Yes, I know. Such a bizarre world we are living in right now, and yet I have more good news. Except that I read today that Dan Murphys has a shortage of rum across Brisbane. Just as well I only like rum on bananas en flambe, or poured over ice cream.
The Lockyer Valley is an area of rich farmland that sits between Toowoomba and Queensland’s capital city Brisbane. Farmers in the valley produce around 95% of winter vegetables that are supplied across Australia.
I was recently invited to travel across the Lockyer Valley in a tour hosted by celebrity chef Alastair McLeod, Ambassador for this area for some years. McLeod, some of you may know, is of Irish/ Torres Straight Island descent and has a passion for fresh produce. One evening he cooked for the group utilising the produce from local butchers and farmers where we had stopped along the way. One thing I took away from meeting McLeod, other than his sincerity in pushing fresh Australian produce, is that good meat doesn’t have to melt in your mouth. “It’s ok to masticate”, he said. And that he likes a red with his beef.
My travels across the Lockyer indicated lots of new growth with undulating hills covered in various shades of green and parklands fresh and full of new life. But looks can be deceiving. The Lockyer Valley is in “Green Drought” mode which essentially means that although the area has most certainly benefited from recent rainfall the moisture hasn’t soaked deep into the earth. Our farmers are still battling. When our farmers hurt, their communities hurt. And they need help.
Blogs covering my experiences in the Lockyer Valley will be published elsewhere in coming months 🙂
As a fellow blogger recently stated, thank you Karen J Schoff for the inspiration, “Sometimes we can be so keen to explore the rest of the world we can overlook the places and history that is just around the corner”.
Ever so grateful for such a wonderful opportunity in retirement, on so many levels. Sending a rude gesture to the schmuck who berated anyone over 45 for wasting space. Don’t come anywhere near me if I’m holding a golf club ya dipstick.
Been a while since we passed through this area. I agree, so much to see and do around this area. I guess eventually we will be able to get out and about again…
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Pauline, I usually drive right through the Lockyer on the way to Toowoomba. Discovered some delightful spots which I will share down the track.
Don’t get despondent: this will end and we will be able to travel again. I was supposed to be in PNG next week. No use getting distressed -it’s out of my hands.
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We went through that area back in 2010 when we started our round Oz trip. Guess it has changed. So far I’m enjoying extra time in garden and art. Guess PNG will still be there when this turmoil settles down.
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We are not allowed to travel anymore. The Government said so. My excursions today will take me from the Master Bedroom to the kitchen, the to the living room,to the bathroom (at some point) then back to the kitchen…rinse and repeat. I like your journey better.
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I saw something on social media very much along the same lines about taking a wine tour through each of those rooms. You have to laugh:)
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A shortage of rum…might have to change drinks if you like your rum.
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Not a rum drinker though as Qld has Australia’s biggest rum distillery it is a very popular tonic. Fun but worrying all our Gin producing companies are making their gin for hand sanitizing purposes only:)
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Thanks! Delighted to have inspired you. Better hold two golf clubs if you see that schmuck. One day they’ll be over 45 too. 😃
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😀
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