Days off again – time flys when you having fun……..
This time we headed north, north-east along the road to Chilagoe, came across a family of wild pigs, Mum & bubs went one way & Dad went in a different direction – clever animals. Obviously saw heaps of cattle all swanning around waterholes & the roadside, where the cattle were was also lotx of brolga’s. Drove past a few Station entrance’s – Van Rook was very eye catching. Crossed over the Gilbert River, it definately has the ‘wow’ factor but there was some rather large signs saying no camping etc so we drove on, after about 70klms we drove over a dry creek called Wyaaba Creek & turned left, there were a couple of waterholes(brown looking water), the area had been recently burnt out as there was still a few stumps still smouldering but then we came across a lovely fresh looking pond – our camp for the nite & we had a few critters around. We had a great little fire happening & Peter’s cooking definately hits the spot. It is always nice to get away & see different area.
On way home we drove to Karumba & had early dinner, fish & chips by the sea – so yumm.
These little tackers were pretty quick on the foot.These guys were very content, didn’t bother moving when we slowed down, took pics & drove past – cute little fellows hey!The Gilbert River – WOW! it was very picturesque.Our campsite, worked a treat.This fellow kept one eye on us…haha, our camp was about 20m from his sunbaking spot.Our swag – its very comfy.Even though most of the grass had been burnt out the vegetation around the pond was green & quite plentiful.‘A happy camper’Peter nearly stood on this fellow…..Couldn’t find the name of this fellow in my book, probably have a ‘blonde’ moment….hahaI went for a walk in ‘Wyaaba’ creek, obviously a well trodden creek, but still quite lovely & the grevillia’s were just beginning to flower.We caught these 2 blue claw in the brown water ponds – we did the catch & release thingi!Caught this ‘sleepy cod’ in the clean pond at our camp – catch & release again, although they are very tasty.He was watching as we retreived our pots.Drive back, saw lotz of these critters.& quite a few of these also.
We drove to Karumba & had fish & chips by the sea along the way I noticed a willy willy.
We are on days off again this week-end, not sure yet where we are going but we will go somewhere. Had quite an easy day today (quite surprising) I think it will be a build up for tomorrow as Fridays are never nice, they are early start, late finish & usually no break!!!!! We look forward to our time off & now as restrictions are easing we can check out a few more places.
Keep smiling. 🙂
A new moon still there just before sunrise.Full moon still shining, daybreak due soon.Peter & the other 2 boys unloading a very long hoist that came over from Cairns in a fridge van truck (fridge not on).Getting the fire happening, have marinated chicken bits on the BBQ 2nite & coleslaw with a few friends up here.My nephew Darren made this BBQ while at high school – its wonderful, not sure how I scored it but its a keeper.My sunflowers are trying hard & they haven’t had an easy life………We are getting closer.WOW! – they are still beautiful even though they are a little ‘special’I see the sunflowers & they make me think of Harry below – what a joy he is.I don’t think this little fellow will be a vegetarian early in life….haha. He is so cute.
We met up with great mates Jenelle & Darren Brincow from Georgetown at a cute little river approximately 50klms east of Croydon – callegoodd Little River. We left Normanton as the sun was dawning so I tried to capture a few pics. Lots of wallabies on the drive to Croydon, luckily we did not harm any although there was quite a lot of road kill around. We called into Croydon for breakfast which was quite yummy then we drove to ‘LittleRiver’ – our camp spot for the night. –
Was awesome to catch up up Jenelle & Darren again, had a few beverages, played some cards & actually caught a snack to share. We managed to use our swag for the first time, it was very comfy, the fire was awesome.
Our catch for the night was 1 good size cherabin & 5 regular redclaw.
On our way back to Normanton we stopped in at Lake Belmore at Croydon, quite a lovely spot but unfortuneately no camping allowed.
Little RiverRelaxing on the causeway over the river thinking about preparing our parlimount pots to try & catch some cherabin or redclaw overnite.Preps are happening…Placing the pots in strategic spots – hopefully.Back to where we have parked up for the night, approx 150m from the river.It was a beautiful camp fire.This is the first time we have used our new swag (purchased March 2019) – it was really good.Jenelle & Peter on the causeway.Jenelle collecting our pots th enext morning.Yea – we managed to catch a snack.A beautiful wattle is in full flower.Lookout overlooking Croydon township.Croydon.
WOW! we have been here nearly 11 weeks – time flys when you are having fun.
Peter & I have been working lotz, but we do have every second weekend off which is awesome. We go driving & check out a few different places, we drove to Mt. Isa & did some food shopping etc. It is always nice to get away just for a night.
The sun is rising as we drive south along the Burketown Development Rd towards Mt Isa, which is also a part of the Matilda Way towards the Barkly Highway, the turn off is approx 5klms left to Cloncurry & 110klms right to Mt Isa. Passing over the ‘Flinders River” along the way – quite picturesque at this hour of the day, we actually camped here on our way to Normanton for the first time, there was more water then.WOW! what majestic birds – there is lotz of road kill along the road so the wedgetails are plentiful.A little ‘canoodling’ happening I think.Not sure here of the action but both birds took off & this is the result, no falling feathers.Lotz of these too…..Driving back to Normanton from Mt. IsaWOW! Tommy Ck – must have been named after our ‘Tommy’ – Peter’s grandson.No water but nice.WOW! My Harry – this must be for him, Jenna’s son, my 1st grandie. A few locals.Quamby – was originally built as a customs house in 1860’s, 1921 converted to a hotel. It was used as a staging post for Cobb & Co stage coaches who required fresh horses. Lotz of road kill.
I have trying to do a little walking around the area, one of the blokes I work with is a keen walker so we do a few walks together. This day we walked behind the airstrip through a few paddocks & about 3 barb wire fences & came across the Normanton Race track, rodeo grounds, show ground & coucil pound – interesting. Came acroos a few happy critters in the shape of horses but not the racing kind. The mosaics at the road entrance to this joint are amazing.
Just down the road from here is the Golf Club/Scout hall – apparently it is a 6 hole course, no green fees or membership required if you want to have a hit, not sure about the scouts – not sure if it is currently operational.
We then crossed through another barb wire fence & came to the ‘dead centre’ – so many artificial flowers blowing around the grounds but it seemed to be reasonably maintained, then into town & back to home (hawkins transport freight yard), walked approximately 8klms so thats okay.
The sunsets vary from boring to exquisite, of course I never seem to have the camera or phone handy at the right time…….. The full moons are amazing.
Our ‘KK’ setup is quite good, we have containers around us & a few caravans but all is good. We have a small vege patch & will have flowering sunflowers soon, the vege patch has had a hard life, one of the mechanics dogs took a liking to digging it up for me but things are stilll growing….haha
The race track & starting gates, not sure when they were last used but no recent racing here.
These guys seem to live on the inside of the track & look happy enough.
These 3 mosaic posters were at the entrance to the Racetrack/ rodeo grounds & show grounds – they are really good.
A joint organisation was once in place, from what the locals tell me not many individuals participate in either area.
T-off area for hole #6, we walked down this fareway.
They haven’t mowed the fareway lately.Looking at the green, watch out you don’t hit the rake.The sun setting in Normanton, some days its quite specky.The moon going down early morning, looking through an old franna crane.The moon shining brightly in the middle of the day.Our ‘KK’ set up, we are surrounded by containers & a few caravans but we have a little vege patch & we shall have some sunflowers flowering shortly.
We had last weekend off & because restrictions were lifted a few days prior we were allowed to drove 500klms, we took a trip to Georgetown 300klms from Normanton to visit great mates Jenelle & Darren who we met in Tassie – they are managing the Goldfields Caravan Park. It was a nice drive, we called into Croydon & got a snack then continued on our way.
Awesome time with Jenelle & Darren at Georgetown, spent the night sitting by a fire spinning a few yarns……hahaha. Garfield the caravan cat is pretty cute.
Called into Cumberland Chimney & Dam to have a look – a really nice spot.
Welcome to Croydon, very cute.We actually saw quite a lot of these live critters while driving to Georetown.
The Croydon Club Hotel, just over half way to Georgetown.
Not long after Croydon we passed a few riders moving their moos to a different location along the highway.Crossing the Etheridge River at GeorgetownSpent the night with great mates – Jenelle & Darren who are managing the Goldfields Caravan Park.“Garfield” – the caravan park cat, 14 years young.Had a couple of butcherbirds & babies hanging aroundAlways the bower birds make their presents felt.Party time…………lotz of fun.The morning after…A couple of families of wild pigs enjoying the water & waters edge.Peter checking the pigs out.Called into Cumberland Chimney & Dam, approximately 20klms west of Georgetown on our return trip – quite a lovely spot.Last nights dessert which didn’t happen so enjoyed it with a coffee at this quite amazing spot. Jenelle is a fantastic cook. 🙂Snazzy looking ablutions although I did not test them out.This was seen on both sides of the road to the Cumberland Chimney.
Settling into the life of ‘freight managers’ here at Normanton, life is very busy the majority of the time which is good especially during this ‘corona thingie’ – but now that we get every 2nd week-end off it is great to get away & do something. The ‘KK’ has been awesome we are very happy with her, I started a vege patch into some tyres & also a couple of pods, the young couple next door were keen too but ‘have no idea – their words’, so they put in heaps of seed as well -I looking after it. It is going okay except the pumpkin beetle just about demolished the pumpkin seedlings ( I still not sure if they are going to recover – its a waiting game).
We drove to Karumba about amonth ago, got most awesome fish & chips so yum, took them to a different beach than last time – beautiful spot, we even took a rod & threw a few lures – no joy, so we walked up the beach to a rocky area, while there we were greeted by the local police – You should not be here, even though I had proof we drove to Karumba for work, they said you not allowed on beach & DEFINATELY no fishing. Karumba has not been very friendly for us but as of last weekend we can now drove 5ooklms so we might try Karumba again in the near future………hahaha
We took a drive up river again a little way & it is rather lovely, caught no fish but had an enjoyable time. The lillies are amazing.
Our ‘KK’ is our home in Normanton, the beginnings of our vege garden on the right hand side with “mr moon” watching over us.Decorations inside our KK – supposed to assist with bug control, we don’t have mosies inside BUT we do have stink bugs, apparently everyone has them here, so weare not special…….Our vege patch is progressing, sunflowers growing really well.Poor old pumpkin seedlings getting demolished by the pumpkin beetle.The pumpkin seedlings prior to their demolition (background) Happy hour while the sun going down at camp, doesn’t happen too often usually still working.I had a friend in the shower with me.Karumba, such a beautiful spot. So love my pelicans – such a graceful,beautiful bird.Heaps of bait fish around.This hermit crab had no intentions of leaving his home while I was holding the camera.On the way back to Normanton, we saw quite a few families of brolga’s, these chicks nearly as big as Mum & Dad.
This family of brolgas were not very photogenic, they bolted.
I know they are a weed but they looked pretty.
Different parts of the Norman River – quite beautiful but have to be very watchful of the ‘happy snappers’, they are rather large up this way.
Went for a drive along the Gulf Development rd, the only sealed road linking Cairns & Normanton, to Glenore Weir (on the Norman River) which is only 23klms away & half of that we took a short cut on a gravel road – quite an interesting spot. I have never seen a ‘concrete fish ladder’ before, it was approximately 60m long & it looked like there was at least 3 resonably sized stingrays stranded in a few sections there, hopefully they will eventually find a way out. We did throw a few lures but didn’t manage to catch anything other than a little mossy weed. On our way back we drove past ‘Beards Access’ & what a delightful sign they had, although it was closed there were a few ‘happy campers’ set up there, maybe they were self isolating….. Just down the road from this spot was a cute little lane to the river & what a sign they had..haha. We drove down & threw a few lures with out any outcome of fish. Before heading home we took a dirt track off ‘old croydon road’ (there are lotz of tracks off to the river) & instead of crossing the railway we followed it for quite a while & came across Clarina Railway Station – it was next door to a beautiful lagoon full of lilies & a few broken dtry own old benches & tables, was obviously something useful a few years ago. We headed home but on way way decided to our luck with some parliment house pots to see if we could get any cheribin, so we put them in the river & we will collect them tomorrow.
One of the guys we work with, does the Karumba drop offs & pick ups 3days a week, he brought 3 mudcrabs back with him & decided he didn’t want them & gave them to us……..yummo, all I had to do was cook them & eat them – 🙂
We even played upwords too last night!
Today we went collected our pots – not a real good result a couple of cheribin)(but we will use them for bait, I did catch a resonable size catfish in a pot too but we released him. We took a drive just outside of town on the Karumba rd then took a left towards Shady Lagoon Station – saw so many beautiful liles.
Glenore Weir. (I think the weir raising project is finished as there was no signs of anything going to happen in the near future).The fish ladder – quite amazing. 2 stingrays trying to find a way out in this section This fellow was next door trying to find an exit. Bottom part of the weir. This is a recreational & camping site which has closed signs on both entries, but the sign was cute.What clever signage for this street. Clarina Railway Station They even had a bench seat for possible passengers….But they did have a beautiful lagoon right next door. A vege patch hopefully. Yummo – mudcrabs for dinner. We sometimes get to play upwords – ?????stress relief….hahaha Our catch from the cheribin pots.Alway such beautiful little spots along the way. The lilies are beautiful & so abundant in all the lagoons & small water holes in the area. This fellow was quite happy too amongst the lilies.
We are now entering our 3rd week at Normanton, a small country town located on the Norman River in the Gulf country of NW QLD, approx 2090 klms NW of Brisbane, 850klm W of Cairns & Townsville & approx 400klms N of Cloncurry. In the main street of Normanton there is a full scale model of a crocodile that was shot in 1957 just downstream from the town centre, it was measured at 8 .63mts -WOW! I hope we don’t see any of his relatives while we are here.
We drove here from Kununurra, managed to cross all the state borders before they closed but we were travelling to job. We both working for Hawkins Transport (a very large company) & working lotz, we do deliveries to Karumba 5 days a week as well as many deliveries to Normanton from Carirns, Townsville, Brisbane & Mt.Isa numerous times a week.
We were told we had what a few people call a ‘morning glory’ sky – a certain type of cloud formation which if you have 3 in a row – it rains. Well……..I don’t know if we had 3 days of morning glory but we did get rain, approx 20mls, drizzled all day – beautiful (that was my thought anyway).
A few days ago when Peter & I finished work 2pm, we drove to Karumba in our ute, the police pulled us up 5klms out of Karumba, made Peter blow in the bag & wanted to know WHY we were driving around, we said that as the new freight managers in Normanton I needed to know where the deliveries were made in Karumba – all good, it was true. We also managed to buy some awesome fish & chips which we devoured at the beach – WOW! fantastic feed & beautiful vista.
On our drive to Karumba, the wetlands which are still wet are filled with amazing birdlife, hopefully we will get the opportunity to check this out a bit better when we have more time.
To me, Karumba is a fishing village with several prawn, fish & crab companies plus of course the tourism part which at the moment is non-existant but I found it to be a very picturesque place & they make beautiful fish & chips. The golf course was overrun with wallabies but they were masses of them along the roadside as well in the early morning along the roadside.
On the drive back to Normanton we stopped briefly at Walkers Crk, has a causeway which was the old highway, apparently its quite a popular fishing spot, we may have to check it out in the future.
Muttonhole Wetlands are approx 5klms out of Normanton, still has some water at this stage. but the LILIES are so beautiful & they are in all the water courses from here to town.
We finished lunch time today so we went for a drive down ‘old croydon road’, to try our luck at fishing, no joy with fish but it was lovely, saw some cute moo’s. We will try again with the fishing as there are many tracks off the road which all head to the river.
Sun trying to rise.It rained.Was definately a bit wet.The bird life is quite amazing in the wetlands on the way to Karumba, east of Normanton.The wetlands were quite specky.The sign says it all.Golf course was busy this morning…..The beach – WOW! was pretty awesome.Keeping the eyes on the road………….These 2 fellows were trying to hide amongst the trees.Saw a few of my favourites.Walkers CreekHigh side of the causeway.Looking at the causeway from the main road.Familiar sign posts along the road between Normanton & Karumba.Still some water in these wetlands althoughthe level is definately droppingPied Heron – he was rather cute.Lily country – WOW!Even had some magpie geese not far from the lilies.Saw this cutie on the ‘old croydon road’.This girl was a little shy…..
Flew into Kununurra Sunday 22March, drove out Tuesday 24th early morning heading to QLD before all the borders closing due to the corona virus, we are starting a new job at Normanton in the gulf of QLD.
We did daily temperatures(which were all good) in case we got pulled up by police. Crossing over to the NT not a problem as they were closing the border after we got through, 1st night we stayed at Renner Springs (NT), quite a nice little spot – lotz of mossies. Next night found us in Mt Isa, got into QLD a few hours before they shut down, the army & police were on the border checking NT bound vehicles. Did a little shopping, not many people in caravan park & the managers said they would be closing down in the near future. Drove to Flinders River (approx 60klms south of Normanton) & camped the night – lovely, didn’t catch any fish but was enjoyable. Arrived at Normanton Friday morning just after smoko & set up our new home for the next few months or so. Start work Monday. 🙂
Fueling up in Kununurra.The WA/NT border – 8 hours before border checks heading east.We took our temperatures daily & documented them just in case there was an issues regarding our travels. Flowering grasses all along the roads.Drove through a storm prior to Elliot (NT), very beautiful rainbows & very heavy rain.Our camp at Renner Springs.Along the Barkly Highway, good to see some green grass.Driving towards the NT/QLD border – police & army stopping NT bound vehicles but waved us through, QLD closing border tonight at midnight.Welcome to QLD. Cows kissing cars………..Visitors at our camp at Mt Isa.Flinders River – a lovely camp spot.A red Frangipani – beautiful, found in the main street of Normanton.
