THE WALLABY TRACK WITH LIONEL MUSSELL
NORTHERN ESCAPE
A RELATIVELY TROUBLE-FREE TRIP NORTH
ENDS IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW!
I left home, headed for Walkamin, Qld, and my
first stop was in Ardlethan, NSW. But word had
gotten around about the great little free camp where
there are four free sites next to a park. For $2 in
the slot you get 12 hours of power.
I arrived late, having packed away more
than 600km that day, and there were about a
dozen RVs there. Of course, all the powered sites
were taken.
The next morning, I headed for the Peak Hill
Caravan Park where my old friend, Leighton, is
still distributing scones with jam and cream to all
the travellers.
I stayed a couple of nights and even walked
around the site of the old open cut gold mine –
I did the longer perimeter walk and that really did
put my daily steps up.
Everything had been going so well this trip but
something must have woken Murphy!
Some days later, while having my early morning
heart-starter coffee, I noticed water dropping on
my hands. I'd left the hatch open as it was a warm
night and it was gently raining!
fog to the mix. I was very relieved when I got
to Atherton just a few kilometres from my
destination.
Letting my GPS guide me on a way that took me
around the town and watching for all the turns,
I didn't notice my speed until a zealous constable
flashed his lights and pulled me over.
A $265 fine and the loss of three demerit
points was the result, and then he asked if I had
any questions.
“Just one,” I said.
“What's that?” he asked.
“ Why did you have to be just there?”
“Because my boss told me too!” he replied.
The day brightened when I arrived at my favourite
caravan park and owner Lucy greeted me by
saying, “Welcome home!”
Then she spoilt it by calling me a hoon!
Getting on the road, the rain became worse, and
then a strong sidewind developed. Approaching
Ravenshoe, Qld, the weather gods added thick
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The Peak Hill open cut gold mine.