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| From the Highway, Homestead, Queensland |
This small, ex-Gold mining town is more likely described as a blip on the radar almost exactly half-way between Balfe's Creek and Pentland, themselves blips on Queensland's Overlander's Way between Charters Towers and Hughenden!
In fact, while we've 'been to' Homestead several times over the years, these 'visits' would be more accurately described as 'drive-throughs'. Fast not-taking-any-notice-because-there's-nothing-to-see-and-we-don't-need-fuel-or-food drive-throughs en route to either the east coast or the Outback. Or as the tourist brochure detailing the tiny towns on this route describes it – 'between the Basalt and the Black Soil'!
But in August 2011, as we passed by Homestead, a process normally taking well under a minute, I saw something weird out of the corner of my eye. I gave Pilchard what, in retrospect, must have been a painful jab.
'Stop the car,' I demanded, no mean feat when towing a camper trailer at
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| Mower side detail, Homestead, Queensland |
In fact, the creativity shown by what must SURELY now be described as an EX-blip, has ensured keenly anticipated future 'visits' to Homestead! Will there be a new display? What will it be?? Will it make a great new post for my blog???
And Homestead's innovation just MIGHT put it on the Tourist Trail ...
* Impossible as it may seem, I HAVE been known to be wrong – so tell me if you know better!
** As if!!!!
*** Although as a blogger, I appreciate their amazing photogenic qualities ...
Wow!! impressive - what more can I say- red is a good colour choice - makes it stand out from the crowd.
ReplyDeleteCan I beat it? Never!
I love it. As quirky as the animals on bikes I found at Yeoval. The country people are having fun.
ReplyDelete"Feel like going for a Sunday ride, Honey?" ;-)
ReplyDeleteSo funny, definitely worth stopping for.
What a ripper! Of course had the town had a bakery, you would have stopped there years ago.
ReplyDeleteLOL, brilliant. we have a cast metal wombat on a rock in wombat....someone painted it pink last night!!!!
ReplyDeleteI gave Pilchard what, in retrospect, must have been a painful jab.
ReplyDelete'Stop the car,' I demanded, no mean feat when towing a camper trailer at high reasonable speed.
My wife does that too when we are driving. It always occurs about five or six meters after the turn though.
I love that mower, damn I want to move to Australia!
So what does the second riding mower look like? It would seem it might be still in use as it is not concreted to the ground like this one. I hope you had time to track it down for future installments.I finally posted my day on South Beach. See how that stacks up to your adventures.
ReplyDeleteCrikey - the time, the effort, the soul-searching, the creativity involved! It's ART, RedNomadOz, ART I tell you!
ReplyDeleteHi Red Nomad Oz,
ReplyDeleteI really like your Blog. The Photos and accompanying Stories are truly interesting reading and viewing.
I enjoy reading and seeing new things about Australia, and here it is definitely an adventure.
Fabulously innovative idea for the push-mower, I wonder if it worked...
I keep thinking of those moments one meets with a jar while walking and pushing such mowers... would have been quite challenging on a bike!
Thanks for the Story, fascinating photo, and connections to discover more.
And Red Nomad Oz, thank you for your Visit, and liking my Blog enough to Join,
Felt honoured seeing you there...
With appreciation from Magda in Queensland Australia
Bonza photo of a push bike mower has got to be a typical Aussie invention, made me smile :-).
ReplyDeletePerfect! One more reason to visit Australia! Are they manufacturing? I want one!
ReplyDeleteHow very utilitarian! I love it.
ReplyDeleteArt is always in the eyes of the beholder and like Duchamp's fountain always cutting edge. Ha.
I agree with Kath and Andrew - it's definitely art and you would have rhapsodised about the bakery long ago ;)
ReplyDeleteLove it lol.
@Dianne - The red makes it stand out on the highway, too!!
ReplyDelete@Joan Elizabeth - Despite the inconvenience of turning/stopping, I just HAD to reward such innovation with a place on my blog!!
@Eccentricess - Well, that mower wouldn't wake the neighbours on Saturday morning!!
@Andrew - HHHMMMmmm... does this mean I'm becoming predictable??!! You're right, of course - maybe I'll suggest that to the town as a 2nd string to their plan for tourism domination!
@IWBY - Haha! I'd love to see that ...
@Beach Bum - Only 5 or 6 metres, huh? Lucky you!! Pilchard has to put up with a lot more than that!!! You could always 'virtually' move to OZ by building your very own ROLM!!!
ReplyDelete@SFlaGuy - Note that it's just the support that's concreted in ... which means - wait for it - the mower may WELL BE DETACHABLE!! Will check out yr handiwork soon ...
@Kath - Funny you should say ... I had the devil's own job deciding under which of my blog categories this fitted!! Now I see I should have stuck with the 'Art' choice!!!
@Magda - Welcome, and thanx!! Happily, there's plenty more where this came from - and WAAAAAY more that I've yet to discover!! Come back anytime - you won't be disappointed!!
@Windsmoke - somehow I think it's just a little bit tongue in cheek ... but SO cool, nonetheless!
ReplyDelete@Diane - WOW! I'll have to tell the tourism bureau that this IS a real drawcard!!!
@Towanda - Yes, the best inventions are those which turn everyday objects int works of art!!
@Jayne - Yeah ... you're right on both counts!! Sadly, I've become all too predictable, and that will never do so watch this space!!
that is brilliant!
ReplyDeletehow inventive people of a beautiful country.
i love it!
big hugs
betty xx
Classic Oz!! Love the crash helmet, that truly is Aussie humour at it's best.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI have tagged you for the 7x7 links challenge if you would like to participate. Info on my blog!
@Betty - well, it made ME stop - I wonder how many more will now discover the delights of Homestead ...
ReplyDelete@PDP - Yes, it's a nice touch, isn't it??!!
@Diane - Thank you so much! Come back anytime with comments like these, girlfriend!!!
Australia sound like the Great North West, stopping at quirky sites along the highway!
ReplyDeleteI feel a road trip coming on!!
"Alfonz start the car!!"
That's a pretty beefed-up looking lawn mower! =P
ReplyDeleteNot sure it will put it on the tourist trail but I know a few men that would love to own one of those mowers! Ingenious idea :)
ReplyDelete@Eva Hamori - Haha, lets go, girlfriend!! That's the only way to find this kind of stuff!
ReplyDelete@Technosyncratic - You're jealous, right??!!
@Debbie - Yeah, I'm thinking of offering to become an agent for them!!!
All I know about Queensland is Matthew Hayden!
ReplyDeleteHi there - glad to see that the mower comes with a helmet - would not want the health and safety people getting upset would we!
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne.
Cool! That's something that I can't find here :)
ReplyDeletethat is such a brilliant and creative invention. very cool and eye-popping.
ReplyDeleteSo funny - and brilliant!
ReplyDeleteGreat find!
ReplyDeleteWhat if you can't ride a bike? Would the mower be the training wheels?
ReplyDeleteDo you ever give Pilchard a jab on the "ex-gold mining" town, alone. I mean sans mower. All the so-called, ex's in Montana still have some gold that they forgot. Just a thought with the rising price of gold.
Happy trails ......
Manzanita@Wannabuyaduck
Yep a bit weird but also wonderful
ReplyDelete@25BAR - Haha, sorry to hear that!! But you've got the distinction of making the 1st mention of MH on this blog! Will it be the last??!!
ReplyDelete@Stewart M - Yes, it's quite ground-breaking in its conception ...
@lina - Aha! I KNEW it was a world first ...
@Life Ramblings - You got that right!!
@ladyfi - it certainly ticks all the boxes, and that's what attracted me to it!
@Stephanie - Welcome, and thanx!
@Manzanita - Haha! Maybe it doubles up as a training cycle?? And yes, I'll be stashing a gold pan in the car for future finds!!
@Mark - Indeed it is! Thanx for dropping by!!