April 2018

01 April 2018

Having had a few nights at the lagoon it was time to head closer toward Toowoomba in readiness for our attending Winjana for some work on our house. Packing up and leaving our nice little spot we made our way into Condamine and then onto Kogan, a small town that looks like it might be a good spot to camp for a night or two.

Heading into Dalby we stopped for the dump point before heading back out onto the highway and heading to the Bowenville Reserve. We though that there might be a few campers there but were certainly not ready for the numbers we found - WOW!

The grass had been mowed and the whole area is now much larger. We selected a spot sort of in the middle and not too close to those around us.

02 April 2018

At sunset last night we had over 70 rigs in the Bowenville Reserve and while most were parked a reasonable distance from each other, the occupants of one rig that came in must have been scared of the dark and so parked next to us about 5m away! Mind you, we did only see them a couple of times, but that close when they had another 5 acres (no kidding) to park in? Takes all types I guess.

Waking to the smell of wet grass courtesy of the dew overnight we eventually packed up and headed off, taking the backroads and staying away from the major roads and highways. Of course the backroads we took were not in very good nick and we had to keep the speed to under 80km/h or risk, even with our stability, being flung off the typical Qld road.

Passing through flat open crop country towards Norwin we could see the hills in the background which made for a pleasant sight. Sorghum, corn and even some sunflowers were growing in the black soil along the way. Passing through Pittsworth and Felton we were heading to Federation Park in Toowoomba but decided to stop in the small town of Nobby, not far from where we have stayed before at Clifton.

On arrival there were four or five rigs all clustered around the one and only power point, so rather than get up close and personal for power we took up a spot along the railway line fence and settled in. By 3pm there were another three parked up behind us.

05 April 2018

Leaving our little camp at Nobby we made our way into Toowoomba for our appointment at Winjana RV, birthplace to our 5th wheeler. With a couple of warranty jobs to be done we spent the day talking and helping Andrew (owner of Winjana) do the work on our water tanks and to remove the three small expansion cracks over the top of the door.

Being there on his own meant that Andrew was juggling us and the rest of his work so it was no surprise that we ran out of day, but there was an easy fix. We camped overnight right there in the yard and finished it off the next morning when Royce, his right hand man was back at work.

Jobs over we did some shopping and then headed out to our camping spot at the Tractor Pull site where we have camped before when in the area.

Today was taken up with some small chores and catch ups as we settle in for the next couple of weeks. We start work at the Oakey Power Station for the shut down on Monday, so we will enjoy our days off until then. As such, there will not be much put on here.

And, during our time here we will be working not only on the shutdown but also on a plan for the next part of the years adventure.

21 April 2018

Its been a while since we updated and so, having finished our 10 days work at the Power Station in Oakey we are sitting out the weekend before we get the car serviced and sort ourselves out. Our work at the OPS was a little easier this time, but just as rewarding and very well received. So well received that the Siemans Manager asked for us to go to the Braemar Power Station shutdown which starts in June.

We have been cleaning the gas turbine blades and other components as they are removed, either in a soapy water, mild abrasive or on the buffing wheel. Once the parts are cleaned they are tested for cracks, damage and wear using a spray on dye before either being cleaned or disposed of. We have also been sitting on our bum as the sand blast tent safety spotter. Pretty good getting paid good money to sit in the sun just in case something goes wrong, but as good as that is, it is quite boring.

The wet weather has hit and all around us yesterday the skies were so black and looking like it was going to be very, very nasty, but it just rained and disappeared. Today has been quite nice but the clouds have been building up and it is now raining and obscuring our very nice view of the surrounding countryside.

Cloudy View

Looking towards the Wellcamp airport and Toowoomba from our camp.

While we are parked up for a while it was a good time to get a parcel posted to us. The parcel containing a drone bought on e-bay. Having researched drones for some time now the drone of choice was the DJI Phantom 4 Pro. Chosen because of the reviews and the camera it was a stand out machine but $2,399 was just a little rich, so you can imagine the excitement level when our winning bid was just $1,662 (including delivery). Yes, it was second hand (originally purchased in December 2017) but with low flight hours and the original warranty still in place it was a bargain!

Drone

The drone in it's carry case.

The Pro+ comes with an inbuilt mini table, so for a while it was a case of using the mobile phone as a screen, but with aging eyes that it not a good long term option so we updated tablets as well, and now it is much easier to fly.

25 April 2018

Anzac Day is upon us once more and we spent the day quietly, reflecting on the day's meaning and enjoying the day. Of course some drone flight was enjoyed to keep the experience going and to try different photographic skills.

Biddeston Shape

Flying not far from us the shape in the paddock across the road appeared as I flew over.

Biddeston Windmill

As the clouds built up before sunset it was time to get a shot of the windmill down the hill from us.

Biddeston Windmill Sunset

And sunset (after re launching with a fresh battery).

27 April 2018

Not wanting to become a permanent feature at our very comfortable and cheap camp we departed yesterday and took the 46km drive (via Oakey) back to the Bowenville Reserve. Sitting about halfway between Oakey and Dalby the reserve is a great spot on the banks of the Oakey Creek.

On arrival we found the 70 odd rigs that were here over Easter had thinned to about 26, though the shady creek side spots were still very popular. We selected a spot away from the creek and most of the other campers and where we would get maximum sun to ward off the cooler weather and to give us maximum solar power for our fridge and rig, especially with drone batteries to charge now :-)

Bowenville Reserve

The Bowenville Reserve from an early morning flight.

Oakey Creek Pano

Drone shot of part of the creek.

30 April 2018

Well the end of another month, and we are still camped at the Bowenville Reserve. At this stage it looks like the Cotton Gin work is a no go because we were too late, but the work at the Braemar Power Station in June is going ahead. So, with a month or so before we do that job we are going to head to a warmer climate for a bit. Not sure where that is going to be, but a good bet would be North.

In the meantime we have just been relaxing and of course getting some time in the air with the drone, including landing practice in windy conditions on the top of our portable picnic table without crashing.

Cloud and sun rays from 400ft.

Bowenville Sunset

A golden lining to the clouds for tonight's sunset.

Most of the people who camped down near the creek have left but there is still around 24 campers in each night. The creek side sites would be nice but cold overnight courtesy of being the first to lose the sun each afternoon and last to get it in the morning, so we are happy to remain where we are, in the sun.

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.