Beaudesert, Boonah

Very pleasant stay in Kyogle at the showgrounds. Did a drive around the country and up along the Kyogle Road - glad I didnt come that way from Lismore with the caravan. Very windy and steep with  sharp corners and very patchy seal. Surprisingly narrow considering the size of the trucks that were using it! Really lovely countryside at the moment after rain.

On to Beaudesert. Another great drive around Mt Lindsay. Winding hilly scenic route but glad not too much traffic although a truck's trailer nearly clipped me at the last corner. Road works meant a detour up a farm track – that was fun. Stunning tall straight white trunked gums and an amazing bird calling. Pity it is so hard to find somewhere to stop. Had to change my camera  chip - finally full! So much Lantana through here as well and a vine all over everything. Definitely getting in to the tropics again.

Quiet trip to Stinston camp on Xmas creek Road which is pretty narrow and only one lane of seal much of the way. Lovely spot but the best camp bits are pre-booked. Very clean toilet - was water blasted inside and out before the weekend influx, and creek water. Rain one night – and didn’t realise my driver window was down. Not too wet thank goodness.   

Several weekend campers – 2 big groups with kids! Bit noisy but ok. Spent the days reading. Tried painting with both acrylic and water colours but not happy. Not so easy either way, need heaps more paint to do acrylic  I think. Or do much smaller paintings? Solar out – light actually turned green for a change so must be working ok.  Caretaker tells me to do the barb fences they run a plain wire through the holes, hook the barb on and drag it through with a tractor. What I had figured. Glorious days here. So little wind but very heavy dew overnight. Wiped down the underside of the awning while it was still wet. 

Had 4 very peaceful days then on to Beaudesert to NZ friends who have been farming here of 14 years. Decided not to risk taking the caravan right in to their house - camped in the 'front' paddock 2 km away and spent the days with them. Have actually found an Aldi that I would happily shop at - very new and great fruit and veg!
On to Boonah for a couple of days - power & water so time to catch up again. Showground is very popular here and the shops are only a short block away. There is a huge lake on the way in - I am told it was made to 'water-proof' Brisbane but inspite of warnings from the locals, the water is not suitable for drinking! Maybe they will let us camp around it instead sometime.