Day 68 - Odd one out

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Texas to Lake Coolmunda 50km

Heading out of Texas on Easter Saturday, having (hopefully) avoided the worst of the holiday traffic yesterday, we are secure in the knowledge that despite the Easter long weekend, Shelley who runs the campground at our destination, will squeeze us in somewhere.  We do actually plan to get to Stanthorpe but everyone told us to avoid the direct Texas-Stanthorpe road, the horrified looks on their faces when we mentioned it were quite off putting.  So we are heading North, and will head back SE on the back roads to get to Stanthorpe and one of Queensland's two wine regions.

The ride is uneventful, not too hilly, not too windy, not too hot, also, to be honest, not too interesting.  The interesting part comes after we arrive at Greenup Meeting Place, Shelley's campground.  She is there to greet us, a vintage woman jetting about on an ATV.  The campground is on the family property, with a large frontage along the Lake, and it is packed.  I'm talking Toyota Land Cruisers, Dodge Rams, Ford Rangers as far as the eye can see, if it's 4WD and diesel it was there.  Typically accompanied by a bloke with a beard, the wife/girlfriend in a huge pair of sunglasses and any number of bare foot kids.  Kerstin and I stick out like vegans at Meatstock.  Despite being busier than a blue arsed fly Shelley takes pity on us and installs us in a no camping area with a picnic table and close to the amenities.  She even makes sure to tell us that we can refill our water bottles from  her raintank, and offers us her brazier in case we get cold. 

Outside of the Easter long weekend I bet this place is the perfect camping spot.  It's beautiful along the water, and the old school house has been converted into group accommodation, they even host weddings. 


As sun goes down we enjoy the communal campfire, but being on a different kind of schedule to everyone else, we head to bed early.  This unfortunately does not lead to a good night's sleep as the family in the group accommodation also have access to the hall,  including the sound system.  And the music played on, and on.   Let me tell you, tents have absolutely no resistance to noise, usually we can hear everything from a mouse raiding the museli bars left in the bike bags to frogs hopping around the tent and occasionally, early in the morning if we are quiet we can hear the kangaroos chewing.   
Needless to say,  we look forward to a more peaceful night tomorrow. 



Location: Lake Coolmunda, Coolmunda QLD 4387, Australia

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