We have got to know and associate with a number of people in Tannum Sands. Many of them are from the church we go to. Each year this church, which is quite active, holds a camping weekend in a small town called Ubobo. Ubobo is located in the Boyne Valley (See Boyne Valley Drive) along route 69 and has about twelve people that live there. The church we attend in Tannum Sands, is part of a larger Parish that includes a number of small towns around the area. The main church or Parish, Star of the Sea, is located in Gladstone. Two priests are assigned there and they conduct services at all the little churches each weekend on a complex schedule. Ubobo has one of those churches and a Mass is said there once a month on the third Sunday. Our campout was scheduled for that third Sunday and the weekend culminated with all of us joining the parishioners from Ubobo in celebrating their monthly Mass. The campout was not a religious outing, it was just a social outing that ended on Sunday morning.
The weekend started Friday afternoon as people started to show up. Nancy and I were invited so we went as well. We are still waiting for the Caravan (Camping Trailer) we ordered so we slept in a small room in a large “dorm” type facility. The Dorm was actually and old rail station where passengers could get a bed to rest for a while. The train does not go there anymore but the Dorm remains. The city put a campground beside it and they call it a Discovery Center.
Anyhow, we had a lovely time. Australians love to play games so there were card games galore, Chinese checkers, board games and I introduced them to Horse Shoe Pitching. I have a fine set of horse shoes that our Son Andrew bought me for Father’s Day some years ago so I brought that and two stakes along.
Friday afternoon was spent getting settled in, acquainted, etc. Friday night dinner was a collection of dishes everyone brought to share. Saturday morning we took a trip to an old abandoned rail line that went through some tunnels. The tracks have been taken up and a path made so it was comfortable walking.
The tunnels were interesting. Nancy and I intend to go back and explore a bit more. There are supposed to be some high trestles farther along. But for now … Back to the camp.
Saturday night we heated up a couple grills and everyone grilled whatever they brought for dinner. We were supposed to have a big bonfire but the local Ranger said it was too dry and too windy so there were to be no big fires … only in fireplaces. A couple folks made Damper which is an Australian camp bed made over an open fire or a special pot. Quite good and many varieties.
Sunday morning everyone got up and had some version of breakfast. Then we all filed over to the little church for Mass.
We had a very nice service. Everyone hung around a bit after. Some went back for lunch before going home, we left as we needed to get ready for our trip to Fraser Island, now known as K’Gari on Monday morning.
The campout was very pleasant. A great opportunity to get to know folks better, do some relaxing, learn more about our new home.
