An Autumn Day on the Rail Trail

The fickle weather of Autumn had a full bag of tricks in store for today's ride - 52km from HoneyDale to Fernvale and back.

At morning's dawn the heavens opened and let down a soaking downpour, which delayed my start. Waiting for it to clear meant an extra cup of tea. Eventually pushing off the sky looked uncertain as to whether it would be a clear day ahead.

By the time I reached the beautiful Lockyer Creek bridge a sunny day seemed more certain.  How wrong was I! Just a few kilometers down the trail I felt the gentle sprinkle of rain.  Passing by the Clarendon Dairy, the girls were wandering down from the milking shed.  Some meet me at the rail trail gate and with their gentle kind eyes they seemed to wish me well for the ride ahead.

Coming into Lowood and cruising by the native gardens planted along the trail, I felt a breeze picking up and the skies appear to clear again. Pushing on towards Fernvale the breeze started to stiffen and turned nasty.  I consoled myself with beautiful views of the Brisbane River and the knowledge that the wind would aid me on the way back.

I enjoyed the ride entering Fernvale, skirting around the oval and slipped by the old Uniting Church, which is the second oldest building in the area.

Here I turned around, retracing my steps and eagerly anticipating a quick return. The wind assisted me to Lowood, taking no time at all to cycle past the old railway station, where many cyclists were taking a rest.

I pushed on wanting to make the most of the favourable conditions. However, by the time I started the 4km rise up to Coominya station the wind was only teasing puffs, the sun was again shining and the day was heating up. 

From Coominya the trail now enters bush, it was great to find the shade. Passing by an Orange orchard, I was happy knowing that HoneyDale was now close at hand.

I wanted a long day in the saddle and this was what I got - the 52.5km took 3hours and 45minutes - and more importantly the weather toughened me up.

BVRT - Climbing up the Range

After a late start we arrived at the historic and picturesque village of Linville - to cycle along a very scenic section of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. 

From Linville Station the trail climbs up the Blackbutt Range at a steady 3 to 5 degree ascent with magnificent valley views.  Along the way there are a number of steep creek crossings, with lush bush surrounding little rockpools.

The track passes through a variety of scenery, initially travelling through rural landscapes and slopes covered with grass trees. Climbing higher, beside the track lies a small hut, rail worker camps and fettler's rest area.

Upon entering the Benarkin State Forest the bell birds called out as we rode between subtropical rainforest, eucalypt and sections of hoop pine plantations which were established in the 1920s.  From Bernarkin the trail continues climbing onto Blackbutt.   

After a morning of pushing uphill (a total climb of 22km), it was now time to turn around and enjoy a wonderful downhill.

A promise of things to come

Since owning HoneyDale we have planted out an orchard, by adding to some existing trees.

In our first six months we put in lemon, lime, orange, mandarin, pomegranate, custard apple, fig, mango, avocado, coffee and a plum trees.  As well as adding strawberries and raspberry canes.

Having nurtured these plants, we are now enjoying beautiful sweet strawberries and the odd raspberry or two.

Our citrus fruit trees all have some fruit on them.  The old mango tree and young plum tree have the promise of sweet fruit to come.

Nothing beats home grown!



Jen and Rog

Email:  honeydaleqld@gmail.com

A typical Summers Day

The birds wake early now Summer is here.  At first light the Whipbirds start a rousing chorus which encourages more birds to join in.  By five am the bush is ringing with bird song, signalling its time to get up.

The morning skies are usually a big deep blue and whilst early, the air is still cool. This is a pleasant time for strolling or running around the block, going for a bike ride or a paddle on Lake Wivenhoe.  

As the day heats up the cicadas start to hum, adding to the Summer song of the bush.  By mid morning, we can usually find a sleepy Koala settled into a comfortable tree for the day, or have noisy Rosellas and wattle birds flying around the flowering gum trees.  We also enjoy the company of a pair of King Parrots watching over the garden.

The afternoons bring a pleasant cooling breeze and wallabies come into the shade to nibble on the soft grass surrounding our fruit trees.

As it is QLD storm season, often a thunderstorm rolls over, ending the day with an impressive light show.

Jen and Rog

Email:  honeydaleqld@gmail.com

Splashes of colour on the block

 

 

 

Spring has sprung Early

At HoneyDale we have experienced a very mild winter, with only a couple of days that could be thought of as cold.

So with daytime temperatures higher than the norm, it feels like Autumn simply rolled into an early Spring.  This has meant that we have spent more time outdoors enjoying the best of the Somerset region.

Logan Creek

Spring on Wivenhoe Dam

Crisp morning on BVRT

Jen and Rog

Email:  honeydaleqld@gmail.com

First Fruit from the Orchard

Last Winter we planted out the HoneyDale orchard.  Twelve months on we are now enjoying the results of hard work - the planting, watering, fertilising and weeding of the young trees. 

Now these trees look established and bearing fruit. Since Autumn we have been watching the green fruit slowly change colour.  

First to ripen was the lemons, which proved to be very juicy. It is now a race between the Pink Grapefruit and the Mandarins, to be the next to ripen.

Juicy Lemon

Pink Grapefruit

Manadrins

Jen and Rog

Email:  honeydaleqld@gmail.com