Day 130 Mount Sylvia

 Tuesday 24th August, 2021 14.5km

Razorback Ridge Rd

2689.8 / 2409.1km

The day started well with an offer of breakfast and as it had rained and was still blowing a delayed start was OK by me.

The trail up

I finally get on the road about 8 and atleast it looks like the rain has moved on. The wind is still blowing a gale and the road climbs higher onto a Ridge where you can see Toowoomba in the distance. It then drops down the other side to Lagoon Creek. From there it's another climb out through some back roads before you drop into another valley through a long slow descent to Blackwell's Creek.

The far ridge is Toowoomba

This valley is covered in market gardens growing flowers and vegetables. I am heading to Mt Sylvia and I am encouraged when I turn up the road with Blackfellow Creek running strong and clear. That is until the next crossing where it has disappeared and the creek bed is dry. These farms must draw a lot of water.

I get to Mount Sylvias packing shed and the notes say you camp beside the creek here. I am a little confused and I make a phone call to the owners of the packing shed and he comes down and points to the lovely grassed area in front of the shed and shows me the toilet/shower block which I am allowed to use and also the dining room/lunch room which have kettle and microwave. It's also a good spot to get out of the wind until it dies down a little at dusk and I manage to put up the tent.

Another spot that friends of the trail open up to members with registered treks. I am very grateful.

Lagoon Creek

Someone save them!

Going back down. Lots of that. The house is called
"Valhalla"

Day 129 Razorback Ridge

up there

Monday 23rd August, 2021 20.5km

2675.3 / 2423.6km

The moon had me fooled as I jumped out of bed thinking it was light. But I decided to pack up anyway and hit the road just as the sun came up. A little bit dangerous on the narrow road but no traffic came until fully light.

The trail then turns and climbs the range again. I've looked at the profiles of the trail and it seems I climb the range every day.

The people along here seem to fence the verge as much as they can and that makes it hard to get off the road when a car comes. One little shock from an electric fence, I don't know how people with animals cope. These fences aren't temporary and since every one seems to do it there's not much road verge left.

Up top a place called "The Ark"

Up top of this climb is a place with a sign "The Ark". Interesting that all I could see was rubbish. They had a few boats but not one of them looked like they would float.

Finally over the top then down I go again. There are also a lot of properties with this wildlife refuge notice. On a lot of these I get the feeling there is an ulterior motive but the one today seemed genuine with all fences plain wire and where animal trails cross the road the bottom two wires were twisted together to give more headroom.

Going back down

The trail eventually pops out onto another main road. There was a roadside stall but no citrus just potato and pumpkins.

Should I bring a dog?

As it was fairly early I decided to tackle another climb up Razorback Ridge Rd. It was hot and I had two goes at it and then rested at the top. There are some trail angels offering a camp which in the book is called Timbertop Retreat, an old health spa. But now it's called Mountain View Cavoodles. They still offer a camp site with showers and toilets. I set up the tent under the roof of the shed. Beware the curious horses though. At about 5pm I was invited to the dog patting time where the dogs are let loose and I ended up with up to 5 wanting attention. A marvellous stress relief. Brian and Dianne invited me for dinner which is much appreciated at any time. Dianne likes Pepsi Max. A lady of taste.

A wombat hole ?

A walk back to the shed and a rearrangement of chairs so the horses couldn't nibble the tent and I slept well through the wind and the rain.

Good people make it a good day.

Elaborate tank stand

My neighbours for the afternoon

My afternoon stress relief

Kobi

Day 128 Upper Flagstone

Me at the memorial

Sunday 22nd August, 2021 11.2km

2654.8 / 2444.1km

The day was to start a little late as I was going to get a ride out if Toowoomba by John, the section co-ordinator.

Lovely houses on ridge

He asked me for a photo at the R M Williams memorial so I decided that was where I would start walking from. That means I missed a 30k section from Murphy's Creek. But I'm ok with that. I just rearranged it a little with a trip up the range and through Toowoomba.

When I lived in Toowoomba I always wanted a house on the ridge line. As do a lot of people I suppose and that's why it is so expensive. Walking along the Preston Boundary Road I saw more houses on Ridge lines but none for sale. I did divert up Gormans Gap Rd to look at the monument. There were more large homes with expansive views.

These people will have a beautiful view

The trail continues on Preston Boundary Rd past rural properties and there is one that looked like an old mine or quarry that had a lot of old equipment placed around the yard. I didn't see anything that would invite a person onto the property so I just had to look from the roadside.

The trail then descends the range on Rockmount Rd. Not sure how people with horses handle this as it is narrow.

History

I decided I wasn't going far and the pack with 9 days supplies is not light. Nearly at the base the Trail people have arranged a spot on private property next to some Yards. I had rang the owner earlier and got there just after lunch.

This allowed me to have a nap. It's interesting I don't sleep well on my zero days in town. I do manage to sleep at the earliest convenience when walking.

Had a good nights sleep as well. With the full moon it was very bright all night. A couple of horses came to visit in the night too.

Old compressor?

Garden ornament

Might be why my sinuses are up

Camp at rockmount

Day 127 Toowoomba

Saturday 21st August, 2021

Another zero day

It's a Saturday in Toowoomba and I walked the couple of kilometres down the hill into town. I lived here for a couple of years and I worked out that it was 24 years ago. Things have changed a little. I did a lot of walking around the escarpment and one of regular favourites was the picnic point to tabletop.

The town has lost a lot of businesses and I went into the shopping centre and thought I could be anywhere. These large centres are pretty much the same in every city. Same retailers and brands.

I walked back up to the motel and packed my gear up and then relaxed with mindless television. I have arranged with cousin Janet to pick me up in Killarney and the decision on the next phase will be left till then. I will concentrate on this section.

Day 126 Toowoomba

 Friday 20th August, 2021 Zero day

Today was a day I needed to have a phone consult with my doctor in Perth. Then go buy the pants I decided on over port, nuts, patty cakes and chocolates. I also managed to have toast vegemite and avocado about 11pm. I know have to clean up the tomato I tried to cut with a blunt knife.

I had arranged to have coffee with John after I had shopped to discuss book 6. It was then another shop for stuff I couldn't get yesterday. Also the pants now rejected needed to be posted back home. I decided then to stay an extra night so I had a day to actually relax.

Dinner was arranged with Chris driving a couple of hours up to Toowoomba. He is a very generous man with his time and has looked after me well with food. Tonight it was a steak dinner at some place out Drayton. I have recollections of not shutting up. Then Chris would have to drive the 2 hours back home. He was walking the next day with a group of walkers that may not have extensive experience but the desire. I was hoping the National Trail people would be interested in similar types of activities. The Bibbulmun, in Perth, and the Heysen in SA have similar mentors who guide groups and in the case of the Heysen complete the 1200 kilometre trail over time, sometime years. Bit harder for a large trail like this but given some thought I'm sure people could get together for walks and car sharing and shuffling. There are some great sections of trail in Qld that could be done over weekends.

Anyway, thank you Chris for the hat, the steak sandwich and Pepsi and the steak dinner and beers. Next one is my shout. Also I should thank you for 500 people that now know about me. No pressure.

Day 125 Into Toowoomba

Thursday 19th August, 2021 0km

I was a little worried about just packing up and leaving. The plan (number 1,235) was I walk the 14 kilometres to Withcott then get picked up by John, the section coordinator.

Lynn was due home about 8 so I waited. When she got here she offered a cooked breakfast, which any long distance hiker would tell you is hard to refuse. So plan 1,236 was hatched.

Breakfast, then I would borrow Lynn's car and go to the shops to shop for my resupply. Then I would return (I filled the fuel tank) and as Lynn had another night out planned she would take me up to Toowoomba to find lodgings.

I've decided to get some new hiking pants so I don't look like a derelict bum when I get to town. Mainly due to the loss of centimetres around the waist so I wanted to visit Anaconda and see what was about.

So 3 o'clock we are up the hill and Lynn drops me off at Anaconda. I spend the obligatory manly 5 minutes checking out what was on offer then buy some dehydrated stuff, go across the road to pick up snacks and retire to a night of television, port and snacks laze about in my underpants which have now been returned from the wash. Missed the 14 kilometres to Withcott in all the rush.

Day 124 Murphy's Creek

A bit of history

 Wednesday 18th August, 2021 25.2km

2643.6 / 2455.3km

I finally was able to talk to Lynn whose property is the next camp at Murphy's Creek.

It's about 23 kilometres away but mostly downhill. She has cooked a chicken curry and some cake. There is also a tavern at Murphy's Creek.

Morning ablutions

Lookout

The initial walk this morning is up to a lookout from the range escarpment. Then the trail follows a clay road adjoining the National Park and comes out on some rural roads that begins the descent off the range. It's a pity that as you walk a lot of the sides of the trail is thick with lantana and there is not much to see.

Not much to say about the descent through open forest, other than its better than going up. At the bottom there is 4 or 5 kilometres of rural bitumen to get into Murphy's Creek. I manage to beat a coal train and get across the railway and drop in at the tavern. I had to search for my face mask as I've moved into an area coming out of 14 days of restrictions after lockdown, it's due to end tomorrow.

I have a chicken sandwich and called up Lynn who came and picked me up to take me to her place.

She has put me up in a bed in the house but will not be staying as she is having a night out with the girls. So I end up with the run of her house for the night. I even got to relax on the bath. She had also made patty cakes and I managed to polish a few off.

I heated the curry and indulged in a glass or two of port. Had a very relaxing evening watching Chinese movies on SBS. Lynn is very generous with her company and house. Thank you.

Me

National Park Road. Lots of Lantana to look at

Comical Cow.  Little head on a big body.

The road down the range

Coming in to Murphy's Creek

The Tavern