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February 2016
03 February 2016
This year the farmers put their Sorghum harvest in earlier to try and beat the rain and guess what, the rain has also come early. So with nothing to come in and just a little of last years crop to go out we have spent the last two days working, but we are all now on hold courtesy of the rain last night.
In keeping with our looking around we camped out at the Bowenville Reserve on Monday night and managed to get some photography in as well.
Love the character of this tree as is hangs over the creek.
Reflections and character of the tree made more so by the natural vignette from the branches overhead.
The sunset, though quite plain was very pleasant to view.
Heading into work the next day we left our peaceful and pleasant camp, spending the day cleaning up and driving the tractor to slash the long grass around the site.
The only thing wrong with the camp there however the fact is that you have to cross a creek to get out and that creek rises easily after rain, so with a very dark sky all around we chose to go out to the Woolshed for a couple of nights just in case. And that decision turned out to be a good one with the rain hitting just as we had set up.
And the rain is back with a vengeance as I sit here typing this, so I guess there will be no work for a few days now while it dries up. The good thing is we are on solid ground.
All day it has been storm and shower, clearing sky and then another storm and shower, but in between the storms and showers there was a small window where, armed with the camera and an umbrella I was able to get some shots of the trees along the creek.
Another storm front heading for the old Ackland Church that has been relocated to the Woolshed and is in the process of being restored.
Another of the beautiful spots along the creek. This is where the weddings and photo's are often taken here at the Woolshed.
04 February 2016
Rain storm after rain storm came through yesterday afternoon and evening and there were rivers of water everywhere so knowing there will be no work we decided to go into Toowoomba for a few things and to have a day out. Dropping down into Jondaryan itself from the Woolshed we could see the low level flood waters that were everywhere.
The temperature was much better today and although still slightly muggy, it was nowhere as bad as the last week. Toowoomba was as busy as ever and after scoring a bargain with 25% off wine at BWS and some shopping we left town and headed to the small town of Clifton where we stayed not long ago. So with no work on while the place dries out we intend staying here in this cheap camp spot for a few days until the weather gets better or work looks like recommencing.
12 February 2016
With the weather still not playing the game the farmers haven't sprayed their crops off yet and that has meant no work. It's not ideal but that is the nature of the agriculture game as dictated by mother nature.
So with plenty of free time on our hands we were looking around on wikicamps for campsites and places to go and we found a campsite at the Biddeston Tractor Pull which is a short drive to Jondaryan and Toowoomba and decided to check it out.
The farmer who has this land is a mad tractor fanatic and each year has a tractor pull with his tractor mates. In the meantime, the donga's, showers and powered camping sites that he has put in for his mates to use when they are here are available to anyone else who wants to stay and all for the sum of $10 a night or $50 for the week.
The camp sites are on a slight, but manageable slope and it means running a long power cord and water hose from the connections, but all of that is made up for by the shower blocks which consist of four ensuite's that have a toilet, sink and the most magnificent rainforest shower heads.
The tractor pull area and sheds with tractors and old trucks and cars are right next door and so with nowhere else to go until the weather improves we have made this our home for the past week. And while the site is good the view out of our front door is even better.
Looking towards Gowrie Mountain and Toowoomba, this is part of the view from our front door.
This old timer sits in the paddock opposite us.
Some of the Tractor Collection
Ever seen a V16 Tractor? You have now.
Some of the trucks in the shed which doubles as the bar during the tractor pull.
Joanne thought she'd try this one out for size.
Driving around the area and on our way into Toowoomba we passed the new Toowoomba airport (well actually it is at a place called Wellcamp) and just a few kilometers as the crow flies from the tractor pull. Flying to Sydney and Brisbane they will soon have flights direct to Melbourne all of which will help local businesses quite a lot. There are a coupe of flights in and out everyday but other than that it is very quiet.
20 February 2016
Another week has gone by and we have been working as the Sorghum Harvest has begun. We have been getting back into the routine and getting used to working a 10 hour day again. Made harder by the humidity which has made the hot 35 degree days that little bit harder to bear.
Yesterday was our biggest day with 64 trucks to unload into the pit and then onto the bunker, and then as the day began to draw to an end the storm clouds began to gather and it was all hands to the wheel as we covered the bunker.
The weather beginning to form. I just wish I could have my real camera at work to capture these instead of my phone.
This weather bomb circled and grew, folding over and over like a breaking wave as it did so.
Packing up and finishing we made it out of the gate and onto the highway before the wind and rain hit us hard. Driving very carefully and a little slower we made our way back to Bowenville, about 15km's from work. Arriving in the middle of the rain meant our usual parking spot in the Bowenville Pub carpark was not an option because it is black soil, so we just pinched the last available spot around, which just happened to be on the gravel driveway that leads to the back of the pub. Plugging in to the power meant getting quite wet but other than that it was all good so after all of that, there was not much else to do other than have a shower, something to eat and then to watch TV for the evening.
We have been staying here at the recommendation of one of our fellow workers (who is also out here now), and the fact that it is cheaper than the $180 a week at the Woolshed is a bonus. We would park in the back yard but with this rain and the black soil under the grass we would not get out again, so it is a short 50m walk to the toilet/shower/laundry, and of course the bar is not far away either :-)
So after the weather event yesterday we have the weekend off while the farmers hope to get their paddocks dried out enough to get back harvesting again.
29 February 2016
The weather in the last entry did clear up in time to get some more work in before we took a quick trip back to Perth by plane. Flying out of the new airport at Toowoomba (Brisbane West Wellcamp) was a breeze and we were assisted wonderfully by the staff there to get AJ into the long term carpark and for them to look after our home while we were away. Our business in Perth was over in a few days and then we were again winging our way back to Qld where we arrived on Saturday morning (after the red eye overnight) to find our home right in good condition right where we left it.
The next day we were back at work again and wondering if we had even been away. Since then the weather had not been kind and we have had some more rain, and that means that work has dried up a bit as the farmers wait for the ground to dry out again. The good news is that the sun is out and with luck the first part of the harvest will be back on again.
Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.
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