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Published: February 18th 2011
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Gabby and Grandad
Gabby has fun with Grandad before we say goodbye again. Blog 18 Interstate
For all those skeptics out there …we have been interstate for 5 weeks now!
Monday 10th January
As we left the Central Coast, the rains were coming and didn’t look like they were going to stop any time soon. Our progress was very cautious, listening to ABC Local Radio to keep abreast with current flood warnings and road closure notices. After staying overnight about 70 km south of Coffs Harbour, we actually decided to turn around and head south again, aiming for the New England Highway. This decision was not made lightly, as there was a lot of bad weather there too, with road closures threatened. Not two minutes on the road and still unsure that we had made the correct decision, we received a phone call from a very smart person (you know who you are!) who suggested that if we kept heading NORTH, we would have just as good a chance of getting through as anything. We took his advice, turned around and progressed very nervously. We drove through water over the road at South Grafton. Video. We had heard many times that day that the Pacific Highway WOULD BE CUT at South Grafton some
Fun before we say goodbye
Matilda and Gabrielle have fun running around Poppy's verandah time that day! Goal 1 achieved! Next in our sights was Kyogle to stay with our daughter, Melanie and her family. The rain continued, as did the constant updates on the radio. We made it there in the afternoon and caught up with television coverage of the deluge & devastation. The highway at South Grafton had indeed been cut soon after we passed through. From Kyogle, all roads to Stanthorpe were cut, and we couldn’t head east north or south. There was nothing to do but settle in with the family and have a lovely time. Which we did!
Saturday 15th January
Flood waters subsided, roads were opened and Stanthorpe was calling so we packed up again and hit the road. Top of the Town Tourist Park managers, Vic and Gordana greeted us warmly and made us feel welcome. Peter was to report for duty at 8:00am the next day. Wendy could sleep in and start work at 10:00am. Ha! There’s no daylight saving in Queensland, so we both woke quite early. Wendy has had a steep learning curve, getting to know & understand the computerized reservation system, while Peter has had a great deal of satisfaction working outdoors
and also making the amenities lovely for everyone to use. (That sounded better than “cleaning the toilets” didn’t it??????) Security and debt collection are also part of Peter’s duties. We work Saturday and Sunday, and Monday morning through to Wednesday morning. We actually have to stay in the flat attached to the office on Monday and Tuesday nights to answer the phone and night bell. It took us a few weeks to be able to get a good night’s sleep in the strange surroundings and their associated responsibilities. Now, it’s like were staying in a motel for 2 nights (without “hanky panky”)
We hadn’t been here a week when our daughter Melanie and her family came to stay with us in their tent. They had wanted to go camping for weeks, but the weather had “dampened” their enthusiasm. We had assured them that the Stanthorpe climate was just perfect. As they arrived there was a cool change and they complained of being cold. As we both had days off, we were able to enjoy some touristy things with them. There’s so much to see, do, taste, eat and drink here, it was hard to know where to start. The
National Parks were still closed for repairs to roads since the rain, so visiting those was off the list for this visit. Cheese and chocolate were high on the list so they were made a priority. After a couple of lovely days out and about, we had a camp oven roast in the camp kitchen here in the park. There are 3 fire pits scattered throughout Top of the Town, and we are looking forward to making good use of them during our stay here. During the cooler months it will be part of Peter’s duties to get the fire going each afternoon for the enjoyment of the guests.
There are quite a few seasonal workers staying here in the park – mature age couples who are living similar lives to ours. The apple season is just kicking off now and Wendy is pleased she has a job in an office. Fruit picking has such romantic connotations, but really, it’s hard, dirty work. We’ll do our jobs in the park and gratefully accept the gifts of fruit and vegetables that the pickers will undoubtedly bring for us. We have already received tomatoes, tomato relish and (weekly) lettuce. Everything is
The creek at Kyogle
36 hours previously, the water was just below the bridge. so fresh and lovely.
The weather continued to do its thing. You know all about that so we won’t go into detail other than to say that EVERYONE in Queensland needs EVERYONE’s help.
We have had more visitors. Peter’s sister, Judy, and brother-in-law, Ron stopped in on their way to the Gold Coast, and our daughter-in-law’s father, James called in on his way back to Wyong from Maryborough.
A couple we met when we visited here in November 2009, Katrina and Jeff, have returned, with Katrina taking up the position as receptionist here at the park. These 2 seem to know everyone here! They have been coming here for 4 years, and love the area so much that they have bought some land about 20km out of town. Geoff will be picking apples again.
We are looking forward to more visitors next week. Michael and Alison will call in on their way home from the Gold Coast. The following week we will take a run over to Kyogle to see “the kids” again. Our youngest, Shannon is flying over from Perth for one last visit before she flies to Europe in April for another 2 years
Grandad helps
Maya LOVES this musical keyboard and can't wait for Grandad to put it together. away. She certainly does things differently to most of us. She has made a commitment to cut her hair off, (maybe a “buzz cut” if she gets enough sponsorship) for clown doctors. We are very proud of her and we encourage you to consider sponsoring her efforts to help this wonderful organization. Here is Shannon’s plea. “I'm shaving my head on April 2 to raise money for Australian Clown Doctors, helping sick kids get through their scary and painful hospital experiences.
To donate please visit www.gofundraise.com.au/locks4docs
and click 'donate now' if you have a credit card. If you don't have one and still want to help me and the Docs out, get in touch, we can organise a bank transfer or similar.” Those who don't know Shannon, contact us and we'll send details through.
Stanthorpe Rodeo is on 5th March (just next door in the showground) and things will get progressively busier here as Easter approaches. The park is always quite full at Easter, but then every weekend in April has something on. Every day we are taking lots of bookings for April. Wendy is just relieved that The Apple and Grape Festival is not on this year, it’s
a bi-annual event in March, and very big we understand.
In the meantime we are working our way around the tourist attractions and wineries on our days off. We really do need to know what is available so we can make recommendations to the park guests. Wendy thought that having new pushbikes would encourage us to get more exercise, but it hasn’t happened yet. We did ride with Judy and Ron down through town, along Quart Pot Creek cycleway, and then back (up the hill) to the park. Good exercise indeed. We would like to think that we can make it a regular discipline. We’ll keep you posted.
In the next blog, we’ll show you around the park. Until then stay safe.
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Shanny
non-member comment
Thanks for the plug, mama!! I can't wait to see you in 10 days - bring fresh apples and I'll bring the ginger :) haha Love you lots XX