Up early, sneaking around trying not to wake neighbours, we packed in preparation to head home. Try as we might, the science of metal on metal spun rapidly whilst winding caravan legs up, does not support silence. It was about time the neighbours got out of bed anyway.
Packed, sorted and motivated, we headed out of the van park with Warwick for breakfast on our minds. A quick Google made our bellies ache and empty ache. Nothing in Warwick, save a couple of servos, opened until at least 7.30am. If there is one thing worse than a good café not open, it’s waiting for a good café to open. We decided our time would be best spent motoring on to Gatton.
We turned at about Clifton after Allora towards Heifer Creek. The driving environment was perfect. Just on the cool side of comfortable. Panther rolled along; G-String clung on gamely. The tarmac squeezed in, became steep, then twisted tightly for a good half an hour. We recalled being stopped here at one of those pesky unattended red lights a few years ago. We prayed today we did not enjoy the same experience.
Parking in Gatton was a breeze. Just across the road from the Google recommend café of the now forgotten name. Peter walked in to have a menu gaze and was greeted by a smiling woman half his age desperately trying to get his attention. Fleetingly, despite being within touching distance of 60, he realised he still had what it took, and this poor darling was simply reacting to her natural instincts. Reality was she was a former work colleague from Mackay who genuinely wanted to say hello after all these years. A quick chat, a menu recommendation and breakfast was on its way.
Following a couple of plates of bacon and eggs, helped on their way by bitter coffee and fairly average tea bag tea, we headed for Kilcoy.
The Kilcoy showgrounds was the perfect spot to dump our dumplings and replace the now spotless toilet cassette back in the van. Next stop was the untried caravan and truck wash. Google took us the scenic route as is sometimes her wish. The wash was as good as a wash gets, with $20 lasting for a full wash of the van and the car with still more to go. We’ll try our luck with $10 next time as it did not look like shutting down anytime within this solar cycle.
Clean and smelling like roses we headed towards Landsborough to put the van in a new storage place. Red Hot storage is exactly what its name implies. We met Phil the owner. He guided us to the super convenient undercover van storage and had us on our way in no time. This was a god send as the existing storage required a reversing manoeuvre that Peter was dreading. Up a narrow lane way then kick at 45 degrees between two other vans with less than six inches either side to play with. Red Hot is our new favourite. And it’s far closer to home and cheaper.
Panther flew home now she was not wearing a G-String. It was as if she was sailing with extra wind in her skirt. Once home, reality hit. Unpacking, washing, preparing cricket gear and answering e-mails. Still it was a fantastic week away that will be followed by many more.
