Emerald–Lake Maraboon 10-10-12 to 13-10-12

Had an uneventful trip to Emerald (much of the country was interesting), all the fun started when we arrived.  The trip (500+km) has taken longer than expected and it is quite late (5ish) when we get to Emerald). First job was to find somewhere to stay, the caravan/cabin park in town seemed to be the most sensible since we were not familiar with this area.  The caravan park was pretty crowded (which we don’t like), but we went into the reception area anyway.  They sent us way down the back and we were dismayed to see how close together all the caravans were.  All the cabins (or most of them) were being used by workmen from the mines.  We were not at all happy with where they wanted us to go and could not even see how we were going to get our tent into the allocated spot.  It also looked very possible that piles of people would surround us.  On to another park, we were told it was pretty ordinary and full up anyway.  Oh dear.  We decided to  stay in a motel for the first night and look for a camping spot in the morning.  Hmm, no room at the inn at all, not a vacancy anywhere.  We were talking to  each other on the CB radio when a man butted in and asked us what we were looking for.  We told him and he informed us that we had no hope in town, but that there may be vacancies at Lake Maraboon about 20 kms out of town.  He also told us that we would have to  go  in the back way since the road across the dam wall was closed.  A very helpful,citizen!

Off we went.

Arrived at the park feeling a little dispirited and again sent down to the back (this park is pretty full too).  We don’t feel too enthusiastic about anything at this stage but have no choice so we settle in.  It is getting dark as we set up.  Michael fortunately heard on the radio, as he came back from reception, that we were due for a storm that evening.  Bummer, Tony is quite confident in his troopie, but our tent has only been exposed to a very slight shower, a storm with possible hail sounds a little threatening.  Michael puts lots of guy ropes on the tent. The wind began to build.  Sure enough just as we finished tea, the thunder and lightning started, then the pouring rain.  The tent came through with full marks, not a single drop inside and it withstood the wind very well indeed, needless to say the troopie didn’t even notice the storm.

Next morning we are feeling more enthusiastic and the park looks a lot better.  Michael and I have quite a large site (for a tent) and we have a huge off road van being towed by an American truck next door, no-one else on the other side.  There are vacant spots around us, so we have quite a private little spot.  The showers in our are are a bit old, but there is a newer shower block some walk away.

We drove to  the information centre to see what was what, checked out the mine tours and the lady in the information centre booked us into Carnarvon Gorge.  We had morning tea and drove to Rubyvale for a mine tour into a sapphire mine.  Had lunch in the pub at Rubyvale and went on the tour.  This proved to be very interesting.  Tony who had not thought he would enjoy it did so.  We were the only ones in the party and our guide was great.  And oh my, the jewellery in the shop was fabulous.

When we got back to the park (which is now great, hehe) our neighbours had come back from their fishing trip and had some ‘redclaw’  these are large yabby type creatures who are vegetarians!  We get all the info on how to catch them and begin to feel enthusiastic about having a try ourselves.  We need opera nets!

Next day Michael and I head off into town to buy some nets and to go back to Rubyvale where we had a go at fossicking for sapphires.  We found a few little pieces and one quite large that is a blackish colour and called a ‘bomb’, not worth cutting.  One little piece is quite nice and I am having it polished into a cabochon (it will be quite small when finished but it is a memento of our trip to Emerald).

When we get back with the nets, we bait them with potato, dog biscuits and orange (these are some of the suggestions we had).  We took them down to the lake and dropped them in.  Tony could hardly contain himself and kept on wanting to go and check his net.  We were told that they are night feeders and to  wait until morning.

Our neighbours (Ian and Jillian) had caught a bucket full and gave us a dozen small ones to try.  We grilled them on the BBQ with some butter and were quite impressed.

Next morning, off we went quite excited to see if we had caught any.  Michael and I had 4, Tony had 2, but they were quite large.  Great excitement.

We have lots of lovely birds around our campsite.

It is now getting quite cold at night and it may not be long before we need long pants instead of shorts.  Michael and I have brought way too many clothes and the ones we don’t need are on the roof of the car.  We decide to get the bag down and transfer some of the warmer type clothes into our bag.  Oh dear, one of our bags of clothes is soaking wet, the canvas roof carry bag has leaked, probably during our storm. Just as well we found it, the clothes would have become mouldy pretty soon. 

Tony has become enthusiastic about powered sites and we get them as often as possible.  Two days ago it suddenly occurred to him that now he was on power he could use an ELECTRIC jug and a toaster.  He had a toaster but went out and bought a jug.  He has been boiling water as much as possible, including water for us.  We couldn’t stand it any longer and today we went out and bought a jug and a toaster for ourselves, civilisation while camping!

Mum, dad and the kid.

We will be without internet connection for the next 4 (I think) days.