30 August 2012 - Bundoora Dam, Peaks Region, Queensland

Our mode of travel from one place to another, travelling with a certain sense of urgency although we might well deny that description, sometimes precludes us from building relationships with people who might become lifelong friends, or with those re-encountered. I am pleased to say that we have stayed long enough this time at Bundoora Dam to enjoy one of the special joys of being alive; sharing time with like minded folk with whom we have history and hopefully much more to come. Such is my philosophical introduction of saying we have spent another awesome day with our friends with Neil and Pauline.

The day has been spent in a variety of pursuits; coffee and biscuits for a long winded morning tea, enthusiastic appreciation of the red claw fresh water crayfish caught in the overnight traps, a long walk along the lakeshore to throw the nets in for another round, to enjoy the fauna and flora of the region, to smell a decomposing body amongst the ruins of a bygone camp, perhaps that of the dam construction, collection of firewood, feeling the sun burning on our newly bared legs, helping one another through the many barb wired fence back to the dam reserve and the extensive conversation that took place all through that. 

As we sat over lunch shared under our awning, new campers came in daring to share our joint space, some moved on with warnings of future camp fire smoke and some oblivious to our wish to enjoy the wilderness and the space this huge area offers. Finally in the late afternoon, Neil lit both the iron “pig” camp fire and another which offered nothing but ambience, they cooked damper, cooked the red claw for us to taste and then we brought our humble offerings of pork chops, mashed spuds and a colourful salad. After too much wine and beer, coffee and biscuits we returned to our caravan under the full moon and booted up the computer to record yet an excellent day in this excellent country!