I'm off to Kingaroy this afternoon for the weekend. My brother lives out there with his family just outside of the town itself. It's about 3 hours west of Brisbane.
Kingaroy is probably best known as the peanut capital of Queensland, and perhaps even Australia. This becomes accessible to the general public via places like the Peanut Van.
You can pick up big packs of peanuts in an incredible range of flavours. I always thought peanuts were something in trail mix or to have with a beer, but the sheer variety of flavours makes them a snack all their own (I might stick with the beer though).
There's also plenty of half decent wineries but I don't think I'll be there long enough to do them all justice.
I was meeting up with some interstate friends in the glorious Byron Bay for the weekend and had assumed they’d book a B&B or whathaveyou. When they emailed saying they were camping, I was stoked. I’ve been gaggin’ for a camping trip since the weather’s started to warm up and what better place than Byron, RIGHT on the beach.
I bought ‘my first tent' that night and was so excited, I could barely contain myself for the rest of the week. There is something VERY cool about owning your own tent. I dunno if it’s the independence – knowing that ‘have tent, will travel’, you can pack up and go at the drop of a hat, the actual ‘outdoorsy roughin’ it’ aspect, the fact that you’re doin’ it on your own [if you don’t count my having to ask neighbourly Brian to help me with the guy ropes!], or a combination of all three.
God it was good to be wanderin’ round in thongs [w grubby feet!], cookin’ up a storm on the barbie, sleepin’ flat out like a lizard drinkin’ as we lot say, and just that ridiculous ‘wound down’ feeling you can only get when camping. Relaxed, yet invigorated by the surrounds. Ocean breeze. Sunshine. Foliage. The odd scrub turkey [who devoured our watermelon!]
The whole weekend was sensational - walks on the beach, first-thing-in-the-morning wake-up swims, having no plans, no concept of time, the socialisation with like-minded laidback folk, a few beers at sunset, coffees and breakfasts at the local cafe, and generally dropping out for a bit...
Bliss...
GI Ging
I was just sitting down to my breakfast this morning and I came across a headline that caught my eye:
Was Nick older than he'd been telling us and now old age has caught up with him?
First Tuesday of every November, Australia grinds to a halt to watch a little horse race called the Melbourne Cup. Victorians even get the day off work to watch it.
It's a day when blokes get pissed, chicks wear ridiculous hats to the race course and people who don't normally gamble will generally have a flutter. I remember as young as 5 years old Mum and Dad would give me $2 and tell me to pick a horse. They'd lay the bet for me and give me anything my ticket won (which was $20 once only). Offices around the country have sweeps and pools and mystery bets.
Think I'll head down to the TAB and have a go. I've no idea who the favourite is so it'll be amazing if I win anything, but it's all about having a go.
Virgin Blue is holding a fare sale this week for flights taking off next year.
Sale ends midnight Wednesday Nov 5, or when all tickets are sold, whichever comes first.
Prices are one way and include all taxes. All prices are "from $XX" meaning w'ends and peak times will probably be more expensive. Booking over the phone costs $10 more per flight.
Some examples:
Cairns from $89
Sydney from $39
Melbourne from $89
Adelaide from $89
Valid for travel January 13 - June 30, 2004.