Day 230 - Tuesday 15 August - The sights of Toowoomba

Day 230

Tuesday

15 August 2017 – Completed “The Stolen Girls” by Patricia Gibney. This was the follow up to “The Stolen Ones”. While I enjoyed the read, its fast paced and easy to consume, I found it formulaic; three murders, her children in harms way, a large institution involved (Church last time, army and refugees this time), a visit to a foreign country. 

Toowoomba

It is so quiet here. I didn’t realise just how much noise we were being bombarded with while staying in Eumundi, but now that we don’t have it is so noticeable. I woke at 7 for a change and began reading my book. We didn’t bother getting out until after 8am.

Another load of washing was put through as we had breakfast and showered, putting it out before heading out. We were told to go to Picnic Point and admire the view over the Lockyer Valley. It certainly did provided a great view of the valley below and there was also a great spot to check out the road winding its way up the hill to Toowoomba. Once again many slow trucks were making the way both up and down the very steep incline.

We walked around the park checking out the art and the waterfall, intrigued by the colour of the water. Paul surmised that they put copper sulphate in the water to prevent algae and in turn makes the water a very blue green colour.

After walking through the park, we made our way back in to town, stopping at another park I had seen yesterday. We parked and did a lap. I was taken with the colour of the foliage, very autumn like. They also had boab growing in a few spots, with one possessing a very large girth.

Once back at the car, we made our way to 4 Brothers Brewing and met Adrian, the brewer. We were given his backstory before Paul tried the beers as we continued to chat about his set up.

With the job done, we returned to The Spotted Cow, parked and walked the streets I had seen some interesting murals and old buildings that I wanted to get back to and check out, it also gave us a good excuse to get walking. Toowoomba is an interesting city, the largest inland city in Australia the tourist book states.

I can see the town wanting to build its arts culture on the streets as well as keep hold of the unique architecture of times gone by.

Having parked at the Spotted Cow meant that Paul had to call in for another beer and a chat with Dave the young barman. Of course one turned into two and the beers became a liquid lunch for Paul. Once again he came away with more than just beer, this time the labels that go on the taps, Dave happily pouring through all he had and allowing Paul to take what he might want. We left with a promise of returning this evening so Paul could fill up one of his “Squealers” but first he would have to drink the contents.

By the time we got home it was 2pm and I as in desperate need of lunch. We took the time to regroup and decide how to spend the afternoon. We made our way to the University of Southern Queensland to walk around the supposed largest Japanese garden in Australia. It was what you would expect, manicured bushes, pathways of stone, red bridges over water.

We did a couple of laps before heading on. Dave had told us to check out the lookout at Mackenzie Street though we didn’t know whereabouts on the street so once located we traversed the length which meant crossing roads and doing zig zags as the road didn’t run straight. It felt like the council couldn’t be bothered creating new names so any road running in the general direction was labelled Mackenzie.

Following this road allowed us to check out the neighbourhoods, much at the top end was very posh. We did eventually find the lookout that is set out over the plunging cliff and looks back over the Lockyer Valley. I watched two girls sit precariously on the down slope across from us. One wrong step and they were tumbling into the abyss.

We followed on to Prince Henry Drive, a loop road through the affluent suburbs and to another lookout virtually opposite the one at Picnic Park. We then followed the tourist road through the town and back to the van for 5pm.

Knowing we still needed to walk, we took off through the back of the park and out along a watercourse. We followed the path through the parkland and wondered if this area was in place when the floods went through in 2011 or if they have been added since. It is hard to imagine the torrent of water that took so many lives and washed away homes and cars. We watched a You tube news clip just to remind ourselves of the ferocity.

When we returned to the van, I went through the photos and Paul read his book before starting on dinner. We ate, as I began planning our onward journey, then at 6.30pm we drove back to the Spotted Cow.

The night time crowd were in and the pub had transformed into a busy eatery. Paul handed over his squealer to Dave for filling while I found a comfy couch to prop myself in and people watch. Once again we were coming in for one drink, but we were still there at 8pm, Paul enjoying a chat with one of the locals Steve, discovering they had much in common. Dave had introduced them figuring they would get along and he was right.

Before we left Paul was given two more beer glasses, I got a hug from Dave like I was a long lost relly and we finally made our way back through the night streets and on to the park. I was keen to jump straight into bed and get on with book knowing I  would finish up the second Lottie Parker saga.