In search of the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners - Charleville - January 2016

I was on a quest to drag my family out to one of our Western Queensland towns to witness the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners roll through with their 120 odd trucks carrying over 5000 bales of hay in early January.

We looked at the planned route and decided to head to a town we hadn't been to before...eeny, meeny, miny, mo...and Charleville was to be our destination.

The Lil Princess, Hubby and I booked a room for 2 nights at a Charleville Motel, fuelled up the car and hit the road - really, really early on 6 January 2016. We had also planned to check out the Cosmos Centre and make the trek out to Quilpie while we were in "the neighbourhood".

A lot of rain had fallen in the couple of weeks leading up to our trip.  The country between home and Charleville was starting to rejuvenate with tinges of green seen along the roadside and in the paddocks.  Puddles on the road and roadside were certainly a welcome sight and I have no doubt some of the farmers out that way were celebrating a small "win".

A flooded creek on the Charleville-Cunnamulla Road

We arrived in Charleville and popped into the Information Centre to book our Cosmos Centre tour for that evening.  We asked the locals about whether the road to Quilpie was open after the rain that they had recently received (over 80mm).  Apparently it was closed (I tried very hard to hide my disappointment as I really wanted to cross Quilpie off my list of towns to visit but knew that the locals were rejoicing about the rain).  They told me to check with the local Council later in the afternoon.  

Before we checked into our room we drove out on the Charleville-Cunnamulla Road to check out the rail bridge that was destroyed in September 2014 when a truck crashed into a creek bed and exploded - the explosion which disintegrated a fire truck could be felt all the way back in Charleville. Fortunately all involved survived. The road is fixed but the rail bridge is yet to be repaired. News story here.

The rail bridge that got blown to bits

 

I had contacted the Council in Quilpie just before COB to be told that the road to Quilpie may be closed for up to a week as the bridge may need inspecting but to keep an eye on their facebook page as that is where the most up to date info would be.

We checked in, grabbed some dinner at the RSL (which was awesome by the way) and toddled off to the Cosmos Centre.  This was my husband's "must see" and although it was interesting and he enjoyed it, it wasn't my cup of tea (or the lil' princess' after a long day in the car).  We hit the sack and I had made the decision to have a sleep in because we couldn't make the two odd hour trek to Quilpie and there wasn't too much we could see around Charleville due to the recent rain.

My attempt at star trails near the Cosmos Centre

We had a big sleep in (until 8.30am) and when I woke up I thought I would just check the Quilpie Shire Council FB page and much to my surprise (and delight) only a few minutes early they had posted that the road was OPEN - yay!!  We were out of bed, dressed and on the road within half an hour, grabbing breakkie at the bakery in the main street as we headed out of town.

Teeny bits of green appearing through the red dirt

The bridge into Quilpie was JUST open

There wasn't a lot to look at on the drive to Quilpie but still a new adventure nonetheless. We checkout the Visitor Information Centre/Museum which was full of interesting historical information and relics.  We then drove a short distance out of town to Bald Rock.  The view from the top was amazing - the views went on forever.

The view from Bald Rock on the outskirts of Quilpie

A quick bite to eat at Heinemanns Cafe (yum!), then we made the return trip to Charleville.

The green pick was just starting to come through - it had been dry for so long

A set of yards - wide brown land

Dinner of hot chook sandwiches from IGA and then an early night as the trucks were rolling though the following day and we wanted to pack up, grab some breakfast and find a vantage point to see the trucks arrive.

I woke up and went for a drive to take a couple of early morning pics and to see where I wanted to set up to photograph the trucks.  We packed the car, checked out and went into town to fuel up the car and ourselves.  I called through to Cunnamulla to see if the trucks had left so that I could gauge how much time we had.  We had plenty (or so I thought) so I quickly stopped into an store to grab some accessories for the car - it was possibly the slowest (but most delightful) service I had experienced.  We jumped in the car and turned the corner to make our way to where I wanted to be and what did we see coming up the road - yep you guessed it 100 odd hay trucks!  We screeched to a halt on the side of the road and all jumped out with cameras and phones at the ready to record this momentous occasion.

Burrumbuttock Hay Runners rolling into Charleville

With the Australian Flag being waved by the Lil Princess and my camera clicking away, we waved "Thank You" to all the passing trucks and support vehicles.  We caught a glimpse of the man behind the run - Brendan Farrell - what a thrill.  Goosebumps and moist eyes were definitely the order of the day.  Our hearts were just bursting with "Aussie Pride".  All these truck drivers and owners donating their time and vehicles to transport donated hay to Western Queensland communities in the grip of this dreadful drought.  They are all "keeping the dream alive" for our farmers.

We waited until the last truck came through then we hit the road back towards Roma where we were stopping overnight. It would have been awesome to follow them all the way to the end but it wasn't in the "plan" so we parted ways with the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners in Charleville and kept on heading east.

The Hayrunners rolling out of Charleville

Just west of Mitchell we came across a drovers mob on the highway.  Cattle were everywhere so I talked my driver to pull over so I could grab a few photos.  I had a chat with a lovely fellow from down Brisbane way who had bought his 17yo son up to join the drover (something this young man did in regularly in his holidays).  As we drove off I grabbed a few shots of the young fella and another young mate on their horses sitting with the cattle. I loved that even though they probably spend half their day waving and smiling to all the "tourists" they still managed a big grin and a "thumbs up" for the camera.  I also grabbed a great shot of a mum and daughter "doubling" on their horse with the same mob.  These guys made my day and to top it off, through the powers of social media, the young man with the drovers' mob managed to track me down after a friend of his saw one of my images on instagram.....who'd of thought!  Needless to say all involved got a copy of their image for being such good sports!

A overnight stay at the rellies in Roma, then back home to the daily grind.....a flying visit out west is better than no visit at all.  

Addy style family portrait

I have said it before but it never ceases to amaze me that there are so many people out there that think that an hour outside a major city is "the bush".  Get out there people, experience what our beautiful country has to offer.  There are so many things to see and do.

Go somewhere you have never been, spend your money in a community that desperately needs it (rent a room in a motel, buy some fuel and snacks at the servo and have a meal at the local pub).

In the words of Daryl Somers - "you'll never ever know if you never ever go" 

KA xx

Roadtrip to Southampton (via St George, Qld) Part Two

Roadtrip to Southampton (via St George, Qld) Part Two

30th October 2015 - 1st November 2015

Following on from Part One (sorry it took so long - work, life and Yr 12 Formal got in the way)

I had the alarm set for stupid early to check out the sunrise.  There was some discussion the night before as to what the sky would look like in the morning but being the eternal optimist I was up before the sparrows started flatulating ie very early to see if I was going to get lucky (remembering I missed out on the sunset the previous afternoon due to the glorious and much need deluge). 

When I peeked out the window the sky was showing a teeny tiny sign of promise and then by the time I got my jeans and boots on and grabbed the camera, any glimmer of sunrise was replaced with dull grey...but not to worry, the sun came up somewhere!

The only sunrise photo of the trip worth looking at.

While waiting for all the other troops to wake up I amused myself with the
lil princess's boots.  

 Everything to do with the old quarters oozed character and the boots just topped it off.

The birds up in the jacaranda tree caught my eye while I was wandering around looking for things to photograph.

The Cruiser made some groovy patterns in the jacaranda flowers on the track.
I love the contrast of the purple flowers on the red dirt.

Everyone emerged from their beds and a big cooked breakfast was soon underway. There were a couple of willie wagtails flitting around the funky fence while we were sitting on the verandah chatting and eating. While we starting packing the car the kids jumped on the quad for one last ride through the puddles.

Willie Wagtail

New Mates

Our visit to Southampton was over way too quickly but we knew it would be a flying visit as my family all had to get back to work and school on Monday and the Southampton crew had to do the same. 

We discussed the possibility of returning next year for a longer stay when the muster is underway. It is pencilled in. I just have to see how life pans out between now and then. We entered their home as strangers and left as friends (there is a sign in their kitchen that says something very similar - funny how things work out).

With a long journey home we hit the road. Waving "See You Later" to our new mates, we settled in for the trip home. My long suffering husband actually stopped a few times on the way home for be to grab a couple of photos. I will wear him down. Hehe!

I was adamant that I wanted to take photos of the pretty yellow flowers (weeds according to him) that we had seen on the way out. We found them and a couple of other little treasures.

Can't travel without these

There were two of these balls at the entrance to a property.
They would have been used with a huge chain to clear scrub some time ago.

Coming onto a mob on the stock route.  I would have loved 

to pull up for more photos and a yarn with the Drover.

A funky lil weed

Paper Daisies 

"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" - Eeyore

It took us nearly 8 hours to get home, the travelling does my soul wonders. I get to sit and look out the window at our beautiful countryside. I don't have to do any chores or solve anyone's problems, I just get to sit. 

I often marvel at the fact that there are actually some people who live in SE Qld that think that once you get past Toowoomba you hit the desert. I encourage everyone once in a while to look on a map and find somewhere you have not been and head there for a weekend (or longer). Meet new people, see new sights and maybe even learn something new.

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page"
- St Augustine

My 15 mins of Fame (originally published last year)

This is a piece I wrote for the Horse Downunder Magazine after Thelma and I did the the Harry Redford Cattle Drive last May. 

I am hoping to get back out there one day, I am also hoping they get enough rain to end this awful drought.

A day in the life of the Guest Drovers on the Harry Redford Cattle Drive 2014

With wide-open rolling plains, natural lakes, and a sky that stretches from one horizon to the other - spectacular by day and glowing with stars by night – this is how the website starts to explain the Harry Redford Cattle Drive experience and they were true to their word.

My good friend and I set off on a round trip that ended up covering nearly 3000km.  We travelled from South East Queensland to Aramac and back stopping in at nearly every town in between.  Two mums, a ute, swags, bags, driving tunes and a week away from home.…let the adventure begin.  It was an adventure that was years in the making.

The Harry Redford Cattle Drive is an annual event organised by Barcaldine Regional Council who are assisted by a troop of amazing volunteers.  This year drive was nearly cancelled due to the ongoing drought conditions but was saved at the 11th hour by some much needed (yet not drought breaking) rain.

On the drive approximately 600 head of mixed breed cattle are driven along the stock routes between Barcaldine and Aramac over 19 days.  Guest Drovers can choose to ride from 3 to 19 days (and any number in between).   These stock routes are some of the very same stock routes that the Australian folklore legend Harry Redford was said to have moved 600-1000 head of stolen Bowen Downs cattle along in March 1870.
  
We arrived in Aramac the afternoon before our droving experience was to begin and were mini bussed to Mildura Station near Barcaldine.  Our mob of guest drovers were given the run down on how things would work whilst on the Drive, we were allocated our horses for the next morning and pointed in the direction of where to unroll our swags.   We found a seat and settled down to enjoy a natural horsemanship display by a local horseman, followed by a delicious dinner and some karaoke by the campfire before we turned in for the night.  We all tucked into our swags underneath a chandelier of stars knowing that when we woke up our lives for the next three days would be like nothing we had experienced before. 

The each day for the next three days went something like this…..

At 5am when it was still dark we rose, got ourselves dressed, rolled our swags up and put them and our bags into the horse float that would transport them to the next camp.

Breakfast was served at around 5.30am and this consisted of everything from steaming, creamy porridge to a full cooked breakfast with every ingredient imaginable washed down by your choice of billy tea or coffee.  After breakfast you washed and dried your dishes and grabbed your apple and muesli bar for morning smoko which was eaten on your horse while you were droving.

By 6.30am we made our way over to the horse break to be paired up with our allocated horses. My first horse’s name was Lisa – a 15hh Chestnut mare with a slightly jumpy disposition.  We got well acquainted and by the end of the second day we were best of friends (without incident I might add).  (I had a beautiful little black mare called Whitney on my final day while Lisa enjoyed a well earned rest.)

Once all the riders had mounted their horses (with the assistance of the helpful volunteers and a milk crate) the Boss Drover David “Chook” Hay and his trusted assistants got the cattle moving in the direction we were heading, the “guest” drovers fell in behind to keep the cattle moving along.  This gave the riders a chance to have a bit of a chat and get to know the others in the group.  The experience levels of riders varied from people who had ridden in their younger years, to people who had 4 lessons before they left home, to people like myself and my friend that have our own horses and ride at home (but not as much as we should).  At 41 I was the youngest “guest” drover in our group.

We moved the cattle throughout the morning towards our lunch camp where the chuck wagon would be waiting for us with our lunch (and cameras) on board.  We travelled over sweeping plains of golden grass and cracked soil all of which was desperate for rain.  We pulled up for lunch during the middle of the day for an hour or so.  The cattle were yarded in a temporary yard and the horses were hobbled and rested while we dined on sandwiches, cakes, slices and fruit.  Some riders took the opportunity to rest up whilst I went crazy taking as many photographs as I could!  I became quite proficient at being one of the first in and having my horse hobbled so I could capture images of the cattle coming into water.

Once everyone had had their fill and a rest we saddled up for the final leg of the day.  The process of starting out was the same as it was earlier that morning with the Boss Drover and his people getting the cattle moving and us “guest” drovers falling in behind.  We averaged about 12kms each day on horseback getting back into camp about 5pm.  This gave us enough time before dark to grab our bags and swags out of the float, find an even, rock free area of gravel and roll out our swags for the night.  Bathing consisted of a packet of baby wipes and the dunny was a “long drop” with three sheets of corrugated iron as the walls (no door!).  No room for princesses out there that was for sure.

Dinner was cooked and served by the army of volunteers that take time out of their lives each year to feed the masses and what an amazing job they do.  No one ever went hungry and the quality of the food was second to none.  Complete with several types of desserts all served with custard or icecream every night.  Camp cooking at its finest.

After dinner and a chat by the fire our swags were calling so we took our weary bones off to bed to snuggle down under the stars to reflect on the day that was and the day yet to come.

One of the most memorable quotes from this trip was…..The pain will fade but the memories will last for ever….ain’t that the truth!

In the words of A B “Banjo” Paterson….For the drover's life has pleasures that the townsfolk never know. 

KA

Roadtrip to Southampton (via St George, Qld) Part One

30th October 2015 - 1st November 2015

At 4pm on 30th October three quarters of the family (Mum, Dad n the Lil Princess - the Man Child had to work) set off from Beaudesert to deliver a bunch of calendars to a lady who I was yet to meet IRL (in real life) near St George - near is a term used rather loosely.

Kylie has been following my Facebook page (KAddy's Collection) for the last few years and has been a regular liker, commenter and purchaser of my calendars (by the bundle).  

When I was asking for suggestions of places to visit she commented on the post and suggested I "pop" out to her place, Southampton near St George (more about Southampton here at Central Station).  I thought I would take the opportunity to save her some postage and "run" them out to her (I was also in desperate need for a break away from the hustle and bustle of home/work life and I was also searching for my mojo and was hoping to find it out there).

This map fibs a little - all up we travelled just over 1100km there and back.

We travelled to Goondiwindi on Friday night and stopped over at the Comfort Inn - super helpful staff, comfy accommodation and a hot shower - what more do you need?

Luckily Macca's were open when we hit the road just after 6am - hot choccie fix - tick! (I did make sure everyone else got fed too!).

After a couple of hours we arrived in St George - what a cute lil town.  We refuelled at the bakery and then had a quick look around town and down by the river.  The Jacaranda trees were in full bloom and just gorgeous.

Our final destination was still 1.5hrs west nor west of St George.  Kylie had given me some awesome directions which meant we did not end up in Mitchell.  

On the drive in from the main road we came across this beauty.  While I was out snapping away the boss let down the tyre pressure to help the tyres with the rocky road.

We arrived at Southampton and were greeted by Kylie, T.J (her partner) and two of her three kids (the eldest is away at boarding school).  It instantly felt like we were catching up with old friends (not totally brand new ones).  The Lil Princess hit it off with her "new big sister" - there were puppies to play with and cats to pat - she was in heaven.

Spot the Wonderdog - he is cool!

Julie digging to China

After a chat and a cuppa Kylie and T.J took us out for a look around and to put some lick out for the cattle.  Given the dry conditions and lack of sufficient feed on the gound, lick is fed to the cattle to help sustain them. While driving around feeding the lick out storms could be seen brewing way out.  Decisions had to be made whether to put the rest of the lick out because if the lick gets wet it can make your cattle pretty crook.  Kylie was convinced that the storms would go around them so the rest of the lick was fed out....then...the thunder and lightening got closer...and...the fat raindrops started to fall.  We got back to the house just in time.  

What are "ewe" looking at!

  Cantankerous old ewe

 Penny getting into the lick

 Cute lil baldy calf (who did not want a photo taken)

 Check out the "old man" ear hair on this cow

 Kylie giving Penny a scratch

 Nice rack ;)

 A couple of the old girls getting into it

Heifers enjoying the lick

The skies opened and the rain fell...more rain than they has seen in a while.  The gauge read about 30ml after the two storms had past but I think some of the sideways rain missed the gauge and it was probably more like 50ml.  Watching the kids catch glasses of rainwater straight from the downpipes and seeing the smiles on everyone's face made up for the non existent sunset.  I'll take a storm in the bush where they need it desperately any day.

 My only lightening shot - well underexposed but I got it

 Pigeon was less than impressed with the rain

The whole time I was sitting on the verandah sipping my rum, eating nibblies and watching the rain, I had Ganggajang floating around in my head (I had to change a couple of the words as there were no cane fields in sight) This is Australia

Seriously "the" coolest front fence and an awesome outlook

 Storm clouds - a welcome sight in this part of the world

The kids were itching to get out into the puddles, even the cat got in on the action.  We went for a little walk when the rain stopped and there was water EVERYWHERE!  

Even the cat enjoyed the puddles

After a beautiful home cooked dinner of home grown meat we retired for the night to the workers quarters for a much needed sleep (and once we found the Aeroguard sleep came easily).  Bloody mozzies!

Part Two to follow....