I bought a Mini Electric Frypan from Kmart, $20. It’s 420w to 500w. Cooking area 15cm x 15cm. I gave it a good test while I was away and thought it was very good for the price.
It’s a little beauty, I was impressed.
It’s great for camping, caravanning and people on their own who don’t need a big frypan.
Here is a video on it.
Happy cooking. 🥘
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. 🖖🏿
We were on the road early, our plan was to stop at Toompine and stay behind the pub, free camping if you buy something from the pub, we planned to buy a meal. The roads were still wet and lots of water on the side of the road.
When we got to Toompine it was total chaos. A tar loop road in with vans and cars lined around the edge, some doubled up. Extremely muddy off the edges, no one was camping out the back. It looked as if some were camping in the front. People wandering all over the road in front of us complaining they cannot get out because people had parked them in. So, we got out of there quick fast heading towards Quilpie.
It was like this most of the way to Quilpie.
Most of the road from there was single lane bitumen. So you had to get a couple of wheels off the edge to pass anyone. Luckily for us we had a tow truck in front that people pulled right off the road for, so we did not have to get off ourselves. That is until several road trains came. One was a total cowboy. We hardly had time to get fully off the road on what we hoped was firm enough ground when he came flying through. I just made it off before he flew pass me, not slowing at all. Tell you one more foot over and he would have hit me. Another road train slowed down and was more considerate. We were glad to hit some wider road.
It is unbelievable how much water is sitting around. The plus is it is so green and the wildflowers were starting to come out.
A jump up.
At Quilpie we took the opportunity while we could and did some washing at the laundry mat. We also just caught the visitor centre open. She told us all the free camps had been closed due to being too wet and water on the roads. But the council had opened up the parking area at the racecourse for people to free camp. Suited us, wonderful bitumen, no mud or water.
There are a few things like this in the main street.
Nice dry area for the night at Quilpie.
We started heading east now towards home. Breaky was at Foxtrap Roadhouse Cooladdi. An interesting little place. Camping is available at the back of the roadhouse. Cooladdi (meaning black duck) was once a thriving railway town with a population of 270 that supported a butcher, school, police station, post office and boarding house. Now the Foxtrap Roadhouse is an all-in-one store, motel, pub and post office. Now a population of 2, one of Australia’s smallest towns.
Love these old country towns, you see some unusual sights.
We spent a night at the Rock Pool at Charleville.
Live long and Prosper. 🖖🏿
Bollon was another place we heard great things about and had planned several nights here but due to our extended stay at Goodooga, we only had one night.
Camping area at Wallam Creek, Bollon.
What a great spot, the camping area is along the creek and is a fairly big area with loads of trees, next to the cemetery. There is a dump point at the entry, toilet, and bins. As well as several water taps, we assume were potable water. Firewood for sale, in crates or bags with a trolly you can borrow to use to take the firewood back to your campsite. Very well priced. There is a good walking track along the creek into town.
Mural at Bollon.
There are very clean showers and toilets on the main street. Not a lot here hotel burned down, café and laundry mat people moved on. A post office, old post office is now a gallery.
Charlotte Plains, unfortunately the weather really wasn’t good. Overcast skies with rain forecast the next day. Dirt road all the way in, we knew we would get stuck if we got the rain that was forecast. It was very busy, so the camping area was very dusty (which means mud in the wet) and both of us felt the same, was just something not doing it for us. It could have just been that we were nervous about the weather.
The bore at Charlotte Plains.
We were booked and paid for 2 nights but we decided 1 night would have to do and we got up very early the next day on the road by 6.15am and got back to the highway without incident. Several other starships were doing the same. No rain overnight thankfully. We pulled off the road a few kms up and had breakfast with grey clouds looming.
Some of the baths at Charlotte Plains, you can fill with hot water and soak your aches away. Be awesome at night.
We were in Cunnamulla well before 9am. Weather was overcast but fine. Allowed us to take some photos, walk around a bit, drive out to the weir and visit the information centre. Before the rains came.
The Cunnamulla Fella.
Cunnamulla Weir. Nice day picnic area.
We spent all afternoon at the Bushland’s in Cunnamulla. There was a large shelter shed, we took refuge under. It was very cold and wet.
We got to have a walk around the bushlands before the rains came. Above day bed star gazing.
From here we were winging it. From Eulo to Yowah was very very wet on the road and pools of water were along the side. There was no way we were getting off the tar. Some areas of the road are one lane, when cars came the opposite direction we stopped pulled over as far as we were game and let people through.
At one point we were stopped and 3 cars came along. The lead car stopped to tell me about water over the road ahead we would not be able to get through in our campers at 400mm high. But it was going down quick so pull over and have a cuppa and wait it out.
When we first came to this crossing it was over 400mm high, we could just see the depth marker.
Which is exactly what we did. I put a rock on the edge of the water. Something my science officer Chris taught me and we waited, cuppa in hand.
Several 4wd towing caravans came through, went across, each one moved the water out of the way. One ute stopped to offer us help to follow him through. We said we would wait, he said he will be back through in an hour and will help us if we still hadn’t got through. A semi went through, but this time it said it was about 200 to 300mm. A Hyundai iLoad went through from the other direction, the model before mine, with about the same clearance. We chatted to him and decided it was time to go through. The water had receded a lot from my rock.
Judy led the way and I followed behind, both making it through fine. But we had 3 more crossings to get through which we didn’t know about. The next one ended up being slightly higher at 300mm and flowing fast but the width was not as wide as the first. With Judy saying a few choice words over the CB as she went through, I stopped and waited. Then she says all good you will be fine, like hello it did not sound like it. 😛
We made it through all 4 fine but felt a bit stressed by the time we got to Yowah, raining on and off most of the way.
Yowah, opal mining town.
Yowah, what a great little town. Not a lot here, several opal stores, hot pools, caravan park, a community building that acts as a club some nights. A free camp, which we checked out but was very wet underfoot.
We decided to stay at the caravan park. Ground was gravel dirt, firm enough but still so much water around.
Over 100 year old bore.
They had these little huts with private baths, no roofs so you can look at the stars on a clear night. We were told by a fellow camper they were lovely. Free washing machines, amazing hot showers, well stock shop. Very friendly staff. In fact everyone in Yowah was incredibly friendly.
We walked around town, visited a few of the opal stores. I bought some Yowah rocks for the grandkids. So many beautiful rocks and opals.
One of the Opal shops.
Yeah, nah, we don’t know the story behind the postcode.
We also went up to the artesian hot pools, $5 for the day, $20 for the week. One pool (cool pool) I reckon was about 37/38, the hot pool about 40 degrees. Most of us stayed in the cooler pool. Have to say it was really nice and relaxing after our stressful adventurous drive. People very briefly dipped into the hot. I went into the hotter pool had a swim around and said this one is for you Chris. He liked the pools slightly hotter than me.
Empty pool is the hotter pool.
At the community building on a Wed and Sat they do a meal and have a bar. We happened to be there on a Saturday. The meal was a choice of vegetable or chicken lasagna or slowed cooked lamb chops for $28. I had the chicken lasagna, Judy the vegetable. Both were served with chips and salad. Big meals and so beautiful very tasty. We sat with a couple we met at the creek crossing who were very pleased to see we had made it and said well done. Both lovely people. We had lots of laughs and easy chatting telling tales of travels.
The night finished with a sort of raffle with a game of snakes and ladles, called “miners & ladders”, totally hilarious. Such a fun night. I know 100% Chris would have loved the night and loved the place and our time here. You could easily spend several days just enjoying the place and people.
Another one of the shops.
We also found out Charlotte plains roads were closed in and out on the day we were suppose to leave, so yes we would have got stuck in there. So it turned out to be the right decision to leave early and Yowah for us turned out to be a much better place and one I believe Chris would have preferred as well.
I think he is up there is heaven with a big grin on his face really proud of the way we have dealt with the wet, creek crossings and keeping ourselves safe.
We throughly enjoyed our stay at Yowah, it was recommended to us by a friend and we have already recommended it to others.
Live long and Prosper.
Next stop was St George. We had planned to stay here a few days but there is no free or low cost camping. There are signs up everywhere about no camping. No longer RV friendly town it seems. We used to camp down by the river, which was a great spot.
We did a bit of a walk around, called into the info centre. Walked up the street and had some lunch. Drove around a bit. Did a bit of grocery shopping, filled up with fuel. Then headed to the hot pool, $8 or $6 concession when were where there.
Nice clean pool at 37 degrees.
We decided to move on to Dirranbandi. The free camp down by the river was mostly full because of wet boggy areas, there were only a few dry spots. We were told more rain was coming that night so we decided to head back into the town area to the truck spot.
We talked to one of the truckies asking if it was ok for us to stay here, due to the wet. He was great and said no problem. Everyone was very friendly.
Goodooga in NSW, was a place we had heard wonderful things about and we were not disappointed. There is a big parking/camping area on bitumen /gravel. Showers, toilets, bins, drinking water, 1km walk into town all free.
Large gravel camping area.
The best part, a hot pool with easy access. It was a little hot at times have to say.
Lovely hot pools.
It was great we were on solid ground as we got a few good downpours while we were here. With rain everywhere we decided here was a good place to stay for a while, 5 nights in total.
Just a tad wet, but still having fun.
We met a really lovely couple here, who were very encouraging to me and had a big positive impact on both of us. They were camped next door to us and invited us inside on one of the cold wet days, even Jess was welcomed. We had some very special times with them over the 5 days, including around the campfire with some other campers.
Sitting around the campfire.
Some good tucker there.
The local Aboriginal community put a fun raiser on every Saturday night with a meal and funds to go towards some community project. When we were there, it was to send the local football team to Melbourne.
Sunset after the rain.
For $10 you could have rice with curried chicken and veggies, fried scone, trifle or dumplings with custard. We just went for the trifle. Very generous servings, very yummy and really nice friendly people. Highly recommend. A way to give back to the community for using the pools and camping area for free.
We thought this was rather funny, local giving the car a wash under the hot bore water.
I know Chris would have loved it here and he would have been glad we stayed here and it is some place we would definitely go back to.
Lovely outlook.
Reluctantly we moved on, we had to as we had a booking at Charlotte Plains. Back through Dirranbandi, filed up with water and Judy with fuel.
Live long and Prosper.
I went away for a few days with my friend, Judy, just west of the Brisbane area to Kilcoy and Toogoolawah. It was an opportunity to do a bit of a shake down trip while I had my friend around to support me. This is my first trip away without my Chris.
Have to say it was very difficult emotionally, as I expected the first trip to be. Everything with the van went well, a couple of small issues I sorted through. It’s just sad he is no longer here. Just taking one day at a time.
Kilcoy is pretty close to where I live so a great spot for a quick shake down. It’s a farming community with a great town and friendly people. Very RV friendly with a 24hr stop. Short walk into the town area, next to a dog park and a sporting oval. There are toilets and showers only a short walk away, dump point and place to fill up with water. Plenty of walking including down to the local creek.
Would be a lovely place for a dip on a warm day.
There is also a lovely walking path around the sports field and dam.
We had a lovely sunset one night. This is a very popular spot and for good reason.
We woke to a very foggy morning and heavy dew. Did give a lovely atmosphere
Dew on a spider web on the fence.
We moved slightly further west to the town of Toogoolawah. The free 24hr camping area very close to the town and bike trail. There are toilets close by, short stroll into town.
Also the site of the old railway station.
My friend tried to milk the local cow but no luck
This was just a short trip this time. A bigger trip is planned for August out west to Charlotte Plains, with several other hot pools and places a long the way.
Live long and Prosper.