Emerald

The drive from Clermont to Emerald was actually quite nice – coming out of Clermont there were these mountains in the far distance – the Peak Ranges I’m thinking. Once again – strange type mountains – with big flats before them & then these big mountains just popping up – one was just a peak – others were a bit more rounded, some where flattened off at the top. So that was nice to look at too.

Definitely moved into some cropping country around Clermont and coming down to Emerald. I had noticed cotton bits on the side of the road coming to Clermont, and also sorghum crops – saw the remnants of a sorghum crop (had been harvested) with some long legged birds in it – no idea what they are – but it was very, very pretty with them on the paddock. Quite lovely.

More cotton & sorghum coming down towards Emerald.  Some smaller, hillier hills and more farming areas and went then here I was in Emerald.   I think the populatin here is about 12-15000  – not sure anyone knows really – when is the next census?

Its a fairly big town – lots of shops & businesses – I suppose it supports a fair area with services and repairs/etc, etc.  I needed to do some washing, so decided on a caravan park – and was lucky to get “the last one” in the van park.  Did a quick grocery shop (needed stuff to put in my new fridge) and grabbed some beers – it was nice to sit with a beer & talk to my neighbours in the van park – a couple and a single gentleman both from Adelaide & they had just met up again – I think they roughly new where each was – but they were good for a chat & a laugh.

Decided not to pack the camper up the next day – so did some domestics and then just walked around Emerald. Its a nice enough town – but really not touristy. Its got some OK things – like the big Van Gogh painting on the easel – it stands about 10metres tall I think.

Big Painting on a big easel!!

They have a lovely botanic gardens – lots of different species – palms, natives, bamboo – even a nice rose garden (well – I’m assuming it would be nice when they were in flower – at the moment they’re all just cut back – but there was a lot of them). Didn’t stay too long in the gardens as I sat down at once stage to contemplate my navel and got devoured by bloody mossies – not pleasant at all.

I also checked out the railway station – which according to the tourist brochures is Emerald’s most beautiful building. AND it is – its just that after Charters Towers and all the beautiful buildings there – this one (and only one – there’s nothing else like it in town) was just a tad disappointing. But it was nice.

This morning (yes today – 20 July – when I’m actually typing this – meaning I am up to date with my blogging (don’t get used to it)) I was up early & had the ute to the Toyota dealership at 8am to get my 10,000km service.  So I did some more walking around the town – up & down some streets – even walked back to the caravan park as I’d forgotten to return the amenities key ($10 deposit – so it was worth the walk).

When I collected the ute they said the tyres were wearing a bit unevenly – so it would be a good idea to get a wheel alignment. So, I’m sitting in a park, typing this and waiting for the wheel alignment (and rotating some tyres, etc) to be done.

I had another win today though. My credit card expires at the end of next month and the bank had posted my new one out to me at home. Julia, my “tenant & dog sitter/spoiler” let me know it had arrived, so I asked her to express post it to the Post Office here at Emerald, which she did for me on Monday arvo. I actually thought I’d have to come back here on Friday to collect it, as I thought it would take several days to arrived. As I was walking past the Post Office this morning and had lots of time on my hands, I went in & after standing in the line for a while, asked if something had arrived for me – and sure enough it was there already – so that’s my win thing for today. Means I don’t have to come back to Emerald after visiting Rubyvale for the next few days. Mind you – I haven’t actually looked at the map – so to get to Springsure/Rolleston I may have to come through here anyway – but at least I don’t have to be here when the Post Office is open – so could be Saturday if I want to.

I’m heading off this arvo out to Rubyvale – its only about 60kms from Emerald – its in the”Gem fields” – so I’m going to go fossicking for gemstones (or something). So wish me luck – I might find a HUGE gemstone worth a fortune!!!  ( I might)!!!!

 

stayed nights of 18 & 19 July