29 January 2000
Didn't write up the journal last night as we stayed at Don and
Dorothy's at Burleigh Waters, but after spending Thursday night
at Dalby (it poured rain all night, with occasional thunder and
lightning - in fact, I was told by the people at the motel that 2
inches (50mm) of rain had fallen overnight) we went on to
Toowoomba and booked the ute in for its service on Monday. From
there we continued heading towards the coast and finally arrived
at Don and Dorothy's place around 3:00 p.m. local time.
We were lucky to find someone home as Dorothy was at work (she
works permanent part-time at Myers), James was at work (he works
at the race course as a groundsman) and Don would have been at
work (he helps his son-in-law cut lawns) but for the heavy rain
which they also had on the Thursday night. So we chatted to Don
until Dorothy got home about 4:30; then James arrived with his
son Daniel (his youngest) at around 5:00; then his daughter
Tamara (the eldest) arrived about 5:30. After much chatting and
catching up we stayed on to dinner and then were glad to accept a
bed for the night.
Unfortunately we didn't have time to go and see Aunty Kath and
Uncle Les (Lionel is in Sydney at the moment), and nor did we see
Raymond and his wife Elizabeth, but it was great to see those we
did see and to meet Tamara and Daniel, whom we hadn't met before
and who both seem very nice.
Then this morning Dorothy was off to work, James was taking
Daniel down to see Aunty Kath and Uncle Les (they were both
having lunch there), Don was settling down to select his treble
for today's races and we headed back to Toowoomba (from where I
am writing this) where we will stay overnight and then early in
the morning go back up to Dalby and then on to Tara, hopefully to
give Harold and Norma a fright when (if) they arrive at the post
office to pick up their mail and make their telephone calls.
Country around Toowoomba and on down to the coast is really
pretty with green paddocks and cultivated fields of various
crops. Weather still overcast (but was more so on coast) and I
wouldn't be surprised to see more rain. Toowoomba (from what we
have seen so far) is a really pretty town with many old painted
weatherboard houses and extensive well-kept parks and gardens.
Look forward to seeing more of it (particularly town centre) on
Monday while ute being serviced.