Bill and I have been a bag of miseries lately. Both of us have back pain. We have been staying home most of the time. However, our lovely friends, Peter and Val, asked us if we would like a drive into the country for a day's outing. It was so nice of them to offer to drive us up the ranges to Toowoomba and Crows Nest. We stopped at Fernvale Bakery for morning tea. Country towns have the best bakeries. This one has become so popular it is now a big cafe.
We parked in the backyard of the cafe where we saw this old truck now a garden sculpture.
We walked through the outdoor area of the cafe, where people were sitting in the winter sun. Some even in shorts and t-shirt. (must be from the colder southern states) Not us we looked towards the warm interior of the cafe.
A typical country cafe. Bll and our friends Val and Peter.
While waiting for coffee and cake I admired the door windows.
After our refreshments , Peter drove us over the Wyvenhoe Dam wall and into the the ranges.
We stopped in the small town of Crows Nest for lunch at the hotel, famous for good meals. We weren't disappointed.
Then on we went to Tooowoomba and took a drive around the new international airport. By now I was getting tired and didn't take any photos. In the afternoon winter sun we headed home on the new highway down the ranges.
The days are short now and it was almost dark when we arrived home. We waved goodbye to Val and Peter and thought how lucky we are to have such thoughtful friends.
I think most people would agree with you.... the worst thing about isolation is not physical pain but lack of human contact, normal conversations, meals in public, drinks and getting out of dressing gowns. Your friends are very thoughtful, agreed.
ReplyDeleteThat was a nice excursion ! Must have been good for you ! We have now long days, it gets clear from 4 am on and becomes dark around 11 pm ! It's very hot 30°, 3 days before we had 18 ! You never know how to dress ! I wished I would go out, but now it is too hot all I can do is sitting on the terrace of our beautiful park ! But that's nice too !
ReplyDeleteI have noticed that Australians use the term “ ranges” quite often. What exactly does it mean? How does it differ from hills or mountains?
ReplyDeletethis was the perfect outing, friends and not a lot of walking. I smiled at the opening line of your post today, Bill and I have been a bag of miseries lately. just change the name to Bob and I and you have our days... must be the AGE ha ha... I can tell you if i were a zillionaire and could fly without being sick, i would have a 2nd home where you live and spend our summer months in your winter. I love our winter months here. I would live 5 months in your country and the rest here and have the best of both worlds... I don't like extreme heat/cold..
ReplyDeleteThat was a nice present of them to take you out fo ra birthday present!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful it is indeed to have such lovely friends who offered to take you for a drive, and to a nice place too. The new highway to and from Toowoomba is great, we've been on it.
ReplyDeleteFun outing and beautiful photos. The last two landscapes are my favorite. Take care, have a great day!
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice of your friends. You had such a fine time out, and I note my knowledge of the controversial Wyvenhoe Dam
ReplyDeleteThe old truck in photo #1 could belong to that old rogue in the BBC series - "Heartbeat".
ReplyDeleteOld "Greengrass" would love it. Not so sure about Bernie, the garage owner and undertaker!!
Cheers
Colin
How wonderful to have friends like that. Sounds like a great day out.
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds a very nice outing, I enjoyed seeing your photographs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
What a nice outing for you both! Coffee and cake sounds wonderful and sweet friends to share it with!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
Looks like the perfect day for an outing. I've finally figured out I can leave comments on your blog as long as I'm signed in on Blogger. Must be a slow learner, it's taken me years! But it's many, many years since I visited Crows Nest so I'm glad I happened along here today.
ReplyDeleteA nice trip through places familiar to me from my youth.
ReplyDeleteA day in the country is always spirit up lifting. What wonderful friends to have. It seems I'll have to take a closer look at the Fernvale Bakery, the next time we go hiking on the rail trail.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful to have friends that take you somewhere and take your mind off the aches and pains of aging!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Diane, it is wonderful to have such good friends. I know that you and Bill appreciated getting out and about with Val and Peter. Back pain can really make any day one of misery and hopefully this day trip listed your spirits and didn't tire you out too much.
ReplyDeleteGlad that you managed to have a day out, we both have constant back problems so we know what it is like. Thankfully we have an excellent chiropractor here that keeps us on our feet.
ReplyDeleteTake care, cheers t'other Diane
How very sweet of your friends to offer to drive you. I hope you and Bill have much improved by now.
ReplyDeleteHow blessed you are to have such good and thoughtful friends.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a lovely excursion.
Feeling unwell is no laughing matter, but your phrase "a bag of miseries" did make me smile. I must remember that one! It's wonderful to have a day out with friends and be in new landscapes. It does get old staying at home all the time. Thinking of you and Bill.
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