Hello again

Hi again from Emerald maybe for the last time from here.

We are heading off to Mt Surprise to commence

work at Bedrock Village by the 1st May.

We are going to take a week or so to travel north, leaving here

Sunday 22nd and going

via the coast and have a look around.

probably be in Townsville on ANZAC Day and for a couple of days

looking at spending a day on Magnetic Island.

We have both been busy with work as usual lots

of activity from the mining sectors, strike action

by the BMA workers yet again.

Two mine sites north of Emerald, Middlemount and Norwich Park

have been or about to be closed due to

non profitability, (both BMA mines - coincidence? you

have to wonder)

We managed to get out for a bike ride last weekend, went

out to Springsure and back via the dam.

Another quaint town which is also involved

in the mining these days, although not to the extent

Emerald, Blackwater etc.

Couple of photos below of Susan in the bike gear

and Virgin Rock.

The rock has been named so because it resembled the Virgin Mary and child.

It is hard to see the detail from the photo, because we

couldn't get any closer as the road out to the

hills was closed due to the recent flooding in the area.

Beautiful 57 Matchless motorcycle on display

 at the local shopping centre.

A shot from the major rodeo event on Easter Saturday

in Emerald, huge event.

The bike in Springsure

Couple of our coaches we use in Blackwater

for some of the mine transfers

Bye for now, will update again soon

Hello again

Hi everyone, yes finally updating.

we haven't had too much to talk about so haven't

updated here.

Some two weeks ago, Emerald and surrounding areas copped quite a bit of rain and subsequently, we were flooded yet again.

This time on the Thursday, it had rained so much

during Wenesday night, we couldn't get to work in Emerald,

or go the other direction towards Blackwater either.

This only lasted the day so by late Thursday arvo,

we could at least get into Emerald, but

they were only letting local traffic move around.

Because the water hung around the whole area including

the coal fields, we couldn't drive the miners and

contractors out to the mines, so we were doing

shuttles around Emerald and taking them

to the airport, where the mining companies

had hired light planes to fly the workers

out to the mines and bring them back to Emerald.

This continued for three days, the money involved

out here is just incredible!

This the recent flooding, there is a bridge under there, even

when the water drops we can't use the big buses as they

place a 9t limit till they can inspect it,

it causes a few dramas for jobs around town

for the mining runs.

This is from the first session as we arrived in Emerald.

See there is a bridge.

Over the last weekend we  had a night in town,

stayed at a motel Sat night, went to dinner

at the Irish pub, had a few drinks and back

to the motel, very relaxing night.

Sunday, we did a day trip out to Sapphire and Rubyvale,

"the gemfields"

Very interesting places, found a great caravan park

in Sapphire of all places, worth a stay at some time.

There are many gem shops in town, locals

trying to sell their finds and their own

jewellery mostly all hand made and the gems are

generally mined in the area also.

Didn't try any fossicking, ran out of time, but

will go back there at some time.

Rubyvale had a very nice gem store and a great little

country pub, had lunch there.

Great food, great service.

These towns are a must see, really eye openers.

Main office at Sapphire caravan park,

no grass, but very well set up and packed during

the winter months of course.

Very friendly staff, place was spotless.

This is the camp kitchen, great set up.

Rubyvale Hotel