Bundaberg and Goomeri 12.06.2020
The rollback of the Covid-19 measures is under way and I cannot wait to see it ended – so that we can move freely, enjoy a meal without limitation and go about life as we did before all of this pandemic of fear took hold. Full operation of business will be a beautiful thing to see. That said, the weekend was a process of adaptation.
Originally, an overnight stay at Goomeri was booked when Stage 2 of the restrictions were to come into place, the evening of 11 and 12 June. Within a week, that arrangement was changed so we looked at the plan – keep the booking, support the local community and work out how to spend time with mum and dad as constructively as possible.
Roll forward to the days before 12 June 2020, it was becoming apparent that the weather would be quite ordinary and not supportive of a weekend trip on our motorbike so the car was readied, a call was made to the olds who graciously agreed to put up with us on Friday night before we then resumed original planning and travelled to Goomeri, albeit via a different route.
Friday night was a sedate run up the highway from Brisbane to Bundaberg – nothing to report here. On arriving at the olds, it was time to stir up one pooch who is recovering from another round of rough health. For a 12-year-old, she is doing very well, is cheeky as ever and continues to have a healthy dose of Westitude. Gotta love her.
Saturday morning, I tried to save a bee from a very sticky spider’s web. Made a huge mess of the web, sorry spider, and wore a bee sting. I remember the stinger being so big and so black – but the last time I had a sting I was about 8 maybe. This stinger was about 3mm long, told me it was there and that was the end of our relationship. I don’t know whether one bee will do anything other than languish in the grass where it was put.
We also got to catch up with some friends and head out to a lovely coffee joint at Bargara – The Journey Bargara. Their philosophy speaks to us. Family and friends caught up – wonderful and overdue because of the restrictions on travel. It’s been a pretty good weekend so far.
The road to Goomeri has all sorts of options. Ours involved a run to South Kolan then across the crossing back to Childers Road, Dillarnil, Ban Ban Springs and out. The weather teases us constantly – closing in, sprinkling then backing off. It makes a mess of the dust prints on the car, more than anything else. Fuel at Ban Ban Springs, the middle of nowhere, is $105.9 yet Brisbane is 25+c dearer – how is that with the transport that is required to get the product to the middle of nowhere….
The land changes through flat, to rolling to small ranges as we move through part of the range. The colours are intense, straw, red volcanic earth, miserable grey and everything in between with a palette of colours for the greens of the trees, the browns of their bark. The cows plod a time worn track as they move from field to field. These are beef cattle so there’s no need for the morning or afternoon tramp to the shed for milking.
We pass Boonara Homestead built in 1862. It makes you think about what life was like at that time, how they chose this area, the equipment they needed, the challenges they faced. We later saw a piece of log moving equipment – a dray. The bullock teams in front of the dray were so strong.
Our destination is Joe’s Grand Hotel. We have a lovely room, simple surroundings for $80 a night. You do not get an ensuite bathroom, however, there is character, wonderful creaking stairs and fabulous service with people who have had to re-learn their job as a result of 3.5 months downtime.
The town is not as vibrant as it was. However, the Bakery, Pub and Dusty Hill Vineyard are owned by the same people and they are kicking goals. The Bakery is not to be missed nor is the bistro at the Pub. The meals are amazing. The entrée onion rings was huge, the duck amazing, the steak divine and dessert was a fabulous take on lemon meringue pie. We decided to try a local wine, not knowing that it was the vineyard associated with the owner. Oh yes, easy drinking and a new grape variety we were nor familiar with – Nebbiolo. A trip back to go to the Irish Pub and the vineyard is a must.
The double bed was cosy – funny how you get used to a queen-sized bed and all the space that comes with it. It was comfortable and the room spacious. For Sunday morning, we ventured down, as you must do, to the Bakery – oh how we love this joint, so hard to choose as everything looks so good and is so yummy. Coffees, bacon and egg omelette (served in a pie dish) and eggs benedict (served in a pie dish) were first course. Second course was raspberry custard danish and a custard danish. The decision between the omelette and the vegetable pastie was hard, as was the ham and 4 cheese croissant which was huge or the breakfast pullapart or……..a decision was made and the food, as always, was spectacular. Sadly, it is not viable for them to have eat in yet – I look forward to that day.
We moseyed to Bjelke-Petersen Dam – how can you have 195% capacity? It beggar’s belief. At the moment, it is 18% capacity. Then, on to Nanango, town of 1848. Again, it makes you think about how this all got to be where it is.
We come through Yarraman, Blackbutt then to a location called Moore where there are three cafes. It was time for a stop here and in came the long awaited, and planned around, rain – it was heavy and good to see. Google maps was indicating a road which would take us 8 minutes longer to get to Esk so suggestion accepted and down Turtle Creek Road we moseyed. Apparently, it will be necessary to come back on the motorbike and explore this area. The Brisbane Valley Highway and part of the Tourist Drive rounded out the last major part of the run back before hitting the highway in from Blacksoil, passing near Ipswich and coming back through Mt Gravatt. A visit in to Hamon Cove at Wiverhoe Dam was required as we had not ventured down that area previously. The boat ramp is closed due to low water levels. Driving through puddles is good fun, but it does help if the one behind the steering wheel has their window up. Things that happen.
Being responsible, sometimes, grown ups we stopped via Garden City to purchase some groceries. This was the rounding out of people experiences for the weekend and confirms my theory that “people suck” – well some anyways. Goodies accumulated, without shopping list which is always dangerous, we headed to the checkout. Ahead was a lady wearing some religious dress, putting things on to the conveyer belt but also putting things aside after deciding she did not want them. There was a 4-litre container of oil as well as all sorts of other things which she then put into a hand basket and handed to the checkout operator. Ok, to each their own. But then…there are 2 packets of dishwasher tablets about $35 per packet worth. Out comes the mobile with a price match request for the item and questions about the cost etc. $3 was the difference. This went on for nearly 10 minutes. The checkout operator was clearly frustrated with her yet being very reasonable. He clearly appreciates the impact of this woman’s behaviour as there are 5 people behind us, waiting patiently for her to finish her transaction and be gone.
I think about suggesting that she might like to pay for everything and take her issue up with another but then figure I probably shouldn’t do that as it would be discriminatory, racist and goodness knows what else. Let me be clear, I hate everyone equally and have little tolerance but today, I was quiet as I did not care for a scene. Shopping at Woolworths Garden City was a reminder of the different socio-economic areas and how this changes the stock on offer as well as the people the stock is geared to. It saddens me that we have to think this way, however, there was not going to be an argument and no allegations and nothing else. I picked up the recipe magazine and stood looking at it whilst this lady expected someone to match a price and simply comply with her demands. Urgh, people!.
Our weekend escapade has covered about 910km. It has been a wonderful exploration of some new roads and some amazing scenery, visiting with some beautiful people and enjoying superb food and lovely local wines which really surprised and delighted us. Adventure is necessary for this little black duck to sustain herself – it gives something to inspire and keep going, to work towards and enjoy. It is wonderful to be able to explore again, to see family and to enjoy the Westitude that is forthcoming. We are blessed and thoroughly enjoyed exploring a fabulous second-hand shop at Goomeri – That’s Nice Antiques and Second-hand. If you are passing through, call in and lose yourself for a while.
For now, the adventure of this weekend has come to an end. It means we need to think about where else we wish to explore, what else we wish to do and how we wish to support small business around where we head to. Next weekend will be a little camping and licence obligations. However, tonight we have travelled further with a glass of French wine after sampling some amazing South Burnett wine. Travel is part of the soul, and when you cannot travel overseas, exploring the nearer regions is almost as intoxicating. Good night, sweet dreams and see you on the road.
