Two days in Toowoomba - 14th June

I'm finding Toowoomba to be a real enigma. In 2011 the terrible floods here did so much damage and took so many lives in the area but to be here now with everything looking so normal it is hard to imagine how it happened. The little creek over the road from our cabin trickling through green parkland had been a raging brown torrent. Hints of the past were visible at the traffic light intersection only 200m from where we were staying. Cable ties on the railing where the pipes go under the road; some faded plastic flowers attached to the traffic light pole and a wreath laying as if abandoned on the traffic island. This looks like any set of traffic lights in any city, but it is not, this is where a Mother and Son lost their lives in the flood. Now it is hard to see how it was possible.

Something makes me want to find out. Having seen there horrific news coverage at the time I wanted to match photos of how we saw it with those press photos of the time. I have now combined my photos with press photos of the same area after walking the streets and watching everyone going about their lives like nothing happened. This had been my enigma but now I feel I understand a bit better.

Our other important thing to do was to ride to the town of Oakey where Trish's sister Pauline had been based with the Army some 35 years ago. The base on the outskirts of Oakey is now the Army Air Wing base. The guard house was brisling with CCTV cameras so we thought we had better explain our reason for lurking around outside. The Guard knew of Pauline but it was a long time ago and so much has changed. We left with Trish at least feeling she had some idea of where Pauline had been. None of the family had been to Toowoomba and Oakey after Pauline's death.

Feeling reasonably satisfied we headed back to town and on to the Cobb & Co Museum, which was very informative and enjoyable. They had a really good display title "Toowoomba never Floods" This was the impression I got when I was watching the news in 20011 and that it was a once off event. That enigma! As you go through the display you soon realize that Toowoomba has had many similar floods dating back to the 1860's. The final sign helped me put this in perspective. It read - "Toowoomba never floods - Always has - Always will" Finally it all made more sense. Realizing that we still had more to do here we booked in for another night in the cabin - not so "Intrepid" for these three nights. Strange as it may seem we sort of missed our little tent and our air mattresses on the ground.

Next day - 15h June

Back on the bikes after wheeling them back out of the very difficult driveway of the cabin. Times like this four wheel and reverse gear would be great. Our first stop was to Picnic Point on the edge of the range. Toowoomba sits on top of the range and runs right up to the edge. The views were great and Trish could feel the presence of her sister having been in that area in the past. Trish's personal feelings radar was running overtime and I have learnt to never doubt what she feels as there have been so many times where I have been amazed by what she has picked up. She has absolutely no sense of direction but when it comes to feeling things from people and family she makes up for the lack of sense of direction.

After Picnic Point we went to the Japanese Garden which turned out to be well worth the visit. So tranquil, restful and beautiful. While strolling around and starting to feel a bit as Trish would say " Starving" we noticed people sitting eating, so a simple question led us to find out that there was all sorts of food available over the road at the University of Southern Queensland. Looking like a couple of geriatric students we lined up and bought lunch and sat in the Refectory to eat. Hunger satisfied we wandered back through the Japanese Garden . Sigh! Then back to the cabin and the boys in Lycra shorts. There is a big bike tour on and a lot of the healthy young competitors are staying at the same caravan park.

Final plan for the day was to walk into town and visit the Toowoomba Art Gallery. Another idea that turned out to be great. An exhibition by a Russian born but now Australian artist - Jenny Sages was excellent, along with the other exhibits.

There is probably more we could have done in Toowoomba but we still see the birds flying north for the winter and we feel the urge to follow . . . . . .

Dave