Bike rides and other exploration

We've been ensconced on our land for about 7 weeks now and there is movement at the station! Or at The Carrads!

But in the meantime we have been getting to know out new 'hood.

The local bike-shop guy organises social bike rides once a month. In fact he just started at the same time we arrived back, so we tagged along. It seems like a nice social thing to do and we get to see some new places around here.
We are called the Macleay Meanderers.

 1. Ride to Euroka.
This is funny because we lived near Euroka Clearing in the Blue Mountains!
This is a bit different.
It nestles in a curve of the Macleay River so it is a fertile little spot.

2. A gentle dawdle along the left bank road and the right bank road next to the Belmore River which joins the Macleay River at Gladstone (NSW not Qld).

Another attraction of the Macleay Meanderers is that we finish with afternoon tea at a refreshment establishment.
On the Belmore river day we went to The Old Bank Cafe in Gladstone which I failed to take photos of but totally deserves a story of it's own.

We also do a a bit of venturing into the Maria River National Park which nearly borders our property.

It's a fairly low-key national park which is quite hard to get into, but is perfect for some low-impact activities like walking and bikeriding.
We have also driven in and put the canoe into the river which is blissfuly peaceful.

In which we explore the Maria River....by boat.

A mirror surface on the Maria River causes confusion for Graeme and Tess. 
Makes you feel like you are floating in air rather than water. 

 Symmetry in the water line...if you can pick it...

and the largest grass tree spike I have seen.

 
A feathered gem makes a paddle all the better. The azure kingfisher was tolerant of our presence and awkward paddling in order to get a half decent angle. 

Needed 4WD to get in there so thanks for the lessons Albert. 

An Endurance Horse Race in the area made for lots of slow going so we wouldn't startle them...both horses and riders.

A morning bike ride

A morning bike ride in the Maria National Park next door.

An unexpected tall 'black boy' (xanthorrea) forest.

Unfortunately the neighbour's dog cannot be shaken. We will have to tie her up.

 This was a facebook post by G which I couldn't share due to his settings - so here it is!