25th September 2008

Today, we left Roma. It was an easy pack up as I had already packed the awning away. I did that as I suspected, correctly, that the evening dew would be reasonably heavy. So the pack up was mainly electrical cords and the water hose. That does not take long at all.
We departed the Big 4 Caravan Park about 0830 and proceeded to find some reasonably priced fuel. Compared to the West Australian and Northern Territory prices, that was not very hard. Diesel was 159.9 cents/litre compared to 177.9c/l in June when we went through on our way west.
After we refuelled, we left Roma for Surat which is roughly south. The countryside looks quite well following recent rains. The previous time we came through here, was in 2006, it was so dry and looking terrible even though it was at approximately the same time of the year. The cattle look well and shiny while the crops do not look at all bad.
About 1030 we arrived in Surat and did a circuit of the town to ensure we did not miss a cafe. A little hard as there is only one! We had some raisin toast and some tea or coffee. About 1100 we set off for our next destination of St. George.
St. George is a rather pleasant small country town with a good irrigation area beside it not to mention the wine and table grapes vineyards. St. George has a currently famous Federal Senator, Barnaby Joyce. He is held in very high regard in this part of the country. As well as many other parts too. He has an accounting practise in the town.
We set up the Karavan in the Kamarooka Tourist Park.
We had lunch in a nice and quite busy cafe, Much More Cafe. Nice coffees are available at this cafe, too. The meals were well presented and quite quickly delivered. It is very popular with the local residents. Again, we had been here 2 years ago for lunch.
Following lunch, we did a drive along the river which is adjacent to the town. The water is backed up by a weir across the river which also diverts water for irrigation. It is used for recreation events such as water skiing and fishing. Then we went for a drive to check out the Beardmore Dam. It is by far the smallest dam we have seen on this trip but is the life blood of this community because no water equates to very little income for the town. It is about half full by the look of the water marks on the banks.
Soon after, we returned to the town and travelled to the Riversands Winery which is the most westerly vineyard in Queensland. We have been to it before and particularly like their Dr. Seidels Soft Red. We enjoyed a nice cheese platter while there, too. So the Bravo carries another carton of nice wine to get home.
The lovely spring blossoms are very noticeable around the town. It is time for hayfever in this part of the country!