Queensland A'van Club Elanda Point Rally - by Therese and Ian Goodwin

Queensland A'van Club Elanda Point Rally by Therese and Ian Goodwin

Ian got an early mark from work on Friday, as he put in an extra hour the previous few days at work. We left here at midday for the 3.5 hour trip to take us to Elanda Point. The Queensland A'van Club was having a meet there.

After months and months (I am serious here) without any rain, we got some during the week. Not enough rain for the Council to lift the water restrictions, but at least a start.

It looked like it was going to clear on Friday and when we arrived to set up camp at around 5.00pm, the skies were relatively clear. Even into the late evening we enjoyed good weather.

We would have gone regardless of the weather. We viewed a full moon rising over the lake on Friday night. It was simply gorgeous, so I grabbed for the camera and shot off a couple of photos. Next best thing to being there with us.

That night around 10.00pm, we heard the slight patter of rain on the camper roof. Then it absolutely teemed down for the rest of the night. Saturday we awoke to wind.....no I will rephrase that......."a gale". All day Saturday, we were dodging the rain and visiting each other and making use of a hall which can be seen in one of the photos.

Last night we all went by Coach to a Silent Movie called The Navigator starring Buster Keaton. The Picture Theatre is at Pomona (a country town) about 25 kilometres away. It is the oldest Original Silent Movie Theatre in the World.

The Coach held about 50-60 people, so judging by that we would have had about 30 A'vans at the Meet. Not bad considering the weather.

We were a lively lot on the Coach going there, but coming home a very quiet bunch. I think the day of socialising had caught up with us all.

I slept like a top last night, until about 1.00am. I could hear the wind gusts before they actually hit us. We heard on the radio this morning that the gusts up that way have been "officially" recorded somewhere in the 60 knot vicinity.

However, I can tell you for certain, that we were copping gusts well in excess of that. I was expecting to be picked up and dropped miles away. No joke.

There were four other Caravans (not A'vans) in that area when we arrived, but they all did the bolt and left the place on Saturday afternoon. So we were there on our "Pat Malone".

Our A'van copped the brunt because we were right on the lake. Some of the other A'vans who were camping further back to the west, would have been sheltered somewhat. But they were all complaining this morning.

If they had been down where we were, I reckon there would not have been one of them inside the the camper for the entire night.

The A'van stood up to the gale force winds, driving sideways rain and crashing branches no problem at all. Good advertisement for the van.

Ian has to start work tomorrow, so we arrived home just after 2.00pm. And yes, it is absolutely pouring down with rain here too, as I am typing this.

Hope you enjoy the photos.

Therese and Ian Goodwin

Click on the compass for a map of the area