The Drrons do some low flying heading West

[drron]

Time now to check in at the Oasis motel.When we stayed 20 or so years ago they only had 6 rooms.Now they have 14.But although the new rooms are larger there is a major flaw.They did nothing about the wi fi so only the original 6 rooms get to connect.As well in our room the bedside lamps didn't work and the air con was very loud and the walls shook when it was turned on.We did need it though for heating as overnight the temp got down to 4C.
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The big TV again.
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We enjoyed our meals here before and loved the Old australian bush service.It hadn't changed.Both here and at the Fancy restaurant in cunnamulla when you ask for a wine list-just go to the fridge and pick yourself a bottle.
Here they followed Covid guidelines so had 2 sittings for dinner-1730 or 1930.We chose the early sitting and distancing was perfect-we were the only 2.
Mrsdrron again had the salmon but this time it was perfectly cooked.
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I had the same meal as 20 years ago-pork chops.2 large chops moist and flavousome.Simple but really enjoyable.
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[RooFlyer]

I recognise that bed-spread! When I bought my holiday rental place ~25 years ago, it was kitted out with the same pattern. I found out they were supplied by a motel/similar supply group and the cheapest in the catalogue. I loathed them and replaced them with something more sea-side-ish. But you still see them all over the place.

 

[drron]

The adventure now begins.The original plan for the day was to drive out to the dig tree.Just over 300Km from Thargomindah but now all but a little over 40Km sealed.However the station where the dig tree is had received 95mm of rain and were expecting more so the road had been closed.However the road from Eulo to Yowah and on o Quilpie was open.So that became our plan.

The Bulloo river going out of town was high but no higher than the day before and no water over the road.
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Also at the bridge at Lake Bindegolly the water was no higher than the previous day checking it against the old road bridge.
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Then we came to where we turned back the day before.It was just over 0.2 metres so quite OK to cross though when driving through the distance looked much greater.
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But we had made it to Yowah.
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[drron]

Yowah is like most opal towns.Just that bit unusual,often run down and run to their own time.Now the big problem is the major buyers are the Chinese and they aren't here in numbers.Although domestic tourists have picked up in numbers and quite a lot are coming through they aren't the ones that usually buy the better quality gems.So in Yowah some of the miners have actually left for this season.some have put mining on hold.So that although there are many opal dealers here most were closed.So mrsdrron only got to hassle 2.Some nice pieces but not her style.

so a little look around Yowah.
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So this is probably the brothel.looks much the same as others we have seen in this sort of place.
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[drron]

Then we saw this fellow in the middle of the road.
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I kept inching forward but he was not concerned in the slightest.
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but finally he took off.

 

[drron]

Some more of Yowah.
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[drron]

We checked with the locals and the road to Quilpie was open. So off we went.We passed by this icon where i had a beer 20 years ago.
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The Toompine pub.Known around the South west as the pub with no town.Sadly it may well succumb to Covid.it was forced to close.this from it's Facebook page back in March.

https://www.facebook.com/toompinepu...GT0UC1GnECzdFPROjhasBwCfPxaDLHCA&__tn__=<,P-R
Toompine Pub - South Western Hotel

March 24 ·

To our wonderful followers and supporters
Following government COVID -19 guidelines this pub now has no beer

and is closed until we get the clearance to reopen.
Please note this also includes us providing accommodation and meals.
We will spend this time to make many improvements inside and out.
Stay safe, healthy and we will see you all soon.
Stu and Kate

Despite their optimism the Tourist Information staff at Thargomindah it is now closed for the rest of the year and may never re open.Covid was such a threat out here.
It is 200Km from Yowah to Quilpie.30Km south of quilpie we came across 3 3 trailer road trains and about 8 caravans stopped.We went forward and saw this.
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0.8 metres and rising rapidly.Didn't take long to turn around and head back.We knew the road from Toompine to Thargomindah was cut so headed back towards Eulo.Hoping the creek had continued dropping.no time to stop for the brolgas or kangaroos.

But back to the creek after going through 3 earlier areas of water across the road that were higher than the morning.Unfortunately this is what greeted us.
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Nearly 0.5 metres so too deep and also flowing rapidly.
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So all we could do now was to look back at our digs for the night.
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[drron]

It was very peaceful though.
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The ducks paid a visit.
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Unfortunately the brolgas turned up when it had got dark so they didn't photograph well.but the moon was OK.
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We had a delicious dinner of a nut bar each and a lindt chocolate ball each for dessert.We decided not too wash it down with wine -we were prepared and did have 2 bottles.We didn't want to need to get out of the car at night as it was really cold.

 

[tgh]

Will wading depth be a consideration for you next suv purchase ?

 

[drron]

No.This one's going to last 20 years.

 

[tgh]

less +Silver explorer and more Silver dawn eh…...

Wading depth was not an issue with older 4x4 wheels but most newer variants have little water depth capacity
For most folks it's not an issue.. until it is...

 

[drron]

Wasn't the best nights sleep we have ever had and we did wake earlyGot out of the car just before 0600 and watched the sun come up.Just beautiful.
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I went down to check the gauge and it was a little under 0.3 metres so decided to go through.Just to reinforce my decision as I got back into the car a Rav 4 came at speed and drove straight through.
There was one little problem with the Mercedes technology.It has several cameras around the car all low down.So going through the water an alarm would sound,the display would start flashing check car surrounds immediately as the cameras went below the water level.
after this crossing it would keep periodically happening whilst driving which was a little disconcerting.finally twigged and washed down all the cameras dislodging the grime and problem solved.

The other problem it kept flashing the Emergency Brake assist has limited function warning.Again turned out to be simple.the sensors to detect anything in front are in the Mercedes star.Wipe the dust off and again everthing OK.But suggests they are not meant to be taken to the outback.

 

[drron]

The boss had spoken.the adventure was over so time to head home.figured that was a little to far at just over 1000Km so headed for Dalby.
We had to stop in Cunnamulla for fuel.But early sunday morning only the BP open so the idea of having breakfast when we refueled disappeared.The food looked terrible so once again a nut bar for breakfast.Didn't really trust the BP so just put enough in the car to get to St.George.Besides on the way out it was 20 cents a litre cheaper at St. George.

This fellow strolled out onto the side of the road and looked like he was going to keep comming.
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Fortunately he decided to go back to his mob.
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The road is generally quite straight.
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[Myrna]

So enjoyed reading this road trip - would love to do this one day when we are back in Oz. Love the painted silos and all the photos. Thanks!

 

[drron]

Rolled into St.George just after midday.thought we might lunch at the bakery-closed Sundays so instead we decided to ditch the healthy lunches and we each had a Magnum ice cream.
We stopped near their War Memorials.
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The story of Len waters is both inspiring and tragic.The first Indigenous military pilot.Accepted during the war but ignored afterwards returning to life as a shearer.Born in northern NSW he was brought up in the St.George district.Died in Cunnamulla but buried here in St.George.

Spotted these little fellows on the roadside on the out skirts of St.George.
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[drron]

300 Km to Dalby.An easy run and you go through some gas country and the town of Moonie.
We booked our motel in Dalby whilst in St.George.Now on TA and Booking .com the cost was $140 a night.ringing the motel it was $120.
Picked the Dalby Manor motor Inn as it had a restaurant.Ok so not open on the weekend.Picked out a Thai restaurant and a Cambodian restaurant from the TA reviews-both have gone belly up.Notice that now they have been removed from the list.So booked online with the Russel Hotel Bistro.Needed have bothered as we were the first customers and they hadn't looked at their website any way.

As usual on this trip they really were very good at the social distancing and taking details.A large group of youngsters who came in were separated.
Standard pub fare but really good and prompt service.We decided to share some oysters and we both had the lamb shank.
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Enjoyed the meal.
Back to the motel and off to sleep quickly to make up for the previous night.

 

[Pushka]

I've found that Magnums are a wonderful subsitute for lunch.

 

[drron]

The last day and just a comparitively short run across country to the Sunshine Coast.Went via Cooyar,Yarraman,Kilcoy and Beerwah.

Started with our first non healthy breakfast at Maccas.Then drove down the main CBD area.Some nice buildings.
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[drron]

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[drron]

The last pics.
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Finally we knew we were getting close to home.
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Although our trip didn't go to plan we got to see the country as few visitors do.The country is already responding to the 3 big falls of rain it has had in the last 3 months.This is Thargomindah's wettest August on record with 43.6 mm.long term Average 8mm.August is usually the driest month.Already this year it has had 366.2mm when the yearly average is 297.1mm.
In fact the 4th March had 128.5mm when the total rain for 2018 + 2019 was 130mm.

So it will be great touring in September.It is not too hot then and the bush and wildflowers should be great.The people really are friendly so I thoroughly recommend a road trip to Western QLD.