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Mitsubishi 4WD Owners Club of Qld (Inc) |
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Crows Nest - May '06 |
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Helidon to Crows Nest Trip ... 16/17 May '09There was word around the club that our Trip Coordinator – John Veling, had finally decided to run his first trip. It was with excitement and some trepidation that we all signed up for the unknown. There had been many stories of the recce’s and with Ross Hall as his assistant (for want of a better word) what more could you ask for in the recipe for a fun weekend? Those brave enough to sign up for the unknown were: Lisa Nehring; Allan & Lorraine Puckridge; Rodney & Mary Metcalfe; Geoffrey & Roslyn Loy; Graeme Clarke & Debbie Doherty and their friend Pam; Ross Hall as TEC and of course John Veling as Trip Leader. The BP Service Station at Blacksoil was the meeting point to kick off the weekend. John experienced some trouble getting folks away from their cappuccino’s and Latte’s but once he herded everyone together and the formalities were completed we were on our way. John had decided the trip along the highway was a little mundane so he had prepared a quiz, with a promised and much sought after prize being on offer for the winner. John must have driven up and down that road all day to get the questions and answers together. One question, and there were about 30 of them, that still has people discussing is “is the Pink Elephant between Blacksoil & Helidon a male or a female?” If anybody has a definitive answer to this vexing question I am sure you would settle many continuing arguments. Helidon was upon us in no time where we soon found dirt – DIRT; we didn’t think John’s Pajero ever saw dirt. And dust you could have carved slices off. But he did have Ross with him as assistant and we all know Ross’s love of dirt and dust! In hindsight it was fortunate it was dusty because had it been the week after, we would have all been up to our running boards in mud. Ravensbourne National Park was the picturesque venue for morning tea. The views were amazing of the valley below and looking over Gatton and surrounding towns and mountains. As we left the picnic area we recalled John’s recent conversation about an area where he had been bogged during one of his recce’s, I believe this was the track as it was clearly signed “dry weather only track.” Even though there hadn’t been too much recent rain it was still a little wet in places. Well, not since just before John did his final recce, during which he apparently found out why it was signed “dry weather only!” This track lead us to Munro’s Tramway – this tramway was a private light railway from Munro’s Sawmill at Palmtree to take timber up to the Queensland Railway line at Hampton and dates back to around 1896. Unfortunately all that was left was the level ground where the track once lay but it was interesting to drive along the path of the track and look at the way they followed the contours of the land for the flattest route. Bush Walking was the next thing on the agenda, back at Ravensbourne National Park. We had driven about ¾ of an hour along dirt roads seeing spectacular views to end up 400m below the picnic area from where we started. We would like to believe this was planned and not the result of John being geographically challenged, as claimed many times by his assistant and Tail End Charlie Ross. The walk took about 45mins through mainly rainforest and, much to Graeme’s disgust, down into the valley – where he pointed out many times we had to walk back uphill to get back to the car! It was hard to believe such a tropical rain forest could thrive in such a dry surrounding area. By this stage we had worked up an appetite so Esk was the next stop and venue for lunch. Depending on how you looked at it, it was unfortunate that the antique shops were closed but the Esk Pub wasn’t and thankfully they were well prepared for us. After an enjoyable lunch and a quick walk through what shops were open we headed for our camp site – Crows Nest National Park. John had booked out 13 of the 15 camp sites as there were a few local events happening in the surrounding areas and didn’t want to risk not having enough sites for everyone. Once everyone had picked their sites and after we claimed one for the happy hour camp fire there were still 3 sites left vacant. But we were about to see John’s bent for commercial opportunism. As the afternoon went on other vehicles drove through looking for a camp site for the night. Of course we had all available sites booked and paid for but John seeing an opportunity, the entrepreneur that he is, was right on the ball, quickly jumping out of his chair, carefully resting his drink on the ground, he bounded across the camp ground after them one by one. He managed to sell all the remaining campsites and we believe turn a small profit. The evening just seemed to flow from happy hour to dinner to after dinner drinks and on into the night. The Loy’s were a little more excited than usual, they were childless – of course their kids are grown up but apparently this was the first weekend they had enjoyed in years on their own and kept bragging about it. Yes, in case you are wondering they did go to bed before most others! One would have expected them to be sleeping in on Sunday but they were seen returning from one of the many bush walking tracks very early next morning. Even though the park was very dry, it was very relaxing and the bird life certainly reminded you that you were in the bush. On Sunday after a leisurely pack up of camp and a very civilized departure time we recommenced our journey, heading through Crows Nest town on through Hampton eventually stopping at the Black Forest Cuckoo shop a few kilometers outside of Hampton. The clocks, glass wear and jewellery were beautiful. It was just the place for morning tea. Most folks simply had coffee but two people are worthy of mention. Firstly Lisa; how she was able drink that huge iced coffee while Graeme looked on with a pitiful “wish I could have one” look on his face I do not know. And then there was Mary! Mary was able to devour a huge serving of Black Forest cake with about half litre of cream adorning it. All the time ignoring Rodney salivating in front of her. Mary even did it with a smile on her face. Rodney had to settle for a simple white coffee, all the while watching as Mary devour a slice of cake large enough to feed the whole group. Then, to make matters worse, leaving one small piece of cake on the plate with a look in Rodney’s direction, daring him! Once everyone had filled their tummies we did a u-turn and headed down into what looked to be someone’s private property ending up in a state forest which seemed to get used by a lot of motor bikes. What we didn’t realise was we were actually travelling down the range via unknown dirt roads ending up at the bottom of the Toowoomba Range at Murphy’s Creek. At this point the Puckeridges departed for home and the rest of the group headed for Spring Bluff Railway, we had done a complete circle and none of us knew the road even existed. Late lunch was had at Spring Bluff Railway Station – even though it was almost winter the gardens were still lovely. When I say late lunch it was exactly that but we managed to entertain ourselves till it arrived. After lunch the Metcalfe’s and Loy’s departed for home which left John, Ross, Lisa, Pam, Graeme and I to stand by the rail track and wave to the loco driver as a long and obviously very heavy coal train passed through. Going home via the bitumen was boring so let’s find some more dirt was the suggestion and dirt we found, finding ourselves back at Helidon where we originally started our journey. I am sure I can speak on behalf of everyone who attended the weekend that John led a great trip with the assistance of his nagging and sometimes questioning side kick Ross Hall. John put a lot of work into making sure it was an interesting weekend and hopefully it won’t be too long before he leads another mysterious and interesting trip or should I say, “leads us up the garden path”……. As a foot note, the winner of the quiz was the Loy’s. And the much sought after prize a packet of Tim Tams which Jeff kindly and unselfishly shared around the campfire. The question still remains, what sex is that damn elephant? Debbie Doherty Back to Top
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