Day 12: Sat 30 Apr - Stanthorpe to Texas, 102km; total towed: 634km

14-27 deg C, fine and sunny almost all day, clouds coming over in the afternoon

We were packed up an on the road a bit before 8:30am as we had to stop in at the pharmacy that only opened at 8:30am. Task completed we were soon heading out of town on a new road for us to a new town for us.

The road today was not at all what we expected it to be - narrow, lumpy, twisty-turny, and undulating, and there were no places to pull over and have mornos. We arrived at Texas just after 10am, set up at the Texas Free Camp, had mornos then went for a ride to see the sights that Texas has to offer.

Fist stop was at the Rabbit Works which is advertised as "A truly unique visitor experience". We ventured back in time and learned about the feral rabbit industry and the vital role it played in local and Australian history. Probably the most interesting display was the video that explained how the Akubra hats are made and we now know why they cost so much; it is a very labour intensive process, even though there are a lot of machines involved. The other interesting fact was that this 'factory' processed up to 6 000 rabbits per day!

It was then a little bit of a hike up a long hill (felt like it anyway) to the water tank art, that unfortunately did not have an explanation as to what the mural was depicting. However, it was a good mural.

We came home via the top of town, however, there was nothing to see there, so we kept riding. On the way down the hill, Greg decided to ride the road we will take tomorrow to meet up with our other fellow travellers, Bob and Noeleene at Yelarbon.

Pub night was at Stockman Hotel, and all meals were really plentiful and delicious. Back to the vans for the night time routine.

Not bad after several years of heavy water restrictions followed by having to truck water in

Stanthorpe Museum, didn't go in

Sign at entrance to van park at Stanthorpe

"If it's flooded, forget it!" The only bit of water we've seen on this trip; we will probably see a lot more up North

Dinner venue

Spirit of Texas - reflects the image of a Phoenix; the universal symbol of renewal, it represents the Texas community's ability to overcome adversity

Texas Rabbit Works

Rabbit traps

A trapper's tent - imagine that in winter!

Nice, cute, fluffy bunnies

A trapper

Texas water tank art

The cows in a paddock adjacent the Texas Free Camp

Us & K&J at Texas Free Camp

Wider Texas Free Camp images

The first bit of colour we have seen in a sunset since leaving home

Big black clouds when we arrived for dinner

Dinner at Stockman Hotel

Day 11: Fri 29 Apr - Stanthorpe

12-20 deg C, cloudy with fleeting glimpses of the sun

Greg was up before light this morning and after a coffee he left on Shanks Pony to explore the town of Stanthorpe. On his way back home, he heard someone call out his name and it was his nephew Michael Walker on his way back from work in Lismore. He returned about 90 minutes later having enjoyed this interesting little place and having located the infamous brass monkey. Although it was no near cold enough to freeze his privates off this morning. Meanwhile, Wendy was again being a domestic goddess and did two loads of washing followed by a short walk. 

With K&J, we set off in the Cruiser to see the sights of Wallangarra and surrounds. The sad tale of the decline of the Railway Station was the first stop, it's a real shame how our railways have disappeared across the country over the years. These days the Station is an interesting cafe, museum, and function centre except for a few times a year when it hosts the Southern Downs Steam Railway service from Warwick. No trip to Wallangarra would be complete without the mandatory photo at the Qld/NSW border. Horror, we did actually step into NSW on one occasion. Although Greg had been to the Army's Wallangarra Stores Depot as part of his duties many moons ago, the others hadn't. So we did a drive by of the entrance being careful not to upset any of the Army Guards (joking). It was actually devoid of any human life.  

Next stop, which everyone was hanging out for, was the Heavenly Chocolate Cafe/Store, out in the middle of nowhere. Coffees were put on the back-burner and everyone ordered various types of hot chocolate; well we were in a chocolate factory! And it was delicious, especially when you get to the floating marshmallows. My goodness, we're all going to have to buy a new wardrobe when we get home. Not really as we all did a vigorous ride/walk when we got back to Stanthorpe. K, J & W walked into town for some retail therapy while G decided to ride up to the Mt Marley Lookout, a rather tough 8 percenter. 

Stanthorpe has plenty to offer and we've all decided to come back when there's something interesting going on; maybe a music festival. But not in the depths of winter as it's more than cool enough right now.  

We all did a bit of packing up bikes and sorting ready for our departure tomorrow, followed by sundowners, during which the mossies tried to carry us away.  

Tomorrow we move onto Texas - QLD that is.

St Joseph's School

St Joseph's Church

Stanthorpe Post Office and clock tower

Some of the pubs at Stanthorpe

Stanthorpe Murals

Top Of Town van park Dog on the Pallet

Van park sculptures

The Ballandean Fruitisforus ate Jo

Ballandean Railway Station

Bees in a Bottlebrush

Wallangarra Railway Station platforms

In NSW

Greg trying to change the points on the defunct railway line

Advertising NSW, on the QLD side

Absolutely!

Sculptures in a yard at Wallangarra

Church at Wallangarra

Heavenly Chocolate Café/Shop

Enjoying our hot chocolates

Yummmmmm

Chook yard at Heavenly Chocolate

Ballandean Pyramid - a man-made stone pyramid approximately 15 metres in height and built from blocks of the local granite.

Yurt accommodation at Ballandean

Pretty

Awesome colours

The elusive Brass Monkey, with a loose one

Wendy and Jo with the very sad Brass Monkey

Soldier's Memorial half-way up the Stanthorpe lookout