The Semi Retired Travellers

09/08/2025

📍Carnarvon Gorge, Queensland - part 1
Our first stop on our walk through the Gorge was The Moss Garden. The pictures don't do it justice, it's absolutely beautiful!

How it was formed:
The Sandstone from above soaks up the water like a sponge. Over thousands of years, the water seeps through the stone until it meets an impenetrable layer of rock called shale. With nowhere for the water to go, the water moves sideways, trickling out through the wall. The constant supply of moisture sustains this beautiful oasis of moss and ferns.

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07/08/2025

📍Sandstone Park, Queensland
With a couple of nights off, Rob and l headed out to do some camping, we wanted to explore Carnarvon Gorge, so Sandstone Park was our choice, and boy, did we pick a beautiful place!

With 360° views from all sites, it's absolutely beautiful! There is no power or water hookup here but lots of portable, clean toilets around the park.

The sunsets and sunrises are magnificent! If you like peaceful tranquil stays this is the place to go, even though the park was full the noise level was very low allowing us to just sit back, and enjoy the sounds of nature by the fire.

The Caretakers are very friendly and host a communal firepit every night, so we went down for a chat with our fellow campers, which was nice.

We absolutely loved our stay here and would highly recommend Sandstone Park if you're looking to stay in the area.

31/07/2025

Creamy Chicken & Corn Soup
This is a delicious thick soup, l found this recipe in a Woman's Day magazine about 30 years ago and just love it!
You can cook your own chicken but l buy a cooked chicken from the supermarket, shredded the meat and add it to the soup.

Ingredients
1 cooked chicken, shredded
1 onion, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 large or 3 small potatoes, cubed
4 cups chicken stock
1 410g corn kernels
1 400g tin creamed corn
1 400ml tin evaporated milk
Salt & pepper to taste

Method
Cook onions and celery in oil until soft.
Add stock and cook for 4 minutes
Add potatoes, corn, including liquid and creamed corn. Bring to the boil then simmer 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
Add evaporated milk, salt and pepper, cook a further 10-15 minutes on low.
Serve with crusty bread.

27/07/2025

Colcannon and Sausages
This is such a tasty way to do your mashed potato. Adding cream and butter to the mash gives it a beautiful creamy texture, and once the cabbage mix is added, the flavour is next level!
Cooking some nice flavoured sausages just adds to the great taste of this dish.

Colcannon serves 2
3 large potatoes
1/4 cabbage, shredded
1 onion, chopped
2 rashers bacon or 4 shortcut bacon
Salt & pepper
Butter and cream for mash

Cook potatoes in a pot of water. When soft mash with butter and cream, add salt and pepper to taste.
Fry cabbage, bacon, and onion in butter until soft, add to the mashed potato, and mix well.

26/07/2025

Bulk and budget shopping.
Today, l spent $47 on a budget whole pork scotch fillet, then found lamb loin chops, and chicken drumsticks that were price reduced.
I cut the pork into steaks and vacuum sealed all meat into individual meal sizes. By doing this, we now have 9 meals for the freezer, which works out at just over $5 per meal.
I'm always on the lookout for ways to save money and by buying meat in bulk and reduced price, this is a great way to do it! 🥩💰

24/07/2025

Roast Vegetable Frittata
This is a great dish to make at the end of the week to use up the veggies in the fridge. Just use whatever vegetable you have. It works with most. You can also add ham or chicken to this dish.

Ingredients
5 eggs 100ml cream
Pinch salt & pepper 75g shredded cheese
50g mushrooms, sliced 50g feta, crumbled

1tbspn olive oil 1/2 tspn mixed herbs
1 garlic clove, minced salt & pepper

175g pumpkin, diced 1 zucchini, sliced
1/2 red capsicum, sliced Cherry tomatoes
Handful baby spinach

Method
Preheat oven to 220°
Toss vegetables in oil, garlic, herbs, salt & pepper,
Spread out flat.
Roast 25 minutes undisturbed (no flipping)
Cool for 5 minutes.
Lower oven to 180°
Line pan with baking paper.
Whisk eggs, cream, salt & pepper in a jug.
Spread 2/3 of the vegetables in pan.
Pour over egg mixture, sprinkle with shredded cheese, top with remaining vegetables.
Top with baby spinach, then crumble feta over.
Layer mushrooms on top, spray with oil (to brown mushrooms)
Bake 45 minutes until the centre is just set.
Rest for 5 minutes in pan, slice, and serve.

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22/07/2025

📍Surat, Queensland
We visited the Cobb & Co Museum while on a day trip to Surat. The history here is fascinating. The last Cobb & Co coach service was run from Surat to Yuleba in 1924.
While l didn't take many photos, l had to take on of the beautifully restored coach. It's worth a visit if you're in the area.
Also, l couldn't resist taking a pic of the fisherman as you drive into town!

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19/07/2025

10,000 followers!
Thankyou so much to everyone following our travels, we really appreciate you all.
When Rob and l started this page it was to show our family and friends what we have been doing, we had no idea it would grow like it has!
We have met some wonderful people along the way so far and hope to meet more as we continue to explore and work our way around this beautiful country.
Don't forget to say hello if you see us around, we love a chat. 😊

17/07/2025

Vacuum sealing is a great way to preserve your food for longer. I have done it with meat and vegetables and they stay fresh for at least 3 weeks. It's so easy to do as well.

# vacuumsealing

16/07/2025

16/07/2025

Happy birthday to my wife and best friend. Thank you for this wonderful life’s journey we are on.
56 today
Love you 💋