Charlie Moreland Camping 01-02.02.2020
We were off and out for an adventure this weekend – been much too long (5.5 months) since I have been camping. It is my space to go to, to re-set and just take some time. We had planned to go last weekend, however, there was a trip to Bundaberg to see a little white dog who had had some serious surgery and whom we were all very grateful to see come through. So, this weekend was definitely camping time. Much less to take for 1 night instead of 2 – but a good reminder to really go through the camping stuff you put together when you packed up last time and didn’t really sort it out. Having said that, I probably won’t sort it all out again before next time and will have the same discussion then too. Anyways…
So, off we set via a circuitous route that took much longer than necessary to get out of Brisbane however once out of Brisbane and into the windy roads and the trees of the ranges, the equilibrium started to return. It is a pretty amazing place to be – just driving (in this case) through the ranges, the trees in close going up for tens of metres, and over the road, making a beautiful canopy and a leaf rain. There is also the smell, through the closed up air conditioning of the earth but more particularly, the dust when we got to our destination.
On our way, we detoured through the Glasshouse Mountain region and stopped off at a lovely little café/gallery where they made a very nice toasted sandwich with ham off the bone cut into small pieces, tomato cut into pieces and decent cheese accompanied by a decent coffee. Whilst there, we got to see some local class – it is really quite repulsive to me to hear someone hawk up a loogie then spit it out on the nearest ground surface. He was polite though and said “g’day”. On we travel via a very scenic road, with lots of twists and bends and turns and trees.
The privilege of now travelling with someone is being able to sit in the passenger seat and make notes and take photos – you really appreciate this when it’s your turn to share the driving. In the past, I might just pull over and take the photo or stop and turn around. My cohort in mischief was very obliging with attempting to take my notes and some photographs.
There are many happy cows at the moment. The grass is amazingly green but the countryside is illusionary – it looks superb and beautiful, lush as I have not seen it in a long time, but the creeks are not running, they are not flushing out and the water is stagnant. You can see where the rain has cascaded through but the catchments are not receiving it. I wonder how far down the earth is damp. As we head on to the road leading to our camp location, it is dry and very dusty – there is a barrage of oncoming cars so I turn the headlights on, as we are being swamped, to ensure we are a little more visible in this temporary darkness.
We are fortunate, a lovely little secluded spot with lots of tree cover awaits us, near the amenities but far enough away, along with a fire pit – bliss. Up we set and then out for a little stroll to the creek – sadly disappointing. There are signs advising not to swim for concern about ear and other infections due to stagnant water. We were here about 18 months ago – the difference in that time is very sad. So, rather than endure the humidity and being in need of sustenance, we traipse in to Kenilworth Pub for a beverage then the pizza shop because the Pub does not open the kitchen until 5.30. It is 3.30 and we are a little hungry as the sandwich we had earlier sustains you only so long. Sustenance secured, quick reconnaissance of town complete, we venture back to the camp site to enjoy a few more beverages and the yumminess of the local made pizza.
We have a sentry overhead – master kookaburra, keeping a watch out after coming low through from his other location to the tree above. He had headed straight at Julian then up he swept just about under his landing spot. We listen to the sounds of sunset and notice a delightful temperature drop which lasts through to the morning, leaving a lovely fogged window on the car telling us it was a very comfortable night.
People suck – they might be out of phone signal, but they are not out of alcohol, music/radio and bad manners. Happens everywhere…wonder if they were under the limit to drive when leaving…
The dawn wake up track is much like the dusk – lots of chirping, twittering, cawing and blatant squawking along with the grunt of scrub turkeys making their way around nearby. The kookaburras are back an have a practice track before exchanging greetings. The chorus is lovely and such a nice change from the rush of suburbia. It is a fresh morning, quite refreshing.
As with all good things, they must end so after breakfast we pack up our gear, have a wash in the hand basin and watch the nearly tailless goanna go about his morning patrol, having seen him yesterday afternoon doing much the same on the other side of the camp ground.
We head down through Mt Glorious and Mt Mee (covering several tourist drives – 22, 29, 9 and 8). It never ceases to astound me how stupid some motorbike riders are – overtaking on double lines, no leathers or protective gear and riding in such fashion with a child on the back. The roads are amazing to ride when you are sensible. Then there are those whose skill level is eclipsed by ego. These guys (and gals) are statistics waiting to happen. Grow some brain cells.
The scenery remains absolutely amazing – sometimes you are just not quick enough to process the beauty and bring the camera up to capture it, the gorgeous assembly of cows and cranes around a water hole, the gathering of milkers, the sprawling gathering of beef cattle. We stop off at some outlooks – we admire the amazing forces of nature that formed these ranges, the huge rocks that came loose, the fungus that grows here and there, the lichen and the moss, the tenacity of those who hew the trees to form the roads in the first place and the oxen and livestock who were driven to tow the drays carrying the logs. This is a small corner of the world yet an amazingly beautiful corner that many do not explore. Fill the tank, grab the small change and go explore for a day – you might be surprised at what lies out there within 100km from Brisbane CBD. We will go back through this area, as we already have done, on 2 wheels. That is a wholly different experience from the car yet each has its own attraction.
