to rain, the road in was very flooded so we changed plans and headed to Tara.

The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Bowenville Reserve is now the last night of the trip.

It’s 4km off the main hwy, to a very large open area along Oakey Creek. Most vans seem to try and get as close to the creek as they can. There is also a big open grassed paddock. That is where we camped for the night right near the fence. Ground was solid and easy access back onto the gravel road that goes around the camping area. If it rained, we are ready to head straight for that gravel.

There are newish toilets, table and chairs, bins and a small playground for the kids. It would be a popular spot for the locals for a swim in summer.

Lots of campers here but all quiet.

There was rain overnight, we did move at one point early in the evening closer to the gravel road to make sure we would not get stuck.

Creek up a little bit.

In the morning, there were vans and other ships moving off the grass trying to get onto the gravel. Water was pooling in a few places; the creek had risen a bit.

We drove into Bowenville, checked out the old rail station and Judy had a cuppa. The plan was to go to Toowoomba (which Judy did, to catch up with a friend) but I made a run for home to get ahead of more rain coming.

Old Railway Station at Bowenville is like a museum.

Live long and Prosper. 🖖🏿