Today we decided to check out Atherton, it’s a much bigger town than Ravenshoe. Sections of the drive into Atherton required 100% concentration as the road was twisting and steep with some very narrow bridges. Our first task was to find an Optician because a lens had popped out of Alex’ glasses, luckily he hadn’t lost the tiny screw because it was different from the normal fixing. The girl was lovely and fixed them for no charge.
We had breakfast then went to “Crystal Caves” a shop which has wonderful rocks and gems. I had wanted to go to Mt Hay to look for thunder eggs but we didn’t get there so I decided to take a chance on some they had in baskets. For a fee we could choose one and crack it open, if there was nothing inside we could choose again. It was difficult deciding which one to choose from the 100 or so in the basket but it was great fun cracking it then seeing what had formed millions of years ago.
After we left Atherton we went to Hastie’s Swamp to find a geoacahe, it was an excellent setting with a bird hide. The only birds we saw up close were a Night Heron half obscured by leaves and a lovely little Kingfisher which dived several times for fish.
Back to camp and the mundane task of laundry.
Some of the volunteers here were working on the engine boiler today and hope to fire it up tomorrow. Apparently it takes about 4 hours of fire before enough steam has been generated to run the engine. We won’t see it because we’re moving on towards Chartres Towers.
2macstracks 
Comments on: "Ravenshoe – Tuesday" (5)
Enjoying all your blogs on this trip. I can remember the Atherton Table Lands adventure when we towed a caravan up and up some narrow twisting steep road. For some reason I can’t remember we turned around. It certainly was not a road that you could gawk as you drove. We have had rain and more rain at last. First time that we have no water in the front dam at this time of the year. Such a contrast to your weather that you are experiencing . Even with all my excellent blubber it has been cold. It is amazing the different foliage and trees from down south.
AS you’ll see from today’s post we’ve left the rainforest behind and I’m sorry about that. There is drought here in Charters Towers and we’ve passed cattle in very bare looking paddocks. We saw 3 big plastic tubs in one so they must be supplementing with grain.
I can imagine that it will be a tough job for Alex dealing with the grass down the hill when we get back.
What are thunder eggs?Can you please explain.
The real name for Thunder Eggs is “geodes”. They seem to be solid rock from the outside but when you crack them open they’re not solid but can have crystals or agates etc inside. They can be caused by volcanic action or even start from animal holes. You can find some great photos and information online. This link is quite good, http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4926966_geodes-form.html
The ones we could choose from were like rough balls but I think they can be other shapes too.
Thank you,that was very informative!