Days 133 - 138 Pause - replan due to Covid

Saturday 28th August - Wednesday 1st September, 2021

After deciding to get picked up I have spent a week at cousin Janet's house. We have talked a lot when you can get any sense out of her. She likes ouzo. I was going for a port night but had to pull up short as she also likes port. The only thing safe around her were salt and vinegar chips. Although I heard they were good dunked in ouzo and coke. Thank you Janet for your generous hospitality and putting up with me

I did keep walking, doing up to 10 kilometres a day going down to the shops and back. The new suburbs here are lacking soul and are a drab grey. There is so much rubbish on the footpaths and roads. I walked different paths to the shops and got a feel for Redbank Plains. I'm lucky I suppose to be able to live where I do.

Many plans were hatched as I watched the news. In the end it was decided that myself, Belinda and Isabelle will meet in the Northern Territory and holiday together towards the end of September. If I go home I can get there via the NT provided I spend 14 days there. WA has the NT at a level where Belinda can return without quarantine. So provided things don't change we will see each other in about 3 weeks.

So I will walk the rest of the way to Killarney them make my way to the NT. I booked the camps along the scenic trail in the Main Range National Park which will add 4 days to the walk. I have to go back to Thornton/Laidley Gap for the start and walk a out 7 kilometres down the Cunningham Highway on day 4 to pick up the national trail again. This gets me to Killarney about the 9th September which is 1 day before NSW, in theory, opens up from lockdown in the country areas but as I'm heading to the NT it's not important and I won't be looking at crossing till early October now so I will worry about that later.

So provided Qld and NT don't have outbreaks we have plan 2344 to follow.

Day 132 Rosevale

Going across paddoc these girls were
very curious

Thursday 26th August, 2021 20.5km

2739.2 / 2359.7km

The day started cold again. These little valleys don't warm up until the sun clears the ranges.

Have to go up over another range

I walk past all the houses that house all the dogs. I counted 3 properties and at least 14 dogs between them. All in market garden settings so not a place you expect working dogs. One property looked more like it was breeding fighting dogs.

I then get to cross another range again starting through private property. Up top I meet a road then start the process of walking the backroads to Rosevale.

Join a track at the top

I saw another property with the "Land For Wildlife" sign. This one really did make me question the legitimacy of the claim with additional signs warning of guard dogs and one even mentioning dogs on the loose. Hearing the barking and also rubbish and buildings about made me think - If I was wild I think it is a place I would steer clear from.

Going down

As I'm enjoying the sun I get a message that the NSW lockdown has now been extended to 10 September. That is now 2 weeks away and I'm 4 days from Killarney. I am thinking I'm getting there on the 30th August. I'm walking down the road now planning different scenario's. A quick look at the map shows me when I get to Rosevale,it's the closest I will be to Brisbane as at Rosevale the trail turns directly south.

The land for wildlife sign plus dogs on loose 
sign don't gel with me

A quick couple of phone calls and cousin Janet is 35 minutes away. So I decide to pull off the trail again and reassess. I have many days to decide as I can't walk into NSW until at least the 10th September.

Kangaroos resting

Janet eventually arrives in her little red car. It's always nice to catch up with family but I was reassessing very quickly my decision when we get back to Janet's place. She parks on the verge and I pull out my pack from the boot and I walk to the front door. It swings open and a big man is standing there and I say hello but hear behind me Janet go ohhhhh. I'm sorry I live next door. Now I can sympathise a little she's only been here three months. But she's parked beside a street tree and her house doesn't have one. The number on the letter box might also give it away. But she waited till I was talking to a big black man before the realisation hit. Hmm I'm in for a good time I think. Plans are being hatched to see what the best way to proceed will be.

More to come.

Road to Rosevale

Wire gate, look at the strainer on top

Day 131 Thornton

Early morning start

 Wednesday 25th August, 2021 28.9km

2718.7 / 2380.2km

I got up early and went to the packing shed kitchen and had a hot coffee before heading off.

There was still a cold wind blowing and I had to rug up til the sun broke through. Today was a long day with another range to go over.

Cold until the sun comes over the hills.

You walk up to the Mt Sylvia primary school then turn right then it's about 15 kilometres along this road towards the range gaining height slowly till you need to climb up over Laidley Gap.

The road through the valley

Lovely view from up there and then it's a down hill run until you hit main camp road. Another spot where the local land holder let's you pass through private property. Just before the road was a shed and toilet and it's the start of the Scenic Rim trail which is a 4 day hike to Cunningham's Gap. I sat and tried to work out whether I should turn off that way but lack of signals strength meant I couldn't get all the information I needed to make a decision. I decided to keep following the National Trail up the road to Thornton where I camped at Centenary Park. If you don't want access to a shower and power it's free to camp. Otherwise it's 21 or $25.

Back through paddocks

I camped beside the table and didn't realise the floodlight will come on at dusk and does not turn off till dawn. It lights up the BBQ and a large area around. To get out of the light you either have to go behind it or the other side of the toilets or way over the back.

There are a lot of dogs barking around here at night and you are under the landing flight path for Amberley air base. Lights, dogs, planes and cars. Oh so good to be back in civilisation.

Over another range

Next valley

Going down there

The community park where you camp

Hot peanut butter wraps for afternoon tea

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.