A few quickies for the Drrons..

[drron]

And we are all so excited about tasting some wine.

.

.

.

.
I hope no one remembers this.

.
And so it begins.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

Things are getting serious.

.

.

.

.
And so endeth the wine tasting.I last visited Chateau Yaldara in 1966.I didn't think much of the wines then and 52 years later my opinion has not changed.The 40 year old tawny port was nice but at $600 a bottle there are better ports at a lot lower price IMHO.
So now waiting to board the bus for Saltrams.

.

.

.

.

 

[JohnM]

A couple of the sprightly older crew did a good job holding up the bar.

.

Hmmm - I know a little bit about those blokes' age . Youngsters both. Born a mere one day later and @cove would have been in a primary school year after me .

 

[drron]

At Saltrams the roses were in full flower.

.

.

.

.

.

.
When I was younger Mamre Brook shiraz was one of my favourite drops.I had a rule back then-never pay more than $5 a bottle.Now I always thought Mamre Brook was a little stream so wondered if this bridge went over it.

.

.
But it turns out I was standing right in front of it.

.
It is the original house that William Salter built on the property.In my defence I have never visited Saltram's before.

 

[drron]

Better hurry they are all off to the tasting.

.
much more serious here.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
I also like port and this was at one time a favourite of mine.At present on special at $53 a bottle which makes it much better value than the Yaldara offering.

.

 

[drron]

Now is this why Buzz put Saltrams on the tour?

.

.
Though I think it was because of this.

.

.
Time for lunch.

.

.

.

.
Definitely an enjoyable lunch.

 

[drron]

Then back outside to smell the roses.

.

.

.

.
And the magnificent tree in the car park.

.
Then on to the last stop-Mengler's Hill lookout and sculpture park.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

And off I go inspecting the sculptures.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
So the weekend comes to an end.A really enjoyable time.And to think we only attended because of a cancelled cruise.Originally we wouldn't be back home until next wednesday the 7th.
Thanks to the organisers and all who attended.
And a big thanks to Buzzard AKA Buzz for a great day on Sunday.All that was left now was to take most to the airport and a few souls back to their hotels.
We flew back to BNE again on a QF 717.Once again only 1 agent for boarding and she stood on the Y side.They really didn't want to let any of us in.
Next-a short weekend to Hervey Bay.

 

[drron]

The next weekend was a "tax" weekend.Went to a Company AGM and then on to Hervey Bay to our investment unit.Just short of Maryborough just before you turn off the Bruce to go to Hervey Bay there is a Lychee Cafe.We thought we might try their lychee ice cream.Dont think we will stop again.They also have a lychee "wine".Shame they didn't proof read the label.

.

.

A pity we dont get to our unit enough.

.

.

.

.

.

We went for a little walk.There is an Asian restaurant near the Boat club.This menu item intrigued me-

.
We normally season any silver fish we find with Mortein.

 

[drron]

Whilst in Hervey Bay we had dinner at the Vinyard restaurant and Saturday lunch at Coast.They are rated 1 and 2 on Trip Advisor and I do agree with that Both are highly recommended.Reviews here-
Hervey Bay Restaurants.

After dinner on Friday night nature put on a spectacular show.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

 

[drron]

Before we had lunch on Saturday we watched the Offshore Power Boat race.Boring.very few watching so I guess it is only for Pay Tv.

.

.

.
On the way home we stop[ped at the Park just south of Gympie.Basically because mrsdrron loves jacarandas.

.

.

.

.

.
Now Brisbane City Council wants to declare jacarandas a noxious weed and replace them all with eucalypts.

 

[JohnM]

Now Brisbane City Council wants to declare jacarandas a noxious weed and replace them all with eucalypts.

What's the reasoning? They look good in November, but can be a PITA - eg. I once long ago had one near our swimming pool and the leaflets are like tea leaves in blocking the filter.

 

[drron]

Probably a combination of councils liking to be in control plus those that think everything should be a native species.Here is what they say.
Jacaranda | Weed Identification – Brisbane City Council

 

[drron]

The interesting story of this park in Gympie is that it was one of the centres of their gold rush.In the Eastern part of the park are some old workings plus a gold mining museum.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
Now many of you that have been to Alaska have been to Alaska would have seen Gympie gold.It is found in veins in quartz and usually makes great patterns.So if you went to a souvenir shop or cheap jewellers in Alaska you may have noticed they sell "Alaskan"nuggets.In fact they are from Gympie and typical of the gold from there.When there I got a couple of the shops admitting it was from Gympie.They were astounded that I identified it.

Now there was also this little fellow who indicated this was his best side.

.

 

[drron]

Just thought I should have posted a picture of a gympie gold quartz piece.Plenty of images from mr Google.Here is one.

.

 

[drron]

The last of the Gympie park.A nice place to stop.

.

.

.

.

Now another thing Gympie is famous for is floods.The levels are mind blowing.

.

.
Pretty impressive a 20 metre rise in the level of the Mary River.However that is by no means the highest flood.

.
But the winner is at 25.5 metres is-

.
So this is the last quickie for a while as now I am in Launceston.

 

[rogerkambah]

@drron I like reading your trip reports when I have time. They are always very informative.
However, many pics seem to have been 'censored'?

 

[drron]

Yes it is a problem since the time AFF switched platforms that many of the older pics don't show at first.Often a refresh gets them displayed but others turn into a cross.Also left click and view.Though the one of the gold nugget doesn't come back but it was copied from the internet and not one of mine.

 

[rogerkambah]

Yes it is a problem since the time AFF switched platforms that many of the older pics don't show at first.Often a refresh gets them displayed but others turn into a cross.Also left click and view.Though the one of the gold nugget doesn't come back but it was copied from the internet and not one of mine.

Thanx drron