Day 73 - Falling into place

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Killarney - Boonah via Falls Drive (Ride) 72km

When we chat to Claire and Callum, the very friendly and hospitable managers of the Sundown Motel and Caravan Park in Killarney, we say that "things are slowly falling into place" on this trip. Looking back, the first two months were often tricky and the art of letting go and leaving behind had to be learnt from anew. But over the course of the last week, I am starting to feel a shift. Both body and mind are more in tune and at peace with the changed rhythm of life. The Queensland factor is maybe coincidental or maybe it plays a role in this. The degree of friendliness around us is on the rise and I feel more relaxed to engage with people crossing our paths. I also share Louise's sentiment that Killarney is an inviting place and it would have been lovely to spend another day or two here. If you ever get to this part of the continent, make Killarney your base and plan for some adventurous days around this area. Because what was to come on day 72 of our tour was simply breathtaking and spectacular, in every sense of these words. If there was an anonymous vote amongst the Coddiwomplers, including Ruby, I get to her in a minute, I think today would win best day on tour so far. 

Just a brief description of where we are and then we let the many photos of today do the talking (via the following link). We are travelling through (a small section of) the Main Range NP in the Southern Downs region of Queensland. Part of the park is a Gondwana Rainforest of Australia Heritage Area and is home to endangered species and the spectacular Queen Mary Falls. There are mountain vistas galore and a pass road that makes every Swiss mountain pass I have ever been on look harmless.

Of course, looking back on a day like this, over a great pizza and quaffing a cheap bottle of Merlot at the Commercial Hotel in Boonah, after conquering 850m of steep climbing, after squeezing the brakes so hard that we could smell the hot discs, after hair raising downhills and backbreaking uphills, everything looks great. 

The thing is, it truly was.
But I can't finish today's post without mentioning Ruby. She is our mascot, a little rubber duck, born in the fun days of the Clare Valley Social Distance Runners, named by our good friends the Maher Family and always enjoying the best seat in the house: on my handle bar.
Ruby got quite excited today. She met a fellow travelling rubber duck, a real cool dude by the name of 'Launchpad McQuack', strapped to the camera on a Kawasaki motorbike, ridden by an equally cool looking traveller...

We are glad to report that she decided to stay with us and not to jump ship. 

Location: Boonah QLD 4310, Australia

Comments

  1. FrancieApril 22, 2022 at 8:58 AM

    Glad Ruby didn't jump bike. The photos are fabuloso. We have had few days of rain down here. Clearing for about a week which is good as Auntie Annie arriving this evening She will come to Greek Easter this Sunday with us then we will bring her to my Aunty Prue's 96th BYO lunch at Prue's house in Melton - and Anne will stay there. Joe and I will then travel on to the Windmill Caravan Park for three nights to visit friends. We already have two dinners, one lunch and one morning tea invitations - which will cover 11 friends! Though Joe is undeniably more excited about us collecting sheep manure by which we have to crawl under a sheepshed. He has even made his own poo scraper!

    ReplyDelete
  2. BrendaApril 23, 2022 at 7:06 AM

    I wonder what story Ruby would write about the encounter? Nice to know you have someone looking out for you. I am sure you have muscles on your muscles by now, making it possible to climb those ascents. We too had a family gathering post Easter, a few staying over. Hardly any rain here, very, very dry, having to feed cows every second day. Nice to see you looking well.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 3, 2022 at 1:22 PM

    Oy vay!!!! Those photos are stunning! How have we not heard of this place???

    ReplyDelete

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