Tenterfield to Munchow's Crossing.

Monday 18 June : Tenterfield to Boonoo Boonoo Falls (Cypress Pine camp)

38.6km, 2h 35min, max 52.2km/hr.

Media mania.

Typing away furiously at 6:40am as I had a schedule to keep to. I wanted to get two weeks uploaded on this update, but there was no way that was going to happen. One week (W11), but a very long week in terms of the length of the page. You saw it - it was almost like a book in itself.

At 9am I had a quick shower before packing (which I actually did quite quickly) while listening to Reveal blaring out for the little Harmon Karmon speaker on the iBook (whose name I have not and will not reveal).

Visited the ATM (for money believe it or not), the post office (for the regular map send), the shire office and School of Arts (federation speech made here) who directed me to upload at Franks Furniture (where we discussed obsolete and future technology), the Old Cork Tree, then the bakery where my mobile rang to dictate the events for the remainder of the day.

Madonna, a reporter from The Courier-Mail, had driven with Steven, the photographer, to Tenterfield from Brisbane to get my story and a few others for the QLD paper. I'd never been in this sort of interview situation before so it was going to be a learning experience.

We went to 'The Famous Pie Shop' ...which must be famous for something. Steven was keen for a pie and we sat there sipping our respective hot drinks. I basically rattled off my regular answers before Madonna started nailing me with more probing questions. I am glad to say that I had an answer for most of them, while others took a while to get the right words for. You never know what exactly is going to be published, so I found myself cautious with terminology. I hope she doesn't quote the things I said that included a swear word. (I don't swear - you know that.)

Replenished my rum supply at the local foods tore which was licensed... exactly when is Queensland going to get these? I found that by getting two of the smaller 200ml bottles I was getting a better deal than with a 375ml one. They were easier to squeeze into the panniers anyway. There's always more room in panniers, you just have to find it and employ a bit of muscle or not mind an unusual bulge or mis-fitting strap.

The ride to where the photo shoot would take place included a visit to Thunderbolt's Hideout - the bushranger's boulderous cave just near the road. It was convenient for him to be so close to the bitumen road but I don't know where he parked his car. A kilometre later was the remnants of the WWII tank traps installed as a second line of defense called the 'Brisbane Line' in case northern areas fell into enemy hands. The tanks would be stopped by de-fence.  Still pretty solid looking too, but no match for a modern tank I reckon... or a nuclear explosion. In Australia at the time we were sinking rows of chunky wooden posts while in America and Europe they were developing an atomic warhead. On ya Aussies!

PM rides always hit hard I've found. I need to start by about 11am otherwise I just sort of get weary and the ride becomes a trial. If I've started early however I can go for ages in the afternoon for some unusual reason. This one was starting to hit hard with about 6km to go. Steven had offered to toss the stuff in the back but as you can probably guess I was happier to ride north. I had plenty of time to think over answers and make a list of other interesting things and events from the trip that I thought were article worthy.

Steven, by the way, was a senior at the same boarding school I was at when I was a new grade 8 'grot' there. We spent a bit of time trying to place each other in that haze that often surrounds people from different grades but who went to the same school. Both being boarders it should have been easier.

Did a lot of posing on this beaten track Steven had selected. It was a good choice for it reminded me of the place I camped at Chaelundi not long ago, and of some of the tracks I'd ridden in Victoria and in Wollemi N.P. in NSW. Towards the end of the shoot I queried about my hair but unfortunately they had not brought a stylist or mobile make up unit so I guess I'll be looking kinda rough. I wondered what sort of percentage professional photographers get of amazing photos. Mine is about 4%.

I had to sit in the leaf litter for one set of shots. I looked down and thought what you are probably thinking, but figured it was too dry and that I shouldn't be a sook. About a minute later I did get one on my ankle and so went for the salt. It had a yellowish stripe on it which made it notable ,but not any nicer. Madonna immediately got a little edgy, and then the talk turned to ticks falling from the trees. I'm scratching myself now.

I had a brief chat with these two before they headed off to Stanthorpe to ready themselves for some other stories in the area tomorrow. I got a chance to ask questions about them and their jobs now that we'd finished. My throat was a little dry and hoarse-ening (?) form all my babbling, but, you have to make the most of the limited time available and get as much across as possible.

About 1km to the Cypress Pine camp area in Boonoo Boonoo Falls N.P. That's pronounced 'Bunna Bun-noo' by the way. Electric BBQs and very tidy camp sites, but with ground no regular comic super hero could drive a tent peg into. A plethora of choices to bamboozle the most experienced camper in terms of the number and variety of sites. Leeches came to mind again as I pitched my tent in the bush beyond a picnic table. It was growing dark quickly.

A $5 camping fee for this park and for Bald Rock as well. I only had a $20 note so thought I'd wait for a ranger to show - where there's fees there's rangers.

A toast, onion and potato slices sandwich or two for dinner. Quite weird really. Maybe I should have bought some sausages to squeeze into the panniers instead of that rum. Straight to bed and to sleep after that - it had been a packed day.

Tuesday 19 June : Boonoo Boonoo Falls (Cypress Pine camp) to Bald Rock

33.9km 2h 06min, max 47.5km/hr.

Destinations.

As I sit here overlooking the state to which I belong,

I'm hoping that the dusk I yearn will show before too long.

The air is still, a hum of planes and an unusual cloud array,

Confirmed Bald Rock as the destination I'd been searching for many a day.

------

I'd risen early to take a stroll along the Boonoo Boonoo Creek,

To spy some wildlife for a change - but alas they were too meek.

Perhaps I was too noisy though and being loudly dressed in blue,

The creatures took a look and left thinking " You foolish human you."

-----

I took the bike (no extra weight) 6k to see the falls,

And on the way kept an ear out for our native birds to call.

I found a wallaby's quite fast in scrub - and on bitumen they cover some ground,

A timid one got to practice this when a corner I shot around.

-----

I was lucky really to have seen the falls at all, after averting a big stack,

I figure it was a tad too fast now that I'm looking back.

A downhill gravel road, a corner, a high gear pedaling Mike -

I nearly snapped those brake cables to stop me crashing my old bike.

-----

Back at camp the time had come to make a move to 'the bald one',

Some rangers came to fix the BBQ well before my packing was done.

I offered them my dollars but they sportingly declined,

After hearing of the ride and fund raising task of mine.

-----

I chatted a while to Ross and Jeff about park water and the trip,

Then I had to get a-cycling up the hills and through the dips.

About 30k was all I had to ride to reach my site,

And for a change when I arrived the day still held heaps of light.

As I rode past this I heard Mick Molloy and Tony Martin's voices say "What's all that about?" It's Leo and, in the background, Little Leo. I have no idea in the world why.

Some kookaburras and some currawongs had eyed my tasty lunch,

Before I typed some journal outside - hooray no tent induced hunch.

At 3pm I scaled this rock and was surprised when along the way,

I met the rangers (+ 2 more) I'd encountered earlier in the day.

-----

I've said it before, and I'll say it here, and then perhaps again,

When visiting national parks - the ranger is your friend!

We pointed and we squinted into the haze and spoke of local views,

From elevated points like this - apparently there are a few.

-----

I trundled on and thankfully the steepest part was done,

I'd gotten up a bit of a puff that's usually reserved for a run.

I reached the summit, took some shots and signed the visitors book,

Now eastward, with anticipation, I sit in solitude and look.

Wednesday 20 June : Bald Rock rest day.

15km, 1h 29min, max 28.3km/hr.

Always go the extra mile.

An early rise to catch dawn on the rock. I'd timed it well, but not well enough. I had to jog for a bit up the track as I saw the orange glow light up the rock face through the trees. A run up the rock face got me there in time for some great photos. The sun doesn't hang around in a good position for long at this time of day. I could have chosen a flatter surface to go for a run on, but it kept me warm. (Mt Lindsay is the sharp mountain in the centre below, Mt Barney is 3cm to the left [not literally].)

The Tenterfield side of Bald Rock gets mobile service and the northern side doesn't. I'm sure you can guess how I found that out. Talked to Shauno for about 40min... and I'll face that bill when I get back home.

On top of the rock once again and I did a bit of place spotting with the compass and topo, and a bit of general looking around and noting how different a place can look with light from another direction. On the way down I walked not down the face but along the walking track which does about 2km loop back to the campsite. I saw a few cockatoos (and they saw me) and they left soon after. There were some interesting boulder formations to wander through and get photos of. Granite looks better in black and white for some reason, so that explains today's photos. The caterpillar below is probably blind after the number of flash shots it took to get this photo in focus. It was a stunning sample of nature - like a string of jewels.

The photos I took this morning filled up the camera memory and so I transferred them before my next foray into the bush. After this transfer and 'judgement time' had finished I noted that I had over 1000 photos saved for the trip. That's a lot, but it works out to be very, very cheap per photo that's actually 'snapped' with this digital camera (I've trashed a least 300 that I've taken).

Lunch was early, but considering the time of breakfast it was right on time. A currawong's beady yellow eye paid particular note of what I was doing, but didn't ask for some to be shared in English so I gave it none.

I prepared my bike and I for the trip out to South Bald Rock. Even though this was a 'walkers track' I was going to ride the bike down it. Not because I'm a bearded, wild cannon rebel - because 'the rangers are your friends' and they'd given me special permission yesterday. I figured I was on a photographic assignment of sorts for them... well that's what I would tell any disgruntled walkers I encountered.

Is South Bald Rock in QLD or NSW? I had two maps and they both claimed it was in a different state. I rode along the border trail and old wire fence to get there but the fence ran out. The road headed into Giraween N.P. so I assumed that I was still 'more in NSW than QLD' It was heartwarming to be so close. I should add Giraween to my N.P. page since I actually was in there for a little bit.

If you go to Bald Rock or Girraween N.P., go and visit South Bald Rock. The rangers had agreed it was well worth seeing and after my visit I'd say you'd be a fool to not go the extra distance in to check it out. Here are some snaps :

Lots of regular rest day activities upon my return. Played Michael's Corners and for the first time won. The closest I'd been to winning was to have four cards still in my hand. I was elated and so played Kondike straight after which I won on the first attempt. I decided to push my luck (or was it skill?) no further and decided that this pack of cards had served its purpose and would go into retirement immediately.

Pondered and structured a great idea in my head before star gazing through the canopy of the trees before heading to bed. It was only 7:30 but it would be a big day tomorrow all the way to Killarney and into Queensland.

Thursday 21 June : Bald Rock to Killarney (and into QLD)

*Winter Equinox*

88.3km, 4h 57min, max 56.3km/hr.

Killarney Town

Today I rode into Killarney town where the smiles are wide and the falls are brown.

Looking for a place to stay, for to Queensland I had made my way.

I'd started early upon my bike for a day of riding I'd quite like.

As my home state was where I'd end - and my weary traveling heart would mend.

-o-o-0-o-o-

Nearly 90 k I rode, this day, to find a homey abode,

And this I did without a quip - and the caravan park was the spot I hit.

Now Terry is a generous bloke and when hearing of my story he spoke :

"In that there van spend the night for free, no payment please - the night's on me."

-o-o-0-o-o-

A desert pea (?) in flower at Legume 5km from the QLD border.

-o-o-0-o-o-

Another sum to raise the tally, for cancer funds (meanwhile, Terry rallied)

Michael form the Abattoir joined us in Terry's big black car.

To the Co-op and to the post, then to the Lawn Bowls Club for many a toast.

Beers were in no short array - that fund raising total made some ground today!

-o-o-0-o-o-

An artist and a deputy, were but a few who spoke to me.

And when the bar had slowly grown our time had come to wander home.

Around a fire we then sat - getting rowdier and stuff like that.

Until at 10:30pm we had to part, for sleep was beckoning and we'd early starts.

-o-o-0-o-o-

A welcome that I'd not considered had well and truly been delivered.

And folks like this will get a visit, in September's Festival (Rose - when is it?)

For I'll be back to have a yarn, to these kind folk who edge the farms.

Telling of some other days - but there's no need to guess at where I'll stay.

-o-o-0-o-o-

But for now I've just remembered this poem's point that was intended :

Killarney town can show you a thing, about Queenslanders' ways and the things they bring.

Queensland , hell - I'm glad I'm back, it's been a while but soon I'm off the track.

And so I write with welling eyes, hey -I've bloody made it! ...but I'm not surprised.

Friday 22 June : Killarney to Queen Mary Falls

13.7km, 1h 17min, max 37.7km/hr.

More placid than wild.

Headaches follow welcome homes. There's a bit of a truth for you. I had breakfast at 4:30am and then promptly fell back to sleep. I got a full week nearly completed as I sat in my sleeping bag in the caravan later on and was ready to ride at 11:15am.

Before heading into town and then on the falls I had a chat with Terry, who was sipping a cup of tea and letting Rose's dog Sasha keep an eye on him and the general area. I passed Michael coming back form his boiler shift about 100m from where I'd left Terry and we had a quick chat and farewell. He had a few big nights ahead of him.

Some basic supplies from the Co-op and then to the St Vincent's where Rose was doing some work to say goodbye and work out when the big Irish Festival was on in September. The Shamrock Information Cottage was closed. "Due to illness" was the reason sticky taped on the door. I would just ring in a month or so to lock in a date - that was the plan. Got some meaningful words from Rose before heading to the butchery for some sausages. As many as I could get for $2.70. Australian that is.

Rode up to the Killarney school where I found it was difficult to locate the deputy I'd met the day before. Tried to track him down and in the meantime discovered this was a P-10 school. Since it was the last day of school and I was under no obligation to keep this tentative appointment I decided I'd just ride on. This I did quite happily.

About 7km up the road was the Browns Falls picnic area - a top spot for a picnic. There was a little purple car parked there so the occupants were obviously checking out the falls. Fixed the bike and then strolled off up the creek with my camera in one hand and helmet in the other. I should have been wearing my helmet for two reasons : the winding path beside and over the creek had vines which clunked me on the head a few times; and I nearly fell over on the slippery rocks a few times (and I figured my skull is more important than my left hand).

I encountered the young couple from the purple car locked in an embrace beside a little waterfall - which really was more of an acute cascade. I queried whether this was the falls and they said that they could go no further and so assumed it was. Judging by the amount of signage in the picnic area I guessed that this could not possibly be the falls. A bit more slimy rock hopping and vine dodging later I was rewarded with what I would label as the most picturesque falls I have encountered (and not only because they are in QLD and not NSW). Well worth the walk in. This had to be the falls as the creek ended in a cliff face. (That's a real barrier - not some stones and vines.) I was not in awe by the colour of the water in the base pool, but the rest of the scenery made this a majestic spot.

I'd hoped the couple would continue to find what I had found but they were gone by the time I made my way back to my vehicle. They had missed out. So sad really, to have come all the way from wherever they'd come from, to not make it another 200m and see what I saw. That's life I guess, or perhaps more accurately - that's love.

Passed Dagg Falls on the climb up towards the Queen Mary Falls. There was a lookout from the road and it was a well timed break. Perhaps a better name would have made these more enticing and appealing. The name just kept running through my head as I looked at them. I road away with a somewhat 'well that was sort of nice' feeling. Those falls need a new publicity manager.

The purple car was at Queen Mary Falls. They couldn't possibly not find these as there were tracks to follow, signs, and a roaring coming from over the little gorge. I booked in for a tent site at the caravan park opposite before going for a stroll to see what sight would behold me.

At the caravan park you can feed the local parrots. Parrots are way cool and they know it. They are also hard to photograph with a digital camera as they don't sit still for long enough. The park also has 'Wally' a resident female kangaroo (I don't know, so don't ask me). Check out her pose below. A bower bird's nest is also here - an impressive display of blue bits and pieces that I hope gets him what he wants. Apparently this one stole half of his treasure from his competition across the road near the falls. He's also a bit of a celebrity having been a star in a recent BBC documentary that was filmed, so I can't imagine him having any trouble attracting a mate.

Got talking with Ross and Jan who were also staying in the park but in a cabin and not a LNH. Spoke about the trip, cameras and the things to see and do in the local area. They spoke of a photographer relative from Sydney who has a web site - Wyles Wilderness I think it was called. Try this link (but don't expect success!) http://www.wyleswilderness.com.au Search in Google and you'll find it.

There was a hefty wood pile to use in the BBQ but it was all timber mill cuts. I scrounged around for native wood twigs and branches etc. (C.R.N.P. - Stewart's golden rule) in the hope that I could have a fire that would cook my sausages. Jan brought over some minestrone soup and a fresh bread roll. This was a great entree and I tucked into it with glee.

A possum joined me late in the cooking procedure and made me edgy until he got to understand that the things I was lobbing towards him were only suitable for consumption by termites. He retired to a branch about 1m from where I was standing to watch and hope. There was plenty of life about and it wasn't particularly wild.

After cleaning up I typed until 3am and got a journal week finished. I just wasn't tired which was odd considering the previous 24 hours.

Saturday 23 June : Queen Mary Falls to Teviot Brook

27.4km, 1h 55min, max 49.5km/hr.

Winding down.

A chat to Graeme and Anne for a good hour outside the Kiosk at the caravan park got me to noon. They'd some stories to tell about the places they'd been and seen, and were from Brisbane, so it was nice to have that little geographical link. One story of note was that they had just left Portsea the day Harold Holt went missing. Graeme had actually taken a photo of the seas because he couldn't believe the conditions. They had noted also that there was an unusual amount of people in vehicles going towards Portsea as they headed in the opposite direction.

I was keen to upload here since I'd had time to complete a week and write plenty of email replies through the nigh, and had missed a hoped for upload at the Killarney school. This wish came true with the generosity of Graham (the park owner) who kindly lent me his office space and EFTPOS line for 10 minutes. A relief in a way, as I could now move on over the next few days knowing the site was more up to date and some important emails had been sent. More of a white cloud than a grey or black one it would have been though (in case, perchance, you were concerned for my simple worries).

I signed the visitors' book and noted in it that this had been one of the top three caravan parks I'd stayed in. This judgement was made on site quality, cleanliness, attention to maintenance, availability to attractions and atmosphere. Adaminaby and Omeo are the other two in that three.

The Moss Gardens about 10km from the falls are less than impressive if you've walked the path I walked in New England N.P.. If you haven't seen much mossy stuff check it out. If you remember this photo however, and have seen a similar amount of moss, don't bother. You do get to walk beside the fence that marks the state border, which might provide you with a bit of a buzz (not literally). Just don't follow it down the steep slope looking for more mossy things - you just pop out on the road about a km from where you parked and have to walk back up. Guess who found this out the hard way.

That would have to be one of my first anti-wraps in the journal. Generally if I haven't been impressed I haven't bothered to write about it.

The head of the Condamine River is located up near Teviot Falls. It's called The Head. Don't go looking for something significant like one person I met - The Head is just an area where a creek fades into a paddock so I'm told. Depending on which side of a particular hill in that paddock a raindrop falls on, it will either end up in the Pacific Ocean via the Brisbane River, or in the Southern Ocean via the Murray-Darling system which empties near Adelaide. That drop would see more of the country by falling on the SW side of the hill but would get to the beach a lot sooner if it fell on the NE side. Do raindrops have preferences like this? Somewhere here I rolled through the 3500th km but it wasn't raining.

Teviot Falls would have been impressive if there was a bit more volume to the water. Worth a look after some good rain but it's a steep drive to the lookout. Luckily I was coming down. The guide book says that you should "enjoy the scenery on the way up between huffs and puffs". It's bitumen all the way, but it'd be a task for any cyclist or horse.

The BNT guide book also mentions that there are many good places to camp on Teviot Brook. This I found to be true and I think I found the best spot. A few campers were upstream on larger more open sites close to the road. Didn't want company tonight. I tried a track just north of the causeway but it got ugly quickly. I knew there was something better if I was patient. The spot I found further on was a good hundred metres from the road and over the brook (which didn't appear to be running even though it was back at the causeway). It had a campfire ring and plenty of wood about. A nice cleared area which invited privacy yet enabled you to spot the occasional car, but denied them spotting you. Life in the trees, a cow nearby (perhaps lost), a strong feeling of safety and a sense of secure isolation.

This place would mark the last real solo trail camp. Tomorrow I would camp with three friends after a rendezvous - possibly at a trail camp site, but probably at Lake Mogerah. After that I was off the BNT and heading for home along the back roads. This site was a fitting conclusion and I will remember it forever.

Sunday 24 June : Teviot Brook to Munchow's Crossing

27.8km, 1h 41min, max 48.3km/hr.

Finding things and a debrief of sorts.

Slept from 7pm all the way through to 4:45am. Amazing - my first normal sleep in ages. This confirmed my contentment with this place. Got up to date in the paper journal before taking my time to get packed. Think about that - I have been packing up everything day in and day out. Go on - look away from this and consider that. Think back to what you were doing in late March - I've been packing and unpacking nearly everything I have virtually daily since then. Oh, and riding my bike. I have thought about it, so I was happy to think ahead instead - not many more to go.

Not a big day but I am meeting with Steve around lunch and then in the afternoon with Dennis and Janine. A party of four we shall be; camping out very merrily. But for now a time to slow down.

I sat back when the bike was ready and just soaked it all in. Peter (Dalmorton), Rose (Killarney) and a few others along the way had suggested to do just this and this was the first time that I did it without a tremendous view in front of me. I listened carefully, breathed deeply, searched for scents, relaxed the body, looked through the air around me and felt the place. I tuned into that place like nothing I have ever tuned into before.

I'm bringing my two sisters here one day to do exactly that same thing.

Although Lake Mogerah was the night's camp preference, I was interested in a bush camp again, with no facilities, to see how the crew I was meeting up with would cope with the whole thing. Let's see how the city slickers (well partially anyhow) deal with all the bush stuff.

Rode the road and checked out the BNT camp which looked pretty good. Went on the prearranged T junction and talked to Jeff who lived on the corner. He was a boiler maker, turned teacher, turned non-teacher. Steve drove up after I'd been there about 15 minutes and I thought this was exceptional timing. This was Steve's second rendezvous (#1=Oberon). He has become a 'drought breaker' of sorts. Jordan was with him and was not sure of my identity at first. Jordan is a dog that is black and nice.

Scribbled some notes and attached them to the signs so Dennis and Janine would know we were down the other road a few km and not at Lake Mogerah. I had post-it notes but Steve had a band aid for the attachment of a larger piece of paper. Forget the sticky tape - band aids have superior stick.

Set up camp in a cosy sort of place but found that the ground was growing grass with prickles. Silly ground. Pitched and unpacked the gear regardless of this situation, while Jordan stood around watching. We mentioned to him that he was not a lot of help, to which he didn't reply. We did expect (and get) some more response from him once his new tennis ball and food made their respective appearances.

Talked the afternoon away while sitting on camp chairs and played a few games of cards in which we either came first or second. It's great to be no worse off than runner up / silver medallist. Gathered some wimpy light softwood before finding a patch of hardwood trees up a slope near a gravel pit. Organised dinner and had a beer - a Crown Larger, just for the record.

Photos :Jordan aka 'The Free Spirit' aka Thermo-dog.  A wild flower somewhat like a snap dragon.  Sunset clouds above Mt Greville.

Jorby was introduce to his Thermo-dog jacket attire which Steven had purchased as a present for him. He (Jordan) was a bit perplexed at first and seemed to be protesting silently when he was wearing it. It made him stand very still (the feeling of being held?) which was a good thing in a way, but irritating for us as we were used to him wandering around. We kept looking for him and he'd be like a stone statue in the spot we last saw him. He'd just stand there where we left him and not even turn around - just staring out in the same direction. It was like he'd been hit with a stun gun. The 'Free Spirit' had been contained.

Dennis and Janine were expected before nightfall, and a few cars came and went, but they were in none of them. As it got later I assumed that perhaps they'd decided to stay in Brisbane overnight as they'd run a half marathon and marathon respectively. I'm useless for the rest of the day after a half marathon so I figured they'd find me tomorrow if this was the case. I've learnt to never count anything out until zero-hour however, so believed there was a chance they'd arrive.

Our fire started roaring. That was because we just kept adding lumps of hardwood. I wished this wood had been available in some of those national parks I'd camped in. A tremendously good fire with all those firey things like heat, spark showers, red and orange coals, singed finger hair, smoky clothes and dancing flames. So simple but I might not see another one on this trip.

Through the darkest hours of the night I was woken several times by a strange scratching sound around the camp site. After freezing still and holding my breath to listen as closely as possible I realised that the 'Free Spirit' had overcome the restrictions of the 'stone Thermo-dog' syndrome he had been suffering and was wandering about making the nylon of his jacket zzzit-zzzit against the grass stalks. I thought at first that it may have been some lost 'Stuck in the Eighties' character walking around the tent in plastic corduroys.

Notes:

A double header with the poetry! I knew you'd love that!

Rose - Thanks for the direction and ideas.

WHSS 2F - That Thunderbolt's Hideout picture is just for you.

Late Show fans - It was those two who sang that song wasn't it?

A very 'naturey' week in terms of photos and focus.

Well, only one week to go of traveling.

Preparations for dinner at Bald Rock. Spot the odd item.