2 June 2011 - Ipswich Showgrounds, Queensland

What a strange day we have had today, and yet for all that, pleasant enough. This is our last evening here in Ipswich; we will set off toward Buderim tomorrow, stopping somewhere along the way, reaching our destination on Saturday. We are looking forward to catching up with Neil and Pauline again, sharing an evening of indulgence and chatter.

Chris washed the caravan and cruiser this morning. Last evening we had the most amazing number of disgusting flies clinging to the exterior of the van, we were certain there must be a residue of some strange substance hanging about, however this afternoon, matters were just the same.

We headed off toward the Denmark Hill Conservation Park, donned our walking boots and set off on the Water Tower walk, from where we expected to enjoy 360 degrees of the city. When we reached the water tower, we found a gate across the stairway at about the two metre level, locked and defiant. So no views.

The track then continued through the eucalypt forest, the noises of the city muffled by the bush. Underneath the park is a maze of tunnels, all now sealed off, the remnants of coal mining. A small quarry is filled with water and water lilies, and not far from there is a comprehensive interpretative display about fossils. The park covers an area of 11.5 hectares and there are numerous signs suggesting that there are koalas in residence. This was of particular interest to me, not yet having seen one in the wild. I have seen them on signs on the side of the roads and have a small one on my key ring. I spent the first couple of months wandering through parks with my head turned up to the heavens looking for sleeping bears in the trees, totally without success. Was this to be my day? Alas no, no koalas and no views.

We then headed across the river to the Riverlink Shopping Centre where I had spotted an OfficeWorks. I needed some forms printed and registered my order with them, expecting it all to be done within half an hour. After wandering about the shopping mall, we returned and found that there had been no progress made. We said we would return later in the afternoon, and headed off west along the river to a park marked on our map for lunch. This turned out to be a Rugby club park, that did have a seat and shelter (and gulahs), but was otherwise devoid of the normal picnic place attributes. We were hungry and so decided to make do. Another disappointment.

Next we headed back to the city and drove around looking for a car park. Finally we found a space a couple of blocks back that offered metered two hour parking. Not ideal, but seemed to be the best on offer. Would you believe it! The meter was out of order. We left a note advising as much on our windscreen and hoped that the meter “maids” were on strike.

We found the post office where we had to attend to business, then sought the Art Gallery. And guess what! Closed for renovation until a date in July!

After wandering about the city centre, finding it bustling but not impressive, and having asked a policeman for directions to the Queensland Transport Authority, we headed back across the river.

The matter of re-registering a vehicle seems to be a dilemma that many travellers we have met encounter. When this comes up for renewal, the Authority sends the notice out, and you take that to the post office or authority to pay. After some days they send the sticker out. Some travellers we have met return to their base, a bit like Joseph returning to Bethlehem for the census, to go through the process.

Our registration is due in the middle of July, and so we thought (or rather hoped) that we could pay it early, and have the sticker sent through in time for us to collect it from our place of postal address. But this is a date more than six weeks ahead, and therefore no-can-do. It was explained to us that we will be able to go into any QTA office anywhere in the state (where they have offices) and pay this closer to the due date. While the receipt of payment will be proof in the short term, it only covers us for twenty two days. This is not ideal. I said to them, “Surely there are many people in our situation and a system could be set up to accommodate us.” They agreed with my comments, but of course bureaucratic rules are rules. No great success here either!

We collected the printing, an excellently fair price charged as per past experience, however the files had all corrupted and rubbish in, rubbish out! No fault of OfficeWorks, but ….

After so many disappointments for the day, we needed a success. Our trip to Coles and a big buy up of meat, vegetables, fruit and dry goods, was in fact very successful. Good bargains, good fresh produce and lovely and efficient staff. Good on you, Coles!

We came back to camp, unpacked and settled down to a quiet pleasant evening, this our last in Ipswich.

In many ways Ipswich is a very "avant garde" city; Mr Edwards was apparently selling computers here back in 1931. Impressive!!