Between Donnybrrok / Toorbul and the Glass House Mountains, there are hundreds of square kilometres of pine forest and dirt tracks.
Some of the tracks are beautiful smooth gravel.
Others are diabolical sand and deep ruts, that stretch on for ages and have you groaning “Are we there yet?”
All in all – a fantastic time on the mountain bikes.
But as Steve and I found out – riding for a few kilometres on sand and through deep tyre ruts is exhausting work!
This historic hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), in the St Paul’s School grounds, Bald Hills, is believed to be approximately 195 years old.
Prior to Eurpoean settlement, the banks of the North and South Pine Rivers were home to many Hoop Pines and Cedars. Most of these magnificent trees were felled for their valuable timber, so that few of them remain today.
John Oxley first noticed them in on this day (1 December) in 1823 on the banks of the North Pine River near present day Petrie.
The old building in the background of these pictures is the administration building for the school. It was originally a farmhouse built by the Stewart Family in the late nineteenth century.
Read more information about these Hoop Pines on the Queensland Cultural Heritage Register.
We had lots of fun on the MTB trails at Daisy Hill today.
There was something for everyone: Single Trails, Jumps, Technical Sections, Fire Roads and beautiful nature.
It was pretty hot and humid though – 34c and about 90% humidity, so it was very sweatty work.
I’m releived there were no crashes on my part this time, except for a bit of undignified kangaroo hopping behind my bike as I slid off the back of the seat, still holding onto the handlebars trying not to let go or fall over.
Many thanks to Steve G for driving us out there and navigating for us.
What a fun way to spend a Saturday morning!
A postcard from our friend, Rachel who is on holidays in Western Australia at the moment.
She says it’s hot as hell, and she’s really enjoying cooling off in the ocean
Esperance is located in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, about 700km southeast of Perth.
The Dutch vessel Guilden Zeepaert passed near here in 1627, but the first landing by Europeans was made by Bruni d’Entrecasteaux who was commander of the French Ship L’Esperance in 1792.
In 1979, the local shire council fined the U.S. Government $400 for littering when pieces of the space station Skylab crashed into the area after it broke up over the Indian Ocean.
Thanks for the postcard, Rachel! Make sure you keep an eye out in the sky, and don’t let any space junk fall on you!
Here’s a link to the map of Rachel’s journey to date.
A postcard from our friend Rachel who is touring Australia at the moment.
Lake Grace is about 300km south-east Perth. It’s named after Grace Bussell who rescued many people from the wreck of the ship, Georgette near the mouth of the Margaret River in 1876.
Lake Grace is located near many natural shallow salt lakes that exhibit bright colours due to the chemical composition of the salts.
The Nyoongar people are the traditional aboriginal owners of the area which is hoime to “Wave Rock”.
Rachel says it’s hot, with a million flies.
Thanks for the postcard, Rach!
Here’s a link to the map of Rachel’s journey to date.
A Postcrossing card showing a beautiful but simple scene of the ancient traditional elements in China.
A Postcrossing post card from Beverly who lives in Spokane.
Spokane is about 400km inland from Seattle in the North West of the USA. It’s surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes and pine trees.
Beverly is passionate about student exchange,and has hosted 16 exchange students. She als has 3 kids of her own, 3 dogs and two cats.
Sounds like a very “peaceful” household 🙂
Thanks for the great postcard, Beverly!
Yushan (Mt Jade) The highest peak in Taiwan, and in North East Asia.
A Postcrossing post card from Insica who lives in Taichung, Taiwan.
Thanks for the post card, Insica!
