So as some of you know, I recently had a knee replacement so haven’t driven the IG for around 6 weeks.
So yesterday was time to remedy that with a day trip out into the country.
The boss (swmbo) and I headed off around 7-45am up the highway towards the Sunny Coast before heading west towards Kilcoy all up an hour at 100km/hr. Quick stop at the bakery for a coffee and breakfast.
Then we headed up into the mountains to Jimna to explore some of the forest tracks and just enjoy some country dirt roads and the scenery. The bushfire observation tower at Jimna that you used to be able to climb to see the countryside for miles is now closed and sadly falling into disrepair.
Highlight of the trip. We came upon a large wedge tail eagle just dropping down onto the road in front of us to land on a hare that had recently been hit by a car (roadkill). We pulled up to watch it circle down onto the hare about 20m in front of us. It then lifted the hare into the air and slowly headed off away from the road. Spectacular to watch, and while not the biggest we have seen, was every bit of 2 metres in wingspan. (Not quick enough to get a pic)
Heading back down the mountain via Monsildale we took the Louisavale station track across to Linville which in my view is better than the Condamine River run. Basically a goat track across numerous properties (4-5gates) that follows the creek with multiple creek crossings of various sizes. Nothing challenging other than one dropoff that might get an SUV hung up if not careful but just a pretty drive along the creek for 10-15km.
Then a picnic lunch near Linville along the Brisbane River, before heading west to Blackbutt and south along backroads to Esk, and around Lake Wivenhoe. Final leg over Mt Glorious and Mt Nebo getting home nnear 6pm.
Great day out in the country, the grenny made it comfortable and easy and just did what it had to do. A fun touring vehicle.
The steering - just steered. The hump un-noticed. Great day out with the bride.
All up 475km, 10 hours with 8 hrs driving time, ave speed 58km/hr, 11.3L/100km.
Some highway, twisty dirt roads up into the mountains, goat track station tracks, secondary bitumen country roads through nice scenery both open and forest, then a tight twisty drive with lots of 20-30/kmhr turn up into the mountains to end the trip home. Loved it.
