2015 Qld Ultimate Muster

This weekend was about all this Ultimate.It was the Qld Ultimate Muster organised by Max and Prue Burrows. Stanthorpe was the destination and we knew it was going to be cold. Country Style Caravan Park was the chosen venue, http://countrystylecaravanpark.com.au/ , and for a caravan park we were pleasantly surprised. Dogs could be off leash (under control) and a great Bush camping area next to the river, $20 unpowered a night, and the amenities, although old, were clean.

Friday

We left the coast at about 10am for the drive out to Stanthorpe. Really an uneventful drive, with a stop at Beaudesert and again at Aratula for a coffee.

From here it was the long slog up the great divide and Cunninghams Gap to Warwick, where we stopped for lunch. From here we hit the New England and headed south to Stanthorpe.

Arriving at the caravan park around the 2:30pm mark. We quickly paid and drove down to find a site. After picking a lovely grass site next to the water and proceeding to set up, i was very politely asked to move, as it was reserved for activities (Thanks Max, had to throw it in there to stir).

All good as i hadn’t even disconnected yet, we moved a bit up the hill into the corner and set up under the trees. Michael and Fiona were also along on this trip, so we camped near them and shared a fire etc. After setting up we grabbed some drinks and went to the main fire for “Happy hour”.

After this we cooked up a curry in the camp oven for dinner, then joined the fire again for a few more drinks before retiring for bed.

Saturday

This morning wheni got up Michael had the fire going. So I got thecookstand out and we all cooked up a big breakfast.

At 9am, Max had a Q&A over at Nevs camper for everyone, but mainly for any newbies to Ultimates to pick up any new tips and tricks. Good one Max.

After breakfast, Lyndall and I took the dogs for a walk around the park with the GoPro in hand, and then we decided on what to do for the day.

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The main group was heading to a winery for a tour and lunch, as it’s a bit hard with the dogs, we decided to do our own thing. Michael and Fiona left their car at camp and with me driving we hit the Rd.

First stop was TheUgg Boot Lady just down the rd from the caravan park. We all walked in andLyndall spotted a stuffed toy that is way to cute to not buy, apparently, so she got that while Fiona was sticking her feet into sheep,i mean trying onUgg Boots.

Purchases made and it back on the road, not for long, with me spotted an old wares shop so we stop there. Lots of old crap in here and nothing that really takes my fancy except a waffle iron, that i thought was a bit pricey so i left it.

In the car we crossed the rail line to drive around the small town of Glen Applin, when i spot a sign for Mt Stirling Olives, and think, i would like some nice fresh olive oil for cooking at home. I don’t eat olives but like olive oil.

http://www.mtstirlingolives.com.au/

We pull into the car park, and wander inside, where at the front of the property is a little building where a lady makes Chilli products, so we duck into there and sample some chilli sauces. Wow, what a great little shop and we walk out with a couple of products to take home. We then continue to a big shed, which has tables and chairs, shelves with products, a few counters of samples and tastings. So for a guy who doesn’t like olives (eat) i sure took a liking to a few off these, i must say. They also had olive oils to taste also, so Myself and Lyndall tried these and they were all great. Over on another counter they had fudge, all made on site, same deal, i don’t eat fudge but after tasting some off these i changed my mind.

So after it’s all said,done and tasted, it turned into quite the little stop, as we drove away with, A bottle of bush lime infused olive oil, a 4 pack of fudge, a Thai Chilli dipping sauce, a Chilli & Lime Dipping sauce and a Cayenne Lava chilli sauce.

From here we decided to head to the cheese factory which is on the north side of town, Michael suggest we can take one of the tourist loops to get there, as he has been there before and knows the loop. So that is what we do.

We made our way to Amiens Rd and turn left. Not far up the rd  i spot a sign for a brewery and Micheal mentions he had been there and it’s not bad for a beer. I look down at the time on the dash and ask him, “Do they do food?” As it was 12:30. He said he thinks they did, So i jammed on the brakes, Wives, dogs, chilli and olives fly evrywhere and we do a U bolt.

Apon arriving we notice a Tour bus, and a lot of cars in the car park, so it was decided that Micheal and I go suss out the situation and the Ladies will stay in the car.  So Michael andi walk in order 2 beers each, and a few hours later, say oh we better let the Ladies know that this will be a good spot for lunch.  Nah it didn’t really  happen like that, but it was close.

We walked in, Had a look and it seemed empty, so Micheal ordered some drinks and i went and got our wives. We parked the car so we could see the dogs, and left the windows down for them, and Lyndall kept going out every 10 mins. The menu looked good, so i got Beer battered Whiting and chips, and Lyndall, German sausages and Mash. Michael andi also got a tasting plate of beer, 4 x200ml glasses, which we also, got an extra few schooners.

After lunch was had, i grabbed a 6 pack of their beers, and we hit the rd, and as we had downed a few beers in a couple of hours, it was time for Lyndall to drive. She only had a Lemon,Lime and bitters. In the car, we head for the cheese factory again. Now, somewhere, somehow, the driver and navigator, missed a turn. So Michael and i grab the hema on the ipad and check, and sure enough we had missed a turn somewhere. anyway no drama, take a left at the next right (remember we had a few beers lol) and we will follow that, then we can take another right and we will be where we should have being, if that makes sense. So Lyndall does that and before long she has stopped, saying, umm do I need 4wd for this?

Opps, yep looks like it, so out I hop, lock the hubs in and go for a walk up the track.Lyndall puts it in low range and follows me up. Nothing major, just some small ruts and some loose stuff. I jump back in and we continue across the state forest till we eventually get to the rd we are looking for. We turned right and followed this untill we found the bitumen rd we should have been on the whole time. Would have been quicker to do a u turn but where is the fun in that?

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So we finally get to Stanthorpe Cheese. http://www.stanthorpecheese.com.au/

We do a taste test of the cheese and decide that we will buy 2 cheese each and some crackers and we head off back to camp. The Cheese place does a great lunch from whati had heard, and you can get platters to sit and eat in-house if you wish. Great little spot.

Back at camp and Lyndall and I head off for a shower before coming back and getting some cheese cut up and sharing with Michael and Fiona and whoever else came to join our little fire. Before long we were back down at the main camp fire. I grabbed the camera and got some shots, and before long the sun had gone down, and the next thing i know there is a gentleman from the group playing bagpipes, well that woke everyone up. He did a few tunes for us and then stopped, i don’t think the resident dog liked it much. hahaha. It must have been that “entertainment”  Max mentioned the day before. After this, I did dinner for lyndall, grabbed a bourbon and we headed for the main fire. A great night was had, sharing stories.

Sunday

Pack up day. I got up first this morning and got the fire going. Some Ulti owners were already packing up, some had left and others were staying another night or 2. For us, we cooked up breakfast on the fire again, packed up said goodbyes and hit the rd at just before 11am. Fiona wanted to stop at Suttons http://suttonsfarm.com.au/  for an apple pie and lyndall wanted their ice cream. So we pull in and have a look at the menu. There is no Take away, you must eat in the shop. So we grab a table. and order some food.

It seems you can’t just get ice cream on its own, so Lyndall ordered a Lemon Tart Crumble, with Ice Cream and i got a raspberry crumble with ice cream. All ice cream is home-made also. I also got a sparkling apple juice. It was all delicious. Soon enough we saying our goodbyes to Michael and Fiona and we hit the Rd for home.

Thanks to Max and Prue for organising the event, and to everybody else that came and made it a great weekend.

And it wasn’t even that cold really.