(G)Rumblin’ through Queensland—or (P)Terodactyl’s Terrible Trip

[Cormanus]

Not long after leaving Banana, we turned off to look at the Dawson mine near a place called Moura. It’s a huge open-cut coal mine and has also had underground operations in the past. It was the scene of underground explosions killing 12 miners in 1986 and 11 in 1994. I think I’m right saying that all underground mining ceased there after 1994. We climbed the viewing platform and admired the view of the man-made mountains. I was to see plenty of those in coming days.







After negotiating the marvellous bends outside Theodore a couple of times so Pterodactyl could shoot some footage for one of his epic movies, we progressed back into the hill country, stopping to admire the view at the Isla lookout. We had to negotiate bit of gravel with a couple of very dry slippery bits, but it was worth it.








The Isla lookout and the surrounding roads provide a pleasant break from the miles of relatively flat and straight road

We were a bit late back to Taroom where the locals had organised a barefoot bowling afternoon with the Rumblers. We arrived at the bowling green in time not to be selected for any of the teams. Luckily we were still entitled to access the bar, so we spent a pleasant afternoon sipping an ale or two and watching and chatting with the bowlers. The bowling and subsequent auction of bits and pieces of Rumblers merchandise raised some $3,000 for the local palliative care facility, a contribution well received by the locals.


The bowlers

Australian rural tradition has regular lucky door prizes and raffles in pubs and clubs. The prize is often a meat tray. I wish I could report that they are nearly always won by vegans, but it would not be true. I can, though, report that a Rumbler won a meat tray which was to provide a substantial contribution to the next morning’s breakfast for those who like their breakfast protein that way.

Slabs of locally produced meat are awarded as prizes Down Under

Food, a glass or two of vin ordinaire and it was bed time. The first day of riding with the Rumblers lay ahead.