Rubyvale Qld July 15th 2023

 Rubyvale Qld July 15th 2023

Old Parkrunners never sleep. Dawn on the way into Emerald

Having moved to Rubyvale from Emerald yesterday, we were up at “sparrows’ and off on our way back again. This time so I could finally do the Emerald Parkrun, which has eluded me every time we’ve been here. I was a bit concerned at getting lost, but the run is well signposted and as usual lots of friendly locals and visitors. Here’s the map though, it’s even more convoluted that Urunga.

Parkrun circuit, Clermont Qld

The run goes all around the Botanic Gardens, and includes under the railway line and across the Nogoa river, twice. The river crossing is via a floating bridge. The old bridge next to it was built during WWII and is slowly but surely falling apart and down into the river.

Bridge over the River Nogoa, Emerald Qld

After the early start and the run, we went into town and had a hot breakfast before wandering back to Rubyvale. On the way in we just had to visit the markets, which consist of a handful of stalls, some selling gems, the others the usual array of market tat.

The only reason we keep going back to Rubyvale is to fossick for emeralds, well, buy a bucket-of-wash and the Miners Cottage and use their equipment to wash and sort it before getting their experts to examine our bits of rough for anything exciting.

Judy hard at work looking for gems. Rubyvale Qld

Sadly, the place is closed Sunday and Monday, so we will have to find another wash-and-weep place. There are a few around, so no drama.