I didnt realise that Toowoomba was so high up in altitude. Over 600mts high we weaved our bikes through the windy roads from Brisbane up the hills. The air becoming crisp and fresh as i felt it pass through my new mesh riding jacket. We got to Hoff,Leslies and there gorgeous son Luke’s house. Close friends of Robs.
It had been a very long time since Rob and Hoff had spent some quality time with each other so there was excitement in the air . As we rode up the house the garage door opened as though they were waiting our arrival. We were then happily greeted by the Hoffard family. Hoff (Andrew) is tall with whitish blonde hair blue eyes and snow white skin. Leslie with dark hair, dark skin and brown eyes and there son Luke is right in between. Light brown hair, lighter brown eyes and light brown skin. What a great and culturally unique looking family, especially for in the country. I was excited to get to know them.
They were warm and welcoming and interested to hear of the adventure. Our first 2 days in Toowoomba was all about catching up, we chatted, the guys bonded whilst mowing the lawn together and we watched a movie or two.
The next day we went into Toowomba for some lunch, had a look at the beautiful view from the town lookout whilst surrounded by bicycle riders. There was a bicycle race on, and the lookout was the finish line. One car started to drive on the road towards the finish line quickly realising that it was not a road for cars today. The driver sheepishly reversed whilst the remaining bikers trying to finish the race road around. Funny to watch.
Next we went hiking around Bunyas National Park. It was about a 9km hike stopping for lunch inbetween at a nice cafe half way along the walk. The cafe felt like it appeared
out of nowhere. The trek wasn’t too challenging yet enough to feel saticfied. I was however always the one straddling behind stopping for pictures and just gazing at the copious amounts of different flora and fauna, even mushrooms in the park. One may possibly be edible but its never worth it unless your 100%.
Rob and i were only planning on staying in Toowoomba a few nights but there has been a category 4 cyclone Debbie that has torn up and flooded North Queensland, our next stop. So we happily stayed put for an extra 6 days.
In that time we ate copious amounts of great food and lots of junk food including chips, chocolate and ice-cream. Rob and i had to not only wheel our bikes out of Toowoomba but each other as well.
We went out for a Japanese lunch and played mini golf one of those days. Its such a fun game, i had forgotten. Its amazing how competitive grown ups can get over mini golf. The day was warm and sunny as most days were in Toowoomba. We did get a full day of rain when the edges of Debbie flew over but the rest was great.
Another day we head to the cinema. Hoff and Rob may have been the only men in the cinema whilst watching Beauty and the Beast. The cartoon version was my favourite childhood movie so i was quick to suggest the movie and the guys didnt seem to mind to much whilst Leslie agreed. It was a fantastic movie, they did a great job i would definitely see it again.
After the edges of the storm hit Toowomba we head to Dalby ‘the cotton capital’ as there was a motor bike shop that stocked KTM air filters and Robs needed replacing. People in the town were amazingly friendly in every shop we went into. On the way we had to detour 3 times as two of the roads were flooded from the one day of rain. I can only imagine how bad it must have been for the poor people in the eye of the storm. I guess we will see very soon.
Our last night finished of with a seafood paella loaded with mortan bag bugs and prawns! Delicious!! We got spoilt. Thank you Toowoomba, you were amazing!!
2souls2wheels 