Sunday June 7th Well we threw off the track suits and windcheaters and on went the shorts and shirts. Nights are still cool, but the days soon warm up to about 24c.What a relief! This park is great. It was once the old Charleville racecourse, back in 1932, then it became a piggery after that it was sold to to the present owners, who have developed the caravan park. It is a little different to some other parks. No smoking! Not suitable for children! No pets allowed. It is in a quiet bush setting, but with power, internet, TV and phone access. A camp fire every night at 5 for those who would like a chat and a drink before tea. Toilets and showers are unisex, with shower rooms and toilet rooms. Very civilised indeed. We came for one night and booked for three and extended for another day so we stayed for four. We went on the town flood and fire tour which cost $10 each. This town has had three major floods, the last of which was in 1990 where 3000 people had to be evacuated. The council, state government and Suncorp Insurance have now built flood mitigation levies as well as a concrete flood wall which is supposed to stop the water from the Warrego River inundating the town. Last heavy lengthy downpour the water came within one inch of breaching the top of the wall, so whether or not the levies and wall will hold in a major flood is yet to be seen and as the area is three years into a major drought it is hard to believe it ever rained here or ever will again. Australia, you got to be in awe of it!!!
As for the fire part of the tour it was mainly about the pubs which seemed to burn down and be rebuilt very quickly, but most of them seemed to take it in turns to burn and be rebuilt.
Today, Thursday June 11th, we head off to Muckadilla for one night, where camping is at the back of the pub. We have no idea of what it is like, but it can't be any worse than Mount Hope.They charge a small fee for power and the pub meals are supposed to be good. After that we head for Taroom and then we go to Mount Morgan for a few days. We have some photos, but will upload those in the next post.