So, throughout this pandemic, I have not had a chance of leave, and I am finally taking three weeks off, and touring for a break, and to get out of Sydney!!! I will be heading up to Brisbane (staying with friends), out to Toowoomba to see a mate for lunch, afternoon tea at Harli with another friend, before a weekend on the Sunshine Coast. Up to Rockhampton for a nights stay, through to Longreach (via Emerald and Clermont) where I will visit the Qantas Founders Museum; so excieted!! All of this is confirmed!
![ROADTRIP FEB-MAR 2022](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891078492_c1383fb8dd_z.jpg)
After this, I will become somewhat 'fluid' and stop where I stop, drive where I drive, but for NOW, via Quilpie and Bourke before home!!!
So, I left in the wee hours of Saturday morning, I may, or may not, have had to return home after leaving Sydney, but oh well...
![ROADTRIP SYD-BNE-0581](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892037351_dd5f29f854_z.jpg)
![ROADTRIP SYD-BNE-0586](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892376709_300523082b_z.jpg)
Now my first stop was to visit my old mate Frank who passed away 18 months or so back. He is at a cemetary along side a beautiful lake and waterfall; sadly not flowing when I went past...
![ROADTRIP SYD-BNE-0587](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892376699_4ab161d775_z.jpg)
![ROADTRIP SYD-BNE-0590](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892037286_494509a340_z.jpg)
Along the road into the cemetary, is an avenue of Bunya Pines (Araucaria bidwillii), with a sign warning about the nuts The cones are 20–35 cm (7.9–13.8 in) in diameter, and can weigh as much as 18 kg (40 lb)[11] and are opened by large birds, such as cockatoos, or disintegrate when mature to release the large 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) seeds or nuts.
![ROADTRIP SYD-BNE-0591](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892376629_12cbc0a2e0_z.jpg)
![ROADTRIP SYD-BNE-0592](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892376584_b01a826b25_z.jpg)
From here I pushed north, through Port Macquarie, Cofffs Harbour, and did whats often said on long trips, 'Stop, Revive, Survive'!!!
![ROADTRIP SYD-BNE-0599](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892376534_0d9ee5357b_z.jpg)
The drive up was, largely, uneventful aside from a rather intense, but short, storm at about the Byrone Bay area or so, where I was reduced to about 60km/h (from 110km/h), and upon arrival, and after a VERY hot shower, I had a Roast Pork and veges, with a delicious crackling!!!!!
Stay tuned - more to come, but I am in Brisbane for the next 6 days!!
![ROADTRIP SYD-BNE-0608](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51891078952_dd5a9acee8_z.jpg)
![ROADTRIP SYD-BNE-0609](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51892037141_9ddca1fe92_z.jpg)
Hoo roo for now...
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![](https://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85704/burntofferings/e64bdbcb1c0636a2893022e433f01cd2.png)