Monday morning we got up and managed to be on the road by 7:20 – it actually wasn’t too difficult, but we knew we needed to start early as we had 600km drive that day. It went fairly well actually and we got there @ 3:15 (less than 8 hours !!!) with a brief stop at Darby and Miles. Kids have been really good, they only watched 1 DVD and the rest of the time was spent drawing / colouring or listening to an Audio book (thanks Hannah). As we drove, there is an obvious change in the landscape – very green on the coast, and drying up and brown the further we went. As we got out over the Great Dividing Range, we travelled through what is the Darling Downs where much of Australia’s produce comes from. Some vast fields which were in various stages in the cultivation cycle (most harvested and awaiting ploughing for next crop).
After we got our site set-up we headed for a quiet stroll over the river to the artesian spa (hot spa fed directly from the Great Artesian Basin). The water is naturally heated and 38 deg C – beautiful way to relax and loosen up after being in the car for 8 hours. In the evening we headed over to the campfire and chatted with a few recycled teenagers and then cooked dinner on the BBQ. We all basically went straight to bed, kids asleep by 7:45, Ben by 8:30 and Estelle 10:30 (some noisy neighbours).
One thing that really strikes you out here is how quiet and still it is. Lovely and warm, but hardly a breath of a breeze. You can hear small noises from a long way away – very peaceful.
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I can almost hear you saying "Ahhhh ... the serenity!" Glad to read that it's a relaxing time
ReplyDeleteI sit here in my pokey office, punching keys, downloading emails ... viewing pictures of hot artesian spa - no, no, it can't be real, can it??! Surely just an over-active imagination. But some say it's true. How can one be sure.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you guys are having a great time; meanwhile we slog here to keep the country running. Now let's see, 600km, 8 hours with 2 "short" stops .. humm, sounds like an ave speed of around 90kmph. That's pretty good travelling.
Had over 100 adults at Bring a Friend service on Sunday ... and 31 kids. Good to hear how God is answering our prayers for you all. Have an exciting and awesome adventure (who wants rest all the time?)!!
Great to hear that everyone is having such a great holiday ..... Marg & I are following the trip day-by-day.
ReplyDeleteWe are very impressed with the photos you have posted as they give a clear picture of all you are experiencing.
We are also curious as to how the car & van are behaving.
Continue having a great time.
Hi guys! Great to see you made it to the spa. Sounds fabulous while we're sitting here in the cold and rain! Thought I'd compliment you as well on the great map...even highlighted and all :)XOX
ReplyDeleteHi Stelzers,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're having a lovely time - lots of sun, happy family time!!
Wet, cold & muddy here!
Love,
Alison
Hi Guys
ReplyDeleteBit slow on the blog uptake - you know us - technologically challenged and all! Great to see you are getting on with the trip with no major hassles. It looks like fun, especially the beach stuff. Please stop teasing us, it's been wet and miserable here although we had a bit of sun yesterday and today.God Bless. Love Lots The Mackie's xxxxx
Phil(Dad),The car and the van are both going great guns. Roads are generally good and road trains are not too hard to negotiate, but in some areas the roads have dips and bumps which is giving the suspension a work out. This, coupled with the dead animals on the road, make us thankful that we have the clearance of the 4WD. A normal road car would certainly have fur and guts underneath! Not a km goes by without some type of road kill (mostly on the side but still quite a few in the middle). With big black crows, and now more commonly Eagles, feasting on them. It's too difficult to stop for a photo!
ReplyDeleteMackies: We are getting your comments now...thanks. The binoculars are getting a work out both day and night - a big hit! Judy Moody is also well loved! Still contemplating noisy toys for your munchkins but esp a large snake for Em! Hope the weather fines up for you soon and more building can be done.
ReplyDeleteTJJ - knew you would like the map! Am missing my repetitive morning email each day, but I'm sure you'll make up for it when I return. Spa was lovely - actually a bit hot! Are you going away for hols or just some down time at home? Give Josh a hug from me... miss you all.
ReplyDeleteCraig - Dad would have been in his element today. Planes, planes and more planes. Plenty of people to chat to, movies to watch, info to read. In fact, I think they both would definitely fit into this scene of recycled teenagers with their thermos, picnic rugs and want to chat! Hope all is well at home and church. Loz will have lots to chat to you about when she returns (that will give our ears a break!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for thinking of us with the map...I notice there is even another one next post! You are well trained! Surprised the spa was a bit hot without clothes! I guess you've already done the planning, so you'll just have to pray...but yes the emails will catch up with you! Mostly down time at home, but will head off for a few days later in the month. We miss you too, Josh sends a snotty kiss back- yep its winter! XOX
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