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