tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48125505343937484802024-02-21T19:09:06.267+11:00Gordon & Juanita Around OzGordon & Juanita Greaves and their 5th Wheeler - Toad Hall - begin their journey around Australia. They have no time frame, and no pre-determined route. Join them on their journey and all enjoy!.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-56137638393654127302015-08-26T00:43:00.000+10:002015-08-26T00:43:15.159+10:00Here Goes . . . Over the past few months I have just about had the cyber world! I have had to replace my laptop, my wifi modem, my tablet AND I have been locked out of my blog. This is an effort to re-connect with the world, so at first it will be just a short paragraph and one photo. Here goes . . . <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpV0rtDSo2X_-JxDJy6T7h9IsaFYciDJZB6nHWK5aNCclQ-M7Vq4Y_B8y6ZmNUEuaq7tTRAZCUTxBsldCYudV9wUCvTLAcWdBTIuRHWqTgwDZtEKwLB0AM1XjfXarl7cvdxdos91P46U/s1600/Fire+Pit+Fraser+Range.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpV0rtDSo2X_-JxDJy6T7h9IsaFYciDJZB6nHWK5aNCclQ-M7Vq4Y_B8y6ZmNUEuaq7tTRAZCUTxBsldCYudV9wUCvTLAcWdBTIuRHWqTgwDZtEKwLB0AM1XjfXarl7cvdxdos91P46U/s320/Fire+Pit+Fraser+Range.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-23856270166855989162014-10-02T16:20:00.001+10:002014-10-02T16:20:12.223+10:00Paronella Park<p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Paronella Park is such a huge experience, it requires a blog all of its own. And as each picture paints a thousand words, this will be more of a photo essay. For more photos and information, visit <a href="http://www.paronellapark.com.au">www.paronellapark.com.au</a> . </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"> <font size="1"> (The following is transcribed directly from their own brochure)</font></font></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">Everyone has a dream, but not everyone’s dreams are fulfilled. Jose Paronella’s dream was to build a castle. He chose a special part of Australia and created Paronella Park. On 5 hectares beside Mena Creek Falls he built his castle, picnic area by the falls, tennis courts, bridges, a tunnel, and wrapped it up in an amazing range of 7,500 tropical plants and trees. It opened to the public in 1935.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">Paronella Park … is State and National Heritage listed, and is a National Trust listed property. … Paronella Park is the site of Queensland’s 1st privately owned hydro electric plant (1933). </font></p></blockquote> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We arrived late in the afternoon, following a shopping excursion in Ingham and camped up in the front yard of the Mena Creek Hotel (free camp), then walked the short distance to the entrance of the Park itself, across a suspension bridge. My discomfort with heights (and especially moving platforms at height) is still with me – no matter how many times I endeavour to conquer it. </font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d7d3EsKc-RI/VCztFlZ-2UI/AAAAAAAACMc/ZRk6um15yAw/s1600-h/P7230395%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7230395" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7230395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6iP3H4XK3vb8GJBQkXqySR97PTvio71Grqb-k9hwAw2RErAqUh_KHW8sx2jhk_rUKxSU4IeUR2FQ4KXpmvaOVIq_8Yx31_sc2S5p1LDPfWeip3jLpXkauYvWsal0yAS2sUPPf4jrCcs/?imgmax=800" width="322" height="427"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">This bridge is not part of the Park itself, but was built in 1988 as a Bicentennial Project. It was constructed by 18 Field Squadron, 2nd/3rd Field Engineer Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uhLlBU8q12c/VCztKKLL_II/AAAAAAAACMs/TDIA8EHTe2M/s1600-h/P7230392%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7230392" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7230392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLAZ1lYefzKtwqxpU8jnXqwa1aacxBMyKI2RY5O7uJIkwJN5A80Xhif_B4kOVwK7yi0hGkoCOjNnDEnp5042BmeSfIvlyvoqxiWdnz9phzaVeFMW1ndkZFUxRyDP21UmmxMsY9D6va_k/?imgmax=800" width="479" height="361"></a></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial Black"> Mena Creek Falls (taken from the Bridge)</font></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqtZF5GbK52ky-w1TDPAOeUTR5PAF6mCqEsg_B2PzVynHG8Rz-Mr8rUGkUomKjKP4MqmbWXRGW96VKcxBwMR-zFwZNFoMnv6veIsFvQsm1F-Dc3Y5g-oZUuNU3Gtj9UJDUWDrYawCFtE/s1600-h/P7230408%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7230408" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7230408" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4MDe9vS4sZs/VCztQGkTxkI/AAAAAAAACNE/9X7Zw5etq8w/P7230408_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="628" height="472"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">This picture shows the suspension bridge high above the creek and falls, with the hydro electric plant on the far right. This has recently been restored to be fully functioning and it powers the entire Park. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Upon arrival we were greeted by Mark Evans (co-owner with his wife Judy) most warmly. He was pleased to hear that we had heard his interview with Richard Fidler on Conversations. Also he knew immediately that we were the 5th Wheeler camped at the pub and when we said we were checking out the camp area at the Park for re-location the next morning he asked were we not happy where we were. Of course we are, came our reply, but it’s a one night only camp. That’s when we found out that he owned the pub as well when he replied – Well if you’re happy there you can stay there until you’ve done your tour. I’ll let the staff know. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Mark & Judy definitely know how to operate within the tourism/hospitality industry. Nothing is ever too much bother, the customer is always right, and word of mouth is the best advertising money can’t buy. We even heard him tell an older couple that if they wanted to bring their picnic lunch & thermos in to sit on the deck and enjoy, then they were more than welcome so to do! </font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JSMzanPL0ck/VCztSY2cCHI/AAAAAAAACNM/0cx2gq3Av1o/s1600-h/P7231478%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231478" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7231478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRp48J4u2kPT7e56qKuuhPdLPyV49Da-CazTpdLu7xs5h4S6wxH7nd6wjCMot2fJpDxnzXFMwd5Sm17nLE322FAfL3IpVqJ5oPNDc05dF2ZjTINzU5U3nqlOyt65Ig8b9LHI2Be2ml9c/?imgmax=800" width="420" height="316"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Gordon enjoying a read & a coffee on the deck, prior to our day tour.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KtxtT2-GZds/VCztXagRHPI/AAAAAAAACNc/ByLeFuCpS5U/s1600-h/P7231822%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231822" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231822" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq1WcHpcf8C5whkh4Y5r37lpkC8zFfwYjiCy7D1SH2iF2WlFOllqE0bXzWWB3AzmHuZ6rUjdowJozppKvuUNgkwOnQcsPtbuf1ET90aX_-Qaql5ACMBi90A2mghNpt38NGw9wu8-XDTn8/?imgmax=800" width="430" height="573"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">An arrangement of tropical flowers – all picked from the Park. </font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The tour guides (we had a young lady in the morning, and a young gentleman – who co-incidentally is their official photographer for their brochures, website etc – in the evening) are very well trained, well spoken and quite passionate about the Park and its history. The story of the Paronella family is very emotional, and as it is told by the guides you can feel yourself drawn to the family. </font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2Df6Cy4hNaqVT7vZzrQrOr34FGQNJzvADfdUyzNBuvCNqWaPCQHe052PxDJfiDfzxJWyVk94SZ_R1LK_gQofX-qQIJUi0uLLa_699I3cPXuJDrrC3_e9VCy-Efdto8Jy7EKbBk4bnDk/s1600-h/P7231742%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231742" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7231742" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_ixDbtht6Ac/VCzta9trWzI/AAAAAAAACN0/uLUnKikI2Vw/P7231742_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="364"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Jose and Margarita on their Wedding Day in 1925</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7O5CwcbiKz04fcg0VF0E5VJQ2q3jZcWf2qcRj1ec-wAb7F5LGblP62floeYKDDTg4mG_4SxSjGOWw2jtFgK_ypIMzVGFMMR4HzYvuPdS_TYgw8zrY8rtOJQs6woItYAYU91QsVyuNeo/s1600-h/P7231743%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231743" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231743" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bLt4QCDSMHw/VCztdIU3g0I/AAAAAAAACOE/WQSGTFBCw7E/P7231743_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="247" height="328"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MR14uEGXtdI/VCztekiZZ1I/AAAAAAAACOM/HbOwFMl5_XI/s1600-h/P7231744%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231744" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231744" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6DPikgfWhi-zltBecFAERos02wcFvVDMQkH41qfzannF-qaO96pAspCpFJlWvAZLt6lpmn6puHrPVu91lIFUWvyyKMS6_jbcBhTdkw4LIRhktaQlTCSPdSSk0hccnABfbbTBG-suKLs/?imgmax=800" width="249" height="330"></a></p> <p> <font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black"> Teresa Joe & Val</font></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Jose was a pastry chef, prior to embarking on what was to become his life’s work. He came to Australia to prepare for a better life for his future wife, and began as a cane-cutter in Far North Queensland. He saved enough money to buy a cane-farm, then another and so on. A</font><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">fter 12 years he returned to Spain to claim his bride – only to discover she had grown tired of waiting (bear in mind he never wrote home in all that time) and had married another man. Not to be defeated, Jose proposed to her sister Margarita and they were duly married. The trip to Australia was to be their honeymoon. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">All the work at Paronella Park was hand-made by Jose and his workers. In the cement work, the indents of their fingers/hands can still be seen to this day. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SiSe6JgdV8M/VCzthh3UXOI/AAAAAAAACOc/xGsxULnqf6o/s1600-h/P7231503%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231503" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231503" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0s40Hs5MQ1I/VCztjbBcOWI/AAAAAAAACOk/VQa_M5KlKcE/P7231503_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="529"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r8pLcCZTi7w/VCztmLqzmpI/AAAAAAAACOs/WW8mMeMk93I/s1600-h/P7231725%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231725" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231725" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SLNPv8bLlDA/VCztnqe_DRI/AAAAAAAACO0/c6qkXuHS_aI/P7231725_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="400" align="right" height="533"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The planters (which can be seen in the centre of the bottom picture) were individually moulded by Jose – all 500 of them! But that is nothing compared to the balustrade inserts – there were 8,000 of them. Yes, EIGHT THOUSAND – once again all individually moulded by Jose. The man was truly driven by his dream. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Si9NzPkPnzA/VCztqhSFtvI/AAAAAAAACO8/eL3AdsdMSmc/s1600-h/P7231605%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231605" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231605" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0hW9lssYcf9mypSrxKuKlw1d4Xmgc5sft5iIb_NfKNcRTpie8ZXUswDYJqCGV3pozWkpvisrvKR3xycT6L5ydiTGlVUNGgqiSZeceM8EVN77o7yz75TzBNiQQY89PX-0qka1wILgM1g/?imgmax=800" width="362" height="482"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">The Tea Rooms . . . by day</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLL10gxFYx3NSRvNGKvm8Dt67zi-04C_HRy_vj0P0KGzcnAuXpVfwhfDP7pq4ryc2W-rIrk4aPF6P8j3zLpNXTXs-k8VfvqRTBjwTRzTOGsPK5j7W7X5HkOonBNTEgwj_mErnxvXnen8/s1600-h/P7230027%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7230027" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7230027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga8KP2tpGucOPIly44dC3jfw3ur_LtwEOWVLWkf4fx-dffNJY3eR8zAgdH1XoNxEpDkJ0PrToVL5afgdyLBbJ3VHcw6iW70jFLSBXBvzwGqpgSHxbrjMz6v9MNnJG9fITpb7FkA4dXJ48/?imgmax=800" width="515" height="387"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">. . . and by night</font><font color="#000000" face="Tahoma"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The creek is fast flowing and home to much aquatic like, including black bream, turtles and eels – all of whom benefit from being fed special pellets provided to the visitors for just such purpose. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nbPA19rfxGg/VCztwsmhRmI/AAAAAAAACPc/HgzcEIurDTE/s1600-h/P7231537%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231537" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231537" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pH_tSr6kBr0/VCztx5b66GI/AAAAAAAACPk/y3-x3lfXD14/P7231537_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="237"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kqu_omkW1nQ/VCzt2EXb5eI/AAAAAAAACPs/IB_FBAMXUQE/s1600-h/P7231672%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231672" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231672" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5fQmZAQDhl2_XkPRdSYpIHhu6yU4olpFaPxiqYvIjBJPFzkFg-0dOtsDNzZNXNcjJPlCMvecoCY6ZFOIYoeDFSZNC4TEYd2CvUX7Wq43znVuCpuQd6R3p9IwOMW2dlD7lx1UwEQkSQU/?imgmax=800" width="311" height="235"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The gardens, despite having been ravaged over time by many floods and cyclones, are most impressive. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjovxV3XNU6pwzYlna3_a5Alw18d1q78LWf-5hyphenhyphen-nwzryCQbTrblByw04yzbkhLxR5p62vTywONgF5uyBZzPqOKAdRDxD9JH2bLEgnvfhgewLdadcYKfieUWoVBtJSj4uYc-LsQwoC4w/s1600-h/P7230397%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7230397" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7230397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikl6t44w4kYLDPppXgRfc-w-s0jskkhe_6Y0K_C8rk0bC-CvrUKy3xSM3qV-_fBB7JWsuL8qdkRQz0PtzZM3jOPs3BDvwKV0TL4N5vlUBFVvg4lontESsMgJlSBfpMts-Fl11bIEc_qg0/?imgmax=800" width="288" height="383"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iPlJTf0Gz0Y/VCzt9NA4ZJI/AAAAAAAACQM/pcfTcAUjs0g/s1600-h/P7231526%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231526" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTJzy9iXCwlzCE0Bcff0WVP7_53WwuKWTYpvhKWzwGUbDhHyE18KcnorjmA-6Iv6ePclyjiWWN0Bi651RSw7Q87F7bH-gJctdQ9fCbQiNsnZKju7XSwHV4spg_ZwP2RI19VnPhTwoYo8/?imgmax=800" width="287" height="380"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black"> The Kauri Walk – from each end. These trees are 80 years old. </font></p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_aKIHx2Xx8A/VCzuCUSYTfI/AAAAAAAACQc/Skog761PjS0/s1600-h/P7230399%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7230399" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7230399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideUsLAcAVa5zmD4j1GvCtiNkm30tXUARm-Jzct-8m0AgrkGORMclhn9dpG5l8fYmfo9ab657O-SDFVfj3oCkXEy0CgXTx0BzC52xs1UbNijf9qFiLkr3ljVtUgVQIY1obollCBanGypw/?imgmax=800" width="424" height="319"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0236JYTKFI0/VCzuGF9JFvI/AAAAAAAACQs/N_EVnfSjIf8/s1600-h/P7231512%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231512" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231512" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jcngHK72vkA/VCzuH7c1cFI/AAAAAAAACQ0/x5Ist6-EBPw/P7231512_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" height="431"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Teresa Falls – built by Jose as a gift to his daughter, to scale to match the Mena Creek Falls. </font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDPEZPuaWHhSao_VPrZPzSzCOATQn9xwlQ4OinFmCq27Q5XseYxpeTgD8-9SOHW04URpirYOPTykkqo5Xdk3yRLrsMxiKvy24KiYjrB9d4mxf5XG698xPxeiMTMGrFlQGCrSQbkkmnZA/s1600-h/P7231506%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231506" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6APDZekffAncg6B4M6y3AKRVg0pYJDSZuqj040TQyrD3uoiN04Ve4UTRw0xAkhBIeTFmKXa_8MsTTol4x_INcHZhhRgVwXK8ugeHnpkvWL4mm_makR1uzy8peqwoyI-S-80OWyowHy58/?imgmax=800" width="453" height="341"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-N_JWUf-354A/VCzuN__IeqI/AAAAAAAACRM/d-4vme8BCqY/s1600-h/P7231611%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231611" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231611" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y0Eyq8_vSA4/VCzuO3M5fGI/AAAAAAAACRU/HN0T_gQ4Zl8/P7231611_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="271"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">The Bamboo Forest</font> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">The Fountain, between the Tea Rooms and the Playing fields. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7b1WJbpacGPL0AWQx-ef-Aj3wE2HwMUKRK9h_SYPiyMWI69pX8gy_GRT1aJoN9hby3MaAoBHWSsiBjvYK4Usm_3jxnWrnRCogu5sov8wb5dOymCVasEunLITyPAA-4l4EI3DcoAkHOU/s1600-h/P7231503%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231503" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231503" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jmzYGP9qv8Q/VCzuTl3v0VI/AAAAAAAACRk/bo_Y2CSzR5s/P7231503_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" align="right" height="432"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RItehxFaRHM/VCzuVCEh7qI/AAAAAAAACRs/kMo3Bt-hQoM/s1600-h/P7231605%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231605" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231605" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tLpMIm6y7JCgwq7kkfVeC7ZaMgE-XOTFrT97SIoVML0ANTc8eYYHcOVh-PrxQiOTRDJh7nfRtTrLJqsB4wGiuducEuytIlBMLOhPNmA_eTh1poPyiVXjPqq02vDPVV-PAR4FRBOm6Vs/?imgmax=800" width="303" height="403"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">After a full morning (over four hours), we trundled back to ‘the pub’ for a rest before returning at dusk for the night tour. There is a restoration programme underway, which will eventually see all the buildings reinforced and made safe for visitors to view from closer range. At the moment – due principally to flood damage and subsequent ‘concrete cancer’ – the main buildings are only viewed from a safe distance, and some judicially placed structural supports need to be taken into account when lining up your photo. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-U1lYHx1wCzE/VCzuX7w7RuI/AAAAAAAACR8/TOqugaUSxkk/s1600-h/P7231840%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231840" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231840" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dgqBMN1Sj_w/VCzuZzE8s6I/AAAAAAAACSE/GG_8kkGDgi8/P7231840_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">The Wishing Well – at the entrance to the old Ballroom</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOv137YMhopr4uuXmWmO4RR2iPpSoU4TJbTbBQDZ4clEYRyn5iOtLiPZt0BNOTFJnjEv2Q1FuzKN4UTWOQD1lnOlDt-bLjuPoYVWFzmqhPPgYa2aypc1OhE-pYT3AmMOfjtXwnZByFa0/s1600-h/P7231963%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231963" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231963" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0F9MHIKMprZw1BAHdntO7LHlhl-CzjQe23H7z3z_nHiD30OxsGdVRaX28k1zg7l5Uw5VOxUIjueBWncOVChFXQucnJ1zO879kC29_mgqDfidU7NZTDwELHDOS6UOnOmkZuUnWLFQS2Q/?imgmax=800" width="517" height="389"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">The Fountain near the Tea Rooms</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ncGlO27CJpI/VCzufjQlHVI/AAAAAAAACSc/_TpSKqBO7-s/s1600-h/P7231878%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231878" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231878" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kq83ljeAj50/VCzugg1FzyI/AAAAAAAACSk/XGF2ggR-YSc/P7231878_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="377" height="284"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGVzc-UBSh-3KLXAtVxNpQgKol66Vixqa59BhlEDN5nF84GJaoSrRfJpGtK6FAzvMIqaMaYqCMx-DfDxCiCkrM2it_bpis2fA4mywxbSNyexnEU4IUUzgS-HahP8RQG-ttu35rtG_qjY/s1600-h/P7231852%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7231852" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7231852" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JKU9otGSWvA/VCzuksAJDoI/AAAAAAAACS0/0ZUDSBnfa0s/P7231852_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="317"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">The main Mena Creek Falls . . . and Teresa Falls</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Paronella Park is definitely a ‘must do’ – these few words and pictures can go nowhere near the actual experience. And, once again highlighting Mark & Judy’s vision, your pass is valid for two years. Yes, TWO years. All that is required is photo identification and (the really hard part for me) keeping (and remembering where you kept) your ticket/pass. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Do yourselves a favour – come visit Paronella Park.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Until next time . . . </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="center"><strong><em><font color="#9b00d3" size="5" face="Lucida Sans">Live the Life You Love</font></em></strong></p> <p align="right"><strong><em><font color="#9b00d3" size="5" face="Lucida Sans"></font></em></strong> </p> <p align="right"><strong><em><font color="#9b00d3" size="5" face="Lucida Sans"><img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7GLszoOWbdE/VCzulQYEo3I/AAAAAAAACS8/85DpdKIjTu4/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></em></strong></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-90394613704804974322014-10-02T01:35:00.001+10:002014-10-02T01:37:47.049+10:00Far North–Here We Come (Again)<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">First night back on the road, we stayed at Torbanlea Racecourse – a low cost camp just off the Bruce Highway and not far from Hervey Bay. This camp is priced the way I think they ALL should be – a base rate plus additional for the services you use. In this case, $5 per vehicle per night (includes use of toilets) an additional $5 for power & water and another $5 for the shower/amenities key. All up, fully serviced just $15 per vehicle per night with passably level ground & within reasonable proximity to many attractions. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">It was here we met our first “Oz Nomads”. Oz Nomads is a facebook forum full of tips & tricks from fellow travellers, and as members we recognise each other by the green & yellow ribbons on our vehicles. (G’day Rod & Yvonne, Ron & Carol)</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EvcPdl0nsb4/VCweDuka7wI/AAAAAAAACF0/YiGB6NYLKnw/s1600-h/PA010994%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA010994" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA010994" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8u-IooCn1aw/VCweEzJesDI/AAAAAAAACF8/Geq3DQFQLM4/PA010994_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="185" height="140"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vU-ns3F7rvCZxpnH54FObXhLGMfWCMbYInyWqin1DzzBlICImeRznwtqyUMvbDKGNfKzSB6RgY6zpUkgmgohxfH8WmUHcaYrnKqNC8CIZ3Ou-tm0BrfFlgMPvh2cHOTZSIfovM-e7ic/s1600-h/PA010995%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA010995" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA010995" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLe4W0O-6-h6Eqir5E5MNdA1q9ArM6Qdbu9ZS3MIBqRrG-O1rMXjUDo2c9tQymSfXYFsHA-TKcgYVu84K0k1ASIMLxo2vDlwFyOdI-fM0BHNeA3ef4jxAyESSZ8xfAjLnMy7Pgbdp8TnM/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="139"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1wjuIrdp0MPeoYwLN0IU5rgX2bnkXArHBLktLIll7bkuoVLXOQaOuvxukrbqEf_sYBKKLChLD54xZQjiJPuKznux35q-HzXMIdz-M4MKGQLNAbXEOUOYr0aIaNDhVjXVNoLN1ZvClOU/s1600-h/PA010996%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA010996" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA010996" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MY6XGzvsIZU/VCweJybLI8I/AAAAAAAACGc/RxoN8ipYOQs/PA010996_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="177" height="134"></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000">We waited here for a couple of days, </font><font color="#000000">to receive a delivery, then headed off to Calliope River – a beautiful free camp on the river next to the historical village. </font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-evDS-FKtO5A/VCweL-bxGOI/AAAAAAAACGk/2APtuC6NQmI/s1600-h/Calliope%252520River%252520Freedom%252520Camp%252520v.1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Calliope River Freedom Camp v.1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Calliope River Freedom Camp v.1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjSBojvRr7JguJSe3sXrIaX8lz8g8JV9JunN-TLFK4sDvZc0b_yPuN2xY3CyJzy-c9qQvXk3PF-kIW-8lFMDWMj4LpFboH2hDEonOaK8lMxp23Zv28ZlEHtoGeEUAxohXWYAZDR4KGd0/?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZzS6i4WtqmY/VCweOlkMftI/AAAAAAAACG0/opESCXiqI3g/s1600-h/P7071123%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7071123" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7071123" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7U7V80J7-Do/VCweQerLarI/AAAAAAAACG8/4WcYQJrk4pU/P7071123_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" align="right" height="338"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Setting up</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">The Old River Crossing</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghFzF_6doP1l72BKt4BgWUqQg78xt5EN6iCw4g-8XZEiHdaBaE9cd6IgzVn0o9Lzsy-6HfvI0pcAfgyV5tUzqmg5YtsjM4TAdfsnR2O_v4nEBRb-9AWsBTEHiB6uhmFn6skdZNic22xns/s1600-h/P7071163%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7071163" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7071163" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cLY-VGtByDk/VCweThtLxfI/AAAAAAAACHM/qkItvFPaK-0/P7071163_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="346"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Pelicans are Everywhere</font></p> <p> </p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-arqzaH95758/VCweU28VSFI/AAAAAAAACHU/lCLAhWtzC6Y/s1600-h/P7071214%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7071214" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7071214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVmWwvegD3GEJ5w5A1cb1tKKIv0r9zB_8zvvb-8Tb3fXCNxNmgkLPxoFtUW5zn82EeSyCtozxA_zwVfzsAvDl5lJoV5CwVMfCOiL-inRGxDBXQnWmHHmWOwTSP38kqMATsB8erxnT4NsA/?imgmax=800" width="432" height="324"></a></blockquote> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Sunset</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Leaving Calliope River camp, we went into Calliope township to re-stock our groceries only to find that the trailer brakes were faulty! Stressful times all around. We have had an intermittent fault in the past, but only very temporarily. One touch & they’re not there, second touch & they’re back. This time there was no second touch – there were no brakes; although the vehicle brakes were doing the job, it was definitely a job for the experts. Unfortunately there is no-one in Calliope up for the job so there was nothing for it but to hobble along up the highway towards Rockhampton. Fortunately it’s only 130 kms. After such a long & stressful day, we were very pleased to see the Kangaroo Country Caravan Park, just 11 kms south of Rocky. The proprietor was kind enough to recommend a specialist just up the road a little, but unfortunately they would not be able to even look at it for 8 to 10 days! </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">There must have been someone looking out for us, as there was a billboard advertising <font color="#9b00d3"><strong>“</strong></font><font color="#9b00d3"><strong>Capricorn <em>Caravan Repairs”</em></strong><font color="#000000"><strong><em> </em></strong>and Shane and Natasha – business owners – could not have been more helpful. As the fault was intermittent, it took some time for Shane and his father to isolate it. The brake cables run through the centre of the axles and it had rubbed bare in patches and was shorting out from time to time – hence the intermittent fault. On our behalf, Natasha phoned 3 caravan parks in town for us to stay overnight, but they all said they couldn’t fit us in. Now I’m unsure as to whether they were full or their sites were too small but each and every one gave the same reply! All we can say is thank goodness for the foresight shown by Mayor Margaret Strelow and her Councillors who approved free-camping on unused land near the entrance to Kershaw Gardens – just opposite a large shopping centre on the northern side of town. We spent less than 48 hours in Rockhampton, but over $1,300 spread between six or seven businesses. This is the benefit that free or low-cost camping can bring to a town. Rockhampton received some fairly adverse publicity around this time because a caravan park owner by the name of Ralph Warner castigated the Mayor and Council for providing free-camping as it was “depriving (him) of his rightful revenue”. The hide of the man! The sheer arrogance of him thinking OUR money was his “rightful revenue”!!! Never mind – I shall not continue my rant here, but I think you understand how I feel. The free camp was convenient, not too noisy & just what we required for a last-minute, short-term rest stop. The following morning, Shane completed the repair and by just after lunch-time we were on our merry way again – this time with fully functioning trailer brakes. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRjRoc4lQIxEkK2M0UPDefV5-xgJGQeZkHIDILtvex_IeJeiDndoJH7XB578YZjx-nvk_mvnLkfPMKK0jOUKFp3MUlpvMhY0TKnclWzGp-vMGt4YGiOCkyTSj8Ld85kO72As1UqTHmqM/?imgmax=800"> </font></font></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We had originally planned on going inland from Rocky travelling to Longreach/Winton area but the hiccup with the van brakes and the extended time in Maryborough led us to changing our minds and continuing up the Coast. So . . . it’s off to St Lawrence we go.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Typical of us, no plans and all, when we arrived it was to find that the campground was closed because it was Camp Draft weekend. Consequently we set up ‘over the road’ along with upwards of 100 other campers, caravanners, motorhomers etc. The really beaut part about it all was all the entertainment all weekend was absolutely totally free. And we so enjoyed the entire weekend. </font></p> <blockquote> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Waiting you turn Junior style . . .</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qdd7guG3oI0/VCweYvktYQI/AAAAAAAACHs/9l5xelx2iRk/s1600-h/P7121315%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7121315" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7121315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgth5t9p8YMyLpHE0RTAl7TzM2jt7QpfYtGBDAPoiMw1tIj2P_1XKjRc44NJ9XF6EBbuONXaLcesSDCWsbfxeGg8omTkZBJ4hmzYWyU8NGlYZHgrPN-Y3cubTBDhL0NKUpfiLdghhRUk/?imgmax=800" width="414" align="left" height="312"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqZ8gcWYMlKGsJ6zLeThthzjbu0_XPn4Bn_wSSZoek3NDRB4LxvkNAzSwCU4jv9QO7fCmdoAHk9glNSe-ipRI-S7nNiN7MMCRAku7himInWL_LtrN7qe_BMrm6EVn3HvuFIL0Z2A5tAlk/s1600-h/P7121336%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7121336" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7121336" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eY1Lskdwjd4/VCwecvddIVI/AAAAAAAACIE/mz5Z7ufYIVU/P7121336_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" align="right" height="317"></a></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">. . . and Adult style</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-6pDtfRo7bKw/VCwedm4ThKI/AAAAAAAACIM/vSH4B2CNiLw/s1600-h/P7121350%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7121350" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7121350" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fH3FOoJtUGg/VCwefClCPkI/AAAAAAAACIU/vtq8wQDHnmo/P7121350_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="428"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">As comfortable as in a lounge chair</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Ir5l-E_m5g/VCwegZpFoXI/AAAAAAAACIc/cNjhc54Bd1Y/s1600-h/Shadow%252520Drafting%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Shadow Drafting" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Shadow Drafting" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yUpxFS0PaY8/VCwehV4vLiI/AAAAAAAACIk/jSQY6Cajjm0/Shadow%252520Drafting_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="588" height="442"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Shadows</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PtUTdwLvGGc/VCweix8mbDI/AAAAAAAACIs/kpO5I9JS2-U/s1600-h/Spurs%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial Black"><img title="Spurs" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Spurs" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pFtNkwpy9HY/VCwej1_P0ZI/AAAAAAAACI0/_isPf7e-h4g/Spurs_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="248"></font></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz3Xrul-rjdocGW-LRFzsqOrNTyuWnGwCqmMlCG8XUXNbaObt3gHMQn6lgAw1_qa7XyJJZK8U4mzxI8uXUmV6V0dun_y5uUQt-n8vAnQQIuwVWx_SdjyqRiQeikeP8n-PZBkCFKtH_Ao/s1600-h/Teeth%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#0000ff" face="Arial Black"><img title="Teeth" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Teeth" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Pus_sMm0S-E/VCwennHRTGI/AAAAAAAACJE/VnzupjemHGA/Teeth_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" align="right" height="195"></font></a><font face="Arial Black"><font color="#0000ff"> <font size="3">Spurred on</font></font></font></p></blockquote> <p align="center"><font face="Arial Black"><br><font color="#0000ff"></font></font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Ringer</font></p> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sKBYQGH_Nww/VCwep3AUnuI/AAAAAAAACJM/aaHwrd5lj7U/s1600-h/Winning%252520Junior%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Winning Junior" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Winning Junior" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RBTgc-JnmNw/VCweq02URkI/AAAAAAAACJU/ahMx5uIkLC8/Winning%252520Junior_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Junior Winner</font></p></blockquote> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Bastille Day – and we’re moving on again. After stopping off for shopping, fuel etc it turned into a long day so we stopped off at St Helen’s Caravan Park at Calen. Once again, a fully serviced site (power, water, amenities) for only $25. And a really pretty place – had we known how nice we probably would have stayed longer. As it was, just one night then on to Home Hill showground. The price has risen since our visit last year ($15) but it is still convenient and generates a lot of income for the community. This time, we drove around to some of the WWII historical sites.</font></p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WYoq5ebZhjQ/VCwesMRRlQI/AAAAAAAACJc/0EL7ZOOHI08/s1600-h/P7191370%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7191370" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7191370" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c3mU0W2DYp8/VCwetAa7dpI/AAAAAAAACJk/-xq9wZCU2lw/P7191370_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="332"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Burdekin Snow</font></p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRFmmvRoi2zarA_b2Fqp5T6f8XrZedm1WQ_GMRje0aXzC-yiL-MSCGMqllnsIiN6qsXDWuX7VqhnmJ4Ok9K7p4-qlP3u7i-pfUQjVZbfYJ9AjkHjQWs9_-HmrFnZRkw6SeZ9NKx-jlSjs/s1600-h/P7191365%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7191365" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7191365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GUqRHveUbfM/VCwevTZC88I/AAAAAAAACJ0/cqJrpKRfIFE/P7191365_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" align="right" height="254"></a> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Inkerman Hill Lookout</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sqlhm8Q824_CgHg-yEEzYHDpoSJKzIyVAP4EPDWyxEQnQ6sQ1fhwDGBd0L9GNOY5tRw67v6XvHOQGdYyG1nRRER_FHxn1vIvxHu2lxj2gkkoabszEyDRW48G5KdQ-cau4ckZRvqldUE/s1600-h/P7200365%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7200365" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7200365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BC_mmMgL_V68-FO99EIyNa6LU0pv9FPbwu_fww9TaXCKpQRWZXLzduyb3pePu0ubIy-PRpwnCCiJa08KHku5uNE6gKGnopXSCLVbYit4aLQI0ZR7IML5QmIyD1_JnagtDXJ0M0azsRg/?imgmax=800" width="342" height="257"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jzaTRVaKRvQ/VCwe0CAP1NI/AAAAAAAACKM/tGpBXSNdZMo/s1600-h/P7200369%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7200369" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7200369" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-puR3Mah3FcM/VCwe1RF758I/AAAAAAAACKU/IzRDXMwM73Y/P7200369_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" align="right" height="340"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial Black">Charlies Hill – a radar emplacement . . .</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBKBfTy7qjB-9pA2D9z8NVeOiGFB_i0c_ubGp50lov_x_uP0os0exO2fCgSnZ36CRKEcdn8qtq5PoeVx-pdVYpmrC8GeyUmCemmKPMYM9UAJOGc9q-RC3QotZsNKVIRwKteIQacwKv6k/s1600-h/P7201393%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7201393" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7201393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYQL0TRcadO-2lmf1KHTp2fSPQmbLTR8SWeCQam_NkUjGEOgo-TOgkUDV6bEs68NVgmMuJD1iVfNNy1N7oTEWihJ_3ZcGi95qve1gvY-pnEBUqht7egeg4I_nUgCVlA33Y9T5f6Rnu-E/?imgmax=800" width="302" height="228"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ApZvokTUK88/VCwe64t8AHI/AAAAAAAACKs/l2p8Kwyeq4E/s1600-h/P7201396%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7201396" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7201396" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eRRN1hd7br8/VCwe7zjIBWI/AAAAAAAACK0/O0U0NfRWqcw/P7201396_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="226"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vAnF6RRtw5M/VCwe9AxQJyI/AAAAAAAACK8/Ii7907TFVws/s1600-h/P7201402%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7201402" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7201402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwBQOYa20yVOPff1QWhr6SwLWf1aaTY8byExI1Onr-KqZjo73AcMFFPFH0xLi_QKtuE_25nwvQLjKUQe8lJtt1xm3GIWF3Ck2_yYZp2eRdLfbXOaws1pxt-E83FvpK39TBP7eWXyA8Oc/?imgmax=800" width="447" height="336"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Y9JTxIQ9kWs/VCwe_-jJAJI/AAAAAAAACLM/TY_4r734_PE/s1600-h/P7201411%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7201411" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7201411" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DjFro0WHbpk/VCwfA7YNdcI/AAAAAAAACLU/klhnNuG8kco/P7201411_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" align="right" height="229"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-flgtn_URTwk/VCwfDT06_WI/AAAAAAAACLc/ReAVMz3UnOY/s1600-h/P7201416%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7201416" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7201416" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zq_utLoLg48/VCwfETB72TI/AAAAAAAACLk/1FH1bie7BCo/P7201416_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="297"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vCLj9WJtjm8/VCwfFmLwfII/AAAAAAAACLs/Zk2zBSNdJBU/s1600-h/P7201417%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7201417" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7201417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQnWsDgvNq-ZhB8SAqvNofGAZnOKtIS0H6pV4g_uRANmb1WZ6VWujdps00dIDsST5LK-mUxrP5gg4EexW7Fx0qYAgadz_HbO7Dl7Ax7YCd8tTFQ5Qr0XgelSCEWBEv-PSgqhO_hr5axg/?imgmax=800" width="316" height="238"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Once again we enjoyed our time here, but the time came to keep moving. The prime purpose of staying coastal is to be in the vicinity of Cairns for the mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs’ game on 3 August and on the way my wish is to visit the Tyto Wetlands at Ingham and also Paronella Park. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Ingham is also a progressive shire in that it has introduced (on a trial run) 48 hour free-camping near the Wetlands so that is where we’re heading. Only to find that, by 11 am it is absolutely chock-a-block full! Just a quick wander around, chatting to some of the campers, it was plain to see that quite a few of them are going to cruel it for the majority. There were some dropping waste water straight onto the ground – even though the signs stated strictly self-contained – and they saw nothing wrong with that, even after having it pointed out to them that the Wetlands is environmentally sensitive. There was another woman (whose dogs were unrestrained) who openly admitted that she & her hubby had been there 4 days and had no intention of leaving for another two! Honestly – if only people didn’t abuse privileges, life would be so much kinder for all. Consequently, we were unable to stay there so went to a nearby caravan park and moved on again the very next day.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">A quick lunch stop in Cardwell – to boost the economy of a tiny coastal township which was all but obliterated by Cyclone Yasi. The community has made great strides in regenerating the waterfront - </font></p> <p><img style="src="file:///C:/Users/HP/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles1E4BF4B8/Cardwell" - Pier to beach.JPG" width=458 height=344 srcDelay="file:///C:/Users/HP/Desktop/Blog M'borough to Mareeba 14/Cardwell - Pier to beach.JPG"><img style="float: right; display: inline" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-xFwAoNySrLmhivtGLjoTuaIsJSZmkoI2s-I9I62lyR4qdqDZ5bllcmDef_gx7v1xlkAIgpCGZ9_-ssY9rXS-fvIkPE1o8cRs08n2xGCQCGkhy4JP7xYdJ5F7srG5UAYxPTUU7pAvnQ/?imgmax=800" width="463" align="right" height="347" srcdelay="file:///C:/Users/HP/Desktop/Blog M'borough to Mareeba 14/Cardwell Beachfront.JPG"><img style="src="file:///C:/Users/HP/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles1E4BF4B8/Cardwell" from pier to beach.jpg" width=433 height=325 srcDelay="file:///C:/Users/HP/Desktop/Blog M'borough to Mareeba 14/Cardwell From Pier to Beach.JPG"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CMU3aT8sC8g/VCwfJBVxMEI/AAAAAAAACME/ybyrJXAlF9U/s1600-h/Cardwell%252520Pier%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cardwell Pier" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Cardwell Pier" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6z5Rmq22nfGyyClV_tu4DiwNAVC3wwM0mZbobOI1YjD0_4ipQxM1dteEY1XNRD8wdEdhLWF_NGxFSSWnTpb5TIG3fNj4Rc0FluiV08Al8fZgqyZjVlz708GtY7CUdW9pwe-PyymHKf8/?imgmax=800" width="489" align="right" height="368"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">From Ingham it was inland and up into the mountains to Mena Creek and Paronella Park. Paronella Park is a whole new (old) world and as such deserves an entire new posting. So this is where we art company for now; and until we meet again - </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Arial Black">Live the Life You Love</font></em></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#87f44f" size="3" face="Times New Roman"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-7899351710013722582014-09-06T17:44:00.001+10:002014-09-06T17:44:35.019+10:00On the Move . . . Again<p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">Our house-sit at Maryborough took us from mid February to the beginning of July. It came at a very opportune time as we had spent quite a deal of our cash reserves having issues with the slide-out on Toad Hall resolved (finally!!) – many thanks to <strong><font color="#0000ff">Crossroads RVs</font></strong> at Gympie. We also had some medical appointments to catch up on so we were able to establish ourselves in the one place and have an “address” for mail re-directions and a little bit of on-line retail therapy. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-etdXvPofMKA/VAq4yVEMCiI/AAAAAAAAB4w/aDwkRLJAHHQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">During our stay we took the opportunity to travel around the area a little. A day trip to Childers was extremely emotional. The Art Gallery is housed in the former Backpackers’ Hostel which was severely damaged by a horrendous fire in June 2000, which resulted in the deaths of 15 young people – some Australians but mostly international travellers. There is a monument to all of them at the rear of the Art Gallery, and out of respect for the deceased and their families photographs are not permitted. Childers is a heritage town and there are many fine examples of restored buildings and a wonderful sense of community. They also have the most delicious ice-creamery (no wonder watching my weight is becoming easier. Easier because there is more of it to see!). </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">The ‘long way round’ return journey took us via Belyando Crossing which is a picturesque freedom camping area. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_I5XTJAnF_h0RNtcV5pR7rM-M30eEvLZUm6UwabkwhpxePb98W6rOsZsgd27-6Dq8mX8EX-rbXBLnvBDGkTQVVpUfJPqkLXV2hgC92kL95Yr-8ChAcxCoMsM0ubCy-UP4xqpDhfWuuAE/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Belyando%252520Crossing%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Belyando Crossing" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Belyando Crossing" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXh0uGAaXEhdOgYvNHOT_2cLgOz2eMm4-dCC4QWxF4ltd1EkduR36yFGb5SZxAgG97zFkS3KXX2gTl4iDn52zhdFb3Q6SEwJcfmzF9t2JfsbXXPfRkhdVEKzCv9qJcDAqfWQcxd7QBglk/?imgmax=800" width="536" align="left" height="403"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaswzimgDsWq3fZ0VKGqyeS5BgMn5RgA0QOwkyEs9gH7pT1GtxPVa_lP3CjLm6IS7u0ftrydGLmhI8HUg6AamoWwjseVD_RkCa6F0qaExmxbbq3m8ZlI5X6SSJzZP2toxhmgkTSANfY8o/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Belyando%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Belyando" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Belyando" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KrVF0pd7Its/VAq46xNf3VI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/D8_MNGcr8fE/M%252527borough%252520Belyando_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" align="right" height="407"></a></font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">During April, there was a “Show’n’Shine” at the Maryborough Showgrounds. What an amazing collection of vehicles! The Maryborough/Hervey Bay area is home to some real die-hards. </font></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif541wzNQ0-3lwnbzOi2EpaXw0cD13GgLD1O3GCJLPKu06X4TqllXOjmmEZ8IZzBj2J0lBv6BAIJe7kimHHy39PEoWAJCFoo5T2coT6MWdHUU9Dp-kXRuT0liPcgeL-xcRgkRfT4_3hok/s1600-h/M%252527borough%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tuES1Ng6vyhnevXLTuHjTAhV5e2Ru8pYwCdPqkuxgrONB7eu0cGJSHucU9XyA1XXaLEZ612HNKOjuYHYG87lZnIPdQQV-SRV_3KliEB0kwimZj-vlRfpVjrfPOo9v2uIN00INkCU_DI/?imgmax=800" width="263" height="198"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Cj3N7Bi3MYE/VAq5DbSnKjI/AAAAAAAAB5o/F241_q78l9g/s1600-h/M%252527borough%2525203%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough 3" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--SyokEkXzEo/VAq5E2bMrCI/AAAAAAAAB5w/XeY6foNbEJg/M%252527borough%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="241"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4pTMTdzjIrU/VAq5Lc6hdjI/AAAAAAAAB54/TEotg_JL9og/s1600-h/M%252527borough%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough 4" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough 4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k0ZSnVVxgM0/VAq5MqvQi_I/AAAAAAAAB6A/wGtKH7Cd6kA/M%252527borough%2525204_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="271"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlo7y3gMmyyiC5TQooVlMN4EPPGj1bIHp3jBLhZ57zJQUaLD8xKAGniP0EIhWIsV521esa4tOzJJSXgx5BCQB5-6SbMd2xe5cdUWEllj3eAsGgU4AfzN9jAV6wEl03JaFBt8K2Pn2bL2k/s1600-h/M%252527borough%2525205%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough 5" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough 5" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CoOwiSfG_4s/VAq5P063PrI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/bsvD8Cksh9Q/M%252527borough%2525205_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGOP8eN8WlwniVhvCqjIt_813dfNF6rp5kXFLT8rLibQc8JDq6SfAlcBhgYlgQhrDNfZvyHSLygtOIcq7y5qpu_lezqesdakawrKngHCdwwoLvdQX0ArPoXf5oDgymf0Pqd0sfTsFtjwk/s1600-h/M%252527borough%2525206%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough 6" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough 6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpnzdZmNmrHiabsfIkaHPek6a0J9cegEfoRtqTusksNKA4x6r_K5pmK-WiRmbcdYtq32_y79q84XLSOgtkKzabaZECs9PIAn1ehTwVZvOx-8Q-BneMRdVFkN1lPXxG4vpv_rygmQI1nE/?imgmax=800" width="322" height="242"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBHbbzSJYPi6zbV2gB3k-9o9AeuLnI3Qc390yPYCSGNgYGs_iK6iPgugMjsu4PjLfLQXMIzqN6HP9Ptx3t8m7OLFlIkGzDFzRg0awAaATkm_akqtNvm3BeAFDk3iHuOsdr_gKtgc1jm8/s1600-h/M%252527borough%2525207%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough 7" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough 7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q3hnD1DYESg/VAq5c7nJ8hI/AAAAAAAAB6w/hkMGoBsu_fM/M%252527borough%2525207_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="332"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BBV0q05wn8_1J1RQmMtqel7CGdc5zPrbGW5YE-JcuUONizu_xAfj9eP22QqPC4YOuZe1-i4ycuwEtgqeGWB0SfsABSrefWI20Or4f104_IL5Of219mjFCORObxLp0YOiD4j_PO6Xjis/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Show%252527n%252527shine%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Show'n'shine 1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Show'n'shine 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-45G3a34rGJY/VAq5kQQ_ZAI/AAAAAAAAB7A/THe1Ftsqcjo/M%252527borough%252520Show%252527n%252527shine%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="376"></a></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">And of course shortly afterwards, came Anzac Day. The Maryborough RSL certainly put on a good show – both for the Dawn Service and the later morning march. And boy oh boy, didn’t the townsfolk support them! I’m not sure of the overall population of Maryborough (between 20,000 & 30,000) but the turnout was phenomenal! At least twice as large a crowd (for each march) as our home town which has a population for the LGA of 47,000+. Well done, Maryborough!! Gordon met Charles Mollison, from 6RAR, who was a mate of our very dear friend Tom back home. Also, as we entered the Club for lunch he bumped into another former army buddy, whom he hadn’t seen for over 30 years, by the name of Lex Macauley, who has in the interim published many books. They, too, had a wonderful catch-up which is just exactly what Anzac Day and similar commemoration days are all about for former military folk. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N1OrDJH048M/VAq5lnFgg0I/AAAAAAAAB7I/h_Xupv0wVs0/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Anzac%252520Day%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Anzac Day" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="M'borough Anzac Day" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2jbaWvgbTxk/VAq5mUVnfnI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/CaaTG6dlJCQ/M%252527borough%252520Anzac%252520Day_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="329" height="437"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgwmFD7Sis16xgPFiGd1ojbg0EEKuubOMtlK67-pb3Qqk483WJKbJtkggTvQdnvyYjClh6Mey74KZ9blFvLzZ8KQ2c1wNhHwlvsEeQ2GnDFFyjiQ1MB9XUlUxl9Gr9gHMGXIgRinsoxU/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Anzac%252520March%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Anzac March" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Anzac March" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7hDj92lVLwEZP3r6bTEHYrMkRlPaputffZc0hrJTnEBGWd62611_A2BxTO4z7nxfQLVfcuvVdc_iRnDgs4Ik1ae4TFv9QE1yLVXj57IHELzg6yc-JPTRxGGQ7FrDPU6x9OX9o5VexTo4/?imgmax=800" width="379" height="285"></a> </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">Earlier in April we also saw a ‘blood moon’ formed by what was the first total lunar eclipse for 2014. </font></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNgpPUD2kkQFBACVjvcR0cATOY4WP51dJ3HwBb9wkxCoLy76U9RmUy9iWOMQxpv3TInWQpS2CbAaeSlidNDA_Th8Nw9dBCYxTJXB2yB1KxwmVvVs-0c-3_5IhCv38Js5mZmcZgs6kBXU/s1600-h/M%252527borough%25252018.38%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough 18.38" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough 18.38" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lp3cKdT-9bo/VAq5szR-vWI/AAAAAAAAB7w/zdIuPH8O8lI/M%252527borough%25252018.38_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" align="right" height="264"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">Plus, there were many beautiful sunsets and we ‘shot’ some birds in and around Tinana. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePS7E-98ZAiD3Gu6eO-xowMR25oTUoX9iYDraWSCZrQynzXz2bznAmY-gIe-1YUn8iHpAPQSH3dPrfLjH4CDZFatwMejddeMQUu6IjmHyzDtdCR2_yhPR9YydmPBKnqXcQIUKOcMPUXE/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Butcherbird%252520Next%252520Door%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Butcherbird Next Door" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Butcherbird Next Door" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52TctKfiYcN6bAR1eZsXFymJZyd1WUx2VJnkvAD0wcAh4dOgI2eR6Z2gXSzEexmfBkBQLlJG0uM9jHeQGJigMi6aIV4qB_ER7Lyyu13K_vh10PO2v4AsElSn3DrKBvrhI76iDR_-A0ZU/?imgmax=800" width="349" height="263"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">Butcherbird</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LJVqXx6rXns/VAq5yAiiRPI/AAAAAAAAB8I/iNzYIyCXXAw/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Yellow%252520Tailed%252520Black%252520Cockatoo%252520Tinana%2525205%252520May%25252014%252520v.4%25255B1%25255D%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo Tinana 5 May 14 v.4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo Tinana 5 May 14 v.4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u2KH2EjRLmk/VAq5zSjabFI/AAAAAAAAB8Q/epVHWrGv5LY/M%252527borough%252520Yellow%252520Tailed%252520Black%252520Cockatoo%252520Tinana%2525205%252520May%25252014%252520v.4%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" align="right" height="459"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo</font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4sXQFnn7Xxc/VAq517D42AI/AAAAAAAAB8Y/nIyvyHsv_SM/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Kites%252520at%252520Tinana%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Kites at Tinana" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Kites at Tinana" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-39N5oI5knFl9VX-uYmo5zteV-A_P7CacWQYUYM-zmd0HjBRb7SLLC-iZWQJ03RjQdJC80IB5myeUl77McaADt6vMAcSjRNxPdqb2PvlkJKh0u8AzZ7gpq3iFAgxndKTDipF1eYKwsXY/?imgmax=800" width="449" height="338"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">”Hawks Nest”</font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nF6xCbaBdNM/VAq56y2d52I/AAAAAAAAB8o/ZLtVWF3_ts0/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Parrots%252520x%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Parrots x 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Parrots x 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OYCrwq6k2Ng/VAq58KEHmsI/AAAAAAAAB8w/bXa1it3W6w8/M%252527borough%252520Parrots%252520x%2525202_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" align="right" height="296"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWtqKPXMTGdMBeHB7kLzVeLa3Jf47mVZMyJ7Pi_EC5DdusjKGVxkWb5iABTIGi24WxT1xoU1pVs522F3-zxGBUU82vmwqhIlLhjwQ1KKu_p0JIoG4nTCMvRRCwtDYoT6ISSqgcstgalg/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Sunset%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Sunset 1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Sunset 1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pqp2Zj62ruhyphenhyphenWun6jmvg9awmBfbTVcoL3JuDCOkLpvd3-wLlNriz74kuudoGV6PWZiVhxZEVRAFayqNfCIXzlcX1cXIYd8pYbeZbJ0RkdRBmpkVe5A4Eh5TZ3WGWabCuYb5dg3-GQ7k/?imgmax=800" width="309" height="233"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GaY9CDrizh8wap3AbUv638661O7RCcfJnLRaV2qa6gaplVzHfX7YH8bjZ9Nt6W522p5DJqXgbwRRkeE1klUO5t3GkH3XbE-4rFX1WzR-A6Q-zBQ8bCy6KtBAZFbwBhHTh1tA_5ZyE9s/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Sunset%2525202%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Sunset 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Sunset 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaazKINw8Z52J4f1bWgjEnXpV-pCcIUZTER6hARA_A3JvSa4QRBz_fawey98XE-S4uBUoDl2VA9Ixbi6SwINPZzSJFTthWsv7A0P7bSBCEDL_H-yVreieAsFLIOUDYZKUPNFCDPaR4pcc/?imgmax=800" width="253" height="191"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2U15jQeEicgPDC9a-lwyhNsFIL_ku_SdTjMHYAnpfBWtEPHE3rbKDQTkuXIbFWgi1tYl8V93lNs7Y3gJ-geo5maj4cIc2KJx-Bp8Un0ohT0wsftuvZ9Jj1mNZz3b5NxFkVLLSN4zLXKk/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Sunset%2525203%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Sunset 3" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Sunset 3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvplPdVTwy7BFGMS3Dh-vcmTWRJde5pM-9HDgCnb2o-KTdAlRwrw1PpEDbpTZCWLSq7JeiPQU85XCsg8gc5Z773yiY83XQa85mci5-9hUOW6vblBfaKi8Axh_QjJfDW3jhrCMEU5KjCg/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3MNqzcWPgFo/VAq6HtP-2BI/AAAAAAAAB9o/rInNzvXQXVY/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Sunset%2525205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Sunset 5" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Sunset 5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a-JJ0MtYO9Q/VAq6I6DVlQI/AAAAAAAAB9w/6XMU1mUNpUY/M%252527borough%252520Sunset%2525205_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="258"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VQ7CyHLlEBuJ_Nk46E2SFtN3RyPl1KASXDJs9sI8zfZJy6Z-iJLtKu1IW9snpyQFMmyFmocvXkvc_-lOLKfUMdf0jlehv-fhI4Um4ZL11nqC-NqlNuPZOtcoiUOCbmJDarZxW_drj4k/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Sunset%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Sunset" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="M'borough Sunset" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x5mk7fB9yn4/VAq6LsKBP-I/AAAAAAAAB-A/OE2SEGddMeM/M%252527borough%252520Sunset_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="324"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">Plus one early morning, there was a lovely mist. Well – maybe there were mists on more than one occasion, but <strong><u>I</u></strong> only ever saw the one. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2Mv3nEbntOpaXEhPxsUA_bnvQ4lOY1gIWPdXw6DdpbkgHFiFVsFiW49k7anEMsOlfchCtmopxu6zLHG72KZY92TIYXHfB_iVM026z0X7VbGi5qCu5x9sWygiM2Q2c4DGAur1P86OegM/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Early%252520Morning%252520Mist%25252005-55%252520am%25252026%252520May%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Early Morning Mist 05-55 am 26 May" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Early Morning Mist 05-55 am 26 May" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaXhaqno_BMJKTyJlKMgaUvm2sh3QPLM_rnxxivm4FTXkGDRgGBYd6DlQWU3UVOPjV7FSsnjoVJqBDLUBLaHZ9MygEdI3MALx6fwYFbTwQKde_FWGyyh4sAMi0o2b5dSR3BoQ2Rb-hiHc/?imgmax=800" width="418" height="315"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">And Mother Nature also put on a rainbow display – once again I only shot one, but there were many. </font></p> <p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLvwla-yDRsukuLT6paixC36-zyZEhQ7YK8-qp5rIPN3tszkNaQrZuU7garYWZYHiAypYOpXcGiEcH8rKN8rShKOQsui7zB6V52lh8doz1tiT2kna5ruobmOb7MNtkgwqqyD-2g8xoOrc/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Rainbow%2525208%252520Apr%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Rainbow 8 Apr" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Rainbow 8 Apr" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTEL3aJcYuIYyp8LMSgFCYv0toJzT36B0HAGdwRf-YDH-LZOL9EE6UNPE0ow_BLlOIh1ABpnit64Ea3Oc2K813qkcEem8lGWBvJvh0CieREf89TcWixGSW9U_zjGY5hNLnVC9N_IWEM8/?imgmax=800" width="377" height="284"></a></p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">One of the joys of being in the Fraser Coast area, is that my youngest granddaughter (and her Mum, my youngest daughter) live just down the highway in Gympie so Grandma was able to enjoy some good times. Alas this is one (probably the only) of the downsides of travelling long term – missing out on family face-to-face time. Oh yes, there is always Skype or other forms of electronic communication, but you can’t cuddle a computer image! <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-redheart" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Red heart" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ys2xzmmng5E/VAq6QoYvsOI/AAAAAAAAB-o/rVnvu4Ly_iE/wlEmoticon-redheart%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCxQ9aJ0wJBH2MwE4IU3n8qDmBU8xe8Vapbn95z7QwIG7iJ-Tb71sMUmXS5JLRr-Ug-zdZ8-Si-alIQtDsp6rn2KgZU7EXIMmM8bhXNKeFY8eiERLdEJXoXjOlGowtupzeWwR8KLkPO4/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520HJ%25252018%252520months%252520old%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough HJ 18 months old" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough HJ 18 months old" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DrCQ612EUck/VAq6S0fbIyI/AAAAAAAAB-4/Gc5RLh_kIaQ/M%252527borough%252520HJ%25252018%252520months%252520old_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">This is the cheeky little miss at 18 months old. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-redlips" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Red lips" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zXRr1D7xgpQ/VAq6TrLXvYI/AAAAAAAAB_A/oKBrLzhXAvM/wlEmoticon-redlips%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Another Fraser Coast event we attended – and enjoyed immensely – was “Relish” an all day food and wine festival staged in the Port District of Maryborough. A wonderful day, good value and with a wide variety of options. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KLuFJs3537z8B-aGtiRoWVwwcmKJPkz2JuxHvOBANBS8IM7ojbJCNsMlJS9A1u9FXifZcqTW5QWcrrBlZPcOsmHnMejKVmyTj0XBEjwAnR6oUhTdTyhlYGAEHM6QISLyXVAEtxyVGfQ/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Alistair%252520McLeod%252520at%252520Relish%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Alistair McLeod at Relish" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Alistair McLeod at Relish" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zM3ji9bB23A/VAq6W5mbmFI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/oyzpIynooYg/M%252527borough%252520Alistair%252520McLeod%252520at%252520Relish_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="305"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bepv52MJJ9U/VAq6anjNbQI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/SUmUAmIia44/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Relish%2525201%25255B21%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Relish 1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Relish 1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUp9CLf2dRBL31zKFHsyZZB5cSYU3ktSPTv7YSKPXqD8Guh80__Uc4I2ctGVI1pkUjzGK3s_10-pn7kicG2j1rtSsgCWfvsCjgoffeXa-PSMEvfGHEllM7pEvD2SgWpRSujdED2Y_wRg/?imgmax=800" width="405" align="right" height="304"></a></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">With Chef & TV personality Alistair McLeod</font></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">My Kitchen Rules stars Dan & Steph</font><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R2q0-64SDpM/VAq6eSUWcWI/AAAAAAAAB_o/80BVEHfNvvg/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Relish%2525202%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Relish 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Relish 2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i7CwgbYRP2tS6nnksMuxp7ZzpVab2EwaMBIqrAp-j4SyDcOr8Wci0Z_IyaEIjMVpMVDJi4-ZegI58DbY3TH3XSY694hZ3NkFAuPebqqyeV-4il4_RPKiGGtHx7YENUHx7MYhoC7YKB4/?imgmax=800" width="395" height="297"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R8kVwCiJCoA/VAq6hKC6C-I/AAAAAAAAB_4/h-qGlQzVcQE/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Savouring%252520Water%252520with%252520Relish%25255B22%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Savouring Water with Relish" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Savouring Water with Relish" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbTX2vO2L2t0GSQYGyl4tZCVwBtD-Xdk7z3Jr-WoMQ_A-FEQT2bqXyCuCL_Dpi1A5LexLbtq_igJcpK8Xa4JphY2ogdFcPozeS5FlRqZfhgOPLpBaQSqAuf_bQunI8jtfzxt6loQXBbE/?imgmax=800" width="293" align="right" height="221"></a><font size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#0000ff">Cheeses, Pates, Terrines and Wine – </font><font color="#0000ff">Mmmm</font></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">Little Miss enjoying her water from the complimentary ‘polycarbonate’ wine glass. </font></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">More tripping around – Biggenden & Paradise Dam. Unfortunately we couldn’t see much in Biggenden as there was a funeral in town (obviously someone prominent, as all flags were at half-mast & the majority of businesses were closed). Paradise Dam offers camping facilities, but NOT one where we would choose to stay. The sites are very uneven, with steep gutters to negotiate; ‘long-drop’ toilets, NO water (potable or otherwise), NO power (but generators are permitted) and for that they have the hide to charge $17 pvpn! And I thought camping was the ‘affordable’ holiday option? </font></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJLyW-mcU3xzm-lV5oHKOVIo7yCIJ_gW7y92b5npLmVamoF52JTUmjuNVu1rOsgQYZ8yaALegYDSbvta6tbfBRC7uROoySp71ipjilNhjWjkC1L3RjiqC2lrIlbCKikiWNAiKaQMT7-I/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Biggenden%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Biggenden" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Biggenden" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uUisXwbKGc8/VAq6nqiDqtI/AAAAAAAACAQ/_GthINvzf60/M%252527borough%252520Biggenden_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="270"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LRZOvXxoz8o/VAq6p1IWUiI/AAAAAAAACAY/_SEfx5Mw-co/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Paradise%252520Dam%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Paradise Dam" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Paradise Dam" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EHRvB0zdILw/VAq6q_-5n4I/AAAAAAAACAg/isCXWEYEp8o/M%252527borough%252520Paradise%252520Dam_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" align="right" height="272"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">But then again, the dam cost the then Labor Government a small fortune & they are endeavouring to recoup those costs from the poor travelling public. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <blockquote> <h2><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal">Another trip took us to the Bundaberg area – but no we didn’t do the ubiquitous Distillery Tour (although I am assured it is well worth it). We visited one of the local Op Shops to replace a broken wine glass & lucked in by finding one bearing an inscribed date of 1994 – opportune as we were attending a Highway Wanderers 20th Anniversary Rally at Nambour in May. Hindsight told us we should have bought as many as we could, just to share around! We also visited Elliott Heads where the local beachside kiosk had painted the loos & fences with some bright & cheery colours. Then to Burnett Heads where there is a restored lighthouse which has been moved from its original site to a local park where it is accessible to all (although not open). </font></font></h2> <h2><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"><font style="font-weight: normal"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7_bbbBIYPcbYixWlNNiY-7eb_rpVaRt3f_CZH4GdU64jP_RZOCAH8IwOGWhbtg5cea5FQ9FNFhC4m4JYUQYA39n2McgWc8FBcw-juhz4awSRtRlJsWfGrvF5jgmJkSnm0FjhNHu4xmg/s1600-h/Bundy%252520Elliott%252520Heads%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bundy Elliott Heads" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bundy Elliott Heads" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nFYuXWQgggI/VAq6t8JYB8I/AAAAAAAACAw/QgWhNJVCd5I/Bundy%252520Elliott%252520Heads_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" align="left" height="360"></a></font></font></h2></blockquote> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AbLAxcncB2E/VAq6vJyiqvI/AAAAAAAACA4/ATpgJNsUdlE/s1600-h/Bundy%252520-%252520Elliott%252520Heads%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bundy - Elliott Heads" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bundy - Elliott Heads" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H2HobCVl5Bw/VAq6wMKaNJI/AAAAAAAACBA/gkhGVX0UnlU/Bundy%252520-%252520Elliott%252520Heads_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="194" height="343"></a></p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cTHlHSJy8DE/VAq6x4UmV0I/AAAAAAAACBI/nLHMmedO6O4/s1600-h/Bundy%252520Burnett%252520Heads%252520Lighthouse%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bundy Burnett Heads Lighthouse" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Bundy Burnett Heads Lighthouse" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2AM0TkRIhPg/VAq6zbR_DqI/AAAAAAAACBQ/o9IGf9S-dQ8/Bundy%252520Burnett%252520Heads%252520Lighthouse_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="449"></a><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">And yet another day we went to Hervey Bay (although we left the area well before the Whale Watching Season began – unfortunately) and spent a lovely afternoon strolling along the Esplanade from Scarness to Urangan. The local Council has created a walkway which is </font><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">level and an easy walk. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-R8XJspF7Qqk/VAq61EVsSlI/AAAAAAAACBY/ug8RURDJhcg/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Under%252520the%252520Pier%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Under the Pier" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Under the Pier" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6BVtpngJ9_YePbkaCaThueVhyphenhyphenvZnZyKFmsEPi7pzt8C6e8jUebSOTARwjhs2fZXSbIrsi5cTw8lDoiKyFAAA0u3NdHUPd9Bk4CXj2hWjSbjM2-q17XatBufB3fxoqAkpQ4NlNBVtbSI/?imgmax=800" width="292" height="388"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49ucXuBzd-H9GMHEvpTunzZI9G9_-qSurAGkywa3N8bDN4tcuqIr8nzwByh42xbjhVAe5BAucRdXf4LK7Nge-IbemkLkKF5lXkql2YoBEs64w100p2OcWbCXIOhxwWkW23l2to122vko/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Urangan%252520Pier%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Urangan Pier" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough Urangan Pier" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zzc2ME4zLP4/VAq67decr0I/AAAAAAAACBw/W-jENiRzXXU/M%252527borough%252520Urangan%252520Pier_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="264"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">There are many little villages up and down the coast – most of which have an outlook across the Strait to Fraser Island. Villages such as Poona, Maroom and Boolooroo. All within less than an hours drive from Maryborough, but the real estate prices seem quite low by comparison with similar areas which we have visited. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ShMCQCa4zpu-_X7j_xqJ2H095b6s6Ag1rMb8KbTBDAUDd4kcsLcVsvKK3c8Rlk8V1tFhgmZpfSGSG_vG1TspCtB4S5c65VEqNxUF3CJnPr0kRNyCpcPMCfpvfpRpHRgh7YLmm9u6uPY/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520-%252520Poona%252520to%252520Fraser%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough - Poona to Fraser" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'borough - Poona to Fraser" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKQNWPCNn2tP1CYq5OJHC4kK1Czx862V5CxqbP6_PkVCuVIhEgO9sKq4V55I3G4q6FMWniCs8wSDqN1YcUUmss-Cpw13u-CTzXNZNWZg95gTqW_7qom_pbYVpOr_6wDP_tp30eYdKcRI/?imgmax=800" width="436" height="328"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGdxiADkhC9MDMTwbmnuZWRUE3zr2YdTWX_FtVPIyCxJBR5k7ymVFWD63bKYsz3NgPkRS-bd0R7pnYgWhz3hHah_Uz5BYz9Mau1YHgKrGCiySLeOlsvuk4eHNYVHAbEfR4rvQTAR-jqY/s1600-h/M%252527boroughTwo%252520Birds%252520Poona%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'boroughTwo Birds Poona" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="M'boroughTwo Birds Poona" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CAi7rIqW9us/VAq7EsMjHII/AAAAAAAACCQ/pjrg3ldP_Jo/M%252527boroughTwo%252520Birds%252520Poona_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="154"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">As mentioned earlier, we had a Rally get-together with fellow Highway Wanderers at Nambour (where the Chapter was originally formed) to celebrate their 20th Anniversary. It was simply WONDERFUL to catch up with our many friends from HW, even though we have only known them since May last year (2013) when we first volunteered for Blazeaid in Monto Q. The Anniversary Rally was extremely well organised, well run and well attended. And if anyone didn’t enjoy themselves – well I can only say it’s their own fault! As is usual with these types of gatherings, there was –OF COURSE – a Disc Bowls Competition. Neither Gordon nor I had ever played before, apart from a bit of a half-hearted attempt at Maroochydore SS over Christmas but there it was simply too hot and too humid to have a red hot go. Nevertheless, we (well <strong>I</strong>) put our names down to participate. Of course I neglected to tell Gordon until the morning of the competition which was due to start at 2 o’clock. Or so I thought – until Errol was sent to find us as we had been called for game 1. When I had read the programme, I had my left thumb over the start time and 2pm was actually the due finish time! At 10am we were still lazing over our morning cuppa! Well it must have been beginners luck – Gordon & his team were narrowly beaten for the Bronze Medal and b*ggar me – in my first ever ‘proper’ tournament I was fortunate enough to be placed in a team good enough to win GOLD! I think I should now retire – with a perfect record of 100% wins in all tournaments played. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Winking smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UFovtWF6rmE/VAq7FoyVtII/AAAAAAAACCY/LrEQnZmPKjw/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_wp2YO9TmyPC_b2Q1g8Lck45AUsnSTn0zwo4r-9sUNiVWjjUEVG68l7UojoGn3Gz-nwxWrhRzEMBnt6AwGGBYwzkYwhawjQet8Ip8f9ohfmhcdiz_my1uHJMpRNy_sAEq2-Y8CG-B5o/s1600-h/Nambour%252520Gold%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Nambour Gold" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Nambour Gold" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GKMnWZ3KgNE/VAq7KjUfolI/AAAAAAAACCo/x0LP8PxqPb8/Nambour%252520Gold_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="340"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">Mike, Max & Me showing off! </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000">There was also a top Talent night, with one of the best ABBA skits I have ever seen – among many other terrific entertainers. Poets Breakfast (catered by the Lions), garage sale, dinner/dance,</font> <font color="#000000">raffle (for charity) and of course morning teas and happy hours made for some memorable moments. It is so hard to believe that some of these dear friends were totally unknown to us little more than a year ago. </font></font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aDjC-4ri0CY/VAq7NuSF0jI/AAAAAAAACCw/pYCmvkR3A78/s1600-h/Nambour%252520Camp%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Nambour Camp" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Nambour Camp" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xhkVXUZp9_Q/VAq7OxGiHXI/AAAAAAAACC4/c7mg1q1fJlQ/Nambour%252520Camp_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="318"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"> </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">Almost 100 Motorhomes at Nambour Showgrounds</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1V9eCfGAkbrUdabETfGmr1tKVeyaKPfzdoOg7sbMCj6UQ1SDZrnsNZThT9zqOuPKz-scjbdgTsAFF_tZCD5sxmZZUzPxW8kFmGlmv2CQVR5w6mgYNOkDlQPUjfek20NTDCC0XmriTY0/s1600-h/Nambour%252520Skits%25255B6%25255D.jpg"> </p><img title="Nambour Skits" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Nambour Skits" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKuV5t55BvqHAhWO2fo0Df1odWTJYLu5m1sKjzgvwzmFMC8W9ykY1-gnpUCUaTa-W6eyi7zJve5DfKSKXalbvViHCUR0_Fnl6TTsUzmkxt4fdEuiUJFqDWKxk8TXqQSLKC8YE9TxmBrEM/?imgmax=800" width="504" height="379"></a> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">Rita, Maureen, Barynne & Angie aka ABBA!</font> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">Apologies for the quality of that last photo, but the photographer was laughing so hard it was difficult to keep the camera steady. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">So after 5 or 6 days at Nambour, it was back to ‘work’ – to finish our house-sit at Tinana (Maryborough). Although we were not overly taxed, I must admit that with a bit extra care & attention, bucketing all our grey water to newly pruned trees and shrubs, mulching with lawn-clippings and weeding around the bases of them all we were already seeing a vast improvement in the garden. Mother Nature helped with some rain, greening up the grass nicely. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">All our medical appointments have now been finalised (for another six months at least), and our finances have recovered sufficiently to be able to ditch the portable dish and have an automatic satellite dish mounted on the roof of Toad Hall. No more fumbling, mumbling and bumbling just to be able to watch the mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs! Thanks Alan from <a href="http://www.pinktronics.com.au">www.pinktronics.com.au</a> for your install. We were pleased to be able to spend some time with fellow nomads Roy & Georgina (who introduced us to John & Marion who own the property). Roy & Georgie are die-hard Queensland supporters so it was a fun evening for the State of Origin – which we WON! First series win for many many years, but being New-South-Welshman in Queensland at this time was priceless! <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-etdXvPofMKA/VAq4yVEMCiI/AAAAAAAAB4w/aDwkRLJAHHQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ydVTIfxHl8I/VAq7TsTwE8I/AAAAAAAACDQ/zbeO6eO9Xyg/s1600-h/M%252527borough%252520Auto%252520Sat%252520Dish%2525202%252520Jun%25252014%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="M'borough Auto Sat Dish 2 Jun 14" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="M'borough Auto Sat Dish 2 Jun 14" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pDf18PAhNyk/VAq7UpHDrNI/AAAAAAAACDY/8h6KO1-e_mQ/M%252527borough%252520Auto%252520Sat%252520Dish%2525202%252520Jun%25252014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="217" height="382"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">So our time here has come to an end. Thanks to John & Marion, Emma & Jon, Bev & Col for welcoming us into your neighbourhood. We have enjoyed our stay, take with us happy memories & trust you all remember us with some fondness – as we do you all. </font></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana">And remember – travel safely and</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#9b00d3" size="6" face="AR ESSENCE">“Live the Life You Love”</font></strong></p> <p><img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-rollingonthefloorlaughing" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Rolling on the floor laughing" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGdmB_QFBMcc-qvr-W0keHJcciVrq-FBOl4Q9IwGABGa3f9Vc7-HEIXiVsGDtdBg4uLNT1BCyME0f0hcR0LWOSl1Kq1oYJUeL2uBAFlow3OvbqmIEKhVmO4buotEWSWhxxKND_UhqVgU/?imgmax=800"></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-19563636908357455272014-03-23T19:01:00.001+11:002014-03-23T19:01:22.012+11:00Heading South Again<p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Having first arrived on the Atherton Tableland on 18<sup>th</sup> July, we finally leave (and leave a little bit of our hearts behind as well) on 17<sup>th</sup> October. Gordon now has his sights set on attending the CMCA Rally in Narrabri – not especially for the rally but more to catch up with <font color="#000000">our many friends, most particularly Highway Wanderers.</font></font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000" size="3">And this is where we learn that s/he who holds the steering wheel holds the power! Before we even left on this wonderful journey, we agreed that the maximum distance travelled in any one day would be 250km and the maximum driving time would be 4 to 4 <sup>1</sup>/<sub>2</sub> hours.</font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Day 1 – 9:30am Mareeba to The Junction (Camps7 #219) – 230kms, all good</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Day 2 – The Junction to Charters Towers – 348kms, not so good</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Day 3 – Charters Towers to Botanical Gardens Emerald – 478kms, definitely bad</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Day 4 – Emerald to Floodway 40k N of Surat – 451kms, still bad but not as</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Day 5 – Surat to Gwydir C’Park Moree – 396kms, still bad but coming down</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Day 6 – 110kms to Narrabri by 11:30am – now that’s more like it!!!</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Just over 2,000kms in under a week! Needless to say, there was not a lot of time along the road for photography! </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We surprised quite a lot of people with our arrival, mainly because we had said we would definitely NOT be there because we were going ‘Across the Top’. As those who have followed previous posts will know a week or so in Mareeba turned into a full three months, so we had to leave the tropics before ‘The Wet’ arrived as wet, humid weather is not conducive to happy campers – especially as we much prefer to freedom camp where we can enjoy happy hours around a communal campfire and meet our fellow travellers, unlike caravan parks where you rarely even meet your neighbours, let alone become better acquainted. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The first person we saw was ‘Mother Hen’ (from Highway Wanderers) who literally threw herself around my neck – thanks for the backache that stayed with me for weeks, Trish! <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRvtifkXs8TpJQD_j75WZEHD43G2IsQtYKinfA9NavEDRktkJTA2Y-LaNQCJqw7HksSONjmcyhBm9CXxhfBtexv5lJIl8h7L0OWTwk2wfG4KlQRr7UiRz8_goJG995sqAnAADbrwx08M/?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">That afternoon at happy hour there was much hilarity as we caught up with some members we had not seen since first meeting them at BlazeAid in Monto back in May. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-trNDezh1eJo/Uy6URcmd9XI/AAAAAAAAA9o/QrXaFXhcsr0/s1600-h/PA242139%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA242139" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA242139" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v6S_zEuoC48/Uy6USHr70cI/AAAAAAAAA9s/W5bmVCFa60w/PA242139_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="352" height="265"></a> <font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Meet Allan & Willa</font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Happy hours generally have a theme – Mad Hat Parade etc. This particular one was our “Talent Quest” and brought out some really brilliant performers . . . </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O4GHlY989QA/Uy6UTo-L70I/AAAAAAAAA94/S9far1Yhtlg/s1600-h/PA242136%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA242136" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA242136" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lxRbw6YOkzA/Uy6UUfwtC1I/AAAAAAAAA-A/ay2OdXm9CLA/PA242136_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="369" height="278"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4hl-ixWeXwikaQyJSIu_yd4Hpt_fPflLPng8nlQrjkfM3URjar7mMWFgNXGGighPzjZDU6U1r5thmS43kTlvhRna_EsfcVKGhCXabGOxVR95ErGPTHwUz8_5aalhh0tIkJag5yq5780/s1600-h/PA242145%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA242145" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA242145" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ndtxaSfJHP8/Uy6UWE18a2I/AAAAAAAAA-Q/0dVqIV9erTg/PA242145_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="290"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"> </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><sub><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></sub> </p> <p><sub><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></sub> </p> <p><sub><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></sub> </p> <p><sub><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></sub> </p> <p><sub><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></sub> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Another ‘must see’ at any rally is the ball, and this one was no exception. The theme was “Gangsters and Molls” and the Highway Wanderers made a HUGE Grand Entrance! There was a ‘Police Car’ and on arrival the CEO of the CMCA – Rudi – was arrested. The entire committee (of HWs) had obviously toiled long & hard with the table decorations -</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zpQMGMCWJGA/Uy6UXNnQ-BI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/J4sp_tQLaWc/s1600-h/Feathers%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Feathers" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Feathers" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3qznLD7fi9I/Uy6UX3he8_I/AAAAAAAAA-g/9f_TPycJPBQ/Feathers_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="373" height="281"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fpJKZ8ISqo0/Uy6UYmlZNxI/AAAAAAAAA-o/sQXDPD0RyeU/s1600-h/PA252158%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA252158" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA252158" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-auYDWlaVYR8/Uy6UZVLilSI/AAAAAAAAA-w/8fmaH7dZHKI/PA252158_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="318"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">. . . and the setting of the tables was most capably overseen by Mother Hen (above R).</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Highway Wanderers is one of, if not THE largest chapter within CMCA and we well and truly made sure everyone else knew we were there! We had 12 tables and there were many members cutting up the rug (or grass, really) long into the night . . . </font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA-yl3NSsRnY-V6UjNaK_HpTmsDYd2vrrZ5Ge55KvzaktYrVnW5HoyRGu8OnVE6twZlF-w4jIAgd_qlCuGHsD3JBkEndL29xyt2LdN5hFLY7Wr1lSFu2IY8yJ1TkFBWnmbtzVh4o9iYo/s1600-h/PA252156%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA252156" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PA252156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi6btqhLzT5iB-_nU8VQv5TRMmKkf2ZWtH_hVEF94-AlMkuYPyc5Lgn5c1dZiR7ysc2UrVUkZNj72aZuUHR6nIJQkIPVK6WjCha-_aW9OVYLfJQXQMquyvcj0B7-QB49EcqJqd-u9GZM/?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394"></a></p> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtXlttASwgY63DEXHUAr8VLIb9engUqnS6oQnszGTIuWaKtJDRYqzsZfYrYcq0rd1tQr0QtRZg63a1bT_7MmCKqHkNiLIV7-L86_ueTQwPRx-gjOjKnB5j4gmL6tQ-OaSWTdsTLzBvrk/s1600-h/PA252147%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA252147" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA252147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rENLm1xwwje1VBNvc8rf9hXOwao8kjqnXOBRUcR8hyphenhyphendom5Tqxip5-bmhuIsVm43ESCChu9nk5LpbsKDF3rbbWoQfahsRaQR5yc62JsPUdZPWoDXANyy6MB2P0Zmc9enz5IYEOXcl4EI/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9zp-R90wm4o/Uy6UdnW_VxI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/Z-2T4ztA97k/s1600-h/PA252151%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA252151" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA252151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyiKcyl1Ax85t9osSjPcrAI-keYC8h1j-fUfLA1g_LOyh47qhXUB1zOGc7Qmca5oHRm8QquxWtVwtK7fzy6lu5RI6moOG99vLRRhAkdLkMvz7eCWO1b5btwRGs1yXMN6q5zRZYsrq1uE/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Tahoma"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">The final day of the rally saw the Highway Wanderers have their AGM, and group sausage sizzle –</font><font color="#000000"> and we met many more members all of whom have the same lust for life and a desire to make the world a better and happier place. </font></font></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GcBrFE0mgXA/Uy6UfqRUtZI/AAAAAAAAA_o/cSSxXEDu5cc/s1600-h/PA272161%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA272161" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA272161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGBKvGTMxxZFZ5ycyHu-7dFEijjvrN7biM-FGuS6Osmu6hMROdA6WHqFHFUy2V7m3YNrkWCBzBTUDD8_47RnjG1k98QK0quNOfApxe2PKQO7TPOphntyMhDryfZKA1__aw_n6Igs4eYTY/?imgmax=800" width="530" height="398"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The slide-out was still giving troubles, and as Narrabri is only 170kms or so from Tamworth where there is an Agent for Ultima Fifth Wheelers (which is Toad Hall’s breeding), we decided to head there and have the issue sorted once and for all. We rang <font color="#00ff00"><strong><u><font color="#ff0000">Tow World</font> <font color="#ff0000">Tamworth</font></u></strong><font color="#000000"> who made an appointment for the Wednesday, so we </font></font>stopped in at Lake Keepit (which was just Keepit Dam during my childhood in Tamworth) for a couple of days while we waited. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBO1Eo1kia56RC-FZKqS8oCV0_xS6ItZ4DJ4ESPGzi2gU3auLQtWbivZsqK3CUr9eh4fTwfpGWzOMSzYEw3EegBR8cpFTVnUnhpcgKBzzRH94LhaC6P3CTrwpDSkfP7gkJIjnDLG2284/s1600-h/PA312176%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA312176" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA312176" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aqBaCxDQQx4/Uy6Uiq1WpFI/AAAAAAAABAA/j8m1lGoljok/PA312176_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="267"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The dam was at less than 30%, and during our stay dropped even further to under 24%. The drought is taking a massive toll on all our farming communities, and as time will tell it will only worsen over the coming months. The day before our appointment at <font color="#ff0000">Tow World <font color="#000000">we rang to confirm a </font></font><font color="#000000">time – only to be told they couldn’t fit us in on Wednesday, could we leave it until the following Monday. Well, we were at their mercy so arranged to stay at Lake Keepit for the duration. In keeping with their request, we arrived at <font color="#ff0000">Tow World</font> (on Gunnedah Road) at 08:30am and dropped off Toad Hall. “It will probably take most of the day” they said, “so come back about 4:30”. As my Dad is buried at the Lawn Cemetery further out along Gunnedah Road, we bought some flowers and headed out there to tidy up and pay our respects . . .</font></font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HmdKpdOF2HA/Uy6Uj-alIZI/AAAAAAAABAI/AnFqQC3f3X8/s1600-h/PB052223%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="PB052223" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PB052223" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8muir11eEeA/Uy6UkoAS8mI/AAAAAAAABAM/lBsVoVGfP30/PB052223_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="317" height="239"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="2" face="Arial">My Dad’s plaque (Clem Hughes Titcume), </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="2" face="Arial">flanked by his Father (Stephen George) and his Mother (Neita Mabel)</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">As can be seen by the rapidly drooping roses, the heat endures . . . November in Tamworth. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We returned to <font color="#ff0000">Tow World</font> </font> <font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">at the appointed hour, only to be told that the slide-out no longer worked AT ALL! It had been working, albeit not perfectly, when we delivered it for an adjustment and now it doesn’t work at all? How is that a ‘repair’? Never mind, there is nowt can be done except return on the morrow with the expectation that they would be true to their word and have it functioning by mid-morning. The <font color="#9b00d3">Magnolia Inn</font><font color="#000000"> is just a little further out on Gunnedah Road, and quite close by so that is where we stayed the night. It is also where we all (my siblings, in-laws etc) had stayed back in 2003 when my Dad had passed away and we had been welcomed back to Tamworth as though we had been in constant contact since we first left back in 1968. I was saddened to learn from Kathy that her mother had passed away & she was now the proprietress. She too, welcomed us warmly and allowed us to keep our cockatiels on the veranda. </font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">In due course, we returned to <font color="#ff0000">Tow World </font><font color="#000000">only to be told once again, that there was a ‘problem’. I shall not bore you, dear reader, with gory details and blow by blow descriptions, but suffice to say this scenario was repeated over and over for the next week or more. Meanwhile, we booked in to a cabin at the Paradise Tourist Park </font></font><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000">(</font></font><font color="#0000ff">paradise-tourist-<b>park</b>.nsw.big4.com.au</font><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">) until such time as the repairs were completed. The staff were particularly helpful and friendly. They were very understanding that we couldn’t give them a final check-out date, so allowed us to leave our booking open-ended. Whilst here I had a brain-wave and contacted NRMA Premium Care. Well – I simply cannot praise them highly enough. They undertook to cover all costs of our accommodation until we received control of Toad Hall once again. In the end, this came to over $890 – no small sum in anyone’s language! </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">After ten days – yes TEN DAYS – and Toad Hall was still in worse repair than when we had first taken it to <font color="#ff0000">Tow World</font>, Gordon confronted them and said “Put the bl**dy thing back to a drivable condition & let me out of here!” – or words to that effect! They quibbled and carried on, but in the end we agreed to part with $2000 to cover their labour costs and left. They had regularly been using a forklift to manhandle to slide in and out and had caused quite a litany of damage – some of which took some time to come to light. For starters, there was the fact that the mechanics/electrics of the slide-out now no longer worked at all!; then there are the gouges all along the slide, the broken cover over the power inlet point, holes drilled through the wall of the slide-out into the inside of the motorhome, grease marks on the walls, floor and furnishings . . . please I simply cannot go on, it is so distressing to rehash it even now (March) after all this time. Suffice it to say we hobbled back to the coast to Moonee Beach (Coffs Harbour) to the home of my middle daughter & her family where we begged B&B until such time as we were able to have PROPER repairs carried out and resume our journey. And let me leave NO DOUBT in anyone’s mind, that my opinion of <font color="#ff0000"><strong><u>Tow World Tamworth</u></strong></font><font color="#000000"> can be no lower and the only recommendation I can make of them is to steer as clear of them as possible. Whilst at Paradise Tourist Park, we met & spoke with another couple who were back in the area visiting but had previously lived there – and that was their opinion as well.</font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="5" face="Arial"><strong></strong></font> </p> <p><strong><font color="#000000" size="5" face="Arial">. . . And North Again!</font></strong></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We called Carafix on the Gold Coast (where we had originally purchased Toad Hall), explained the situation and were pleased to hear that Paul & his tradies would be able to take care of it. So . . . off we trundled up the Pacific Highway again & delivered motorhome for further repairs, having told them we wouldn’t need it until around the 12-13<sup>th</sup> December so they didn’t feel the need to do a rush job. We duly received a call from Paul on 11<sup>th </sup>Dec saying we could come to collect. On arrival, he showed us more of the damage which had been done at <font color="#ff0000">Tow World</font><font color="#000000"> including internal damage to the motors which drive the slide out and a severely bent shaft. He also ran the slide in and out several times, explaining that there was a bit of a hitch, that it wasn’t riding smoothly but he was as happy as he could be with it and he didn’t see that it would cause any further problem. So we parted with another $3,800 and off we went. As it was well after 3:30pm when we left, and the unwritten law of the road says to be off the road by 4, we opted to stay on the Gold Coast for the night and head to the Sunshine Coast the following day. We booked in to the 19th Avenue Caravan park for the night – just up the road from Highway Wanderers’ President Dave & his wife Jan – and spent a lovely evening with them over a quick’n’easy and thoroughly delicious pasta meal. The following day we wended our way through Brisbane and then on to the Sunshine Coast. </font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000">Not in any quick time, though – it would appear road maintenance crews are the same the world over. They simply do as they are told when they are told. Apparently there was a pothole in the right-hand lane of the M1 just off the Gateway Bridge so, even though it was (again) after 3pm on the last day of school term (and Friday 13<sup>th</sup> to boot) they chose to close two out of three northbound lanes and as a consequence it took one hour and forty minutes to travel 2.3 kilometres! However, once passed the ‘work’ zone, we were quickly on our way to Maroochydore State School (MSS) where, as CMCA members we were to be ‘camped’ for the duration of the school holidays – power & water for $12 a night!!! And, much to the chagrin of some of the fellas, right next door to Sunshine Plaza Shopping Centre – over 230 stores/eateries etc and including a 12 Cinema Complex! </font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000">At its peak, the school housed 60+ motorhomes and all moneys raised go straight back to the school and its students. In the past the campers have provided funds for a new tractor/lawn-mower for the grounds, a new sand-pit and outdoor play area as well as a host of iPads and a myriad of other benefits. It’s a win-win-win all round – the ‘grey nomads’ have a safe and cheap place to stay over the holidays, the school has the benefit of the grounds not being vacant and open to vandalism and the money raised goes back into the school community. Another benefit is that the caravan parks can cater to their preferred demographic of young families with children, without us ‘oldies’ clogging up their parks. (Not that we WANT to, but most coastal areas are closing freedom camp area more quickly than you can say ‘self-contained’)!</font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">MSS became home for many Highway Wanderers over this time, and we had a wonderful “all hands on deck” Christmas Feast for the Misfits. We started with brunch – bacon, eggs, toast, hash browns, beans, orange juice (add you own champers if desired) tea, coffee & lots of love & laughter. Then back again for “Lunner” (a combination of Lunch & Dinner) which kicked off at about 4pm with fresh prawns followed by leg ham carved by one of Santa’s helpers, bbq chicken, wombat (wombok, but we Australianised it) salad, tossed green salad, pasta salad, potato salad and coleslaw. Once again accompanied by one’s own choice of beverage. Following a respectable break to allow all that to digest, it was time for dessert – ice-cream pudding, real pudding, mini-pavlovas, brandy cream (my very own secret recipe), fruit salad, fresh cream and custard. All this feasting, all day for just $25 per person. But wait, there’s more – there was enough of everything left for dinner the next night for everyone. The Catering Corps consisted of four wonderful & capable ladies who organised and prepared everything and then conscripted serving and clean-up teams so the load was shared by everyone who enjoyed it. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLYwS44rfrpVW1dqnyou4ZcGt4BDOIsdl3LPqvpbeDnwJvgUXLc_Awu-1N5RAjJ5C8Ar-4r4EjO769cU9v5QlimMZgVKihIzE5cjR0rSKnId6l0N0WElJFqk2798H0v9enHk_0c0crm4/s1600-h/Brunch%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brunch" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Brunch" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitht_ddWI7u58xWhIRxxzK-h8GFut_6VH7e1ja5yPxFAHj_Nmq5gHogaYzM0mglrqpeZ7TDdWezvzQBsXL0xBoq20JVyo0vSLm9fmsU1a6-CN26ymRNLzE-kWvwh3_SHQCdSJn4z1onno/?imgmax=800" width="489" height="368"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hOojN5kvslM/Uy6UnvZQvhI/AAAAAAAABAo/aWw_zpUQXyc/s1600-h/PC250252%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="PC250252" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PC250252" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitm6_KSm0IFvlUMwffiPR0WfgKwYY6BsfFRhPk1DhD0y3ZUcDJ0HAfscY4244JnehfgULY09TAeeZM5vJnQ_bFrt_giKDt14ecJe1UgLBk2udY1dpgSCixT_C8pf6dZNs_dzj8lZ5Zru8/?imgmax=800" width="487" height="366"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Brunch Setting</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"> <font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">And the gang’s all here . . . </font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGdUieP4pe7Lq63HtG4Ixwy1SWZiiXKj1bmuYjL6z1PEN_RYp4yOeG2gRAB1asjUK0qs31_aFS-zZ6RKn7mK4WhGTkWNQJ8vybaedNQwBJ7A-EQwwLAFHfI7kp9biiUOiwxuRWnfdge8/s1600-h/PC250275%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="PC250275" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PC250275" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bqM0Kp2vIlM/Uy6UqnLzHzI/AAAAAAAABA8/YT1fCC7402c/PC250275_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="377"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Santa’s “Helpers” </font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBBfgB05GQUIw9LOwoMkZwpwQkHerB2HkozxZnh3b2GZuE9r1LvAC3GgSuUjaaZbaeKGW6CdbtklQV77BirHobI9CtbAvtvSHOPZRT-gDZ140hWaztjJgtGZ75AOZyFxeOoWIMKF6hE4/s1600-h/PC250277%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="PC250277" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PC250277" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vxhQYhBALLs/Uy6UsgvAjXI/AAAAAAAABBQ/b_ZVVd8e0Mg/PC250277_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="483" height="363"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Lunner for Fifty</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74w-RXeEiwPZsBcZ9WQoOpzViNcdlqs_ExT0I64bQ2vsqhehHNKFi52JFKR-VLojblPxY9Dx08epVQAgQRVoy1TfOetUXfKsWodfHyO74_MHtbXsVDFsJ7iA-xluKCACo0rSULjfi2UA/s1600-h/PC250278%25255B4%25255D.jpg"></p> <p><img title="PC250278" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="PC250278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xKyFIqhmdvgdUrJeLBa5s7oIZv9S4JYDSmMEE55II-i21li4FMZYO_PZLi67tS8-BnaQb3huVFBACrHri_nNKXxmyQIxIJv2yY1LKrMnHB2NBoQ3wRzAZRrY926YjNAqr6WYH6dYK-c/?imgmax=800" width="382" height="288"></p> <blockquote> <p></a><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Arial"> <font color="#0000ff"> Waiting patiently – with beautifully covered tables</font></font></p></blockquote> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUOa3GSFiDnDBgvZw3eCtWlqOab-EI_SwmlAjjKG3pSDWZy_JcPumvVSHhdjNJEbTuHn41572Zv6hSGkqN48q_mDgTNVqNkLzk06aS4UExMxexL_e-f1rAzMEs6l4lnVBwhyzrNfNq6c/s1600-h/PC250285%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="PC250285" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PC250285" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-X5h3XIb83Mo/Uy6Uwllrb9I/AAAAAAAABBw/9y5QkHzhmPo/PC250285_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="324"></a> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">The Fab Four Catering Corps with Helpers</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The weather was gloriously typical of the Sunshine Coast – bright and sunny – but slowly the heat and humidity ‘got’ to a few of us, so after years of asking Rob (the man in charge) to install a pool for the pleasure of the visitors all to no avail, Georgina decided to take matters into her own terms and with my help installed one in (well – next to) her own motorhome. So now we have “Coco with Pool” -</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9LF_VGYBggIxqCN71WgO_pXUVC-QA9qo4lGj53iFo9owSGWgMxuwEHL6H72Zq1hCjKAB5TwqtoDH5DtjhVxPl_nFZXJmO0BrNEFH0xNibR7KIJXgelsYAbQCOejfhftnm5RPhqtSViQU/s1600-h/PC290287%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="PC290287" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PC290287" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XxdLONn4eck/Uy6UyunAuJI/AAAAAAAABCA/exIcW-mXZpo/PC290287_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="334" height="252"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">We may not be glamorous, but we ARE cool.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Sadly, time passes and we all must move on – to all points of the compass. The school was re-opening to the children, its rightful owners, on 28<sup>th</sup> January, by which time we all were required to ‘vacate’ our holiday lodgings. The day before Gordon & I thought we had best ‘test’ the slide-out not for any particular reason, but to be prepared & ready to move out. <strong>GRRRRR. ARRRGH!!!! </strong>Have you guessed yet? That’s right – it refused to budge! There was another (HW member) who also had an Ultima 5th Wheeler (different model to ours) so we asked his opinion. Together we all came up with – NOTHING! We had the books and manuals out, ‘googled’ it, the works. Nothing bar brute force could move the bl**dy thing, so we all decided to just wait until we HAD to and then push, shove, grunt & man/woman-handle it in. Paul (the other member) was from Tin Can Bay and recommended <strong><u>“Crossroads RV” </u></strong> in Gympie for us to contact in an effort to have it looked at, and so with gritted teeth and baited breath, that we did. Not before the stress of the whole situation got to both of us (at one stage I took my own blood pressure & it came back at 146/120 – not good by any matter or means!). </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Well, how loudly can I praise Tony and his team from <strong><u>Crossroads RV</u></strong>. For starters, Paul had phoned ahead to let them know we would be coming in, and when we didn’t arrive the day they expected they rang Paul to see if we were having further problems and might need them to come out to us! When we did arrive, they offered for us to stay in Toad Hall, set up in their premises, using their power and water, for the duration of the repair. A far cry from the other mob in Tamworth! As my youngest daughter lives in Gympie we were able to say ‘Thanks, but not necessary’ and spend the time with Courtney & her 15month old daughter. Tony and his head mechanic Bill went over everything with us, all the trials and tribulations we had had, and assured us that they had the matter well in hand. Needless to say, after what we had been through, we hoped so but weren’t to be convinced until the job was done!… So, we handed Toad Hall over on 29<sup>th</sup> January and went to stay with Courtney. By the time Tony called on 5<sup>th </sup>Feb to say the job was complete, we were on tenterhooks. And also a little wary about just how much we were up for this time. Our fears were needless. The job was done and not only that but they had noticed a couple of other little things which they tidied up ‘while we had it’. One of these was, to my mind, no “little” thing – it was a stress fracture in the weld on the underneath of the gooseneck! They didn’t actually discover this until just before we were to pick it up, but they welded it anyway and there is absolutely no sign of it on the bill!!! Now that’s what I call service! </font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000"><font size="3">After hitching up again, we returned to Standown Park (<strong> </strong>standown.com.au) – halfway between Gympie & Tin Can Bay. We decided we could stay here a while & take stock, whilst thinking about how to replenish the poor bank account, after yet another $3,600 spent on the slide-out. (If your maths is as good as mine, you will see that that is more than $10,000 in about three months – and no, we are NOT made of money). We also tested the slide-out EVERY day, just to make sure there were no problems. Whilst we were cooling our heels thus, our dear friends Roy & Georgina</font><font size="3"> rang to see if we were interested in doing a ‘house-sit’ at Maryborough for three months. Well – it couldn’t have come at a better time so we took a little drive up through the forest to meet John & Marion and find out what they wanted from us, & to see if we measured up (not having done any property sitting before). Well, well, well! Who should also be visiting John & Marion the same day we did? None other than the Wonderful Willa & her hubby Allan. We were very pleased to see them again, and to see that Willa is walking very well following her recent knee surgery. When at Monto, and again in Narrabri, Willa was in a great deal of pain and none too sure if the planned surgery would be the cure-all she hoped. Thankfully it has been. With Allan & Willa as well as Roy & Georgina vouching for us, John & Marion were only too happy to leave the care of their property in our hands, so here we are – in Maryborough to see out the end of the wet prior to resuming our journey north in early June. So until then . . .</font></font></font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="4" face="Tahoma">Live the Life You Love . . . </font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-56732476561028851212014-03-22T16:38:00.001+11:002014-03-22T17:46:40.265+11:00More from Mareeba<p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">So now you know – we spent more time in Mareeba than I think some of the locals do. The weather is glorious, we have made some lovely friends in Dave & Barbara from Ringers Rest; their daughter Tammy, her hubby Marco and their gorgeous little boy Tristan; Dave’s Mum ‘Mum Berry’, his sister LLoma. We have been made to feel like family, and will definitely return – next year or later, timeline unknown but destination certain! </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Whilst at Ringers Rest, Gordon helped Dave to build a campfire surround for future campers.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q_hAfic5ZQ8/Uy0hIuQLQ-I/AAAAAAAAA4w/zD14rjyE3f8/s1600-h/P80607814.jpg"><img title="P8060781" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8060781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnwi4TtQ7w8uMh6hnbWuU8MH00E0mtOOI1aq4AW06cUorOKrwNt51mvm1-H3r5qRQLt5b-vhgpppG_RXCc8YkAuogmaDR1L-5wNcCzQxo9pTlwQ8YTT3dQBhB63Bd7Awd143Ql7nkJjo/?imgmax=800" width="316" height="238"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aczylXtWozk/Uy0hLOqnInI/AAAAAAAAA5A/08jlF5MHb4g/s1600-h/P80607864.jpg"><img title="P8060786" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8060786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplqcZ22fORTGdlRbCebQ1KxkOJk2BOkUkfVfd6eS-V-fjknyL6grBisIfRBEQb2YPvp3hzDwBU918UPBWe7fThjjPJKRy_PTyhKRCzJjF_uxUI7S4WQ1dG6A-JS_KO9D8HyLqcO59PzM/?imgmax=800" width="323" height="243"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"> Using the backhoe to move volcanic rocks from on farm, to form fireplace. (above)</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"> Celebrating the completion (thus far) . . .</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vXqbBwYnmp8/Uy0hNL6YAZI/AAAAAAAAA5M/ZPmxTZVN8wA/s1600-h/P806079113.jpg"><img title="P8060791" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P8060791" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2ggLpOLaBFU/Uy0hN10LW9I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/UevYA7RySJ8/P8060791_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="317"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMC2M9Bp30oY87GaGufm_4KLOlMBTA47GBHsqwTngHT7RbBoP0V4TJR_NJ-y-8iyYpk8t6tUK1pyaAcOcAscc1NUvXSOGPDiiYdorX8dOlHk0RvhlcvMU7n9qzHJLYqRBwmbZBDhHhPco/s1600-h/P809011410.jpg"><img title="P8090114" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrrPGrBfbcb_knTiyIomMGB-fdhmv2sfEwNDNr-ro0qw14XT6c3UtjknmG0nVTgKjFwXCBSB9dKAqv6kaVVy1pBQgJ4HcQGSvCiuHEirCsA0amyoyLklt6TMPWGu4PYLjwM5BLYnQJfg/?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoEXr6mNaC6EHkfDkd6rzmQFqUuYrkHC2tLLJN56frxZuQypb83e66C-SG7vn01JPRdRVvtn2FpPwQlphN05tbnRX_O_VyRCNf4bu13hQ0L-B2NiN4ANDihFTbmmFE3zKRGpGi2jML8o/s1600-h/Fireplace5.jpg"><img title="Fireplace" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Fireplace" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5H_2J9G9QN8/Uy0hRbgcmKI/AAAAAAAAA54/HmPy9YTODjE/Fireplace_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="290" height="218"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">In front of the fire . . . and behind the fire.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">As shown in previous posts, the birdlife around the Atherton Tableland is prolific and varied. Whilst out driving one day, we were even surprised to see a peacock – just wandering around in a public park. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QndRPNVt-EA/Uy0hS-cEaII/AAAAAAAAA6A/Wgi0ChVb4sE/s1600-h/P915176813.jpg"><img title="P9151768" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9151768" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dsWmqvjOCNrEV5swcGBxqlQGhfKSBQ1izVPXTRp-54JzwLNb72Gf_1-Fu2BeBoViA47ZchknFKkNp5qIbC8aIZ9BFnRDj0juKFgprPuJDO_0V6Op2UfnmHuCK0mHOoj5SJHt0XRpHxA/?imgmax=800" width="334" height="252"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Other birds – and these were all taken on or near Ringers Rest – included</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ja3mnajKqWk/Uy0hUsvfivI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/Cpod3zes5Og/s1600-h/Channel-Bill-Cuckoo-34.jpg"><img title="Channel Bill Cuckoo 3" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Channel Bill Cuckoo 3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZcH6nxF6fJg/Uy0hVnBpzFI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/dpRfySFJQCs/Channel-Bill-Cuckoo-3_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="321" height="242"></a> <font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Channel Billed Cuckoo</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbE0NIjWNwM-SrEuD_QZ1DzpmQYeFzF_ISlIlNjEBgUtG2_gkBpixF5SyEzHzwqZfxKd3T6NKwJ6Z5gFW63JklwKeh-TaQCH5Z4LXQtXJV5w3oJFfvguHtl5RJmViqpoKlJb_gRez4-Q/s1600-h/Cropped-Fig-Bird4.jpg"><img title="Cropped Fig Bird" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Cropped Fig Bird" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYl6WhQPqhrY6H1_vuay_cTrY2iXG6zGdrT4gX78ZtG82r6OCBu18wBDwp9Qso8OGA0-HOK3xgz30d79XhLNtAjZX9bY2eEdJZoBYC_eHe5PSlrT0O-pDgY-ZnY3g-N3TKmSEdYESSYY/?imgmax=800" width="295" height="222"></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Fig Bird and (below) with wife.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KFxdJd7f1mE/Uy0hYHzm9iI/AAAAAAAAA6w/8If1hXQZ-Bk/s1600-h/Mr--Mrs-Fig-Bird4.jpg"><img title="Mr & Mrs Fig Bird" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mr & Mrs Fig Bird" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYl_t-QUB05RI0qSTKyyZWs5fy2GIneVO7XRRkgCoZ8bh5410eaEEAEzR7NTmnJGsxbjWa3f-d-9PJi9u4Kqqm0tY4InhqwIHaWMJAsXmocl5an_3Ek51qbdO28z5-bu76w7tjeJcBspU/?imgmax=800" width="316" height="238"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We (well Gordon really, as you know I don’t do heights) also helped Dave to re-clad his house. We (yes, I did help here) removed the old hardiplank cladding, installed fibreglass batt insulation and then clad with colourbond corrugated iron, for a real country look. </font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4vMb-uq5_Ttdw-f_Iz4TPXefCACr2nEZhTpPg7NA7Bi2UyGHATtcVJPfnqTWpu8G4e554uXSwuGYKn_uys1bHIK_foTUHnieF1MRjFBLFo7oL9e4X9HtFxQD3LKuQnXu85bIGxAdWHg/s1600-h/P92402204.jpg"><img title="P9240220" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9240220" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ixxm6y5W__E/Uy0halAB0BI/AAAAAAAAA7E/OgkEko1LQhg/P9240220_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="361" height="272"></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPjz8ldfs7j_vtozl_LhBFA3bU1D4knUjuzMba9EPOgqhqAEW8S_SA0VSnxeOyHZp-6I_XLvLWbi7VvEFdA4uqH4YIuuLHbHPCaurCBiGp0CqqcwEAQ8L6KDNypxB7Q0S-9d3qFKclF4/s1600-h/P92018315.jpg"><img title="P9201831" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9201831" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AnoExYtSIWo/Uy0hcSPUCJI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/1lBpmZpk3vc/P9201831_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="247"></a></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#0000ff" size="2" face="Arial">Note the use of safety scaffolding in the bottom pic. :-/</font></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#0000ff" size="2" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Once this job was finished, the time had come for us to move on. What had started as ‘a week or so’ on the Tablelands had turned into three months. Accordingly we had left it far too late to try to go to the Top End. Cyclone season was closing in, and that is no time for fair weather travellers such as I to be north of the Tropic of Capricorn. The humidity was also beginning to climb, and that surely reduces the comfort level. Before leaving, we were invited to accompany the family camping at Hull Heads. We had been there before, on our way up the coast, and enjoyed our stay so accepted the invitation. We were to be quite a sizable group – Dave & Barb, Tammy & Marco, Marco’s parents Santina & Vittorio, and a couple of German lads who had been lime picking on their farm as well as ourselves. This time is was to be REAL camping – you know, tents & stuff. Not really my forte, but at Hull Heads, near the Coastguard, there are showers and toilets so at least there is SOME civilisation! </font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLemMGQX6NkO9vz3B7tKjRL2TxWzMJqyc1vIh3KA4aAl_PfpIstCvqwWl_pU1WRr2X7vuF7hryFNZwI26YhOIZ8J-k3FQewaL7lwNK-RBK4TBXDASkv4iKZINPWrRXNok57mJ_Zrpjok/s1600-h/PA1120689.jpg"><img title="PA112068" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PA112068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhTPAvJa4Gg4qOq9E8H2U4wKGVrpXBKxaWnFKNyN6_BJZlQU48itiEpqT7LX6wA-J0e85CZjUfpIY75MHSyDI_zS4ItLReP-TmSBN2qbyos1-SlnIGydvfFlzkifHP-CgWF3mfKV46Dk/?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a></p> <p align="justify"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The water looks inviting but, like most of the tropical north, there are signs warning of crocodile habitation in the area so all care was taken at all times. Especially when the little fella (aged 2) was having a paddle in the shallows. </font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V9RvSkQ-tkg/Uy0hgS8xrQI/AAAAAAAAA7s/UyATemS91rA/s1600-h/PA1320844.jpg"><img title="PA132084" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PA132084" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-19P2KMNgEtM/Uy0hhXoszuI/AAAAAAAAA74/LLksaz3wmPw/PA132084_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="311"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xek_miS1jQs/Uy0hjjEzIsI/AAAAAAAAA8A/wQ0-m_oITXk/s1600-h/PA1321017.jpg"><img title="PA132101" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="PA132101" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7ItxdzsBPao/Uy0hklqS8dI/AAAAAAAAA8E/YKmdv-zTzLo/PA132101_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="310"></a></p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">And there were also more birds for me to ‘capture’ . . .</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5z6wkjxT07K7Mt5O_V8zx-9l-enuObKu2SCauwHgmhBLxHJ35_5RNCSNKNptwJYzMrA9KoPEF23Y6F5iBvrWuQPuk73RhDonaipcyDlgpm1OVoO6bxxuKcOu3OfnKjg_lHTeluQGDjIQ/s1600-h/Hull-Heads-Bird4.jpg"><img title="Hull Heads Bird" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Hull Heads Bird" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vqdMuXZTO9I/Uy0hnCyQqeI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/ZEGQAOCvVHs/Hull-Heads-Bird_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="233"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbh0kR0Y-6JFx1bliAxuX9GljrPl1pS8iwB_CRoyVctUUDcWHYrSXCwbs4UymL2vRRUbXg6VcRAytZVHZC03jh2UCpdG4CmHVw7g-hQYR2klLllso4M6RxXs6wLWQDgL_esRpeSvVD90o/s1600-h/Starlings-Hull-Heads4.jpg"><img title="Starlings Hull Heads" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Starlings Hull Heads" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO8Yr-VlVg5tAesi6PF2Kw-Fv9hx6pt-lVfvk80sa1RcmJu7GseghdZ3DCANlzoFJ2KQ8ocI7qgPiOZIf5tKW5s75dT7jnUP6kuNnixIO4HKr3dpCNZoJnL9lxyijCocGzuAHnOipWXY/?imgmax=800" width="300" height="226"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Alright, so one was just a starling, but it IS still a bird!</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">And then back at Ringers Rest . . . a Spangled Drongo </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iH9SEYycnxA/Uy0hpjI1QJI/AAAAAAAAA8s/4v_bilVanpQ/s1600-h/Spangled-Drongo4.jpg"><img title="Spangled Drongo" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Spangled Drongo" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpan4bSnWauSdQfm9ogD5SYwX66hhKUneF-P2qWIhWjT-y4pNPhiJ4-fZU5s3dykTmrXzvhx1SYGsC91cqhM3yX8NvYrorvx6WEXXUTCplXvS_aflOwaE0sTdAxcbe1KpnlRqcJ31S9E/?imgmax=800" width="289" height="218"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000" size="3">. . . Whilst sifting through my photos for this episode, I came across the following, from our first weekend at Ringers Rest and just couldn’t resist adding it . . . The Three Beardies <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWL_vCP7F1_V7169_AgEUYoKxXilS6UgxOP4pgkICjTbGHvT3nYZudSmvxhs2l70x2WYmcYEzum2x2MeYKHhk8jFIPcNGzqphAIMmJxpsRMcUbsnK9IBPWbYLT9pKSxABBZDSV0F22PZo/?imgmax=800"></font></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8H1gxMBeA1Q-F3KlxV2gMOMucgWy3XyF1p80K6ZcdD28EQ6tNrinA9B2hpcGYQl3vaaGbR9YAisUXdTBIPZzFz-2Zn8uk4z9PMAkHlqP0xYJf_cj1hwvJscQ4qnisgHlWo_InRVW6oU/s1600-h/Three-Beardies5.jpg"><img title="Three Beardies" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Three Beardies" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxctMX0j74tnO3YW1Z2JWwTdbUW6OvpHeDvTA5sjy4vaErUnF0SI4ilYjYJUtpLMORtaPZhVb4pVxXS5b-NjgfE7YaHmr8oedU1-LR4aqSR2vrGeKIzoe5CpboPIo2m2cc18y2tEE-2M/?imgmax=800" width="439" height="330"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">And so, for now, we leave Far North Queensland until next time. The calendar tells us the next CMCA rally is due to start in Narrabri next week, so we decide to try to make it there. It will mean driving longer distances each day than we usually do but we will give it a go and if we make it in time well and good. If not – well this IS our “No Particular Place to Go” tour.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">You will have to wait until the next episode to find out how far we made it . . .</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Until then:</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Live the Life You Love . . .</font></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-21665934644778345402014-03-10T22:43:00.001+11:002014-03-10T22:43:17.808+11:00More from The Atherton Tablelands<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">From Yungaburra, we took several day trips into the surrounding “Waterfall Circuit”. There are so many, many glorious waterfalls all within an easy half-day drive. Due to health issues (my crook back playing up again) we were not able to walk all the way down to the base of all the tracks. Still – there were some beautiful photo opportunities. Some of the falls we visited are Malanda, Milla Milla, Zillie, Ellinjaa and Mungalli.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://www.millaamillaa.com.au/maps/MillaaLocal_map4.pdf">http://www.millaamillaa.com.au/maps/MillaaLocal_map4.pdf</a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHWxqUFhT7aQUpnRS_J9MWQ7LBG7m919faJCn0Lq_pux6yOpfUZWJNaJRWgsn6N4VOtMeBwfiqchbXa_0P6Twzb8ePChhJCTpKwXXJ_gYH_db68JCYOTX7yiMiGJygssLrx-W6OqnbR5E/s1600-h/P9151700%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9151700" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P9151700" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qQm_frX81BQ/Ux2j-s4oq5I/AAAAAAAAAr8/zPTZboclPAw/P9151700_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="374"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Malanda – Not very high, but wide and the swimming hole is deep. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a6d0hxyOVRo/Ux2j_gR_0HI/AAAAAAAAAsE/yBOLhH63TzY/s1600-h/P9211854%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9211854" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P9211854" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbtTtMzVLhChu4bkYyEcJp6zjtQFHMcoD9eANUWt8efKCWdT2mu-DW1SxptzYZtvpaOab6GTEwo1l1A6VUH8wSP9apHqbOCze2No4tr8uD9XDZKBq7JEe4vsQlqlfBiXb9BKRtjopfhl0/?imgmax=800" width="500" height="376"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"> Ellinjaa</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-P4VHM55x_yU/Ux2kBg00aTI/AAAAAAAAAsU/hr4M3BSm2l8/s1600-h/P9211865%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9211865" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P9211865" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k5JnwnXSKCk/Ux2kChSsIRI/AAAAAAAAAsc/fehaGL8rddI/P9211865_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="501" height="377"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"> Zillie</font></p></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1md3m0-eEO-AocFBH34UMz2wGeGOB0TpYAyZUbVNH4p7jBTjSiP72M9WUzlLhEAMsRE5Y4M2a95QpVy1Lj5mymu1AYZWj1Dpuq-R-9MhUVpMQxo5i3SGjOnIOCPhicGC5NAvntSWRXY/s1600-h/P9211894%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9211894" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P9211894" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCk03p-AE6gFHTcwl2Vr0TM20gLLLupL3CULyDfBU6mfqRW1U7JDB51lOgHjXobnl0WpNN1jD76Bh2XCgaLICEcqYVjHCZFEOyWpsxQyRd3LlaRH7kutGOOt51uPnajpX0LNiRNbPEx4/?imgmax=800" width="508" height="382"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Milla Milla – If you look closely, you can see Gordon at the base of the falls.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS_5B3aMMsCngX0KecKEe0V4PPKVP-r0Tsh74CRcNym39sEkqNv6Qb7Xw9_pQqlLKrhN6GUjxUqlJ6M0-HLRC8fb02iuWVPDVyNpn0FaVisOJGbb5CnjQ_0_aFsoQgnWC_2m5tne0EEs0/s1600-h/P9211930%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9211930" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P9211930" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zY7USbOiNZ4/Ux2kGwRo8xI/AAAAAAAAAs8/7Suja1UxLas/P9211930_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="387"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"> Not a waterfall, but another “must see” – </font><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"><font style="font-weight: normal">Mount Hypipamee Crater. </font></font><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"><font style="font-weight: normal"> </font></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"><font style="font-weight: normal"> There is a waterfall walk from here, Dinner Falls. </font></font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">And the birds – well some of them. . . </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ktjhQEFv6zuTuDBrh-flilAEgY4Ar0OK24YL2tezs9LOe2CoiVYfJqd0U6gkv6uDT0MM6pJoeJfGjya85WF9-cdyDGPd8GFa3ex2VdteeDf6aWO9qmUOh2WRyhXdsmcnPLJgSWM0YnQ/s1600-h/Red%252520Shoulderred%252520Parrot%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Red Shoulderred Parrot" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Red Shoulderred Parrot" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NHuVEWa2KVM/Ux2kIU-C8WI/AAAAAAAAAtM/qZr22tep0FY/Red%252520Shoulderred%252520Parrot_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="231"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAE3K0AP3l0v7VNsusR0lZOX_wBtRbfqMIrU-TPXtji08S5VxZkcPSCvl7GEABdQupPh8OK_6hSqmNkyYJbTA86MTqynMwtHSQjYqweSpBZu_VQMfmd0ceg88Y92ttzDVFwlgwwO_sR5A/s1600-h/THIS%252520Fig%252520Bird%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="THIS Fig Bird" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="THIS Fig Bird" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ewat7GiS9RA/Ux2kKkXT-QI/AAAAAAAAAtc/n97zqBjUz80/THIS%252520Fig%252520Bird_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="303" height="228"></a></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"> Red-Shouldered Parrot Fig Bird</font></p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G-u3gQwxwiE/Ux2kLG8yadI/AAAAAAAAAtk/EMGWaZiMK3c/s1600-h/MAgpie%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="MAgpie" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="MAgpie" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JQVjHR5CtE0/Ux2kLy_mIRI/AAAAAAAAAts/Uud1LAft7eM/MAgpie_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="233"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NfzZk_xoQTY/Ux2kMw504gI/AAAAAAAAAt0/pJgTeWQ9NU4/s1600-h/PA032003%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="PA032003" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PA032003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-se74Nvt1YHA/Ux2kNkrGZAI/AAAAAAAAAt8/LewvpIT552U/PA032003_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="310" height="234"></a></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Arial"> <font color="#0000ff">Magpie Flying Home at Sunset </font></font></p></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">August 18th is Vietnam Veterans’ Day, and as the RSL sub-Branch in Atherton is in hiatus, we travelled back to Mareeba to participate in the march and service there. Mareeba may be a small rural town, but it sure attracts some ‘big’ people and crowds. There were over fifty members of the (formerly known as Vietnam but now just) Veterans’ Motorcycle Club, including Federal MP for Leichhardt Mr Warren Entsch who is a Patron, in attendance. There were also several recently returned Afghanistan Veterans, one of whom was listed to give the Commemoration address. Unfortunately he was booked for speeding at the base of the Kuranda Range and delayed long enough to miss out! Some other poor chap was ‘volunteered’ from out of the crowd – “Just like in the Army” he said – and he did a creditable job off the cuff. The gathering was also addressed, briefly, by Federal Member for Kennedy Mr Bob Katter. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ksAc-3jOnFU/Ux2kOrfkCjI/AAAAAAAAAuE/c7-i1ZoHY38/s1600-h/P8180169%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8180169" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8180169" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XAEMl7pBLg0/Ux2kPQ8LWkI/AAAAAAAAAuM/t9M8t3xl8Ck/P8180169_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="266"></a> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The following day, we headed back to Ringers Rest. It was almost like ‘coming home’. Instead of setting up down in the yards, we were invited to set up near Dave & Barbara’s house, where we had access to their house power & water. Apart from checking in any travellers, we were also asked to look after the chooks – who were all laying well – and drop in from time to time to see Mum Berry. Dave’s mum lives in another house on the property, and at 98 years of age is a right royal treasure. We played a couple of games of cards, Euchre mainly, with her and she is as sharp as a tack! For her birthday earlier in the year, she was taken for a joyflight in a gyrocopter. Wow, what a lady!!! </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We took the opportunity of walking around the property at different times of the day for photographs – early morning mists, late afternoon wildlife and birds, typical “farmer’s finds” – all of which gave us a whole new understanding of the people who live here on the Tablelands; not just Dave & Barbara but people from all around from different backgrounds and the “tough” times Mother Nature brings. Remembering of course, the welcome all visitors are given when driving into Mareeba -</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdksda1Pr2EFMjJu84EZh4UYnMBJQpFy6HbEtijYprgUWrpjI3rdVXzvnLHtxUxQONEJn5_hasRsm4g4S3PEz5OINePe9nM2tMCGVn8EPQsPewzXY_j6YrBbGhciuCP9rWYlq4bzIe57c/s1600-h/P9071580%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9071580" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P9071580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHslb_A1EU4bCdaps6aoukwUrbZNjG8SrAZAbxuMvjPm-JpoFPUDkUtFPLmUDTxF-AuWJPWG_3DJnUgTUF7AE1XzADttd5tUjMR1YgaMt5BZvxgVkS8iwpOHU0BcP9WzYnl9CtKQYz-0/?imgmax=800" width="606" height="455"></a> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Three hundred sunny days does not leave much time for rain; and all people on the land rely on rain! </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Misty Mornings . . . </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnad8q6kKDSGZNvp1njVOggiTpCgAiQKcbjGOQ3CwoeHdW_aQjjqahm8roESwQQpP3NMhyphenhyphenFpoL6nVL_TgCj-7rOJQoC_7JYNeE5cwld8AO8ebh_OSWvYE-HDuUv0_slv44_4c_0rfJt9Y/s1600-h/P8200182%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8200182" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8200182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxRNiFWEeN7eG5hDcPuMT-X-KsddZ9rwcyhG3WtdO2oQAAHbEucKJjLxxAZ_aFB_ic2U32pzd7hVQKSZt9fe8Hc15VvpvI2GUMbQPbDXQR7H3H9NJPAomk_-MyznjuSJ2iL10Ca6SEpc/?imgmax=800" width="353" height="266"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3tH6QQxHBvI/Ux2kTnRpSmI/AAAAAAAAAu0/eSDQE0UO20I/s1600-h/P8201169%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8201169" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P8201169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-b06NvuXv3UNK2llFSarMRJY6ggnqFQypxbe8HStvR-fYVUoUo1epQb8tfTNhKI6T-JGPfvMCu00yqPgI9BELIPjqizmcVtu9WJx1JLO-31g-n2vyIfiywhtDU7HhH7DQ9C5QdrOxcvo/?imgmax=800" width="362" height="272"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3g3zpgjiNTK-SiBBFfUBBQkrx_fDOHT_pFcsIzOO6i2aTBXQC1F1S6hrcVvt5Hlry4wgg5tQslU5-Tv5Zoq9U0hgj7fZABJzi2AvixTD-kNUUcYu-TE4skQBaETFzk2WC0Ldx9q74Re8/s1600-h/P8201174%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8201174" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8201174" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMr2yCjTugJa4xD_dWeyZKcWNkNc2xC_Eq5guufcq7CN7w1btYXMCY9OC3j116olGh4npHs_6ieDgGaO1KAypqYSUoNlK4twCFAeSa8RkpvVwXrSvdbQjfgTL9MtPoXgA7Y9xklgIFPc/?imgmax=800" width="367" height="276"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gNyR9FIU2Q0/Ux2kW_uhOZI/AAAAAAAAAvU/bQp6ryP67Tg/s1600-h/P8201188%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8201188" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8201188" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-96wyj7pkUAg/Ux2kXnJtFBI/AAAAAAAAAvc/MMsvEmJjDkw/P8201188_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="276"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Flowers and Wildlife . . .</font> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x79Uz83PCE4/Ux2kYwIif9I/AAAAAAAAAvk/L3U5m_CKNfM/s1600-h/Black%252520Orchid%252520Close-up%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Black Orchid Close-up" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Black Orchid Close-up" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-56XIjgak5wE/Ux2kZjQO7kI/AAAAAAAAAvs/_JAgBKtmAs8/Black%252520Orchid%252520Close-up_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="374" height="282"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E1-ZgHvoBGQ/Ux2kaqx9_wI/AAAAAAAAAv0/cf49_ubPt-E/s1600-h/Black%252520Orchid%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Black Orchid" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Black Orchid" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvxmkJvBFD2-XXkM883mLCRwruryp92SO4KvGtkG99b7SLTIP7_CkKrdRkeXOW2ELQMeV30twWuXy_1ZKB5OBP0-q1lLWwLAnyYnvYYp-iZiNa68H1i5_N08XU8nGgnTUeqYBdccggjA/?imgmax=800" width="373" height="281"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Above: Black Mareeba Orchids Below: Golden Orchid</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c5lYOUu2TM4/Ux2kcYr5KNI/AAAAAAAAAwE/DgZUvlPO2lk/s1600-h/P9261952%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9261952" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P9261952" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5kJi-qKsFIjvcL1u6cF1j45ZA87IclVdIG_YP14adP0EVupJknMAmAW8SrADhdpQ8zTjjYYsthWQu2frGR-lGRqaw1YfBx9e6kzZ4XfdCMAxtYEMBV4EHcaddaDUs9xJ39iT4CNlgspk/?imgmax=800" width="377" height="284"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-U9VhSn-Ai1Y/Ux2keXD5agI/AAAAAAAAAwU/mRGP2874wFY/s1600-h/P8030695%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8030695" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8030695" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tZRSM5ujjg4AWUPGTXzWfjQnA59XtxOOP6OkIKrCtxtmbkTEmvUqlFP9K5Wp1-lQxYM6gHRRwRUOZSxGtOSG5xCrK6H7V0j0VzWGYOQs2MhZAfxzp6PftPtYsX3Z_BK49HSa5snWjSA/?imgmax=800" width="317" height="239"></a></p> <p align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUmmOfPChObo69GdRwoQxDmnIkiUbVcpWtHggzxoz7PsCbEskw29kV7P76BKbqq2FTSWUG28Qlc_Y2FIq2B2PkvlBaxud8K5odALuVlddqpGenCOBSvuTvMAzKXdjGJjpzqllTyKlQdA/s1600-h/P8030722%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8030722" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8030722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAfy8HoCy-haVfSySpDjZy0471i-ztarg5Kh8MVOJHxCDpbvu2WQ67CO18CjMf3Fxd7Oj-xD0IsM2iC2DhNBiiSkVffHvaMvuJaeu6eVtVaqnqN1nlyi7V6Y9hhA4SD5oDsL2QXIetVc/?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259"></a></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">From top to bottom, below:</font> </p> <p><font face="Arial"><font color="#0000ff" size="3">Hawk in Flight; Mother Duck; Kookaburra in Silhouette; Brolgas Taking Flight; Pied Butcher Bird; Soft-Footed Wallaby; Spoonbill.</font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eYijhSTHfAc/Ux2khtzycxI/AAAAAAAAAw0/4o_xtdjsziI/s1600-h/Bird%252520v.2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bird v.2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Bird v.2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDoeAt9OCVsJBD8NUQuWX5_4xYSQdRDbv5qAP1y2UNjWDIW-MwvxC6gL0rMTEFeeojm8ncjhcCnPV_nUQoP06YrHHPHgWj2ODT47oGuAevx3yKOR5bxzNdNFXqN0qb5tEUjyE7e0r7Jw/?imgmax=800" width="297" height="224"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6q-9xelmB-o/Ux2kjhMzDbI/AAAAAAAAAxE/v-SL89ZBZLM/s1600-h/Duck%252520Duck%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Duck Duck" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Duck Duck" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVRGdCI6X7D4MiBogPVrn-pkx5wxJZLjWJnjQQdO4oNYtk4yVsPJnudlt__9lkfOTu1RMwQ8BssLkEzq44J23mkcCcCYjfKHFuykx5e1ItGGmiPGH9Rze-vGaA8n2Mz-B_MHMEy5IqPE/?imgmax=800" width="294" height="221"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTimHCMfhUbI4KHplukdYgZRgK989IwQYntQABNojt9yBpeeiEF5KL4biUwOuih7x4sLtEyPukaS9lcMz_LREdwIF0ZDfjztGO-H65fivZ_XRM-eiqq8UDKeyiZ-p0IIp4XwEK45Qqac/s1600-h/Kooka%252520Silouhette%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kooka Silouhette" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Kooka Silouhette" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rl6-tjuIEFY/Ux2kmHuBoOI/AAAAAAAAAxc/Jns5kGLy_Tk/Kooka%252520Silouhette_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="296" height="223"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykMsHzJSHGEt4hdETu_gYCOWJdVlPuwPLJIP_zJUVYlwpjFfaTmLR4KSIApmU7JirqpBIuhM5zMpBebDkVm3BniUPMRemJcIPRapRV0bUfPeo4gzBk_X-bvSyAxwOciaxbBFwC80CFiM/s1600-h/P8030666%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8030666" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8030666" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hk-JtwXuKx0/Ux2kn1SCfZI/AAAAAAAAAxs/q3qLSTk1J8Q/P8030666_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="224"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ7jDdRNUUjw0Y_V1TlJBBt-ZADT2nSUN0SD4-rdpvrplx7jX0FgfdvLHihElT_CAe8rGU_VXHvjqpNZCzJf-Yp3txjnHRMtAFHTOcevGUh170T1wueDIj2Ztq3wrbqOFvkkzc4pMZNhk/s1600-h/Pied%252520Butcher%252520Bird%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pied Butcher Bird" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pied Butcher Bird" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRByWNjLZ1xrCdSzKVAK3TnhlX17SCOS1MXvj87ntramrVUqQumNReFWxvtnMit2_8um4TrnPnvelsTpdi6TdRo6xUeDtJu5K3DWaXNOK4ZqHXC47YSsZlP03nwunpeZQbsXmkFGa2kc/?imgmax=800" width="306" height="230"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VkP93W-lHyU/Ux2kqAW4yXI/AAAAAAAAAyE/BmBxjRoTN0g/s1600-h/Pretty%252520Face%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Pretty Face" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Pretty Face" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y8QObMsSQOU/Ux2kq7rMHII/AAAAAAAAAyM/U2QsCrE6W6o/Pretty%252520Face_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="227" height="301"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0vJmqEoAZGk/Ux2krqsTnWI/AAAAAAAAAyU/kk5W8jW3DvE/s1600-h/Spoonbill%252520v.a%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Spoonbill v.a" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Spoonbill v.a" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nI-IxKCM3dg/Ux2ksepSMAI/AAAAAAAAAyc/22y2rKVfX8k/Spoonbill%252520v.a_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="336"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">All of these plants and creatures are found on the grounds of Ringers Rest. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Ringers Rest was originally established as a Function Centre (check them out on Facebook). The hall and its furnishings were made from timber felled on the property. There is some stunningly beautiful workmanship on show here, as well as some ‘quirky’ touches – all of which are individual, to be found nowhere else! </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqalkx5GNVc_-ADIfLOaZaKcWhOLEpiutAgWrhlZQMlycycaCRiBg31cJwnwimALXq1WoiBzLIrhbeHm_021YBFQjlt4c8vRN1INJFGy8Pr-WOiyvEcgBBNZZosalaz-Bzxl0YF0sld4/s1600-h/P8090965%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090965" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090965" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MQw2JFmSv0E/Ux2kt5ZUdvI/AAAAAAAAAys/or8-yj1lVsU/P8090965_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="329"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dnwn4SaLB73pYS0nUK_S-GVM_2RAtAItML1ndYKb4ZqjDt_AwkP6S8N6Gv-MUeDpJwzbM6ZEopuFf0sTkm058RfXM2ee8pZAWdJopv-0rfcCIqmGng5j5FSRcUsPQNCXggX80mYM_5M/s1600-h/P8090972%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090972" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090972" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-W0Tcte-TbsMB4lHRdZPuUhPcjbZxZYOnpvLJ5JA9Gr0tRprSrj2m5xeMOGAKp9-XJTBBFZBCHAbM6Gzz-ti41D6DHvIRdTpKJ88__WQ_txGvalrnBene_yMq9g7aA_mIOECGqOpgdw/?imgmax=800" width="298" height="224"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXokHkGH1kee7qIhpFy2YIsb26UpGWvYJr8tpIkstURlbIMGsnDQhNO1DyKiSQDPLRlmSG3Y_R3inGX35fU5HoZimHEu_SYqu48EJDdlFGIhctthd4UKtmX81qEnHmKvhVSA6yJJaukek/s1600-h/P8090974%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090974" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090974" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3fE9bgBAppA/Ux2kxBBC8yI/AAAAAAAAAzM/kPWlTe8kyBk/P8090974_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="298" height="224"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8io9wqYhieQ/Ux2kyOIQo1I/AAAAAAAAAzU/9TRA7ZyeYhw/s1600-h/P8090977%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090977" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090977" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--inx0g8LIFg/Ux2kzEfkr2I/AAAAAAAAAzc/mKhUSrdHqKU/P8090977_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="239" height="180"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB53WZWZUd5ULg10QU0w1b-OxIP5xYOs6uJgAX3li_C7a3OkKEEoUk6JlTq3DpcvjtbWUTDvYSBkWYpm4KAk4hR38lyP0VrTHcfqvW0HbYxoKncBQbcGVlZ0IMMPphvtm2_3tX5TyikGg/s1600-h/P8090979%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090979" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090979" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KUuUPIbBMoQ/Ux2k1KmoVmI/AAAAAAAAAzs/ZniwHwjCC_M/P8090979_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="229" height="173"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZHUdVo-Gv3g/Ux2k14Wt-0I/AAAAAAAAAz0/HspZvbIViJ8/s1600-h/P8090981%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090981" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090981" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3G0sFcDp-oZxzgTV3Jrz93iq70bhbYznU537Bj-WDpMDMFaf74S2V6rjbJ3cqjn2Pg1euGeM5R8EewVnKpnWtZ7VA3qeloYmLj71mwKCZdJCi8ALf5oudiYj7vGtlMmTBiksEgvkDLY/?imgmax=800" width="251" height="333"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RImdt3jD1fbHaLgleQexjC9romNv2SKoD0Z1DLXloayya_fZXGiP95a7Bt8QhKk3QVUYJkbAWIceMrfz7ExYyxx4ZEz-yQggcwYJsRVMK9XQ7zB2dm4C4XmJ93Hy1JqXYTroknJG8MM/s1600-h/P8090986%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090986" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV1Awu6HJ83z4f4_CRiLIUwPGvZ6YYhiyEwSTxk57XES0y2PUxU49BxMJgnwOgWxPriWOju9zldqvKbyGo9b0zg1wEdFH2KP-d9yIsT8TdxWc0EDGGHtYOjHJ6jp-LIm8sGwrLihE-lU/?imgmax=800" width="296" height="394"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYHQTBYmThdD2CafwyBdcGW8AZFWyTYtbtJzvFXBQFTFARc8ARYElL6iTDpXrhGCCQUrDm8T8Yk8jmrZGW4hrdgWmiYwrKNNpPV3CHqrsWI6R0T56UXMLYJAUvm5AyR-SpuVdHwkSFSE/s1600-h/P8090990%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090990" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090990" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXfGcajzTpece7dfXhlpVp3imSVgYteNuzMku2uXMjDsuDTALTouqctCTJU3WJSidgNJGmwaN2Vc20JD81gdRqOSyQp4nPuZGsvw6jeZcgkMN_0zmsql3T4lEdVYzRO9aghocbbIhfsI/?imgmax=800" width="258" height="343"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-Fpx-MP-Mj2c5mvup_pXvlqDu6OvC8SHA6xiQirWhj8wZn9np1C4to7gjz4WU1Wd32heIqgBVeRnDUW0Eps1Xf7d7OGaR3kEXrx21sM-vkF535lu2943LD9SwPVEKXRxwJ9kazDiXiU/s1600-h/P8090991%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090991" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090991" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wE1VHnuv8Vc/Ux2k7bBMwrI/AAAAAAAAA0s/drzuPJGIYYA/P8090991_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="316"></a> <font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Camp Kitchen</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uSWSTZgGK2k/Ux2k8Im--8I/AAAAAAAAA00/pn0OqIwB7BE/s1600-h/P8090989%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090989" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P8090989" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vsJzY2jTR6g/Ux2k9P_T9HI/AAAAAAAAA08/FRlAboOuEfs/P8090989_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="400"></a></p> <p> <font color="#0000ff" size="4" face="Arial">The Ringer</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="4" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="4" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="4" face="Arial">And some of the “Farmer’s Finds” – the man on the land will rarely, if ever, throw anything out. “Just in case” is his byword. </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSaKqycnIp10cnAloA06Fj3aVHhFIfSn2L-ngNxRd6Pfm8Ax8mxFaHiVCSQfcA4tSrRa3Iwduc3kuHrtrK6fLDHuq1zy_Xxrj_EFDEJ98o0AtgH58SJGIzY_9ealOY8UzRR0IZZh3ZsY/s1600-h/P8271223%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271223" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271223" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tdgB4ARqcxc/Ux2k_B-T_0I/AAAAAAAAA1M/i4UkZ3T_ktU/P8271223_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="217"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-g15oamltSP4/Ux2k_7tUzOI/AAAAAAAAA1U/tkEoX8Wd5T4/s1600-h/P8271229%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271229" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271229" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XXIrrtUT9Es/Ux2lA3Cy_TI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/BmVxl7CEp18/P8271229_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="216"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TMN7c0ApK18/Ux2lBtlVJDI/AAAAAAAAA1k/gIUgiVM-OIc/s1600-h/P8271230%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271230" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7tBadhwvjiCz-kM16-JBsDHqdQbfXJchMmxI-wNucANKUFnSzkqCurgX4mmk6T7x5ZXwAdhvhXgko9tPInb8s2ieN0Isq4q75PXs7tGgU9j6nO1cLPbObUFI4A6FRyMZG2340JuNVjk/?imgmax=800" width="291" height="219"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfM75ZM1zgP7SnHJ4wTZk0f33E_gPiu1W2P9Hvb4zKbKLT-P81z98jOE7DpjHivBXgu94tBaFdMGP6nIQOTMBUCWSxlhB_eDruqCkSeHUwA5w2C5zbRS-KnGu_Uvbhi2WJUHg_zrJhNk/s1600-h/P8271231%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271231" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPAn4maY8cZj-P36vJpmOJsdQmmh9EiTyMcNKPsfbZn0qkYnxjMxDq4sLaozBX2jr1qUoWqkL7c9ba7InC2uWpmg3s_PzgJ_K_szWWh5ke99GiKpBplGOmdvmDFeoWJ_UVfJzBzDL-g4/?imgmax=800" width="286" height="216"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-71XxiiqtZrU/Ux2lFXud2MI/AAAAAAAAA2E/YZnWry6oE5M/s1600-h/P8271233%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271233" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271233" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wYGXbRg17oI/Ux2lGHngI4I/AAAAAAAAA2M/9GLgDqOVWj4/P8271233_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="222"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qdxdPz9MPOg/Ux2lHD0unoI/AAAAAAAAA2U/3zZfHZMBLbw/s1600-h/P8271240%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271240" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAE5l58bkw4uooM7zmiqRdIZ9mE_mBKzY_PnuHSztF7pH9JKaUugOmPDY6fWDRYCJq5LkeISeOe11-WkQXDZbyr-1WKGrNKJNX2JVhkmuFal92sPbbxWje1qzrpVCf3qcNZua9DEMdmo/?imgmax=800" width="289" height="218"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u5laJM2yGJDR8m-WbpRPvFykX0zORFFOpMU9R8B4NPBnY9Rn658FWf5HhDyYgeW4qF_e6D6zoDnu7MmlsAibp3csMoOK6gyjusS91lvU98y06kfYWJR2ysPV4-PnnfxqhBajOo3aoJ0/s1600-h/P8271242%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271242" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271242" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b877SR9deco/Ux2lJjrHTcI/AAAAAAAAA2s/jojje2gQcL8/P8271242_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="298" height="224"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihu98ApYuJPbN8E6chQPCkpVMAa8PJGzYEc6bM3HIFfNBrQHEeERwg5L5zhRk-ThdpOFmWFjZzudgCexYbse3LQJoPYFxBl3feUR5IMw-sHP8aGEdXg6UDpGUPCrY5Up17FYG8V5VBQBQ/s1600-h/P8271243%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271243" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD8FTfeYCvEkYz4WYh_Wq_FOYHlnQueBPDiFP5_3nW3i4J4BCuvFQX1z3cjgAUfBZee_2SqO0QWoE24WKODoZRo8mcXqoBcdJvl7SVufej6Z4qc1bjkgUzQuIqZdbHcZT_PwTeRvI3KA/?imgmax=800" width="289" height="218"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJGEZyqWnsYp7EudquWgdVS2lTj64WIG0Wdz1ImuNRPNXZHKJ8iXRSn8sg7rZe0nVWukkMt0vLnxTKPs_px-cwmV4R1QtlkCx5kTWAyf2t7V708PxX-GlRqS1Zto3f6oVdaJA0x81NYo/s1600-h/P8271249%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271249" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271249" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0jciYLyr8Zk/Ux2lNZUpYlI/AAAAAAAAA3M/0FNq83--iPQ/P8271249_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="225"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0DpD-TvGHheSv5BORf8jydmPIxQ5c1__P8jlzHg6e3S_EPqYTLnBW7kUfqa8A5iJqE3SotON0sgWM3j47FhN3if7KFXs-i3lPqAmX3tx3awN8FZbsNIZaSB3lzWOm8lTY3StiR2RsFw/s1600-h/P8271253%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271253" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271253" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xpr-IkBMtS8/Ux2lPVGlMtI/AAAAAAAAA3c/XNXJpXLiAy8/P8271253_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="225"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FS0AGzHeOqM/Ux2lQUnDApI/AAAAAAAAA3k/kRHP94kaFd4/s1600-h/P8271276%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271276" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gdg6dw0fe_6Vd8HlN3_RXjAKla_1K5QK4iH2XQbSzqVKDGi8xyomfp9SritL6Ku0qyprYldUqoeaQ2NIFtYs8qCKaB5h5P2N0ucXhwaecNouGjDjP7LDb9tP5DUl44DTv1AY1UbFYyo/?imgmax=800" width="299" height="225"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3NR5mRqIk_M/Ux2lSQOnOxI/AAAAAAAAA30/G5NQDuJy0so/s1600-h/P8271290%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8271290" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P8271290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmAdCvezbqoIcEK4Q335jRz5j1C4VE0M6m0kll6NSvXYp41sqq60yPqtiDN7NTYjPpoZbU2Sy9TJUH9Cc7XknSlW4znIN4maIMG2_oAAIn4GmlDJihZCNEbixgta7nM_jF3AyWP6erGU/?imgmax=800" width="303" height="228"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The red Toyota with bull horns is regularly used to transport the Groom to weddings held on the property. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwC6hStMLA3N25dnbLW7oq-VO0mVB1w37VmrMlEDA-vqtdAZ_s4pDC5kS7E_M4Tg1EPzmoq4EkOzkPSzjHLRE_ZQk4WgbYNdEy8kY601mdHinwH4qI8Aua2xpuZkgCBKoiP9iVnc7b8lQ/?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We will return to Ringers Rest again, and until we do . . . </font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="4" face="Tahoma">Live the Life You Love . . .</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="4" face="Tahoma"></font></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-12171115049511312322014-03-10T17:59:00.001+11:002014-03-10T18:23:01.750+11:00It’s Been a While . . .<p><font color="#333333" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="3" face="Tahoma">For those of you who have read my previous posts, I apologise for the time-gap. I endeavour to write once an ‘episode’ in our travels is complete. Once we left The Daintree & headed to Mareeba we were initially only going to spend a week or so there before heading further west & “Over the Top”. As you will see the more you read, this didn’t quite turn out that way. Oh, the beauty of having no timeframe & ‘no particular place to go’. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="3" face="Tahoma">On arrival in Mareeba, we were advised that “THE” place to stay is the Rodeo Grounds, so there we went. At $14/night and only an additional $2 for power, we opted for the power.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DJq-Qh2QJNU/Ux1iaVPC3YI/AAAAAAAAAnY/SYX66XOUX28/s1600-h/Termite%252520Mounds%252520MAreeba%252520Rodeo%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Termite Mounds MAreeba Rodeo" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Termite Mounds MAreeba Rodeo" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y3I6s91obIw/Ux1ibCMJp6I/AAAAAAAAAng/fMyeVuBrMP4/Termite%252520Mounds%252520MAreeba%252520Rodeo_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="4">Termite Mounds at the Rodeo Grounds</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="4"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">From here we moved to Davies Park – the leagues club grounds – for the annual CMCA “Christmas in July”. As ‘first-timers’ we found this rally fun-filled and it was fabulous to catch up again with some of the many friends we have made thus far on our trip – nearly all of whom are fellow “Highway Wanderers”. </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4VjL35mZS5E/Ux1icMplC8I/AAAAAAAAAno/I8nMcKkIbfs/s1600-h/P7250254%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7250254" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7250254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuIk9ERujNKq59JbUqsT1KI5iuc4VjWkNjREcl1JIk5849RVfuOgYzHN6MKPcSYYSZpIJZaKBptXnFXl7M4imkHfG90fcQQ_aYiYyryaXdHnaeKiKRxpOLbE5OrkZ83lE7m3NLN3JpONE/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTaGeC5w_v_DF01s4WJfxNXRr34jz79E2rhxl30hZFdx6YGuMUcRN8MXN6RTiPG4wVBI2wjVv3ro8itMkHqk4kTR-SwrErGBWfYS9xvc-7ZULNnJmHjD04kLeifw2iYEl_Iyyy4Fb4Po/s1600-h/P7270283%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7270283" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7270283" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HxdMzBxtRH4/Ux1iecnz7TI/AAAAAAAAAoA/DR4eiq6flRc/P7270283_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Motorhomes Cheek by Jowl Christmas Dinner</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The slide-out in the motorhome was (again) giving us a few issues, but then seemed to resolve itself – but not until after it had ripped up part of the lino flooring. Buy a new mat, cover it up and keep on going. (Hmm).</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">On open day, we were handed a couple of fliers – one for <font color="#00ff00"><strong>Ringers Rest</strong></font> and another for a Hot Air Balloon flight. As you may remember, heights are simply NOT my thing, but we kept the flier anyway. The offer was for a stand-by flight for just $50 instead of the usual $285. Now I might not like heights but I <strong>DO</strong> like a bargain and this sounded like just such a deal – for Gordon to take. We also (re)met a couple whom we had first met at the Rodeo Grounds – Erin & Bryan – who were volunteering at one of the stands, Motorco Townsville, and they advised us to check the sacrificial anode in our hot water system. The things no-one tells you until it’s (almost) too late. Our anode was down to the bare metal rod so the next step would have been damage to our HWS – thank heavens we learnt about it and managed to replace it in time. After this rally wrapped up, it was back to the Rodeo Grounds to map out the next stage of our journey. Here we re-joined Roy & Georgina (Coco) and met Chris & Mossy (Swagin Along) who also all had the balloon flight flier. Well, we decided we’d all go for it, so on 31 July (which co-incidentally is my birthday) we rang to be put on stand-by and were all placed on the list – be ready to be picked up at the front gates by 04:30 - 04:45. Yes, you read it correctly 04:30 IN THE BL**DY MORNING!!! And not only do I not do heights, I also do not do mornings. I was extremely nervous, but our friends Georgina & Roy just kept chattering away to me to take my mind off this dreadful thing I was about to do. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBS_PW8qRFZdqg3nVsmjsK1QHUKuQCMXlGtjDGwnowzZK7huIIzel5CbhYabWnYmh7xwJwDOhRyYMhalw1o6BriUX-U2fqmqxftZfIr9t9Poq7HiN2LhMtKLwDTXJgf625Jq7AJhd93uc/s1600-h/IMG_5128%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5128" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_5128" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lJHUOGilwbc/Ux1igKhxX0I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/ip2n4DND_AM/IMG_5128_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="139"></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F0AckCh7mgE/Ux1ig0s1WMI/AAAAAAAAAoY/8WjJsJ5IJbc/s1600-h/P8010544%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8010544" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8010544" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2OvJIp2w2OE/Ux1ihjV4RBI/AAAAAAAAAoc/gkuR0qgKg0o/P8010544_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p align="left"> <font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Flying High Let Me Touch Solid Earth Again</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">So . . . another ‘something’ I never thought I’d do – done & dusted. I took some amazing pictures but all were taken looking straight ahead, I couldn’t bring myself to look down. And I must say, I did thoroughly enjoy the experience and would possibly do it again – but only if we had another ‘cheapie’. Close to $300 is far too much to pay for that many heart palpitations! </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The next day, Roy & Georgina took a little side trip out to “Ringers Rest” and met Dave. They came back & told us they were going for the weekend & did we want to come too. With nothing else planned, off we went – Roy & Georgina in Coco, Chris & Mossy in Swagin Along and Gordon & Juanita in Toad Hall. Gordon called in to the dump point on the way out and met Peter & Jo in Horsin’ Around so invited them, too. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5_TECVBnL7w/Ux1iiv69QjI/AAAAAAAAAoo/DG3_O-opvgg/s1600-h/P8090977%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8090977" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8090977" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU5vNZCp4k1csXGeiAruVxmt9X9ykNw_AXc8QvORFhkFLbJFrCROE2akHZe7yH8ppK0qkU7BH01zfPKZ9bEbDS1VTM7cMC6ve-qrah423lKcU0Laq16ujOrLpbpnZ0Mtm-kJmudy_c7Q/?imgmax=800" width="351" height="264"></a></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Well, what can I say? Dave the Ringer is one of nature’s true gentlemen and his property is just, well, WOW! It is a bush camp, so if you’re looking for full powered sites, individual water taps, swimming pools & playgrounds – go to a caravan park. Ringers Rest is restful with all the space you could possibly dream of and wildlife and walks aplenty. There is fresh water available (two taps for ALL to share) and ecological composting toilets (absolutely NO odour). Dave is full of tales (and sometimes it’s not until you see the twinkle in his eyes at the end of a yarn that you realise he’s been having you on!). </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoIi7vl0y7DpcTSiFDTw-4AotM2YrZFHUiNIXnzdJumnwEkd8GDJGg6V0jZoYju7Mr46i9dP4Hj3bVmhBrEhnhN9a7pSWIxMrcE42HxW-4upb36Eykvj7vCezj84uhMS1YxWvQkGrnRQ/s1600-h/Coco%252520Hall%252520Swag%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Coco Hall Swag" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Coco Hall Swag" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWnrxZpc1dRADEHMcZu1hyphenhyphenZMCz2h9Qs68AH7SG3nB_e_SwdBR_XsqncBjdoPTiB_JcbRrr04kUVPXBN188hIk6i94otjt2Mw5n2mbdeVMfHKw0snD-bKhtPBjsxZnS8D_EfsjOoAf3-4/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qpCQPua9cXk/Ux1imc_CAXI/AAAAAAAAApI/JwbPE6fcM_8/s1600-h/P8060848%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8060848" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8060848" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdTNMpezNqizJ1j7-MMhlsTfliXtyWY2J56OcQGASwv5fG0prXk3OoKTAcS8PqZQ96IuCLRp3exsSA3p7KwkMdp2NlSYt4oELQs7hvr6DJ6-aLw0a10klKbj6AgUKpEyY4ShvLucfLPk/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></font></p> <p align="left"> <font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Coco, Toad Hall & Swagin Along Sunset</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Dave had provided plenty of firewood, so we had happy hour every evening around a roaring campfire. Sometimes we used it for cooking, sometimes just for looking. The occupants of Coco & Swagin Along had other plans and places to be so they left after the weekend, but Gordon & I decided to stay until the next weekend when we were booked in at the caravan park at Yungaburra, right on the banks of Lake Tinaroo where we were going to re-visit the Avenue of Honour Memorial to the soldiers and dogs of Afghanistan. During the week, Dave approached us and asked if we would be interested in coming back after Yungaburra to look after the place while he & his wife went to ‘the big smoke’ (Brisbane) for a family wedding. Well – Gordon & Dave had hit it off so well, they could almost have been mistaken for brothers, – <font color="#000000">Gordon hardly let Dave finish what he was saying before accepting! So, a weekend turned into a week turned into ‘a couple more’ weeks. . . Do you see where I’m going? During this time Dave either took us to places, or told us about others, which are not on everyone’s list of things to see and do around the Atherton Tablelands. One of the most amazing was Barney Springs which, during World War II, supplied over 1 million gallons (4.5 million litres) of water each DAY to the nearby Rocky Creek Military Hospital. Not many people visit there now, but the water is crystal clear and the nature walks are beautiful. </font></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7rwCPQggZXPtYgJhRZ0RWJ7lU5sEQ4At8ZOodB_QYwA3RcdHyD9X7azxd7D_VPvFNskZ7XjNESl8pryK7LKNtc8wAfq2hlQhtTGMW_kCwBCb6h9RTg0NCIT2nKgcD1h2UmGkl3caxnM/s1600-h/P9011385%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9011385" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9011385" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PhW0cuAS7F0/Ux1io3PqZeI/AAAAAAAAApg/gVD26JPXHG4/P9011385_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="314"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p align="right"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Barney Springs </font></p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9WZaKzm5i9M/Ux1ip9ymcXI/AAAAAAAAApo/YtPyxP5ZBPs/s1600-h/P9011376%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9011376" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P9011376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAEn5GpyZhr1EUVZEyIzAgjJc2zN78YzO5TFQyMBJnFNzyq6Cqf3lisa1Grc-0maaBXkekcM10YV9Wdlo5Z4b6uWxRwQG77oZev4hgIhv6u8yYEAWpJXMXcAo0xtrEeG7E784IibjVNAc/?imgmax=800" width="427" height="321"></a> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial">Juanita & Gordon</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYqGGCtXXiDlPXLIfw5-SdSRoZNNnV_YB_U1dcDh2fpD_iqCLIsqTMrOg5yqrSFI_FDGvZ0anufy21ZkJ3VUyMs0_3nDhk1FF9LUuuEu1E5-MMuItBrFAWKkLvt-FgT0Ti4X8GGyZGZSY/s1600-h/Bookends%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bookends" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bookends" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f2aBK44X8cU/Ux1isomcvtI/AAAAAAAAAqA/I6NxwkldNCw/Bookends_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="296"></a></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"> Gordon & Dave</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We also visited Davies Creek Falls, Emerald Creek Falls and many other natural beauty spots. </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dAEcOo4R8Uo/Ux1it-8e2NI/AAAAAAAAAqI/A-naQhcMASo/s1600-h/P8070088%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8070088" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8070088" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PY2xVyPmGst3E8XUSiNEtxFhuKzK36KAAlRtYP9jOxD36mpVeY0mm6P7j4qYQUJgCEpda9bI5H2rIa0AhtrGt9zFlLX7Qn9yv4Ijh2qBNcXEpQu8DYxyzGZSiBZdgxu-ENfNuynEe7w/?imgmax=800" width="414" height="312"></a></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05qHiprUAr7-v6VJX4Y_hI-w_DriGqbrrbPM_W-x6PnnEaRt8uL3jZSJ8-ut_YOLdCXmYw89mSoHr_aP3P2LOe14AXAxZztbvzMNgmCmw3hYQd1fuUUNKT-ScXzKzsQZG7EhQft2Ru8Q/s1600-h/P9011385%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9011385" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9011385" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1KAFe2jL_0c/Ux1iwk0jk3I/AAAAAAAAAqg/4sMwtxwlhtE/P9011385_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="315"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ws5Ij7eY6Zc_5xL65kRkgpFV3NtwnqVMzVaqnR9NV1C44chrWC7pqY9s6SQ98YHRp_IM5hvNJS2sPTUZfPXV3T-Sss1m3f9gNHsR87ccvju9FYp_ck9b3DfkeVDUTEUg3XQh_kuN6D8/s1600-h/P9071560%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="P9071560" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P9071560" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wHTeVmC97pk/Ux1izGjuxuI/AAAAAAAAAqw/Wm1Ws86Scac/P9071560_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="325"></a> </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">On the Sunday in August nearest to VJ Day (often now called VP Day), there is a memorial service at Rocky Creek on the site where the military hospital once stood. This year another plaque was mounted on the granite rocks which are installed on site. The entire day was very moving and involved many members of the entire Tablelands community. </font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rtbnNVSrCWE9qrwV07N8JznCvcAIPlZUfplgAbPRul_jOjNxP8LuNQMJzLY52RynnRYHOdeixTvW8U-Ri3-7G78ASrtlb4sVTtzZSrdW2rdHWCHaF1J3XuRsUkuxOEwEsXxMQxyVWYM/s1600-h/P8111033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8111033" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8111033" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7Jw0jaalhMI/Ux1i0wp6u8I/AAAAAAAAArA/FcJpQ54Fsjo/P8111033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D-ZeLIUMruo/Ux1i15XGmNI/AAAAAAAAArI/MG4a9Nwq_14/s1600-h/P8111035%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8111035" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8111035" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGfqovYrReGEoykH1WBso_PVBaiU936NqdI73CXceHYzaE48p_o-ipM8yl5lvXruyP7o-Qy5sZC65-yecA6cthyphenhyphenkpZR7YG9ApMlCeOEQGS6bkrMwx9vyD2ikq_c247WwrBlMOxQgHrZo/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000">The day after this dedication, we said</font> <font color="#000000">(a temporary) farewell to Dave, Barbara & Ringers Rest and moved out to Yungaburra. This is a quaint village on the banks of Lake Tinaroo – now forever famous as the home to the only national war memorial outside a major metropolitan centre. (<font size="1">There is a link on one of my earlier posts – June 2013 – to learn more about the birth of this moving monument</font>). </font></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8gg9p2dgZqw/Ux1i3WXXS_I/AAAAAAAAArY/veyo9wSJmnI/s1600-h/P8151123%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P8151123" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P8151123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-X1ceGilE-OCdUO320WxTWUgtXENrZxzUBXtwdmR8t7ap86ZrTlp8A6VvzvTC7IZowxizTMEhQNEC3Ie1l45uJi0HHAKDQoGx6KYSkiAnwloYxJKmEtvhd3XJzYZ36gvXU5H1NdxzRQ/?imgmax=800" width="483" height="364"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">There is so much more to see and do around the Atherton Tableland – too much for just one post, so we’ll leave you here with reflections on “Service and Sacrifice” – and continue our (static) journey in Far North Queensland.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma">Live the Life You Love . . . </font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Arial"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-64987306591643554342013-08-25T12:47:00.000+10:002013-08-25T22:47:20.089+10:00Daintree Village and Cape Tribulation<p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">As promised, we packed up Toad Hall in Mossman and headed up the highway(?) to Daintree Village. Having come for a day, we decided to stay for a week. The lovely folk at Daintree Riverview (<a href="http://www.daintreeriverview.com"><font color="#0000ff"><u><em>www.daintreeriverview.com</em></u></font></a>) – Sally, Peter & Phil – are so welcoming and really know how to make you feel special and at home. One of their main strengths is that they call you by name – a very important facet of hospitality. They are also very involved in Village life – Phil ‘moonlights’ in the Woodwork Gallery next door and Peter & Sally take visitors on the Argo 8x8 tours; as well as all the work involved in building the Daintree Riverview Lodges and Van Park into the beautiful, relaxing place it has become. In talking to them we can see they have done an enormous amount of work in the three short years they have owned the park. Peter has put his ‘nibbling’ skills to good use, & Sally has ‘beautified’ his work . . . <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBj1dL6jn84_pL90AdrU_AAsrGWFhf7j1LTMIT33-jF4X57jOsAHzQlVcY2tOQbSVVzvOar1qzeaYGByIg7dLACBK8Ma6EAxHfAE3vj2Pjdk0pRusPMK-TyHu1cWLwm09Vys9_UgLpeMg/s1600-h/P7170178%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7170178" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7170178" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R4SEkaknChc/UhnxeBk61zI/AAAAAAAAAZU/yN_QfOU2GRY/P7170178_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="383" height="288"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SL-Hysoj_1Jpw3S90uqjxYqgRlMHkuryjUj35v-HgdUCSfHt-KTkfWGpeV-TPFlqM_WEGzy8EcePf7ZxSez5E1xqT2g61aOk0uD4nDqcWbfPBKdUZ9eyZEMLKJlo1n-XsPobs6Af3bI/s1600-h/P7170181%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7170181" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7170181" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UsWqpWgKvqw/UhnyN7c5OsI/AAAAAAAAAZk/qhYgdaNfxJQ/P7170181_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="341" height="257"></a></font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdKkQ6addli4HuZ-owm-VGkoD0f71kyy3yURVN87C05lz5NbQsi75yEJQizPtV-_Ceu1twMgWBC7AdBtqbQXyuvxcGEXfmAsC3eLRxOL8hH5rwwOVoAWvi2SADzHtj36CbU-I55WRktw/s1600-h/P7170179%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7170179" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7170179" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dxaBde8n7Xo/UhnytOJBb0I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/bC548Sob_XY/P7170179_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="312"></a></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">They have also <font color="#333333">put to good use some ‘leftover’ timber . . . they had purchased an old school building and re-used some of the floorboards as ceiling lining boards at their home on the farm. Needless to say there were odd lengths unsuitable for that purpose, so Sally now ‘brands’ them either ready-made or made-to-order . . . <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G7sztDI39Nw/Uhny5IaMRUI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/oRjWsNfO5JY/s1600-h/P7180221%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7180221" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7180221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir5WphX1hPy9UXU5Ktba-imWUuxR1xZsNYxoCt-EbVdClnyp2KmQ9XCA7rpgSuyuUxfSnlE3E1I0Ux_cHnXHjsWILJ0PmqgiC2VNHo6Fa9WVjiJt-aJXag2fW7xOqeQjayiXMXsWGNiLo/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_e_hImDeUU9DcA0WSAB9OFeU5jpwq682OFvKQNxoUDCHvR5KEGLiTTD7fG1_W43CifY9BgWZZlpbJmXy0dC1yQxayQKqndzXxVgD6cR3Uq9kiQjhdvhYZpZKkrz3MUY62LdFxGG1Gfxs/s1600-h/P7180226%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7180226" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7180226" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WaYXZwzfKtI/UhnzTq5j_fI/AAAAAAAAAaU/Cv5r9iEGwQk/P7180226_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> . . . Toad Hall both ways. </font></font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Riverview is in an outstanding position to base yourself for quite a few trips. Our first outing was back down the road and across the ferry to Cape Tribulation. There are countless photo opportunities along the way . . . and made easy to access by the local council <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EvHjFCmG9mM/Uhnzugiq68I/AAAAAAAAAac/roN06aks6ck/s1600-h/P7050278%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050278" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnVvysnLd5nRAn1QucIM3j2SXh4aSC4kZsQCbEZajFQWrlbiFnz_IKoAGMIYCBEyJCrr86n94EpPWtOvUVIjcbJq-b6RvE27Upaz7kjmRfKphn1QJXWylGHw7LpNmpnH20AA3F4KRBnI/?imgmax=800" width="398" height="300"></a> </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">The Drive from Daintree Village to Cape Tribulation is only 49 kms, but is truly worth a full day of your time – if not more. “The Daintree Coast Map” showcases more than 70 things to see & do, places to stay & eat, and points of interest. Not far from the ferry crossing is “Walu Warrigga” – Alexandra Range Lookout – from which you can see the mouth of the Daintree River. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0I5LxKFQvsc/Uhnz2kTv07I/AAAAAAAAAas/3qQNjEmWbnA/s1600-h/P7050028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050028" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T8jkdCpNXfY/Uhnz8F3egLI/AAAAAAAAAa0/uYqM0MvnAtc/P7050028_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="321"></a></font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">By far the most outstanding (in my humble opinion) is the Daintree Discovery Centre. Once again my fear of heights was put to the test and overcome. The Boardwalk through the rainforest (once again offering but not delivering the elusive cassowary) is quite an easy trip and wheel friendly. Entry fee includes a ‘gadget’ which talks you through points of interest which are numbered. Many of the plants are also named, as are the birds you might see & their calls are recorded and identified. Almost directly in the centre is the 23 metre high “Canopy Tower”. This is decidedly worth overcoming any trepidations – the views from each ‘stage’ (of which there are five) are breathtaking and give an insight into the many variations of rainforest growth. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ANtv8wbkBL860VckbvHnCO2smwCIoRSUoR6rc8CTuvfWXAvbpbsCFrp_a7n15V0vC0HE_N2OVvvtTw8it7GrPpi3nmF5-oIKtbuMwCTFfWRsodeQuQ-ZkqFVIDQCY6z-bpqX3uTtUh4/s1600-h/P7050032%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1SyW2ybzGUocd2M3l5W8cMkFWFf6KU2TF-ch66j41L3noFLhpoTLY9qMLqRFllMUU2P2puSOpHdkUVmDOMUyERFLrt8_Z7xMKMLVJy992b9XFmDq_pAPZqFoye-XaS1YlzXUNo-WnEI4/?imgmax=800" width="438" height="330"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClXPrLTdni5cQr6761Gi9FGXoTeHSRoIVdXf1DZF27FOnckATtJ3HkJU1JMdhxTUqbRD8e1CWysyoXDxXEKF8om-V6YkTLsT104QtgcSiT30Ss538y0tC5api3dt9J002v6P43l6iv14/s1600-h/P7050035%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050035" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050035" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-M7OHyMeRoeo/Uhn0vJwfoPI/AAAAAAAAAbU/vWDDcnSbqN4/P7050035_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="336"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UrsmTmC2KwY/Uhn05BawLxI/AAAAAAAAAbc/4LNY0RTHqXM/s1600-h/P7050056%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050056" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050056" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZkzBEN6CH4AcFf7pcqoDjdnyEXxgvm5nYh3K7Ule3zPyDFzW7d6-yz-DQOUaoBMC0Mr7AJ41jsqfWnKSkCJwA80Gc5dCGSdpT7Whmn3uyDWgu8IIBuRxKCczFO8JHDV-7TNqy93D7nE/?imgmax=800" width="434" height="326"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0tiSAH6-6HQ/Uhn0_x6UK_I/AAAAAAAAAbs/BG2T8HQryFA/s1600-h/P7050070%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050070" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050070" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1cfOkkkBiWjvQVaeIksQqWizgacaz0qqNrvcm8elOrXDXqUSRgsV1N-NoYZOYzcmOBrBVpZY3qMORVOXEOo85EdhvXaooWuO-OnYOT-EnDwMqxLdsdH4ifFCu4Vlvw0YPUfLLe32nL0/?imgmax=800" width="437" height="329"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPJW9dWa8aMLzIv-Xtsgk7v-4khc5LdKI1MdffYRoM9KJjFkTtgFJC6_S5Uq9A9zkzKL3AmQl8AS6hjcNNUfK36-09ef_K9SMKIXGTe-Ykdeu0JH0wOP9RS8KuObDFxXegVrmod4MSqI/s1600-h/P7050071%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050071" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050071" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmaMETz-sK_wqrnbHqLfjhWeDz6Z40usDV5gzgQjyir4YDv3F-_Mk7pIIstnv_gTb8SL_0ORKcSi5GI72Zxvgv_XQsanDMHX85MSjSmbnhADS-CYwV5rlWnzMM1xNL1CV_2lN9PvJ_3Y/?imgmax=800" width="402" height="302"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vGnVksdoLQ4/Uhn15SrETlI/AAAAAAAAAcM/9_oc8ZRaGSs/s1600-h/P7050084%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050084" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050084" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DqV-PjMrecU/Uhn19CTOOgI/AAAAAAAAAcU/X9UrhV-OXSQ/P7050084_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="451" height="339"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigy41ZSHIaCBcszaX2RxkPR7UNP6de9L_yWqslH9gYJ9lfTu-sCZHLZbGSrQKS4XtZDtk_A2KuxBekMhc4rUEv-LSPvg5Gvj0BH51qrb9ZoTTKvGA2IkbR_l0BY6BvAY4teK-oIGvr2N0/s1600-h/P7050133%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050133" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz13m1McklW2hZXh0BmtDVMA5Q8jTN7UB1t3sIPJz7Sqkqt44i-GdFBHCMryJ5A4zIblLTdVY5zEq5gdHniQzj7O50_gN_QzgtwCvR54JM3ep-b4Q-ewVKiNweiAPvk8ELaLcfpcKMquM/?imgmax=800" width="354" height="471"></a></font></p></blockquote> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">And to prove (especially to my daughters) that I WAS there - </font></p> <p><a href="http://youtu.be/TecpULfx25E"><font color="#0000ff" size="4">http://youtu.be/TecpULfx25E</font></a></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:4b81575d-78c9-4dd0-a4ec-1613f9e8b7c7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="5c9006b1-82fa-447a-abed-4a969fad2271" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRZiHGmG6xk" target="_new"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-A2RGTOrIEitOx4cA9VV-PjvzyF7YVlH-wlKbNfFpCGlMf0f7DCb58sw2yIcEIiZKW2MPDobTj-vDoqg9LAD0ZZi5csUuAw-ebt8tjtE-VtV0nXOGi1m7YpngztCIa37YKJUUzxgEOUo/?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('5c9006b1-82fa-447a-abed-4a969fad2271'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/pRZiHGmG6xk?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/pRZiHGmG6xk?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"277\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div><div style="width:448px;clear:both;font-size:.8em">So there!</div></div> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333">On the outward path (some three hours later) we were thrilled (and surprised) to see these King Ferns. The only other place we have seen them is at Carnarvon Gorge. The can only survive with a permanent </font><font color="#333333">supply of fresh</font><font color="#333333"> water as their stems are filled with this and that is what keeps them upright. Once again, this is only one of the many photos I took. </font></font></font> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Hj2mn6BTg4/Uhn2FE79rgI/AAAAAAAAAc0/E0iVZzXoyxQ/s1600-h/P7050144%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050144" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zLVnkPo1aHYwdvH2V0d8qlAYr75MuUobrSFns2VBvhVoGEAxBeS_rHrDGfhXHPDWKrrnjim3CJZ6bnliS5w2QAs6NdwlijLzIaLsnGCvLpIwUmZ8qvyqzpi4Ln-knwY3NqVg06wlEOs/?imgmax=800" width="526" height="396"></a> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana"><font color="#000000">From here we drove all the way to Cape Trib (as they say in these parts). The day was glorious – almost good enough for a swim. Well, a paddle anyway. Here it was, July 5th, and we talking going for a dip! For those of my readers in the northern hemisphere – it is mid-winter and I’m used to being in multi-layered clothing. </font></font></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#000000" size="4" face="Verdana">The weather has been crystal clear, just like the water, and my camera and I have been busy, busy, busy taking it all in. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QoWjrBe7uJY/Uhn2dMiXdkI/AAAAAAAAAdE/r5GLcTPvewE/s1600-h/P7050151%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050151" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050151" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vyXSpvz0tgM/Uhn2jsA_mXI/AAAAAAAAAdM/yHFWsYsLiAk/P7050151_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="300"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t7hjicq2WEs/Uhn26iOGSdI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Gud4GuMy1sI/s1600-h/P7050157%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050157" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050157" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o0OwvlICmPk/Uhn3AE1QtAI/AAAAAAAAAdc/El5AUjJRgvk/P7050157_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="396" height="298"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0aUoGzgJwCk/Uhn3NTr_R1I/AAAAAAAAAdk/mi04_qd6CJw/s1600-h/P7050164%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050164" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInRkCCNsX2Uy43hEZ9DvsIEKVaZ9JYuCHvje_P7Gb5MWdw8VxyS2SxKPSCM_MkwFdaMIOCCuIKiTaQnlTJuBz3wVEQ6uNrqtM7fzFfTydUeJrCvTKyJZH5ZesAoqDxvW4brd3Yjx-7Jc/?imgmax=800" width="449" height="338"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU45ZcTXrV4hVIAvPtVvr9Fpj-7v3TH_qNzJmOzeHLS0tBe807bYrcMl9bCmy7EdstDyTlI6xGw48TJ5s9D5O6R1TM8rvaJ9uleoND3Qpz3CMn0yaR7JNOJrkfaSMGPnSFDIjcPjVMKGA/s1600-h/P7050202%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050202" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050202" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJyvVybMEYTK3OW9mo7rPYD0XgHxeavpfkU2dzwIaXUNUmySXMuzDF1-__xsMv5JgBTbTLUXmjV0pqVGSexdUBI6sQgyF3jO0iQ8eEng1Ma_XUaGbxdbeINzDeVTTG64mJ3cjIz5axy_M/?imgmax=800" width="443" height="334"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYuCVvx3ZiT9-KDa-B6IyQsPTNyjZyeS7aOgoOxlAi1NZ5W2xJ8MuAteq1MovgIDwKZHvPjBge2MSUANOnbozsub-urgeyql3CBG5skwkN14Rdn-a9RO_1cbg2x4CWLTewsogY3dZqqA/s1600-h/P7050223%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050223" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050223" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--RLtDjQrPxw/Uhn3yAOYOUI/AAAAAAAAAeM/kaqwj1i11Uw/P7050223_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="294"></a></font></p></blockquote> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">From the top: Starfish; Rutile Sands; Ground Shot; Cape Trib and </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Sky-Sea-Sand. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Wending our way homewards, we visit the Dubuji Boardwalk (easy walking); The Daintree Tea Company; The Daintree Ice-Cream Company (flavours such as Black Sapote and Soursop – don’t knock them until you’ve tried them. Yumm) We also had a light lunch at Cafe on Sea at Thornton Beach (not on my best of anything list) and – just for our great-grandson – took photos of Noah Range, Noah Island,</font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"> Noah Creek and Noah Beach. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO93NkETKkyEYbdJxIhgCsN8tRfOQx3OFzN_T4BKYvokpufi3p4I-L1ch6780MFdidUuBydIfkbAS_6X9PPraAfDUNBQThsgxI5aWvcS8KkoYoBkmZ7a9PcwPkBV42SBYhbyCm0mSY7rM/s1600-h/P7050188%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050188" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050188" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G5B93DNnAVg/Uhn4MDGta7I/AAAAAAAAAec/SGSkfYb5HOQ/P7050188_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="346"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NpzTAJY8ysI/Uhn429UOlPI/AAAAAAAAAek/_iGh1XsZhcA/s1600-h/P7050250%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050250" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFHrWz55nCLX7tf_445gHgt_E-DzZhg8_xY6nBomIfPMdr48F79O5d5Hoxp7slkR1EMVIw_12Wny411RjB3udMgU0qWNXm22eRviweY7fizl3L6_nNBGfeRJu2FuSt7xOaUgePYNgV9M/?imgmax=800" width="365" height="275"></a></p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yWZ99m9S9Eo/Uhn5aXI3W5I/AAAAAAAAAe0/VY9zApZ8Te4/s1600-h/P7050258%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050258" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050258" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gPs1p4Mpbvc/Uhn5emuVnuI/AAAAAAAAAe8/XTGegbiIjDQ/P7050258_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="263"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVjbs6eQhgdTMN5VtvHopydD8MKnAuDpXadDl8Sj89vdLZS3luvtqrHKSnWruq-r7k6AM8KDsHds2GjQQ5FyBW2ZqJs-4dFz9nxQv5xt7Cd-QS676kt-LjkesHc9fuwZv7VeD33jZq0M/s1600-h/P7050246%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7050246" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7050246" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Zhj_TfsGhKo/Uhn5shJ00VI/AAAAAAAAAfM/-W8Ic379E5M/P7050246_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></font> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">There are so many more places to go and things to see – why not treat yourself to a trip? </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">To end a full day, back across the ferry and to Daintree Riverview Van Park and a well deserved rest. The day truly was packed with sights, sounds, smells; beautiful weather and lovely people. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">After a rest day, we took the advice of Phil and booked onto a river cruise. The first trip was a 7 a.m. start and the day dawned coolish and drizzly. It was disappointing in one way as we didn’t see any crocodiles; but an the other hand we did see quite a lot of birds – some I recognised and some I didn’t. The tour guide – Ian “Sauce” Worcester was very knowledgeable and knew them all but as I didn’t have a pen’n’paper, just my camera, I had no way of keeping track of all the names. The photos of the birds will be the subject of an entirely separate post. There have just been so many beautiful birds, and hopefully there will be many more. And maybe, just maybe, before we leave the tropics there might even be a cassowary. . . ? </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Then in the afternoon we took a journey on the Crocodile Express – a trip we can recommend as real value for money. Running commentary from Captain Crash (Dennis) was both informative AND humorous. All the tour guides are in radio contact with each other so when anyone spots a croc they pass on its location to the others – that way everyone sees what they have come to see. The older crocodiles are given names but the juveniles are not named until after they are about five years old – that’s when they’re old enough to be called survivors. Dennis told us that so far this season he has only seen half a dozen young ones; normally they would number in the hundreds. This he puts down to the increased number of feral pigs who raid the nests. Evidence of their destructive behaviour is clearly visible. With CrocExpress, after paying for your first trip (approx 1 hour & $25 for adults) you are given a pass which entitles you to any number of further trips for a week as long as there is room. New paying customers are given priority, but if there’s room for more then you can go as often as you wish – and the trips leave hourly from two different departure points; one at Daintree Village and the other from the Ferry Crossing. </font></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hjsaS4cR1ME/Uhn5t27PGnI/AAAAAAAAAfU/Ajb2B4SU4Y8/s1600-h/2%252520Croc%252520iv%252520V.iii%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="2 Croc iv V.iii" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2 Croc iv V.iii" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MM4V4B8kbl4/Uhn5u1LbleI/AAAAAAAAAfc/asjUJzN69Fc/2%252520Croc%252520iv%252520V.iii_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="340"></a>At this time of year (July) all they want is somewhere warm. They’re not very active, but looks can be deceptive.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7mnGTo7QcJk/Uhn5vwjWjHI/AAAAAAAAAfk/jl0ji39jCeY/s1600-h/Barrie%252527s%252520Girlfriend%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Barrie's Girlfriend" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Barrie's Girlfriend" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0sbVBDJfMSJLdWQCSPULw7GKH1y486uuEgKSwIx1h2O91HMxMdhEBi-A4uIAoayuf0ZUcuT48_cNU4BhaC_rA42iYijuq6XET9WQnuEbA83LlheiGex2pD8WtILAN9BCwc-mEFa_0hY/?imgmax=800" width="456" height="343"></a></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana"><font color="#333333">This female is about 3 metres long, and 35-40 years old. The open mouth is a sign that she's upset and could become aggressive any minute.</font> </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqOauYfl544ejy1HQgFCXpX7c4j0MRDRiCADsxvvMN_FsM1TrZZ_GQQLTlJnYbPwnamFtyqLuEB9nc9qHijJpTf4Ho5MUYN-9tSkkTeS9FMX9-eg3KNJjJtXqGFHGxnfOJrDlC33pZF4/s1600-h/Croc%252520III%252520View%252520III%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Croc III View III" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Croc III View III" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7ws8p6nXjc_XF0iCsMXFB02IdDre1M3LvYaLKjpc1zuKha2RL5QMYsP2ybaCK6rkOV-wwM0OKInlq2NrcmrTh5iAwNhVHGMZGdKmuE7OufweBfRa8VNPcfo4ycVQM9aPPugSVyY8qZg/?imgmax=800" width="423" height="318"></a></p> <p><a href="file:///C:/Users/HP/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles267E4F/P7070372[4].jpg"><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Trying to hide . . . although how you hide 4 metres of prehistoric monster, I’ll never know.</font> </a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-il2o89PaCMg/Uhn56O3ouLI/AAAAAAAAAgE/brj6ProiCsM/s1600-h/P7070370%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7070370" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7070370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KIJcdQM_lt51Kdkw0MASblz7urUjM2p74PT05Ws976_8_mkgeOKngDU_JW3TXL_7JDMc5XBpqzMIaxj8dyiREX70oLtOnhKPLiMmdkF-6Lkddg5f9_0Vdd661YYnYiGd0fbcRwLSbPs/?imgmax=800" width="262" height="198"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy7w8nsdfcoZv-dqLSoAPdAvN-O2ViIDd5gdFLVWzMV5WFWEwQJChIKX8lrggPXqyRpMlimzfCROSxblgBcIaElag95U-_7pQE1wPESgq2L3kdJf5Td-EhsYPlupqU3ohyu2axtk4wNiA/s1600-h/P7070372%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7070372" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7070372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvE_WSh1esZMOJ53uSDuJst79LPe3NXEwlH_md5UZfmkFIdU_98xpMfKfip5nTmeB9Mfh_XiZ-yZxMenxNogI5XQFYVMg62GdIBG_Eh48ms-DOKj8bjdHMz-OfSMP7wUAydVNuJ4m0GBc/?imgmax=800" width="290" height="218"></a></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="3" face="Verdana">This wild forest shows how easy it is for feral pigs to evade capture.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HhAb30T9kWI/Uhn6hiGVeQI/AAAAAAAAAgk/evHg1rdxnlc/s1600-h/P7070403%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7070403" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7070403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFERuvVQUF_QDiGljaT3EF25nHc1l7UPm2gdVyb3jIhbrTC4leafwSglSBTlN-Y8Vz-L7HzM5ImpXL7Z-4_LK5sJVjdtLoEkxtmZ0r7hqoGeoh7j2Pqfe8EPoiluF_kesS6_5Oxs6HtpA/?imgmax=800" width="299" height="397"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qms9c_Zb5kM/Uhn6v1lsAeI/AAAAAAAAAg0/lQ0beM932MU/s1600-h/P7070411%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7070411" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7070411" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-auBoVvYqZTI/Uhn6yY5MCRI/AAAAAAAAAg8/eQxwG6wk4Ck/P7070411_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="330"></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><font color="#333333">Who wants to </font><font color="#000000">brush that leaf off Barrine’s snout so we can take a better photo? This is the alpha male in the upper reach of the Daintree River – he is 45-50 years old and a over 6 metres long. Although he looks relaxed he is ever ready to attack. Just two days before this photo was taken he was filmed killing a calf which had wandered down to the river’s edge for a drink. The farmers find it cheaper to lose a beast or two than to be forever replacing fences washed away by the annual flooding of the river.</font></font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6z-TLijn62mu33wpY3r3Li1mklnCPBmaKo3zzVyWi3ueIK23NfzZCpgGxhZNHz_pPvi8FX0Xcvs3vdt2Jm88CLDXe3ofPRX_GEMO_F1Oz6_27ni0CgRjlK4vuRDj1FZXj6oiGaCEd3TY/s1600-h/P7070414%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7070414" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7070414" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YoADZ6zBxzw/Uhn6-HneU-I/AAAAAAAAAhM/Ud_cwhEA7QU/P7070414_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="331"></a></p></blockquote> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PMTAALMoBmM/Uhn7B25OryI/AAAAAAAAAhU/S-xfwXqtsc0/s1600-h/2%252520Croc%252520v%252520V.vi%25255B8%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="2 Croc v V.vi[8]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2 Croc v V.vi[8]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLH0jS6HY-xczJZdwnl7qO26ET1n4cAJQ40MF0XyCLIuQeR0IGELFrWGmjQYaYTWwv4z-vLZGaXTOICz4x-8vIbf_SHmpXfH_CqGcGqO-UEh4KyhSbjwb5RUaLOkrYQqds8bvfUaBDoJ4/?imgmax=800" width="359" height="270"></a>This little one is about 30-35 cms long and <font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">about 3 years old</font></font><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitL4ctgTZe4fQCmzfmUyNF_1Zjr4S23ygQ7Cs1JBK7bU067AX81KNyO6cuC5LJ0aM-Ln-Q6PQGQ7M4hKfPNf2jz4dShxkFAehtjqbpqiUmXtTev-2TMc1q0kYDuARH1TiMUdIf0eF81-k/s1600-h/Yet%252520again%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Yet again" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Yet again" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fCmvU0F5gNU/Uhn7HizLY4I/AAAAAAAAAhs/pJ5RTtc-3Gg/Yet%252520again_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="306"></a></font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-C_UOuC-Zp6Y/Uhn7MFz8XCI/AAAAAAAAAh0/_gytTQ8O6Cs/s1600-h/P7130055%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7130055" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7130055" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G9JwPsaiKDI/Uhn7NHJ-myI/AAAAAAAAAh8/Eld-swZ6tR0/P7130055_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="221"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VyeWPqO-gAw/Uhn7RFW6NEI/AAAAAAAAAiE/5YMnMlqSAy0/s1600-h/P7070439%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7070439" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7070439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQP9upwyainV7KLTntMTAVVRXr_FlMtr6o2p9ShG1r9ioMKrjYKP8Uzr6mBNyG55bNBUDDQYUwLl10cxZkgPzcyrB_mDarF9fkn7gZlk9Z0LOp_QMe8eaFeNEq2D6u0wlKceky-EJZYgY/?imgmax=800" width="289" height="218"></a></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">This is where this little fellow was hiding . . . beats me how they find them. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1SlCyk-v19c/Uhn7YlUz9zI/AAAAAAAAAiU/3GtFFIqN7Ws/s1600-h/P7070486%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7070486" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P7070486" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CafsFuGf2XE/Uhn7Z7ufxzI/AAAAAAAAAic/uqos1Ar04Kc/P7070486_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="459" height="345"></a> <font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Captn Crash talking to Gordon</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">We took two trips on the river – one from each departure point – and were fortunate to have Dennis both times. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Whilst at Daintree, the weather isn’t as kind as it has been. Drizzle most days, but the company and the surrounds more than makes up for whatever the weather lacks. Unfortunately one day the wind blew up and caused some damage to the motor of our electric awning. Winding 4.6 metres of canvas in by hand to finish almost 3 metres off the ground is no easy task; but it had to be done because the only way it could be repaired is to drive the 100kms to Cairns. Nobody up these parts does ‘site’ work. And as this is the peak season for caravanners and motorhomers to visit, they have no need to put themselves out as there is more than enough work to keep them all busy. We were very fortunate to be served by <font color="#9b00d3">Mark Leitner</font> at </font><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"> <strong><u>Pickers Vinyl & Canvas</u></strong> (270 Mulgrave Road Cairns) who unfortunately had only bad news for us. Dometic (the awning manufacturer) could not send a replacement motor until mid-August. There being nothing we could do, we decided to go back to Daintree for another week to think about what we should do. Peter & Sally seemed pleased to see us, and we had some good news on the way up – Mark had contacted another agent and had sourced a motor which they would freight over from Perth and he would call us when it arrived. We thought (and told him as much) that he had gone above and beyond the call of duty and that we were very grateful. He also said he would give us a written report for our insurance company, and hopefully they would come to the party. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">In the meantime we have another week at Daintree. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Having spoken to fellow travellers returning from Cooktown, we decided not to take Toad Hall, but just to drive up in the ute and stay in a motel or some such. The trip is 290 kms via Mount Molloy and blacktop all the way; or 149 via Cape Trib with 100 kms of that being 4WD along the Bloomfield Track. We opted for the longer, easier route. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">First stop was Mt Carbine Hotel – a typical outback pub. Dreadful coffee, toilets none-too-clean, and a fairly nonchalant publican with little or no regard for regulations. He actually served my coffee whilst smoking! Only one thing for me to say there – never to return! Gordon had driven thus far, as when I looked at the map it had more of those squiggly lines which meant it was not my preferred route. From Mt Carbine I took over the driving for the remainder of the journey. On arrival we checked in to the <font color="#333333">The Seaview Motel</font><font color="#333333">. Things don’t come cheap here in the Far North. A very basic motel room – room only – was $110 for one night! We visited the RSL Club and, across the road the RSL sub-Branch (where coincidentally you could buy ‘punkins’ for $2 each). Each of the respective buildings had a M60 machine gun emplacement on their rooves, facing each other. Only in the far north. We also visited the Bowlo, the museum, and peered into many older style houses and business premises. </font></font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"><font color="#333333">One extreme disappointment for me was that the old Bank of New South Wales had fallen into disrepair. For so many years I had heard from a former customer (now long dead – he was over 80 back in 1983) by the name of Bill Graf what a marvellous and ‘grand old dame’ building which had been built early last century and always maintained in its original style – complete with polished woodwork and green-shaded ‘bankers’ lamps. I have had a few such disappointments on this trip. So – from now on I shall NOT expect things to be as I have been told. I will see and accept things as I find them. Weell . . . I’ll endeavour to. </font></font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Speaking of ‘endeavour’ – who knew that the illustrious Captain James Cook of H.M. Barque Endeavour was a South Sydney Rabbitohs fan? We have proof. And also Mick the Miner (another Cooktown identity) is yet another. Those Mighty Bunnies sure have pull! </font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqsDIqH4RPQTy1dVx6BdQAI1zgETQmMvolW_M_oxX9hkR1FR8tZMEbAEfuOcnFDvNnfMIF4gvQld0xoi9RArzWOI9vy7NECTmNUnsY2LzqP5xUXGGnlFMoCiUVGlfuvTZJ1pMfzNkbTw/s1600-h/P7150104%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7150104" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7150104" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5DAKHfDMaV8/Uhn7dJS3AyI/AAAAAAAAAis/o0uW0MO4KbY/P7150104_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="306" height="406"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgPr7G85Dwdy9KlP_O4XgmZEWd3echDwZopV92s-iWVKa2272JWJS73ecpwOZ_zY3M-eIR5bwa_dUzW3measFd1IWWimpMg7-lOkirxQ35RFuDTiEJISYF8mFlmAZEZkcRMw9OmchV04/s1600-h/P7150115%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7150115" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7150115" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H5DMjsAXA3s/Uhn7g2__KXI/AAAAAAAAAi8/et0_fddS7sM/P7150115_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="402"></a> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">The proof is there for all to see. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">We took a drive out to Endeavour Point which is at the mouth of the Endeavour River. There are some lovely homes, and some home-sites which really make you wonder what on earth could the developer be thinking? Overall the two days we spent in Cooktown were probably enough. We also spoke to some travellers and locals whilst here and decided a trip to the tip of Cape York is off. There is no way we could afford a tour (at upwards of $3,000 per person) and we don’t have the wherewithal to camp our way to the top – not tents, sleeping bags whatever. So Cooktown is as far as we come. Farewell to the Cape.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rbe3CnaQCEs/Uhn7kDsegtI/AAAAAAAAAjE/M789ObocdqM/s1600-h/Bay%252520below%252520Endaeavour%252520Point%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bay below Endaeavour Point" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bay below Endaeavour Point" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AGBKeeQGaO0/Uhn7mcRkAvI/AAAAAAAAAjM/nTYLP1ROITs/Bay%252520below%252520Endaeavour%252520Point_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="617" height="464"></a></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">A sheltered Cove at the mouth of the Endeavour River</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T7n-iGBcx28/Uhn70NjcVYI/AAAAAAAAAjU/D02muefeMvM/s1600-h/Cooktown%252520-%252520Endeavour%252520Point%252520V%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cooktown - Endeavour Point V" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Cooktown - Endeavour Point V" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPLLelC1rJy_44Z1RlK3l-b3Bd5MsPrANrBgUQeei2QVCOs_LNubkf0igtV4mEcmCxXkcHTaLcxw_631Uuqu7IdwI4bjimkyrIIr3oBW1z-nUSHiJwTyU56zURpfL-vjLaO3g2BabR_k/?imgmax=800" width="635" height="477"></a> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">These glorious palms line the full length of a very long driveway – cannot possibly imagine the price tag as the house is for sale.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">On our way back ‘home’ we stopped off at Mount Molloy (just past a very popular Free-Camp) where we came across a cafe advertising itself as the winner of “World’s Best Hamburger – Twice”. Well, that was asking for a test. We ordered a hamburger with egg and bacon (as opposed to the Works) each and two coffees. “Sorry – no coffee, I turned the machine off” says the proprietor. “Well turn it back on and give the lady her coffees” came the female response from the rear of the premises. Well . . . we know who runs the show there! They could well have left the coffee machine turned off, because the coffee was, if possible, worse than that at Mt Carbine! But the burgers were worth it. One of the locals, with whom we shared our table whilst waiting, laughed when he found out we had ordered a burger EACH. We soon found out what Billy (and his wife Elly) meant . . . </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pqkPoZJgf6M/Uhn7-cXeRaI/AAAAAAAAAjk/r50ctnj_fKE/s1600-h/P7150120%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7150120" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="P7150120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnRKx8porkEf_PUDAKNJXmb_Z5tGpR1z3Kfr60vGWxUk4tnoYvE7mRVBMHUtwLgVJV0SFNdIQq4mEsfyjXH-q24lGS8Z1FMOD75RAsU0ZpuHUw5AhDwI6QUs7qD8wOsbDedDZCWKlcAo/?imgmax=800" width="296" height="394"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Back in Daintree again, we renewed friendships and forged new ones. One couple we met were doing a ‘tiki tour’ looking for their new home. Ben and Ella are an American/English couple with their New Zealand home on the market and looking to resettle in Australia. They became the new owners of our ‘old’ Camps Australia Wide book – the Travellers’ Bible. We had updated to issue 7 at the Maryborough rally and had been carrying both since then. They are quite large tomes so it was good to find a suitable new home for CAW6. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Alas, Mark from Pickers rang within the week to say our new awning motor had arrived, so the time had come to say farewell to Peter & Sally Maher and the Daintree. We had come for a day and stayed for over two weeks. And I think there can be no higher recommendation than that we couldn’t tear ourselves away. The timing was also judicious as we were due in Mareeba by 25th July for the CMCA Far North Nomads’ “Christmas in July”.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333">So here we leave you with some </font><font color="#333333">lasting memories of our time on the<font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"> Daintree . . .</font></font></font> </font></font></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"></font></font></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"> </font></font></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"></font></font></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKK0jVmZreqD1XSKajX3lqqSqFdrlIho8PfT7nMbwW3SiJLLroXaYMC33d8kXKMPwXqRwX35VWBH3iZ34EAhdO4E8F8q2iwaHA3s8WBqr95W70_e_4YpyI-Aq8bLNHJQGRlJ3tdgJ3vA/s1600-h/Bandicoot%252520in%252520the%252520dark%25252C%252520with%252520filter%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font color="#333333">This little bandicoot became a regular visitor in the garden behind our van. </font><img title="Bandicoot in the dark, with filter" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Bandicoot in the dark, with filter" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_kkxgtkasMm-tUgKT-_PfijzMLdUjrSSr0mEgBUAJMydPwgd8ktEnhOlRSfFNAttJvf09HVA-Ulurk2v_mBz-rbAYghyphenhyphen_PTrr_UQdJXTfkLXCirMkLE0Iy86fascekghA5ZVYBWKubA/?imgmax=800" width="505" height="380"></a></font></font></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"></font></font></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333">This coconut tree was deemed dangerous for campers – so it had to go. Bruce the Tree Feller Fella to the rescue!</font></font></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5s-5hUwa5X2IJQmPDIFt7G6egx8M8a4zsZ5ATCcZrI5xJVMmbIEN_PKcqosOVFeMHLzgFsbvWNlILjXCVJjMoMQN37Qlm-BTFJjlWYQKBFzYZLi-475ayUNP8RnLPGlx5BThdxrZF5k/s1600-h/Bruce%252520the%252520Tree-Feller%252520Fella%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bruce the Tree-Feller Fella" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bruce the Tree-Feller Fella" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYa2xe0ewM3pTbQ2Kyo-eJiAwn_pSeAlbm8-O9Rr0pN88-ZKeyjIGeXM5E-phovkIcdCh1XLIQ_59XtOK7ni0FZNOys0mCEbH9B0qwP744xVVCLbnBBCB_R_iovXNLKC_sUAf3XXm-Gds/?imgmax=800" width="640" height="481"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zoWRyfB61Ng/Uhn8QbwgkiI/AAAAAAAAAkU/DuloYO5D6bU/s1600-h/That%252520Bruce%252520Fella%252520at%252520it%252520again%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="That Bruce Fella at it again" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="That Bruce Fella at it again" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0caVt3WBzJBjAxoSaM_G7pXGGI9SYhu1ZbiSdikZs6eYRS9J7E6ctY2aog2WKK1dqMfZzUJTxDlaSvzMqJv0fAi1F9Wavalr-k_ATofVyfM5BEa8a8RCS9Nqr1gHYvjVNuTqF16xjp0/?imgmax=800" width="648" height="487"></a></font></font></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333">And so Bruce & Sally were rewarded with fresh green coconut water. Bruce for the work he had done, Sally for her superior supervising skills. </font></font></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xS4vlrVXeYQ/Uhn8VuN252I/AAAAAAAAAkk/bF8XplhxCtE/s1600-h/Bruce%252520Too%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bruce Too" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Bruce Too" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T_mT-vvNKts/Uhn8WjTzNAI/AAAAAAAAAks/nPXX1W5VKSU/Bruce%252520Too_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="351"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lc6fflP7FeQ/Uhn8d7TDRwI/AAAAAAAAAk0/xenEVZ8nmSY/s1600-h/Sally%252520Enjoying%252520her%252520Coconut%252520Water%252520up%252520close%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sally Enjoying her Coconut Water up close" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Sally Enjoying her Coconut Water up close" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lz_gk7NVdC0/Uhn8f9p2tMI/AAAAAAAAAk8/2jHQ5zn7aHc/Sally%252520Enjoying%252520her%252520Coconut%252520Water%252520up%252520close_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="355" height="267"></a></font></font></font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">And in time, Mr Whippy will be available. The van works, has a brand new paint job and is just waiting for the right person ‘behind the jump’.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"></font></font></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7mQgUfCRe5oh8dPPJ3dH2SN6-njTgmqFWAFvMBLJZ3F1yLA8aUpc3lXBchmfewUiiibEG7G0nVcjII8w1HcgWw9w-torgi8q3iNv0X5lcRkjkAYtCSFL7HXe8HX6SUTEJASwbJDsEIo/s1600-h/P7150126%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7150126" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7150126" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EA21saJYqAU/Uhn8i4LsoQI/AAAAAAAAAlM/cqLLReydiL8/P7150126_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="293" height="221"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gLfxIBNK_L0/Uhn8lZm52wI/AAAAAAAAAlU/VqJvvy-ssAg/s1600-h/Mr%252520Whippy%252520Moves%252520In%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mr Whippy Moves In" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mr Whippy Moves In" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaml_0BzU_twel0kivxySShGf9Uw-Gr33AtfP6zujW4x7W4Stn-DbiT4lhtAqqbJTOE7FxQLyRLQXskt9xBs0vGBnY2BehlxZfmKyPNpxGxMvBli14U1ARDfbKmVqH338xrxhSUubDkc0/?imgmax=800" width="347" height="261"></a></font></font></font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Paella ‘Daintree Style’ – with Barramundi and Crocodile meat</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aMX386phUnw/Uhn8tyG7bbI/AAAAAAAAAlk/AaufNK0njvU/s1600-h/P7070489%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7070489" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="P7070489" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tk7DyHiqlQY/Uhn8vngQhnI/AAAAAAAAAls/boxEiJ2VdoA/P7070489_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="312"></a></font></font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><font color="#333333"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LV8Y5c_EYdE/Uhn8yz4wSII/AAAAAAAAAl0/51e8bZYrKZ4/s1600-h/P7160174%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img title="P7160174" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P7160174" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QsuGSiWXf-I/Uhn8z5IMOYI/AAAAAAAAAl8/wsPuJMRtgIo/P7160174_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></font></font></font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">As the sun sets over the Daintree, we wish you farewell until next time . . . from Mareeba and points west. </font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Live the Life You Love. </font></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-54146650847881372882013-08-24T19:26:00.001+10:002013-08-24T19:26:51.454+10:00The Tropics Are Addictive . .<p><font size="5" face="Verdana"></font><font size="4"> </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="5" face="Verdana"><font size="4">Returning to Cairns from Yungaburra, we assured ourselves that we would return – for a time to reflect without all the hullaballoo of being surrounded by politicians and their minders. But NOT via the Gillies Hwy – all future visits to the Atherton Tableland would be via The Savannah Way which heads west just north of Cairns and comes up the Kuranda Range Road – still mountainous but a much better road. With our friends Bob & Caroline still playing chauffeur,</font> <font size="4">we took several more daytrips. One of which was a return to Yungaburra the following week – a visit which left an emotional mark on Bob & Caroline as it had done to us the week before. This time I was armed with my new camera, a fact reflected in the quality (and quantity) of photos. </font></font></p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">Bob & Gordon Strolling up from the Memorial</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSJeQ4pDE6KJvTMC6QgGVJPuYg4sVzKkXywRVBcx9NclxchW5_GsKQJ4evJszaMYWVP4AOTvih80uaK_PqSQBTc9Effnwf10MDCbT0TGqJOCykHYY-gc3FnWiDcN4_1IeUYVe1rldN4o/s1600-h/P6280122%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6280122" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6280122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIrHYEXL7mdLJbV1hktFbFoTOe-5eviXpIlOWkgwW3p5XJAwbTwjVcHOiSnueZ2BRbdTdFVyAjx9KY2BJ4evuu_RqkgxaqVqKsaCRtRLh8OCXAFHUDHywwQgyk7sCzaXSYtQK-uM363o/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="301"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOziai7TXKdNDschPJd9hs7_x9RAE0BybNrSZjBW66KUHNvnFdh0bwU5tC9xsGQCkbTJmZ_k44Ko4HLTJWBJl_SWdrzRmxi1HmpM5Fb8cnVW1FlDwfeAmBFZxqB6FYPXrOQf3zqd6GzY/s1600-h/P6280136%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6280136" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6280136" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DYUUu7OwvQM/Uhh7TNA-6uI/AAAAAAAAATs/zxAdNhd-8A4/P6280136_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="300"></a><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">The cutouts from the uprights are used horizontally on the seats</font></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yHFJP3sCQio/Uhh7VQBSaFI/AAAAAAAAAT0/3WhYEqqIUZo/s1600-h/P6280143%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6280143" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6280143" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexzjzGiwEfUDPhfWCrKfnbus1sHuPLvMrCgQw4kxT02qEKlVyejJk3iqXK2r0n8Y6bPFtb9hgUpJOrAD8FWJVRquFB81016Q-fiCYxtOHIuW_rLvUgi71fOQNplTslr1rqI6nhlapTyw/?imgmax=800" width="400" height="301"></a></p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Ef3u0ShUx2sXTWgzVFwcZFWoRhchbh7FRnJaT6bYBSQkC3GaRdpvFkd7PSgrgSQ2Yq2W-hG7B54oMkVi0n-V6caR6yM0cR5MMuvXj5lQErJJ2eyjgvgWmHR5UtllPxzXlQqzvO9d8N4/s1600-h/P6280144%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6280144" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6280144" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-SWkmsOeevZM/Uhh7ZOc2MBI/AAAAAAAAAUM/XcmkoWuWaXA/P6280144_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="411" height="310"></a></p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">The shade sails, the broken wings, and – in the left background – the memorial for the EDDs.</font></p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">We also visited Atherton (Halloran’s Hill is a great lookout); Babinda; Flying Fish Point, Innisfail, Port Douglas and many more towns and villages in the district. Sadly, after a little more than two weeks, our time with Bob & Caroline came to an end and we went our separate ways – The Dixons down south to Lucinda and we moved north to Mossman and Daintree.</font></p> <blockquote> <p align="right"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z-hxF1ejSTA/Uhh7bcWZt2I/AAAAAAAAAUU/HiOwSsOq7wQ/s1600-h/P6260035%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#9b00d3"><img title="P6260035" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6260035" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIQKvO5y8MTI_F5sMeXMxSaDdBxFdb0nwFd3sYjA3UatnFQREEuMGr_Bp1jl8WJ4KbEq7YDtsdZdFVXpGYwLsSRnJ79eJAZobvGrkipji3JdcExJMLMcY-0_VwXyA8khcxxy_kqAYF8eI/?imgmax=800" width="337" height="254"></font></a><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">War Memorial at Babinda</font></p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">Water Tower at Innisfail</font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t-coyDl9LKE/Uhh7gN4ETuI/AAAAAAAAAUk/z-ZptiTfSsU/s1600-h/P6260037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6260037" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6260037" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hENVFZURs9M/Uhh7hOAoMDI/AAAAAAAAAUs/ZXXEAiNpaH0/P6260037_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="261"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JBrxRWf0QHg/Uhh7lFBPA7I/AAAAAAAAAU0/WmneTHXnw-M/s1600-h/P6260058%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6260058" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6260058" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ndBVXVkSyGA/Uhh7lwx6GrI/AAAAAAAAAU8/saUloyaIvAA/P6260058_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="254"></a></p> <p align="right"><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">Through the Windows of a Derelict House at Flying Fish Point</font></p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"> </p> <p align="right"><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="right"><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">From Flying Fish Point, back towards </font></p> <p align="right"><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">the inlet </font><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">at the village called Coconuts</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIciUuR2vldVJWKopmeGJopbUUhfD8UtNldlPnd9uEyfjTfUMinj-v5_eHSUF5rM1W9NhndbaCi-G-vuscas_RGmkmx-jN32QO7kTMHkJN6za_q0ZPovKK_PI016YiNDqcZ9a3GZTeNg/s1600-h/P6260064%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6260064" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6260064" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0UUWdMCfdu9C68wWNBEE_Mg4EnN7O2xU3DG-tL-O3ueBnvw6WefakWwp2vXtDetJOK-FGvYQD_2PA6-89jXmMbeQm3siP897Vzfsw6k0g_8MozOfCwLVEzcuXOUDz91eu47wC4wJai0/?imgmax=800" width="387" height="291"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx-fn5iynvi51STRs6m9jg8h-WFbAcuWc5ne_Wml38OssRJkjiSWKepi943rPdWTUzd0JDTZidPOyDkAZVEcmwJw1RhvVS5BHIfb8-xwMqmZLIqKZWzIAIQYni6U3yje2wx8cgDXm8R4/s1600-h/P6260080%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6260080" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P6260080" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2DperORnt-Ic12qeqIvKf5YqZ22YSk6ZwC9aOHm9ot90pUgKG7hel-d_d6Ek4gTM5RZcp4G_KM5uD31ah9lv4Pl5SshUwxxI5_n1B3DKiUF-GefDpn47M00bPcxCTZzwGmhtW-izwfc/?imgmax=800" width="401" height="302"></a></p></blockquote> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">Looking out the heads at Etty Bay</font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Before leaving Cairns, I gave Gordon a haircut – from wild and woolly to bald & bushy. They say there’s only a week between a bad haicut & a good one. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ve42cVMBvyM/Uhh7v53Z4DI/AAAAAAAAAVk/wjSCAkqOG3A/s1600-h/The%252520New%252520Him%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="The New Him" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="The New Him" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9YwKk84zgcA/Uhh7wwow4pI/AAAAAAAAAVs/iuTDqFcud-A/The%252520New%252520Him_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="283" height="213"></a> <font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">The ‘New’ Him</font></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">One more look at The Avenue of Honour . . .</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MxJHkGuI3AA/Uhh71QY5wFI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Ne4vcsoasIU/s1600-h/Yungaburra%25252019%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Yungaburra 19" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Yungaburra 19" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibT98YMCcxHQTzunLpmhQcxJSQTLWxGaTDV1Sme3h64Q5bL-5x-KxHi2E3d1_k4sKjvA6_0CGNn3_Cr2RlylCT9SjcUQhanKMPON3YLGAkQoeMXPKEdo6uocsFeV2L33ucLvDtxkV17h0/?imgmax=800" width="509" height="383"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Mossman – a small town some 60+kms north of Cairns and the gateway to ‘The Wet Tropics’ and the home of the renowned cassowary. We were to end up staying some three weeks or more in this district and not once did we see a cassowary. I’ve come to the conclusion that they well and truly live up to their name – “…wary”.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">Just to the west of the town is the Mossman Gorge and a new Interpretive Centre. The Centre is a magnificent building and is staffed entirely by local Aborigines. The do a <em>wonderful</em> job – making everyone feel welcome. They also staff the restaurant, drive the shuttle buses (which are solar-electric – thereby leaving less of a carbon footprint) and give guided tours and walks. We opted for a self-guided walk as we hadn’t left ourselves enough time for the full guided tour. The rainforest in the Gorge is breathtaking. And, at Gordon’s behest and with his assurances that he would be with me all the way, I actually walked across a suspension bridge! My heart was in my mouth, my steps were very tentative and slow, but I made it! Then the thought dawned on me – I had to go back!!! As I’m here to tell about it, you can see I made that, too. The suspension bridge was built to replace one which was built by one of the Engineering Corps of the Army. The original decking was laid plank by plank with those involved definitely requiring a head for heights.</font></p> <p><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">The following photos are just a small sample of the two hundred or so we took that day – I shall let them tell their own story. </font></p> <blockquote> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXYKDzNMbRRBvA2MQK-YyYhlONTwAz7xIywtHeukIelbtsE80kDNNFOPKGcQLG7MCzoU3PdFKaPupJ0gVJuOJv2G7Jonn8MYi07eCte-aoeohIcwkXOskMZI81IMrENG-6fdGk-RJE1Q/s1600-h/Army%252520Badge%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Army Badge" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Army Badge" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WoDm-oOD4UU/Uhh7-E1g2tI/AAAAAAAAAWM/qddeJwBwH7c/Army%252520Badge_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="241"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwWK6xq4fVjr6TcVDT1orORtVgNumo8lxeEwA06VDilLbkD2MYwdL6es5PTk8hxEPAj6BGJsI9hnx-Y1Vjcu61KTGfZALdLaIa5Cf6UEI3yfb-kp9VPnaRLoQ15TOz4QOW_mjPgSSOhA/s1600-h/Army%252520Builders%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Army Builders" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Army Builders" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5kMX349FlJWgOPLnIYZszL81Ad-R1N2p1x-tq311Gm_eQu11oPvzBaKKgMXpfX0FjQcZHH1pWdRjaHQ9hicIKIMAgfxLlxh83SaoVJ-00nZJDyD_unJVCfcmqvl8FtmY58Vi5Bfv1Hw/?imgmax=800" width="238" height="315"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S-n6beksMjw/Uhh8EJF22yI/AAAAAAAAAWk/p6M3f5Kvvx4/s1600-h/Mossman%252520Gorge%2525208%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mossman Gorge 8" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mossman Gorge 8" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J5-weRTnUAs/Uhh8G6IGtHI/AAAAAAAAAWs/u7T0EMjNW2w/Mossman%252520Gorge%2525208_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="394"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PobWtCaKVI0/Uhh8KSJY6mI/AAAAAAAAAW0/4JbdnF2J_eU/s1600-h/Mossman%252520Gorge%25252013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mossman Gorge 13" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mossman Gorge 13" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e8qTdXTmfm8/Uhh8LsKGvaI/AAAAAAAAAW8/4CUZ7erAU-I/Mossman%252520Gorge%25252013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="220"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgGeOJMDTeDHDe6tGBSyezytW7cmOKxZ9_ZTb_Cbx0coOIiztoHlxqOiY0ovkOR8rAj14jxdYWqOMhVbub_TVk_A4lh6FfoEnbO4XgnWIej9KGZoTk3GigmImKONTBkpaYgnuihr4IUA/s1600-h/Mossman%252520Gorge%25252036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mossman Gorge 36" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mossman Gorge 36" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZV63LCQv2ZjAoHXSSL_1lQM9eB5ijalIFrI2Y2yb9afuUOrRVphvrfLealJG9g9CKgvPamUBPYtxYxqEVWTakZ-P-cZComquwaU3RhWMTUyBtwBoIMz87iMnygj0DVfPp2dOplRRcsws/?imgmax=800" width="284" height="214"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtDad_p-LHxAGEvR6gFukS1XoeTNRxDMg1qXRAZTkD3dQgmiawGnF15eUBqWW4LZCwXkbLByLSV5XglYm-4R_MbC7bxk3JjKIviv0S1mbkRhRvUNuLthfaG7wXHKWm2YeFAnsUHhV5z0/s1600-h/Mossman%252520Gorge%25252067%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mossman Gorge 67" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Mossman Gorge 67" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ci-nDyUXyCQG9i7Xw__vgZaj1N-MdpuClGY4O9ZJlltoOVnkNtMZyIp8dlw4S7rJGvSB_2UX41vGjXVVQx9-hET3KqbTnNZsJw98rd5Ls9Tjl1frfyOQ5vPrYUyjTljAosb_Pif9p0M/?imgmax=800" width="590" height="443"></a></p></blockquote> <p align="center"><font color="#9b00d3" size="4" face="Verdana">Mother Nature at her best!</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">During our two-day stay in Mossman we took a day trip to Daintree Village – and were so impressed by what we saw and the people we met, we decided to pick up “Toad Hall” and return to stay for a week.</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#333333" size="4" face="Verdana">And that will be next episode. See you soon. </font></p> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYBp1iHenrJj3QsDzmIe6VoHxZkxvdmDyUP7V7oyQGY8rfP8xwrMR4ZAb2_BgefUlg3uGXU5OWXWZjDdXlMuNa64RSdS_2mZlriWwNksdIO8ppThjUcms3p7HfKcM5tXz2niaLn0siJ0/s1600-h/Riverview%252520CP%252520Daintree%252520Village%252520-%252520Please%252520Shut%252520the%252520Gate%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Riverview CP Daintree Village - Please Shut the Gate" style="float: right; display: inline" alt="Riverview CP Daintree Village - Please Shut the Gate" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R4C4lsHYV-A/Uhh8WHsF0UI/AAAAAAAAAXs/ZhJRWW-Hlw0/Riverview%252520CP%252520Daintree%252520Village%252520-%252520Please%252520Shut%252520the%252520Gate_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180"></a></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-51425917297397112122013-07-17T18:15:00.001+10:002013-07-17T18:15:02.200+10:00Still in Cairns–& The Surrounding Districts<p><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><font face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000"><font face="Times New Roman">F</font>ollowing</font> the Kuranda trip, we had a day off – well a day off tripping, but there is always ‘housework’ to be done, even in a van. You know – washing, ironing, cooking, <font color="#000000">cleaning . . . a woman’s work is never done. Blah bah blah. </font></font></font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Saturday, 22 June – a day to be long remembered. We had been hearing about the ‘Avenue of Honour’ at Yungaburra through the local radio for some weeks now, & here we were just a short drive away. What better way to spend a tropical winter’s day than a quick drive up to the tablelands and be a part of this momentous occasion. The Gillies Highway, which leaves the coastal route at Gordonvale, is not really worth of the name ‘highway’. Switchback would be more like it. Gordon & I have a bit of a pact whereby he does the majority of the driving whilst we are under tow, & I do the driving without ‘<em>Toad Hall’</em>. So off we merrily went from Cairns south to Gordonvale then west. Until the road started to become hairy- and I mean REALLY hairy. At the first opportunity I pulled over & told Gordon all deals were off! I simply was NOT driving any further! </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">So on we continued, with Gordon behind the wheel & me behind my hands. We chanced upon a beautiful Tea House on the banks of Lake Barrine, where we stopped for coffee & a bite to eat. It was still just before midday & the official opening was not until 2:45, so we were convinced we had time to dawdle. Little were we to know that approximately 6,000 other people had the same idea as we, & the nearest to Lake Tinaroo we could park was about 850 metres – & I think <u>that</u> was only because of the “Vietnam Veteran & Damn Proud” sticker we have on the front windscreen of the ute. There were many more vehicles as far as 2 kms away. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">A little of the history behind the “Avenue of Honour”. In the early hours of June 21, 2010 three Australian soldiers and one American died in a Black Hawk helicopter crash in Kandahar Province in Afghanistan. One of those three Australians was 27 year old Private Benjamin Chuck, a sniper with the elite 2nd Commando Regiment. Ben came from Yungaburra, and as a lad he loved to be on or around Lake Tinaroo, nearby. After Ben’s death his parents, Gordon & Sue, often walked by the lake Ben loved and just as often thought of planting a tree nearby in his memory. This thought grew and blossomed, and after approaching the Tablelands Council the unused peninsular of land jutting out into the lake was set aside for the memorial. It is a stunning position for a very moving memorial – the only one in Australia which is not in a major/capital city. Funds were raised from donations, raffles, sausage sizzles and all places. Eventually enough money was raised to grow the initial $60,000 plan to the $300,000 national memorial it has now become.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000">See more at:</font> <u><em>(news.com.au/national-news/brothers-in-arms-an-ode-to-a-young-soldier)</em></u></font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The (then) Prime Minister was late, so the ceremony did not commence until well after 3pm. It was very moving, with a wonderful, unscripted speech by Cpl Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG who had served with many of those whose ultimate sacrifice was being honoured. Family members of the fallen soldiers laid floral tributes at the base of the memorial, as did most of the dignitaries. Ben & the Chief of Army performed the official opening, leaving Miss G out in the cold. And I thought this was the RIGHT way of doing things, as she had not earned the right to be there; she was only there by the accident of the position she held. (And a position she was to hold for only four days more). </font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">The national flag was <font color="#000000">parachuted in</font></font><font color="#000000"> just prior to commencement, </font><font color="#000000">and at the conclusion three Black Hawk helicopters performed a flypast. After the official programme was completed, those present were invited to sign a register, which I did – immediately under Tony Abbott, who graciously allowed himself to be photographed with me.</font></font></font></p> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6jvB5Vupe6HH0eiP4K-caAkXiOBPRV37vRMQ74fggRCm4n3MPuNrK4diY2kifOSf4m66VcBxn58CKqEuOByaOi0rPWKF8F_XiB__nSXhRTUfEguXlC7djAmb8YYaPiQHgRhn3v6m2r8/s1600-h/P6220025%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6220025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P6220025" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSeyjU8V1NWo-AZF9x-lfki_M8qPrOQOm3odA4GiV-xILyAkjDcqppFoYssJ4Vwv-1tnQD_yisNmOIgiyLdzOo5RFfEpHC2rOQtWRJ_awx8Nit9I4kRm47AKmc4m0X6fXkHLGioRTBiY/?imgmax=800" width="339" height="259"></a></p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3"> The Flag being parachuted in</font></p></blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-myz05AYC92s/UeZRwqXWB3I/AAAAAAAAARI/Rp_mgQYPIzc/s1600-h/Official%252520OPening%252520Yungaburra%2525201%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Official OPening Yungaburra 1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Official OPening Yungaburra 1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqmdTFvX-dTGDrlDmS5V9Lp5Kh13izF6F-iNgsELZltLiyZ0R1qwU79yKin0-a2Grv_FaUCMKvYf0s5_rXW3clY6r8Nf9mPQhZDvC_b0zTxgXAkGxl3gF3pkhanh3cjWQ_HE4L9pJhVt0/?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiri3ou3EpXVd1_7wwY_AF0iotwiEED0Mognag5E4UoKYtssK9K1vToxLcdV4dkdFvCvg_1kTYN5MSgV6lWIVHyp5Rh_mpqc94kLbyPryp2sYtGMty2xkt01WHS-8AHAfBb0wsAjg8FkKU/s1600-h/Official%252520Opening%252520Yungaburra%2525204%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Official Opening Yungaburra 4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Official Opening Yungaburra 4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBFeCWEYOWvbdUu9r6_W6Ah5nQvEFEdUvEsEvyBJXt1BkkA3mJQqACoYjoQk8uOMyYrylTvrp9rVqBYzhjrktwFpYsmXCRDdUIVCczDCNTBLdVeW-MzSSUxDFzFxiLbVmzOBItanNWCI/?imgmax=800" width="200" height="260"></a><font size="3"><font color="#9b00d3"><font color="#9b00d3"></font></font></font></p> <p><font size="3"><font color="#9b00d3"><font color="#9b00d3">The Memorial from Our ‘Vantage’ Point The Roll of Honour</font></p></font></font> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rWLkWy2dTj0/UeZR6xPL4GI/AAAAAAAAARo/Es5_OepoI6o/s1600-h/P6220039%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6220039" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P6220039" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2qXpJNe1rlc/UeZR8QeGg9I/AAAAAAAAARw/krw7yiNZXcU/P6220039_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="284" height="218"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ilJ9EsD30ZE/UeZSB4S2L3I/AAAAAAAAAR4/EYhtEfk7emY/s1600-h/P6220044%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6220044" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P6220044" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0677b9HZUvUin-iDj7LRMMAvuK24Abe-y7HzSPA1Rg8hGxHFfykP3ZmfDmolndXRirJk5wxU-zdZIDhsSsY4k3cJO4Ih3qr5n07nOhOSlN4-qu6W2NzNF-A1viIAT8mfp9RnMPENKpuM/?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3"> Blackhawks in Flight The Crowds & The Wings</font></p></blockquote> <p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2smcimbtgcOKnxvRp7CHryGgRHyJvulrCtH__MvtEHA29rZa5JRU25wKZ-zB3KOxpt8Z_316EL8YfTheZjfENCVHteq8TOGzNNNNThZR7jaqE-BqeQRtxK5O4kDAgNu7nUhktvpLzaM/s1600-h/P6220017%25255B18%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6220017" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P6220017" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiVADe5lPiD6JMekdl6Z_cfIsWZj5r87Y6rCwQOgFKzpgKIJnrjZQadA-1jeAyK2cdLUKj7HpOsF_xdJzK5Y5o-fGksYc4d0CloHuqb8rp6BK53w1i6k1nQjJsO6-nLY3lijXjmvTHXA/?imgmax=800" width="345" height="263"></a></p> <p> <font color="#9b00d3" size="3">Just Exactly What It Says </font></p> <p><font face="Tahoma"><font size="3"><font color="#000000"><font size="1"> (The photo below is taken from video footage uploaded to fb – ‘cos I don’t know how else to take a still from film :/)</font></font></font></font> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7vUL95jOzW4doOdXgxz8tCoc_p9hHwOz-6LdfCwFuObDO0wY1QO6evc5mNz-VlnIs5-yK5TShiFKar1xPSQYBWfAnP0zwPan0Kha4VI26QdujaU_FiDHNuBeoAUvIlXr0nfwrM93ouI/s1600-h/1044024_10200874207969742_119875852_n%25255B1%25255D%25255B20%25255D.jpg"><img title="1044024_10200874207969742_119875852_n[1]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="1044024_10200874207969742_119875852_n[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h74DktOEoUU/UeZSMv-M_6I/AAAAAAAAASg/5_RVUJ20BJs/1044024_10200874207969742_119875852_n%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="132" height="104"></a> <font color="#9b00d3" size="3"> </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">A very emotional day. The Avenue is lined with Flame Trees, and throughout the park are planted Raintrees acknowledging the participation of our forces in all other theatres of war.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">There is also a memorial to the EDD (Explosive Detection Dogs) – five of whom have died, also in service to their country. We met a couple EDDs – one retired & one still serving. Absolutely beautiful, faithful animals. And the bond between them and their human companion is so strong and also quite emotional to see.</font></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTkHYqIOH7LiWjQ4tl8cXYphNmLcfW0hn51KdRPWURXE7JNng83KGMyfqVX37rJo-o4JDsBj3WysSIUqFBH1bQbU6a9c8Qmbc95G5eG-cLuMmEb5hnK_qxqrPCoRBs801x6q-qhJ1CiM/s1600-h/P6220056%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6220056" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P6220056" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KLMs3p0yFdk/UeZSXjGkWFI/AAAAAAAAASw/xeagmLlM0BM/P6220056_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dj_8n6Q7h3E/UeZSe-JG6VI/AAAAAAAAAS4/ckSqK8OihmY/s1600-h/P6220057%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="P6220057" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P6220057" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxoNDYsa_lyTgmVCDU4X1c5KQsB6zYG8E-Y07pvU1XLhlewWftaMXB2fYze1z8DKF0rJo9uyTo_WpsdSsj8qFtsbZ8zTAj26CgLTqrtKt2ZKbQSb5Zc4VF0DrpC-ARXzsXz8nM5_Jm5w/?imgmax=800" width="260" height="200"></a></p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3"> The Brown Dog is with His Handler, In Memory of the Fallen EDDs</font></p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3"> the Black One (Flo Joe) is Waiting for Hers</font></p> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3"></font> </p> <p><font color="#00ff00" size="5">Lest We Forget . . . </font></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-86068341178681234712013-07-16T22:11:00.001+10:002013-07-16T22:11:09.408+10:00Memories . . .<p> <h4>Wednesday, 3 July 2013</h4> <p><a name="6863659709997202012"></a> <h5><a href="http://gordonandjuanitaaroundoz.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/memories.html"><font color="#000000">Memories . . .</font></a></h5> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwvRaalkoyS9o8cmPrf2dLBKB2zEJL170IWB3vmjE3u3lluvg0BOwS0qdfED71JCRVZlBm1v5Q9G4bw9zuRPi01fni16c9TpIKukQwFO6-6Xeb3bys7u2aR65v2FfwhDuY8PWDD_8Z_Q/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG"><font color="#000000"></font></a> <p align="center"><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em>The Ladies bathroom, at Conway Beach Caravan Park -</em></font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwvRaalkoyS9o8cmPrf2dLBKB2zEJL170IWB3vmjE3u3lluvg0BOwS0qdfED71JCRVZlBm1v5Q9G4bw9zuRPi01fni16c9TpIKukQwFO6-6Xeb3bys7u2aR65v2FfwhDuY8PWDD_8Z_Q/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwvRaalkoyS9o8cmPrf2dLBKB2zEJL170IWB3vmjE3u3lluvg0BOwS0qdfED71JCRVZlBm1v5Q9G4bw9zuRPi01fni16c9TpIKukQwFO6-6Xeb3bys7u2aR65v2FfwhDuY8PWDD_8Z_Q/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p align="center"><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em> reputed to be the most photographed bathroom in Aus</em></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">From Slade Point, Mackay we move north to Conway Beach - only 35 kms from Airlie Beach but a thousand miles from all that touristy bullsh*t. We did actually take a day trip to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour and the only real 'up' note was that I managed to buy two lovely white summery blouses for only $5 each. The rest was a bit passé - and was not helped by the fact that the main drag through Airlie was being dug up. The whole area is so very tired and dreary. Oh well. Conway Beach is peaceful, beautiful and the start of our 'warm winter'.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM3F2O9hfhLDtNq-tyjsT0QhKYv-3jcWThEWPFa05aB3O8aa0mN28csbpJOmcp5su6I9YBBc5LUTVbYwzq5szIn8RbVcu-T13gmCi5aGuRJc_2VLSDJHV2dgGRZYgXXOHYwPXM0_DiCQ/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihM3F2O9hfhLDtNq-tyjsT0QhKYv-3jcWThEWPFa05aB3O8aa0mN28csbpJOmcp5su6I9YBBc5LUTVbYwzq5szIn8RbVcu-T13gmCi5aGuRJc_2VLSDJHV2dgGRZYgXXOHYwPXM0_DiCQ/s320/DSC_0036.JPG" width="240" height="320"></font></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsbhbJlxhxWopsRrKc5zK0aMI3FUXKlk7PX_tJ4uRL6qu_0pyLhQQe5hQc3gkoeKByyF-C-o2kUcP8RboKmgYbCOmvLiu9hPJPygIgYu0QNVqi1YwqzdQhECRS2qqwGQNcxvlzH5EuME/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsbhbJlxhxWopsRrKc5zK0aMI3FUXKlk7PX_tJ4uRL6qu_0pyLhQQe5hQc3gkoeKByyF-C-o2kUcP8RboKmgYbCOmvLiu9hPJPygIgYu0QNVqi1YwqzdQhECRS2qqwGQNcxvlzH5EuME/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p align="center"><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em>Cedar Falls - just off the Shute Harbour/Conway Beach Road</em></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">These places are the reason we travel - the out-of-the-way places that it seems very few people have been to before us. We spent three days at Conway - including the first State of Origin where we were the only Blues supporters - before moving on to Home Hill. Here I was hoping to fit in a game of golf at Karrie Webb's home course but, much like our inflatable kayak, our golf clubs seem to be coming along just for the ride and not to be used. The main problem here is that in these warmer climes I would much rather play early in the morning and be done & dusted by late morning whereas Gordon would rather play after lunch & really enjoy that beer at the 19th! </font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Our first night in Home Hill was at the comfort stop just behind the Tourist Information stop in the old railway station. Wonderful amenities - once again all free - with hot showers, camp kitchen, potable water and plenty of space. The only drawback is that although the station is closed the railway line isn't. Trains go past very regularly - all through the night. Our second and subsequent nights were spent at the showgrounds, with thanks to HWW member BJ who had organised this as a stopover for those on their way to the Dam Fine Rally in Townsville. At $10 per vehicle per night for power & hot showers, and far enough away from the railway line for a peaceful night's sleep, we stayed for a few days.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">From Home Hill it's only a hop skip & a jump to Ayr - the home of the most wonderful 'Butterfly House'. I had been here many many years ago - 45 to be exact - when we lived in Townsville & my Dad had brought us down for a day trip. The dear old gent who set up the display is now long dead, but his lovely wife Jessie is still alive and living in Townsville with their daughter. Every now & then they come down to spruce up the old place & while they are there they re-open it to the public for just $5 per adult & $2 per child. </font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4V5juvHwUuKRkBrOfTtZBptcyceXp33ak80WwDBD6GHAqBK814q64sC2L1I6i-iU1lBJXLVQoK-QJL6iW58HNvkanUg74oJX2N6RWtStVi1tA9_7VYG55Z-IyrnTXzSlknKaKAXKl6Q/s1600/P6080001.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4V5juvHwUuKRkBrOfTtZBptcyceXp33ak80WwDBD6GHAqBK814q64sC2L1I6i-iU1lBJXLVQoK-QJL6iW58HNvkanUg74oJX2N6RWtStVi1tA9_7VYG55Z-IyrnTXzSlknKaKAXKl6Q/s320/P6080001.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KHXmh_YUXDE/UeU4JoE76ZI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/gLSuRrwAZTI/s1600-h/Butterfly%252520House%252520Ayr%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Butterfly House Ayr 3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Butterfly House Ayr 3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0UPLkD9HwTg/UeU4LkbGSJI/AAAAAAAAAQY/wxjYnSpoX34/Butterfly%252520House%252520Ayr%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="235" height="312"></a> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em>Just one of the displays - this one of stones. And this a sneaky flash on the phone</em></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">There are many more, mainly butterflies and beetles but also some shells.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">I remember my Dad telling me that this fellow had the shortest address in the country, maybe even the world. This was in the days before postcodes & the address was just 7 letters -</font> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">A Ey</font></strong> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">AYR Q</font></strong> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The entire place is just as it was when they first moved into it in the '50s - complete with lino, laminex table, plastic canister set - yes you know the one, Yes, THAT ONE! It is just such a fabulous trip down memory lane. Unfortunately some of the displays are showing their age, but they are still fabulous and well worth a visit if you are anywhere within cooee of Ayr. Photos are only permissible without flash, so most of ours didn't come out very well so you'll just have to go along to see for yourselves.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Photo" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/q71/s320x320/10097_10200786615939996_1504521744_n.jpg" width="349" height="262"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We met & made some new friends at Home Hill, as well as catching up with Dave & Rita (and of course Henry) from Monto.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hV1LyC9BWmObed0YwKwaRsY09_jS6SjLBrAdUFJR1h3QGzo1Mg4r8rf7uv46nXsPMKriwiRKnZ0wmG5iBH2aBaT25K7yTV9Ya6X8TFR6nStonkYGpjxtoYej_qVFcMA3da7knWGBzng/s1600/P6080002.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hV1LyC9BWmObed0YwKwaRsY09_jS6SjLBrAdUFJR1h3QGzo1Mg4r8rf7uv46nXsPMKriwiRKnZ0wmG5iBH2aBaT25K7yTV9Ya6X8TFR6nStonkYGpjxtoYej_qVFcMA3da7knWGBzng/s320/P6080002.JPG" width="357" height="268"></font></a> <p><font color="#9b00d3"> Saturday Night BBQ at Home Hill Showgrounds</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Another of our side trips from here - and that is one of the great benefits of a 5th wheeler over a motorhome, you can just hop in the car & go - was to a very whimsical place called Groper Creek. It would appear that floods (or very high tides) are high & frequent - even the gas tank for refills is up on the verandah of the 'shop'.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8x9mkTtNbpoDAXMlWw6rkzPU843QpB3barMpwvpfSqyhmCTiIUW4suYWrfcEXd8iNZk4DIiOt8Vr6we8zGsxRqqVhTp36awLskPONKXQQ_MnnOLV4zDi7h1Ay4tZ8qeuRHF5xQwKNOQ/s1600/P6090012.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: right; display: inline" border="0" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8x9mkTtNbpoDAXMlWw6rkzPU843QpB3barMpwvpfSqyhmCTiIUW4suYWrfcEXd8iNZk4DIiOt8Vr6we8zGsxRqqVhTp36awLskPONKXQQ_MnnOLV4zDi7h1Ay4tZ8qeuRHF5xQwKNOQ/s320/P6090012.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em>Just one of the local homes at Groper Creek</em></font> <p><em><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></em> <p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Still chasing warmth we head further north - this time towards Townsville where I hope to catch up with my nephew, Andrew, who is in the army & stationed there. Oh, nearly forgot! While we were talking to Jessie Ey & her daughter at the Butterfly house, they asked were we going to Townsville, and of course I said yes, to try to meet up with my nephew and also to see if I could find my old house at 175 Bayswater Road, Currajong. After our visit to the Butterfly house we went to have a coffee & whilst we were waiting for the coffee to arrive, Gordon was talking to his sister Di on the phone so I amused myself by browsing through the local paper. Well blow me down - I'll be burnt & buttered on both sides - there was "Thundagulla" (as our home was called) advertised for Auction, complete with pictures. Just made me feel 10 years old again - brought back so many memories. I have kept the advertisement & will send copies of it to my sisters for old times' sake. </font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We tried to free-camp at Saunders Beach which is about 25 kms north of Townsville but there was scarcely enough room for a bongo van style camper, much less our 27' rig; so we continued on to Bluewater Park about another 35 kms further on. Even though we arrived about 3:30 (early enough, we thought) the place was virtually full already except for a bit of a patch right up the end. Much to the amazement of several others who looked at us as though to say "You'll never get that thing in there" Gordon managed to reverse into a fairly tight spot with only minimal assistance from me - that being "That'll do, Darl". The occupants of about three or four other vans appeared a bit dumbfounded. Later on another van arrived & Gordon helped guide them in to a very tight spot beside us. George & Linda (Bickerdike) from WA joined us for a most enjoyable happy hour (or two) and a little wine (or three). This was just a one-nighter and the following morning (we're up to 10th June by this time) we set out for Hull Heads Campground which is just behind the Coastguard at Hull Heads and raises funds for their ongoing work. Well, we thought that's where we were going, except Wanda (our GPS) just wanted to keep taking us through canefield after canefield. Eventually, after a phone call to BJ (back at Home Hill) we finally arrived. After just over 200 kms to travel what should have been about 150. This is the first time we wet a line - no fish but no wet ars* either.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6LvteR3938tge1DFptoMs2-qV_BOhblHXE-hsM3Lq4aFANaDx7eAUAuH-EzA8W4_6_8qhErhb5x3SR3FlaKTlkWABwMiR3Y3ukrpjZqpKNuVD3DhW-07QI8ShPEwnmd1T9ptO1AvhwU/s1600/P6130025.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6LvteR3938tge1DFptoMs2-qV_BOhblHXE-hsM3Lq4aFANaDx7eAUAuH-EzA8W4_6_8qhErhb5x3SR3FlaKTlkWABwMiR3Y3ukrpjZqpKNuVD3DhW-07QI8ShPEwnmd1T9ptO1AvhwU/s320/P6130025.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXNNI7K1eYPJwqHmnWgkNNLv5LIBIC3DCeDHv6uLac434qjgNVq3LFkPSN_ma8RoGOkJvysrUdh_b63Q1gnnHrEhWL1jnqLc4tYsVHueQVwUdfwqn6gvlfmKcw-yg9BSjiXbYb_tcsFc/s1600/P6130021.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXNNI7K1eYPJwqHmnWgkNNLv5LIBIC3DCeDHv6uLac434qjgNVq3LFkPSN_ma8RoGOkJvysrUdh_b63Q1gnnHrEhWL1jnqLc4tYsVHueQVwUdfwqn6gvlfmKcw-yg9BSjiXbYb_tcsFc/s320/P6130021.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">From here it's just an easy 150 kms to Cairns, where we are booked in at Coconut Village Resort, a Big 4 Caravan Park, and where we will meet up with Bob & Carol. The park is a bit on the expensive side, but it has been voted Queensland's #1 Park seven times. On arrival we can see why, The grounds are impeccable, as are the amenities. The staff are ever so friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. This will be our base for the next two weeks. </font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyuZMHSXBF-cRr58LOtdjWSRE4E3AeiaBidlzzZNK9welycVNHcag4YSo06Ewc_jnJR5wotQR1eW0_URbX8DImN82WvS2i_0l2ElI4rsNCHJalBEBfCWIv64002jNksNKHhacZLHPdZs/s1600/P6170029.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyuZMHSXBF-cRr58LOtdjWSRE4E3AeiaBidlzzZNK9welycVNHcag4YSo06Ewc_jnJR5wotQR1eW0_URbX8DImN82WvS2i_0l2ElI4rsNCHJalBEBfCWIv64002jNksNKHhacZLHPdZs/s320/P6170029.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The entry is a bit kitsch but you can't miss it!</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">This is where I leave you for now - stay tuned for Cairns and its surrounds. A truly tropical wonderland where Mother Nature spreads her wings.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Live the Life You Love . . .</font> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qTpoYPsYfQM/UeU4T53qRfI/AAAAAAAAAQg/CBGgXVHMa-E/s1600-h/Butterfly%252520House%252520Ayr%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Butterfly House Ayr 1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="Butterfly House Ayr 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QuUwFW2M4Dk/UeU4WWMACyI/AAAAAAAAAQo/qR7kZD2jKnE/Butterfly%252520House%252520Ayr%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="389" height="293"></a></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-7000312068156660512013-07-16T21:56:00.001+10:002013-07-16T21:56:39.903+10:00FNQ<h4>Sunday, 14 July 2013</h4> <p><a name="5379556822901695024"></a> <h5><a href="http://gordonandjuanitaaroundoz.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/fnq.html"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">FNQ</font></a></h5> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeg1BRyZneHpWpyE_0u9sx0HJMy5UnmubKUyljvbqqpytKkGLQHXSoy90LL9WyBPYkBF9CGtlWp7lvifPUUXr9DvOUjHCzUZHOW49QYg2A_-Uh2_VWdXqFhV2xCviZWSZokJoKAti3lo/s1600/Green+Island+95.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Arriving in Cairns on June 14 - just in time to settle in, catch up with Bob & Carol Dixon from back home and head out to pre-dinner drinks at Cairns RSL Club <u><em><font color="#0000ff">(</font></em></u></font><a href="http://www.cairnsrsl.com.au/"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><u><em>www.<strong>cairnsrsl</strong>.com.au</em></u></font></a><font color="#000000"><font size="3"><font face="Tahoma"><u><em><font color="#0000ff">)</font></em></u> - in a fabulous position on The Esplanade; right across the road from the waterfront. The Club is currently undergoing refurbishment. What has been completed already - the front bar - has a really sumptuous feel with floor to (very high) ceiling windows which open all the way, giving a real open-air sensation. We then strolled along the Esplanade which is lit to show off the palms and other tropical plants to best advantage. About mid-way along there is a 'Night Market' with all the usual offerings and a 'cheap & cheerful' food court with a dozen or more bistro style eateries - mainly Asian cuisine - where we had a good meal and watched the passers-by, most of whom were tourists like ourselves.<br>The staff at Cairns Coconut Resort<font color="#0000ff"> (</font><cite><font color="#0000ff"><u>cairns-coconut-caravan-resort.qld.big4.com.au</u>)</font> </cite>are very welcoming, very knowledgeable and very helpful. There was simply nothing too much trouble.</font></font></font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i3eE5HZy2QWj0-R7h1iOQM_PPJdWDx3bRFXuCSxN9L9XjsNHDUeesAWp8P6V2JpTrCvfECJAtwvsSbuNi9HRJe9F31SAUDYv8Z5VzxUhrj9P7c-RBKB04Pjr-C5oBj_AYYR3hr5hzmc/s1600/Looking+Out+My+BAckdoor+-+Coconut+Village+Resort+Cairns.jpg"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: right; display: inline" border="0" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i3eE5HZy2QWj0-R7h1iOQM_PPJdWDx3bRFXuCSxN9L9XjsNHDUeesAWp8P6V2JpTrCvfECJAtwvsSbuNi9HRJe9F31SAUDYv8Z5VzxUhrj9P7c-RBKB04Pjr-C5oBj_AYYR3hr5hzmc/s320/Looking+Out+My+BAckdoor+-+Coconut+Village+Resort+Cairns.jpg" width="396" height="297"></font></a> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma">The view from under the awning, at Cairns Coconut Resort Caravan Park</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Our second outing was to Barlow Park on Sunday to see our beloved </font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCHbkWD16AkT_XHPfoO8YxQSKVQB3FsmxCzej_F4ffBSavzWw5RrMBIIvVCejedmAK2WKHbrvVtEn5z1B-wVlVxqazZhNJz6Dh_M6DIx37yd9Pt9463uZTfNGywAqdV9Vw7mQVybP7Fo/s1600/Mobile+Phone+Photos+010.jpg"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguCHbkWD16AkT_XHPfoO8YxQSKVQB3FsmxCzej_F4ffBSavzWw5RrMBIIvVCejedmAK2WKHbrvVtEn5z1B-wVlVxqazZhNJz6Dh_M6DIx37yd9Pt9463uZTfNGywAqdV9Vw7mQVybP7Fo/s400/Mobile+Phone+Photos+010.jpg" width="400" height="300"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">play Round 14 against the Titans. A game, of course, we won 30-24. As season Members, we would normally be able to attend all home games as part of our ticket package. This game however, although a home game, was to cost $68 EACH for a 'grandstand' seat. Seat, yes; grandstand, no. Well technically it was called the grandstand but the roof was at least 30 metres to our left and 20 metres behind. Oh well, never mind - we saw the Bunnies play & win and we were part of the atmosphere. </font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">For most of our stay in Cairns we were chauffeured admirably by Bob (& sometimes Caroline) - mainly I think because their 4WD is much more comfortable than ours - especially for back-seat passengers.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Monday we popped in to the local shopping centre - Mount Sheridan - to catch up on the groceries. Whilst there we thought we should try to see a doctor to update some scripts, expecting to wait - as we would at home - anything up to a couple of weeks before we could see someone. Lo & behold we could have seen a doctor straight away but because we didn't have the paperwork from our own Doctor we made an appointment for early the next morning. At the same time we booked an appointment with the local Dentist - once again virtually immediately, something quite unheard of in our neck of the woods. Both medicos were very professional and easy to deal with, making Gordon feel comfortable straight away. The most uncomfortable part being that he had to have a tooth extracted which took Monday/Tuesday out of the loop for sightseeing, whilst he recovered.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Wednesday was another trip back in my memory - to Green Island. Unfortunately it did not live up to expectations in some ways. The Underwater Observatory, which had opened not long before my last (and only prior) visit in the late 1960s, had been condemned as a building but because it now had coral growing on it, it couldn't be 'interfered with' in any way because it was now part of the Great Barrier Reef itself and as such totally protected. </font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXJ5d_uhgmrN8jiJGc4qdLqq9ipDV7jlah5E1OpCjiY7CpPQ5osWlQGBihMEz8Ii_7ZmyNqOM7uRamviRrDfrKVkf3wqtiC_Z1jMPQ1QJDPFyqYLS8VuPKF8174vIMDZp1PqTCjKcVNI/s1600/Green+Island+40.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXJ5d_uhgmrN8jiJGc4qdLqq9ipDV7jlah5E1OpCjiY7CpPQ5osWlQGBihMEz8Ii_7ZmyNqOM7uRamviRrDfrKVkf3wqtiC_Z1jMPQ1QJDPFyqYLS8VuPKF8174vIMDZp1PqTCjKcVNI/s320/Green+Island+40.JPG" width="417" height="313"></font></a> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma">The 'Semi-Sub' which replaced the Underwater Observatory</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Now, in order to see the inner reef and some of its fishes, most of the tour companies offer - as part of the Cairns to Green Island fare - snorkelling and/or 'semi-sub' trips. In hindsight, I should have made a more concerted effort to overcome my claustrophobia and given snorkelling a try. But I just can't see myself being comfortable with my nose covered, something shoved in my mouth, & trying to </font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">(?)swim at the same time. I mean, the only water I'm truly comfortable in is in my bathtub! And to do all this in public! Honestly! But we did take the tour in the semi-sub, and although it was very close quarters, the fish swimming all around us and the 'ooh looks' coming from other passengers kept us enthralled & my mind off the confined space. The trip was not long and although the water wasn't as clear as it might have been, there were many photos taken and memories stored.</font> <blockquote> <p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmESBVhaH0Ku5uYQbJkW7w3uMj882WFx-wpOIZhiXTF63RMKN5jarbhBy-LRuZc7jJXEXZxLVhGulTYlXJu7G4ktVLfIs4LSJWg4ut7z5XCJwuRZmckz3guWpu4eX_XSofRnkhmZR5-U/s1600/Green+Island+59.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmESBVhaH0Ku5uYQbJkW7w3uMj882WFx-wpOIZhiXTF63RMKN5jarbhBy-LRuZc7jJXEXZxLVhGulTYlXJu7G4ktVLfIs4LSJWg4ut7z5XCJwuRZmckz3guWpu4eX_XSofRnkhmZR5-U/s320/Green+Island+59.JPG" width="296" height="222"></font></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--VZ4CJN-L0k/UeU0clRsMLI/AAAAAAAAAO4/MuXlG71kQq0/s1600-h/Green%252520Island%25252074%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Green Island 74" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Green Island 74" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uFF6DeR17DE/UeU0d6ar0MI/AAAAAAAAAPA/6FGfoZWwz9g/Green%252520Island%25252074_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="238" height="316"></a><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></p></blockquote> <p align="center"><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma">Underwater Fish & Reefs from Semi-Sub</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Following that little jaunt, we ventured off to explore the island. Green Island is a very small (approx. 15 hectares) coral cay - in fact the only coral cay located within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. And the only coral cay with a rainforest. There has been a boardwalk constructed which meanders through the rainforest, with glimpses of the crystal clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><a href="http://www.green-island.com.au/interpretive-boardwalk.html"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><u><em>http://www.green-island.com.au/interpretive-boardwalk.html</em></u></font></a> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwWgd0QW9YSkEmd04sA_irJfGMnW2uC307szm7MHM-Vx47kM3S1b-rtFzO_YnXVJb9guWvxR1ayQT3SM0nsBQt4dgm0yraJwK1hUxr5L3RlFAuWJjvyutEvJw0UaBhFX2Ze0o1BdkYqY/s1600/Green+Island+87.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwWgd0QW9YSkEmd04sA_irJfGMnW2uC307szm7MHM-Vx47kM3S1b-rtFzO_YnXVJb9guWvxR1ayQT3SM0nsBQt4dgm0yraJwK1hUxr5L3RlFAuWJjvyutEvJw0UaBhFX2Ze0o1BdkYqY/s320/Green+Island+87.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"> <font color="#9b00d3"> White Sandy Beaches, Pristine Waters & Far Horizons</font></font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN-8XsQfpEh0tylxPLjiElknU6P-JgerC9_hvossyv4MxVC-BXCEbPwX6KCTKWwqatsxbnqp8EUwQ3X16WORV8LKoST9Rv-p8r6YVSGbGOyO2_uhtiB5a5eFM1hoSskjtEhPOdraik6c/s1600/Green+Island+25.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: right; display: inline" border="0" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAN-8XsQfpEh0tylxPLjiElknU6P-JgerC9_hvossyv4MxVC-BXCEbPwX6KCTKWwqatsxbnqp8EUwQ3X16WORV8LKoST9Rv-p8r6YVSGbGOyO2_uhtiB5a5eFM1hoSskjtEhPOdraik6c/s320/Green+Island+25.JPG" width="408" height="306"></font></a></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"> From the Boardwalk, looking to the Ocean</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"> Walking around the island is possible at low tide, the circumference is only 1.5 kms. Along the beaches there is proof positive (if anyone needs it) that the island is, indeed, just coral. Those 'white sandy beaches' upon closer inspection is just coral finely ground over time. </font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeg1BRyZneHpWpyE_0u9sx0HJMy5UnmubKUyljvbqqpytKkGLQHXSoy90LL9WyBPYkBF9CGtlWp7lvifPUUXr9DvOUjHCzUZHOW49QYg2A_-Uh2_VWdXqFhV2xCviZWSZokJoKAti3lo/s1600/Green+Island+95.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeg1BRyZneHpWpyE_0u9sx0HJMy5UnmubKUyljvbqqpytKkGLQHXSoy90LL9WyBPYkBF9CGtlWp7lvifPUUXr9DvOUjHCzUZHOW49QYg2A_-Uh2_VWdXqFhV2xCviZWSZokJoKAti3lo/s320/Green+Island+95.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-IG9XCaIDfiQfGX8cTsDNIEO0S6FDhVDF8whDvmJsptLlMnH7TVlGYm8bi3sVYjbAoOl2r46nzTzuF8KaQprrMy6O7PXzuwqKgUKkQvphPUnacdYaQSW0I720Dkxo64bwwCqGzz0s8o/s1600-h/Green%252520Island%25252084%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Green Island 84" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Green Island 84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9MkwZwRlkh7m2YH-owjyAhqh8CdiVhxo_3NZdUcI5l8MPtNWRnwHer3WZ3Q_IQirp4BIMH2V7ZImZzZR33P1eT_7g-0LFjLlfMBrL_n5YP5JsLwjli2jiTAG7k9FnruBV6LY9sGW16BE/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"> <font color="#9b00d3"> Coral 'Sands'</font></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Most tours of the island give you ample time to explore, swim, shop & dine. There is a resort for those who wish to stay longer. This resort is well hidden amongst the rainforest, so well that many day trippers aren't even aware of its existence. Resort guests and day trippers alike are also able to take tours to the 'Outer Reef'; here one can snorkel or scuba dive as well as just relax & absorb the beauty of the surroundings. A day or more on Green Island is time well spent.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">On our trip over, we were joined by 110 school children up for the week from Brisbane. In the main they were relatively well-behaved but when we learnt that they were going to Kuranda on the train & returning on the cable cars on Friday - the same day we had planned - we quickly amended our plans & set out on Thursday. Two big days out in a row is normally out of the questions for this pair of grey nomad couples, but we decided circumstances warranted. </font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We opted for the 'self-drive' tour - parking our car at the base of the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and taking the courtesy shuttle bus to meet up with the Kuranda Scenic Railway at Freshwater Station. The train is beautifully decorated and very 'olde-worlde'. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGowwNtyjOUxdg5M1GyDNEPYW25bFBogSoXQBKodKy8tr4rPPbY4-mcdWUub3RiA6DyR55U_zPwAEqEmN2EQB_mr1sbEPXJJaxZFjR272pW1WzI2IGvsJzM7xk_3FzkB-T2miyoWdI7PM/s1600-h/Kuranda%252520Train%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kuranda Train" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Kuranda Train" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzuiC3P6Dvi9au-VzPTKGY2kQFJ-j6vCoSxl4mcCm7ZoDh-V5uF0KVu-IKH7pPdJiJPVhpzfV4QjTrDKlec_MPPF7UY60_UdrRJWnnuwyHz6RDu8fPWVsB5lb5ix1Qqn0NckR3FXUAVk/?imgmax=800" width="303" height="228"></a> The carriages are most definitely from a by-gone era. The friendly staff are, like most of the hospitality folk we have encountered, helpful and knowledgeable. They even offered to take our group photo using our own cameras (which we duly accepted of course). The train makes a couple of stops on its journey up the mountain; the most spectacular of which is Barron Falls. Here anyone who so wishes can alight from the train, stretch your legs and take photos from a wonderful vantage point. </font> <p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The train pulled in to Kuranda station & we all felt we had stepped back in time to a more simpler time, a more relaxed time. The township is basically a village; an open air market & some fabulous attractions such as a wildlife sanctuary. After strolling around the village for a couple of hours, we head over to the Skyrail Cable Terminal. Yes, even me - the super scaredy-cat where heights are concerned. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWFAyqMsrmHulSSSgDApSgBa2huVZTzzRDjQj95YOVlu-BD0j1yemDDkrl8lmsY9MHyLZ56HXC9uwGCtvQ8kWc2JLt9sS8TfTFJ-xrVOJtsDTI2MRbIW6yabFAxn4wEZztboc3_t632c/s1600-h/Kuranda%252520SkyCable%2525202%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kuranda SkyCable 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Kuranda SkyCable 2" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OrtiQBv3t_c/UeU03chYohI/AAAAAAAAAPw/YghVb--aH8w/Kuranda%252520SkyCable%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="250"></a>Gordon keeps telling me it will be fine & as long as I keep looking straight ahead and DO NOT look down, all will be well. At take off, it's a little bumpy at first, but then it is smooth gliding, except at each and every pylon (and there are more than 30 of those!) there are minor hiccups with jars and shudders, but eventually Caroline & I become used to those. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">There are two interim stations along the route, one at Barron Falls and the other a little further along. Both stops have board walks through the rainforest. The sights all along are truly breathtaking. Even for those wimps like me with no head for heights. To be floating across the tops of the trees is a feeling like no other. And the variety of trees, ferns, palms, orchids & epiphytes is amazing. </font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmJ4dks5U_WT_PTRm7py9U6-ScjgCGo_CgdSXIOBIpGj0VDUJHQDJMFiHtsBSGWshGxo-hyxYOqpr_vIB0NCtAYunzGWE5gBySBi_-LlW7ThBXCp62PybA3adDpd5ljyn12pqPOKZGZY/s1600-h/Barron%252520Falls%25252C%252520Kuranda%252520Train%2525202%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Barron Falls, Kuranda Train 2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Barron Falls, Kuranda Train 2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fb1WybAHEgM/UeU08wQmavI/AAAAAAAAAQA/awdQB37yj_M/Barron%252520Falls%25252C%252520Kuranda%252520Train%2525202_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a> <font color="#9b00d3">Barron Falls</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"> . . . until next time</font> <p><strong><em><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Live the Life You Love . . .</font></em></strong> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-36300563093584889002013-07-16T21:41:00.001+10:002013-07-16T21:41:07.331+10:00Natural Beauty<h4>Sunday, 16 June 2013</h4> <p><a name="7592194279012131340"></a> <h5><a href="http://gordonandjuanitaaroundoz.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/natural-beauty.html"><font color="#000000">Natural Beauty</font></a></h5> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4Wvaje04KYh6jN7YS4w6C9gf2Z_w5h3x-Fh4iV_oNxFWMjqfxf4hzrQf2mEEOUhg5_lZMDp-kaZYaMlty-kkjJMg2NYi4MA2q8FKFtafsrS0HlZ8e_VyBy3bLKLxiiKL02VMO5Tpyyg/s1600/P3300181.JPG"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4Wvaje04KYh6jN7YS4w6C9gf2Z_w5h3x-Fh4iV_oNxFWMjqfxf4hzrQf2mEEOUhg5_lZMDp-kaZYaMlty-kkjJMg2NYi4MA2q8FKFtafsrS0HlZ8e_VyBy3bLKLxiiKL02VMO5Tpyyg/s320/P3300181.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p> <p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=4812550534393748480&postID=7592194279012131340&target=facebook"><font color="#000000"></font></a></p> <p><a name="7978046585961797167"><font color="#000000"></font></a> <h5><a href="http://gordonandjuanitaaroundoz.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/v-behaviorurldefaultvmlo_16.html"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">And onward . . .</font></a></h5> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Leaving Lake Leslie (April 3) & off to Highfields near Toowoomba to visit Gordon’s old army mate Ken Perry and his wife Marelle. As always, we were made to feel most welcome – more at home than at home! And once again, we ate too much, drank too much and talked lots.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The late husband of one of Gordon’s Legacy widows had been in the 7<sup>th</sup> Division, and Laurel knew there was a museum in the Toowoomba region to which she wished to donate some of Keith’s memorabilia so we took a little detour to obtain some information for her. Although we were unable to take a tour of the Milne Bay Military Museum </font><a href="http://www.milnebaymilitarymuseum.com.au/"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em><u>www.milnebaymilitarymuseum.com.au</u></em></font></a><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em><u>; </u></em></font><a href="mailto:museum25battalion@westnet.com.au"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em><u>museum25battalion@westnet.com.au</u></em></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">we were able to speak with some of the volunteers and see the general set up which is quite good. </font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We had bought a new, smaller 2Kva generator before this trip; had only given it a quick run before leaving and it all seemed ok. But . . . and it’s a very big but . . . when we went to use it to top up the house batteries in Toad Hall after a few grey and miserable days, all it wanted to do was ‘overload protect’ and then cut out. Could manage to just run the power board enough to charge tablet and phone or small 300w fan or 800w toaster – one at a time – but anything more and it would automatically cut out, again. This made for a very unhappy camper and a very angry one! So, after asking around we were referred to ODES SUPERSTORE (in Toowoomba)<em><u> </u></em></font><a href="http://www.odessuperstore.com.au/"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em><u>www.odessuperstore.com.au</u></em></font></a><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"> . They had a 2500 ‘gennie’, imported same as both of ours, on the shelf for $949. After having spoken over the phone, we arrived to find ‘John’ had fuelled one up ready for us to try. Gordon asked for ‘best price’ and we settled on $850. Took it straight back to Highfields and gave it a test run. Gordon threw everything at it – toaster, microwave, kettle and even the air-conditioner. The only think it didn’t like was the kettle (at 2400w). So young John could rest easily . . . we weren’t going to be back the next day, having told him if it wasn’t suitable we would be. I was not expecting to be using the AC at anytime unless we were on 240v, so this is a real bonus. All I really wanted was to be able to top up the house batteries and use the coffee machine . . . anything more is in all ways super.</font> <p><em><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">“Leaving Highfields, heading down the Toowoomba Range”</font></em> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmZpkb0v_bXRHJCJXza2Y6Wey5cFpC0EkXXWG9LKb-eJxC5IDSi__4rS3eDg6nZM8AKReFOYUlcYrKbL-67egcOjLV7rqi_3qRW1ZDMJviYC-O3hQiPqsDdFJ5oyesvQSjnQ_Pna3wSA/s1600/1+Bird,+2+Birds.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"></font></a> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R0Z8CsnqN4dO51Q-VuDRTklaRgSwOdoyvoKIe2ydcd5vdHDTwQ9xMZHj05ZCwWSMOk7R0d9Z5NfMn4fUINzAO2wN3Z47Jw8EFFQp54vdP3X-T_IGyU55JeSusHmp-gkeQ2nmFHfpKdE/s1600/Leaving+Highfields%252C+overlooking+Toowoomba.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R0Z8CsnqN4dO51Q-VuDRTklaRgSwOdoyvoKIe2ydcd5vdHDTwQ9xMZHj05ZCwWSMOk7R0d9Z5NfMn4fUINzAO2wN3Z47Jw8EFFQp54vdP3X-T_IGyU55JeSusHmp-gkeQ2nmFHfpKdE/s320/Leaving+Highfields%252C+overlooking+Toowoomba.JPG" width="440" height="330"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Saying farewell to Ken & Marelle, we head off to Wivenhoe Dam, Lumley Hill Campground. This is only about 80kms from Brisbane which will enable Gordon’s daughter Peta, her husband (another) Gordon and their two children Emily and Andrew to come visit us over the weekend. They live in a very built-up hilly area in Brisbane which would make manoeuvring – much less parking – Toad Hall extremely difficult to say the least. </font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Lumley Hill (they say) has sites suitable for ‘large rigs’. Unfortunately Carmel (who took our booking) didn’t seem to classify a 27ft 5<sup>th</sup> Wheeler as a big rig. It took quite a considerable amount of to-ing and fro-ing for Gordon to be able to position us on site. Now we can only hope that no-one comes in too close in front of us before we leave on Monday. Fingers crossed.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyvCBEvVOuC2Za6JhA3DlyjQF4hMW9BYftJ0YkKVff7ocpglkrWlm26CgaXSxe3MKR-WQM2aQyhhz4AuGc4eR6ZDAyWpALeEkw6hyphenhyphenEFHo5jCKIwTUykny6-XQfCUjLsgVncYnJHjIgno/s1600/Wivenhoe.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyvCBEvVOuC2Za6JhA3DlyjQF4hMW9BYftJ0YkKVff7ocpglkrWlm26CgaXSxe3MKR-WQM2aQyhhz4AuGc4eR6ZDAyWpALeEkw6hyphenhyphenEFHo5jCKIwTUykny6-XQfCUjLsgVncYnJHjIgno/s320/Wivenhoe.JPG" width="389" height="292"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">With the family coming for lunch on Sunday April 7, we went to Fernvale shops (about 15kms) to stock up for a barbecue. All we can hope now is that the weather improves and the Met Bureau is wrong!</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The amenities at Lumley Hill are very good – certainly no lack of water. Showers are clean and hot, each site has its own bbq and with attached undercover wood storage and the tariff doesn’t change – be it Christmas, Easter, School Holidays or mid-week. Bookings only open 12 months on advance for peak seasons and you can only book 2 sites per phone call. Overall it is a good spot and appears popular with families. We have a Mum, Dad & three littlies on one side and 3 Dads with three young boys in front in a tent . . . all having the absolute time of their lives!</font> <p><em><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">“Juanita, Emily Andrew, Gordon, Peta & Gordon”</font></em> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc67572ucKOlmw6fA7OyvSiYFqzCIh81gCirFOjBHQ3T8_xGvOOwLX_7G4hSCJvQDkS6FtERyQF27xGqP3FnjA2bGLMz_zRBHxiHcHeYc0VcQ0EvIhMn5h90Rn1TA0XbGcdAdtvrwlXPk/s1600/With+Gordon%2527s+daughter+%2526+Her+Family.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc67572ucKOlmw6fA7OyvSiYFqzCIh81gCirFOjBHQ3T8_xGvOOwLX_7G4hSCJvQDkS6FtERyQF27xGqP3FnjA2bGLMz_zRBHxiHcHeYc0VcQ0EvIhMn5h90Rn1TA0XbGcdAdtvrwlXPk/s320/With+Gordon%2527s+daughter+%2526+Her+Family.JPG" width="431" height="323"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">We left Lumley Hill behind us on Monday April 8 and arrived at Imbil (south west of Gympie) quite late that afternoon. Here we were to spend time with youngest daughter Courtney and Little Miss Haylea Jayne (5 months old). Once again, we are unable to park Toad Hall anywhere near Courtney’s house. She was going to take in goats on agistment to supplement her income & keep the grasses down, but even the goats couldn’t climb the hill! So we booked in to The Island Reach Camping Resort for an extended stay so Grandma could have her fill of Haylea before she too was all grown up.</font> <p align="center"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em>“Haylea & Her ‘Thomas’ Toybox”</em></font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKVuih26484atwqnST7l2Qw_tfdC2B-IZnQWmJ6POMLmL0RqHXpT-JLonmoaC-3yYf5exS-jbfbOK52pWP4i5QwX4bp6hFTof8ISf3LxFpN7hF9JK5W7wuLFvK9BreahOdeDwuE9voHo/s1600/Haylea+%2526+Her+Train.jpg"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKVuih26484atwqnST7l2Qw_tfdC2B-IZnQWmJ6POMLmL0RqHXpT-JLonmoaC-3yYf5exS-jbfbOK52pWP4i5QwX4bp6hFTof8ISf3LxFpN7hF9JK5W7wuLFvK9BreahOdeDwuE9voHo/s320/Haylea+%2526+Her+Train.jpg" width="403" height="302"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The camping resort/caravan park was severely damaged (again!) during flooding earlier in the year and they have been valiantly cleaning & gardening to try to restore the park. Unfortunately for me, the soggy grounds are a breeding ground for biteys of all kinds so we opt to move out to Standown Park on the Gympie-Tin Can Bay road.</font> <p align="center"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"> </font><a href="http://www.standown.com.au/"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em>www.standown.com.au</em></font></a><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#0000ff"><em> facebook.com/Standown.Park </em></font></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">This beautiful park is owned and run by Rod and Pam Elkington who originally set it up as a veterans’ retreat, although it is now open to all.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0butakCkHZCXlnWrE-32UaYuSmmhqSEOVyrtiC7DMPl4g_vQl4tBRZ90wUSwV9KrQvSUup0bq8zIbpib64oV-_ALWf5F2IfkVvEXu8GzznXnrwoV7LFnVy6TbnAJ2rhJLS5kdIqJ81M/s1600/The+Memorial+at+Standown+Park.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0butakCkHZCXlnWrE-32UaYuSmmhqSEOVyrtiC7DMPl4g_vQl4tBRZ90wUSwV9KrQvSUup0bq8zIbpib64oV-_ALWf5F2IfkVvEXu8GzznXnrwoV7LFnVy6TbnAJ2rhJLS5kdIqJ81M/s320/The+Memorial+at+Standown+Park.JPG" width="544" height="408"></font></a> <p align="center"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em>“The Memorial – awaiting consecration”</em></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Standown is a quiet park – with none of the gimmicks designed to attract young children like jumping castles and water parks – so costs are kept down and resting comes easily. It is very well positioned as a staging point for Fraser Island, Gympie, Tin Can Bay and even Maryborough is only 77kms north.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The campfire is lit at 16:30 precisely (half past four for the uninitiated) every afternoon ready for happy hour (or two or three). All very civilized. Here we met some lovely people – Bob & Dawn, John & Esther, Graham & Mary, Jim& Joy, Sue & Rich – among many others. Some of these we were to catch up with again at the CMCA Rally in Maryborough.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtreqjJgkL5C6T0SWQ1VUWETwdB4b-S1bE8oJn0szwF2p3yUDn2RasssInkXJCxXwVLtHBbXUS6HhxV4i4Di0PQrlEKshrpwfpZdvee-bP-cXL00KPLnT5jTdGeLwKP_DiejP2WhAwwl0/s1600/P4260341.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtreqjJgkL5C6T0SWQ1VUWETwdB4b-S1bE8oJn0szwF2p3yUDn2RasssInkXJCxXwVLtHBbXUS6HhxV4i4Di0PQrlEKshrpwfpZdvee-bP-cXL00KPLnT5jTdGeLwKP_DiejP2WhAwwl0/s1600/P4260341.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtreqjJgkL5C6T0SWQ1VUWETwdB4b-S1bE8oJn0szwF2p3yUDn2RasssInkXJCxXwVLtHBbXUS6HhxV4i4Di0PQrlEKshrpwfpZdvee-bP-cXL00KPLnT5jTdGeLwKP_DiejP2WhAwwl0/s320/P4260341.JPG" width="367" height="275"></font></a></font><font color="#000000"><em> “Happy</em></font></a><font color="#000000"><em> Hour”</em></font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrPqqvTQ_0mTBw7-ssgyZqQVnqKIuMkRCBSDROFTcT23rE7MKoJAKf7fbZln5FH5enDCiWwRJ7VNoR44wXMlnjU5P_xJVTb7D3egIFdXIw9oJiHtm2BVDUKYxbYaxoOv4nv50_QcbiHc/s1600/P4230296.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: right; display: inline" border="0" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrPqqvTQ_0mTBw7-ssgyZqQVnqKIuMkRCBSDROFTcT23rE7MKoJAKf7fbZln5FH5enDCiWwRJ7VNoR44wXMlnjU5P_xJVTb7D3egIFdXIw9oJiHtm2BVDUKYxbYaxoOv4nv50_QcbiHc/s200/P4230296.JPG" width="384" height="288"></font></a><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Like many others, we took a day trip to Fraser Island with Courtney playing chauffeur in her Jeep. I had last been on Fraser some 30 years earlier and no-one else had ever been so it was quite a trip for us all. Haylea had her first ice-cream (vanilla paddlepop; thanks Grandma) and Courtney, John & Haylea swam in Lake Mackenzie. Well Courtney & Haylea swam & John almost managed a wet chest. Said it was too cold – wimp. The barge trip was just as I remembered it but the island was much more sand – great vast sand drives which Courtney handled with aplomb. Well done kiddo! </font> <blockquote> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEx8nX-1bf2z6BQdQG6p5Lrii4TjhwOVtSCKmekrZExxl3smzi3Y69TZy4lBSmujYJn4fgNdpM_2MpVvNIqqShX6PyEFZkipmIqE3TzkBfeS6aeFMCr_yKEC9OWlRwMF0Pw3p0oxfMnY/s1600/P4230306.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlEx8nX-1bf2z6BQdQG6p5Lrii4TjhwOVtSCKmekrZExxl3smzi3Y69TZy4lBSmujYJn4fgNdpM_2MpVvNIqqShX6PyEFZkipmIqE3TzkBfeS6aeFMCr_yKEC9OWlRwMF0Pw3p0oxfMnY/s200/P4230306.JPG" width="200" height="150"></font></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPga2kWYQOeg5yL0NVpH1BrT26SrMQ5HKf0z_Y5LXSjwfyaucw62NRvkLsJX-uPnRcWwUa6jEDBufKNkwpwrToXM9KBN4QwPyQP5wfrAb51HC4qz0mz3GV_zX3a0K_P_u6LHOYjJueRes/s1600/P4230314.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPga2kWYQOeg5yL0NVpH1BrT26SrMQ5HKf0z_Y5LXSjwfyaucw62NRvkLsJX-uPnRcWwUa6jEDBufKNkwpwrToXM9KBN4QwPyQP5wfrAb51HC4qz0mz3GV_zX3a0K_P_u6LHOYjJueRes/s320/P4230314.JPG" width="220" height="165"></font></a></p></blockquote> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">While we were at Imbil, John had taken Gordon 4WDing and he was much more impressed with Courtney’s driving than with John’s. Not that John drove dangerously but it was much more adrenalin based than Courtney’s ‘family drive’ style. </font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwJd5T5bR4FfQg_D-D5eDGukms56ami3W70ztsNc48wLipUeIUpva-rQwMd6O86pqZU8a55B8ZGONdXyh1320RU0rQaWywox7XAjy5vXC5Hcxzp7_t128EzfGPNKUNn4NN6jA1dA-eYk/s1600/Looking+Back+to+Fraser+Island.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwJd5T5bR4FfQg_D-D5eDGukms56ami3W70ztsNc48wLipUeIUpva-rQwMd6O86pqZU8a55B8ZGONdXyh1320RU0rQaWywox7XAjy5vXC5Hcxzp7_t128EzfGPNKUNn4NN6jA1dA-eYk/s200/Looking+Back+to+Fraser+Island.JPG" width="279" height="209"></font></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurswTyQ7-kCWpw5h-EgRmyL7yZDPqBvp6S5Qw8aZ4Q6y3v2BvS9YfqbTgxSkhSRT3wl8nQmyzMVAkjrq8NLJ0AS9RGsp3cYCCVRC-Rlt4H2rN7aEqlaj-hn7-3zqp71pk9oO-sCWmnDw/s1600/Gordon+went+4WDing+with+John.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurswTyQ7-kCWpw5h-EgRmyL7yZDPqBvp6S5Qw8aZ4Q6y3v2BvS9YfqbTgxSkhSRT3wl8nQmyzMVAkjrq8NLJ0AS9RGsp3cYCCVRC-Rlt4H2rN7aEqlaj-hn7-3zqp71pk9oO-sCWmnDw/s200/Gordon+went+4WDing+with+John.JPG" width="233" height="175"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">From Standown we also went to The Silky Oak Tea Gardens – a most delightful country pub serving good food and cold drinks. We had a night out with John’s parents – Jim & Suzette – for the Full Moon Pig-on-a-Spit dinner; along with about 130 other people. Good basic wholesome food with fabulous atmosphere and great company – you can’t ask for more. We had earlier enjoyed Jim & Suzette’s company at Imbil Bowling Club and were wowed by the food cooked and presented by Rainer Kruse from </font><a href="http://www.foodandartsunshinecoast.com.au/"><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Tahoma"><em><u>www.foodandartsunshinecoast.com.au</u></em></font></a><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#0000ff"><em><u>.</u></em></font> A truly fabulous meal and not what one would expect in a small country town bowlo.</font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Also from Standown we travelled into Gympie for Anzac Day – a very moving march followed by a Citizens’ Service in the town’s Central Park. The whole town was involved; combined schools band and choirs, the Mayor affirming on behalf of the people support for all troops and a commitment to remembrances. So much to take in. And from out of the crowd came Marianne and her husband (?Leon) from Taree! You can’t afford to misbehave whilst travelling, you never know who might see you.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4qmI0dY63ba33Lc7rEpPFzo1-BmdtvLmlhOyxzkuURiJgvbi-4zaOuMMrWmxbIQCgVr0x4X16e6yyQgoJHIhUkVQKIUuTBFYaAP-GkqkKNVPInspBAfX0EZwp_7a1JrrMYwEPwLvHr8/s1600/Anzac+Day%252C+Gympie.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb4qmI0dY63ba33Lc7rEpPFzo1-BmdtvLmlhOyxzkuURiJgvbi-4zaOuMMrWmxbIQCgVr0x4X16e6yyQgoJHIhUkVQKIUuTBFYaAP-GkqkKNVPInspBAfX0EZwp_7a1JrrMYwEPwLvHr8/s320/Anzac+Day%252C+Gympie.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">Monday 29<sup>th</sup> April saw us head north to Maryborough for the CMCA Rally. This is a full week of fun, frivolity, learning, meeting old friends and new. There is just so much to see and do at a Rally that words tumble far more quickly than I can type. Entertainment every night. Trade stalls, craft lessons, information seminars. On and on. Or one can just sit back and do as little as you wish. All for $50 per person up front and $9 per night unpowered. Full shower and toilet facilities (and those provided at Maryborough were the best we’ve seen in five years). Free shuttle bus service into town, shopkeepers making special offers available to CMCA members. It just keeps going. The showgrounds became a mini-city in its own right. And someone was there filming it – from the sky – in his own helicopter – towed behind his own motorhome. Boy oh boy, was that some rig! The trailer is also his heliport.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXDvRIH6XMj_6g7Tm9REqZBSN14Ybz_Dfqhyphenhyphen7e7bXhpx3LJ4SWJu_nM1sSMpMytE3mTJtlHnNv8OvfS5diYYsx0EF_Ca1APyYqX9i3AqUC3GODS7m6GBFTyjGvTwyIhtwKHiTRlk-ze4/s1600/Travelling+in+Style.JPG"><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXDvRIH6XMj_6g7Tm9REqZBSN14Ybz_Dfqhyphenhyphen7e7bXhpx3LJ4SWJu_nM1sSMpMytE3mTJtlHnNv8OvfS5diYYsx0EF_Ca1APyYqX9i3AqUC3GODS7m6GBFTyjGvTwyIhtwKHiTRlk-ze4/s320/Travelling+in+Style.JPG" width="489" height="367"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">The ball on Saturday night is quite a culmination; and a chance meeting with another couple from back home – Linda Parker from Telecross and her husband. Like I said, no misbehaviour because you never know who’s watching & ready to report back home. </font> <p><font size="3" face="Tahoma"><font color="#000000">Maryborough has some wonderful tourist attractions, including at Portside the Customs House Interpretive Centre, Bond Store Museum, Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum and the Customs Residence Cellar Door – entry to all of which is just $5.50 per adult. The Time Cannon is fired at 11am daily and costumed characters mill about the area whilst old time piano playing can be heard throughout the day. The Military Museum is THE BEST we have seen outside of the War Memorial in Canberra. The way their memorabilia is presented and preserved would surely stand out as a model to be followed by many an organisation</font>. </font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi5oi_F3dAc9o94nUDQDKKWT3iy13XtmG2qrAQ27_q-EfZihM7eCsfXLGQiknXupvPKGn_AJMkGiV1XsNpA71xEghvCuN7KXNT-QlZu7GF4Wt0sZ5OEUXufX3mogeUSDn6ENyWGP_By4/s1600/War+Memorial+Museum+Maryborough.JPG"><font size="3" face="Tahoma"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi5oi_F3dAc9o94nUDQDKKWT3iy13XtmG2qrAQ27_q-EfZihM7eCsfXLGQiknXupvPKGn_AJMkGiV1XsNpA71xEghvCuN7KXNT-QlZu7GF4Wt0sZ5OEUXufX3mogeUSDn6ENyWGP_By4/s320/War+Memorial+Museum+Maryborough.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma">Part of the Vietnam War Memorabilia</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmFRsxh6IY3fmWMaQ27bc6ZCtPyfto8K_-Yo8DAUEdHTMZm7U3Iux8HeyL9whaicoxx-38ONkdKFwcOtVu5ik3BUXPcddt_Zp21COJalsrkvBuSGxEdsNNWRBCMNncYqvgt7xW7eWRqw/s1600/P5030393.JPG"><font size="3" face="Tahoma"><img style="float: right; display: inline" border="0" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmFRsxh6IY3fmWMaQ27bc6ZCtPyfto8K_-Yo8DAUEdHTMZm7U3Iux8HeyL9whaicoxx-38ONkdKFwcOtVu5ik3BUXPcddt_Zp21COJalsrkvBuSGxEdsNNWRBCMNncYqvgt7xW7eWRqw/s320/P5030393.JPG" width="320" height="240"></font></a> <p><font color="#9b00d3" size="3" face="Tahoma">Various firearms arranged to represent the Rising Sun Badge</font> <p><font size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font size="3" face="Tahoma"></font> <p><font color="#000000" size="3" face="Tahoma">In the next issue – Hervey Bay and points further north. Off to watch the Rabbitohs play the Titans in Cairns. “Live the Life You Love”</font> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-29321311523111809712013-07-16T21:26:00.001+10:002013-07-16T21:26:51.375+10:00Still Heading North–Upward<p> <p> <h4>Saturday, 15 June 2013</h4> <p><a name="2886214958886679451"></a> <h5><a href="http://gordonandjuanitaaroundoz.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/v-behaviorurldefaultvmlo.html">Still Heading North - Upward</a></h5> <p><font color="#000000">Well . . . here we are again, folks. Sorry for the long absence but travelling does that to you. Computer problems (a few hours work is out there in the ether somewhere) – or should that be operator problems?, lack of internet service, unreliable power source (and that’s another computer problem which will be addressed later) and speaking of power THAT’s another story as well! On top of all that there is travelling, sight-seeing, meeting new people and work. Yes, that’s right, work. You’ll all just have to keep reading to find out the details of these little snippets.</font> <p><font color="#000000">And so, on with the trip. We did, in fact, take a few ‘tourist drives', and spent quite some time admiring the small country townships that in times past we have just driven through. We had another couple of ‘paddles’ in the kayak & even took the fishing rods for a ride. I put it that way because, quite simply, I’m certain there are no fish in the lower Clarence. If they are there, well they still are there – because none of them even tasted our bait let alone took the hook! Drifting and paddling are very therapeutic ways to while away the hours.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIWr5S-pu3bBnp7U_evEOSqFjsOFSDR2F7q6i8Vt5PRo0Xf5Jy1e-x3sQvZ1dAZv4LnZd4NKc1LgWZyBbo1c9ZcVB4yZUrtz5OvMqOVC0r8UjCRxsw8kSiGlQRwQ6V5khFiR5VbBi_zQ/s1600/Drifting+Down+the+Clarence.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIWr5S-pu3bBnp7U_evEOSqFjsOFSDR2F7q6i8Vt5PRo0Xf5Jy1e-x3sQvZ1dAZv4LnZd4NKc1LgWZyBbo1c9ZcVB4yZUrtz5OvMqOVC0r8UjCRxsw8kSiGlQRwQ6V5khFiR5VbBi_zQ/s320/Drifting+Down+the+Clarence.JPG" width="375" height="281"></a> <font color="#000000">Kayaking on the Clarence</font> <p><font color="#000000">Another wonderful way is to take a cruise along the Clarence – all the way past Harwood to the Pacific Highway Bridge – a total of two and a half hours for just $20 AND with live music. Met a lovely couple from WA (Matt & Kathie) who introduced us to a couple of wonderful ideas which we have since adopted. First item was a business card folder, for keeping cards both from businesses which we have used (and more importantly found helpful) as well as cards from fellow travellers. The second is a “Visitors’ Book” which is a super way to remember the people you have met, where you met them and somewhere for them to leave their contact details for follow up when we reach their home turf.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PPpAgMFXEKchFzNVtpbm3fRDJsNV-o4PjdkqNu64v6-f-PUrO48zlRR5QLy3EHWzJ-6G9HqnfO17-Z28sK3oUiK78x1_YJpcNC09knP1c7Fp2pBtlPq7XcU4lunujxsxmKhNwz8UJJY/s1600/Gordon+on+Clarence+Cruise.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PPpAgMFXEKchFzNVtpbm3fRDJsNV-o4PjdkqNu64v6-f-PUrO48zlRR5QLy3EHWzJ-6G9HqnfO17-Z28sK3oUiK78x1_YJpcNC09knP1c7Fp2pBtlPq7XcU4lunujxsxmKhNwz8UJJY/s200/Gordon+on+Clarence+Cruise.jpg" width="293" height="220"></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ2V1En2HcGJPyRcQE9kGIoLQLB41PPvmvLIjDcIDWMRn9PXc9gD-BI7PhKgqzypeA17WLtWjkIgPGg831rXTWRGa8BVlFn3xRmBFTKl9zq4KJUVEWQZvByIWaXbshFGrUo9YyblylmE/s1600/Juanita+Cruising+Along.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ2V1En2HcGJPyRcQE9kGIoLQLB41PPvmvLIjDcIDWMRn9PXc9gD-BI7PhKgqzypeA17WLtWjkIgPGg831rXTWRGa8BVlFn3xRmBFTKl9zq4KJUVEWQZvByIWaXbshFGrUo9YyblylmE/s200/Juanita+Cruising+Along.JPG" width="296" height="222"></a> <p> <font color="#000000"> “Just Cruisin’ . . . “</font> <p><font color="#000000">After the cruise, the weather started to close in, so whilst Gordon prepared to roll in the awning he hung Dustee’s cage in a nearby jacaranda. A short time later he heard another cockatiel having a chat from up in the branches. As he approached the cage the ‘blow-in’ fluttered down to land on it and stayed there when Gordon brought the cage inside. No sooner than they were inside than the ‘new’ bird started to talk. “Who’s a pretty boy?” “Who’s a pretty girl?” Who’s a pretty baby girl?” “What’cha doing?” It was blindingly obvious that this was someone’s pet. After the storm passed (and it was quite wild), we door-knocked some of the permanent vans nearby – no-one had lost a cockatiel or knew any local who owned one. We then went to the office to ask, and they in turn contacted the local vet. All to no avail. We left our phone numbers but by the time we left Iluka some 3 or 4 days later, no-one had claimed “Cheekie” as he/she/it is now known. Fortunately we had purchased the larger cage in Coffs Harbour (the day before Dustee went AWOL) so we had enough room for both of them.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydXeatMNMsf1GfUNpE8a0Fheqa5VXADlxTEVhX78apTdShpGDWtp3xEQNrMA96GPL4GOkJeoFo1DNUkU69GT-eGuPQQmfcKutB04BGs_ebZj9ZCShIcwn01vIwR_s-8-Q3okXno1MiiQ/s1600/1+Bird,+2+Birds.JPG"><img style="float: right; display: inline" border="0" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydXeatMNMsf1GfUNpE8a0Fheqa5VXADlxTEVhX78apTdShpGDWtp3xEQNrMA96GPL4GOkJeoFo1DNUkU69GT-eGuPQQmfcKutB04BGs_ebZj9ZCShIcwn01vIwR_s-8-Q3okXno1MiiQ/s320/1+Bird,+2+Birds.JPG" width="420" height="315"></a> <p> <p><font color="#000000">Leaving Iluka, we saw the damage caused by the storm the previous Sunday. It was no wonder Cheekie sought refuge – there was evidence of some very wild weather throughout Bundjalung National Park and Iluka Nature Reserve. </font> <p><font color="#000000">Heading over the range, via the Bruxner Highway to Tenterfield. Although the label ‘highway’ is much of a misnomer – ‘goat-track’ would be more truthful. On arrival in Tenterfield, we learnt that there are more differences than just geographical from ‘The Coast’ to ‘Across the Divide’. In Lismore it is pronounced “<i>Brucksner</i>” whereas in Tenterfield it is known as “<i>Brooksner</i>”. Hmmm – however they say it, it still needs a lot of work. As I write this some six weeks or so later we have still had only one fuel consumption level anywhere near that of this particular stretch of driving. It peaked out at 15.38l/100k.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Tenterfield is a beautiful ‘RV Friendly Town’. The trees lining the streets have just begun to turn, with their autumn colours putting on a glorious display in the late afternoon sunshine. </font> <p><font color="#000000">The good folk of Tenterfield (and not necessarily my brother Bryce and his lovely wife Erika) have maintained the historic feel of this very welcoming town. [Although in their relatively short time in Tenterfield, they have become widely known & obviously well-liked with Bryce very involved in the RSL sub-Branch and the local Bowls Club as well.]</font> <p><font color="#000000">From the historic School of Arts Building – restored and phenomenally well maintained – where Sir Henry Parkes’ speech outlining Federation of Australia first saw light of day, to the very rustic, almost original, saddlery of George Woolnough. For the uninitiated, George was immortalised as the “Tenterfield Saddler” by the iconic Peter Allen.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Although the railway no longer operates through Tenterfield, the Station and its outbuildings are all painted and maintained to the highest standard and house a well researched rail museum. Periodically the grounds also host local markets, and on these days entry to the museum is free.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Just a short drive away, from an old ‘overpass’, the original railway turntable can still be seen. Thanks to Erika and Bryce for the guided tour, and a terrific meal at the local tavern –quality food at a reasonable price and with top notch service!</font> <p><font color="#000000">Moving on from Tenterfield, we travel up the New England Highway to Warwick and then out to Washpool Camping Reserve on the shores of Lake Leslie. The idea was to head inland and away from the ‘holiday hordes’. We were very wise to arrive on Wednesday! On arrival – and at this camp you cannot pre-book; it’s first come first served – we noticed that it was much more highly populated than we had previously seen it. Little were we to know . . . there was more to come – much more! Posters around the entire camp area advertised a free concert on Saturday night – with ‘Tootsie’. Apparently we are/were one of the very few who had no idea who or what ‘Tootsie’ was. From the 40 or 45 vehicles at Washpool when we arrived, by Good Friday night there were over 1400 ‘camps’. Camps of all shapes & sizes – motorhomes, caravans, campervans, camper-trailers, tents, swags . . . you name it, it was here! As far as we can discern we are the only 5<sup>th</sup> Wheeler, and as such of more than passing interest. AND . . . with each campsite there appeared to be at least one watercraft.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3rtanozq5yrtxNVqKXGUuVI-NqSi4KDmZgA_2k7kCxOvsMiXs8OjJlGZ1UV1hfcB9-gopSImW5VTEjjmvb7u_cVoNZrDHS1chMqrxXbXLo2W74mccvkOLrny6hEAdvPV4Efiytkrf9E/s1600/Pelicans+on+Lake+Leslie.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3rtanozq5yrtxNVqKXGUuVI-NqSi4KDmZgA_2k7kCxOvsMiXs8OjJlGZ1UV1hfcB9-gopSImW5VTEjjmvb7u_cVoNZrDHS1chMqrxXbXLo2W74mccvkOLrny6hEAdvPV4Efiytkrf9E/s320/Pelicans+on+Lake+Leslie.jpg" width="459" height="344"></a><font color="#000000"> “Aahh The Serenity . . . “</font> <p><font color="#000000">The camp immediately to our left/rear started off with Tracy & her Prado and off-road camper-trailer. She told us her husband would be arriving later with their two young children aged 5 & 7. What she didn’t say was that he would be towing their speed-boat. Before he arrived, their friends Nick & Mandy arrived. Nick towing <u>his</u> speed-boat behind <u>his</u> 4WD and Mandy in <u>her</u> car. Out of these 2 vehicles and boat came the most amazing amount of gear. Two tents, four gazebos, 4 sets of skis, 4 knee-boards, 2 ski-biscuits and all the accoutrements! . . . coolers, tables, chairs, hammocks, tarpaulins (used as flies on the tents), wet-suits, life-jackets and a full-sized 6-burner barbecue – the plate of which took two burly fellows to lift into place!</font> <p><font color="#000000">Then arrived Sarah & her family (three children) in their Prado/Cub-Camper combo followed by her husband in yet another vehicle towing a PWC. He was followed by two teenage lads in a car (they occupied the second tent set up by Nick & Mandy) and they also brought a jet-ski. And then to round out the campsite – Tracy’s brother Craig arrived in his ute – with swag set up in the back – with yet another jet-ski and two hard-shell kayaks. For all of this, they are the nicest neighbours – no screaming/squealing from the kids (from 3 to 18 years of age), no loud music, civilised hours for the boats and EVERYONE wore life-jackets whenever they were anywhere near the water. A lovely, healthy ‘outdoorsy’ group. All I can say is there must be money in cotton/sorghum farming and real estate in these parts – they have all the toys for the boys. Then again, the girls enjoyed them as well. Both Mandy and Tracy were very good drivers of the speed boats, and Tracy was by far the best skier of them all.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Saturday saw their camp swollen by the arrival of Craig & Tracy’s mum & dad and another couple with their two teenage children. The day was glorious – sunny with light breezes to keep cool by, and surrounded by lovely fun-loving people. This despite having been woken at 4:15am by some inconsiderate idiots deciding to go fishing. These the owners of the boat with the most unreliable motor in the entire SE Queensland! Seven efforts, lots of swearing and yelling, and finally they depart for their expedition at 4:50.</font> <p><font color="#000000">At least I was first in the shower for the morning!</font> <p><font color="#000000">The concert – Tootsie, remember – began at 6pm – whether you wanted to be a part of it or not, you couldn’t escape it! Some songs were good, some were bad and many more were just so-so. Tootsie’s favourite saying was “suck it up” and she used it often. And loudly! And long!! Long after 11pm. Over 19 hours makes this one very unhappy camper.</font> <p><font color="#000000">Once again the heavens opened on Sunday. Watching our neighbours huddle under canvas in an effort to escape it made me very grateful for Toad Hall and all the comforts.</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfUNIL8P1fRmC52e22md03ISYk4_oS0q2d-lRoDVLz0pL3vZp2bcYw2L13bkO8frvN01HV8-gqCNcEC2QQVn2n69uXKzJ4nGWD3oeE05UoEF-J9auFjEVNgzdM5KcJ7YONi1KgGsw68c/s1600/Sunset+over+Washpool+Dam.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfUNIL8P1fRmC52e22md03ISYk4_oS0q2d-lRoDVLz0pL3vZp2bcYw2L13bkO8frvN01HV8-gqCNcEC2QQVn2n69uXKzJ4nGWD3oeE05UoEF-J9auFjEVNgzdM5KcJ7YONi1KgGsw68c/s320/Sunset+over+Washpool+Dam.JPG" width="320" height="240"></a> <p><font color="#000000">That's about it for now - will be back soon. Still heading north.</font> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-83061505834492422152013-07-16T14:18:00.000+10:002013-07-16T21:19:49.242+10:00Leaving Taree . . . at last!<p> </p> <p><font color="#000000">The following posts have previously been published with ‘blogger.com’; but have struck difficulties with uploading of photographs, editing text font/size/colour etc. Now posting via Windows Live Writer . . .</font> </p> <p> </p> <h4><font color="#000000">Sunday, 10 March 2013</font></h4> <p><a name="5119144366487006328"></a> <h5><a href="http://gordonandjuanitaaroundoz.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/we-finally-start.html">We finally start . . </a></h5> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqQ2Nx_L_k4sPC0qb1u6ZNgOXxpMgnhtQv39eXkyC9VPw7nmEQR7G0vdDcgwLVqc1pgrkdjpJ_cjwaobt7u0X8Fp8f0_uPoLq6FaSJMlpsp1zxb7ju-DHG3zwJmAbM0sHM18c6tqFxa4/s1600/PC050601.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqQ2Nx_L_k4sPC0qb1u6ZNgOXxpMgnhtQv39eXkyC9VPw7nmEQR7G0vdDcgwLVqc1pgrkdjpJ_cjwaobt7u0X8Fp8f0_uPoLq6FaSJMlpsp1zxb7ju-DHG3zwJmAbM0sHM18c6tqFxa4/s320/PC050601.JPG" width="320" height="240"></a> <p>Ready to leave . . . Taree <p><font color="#000000">Our original departure date of mid-February was delayed because of rain. Then delayed again because of flooding further up the highway (around Kempsey). We re-set our departure date for Monday 25th Feb only to have the highway closed again. Frustration overload! Locals declared we were having more 'farewells' than Dame Nellie Melba. Flooding cleared Fri 1st March - so new date set for Mon, later changed to Tues - and we are going, come hell or high water!!!<br>A few last minute additions - even though Gordon was insistent that 'weight is an issue'. The old army trunk from under the house was sanded back & re-painted with rust-inhibitor to travel in the back of the ute and contain such necessities as the chainsaw, a second toolbox, numerous 'odds & ends' and whatever didn't have a home elsewhere. The tray of the ute also houses the inflatable kayak, two milk crates one of which contains the camp oven and its peripherals and the other holds the blocks for under the van's legs (in case the ground is soft). Also the generator, washing machine, & two jerry cans - one for vehicle fuel & the other for generator fuel - and a storage tub with golfing gear and last but not least the 'Thunderbox' which contains levelling ramps and ropes & pegs for securing the awning when camped for longer than overnight. . The milk crates also become spare chairs with the addition of a couple of cushions. The kayak has travelled with us on two trips since this time last year and still has not had a wet bum. 2013 is THE year. :-)</font> </p> <h4>Thursday, 21 March 2013</h4> <p><a name="482556933948814565"></a> <h5><a href="http://gordonandjuanitaaroundoz.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/one-week-or-more-on.html"><font color="#000000">One Week (or more) On . . .</font></a></h5> <p><font color="#000000">We have had a most enjoyable first 16 days of our trip - albeit not without some dramas. On the way to our first stop at (daughter) Naomi & Brad's, we called in to Bennett Steel in Wauchope (<i>www.easysteelsolutions.com.au</i>) to buy our new "Easy Burn" flat-pack fireplace. We have not yet had the opportunity to use it, but when The Pyromaniac (aka Gordon) is 'fired up' there will be photos galore to show just how good it is - both as a cooking facility and a campfire around which to gather. As we were leaving there, Gordon was so busy worrying about whether or not the nose-cone of Toad Hall would touch the roll-bars on the back of the ute and he had me watching<i> </i><b>that</b> like a hawk and neither of us were watching the actual goose-neck. Consequently neither of us noticed that the army trunk which we had spent so much time refurbishing had been severely dented by said goose-neck. So all that stripping, sanding, rustproofing & painting was to no avail. We decide (after having seen several other motorhomes with similar) to buy a checkerplate 'boot' and have it attached to the rear of Toad Hall. With thanks to Barney Joyce, from <i><font color="#9b00d3">Marcia Street Fabricators</font></i> in Coffs Harbour, we have a well made bracket to support said boot which now holds such essentials as the chainsaw and its peripherals, Easy-Burn fireplace, rake, vehicle cleaners and polishes etc. And thanks to Brad from <i><font color="#9b00d3">Coffs Coast Plumbing</font> </i>we have two new tubes slung underneath the motorhome to hold such items as the flag (on its pole), the fishing rods, the extensions for the awning and the trekking poles in one and the sewer hose in the other. Little by little we are bringing Toad Hall up to <u>our</u> scratch. Gordon also ordered, on-line, some new hose caps - one of which he modified to connect to the 'old' drainage hose (ex-Vincent) for on-ground drainage. Yet another item to be tested in Iluka - our next stop.<br>Over the week-end, Gordon & Brad go 'crabbing' in Moonee Creek - which turned out to be a very successful expedition. Brad then cooked 'Chilli Crab' for Sunday lunch. If the measure of a good feed is the amount of it which drips off your elbows, then Sunday lunch was immeasurably good! :-)<br>A quiet few days, with a bit of housework and a bit of shopping - nothing out of the ordinary, just poking along.<br>Thanks to Miss Mahli, both Gordon & I are now snuffly & coughing. Nothing like cuddles with a loved & loving granddaughter to spread the germs. :/<br>Friday 15th - the anniversary of my Dad's passing. A quiet moment of reflection, then on with the day. And then - Oh No!!! Disaster strikes!! Our traveling companion - Dustee the cockateil - was enjoying some 'free-time' inside the van on Gordon's shoulder when I went outside. At that exact time, Gordon stood up & Dustee spied the open door & off he flew. . . minus quite a few feathers where I tried to catch him on his way past me in the doorway. Alas I missed. After Harley (our Moodle puppy) picked up a tick here last November, it seems Coffs/Moonee is destined to be the end of all our pets. We could hear Dustee up in the trees behind the house, but could not see him for love nor money. We left out some piles of seed, plus left the doors of his cages open (yes- he has two) in an effort to entice him to return, but had to end the day hoping against hope that he would return. :(<br>Saturday saw a trip to <i><font color="#9b00d3">Bellingen Markets</font> </i>- of which we had heard plenty. All of which we had heard held good. A truly diverse spread of market fare - fresh food, artisan goods, and just a sprinkling of 'trash'. In the food line <i>Ausbuff Stuff</i> had a wonderful Buffalo Gelato and a very creamy 'Danish-style' Buffalo Feta with Chilli & Coconut. Mmmmm. Gordon had suggested I look for a new bird, but there was no-one selling any - bad luck.<br>Sunday was yet more marketing - "Made With Love" markets at <i><font color="#9b00d3">Coffs Ex-Servicemen's Club</font></i> and the general market over the road in the undercover carpark. Coffs Harbour also has more markets out at the Jetty on a Sunday - so there is a wide variety to suit everyone. Thanks to the first market Toad Hall will now have a 'personalised' floor-mat, thanks to <font color="#0000ff">'<i>www.adoremat.com.au'</i></font>. We also have a cutlery wind-chime, at a fraction of the cost of those we have seen in Sydney. <br>Gordon also 'sweet-talked' his way into some commemorative coin-sets - Weary Dunlop , 30-year Vietnam and another - all uncirculated and in presentation folders, which thrilled him no end. :-)</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxLpxOVl2vrOSFmTY3rBSl0LxCW5ZCvVNjWcurgVN8stzol69MWQDKDa28OL5hRlTEgnerKhSwYLWy_DpgSRck67WIMuXooWLmp5L6aMmiqaYEaD1Ne_4EHTEhqsMHiC8Yf5icvtJa58/s1600/DSC_0379%5B1%5D.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxLpxOVl2vrOSFmTY3rBSl0LxCW5ZCvVNjWcurgVN8stzol69MWQDKDa28OL5hRlTEgnerKhSwYLWy_DpgSRck67WIMuXooWLmp5L6aMmiqaYEaD1Ne_4EHTEhqsMHiC8Yf5icvtJa58/s320/DSC_0379%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" height="240"></a> <font color="#000000">Ubiquitous ‘tourist’ stop at The Big Banana</font> <p> <p><font color="#000000">Later in the afternoon, we were all enjoying our 'nanna-naps' in various guises when lo, and behold!!! Who should come out of the blue & sit on Gordon's shoulder? None other than our Dustee! So very calmly & quietly, Gordon goes inside the van & Dustee is firmly put back where he belongs - IN his cage. He didn't pull his head out of his feed dish for a good 20 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLJOvoZvw3IEY3CuNaNYVb13TwwK6caPWQA6fcadtkEyFm2rgQGotH0QJ6aKptvhOOE7TDgp3_AzpBQ776lM79n2MuCN6ujuNqly96EpBAXvTES61HrKamDKPoNdJLK-_-TjaAXYsMUE/s1600/DSC_0375%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="float: right; display: inline" border="0" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLJOvoZvw3IEY3CuNaNYVb13TwwK6caPWQA6fcadtkEyFm2rgQGotH0QJ6aKptvhOOE7TDgp3_AzpBQ776lM79n2MuCN6ujuNqly96EpBAXvTES61HrKamDKPoNdJLK-_-TjaAXYsMUE/s320/DSC_0375%5B1%5D.JPG" width="380" height="285"></a>minutes - obviously 'out in the wild' doesn't provide for him quite as well as we do. <br>During the afternoon, after yet another fabulous luncheon on 'muddies' courtesy of Brad, young Mahli crawls for the first time. Unfortunately her mummy, Naomi, wasn't present but Grandma (Juanita) did manage to capture some footage. Thanks to modern technology & mobile phones.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000"> </p> <p><br>Monday sees time to move on, after of course the tourist photo in front of the Big Banana. On arrival at The Anchorage <font color="#0000ff">(<i>www.anchorageholidaypark.com.au)</i></font> at Iluka, we were greeted by Karen & Sel like long lost rellies - even though we had only been here once before, last November. They have wonderful facilities including heated pool & spa, wireless internet, jetty and boat ramp. The grounds are beautifully kept and the township is a short drive away. The golf course is quite handy as well. :-)<br><u><b>Finally</b></u> inflated the kayak & launched it. Neither of us had much idea what to do, but we managed to paddle up river a fair way & back again without capsizing - so all is good. We didn't go far, we didn't go fast, but we had fun. We did learn a few of things - 1) needs more air; 2) we should wear swimmers & 3) it's easier to carry sideways. <br>Thursday night to <font color="#9b00d3"><i>Iluka Bowling Club</i>.</font> Not your classiest venue, but a good feed & very welcoming locals.<br>We will stay here & visit a few more of the local spots - Harwood, Maclean, Yamba among them - before setting </font><font color="#000000">off westwards to find somewhere quiet for Easter. <br>Stay tuned . . .</font></p> .http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-68636597099972020122013-07-03T22:52:00.001+10:002013-07-04T18:00:29.735+10:00Memories . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: cyan;">The Ladies bathroom, at Conway Beach Caravan Park -</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;"> reputed to be the most photographed bathroom in Aus</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;">From Slade Point, Mackay we move north to Conway Beach - only 35 kms from Airlie Beach but a thousand miles from all that touristy bullsh*t. We did actually take a day trip to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour and the only real 'up' note was that I managed to buy two lovely white summery blouses for only $5 each. The rest was a bit passé - and was not helped by the fact that the main drag through Airlie was being dug up. The whole area is so very tired and dreary. Oh well. Conway Beach is peaceful, beautiful and the start of our 'warm winter'.</span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: black;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Cedar Falls - just off the Shute Harbour/Conway Beach Road</span></div>
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These places are the reason we travel - the out-of-the-way places that it seems very few people have been to before us. We spent three days at Conway - including the first State of Origin where we were the only Blues supporters - before moving on to Home Hill. Here I was hoping to fit in a game of golf at Karrie Webb's home course but, much like our inflatable kayak, our golf clubs seem to be coming along just for the ride and not to be used. The main problem here is that in these warmer climes I would much rather play early in the morning and be done & dusted by late morning whereas Gordon would rather play after lunch & really enjoy that beer at the 19th! </div>
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Our first night in Home Hill was at the comfort stop just behind the Tourist Information stop in the old railway station. Wonderful amenities - once again all free - with hot showers, camp kitchen, potable water and plenty of space. The only drawback is that although the station is closed the railway line isn't. Trains go past very regularly - all through the night. Our second and subsequent nights were spent at the showgrounds, with thanks to HWW member BJ who had organised this as a stopover for those on their way to the Dam Fine Rally in Townsville. At $10 per vehicle per night for power & hot showers, and far enough away from the railway line for a peaceful night's sleep, we stayed for a few days.</div>
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From Home Hill it's only a hop skip & a jump to Ayr - the home of the most wonderful 'Butterfly House'. I had been here many many years ago - 45 to be exact - when we lived in Townsville & my Dad had brought us down for a day trip. The dear old gent who set up the display is now long dead, but his lovely wife Jessie is still alive and living in Townsville with their daughter. Every now & then they come down to spruce up the old place & while they are there they re-open it to the public for just $5 per adult & $2 per child. </div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">Just one of the displays - this one of stones.</span></div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">There are many more, mainly butterflies and beetles but also some shells.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I remember my Dad telling me that this fellow had the shortest address in the country, maybe even the world. This was in the days before postcodes & the address was just 7 letters -</span></div>
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<strong>A EY</strong></div>
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<strong>AYR Q</strong></div>
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The entire place is just as it was when they first moved into it in the '50s - complete with lino, laminex table, plastic canister set - yes you know the one, Yes, THAT ONE! It is just such a fabulous trip down memory lane. Unfortunately some of the displays are showing their age, but they are still fabulous and well worth a visit if you are anywhere within cooee of Ayr. Photos are only permissible without flash, so most of ours didn't come out very well so you'll just have to go along to see for yourselves.</div>
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We met & made some new friends at Home Hill, as well as catching up with Dave & Rita (and of course Henry) from Monto.</div>
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Another of our side trips from here - and that is one of the great benefits of a 5th wheeler over a motorhome, you can just hop in the car & go - was to a very whimsical place called Groper Creek. It would appear that floods (or very high tides) are high & frequent - even the gas tank for refills is up on the verandah of the 'shop'.<br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">Just one of the local homes at Groper Creek</span></div>
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Still chasing warmth we head further north - this time towards Townsville where I hope to catch up with my nephew, Andrew, who is in the army & stationed there. Oh, nearly forgot! While we were talking to Jessie Ey & her daughter at the Butterfly house, they asked were we going to Townsville, and of course I said yes, to try to meet up with my nephew and also to see if I could find my old house at 175 Bayswater Road, Currajong. After our visit to the Butterfly house we went to have a coffee & whilst we were waiting for the coffee to arrive, Gordon was talking to his sister Di on the phone so I amused myself by browsing through the local paper. Well blow me down - I'll be burnt & buttered on both sides - there was "Thundagulla" (as our home was called) advertised for Auction, complete with pictures. Just made me feel 10 years old again - brought back so many memories. I have kept the advertisement & will send copies of it to my sisters for old times' sake. </div>
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We tried to free-camp at Saunders Beach which is about 25 kms north of Townsville but there was scarcely enough room for a bongo van style camper, much less our 27' rig; so we continued on to Bluewater Park about another 35 kms further on. Even though we arrived about 3:30 (early enough, we thought) the place was virtually full already except for a bit of a patch right up the end. Much to the amazement of several others who looked at us as though to say "You'll never get that thing in there" Gordon managed to reverse into a fairly tight spot with only minimal assistance from me - that being "That'll do, Darl". The occupants of about three or four other vans appeared a bit dumbfounded. Later on another van arrived & Gordon helped guide them in to a very tight spot beside us. George & Linda (Bickerdike) from WA joined us for a most enjoyable happy hour (or two) and a little wine (or three). This was just a one-nighter and the following morning (we're up to 10th June by this time) we set out for Hull Heads Campground which is just behind the Coastguard at Hull Heads and raises funds for their ongoing work. Well, we thought that's where we were going, except Wanda (our GPS) just wanted to keep taking us through canefield after canefield. Eventually, after a phone call to BJ (back at Home Hill) we finally arrived. After just over 200 kms to travel what should have been about 150. This is the first time we wet a line - no fish but no wet ars* either.</div>
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From here it's just an easy 150 kms to Cairns, where we are booked in at Coconut Village Resort, a Big 4 Caravan Park, and where we will meet up with Bob & Carol. The park is a bit on the expensive side, but it has been voted Queensland's #1 Park seven times. On arrival we can see why, The grounds are impeccable, as are the amenities. The staff are ever so friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. This will be our base for the next two weeks. <br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">The entry is a bit kitsch but you can't miss it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This is where I leave you for now - stay tuned for Cairns and its surrounds. A truly tropical wonderland where Mother Nature spreads her wings.</span></div>
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Live the Life You Love . . .</div>
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<br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-69492302443768312452013-07-03T19:53:00.003+10:002013-07-11T15:22:03.536+10:00Warming to the Tropics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Say 'Hello' to Cardinal & Myrtle. These two lovely bears (representing South Sydney Rabbitohs, of course) adopted us with thanks to Sue of Squires Felted Bears - wife of Rich & 'Mum' of puppy Ben.<br />
Sue & Rich volunteered at the CMCA Rally at Maryborough, where Sue gave classes in the Craft Barn for felting these cuties and we 'looked after' Ben for a day whilst they attended an OH&S Course. Ben was absolutely no trouble, and as gorgeous as these two. <br />
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After the Rally in Maryborough, we headed off to visit an old army mate of Gordon's - Bob Harland & his lovely wife Karon at Craignish (Hervey Bay region). They have a lovely home with the most beautiful gardens - which attract many birds who know how to tell the time. 4 o'clock & in they come, looking for a feed. If the butcher bird comes first, he is told to go fetch the kookaburra before they are both fed some mince. Meanwhile the seed eaters are well catered for with a generous serving of Wild Bird Mix. Very relaxing to sit back, enjoying a bevie or two and watching them all at their antics. Whilst we were there another couple, Neil & Pauline from Lower Hutt in NZ, arrived in a rental motorhome - exactly like the one we had owned previously. We stayed with the Harlands from 6th May through until the following Saturday - then we HAD to leave. Far too much alcohol was being consumed, day in day out!<br />
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During our stay with Bob & Karon another old buddy, Daryl McPhee, came over to catch up with Gordon. The Harlands are truly gracious hosts and entertained us all right royally. Karon took me shopping for my last 'Aldi' fix to be had for a long time. I was able to buy a couple of 'Paella' pans - one for its intended use and another to act as an ash-tray for our fireplace. There was nothing for it but I had to make a paella - which I did but it wasn't as good as usual because I just simply cannot accustom myself to electric cooking. But there weren't too many complaints from around the table, and there were no leftovers.<br />
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Our original plans leaving Hervey Bay had been to head to Bundaberg & offer ourselves as volunteers to help out after the floods. The only contact number we had, for the 'Mud Army' turned out to be incorrect so we headed inland to join Blazeaid ( <em><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://blazeaid.com.au/">blazeaid.com.au</a></span></em> ) at Monto. We travelled via Gin Gin, Mount Perry, Ceratodus and on to Monto. We had camped at Ceratodus a couple of years ago on our way back from Carnarvon Gorge. At that time (Nov 2011) we had quite a hike from the campsite by the old railway station down to the riverbed - which was just a trickle, more like a creek than a river. This time we were devastated to see the damage which had been caused by the floods in January. There was flood waste almost 4 metres up trees - paulownia trees which became famous during the tv news coverage of the floods for one hardy soul who was trapped by the floodwaters. (And shared her dry spot in the tree with many snakes whilst other trees were snapping off around them like twigs) <br />
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Blazeaid Monto - now here was a life-changing experience. We were originally going to give them a couple of days, which turned into a week, then ten days, and finally a fortnight. We met some of the most wonderful people - Col & Mary Coleman, Dave & Jan Binskin, Allan & Willa Ross, Dave & Rita (and Sun Conure Bird 'Henry' who sh1ts on command!!) Richard & Marion Higgin and many many more. We worked hard, and enjoyed the company of all the other hard-workers as well. We were fed three square meals a day and had powered sites at the local showgrounds provided. I worked in the kitchen and even though I am most definitely NOT a morning person, I was up at 5:30 each morning - much to Gordon's amusement as he was able to stay in bed another half hour. The kitchen girls worked from approximately 6am to start setting up for breakfast until last wash up at around 7:30 - 8pm. With good planning we could have a bit of time off in the middle of the day for showers and to catch up on our own house-work but sometimes the menu didn't allow for big breaks. Those out on the farms were doing hard physical labour & needed a good feed at the end of the day. Thankfully my school holiday experience in a commercial kitchen stood me in good stead and I was able to contribute well. I took only one day off in the 2 weeks we were there and really needed to just sit back & do nothing for a couple of days after we left. Gordon also worked hard - out on the farms recovering fence-posts & barbed wire, clearing & rebuilding the fences, some fence-posts had to be earth-rammed into place when the farmer had no star pickets to replace them with. I went out on the fences one day (and still have the battle scars from my fights with the barbed-wire to prove it) and let me tell you - yes, we worked hard BUT the kitchen girls worked harder and longer! The day I went fencing it started to rain and because of the black soil out there, we had to knock off at lunch-time otherwise the chances of making it back into town - even in the 4WD - we slim. So the farm workers had half a day off and come back to camp but the kitchen staff had to work all day and their afternoon load was harder because of the more people around camp. <br />
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<span style="color: cyan;">Pictured from left: Dave, Terry & "I Can't Remember, Sorry & His Wife" </span></div>
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Every evening, before muster and then again after dinner there was great camaraderie around the campfire. Happy hour was a bit of a misnomer - happy most certainly but hour just didn't cut it. Many hours was much more to the point. </div>
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It was during our time here at Monto that we joined the Highway Wanderers. This is a chapter within the CMCA. We had looked at joining one of our local chapters back home - either Manning Valley or Port Macquarie - but were not too sure we wanted to be that 'structured' in regards to our travels. The Highway Wanderers (or HWW) suited us so much better - no monthly meetings, no real 'executive' (anyone in a position is there for life) and everyone is out for a good time. Sounds just like us so we joined. The beauty of belonging to such a group is whenever we are somewhere new there is bound to be at least one member who has been there before and can offer us advice on everything from where to free-camp to what to see or do in the region. They are also great support for fellow members as can be seen by the following example: Whilst working on one of the farms at Monto one lady, Barb, had a fall and broke her wrist. She needed to go to the coast to be seen at the hospital so Vicki (camp manager) sent out an SOS to HWWs and Barb & Barry were put up for the night by fellow members - even though they had never met each other before. Wonderful Club Spirit. :-)</div>
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Our first week at Monto also saw our first mail for some time. Thanks must go here to (mainly) my sister Tamara & her husband Robert for a) use of their PO box and b) culling and on-forwarding of said mail. But I wasn't thanking them when I saw our electricity bill - over $2,300!!! And that was for 92 days between October & early January when we were away for over 6 weeks during that period AND we have solar power AND solar hot water. 6,600 and some kilowatt hours. That meant for each and every day (even when there was no-one in the house) electricity was being used to the tune of 2.79kw EACH & EVERY hour!!! Good lawdy, Miss Claudie. A phone call to the (new) supplier eventually (45 mins later) confirmed that yes, there had been an error and no, we didn't have to pay it. There would be nothing to pay until such time as new readings were obtained and the correct rates applied - including the feed-in tariff and pensioner rebate. This was actually the day after the bill was initially due. Imagine our horror the following week when we discovered </div>
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$1,994-77 had been debited to our credit card. The truly "this would be funny if it wasn't so serious" thing about this was that the amount debited was less the 'pay on time' discount - a week after it was due. Go figure. As I type this, the incorrect charge has finally (after more than four and a half hours of phone calls to the supplier and one email to the Energy and Water Ombudsman of NSW [EWON]) been refunded back to the credit card, but there is still no sign of a correct bill. Oh, well - perhaps we should not have joined the Daily Telegraph's "One Big Switch" campaign; better the devil you know than the devil you don't. </div>
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Leaving Monto, our first stop was Dululu - a very cute pub & not much else at the intersection of the Leichhardt & Burnett Highways. Once again another place we had been to previously - typical small-town country welcome. </div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">This is a selfie taken at Dululu on 25 May</span></div>
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From there we travelled to Marlborough for an overnighter behind the servo before moving on to St Lawrence Free-Camp at the Rodeo Grounds. Camping is free, the showers are $1 for 3 minutes, there is fresh water and a dump point and there is a separate area for those who want to run a generator - which we did so I could catch up on the washing. Five loads including sheets and towels. A woman's work is never done. There is a donation box, to which we were more than happy to contribute as the grounds are impeccably kept and this type of camp-site is to be encouraged by all travellers. </div>
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At this point, there were going to be more photos - some truly beautiful ones of the wetlands at St Lawrence and more. But, true to form, all electronic gadgetry within my reach seems to want to turn up its toes and die. We have had an Olympus camera for 6 years or so now; one which uses an XD card. When we tried to upload photos to the laptop, all it wanted to do was to format the card - without uploading pictures. So we took it to The Camera House in Cairns Central and a very helpful lass said she would be able to recover them if we gave her a disc or memory stick and $30. Duly done & now when I am trying to access the recovered files I find that they have been saved as MP3 files - bloody music when they should be PHOTOS! Let me tell you, I am a very unhappy camper at this time. </div>
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<img alt="Hey there @[335788219864737:274:Blazeaid Monto] - do you think you could fix this? hehehe
Photo taken at the Wetlands at St Lawrence." class="_46-i img" height="302" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/s403x403/935415_10200782644560714_896219362_n.jpg" style="left: -2px; top: 0px;" width="403" /> </div>
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<span style="color: cyan;">This is just one of the photos - which I managed to salvage from Facebook</span>. </div>
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We have also killed one laptop and another is seriously (and I believe critically) ill - it needs to be returned to its maker under warranty. Hence, we have now forked out another $1000 for this new HP. It comes with 3 years IT service as well as full warranty so it had better behave itself.</div>
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From St Lawrence we moved on to Slade Point to visit an old (sorry, Joycie) friend from New Zealand. Joyce formerly lived at Bluff in the far far south of the South Island and after travelling Oz (she has seen more of it with her friend Linda than most Aussies) she decided to settle in Mackay. A very different climatic outlook indeed. We had a most wonderful week, including dinner out at The Seabreeze Resort, Slade Point and me making yet another paella. Joyce enjoyed this, and as she is gluten intolerant (actually coeliac but I'm not sure if that's the right spelling) it is a dish she can really enjoy - with no guilt or aftereffects. As Joyce was so good to us, we left the unused paella pan with her, so she can hone her skills on her friends and neighbours. Good luck, Joyce & we hope you entertain right regally from now on.</div>
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We are now three months into our trip - yes you know, the one which was originally going to take twelve months or so. We have travelled 5,120 kms and are still only 1,600 kms from home. At this rate two or three years doesn't look long enough. This country of ours is so large with so very many beautiful, whimsical and awesome places to see, as well as thousands of friends we have not yet met.</div>
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Only one more 'planned' stop - Cairns to meet up with Bob & Carol Dixon from back home and to go see the mighty Rabbitohs play a home game in Cairns on 16 June. . . . And all that will come next time. Until then - Live the Life You Love!</div>
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We now also have a new camera, so from Cairns onward (starting 14 June) photos should be better and more plentiful. Hopefully. </div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-75921942790121313402013-06-16T17:49:00.000+10:002013-06-16T17:49:12.358+10:00Natural Beauty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-79780465859617971672013-06-16T17:37:00.000+10:002013-06-16T17:47:27.186+10:00And onward . . .<!--[if !mso]>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Leaving Lake
Leslie (April 3) & off to Highfields near Toowoomba to visit Gordon’s old
army mate Ken Perry and his wife Marelle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As always, we were made to feel most welcome – more at home than at
home!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And once again, we ate too much,
drank too much and talked lots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">The late
husband of one of Gordon’s Legacy widows had been in the 7<sup>th</sup>
Division, and Laurel knew there was a museum in the Toowoomba region to which
she wished to donate some of Keith’s memorabilia so we took a little detour to
obtain some information for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although we were unable to take a tour of the Milne Bay Military Museum <span style="color: #00b0f0;"><a href="http://www.milnebaymilitarymuseum.com.au/">www.milnebaymilitarymuseum.com.au</a>;
<a href="mailto:museum25battalion@westnet.com.au">museum25battalion@westnet.com.au</a>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">we were able
to speak with some of the volunteers and see the general set up which is quite
good. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">We had
bought a new, smaller 2Kva generator before this trip; had only given it a
quick run before leaving and it all seemed ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But . . . and it’s a very big but . . . when we went to use it to top up
the house batteries in Toad Hall after a few grey and miserable days, all it
wanted to do was ‘overload protect’ and then cut out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could manage to just run the power board
enough to charge tablet and phone or small 300w fan or 800w toaster – one at a
time – but anything more and it would automatically cut out, again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This made for a very unhappy camper and a
very angry one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, after asking around
we were referred to <span style="color: #660066;">ODES SUPERSTORE (</span>in
Toowoomba) <a href="http://www.odessuperstore.com.au/">www.odessuperstore.com.au</a>
.<span style="color: #660066;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>They
had a 2500 ‘gennie’, imported same as both of ours, on the shelf for $949.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After having spoken over the phone, we
arrived to find ‘John’ had fuelled one up ready for us to try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gordon asked for ‘best price’ and we settled
on $850.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took it straight back to Highfields
and gave it a test run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gordon threw
everything at it – toaster, microwave, kettle and even the
air-conditioner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only think it didn’t
like was the kettle (at 2400w).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So young
John could rest easily . . . we weren’t going to be back the next day, having
told him if it wasn’t suitable we would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was not expecting to be using the AC at anytime unless we were on
240v, so this is a real bonus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All I
really wanted was to be able to top up the house batteries and use the coffee
machine . . . anything more is in all ways super.</span><span style="background: black; border: none black 1.0pt; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 0pt; layout-grid-mode: line; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-border-alt: none black 0cm; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: X-NONE; mso-font-width: 0%; padding: 0cm;"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmZpkb0v_bXRHJCJXza2Y6Wey5cFpC0EkXXWG9LKb-eJxC5IDSi__4rS3eDg6nZM8AKReFOYUlcYrKbL-67egcOjLV7rqi_3qRW1ZDMJviYC-O3hQiPqsDdFJ5oyesvQSjnQ_Pna3wSA/s1600/1+Bird,+2+Birds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R0Z8CsnqN4dO51Q-VuDRTklaRgSwOdoyvoKIe2ydcd5vdHDTwQ9xMZHj05ZCwWSMOk7R0d9Z5NfMn4fUINzAO2wN3Z47Jw8EFFQp54vdP3X-T_IGyU55JeSusHmp-gkeQ2nmFHfpKdE/s1600/Leaving+Highfields%252C+overlooking+Toowoomba.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9R0Z8CsnqN4dO51Q-VuDRTklaRgSwOdoyvoKIe2ydcd5vdHDTwQ9xMZHj05ZCwWSMOk7R0d9Z5NfMn4fUINzAO2wN3Z47Jw8EFFQp54vdP3X-T_IGyU55JeSusHmp-gkeQ2nmFHfpKdE/s320/Leaving+Highfields%252C+overlooking+Toowoomba.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Saying
farewell to Ken & Marelle, we head off to Wivenhoe Dam, Lumley Hill Campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is only about 80kms from Brisbane which
will enable Gordon’s daughter Peta, her husband (another) Gordon and their two
children Emily and Andrew to come visit us over the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They live in a very built-up hilly area in
Brisbane which would make manoeuvring – much less parking – Toad Hall extremely
difficult to say the least. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Lumley Hill
(they say) has sites suitable for ‘large rigs’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately Carmel (who took our booking) didn’t seem to classify a
27ft 5<sup>th</sup> Wheeler as a big rig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It took quite a considerable amount of to-ing and fro-ing for Gordon to
be able to position us on site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we
can only hope that no-one comes in too close in front of us before we leave on
Monday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fingers crossed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyvCBEvVOuC2Za6JhA3DlyjQF4hMW9BYftJ0YkKVff7ocpglkrWlm26CgaXSxe3MKR-WQM2aQyhhz4AuGc4eR6ZDAyWpALeEkw6hyphenhyphenEFHo5jCKIwTUykny6-XQfCUjLsgVncYnJHjIgno/s1600/Wivenhoe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwyvCBEvVOuC2Za6JhA3DlyjQF4hMW9BYftJ0YkKVff7ocpglkrWlm26CgaXSxe3MKR-WQM2aQyhhz4AuGc4eR6ZDAyWpALeEkw6hyphenhyphenEFHo5jCKIwTUykny6-XQfCUjLsgVncYnJHjIgno/s320/Wivenhoe.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">With the
family coming for lunch on Sunday April 7, we went to Fernvale shops (about
15kms) to stock up for a barbecue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
we can hope now is that the weather improves and the Met Bureau is wrong!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">The
amenities at Lumley Hill are very good – certainly no lack of water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Showers are clean and hot, each site has its
own bbq and with attached undercover wood storage and the tariff doesn’t change
– be it Christmas, Easter, School Holidays or mid-week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bookings only open 12 months on advance for
peak seasons and you can only book 2 sites per phone call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall it is a good spot and appears popular
with families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a Mum, Dad &
three littlies on one side and 3 Dads with three young boys in front in a tent
. . . all having the absolute time of their lives!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc67572ucKOlmw6fA7OyvSiYFqzCIh81gCirFOjBHQ3T8_xGvOOwLX_7G4hSCJvQDkS6FtERyQF27xGqP3FnjA2bGLMz_zRBHxiHcHeYc0VcQ0EvIhMn5h90Rn1TA0XbGcdAdtvrwlXPk/s1600/With+Gordon%2527s+daughter+%2526+Her+Family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc67572ucKOlmw6fA7OyvSiYFqzCIh81gCirFOjBHQ3T8_xGvOOwLX_7G4hSCJvQDkS6FtERyQF27xGqP3FnjA2bGLMz_zRBHxiHcHeYc0VcQ0EvIhMn5h90Rn1TA0XbGcdAdtvrwlXPk/s320/With+Gordon%2527s+daughter+%2526+Her+Family.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">We left
Lumley Hill behind us on Monday April 8 and arrived at Imbil (south west of
Gympie) quite late that afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
we were to spend time with youngest daughter Courtney and Little Miss Haylea
Jayne (5 months old).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again, we are
unable to park Toad Hall anywhere near Courtney’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was going to take in goats on agistment
to supplement her income & keep the grasses down, but even the goats couldn’t
climb the hill! So we booked in to <span style="color: #660066;">The Island Reach
Camping Resort</span> for an extended stay so Grandma could have her fill of
Haylea before she too was all grown up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKVuih26484atwqnST7l2Qw_tfdC2B-IZnQWmJ6POMLmL0RqHXpT-JLonmoaC-3yYf5exS-jbfbOK52pWP4i5QwX4bp6hFTof8ISf3LxFpN7hF9JK5W7wuLFvK9BreahOdeDwuE9voHo/s1600/Haylea+%2526+Her+Train.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKVuih26484atwqnST7l2Qw_tfdC2B-IZnQWmJ6POMLmL0RqHXpT-JLonmoaC-3yYf5exS-jbfbOK52pWP4i5QwX4bp6hFTof8ISf3LxFpN7hF9JK5W7wuLFvK9BreahOdeDwuE9voHo/s320/Haylea+%2526+Her+Train.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">The camping
resort/caravan park was severely damaged (again!) during flooding earlier in
the year and they have been valiantly cleaning & gardening to try to
restore the park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately for me,
the soggy grounds are a breeding ground for biteys of all kinds so we opt to
move out to Standown Park on the Gympie-Tin Can Bay road. <a href="http://www.standown.com.au/">www.standown.com.au</a> <span style="color: #0000cc;">facebook.com/Standown.Park</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This beautiful park is owned and run by Rod
and Pam Elkington who originally set it up as a veterans’ retreat, although it
is now open to all.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0butakCkHZCXlnWrE-32UaYuSmmhqSEOVyrtiC7DMPl4g_vQl4tBRZ90wUSwV9KrQvSUup0bq8zIbpib64oV-_ALWf5F2IfkVvEXu8GzznXnrwoV7LFnVy6TbnAJ2rhJLS5kdIqJ81M/s1600/The+Memorial+at+Standown+Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0butakCkHZCXlnWrE-32UaYuSmmhqSEOVyrtiC7DMPl4g_vQl4tBRZ90wUSwV9KrQvSUup0bq8zIbpib64oV-_ALWf5F2IfkVvEXu8GzznXnrwoV7LFnVy6TbnAJ2rhJLS5kdIqJ81M/s320/The+Memorial+at+Standown+Park.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">The Memorial – awaiting consecration</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Standown is
a quiet park – with none of the gimmicks designed to attract young children
like jumping castles and water parks – so costs are kept down and resting comes
easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very well positioned as a
staging point for Fraser Island, Gympie, Tin Can Bay and even Maryborough is
only 77kms north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">The campfire
is lit at 16:30 precisely (half past four for the uninitiated) every afternoon
ready for happy hour (or two or three).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All very civilized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here we met
some lovely people – Bob & Dawn, John & Esther, Graham & Mary, Jim
& Joy, Sue & Rich – among many others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some of these we were to catch up with again at the CMCA Rally in
Maryborough.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrPqqvTQ_0mTBw7-ssgyZqQVnqKIuMkRCBSDROFTcT23rE7MKoJAKf7fbZln5FH5enDCiWwRJ7VNoR44wXMlnjU5P_xJVTb7D3egIFdXIw9oJiHtm2BVDUKYxbYaxoOv4nv50_QcbiHc/s1600/P4230296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrPqqvTQ_0mTBw7-ssgyZqQVnqKIuMkRCBSDROFTcT23rE7MKoJAKf7fbZln5FH5enDCiWwRJ7VNoR44wXMlnjU5P_xJVTb7D3egIFdXIw9oJiHtm2BVDUKYxbYaxoOv4nv50_QcbiHc/s200/P4230296.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Like many
others, we took a day trip to Fraser Island with Courtney playing chauffeur in
her Jeep. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had last been on Fraser some
30 years earlier and no-one else had ever been so it was quite a trip for us
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haylea had her first ice-cream
(vanilla paddlepop; thanks Grandma) and Courtney, John & Haylea swam in
Lake Mackenzie. Well Courtney & Haylea swam & John almost managed a wet
chest. Said it was too cold – wimp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
barge trip was just as I remembered it but the island was much more sand –
great vast sand drives which Courtney handled with aplomb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well done kiddo! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">While we
were at Imbil, John had taken Gordon 4WDing and he was much more impressed with
Courtney’s driving than with John’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
that John drove dangerously but it was much more adrenalin based than Courtney’s
‘family drive’ style. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">From
Standown we also went to The Silky Oak Tea Gardens – a most delightful country
pub serving good food and cold drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a night out with John’s parents – Jim & Suzette – for the Full
Moon Pig-on-a-Spit dinner; along with about 130 other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good basic wholesome food with fabulous atmosphere
and great company – you can’t ask for more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had earlier enjoyed Jim & Suzette’s company at Imbil Bowling Club
and were wowed by the food cooked and presented by <span style="color: #660066;">Rainer
Kruse </span>from<span style="color: #660066;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.foodandartsunshinecoast.com.au/">www.foodandartsunshinecoast.com.au</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A truly fabulous meal and not what one would
expect in a small country town bowlo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Also from
Standown we travelled into Gympie for Anzac Day – a very moving march followed
by a Citizens’ Service in the town’s Central Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whole town was involved; combined schools
band and choirs, the Mayor affirming on behalf of the people support for all
troops and a commitment to remembrances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So much to take in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And from out
of the crowd came Marianne and her husband (?Leon) from Taree! You can’t afford
to misbehave whilst travelling, you never know who might see you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Monday 29<sup>th</sup>
April saw us head north to Maryborough for the CMCA Rally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a full week of fun, frivolity,
learning, meeting old friends and new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is just so much to see and do at a Rally that words tumble far more
quickly than I can type.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Entertainment
every night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trade stalls, craft lessons,
information seminars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or one can just sit back and do as little as
you wish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All for $50 per person up
front and $9 per night unpowered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Full
shower and toilet facilities (and those provided at Maryborough were the best
we’ve seen in five years).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Free shuttle
bus service into town, shopkeepers making special offers available to CMCA
members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just keeps going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The showgrounds became a mini-city in its own
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And someone was there filming it –
from the sky – in his own helicopter – towed behind his own motorhome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Boy oh boy, was that some rig! The trailer is
also his heliport.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">The ball on
Saturday night is quite a culmination; and a chance meeting with another couple
from back home – Linda Parker from Telecross and her husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said, no misbehaviour because you
never know who’s watching & ready to report back home. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Tahoma; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Maryborough
has some wonderful tourist attractions, including at Portside the Customs House
Interpretive Centre, Bond Store Museum, Maryborough Military and Colonial Museum
and the Customs Residence Cellar Dor – entry to all of which is just $5.50 per
adult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Time Cannon is fired at 11am
daily and costumed characters mill about the area whilst old time piano playing
can be heard throughout the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Military Museum is THE BEST we have seen outside of the War Memorial in
Canberra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way their memorabilia is
presented and preserved would surely stand out as a model to be followed by
many an organisation. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi5oi_F3dAc9o94nUDQDKKWT3iy13XtmG2qrAQ27_q-EfZihM7eCsfXLGQiknXupvPKGn_AJMkGiV1XsNpA71xEghvCuN7KXNT-QlZu7GF4Wt0sZ5OEUXufX3mogeUSDn6ENyWGP_By4/s1600/War+Memorial+Museum+Maryborough.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi5oi_F3dAc9o94nUDQDKKWT3iy13XtmG2qrAQ27_q-EfZihM7eCsfXLGQiknXupvPKGn_AJMkGiV1XsNpA71xEghvCuN7KXNT-QlZu7GF4Wt0sZ5OEUXufX3mogeUSDn6ENyWGP_By4/s320/War+Memorial+Museum+Maryborough.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Part of the Vietnam War Memorabilia</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Various firearms arranged to
represent the Rising Sun Badge</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">In the next
issue – Hervey Bay and points further north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Off to watch the Rabbitohs play the Titans in Cairns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Live the Life You Love”</span></div>
.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-28862149588866794512013-06-15T23:28:00.001+10:002013-06-16T17:48:10.275+10:00Still Heading North - Upward<!--[if !mso]>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Well . . . <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>here we are again, folks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry for the long absence but travelling
does that to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Computer problems (a
few hours work is out there in the ether somewhere) – or should that be
operator problems?, lack of internet service, unreliable power source (and that’s
another computer problem which will be addressed later) and speaking of power
THAT’s another story as well! On top of all that there is travelling,
sight-seeing, meeting new people and work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Yes, that’s right, work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll
all just have to keep reading to find out the details of these little
snippets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">And so, on
with the trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did, in fact, take a
few ‘tourist drives', and spent quite some time admiring the small country
townships that in times past we have just driven through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had another couple of ‘paddles’ in the
kayak & even took the fishing rods for a ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put it that way because, quite simply, I’m certain
there are no fish in the lower Clarence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If they are there, well they still are there – because none of them even
tasted our bait let alone took the hook!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Drifting and paddling are very therapeutic ways to while away the
hours.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIWr5S-pu3bBnp7U_evEOSqFjsOFSDR2F7q6i8Vt5PRo0Xf5Jy1e-x3sQvZ1dAZv4LnZd4NKc1LgWZyBbo1c9ZcVB4yZUrtz5OvMqOVC0r8UjCRxsw8kSiGlQRwQ6V5khFiR5VbBi_zQ/s1600/Drifting+Down+the+Clarence.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIWr5S-pu3bBnp7U_evEOSqFjsOFSDR2F7q6i8Vt5PRo0Xf5Jy1e-x3sQvZ1dAZv4LnZd4NKc1LgWZyBbo1c9ZcVB4yZUrtz5OvMqOVC0r8UjCRxsw8kSiGlQRwQ6V5khFiR5VbBi_zQ/s320/Drifting+Down+the+Clarence.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Another
wonderful way is to take a cruise along the Clarence – all the way past Harwood
to the Pacific Highway Bridge – a total of two and a half hours for just $20
AND with live music. Met a lovely couple from WA (Matt & Kathie) who
introduced us to a couple of wonderful ideas which we have since adopted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First item was a business card folder, for
keeping cards both from businesses which we have used (and more importantly
found helpful) as well as cards from fellow travellers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second is a “Visitors’ Book” which is a
super way to remember the people you have met, where you met them and somewhere
for them to leave their contact details for follow up when we reach their home
turf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PPpAgMFXEKchFzNVtpbm3fRDJsNV-o4PjdkqNu64v6-f-PUrO48zlRR5QLy3EHWzJ-6G9HqnfO17-Z28sK3oUiK78x1_YJpcNC09knP1c7Fp2pBtlPq7XcU4lunujxsxmKhNwz8UJJY/s1600/Gordon+on+Clarence+Cruise.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PPpAgMFXEKchFzNVtpbm3fRDJsNV-o4PjdkqNu64v6-f-PUrO48zlRR5QLy3EHWzJ-6G9HqnfO17-Z28sK3oUiK78x1_YJpcNC09knP1c7Fp2pBtlPq7XcU4lunujxsxmKhNwz8UJJY/s200/Gordon+on+Clarence+Cruise.jpg" width="200" /></a> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ2V1En2HcGJPyRcQE9kGIoLQLB41PPvmvLIjDcIDWMRn9PXc9gD-BI7PhKgqzypeA17WLtWjkIgPGg831rXTWRGa8BVlFn3xRmBFTKl9zq4KJUVEWQZvByIWaXbshFGrUo9YyblylmE/s1600/Juanita+Cruising+Along.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ2V1En2HcGJPyRcQE9kGIoLQLB41PPvmvLIjDcIDWMRn9PXc9gD-BI7PhKgqzypeA17WLtWjkIgPGg831rXTWRGa8BVlFn3xRmBFTKl9zq4KJUVEWQZvByIWaXbshFGrUo9YyblylmE/s200/Juanita+Cruising+Along.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">After the
cruise, the weather started to close in, so whilst Gordon prepared to roll in
the awning he hung Dustee’s cage in a nearby jacaranda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A short time later he heard another cockatiel
having a chat from up in the branches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As he approached the cage the ‘blow-in’ fluttered down to land on it and
stayed there when Gordon brought the cage inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No sooner than they were inside than the ‘new’
bird started to talk. “Who’s a pretty boy?” “Who’s a pretty girl?” Who’s a
pretty baby girl?” “What’cha doing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was blindingly obvious that this was someone’s pet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the storm passed (and it was quite
wild), we door-knocked some of the permanent vans nearby – no-one had lost a cockatiel
or knew any local who owned one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We then
went to the office to ask, and they in turn contacted the local vet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All to no avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We left our phone numbers but by the time we
left Iluka some 3 or 4 days later, no-one had claimed “Cheekie” as he/she/it is
now known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately we had purchased
the larger cage in Coffs Harbour (the day before Dustee went AWOL) so we had
enough room for both of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Leaving
Iluka, we saw the damage caused by the storm the previous Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was no wonder Cheekie sought refuge –
there was evidence of some very wild weather throughout Bundjalung National
Park and Iluka Nature Reserve. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Heading over
the range, via the Bruxner Highway to Tenterfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the label ‘highway’ is much of a misnomer
– ‘goat-track’ would be more truthful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On arrival in Tenterfield, we learnt that there are more differences
than just geographical from ‘The Coast’ to ‘Across the Divide’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Lismore it is pronounced “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brucksner</i>” whereas in Tenterfield it is
known as “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brooksner</i>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmm – however they say it, it still needs a
lot of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I write this some six
weeks or so later we have still had only one fuel consumption level anywhere
near that of this particular stretch of driving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It peaked out at 15.38l/100k.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Tenterfield
is a beautiful ‘RV Friendly Town’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
trees lining the streets have just begun to turn, with their autumn colours
putting on a glorious display in the late afternoon sunshine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">The good
folk of Tenterfield (and not necessarily my brother Bryce and his lovely wife Erika)
have maintained the historic feel of this very welcoming town. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">[</span>Although in their relatively short time in
Tenterfield, they have become widely known & obviously well-liked with
Bryce very involved in the RSL sub-Branch and the local Bowls Club as well.]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">From the
historic School of Arts Building – restored and phenomenally well maintained –
where Sir Henry Parkes’ speech outlining Federation of Australia first saw
light of day, to the very rustic, almost original, saddlery of George Woolnough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the
uninitiated, George was immortalised as the “Tenterfield Saddler” by the iconic
Peter Allen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Although the
railway no longer operates through Tenterfield, the Station and its
outbuildings are all painted and maintained to the highest standard and house a
well researched rail museum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Periodically the grounds also host local markets, and on these days
entry to the museum is free.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Just a short
drive away, from an old ‘overpass’, the original railway turntable can still be
seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks to Erika and Bryce for the
guided tour, and a terrific meal at the local tavern –quality food at a
reasonable price and with top notch service!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Moving on
from Tenterfield, we travel up the New England Highway to Warwick and then out
to Washpool Camping Reserve on the shores of Lake Leslie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea was to head inland and away from the
‘holiday hordes’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were very wise to
arrive on Wednesday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On arrival – and at
this camp you cannot pre-book; it’s first come first served – we noticed that
it was much more highly populated than we had previously seen it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Little were we to know . . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>there was more to come – much more! Posters
around the entire camp area advertised a free concert on Saturday night – with ‘Tootsie’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently we are/were one of the very few who
had no idea who or what ‘Tootsie’ was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From the 40 or 45 vehicles at Washpool when we arrived, by Good Friday
night there were over 1400 ‘camps’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Camps of all shapes & sizes – motorhomes, caravans, campervans,
camper-trailers, tents, swags . . . you name it, it was here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As far as we can discern we are the only 5<sup>th</sup>
Wheeler, and as such of more than passing interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AND . . . with each campsite there appeared
to be at least one watercraft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">The camp
immediately to our left/rear started off with Tracy & her Prado and
off-road camper-trailer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She told us her
husband would be arriving later with their two young children aged 5 &
7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What she didn’t say was that he would
be towing their speed-boat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before he
arrived, their friends Nick & Mandy arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nick towing <u>his</u> speed-boat behind <u>his</u>
4WD and Mandy in <u>her</u> car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of
these 2 vehicles and boat came the most amazing amount of gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two tents, four gazebos, 4 sets of skis, 4
knee-boards, 2 ski-biscuits and all the accoutrements! . . . coolers, tables,
chairs, hammocks, tarpaulins (used as flies on the tents), wet-suits,
life-jackets and a full-sized 6-burner barbecue – the plate of which took two
burly fellows to lift into place!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Then arrived
Sarah & her family (three children) in their Prado/Cub-Camper combo followed
by her husband in yet another vehicle towing a PWC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was followed by two teenage lads in a car
(they occupied the second tent set up by Nick & Mandy) and they also
brought a jet-ski.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then to round out
the campsite – Tracy’s brother Craig arrived in his ute – with swag set up in
the back – with yet another jet-ski and two hard-shell kayaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For all of this, they are the nicest
neighbours – no screaming/squealing from the kids (from 3 to 18 years of age),
no loud music, civilised hours for the boats and EVERYONE wore life-jackets
whenever they were anywhere near the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A lovely, healthy ‘outdoorsy’ group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All I can say is there must be money in cotton/sorghum farming and real
estate in these parts – they have all the toys for the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then again, the girls enjoyed them as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both Mandy and Tracy were very
good drivers of the speed boats, and Tracy was by far the best skier of them
all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Saturday saw
their camp swollen by the arrival of Craig & Tracy’s mum & dad and
another couple with their two teenage children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The day was glorious – sunny with light breezes to keep cool by, and
surrounded by lovely fun-loving people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This despite having been woken at 4:15am by some inconsiderate idiots
deciding to go fishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These the owners
of the boat with the most unreliable motor in the entire SE Queensland!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seven efforts, lots of swearing and yelling,
and finally they depart for their expedition at 4:50.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">At least I
was first in the shower for the morning!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">The concert –
Tootsie, remember – began at 6pm – whether you wanted to be a part of it or
not, you couldn’t escape it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some songs
were good, some were bad and many more were just so-so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tootsie’s favourite saying was “suck it up”
and she used it often. And loudly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
long!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long after 11pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over 19 hours makes this one very unhappy
camper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";">Once again
the heavens opened on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watching
our neighbours huddle under canvas in an effort to escape it made me very
grateful for Toad Hall and all the comforts.</span></div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-4825569339488145652013-03-21T22:26:00.001+11:002013-03-21T22:26:09.791+11:00One Week (or more) On . . .We have had a most enjoyable first 16 days of our trip - albeit not without some dramas. On the way to our first stop at (daughter) Naomi & Brad's, we called in to Bennett Steel in Wauchope (<span style="color: blue;"><i>www.easysteelsolutions.com.au</i></span>) to buy our new "Easy Burn" flat-pack fireplace. We have not yet had the opportunity to use it, but when The Pyromaniac (aka Gordon) is 'fired up' there will be photos galore to show just how good it is - both as a cooking facility and a campfire around which to gather. As we were leaving there, Gordon was so busy worrying about whether or not the nose-cone of Toad Hall would touch the roll-bars on the back of the ute and he had me watching<i> </i><b>that</b> like a hawk and neither of us were watching the actual goose-neck. Consequently neither of us noticed that the army trunk which we had spent so much time refurbishing had been severely dented by said goose-neck. So all that stripping, sanding, rustproofing & painting was to no avail. We decide (after having seen several other motorhomes with similar) to buy a checkerplate 'boot' and have it attached to the rear of Toad Hall. With thanks to Barney Joyce, from <span style="color: magenta;"><i>Marcia Street Fabricators</i></span> in Coffs Harbour, we have a well made bracket to support said boot which now holds such essentials as the chainsaw and its peripherals, Easy-Burn fireplace, rake, vehicle cleaners and polishes etc. And thanks to Brad from <i><span style="color: magenta;">Coffs Coast Plumbing</span> </i>we have two new tubes slung underneath the motorhome to hold such items as the flag (on its pole), the fishing rods, the extensions for the awning and the trekking poles in one and the sewer hose in the other. Little by little we are bringing Toad Hall up to <u>our</u> scratch. Gordon also ordered, on-line, some new hose caps - one of which he modified to connect to the 'old' drainage hose (ex-Vincent) for on-ground drainage. Yet another item to be tested in Iluka - our next stop.<br />
Over the week-end, Gordon & Brad go 'crabbing' in Moonee Creek - which turned out to be a very successful expedition. Brad then cooked 'Chilli Crab' for Sunday lunch. If the measure of a good feed is the amount of it which drips off your elbows, then Sunday lunch was immeasurably good! :-)<br />
A quiet few days, with a bit of housework and a bit of shopping - nothing out of the ordinary, just poking along.<br />
Thanks to Miss Mahli, both Gordon & I are now snuffly & coughing. Nothing like cuddles with a loved & loving granddaughter to spread the germs. :/<br />
Friday 15th - the anniversary of my Dad's passing. A quiet moment of reflection, then on with the day. And then - Oh No!!! Disaster strikes!! Our traveling companion - Dustee the cockateil - was enjoying some 'free-time' inside the van on Gordon's shoulder when I went outside. At that exact time, Gordon stood up & Dustee spied the open door & off he flew. . . minus quite a few feathers where I tried to catch him on his way past me in the doorway. Alas I missed. After Harley (our Moodle puppy) picked up a tick here last November, it seems Coffs/Moonee is destined to be the end of all our pets. We could hear Dustee up in the trees behind the house, but could not see him for love nor money. We left out some piles of seed, plus left the doors of his cages open (yes- he has two) in an effort to entice him to return, but had to end the day hoping against hope that he would return. :(<br />
Saturday saw a trip to <i>Bellingen Markets </i>- of which we had heard plenty. All of which we had heard held good. A truly diverse spread of market fare - fresh food, artisan goods, and just a sprinkling of 'trash'. In the food line <span style="color: magenta;"><i>Ausbuff Stuff</i></span> had a wonderful Buffalo Gelato and a very creamy 'Danish-style' Buffalo Feta with Chilli & Coconut. Mmmmm. Gordon had suggested I look for a new bird, but there was no-one selling any - bad luck.<br />
Sunday was yet more marketing - "Made With Love" markets at<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="background-color: white;"> <i>Coffs Ex-Servicemen's Club</i></span></span> and the general market o<span style="background-color: white;"><span></span></span>ver the road in the undercover carpark. Coffs Harbour also has more markets out at the Jetty on a Sunday - so there is a wide variety to suit everyone. Thanks to the first market Toad Hall will now have a 'personalised' floor-mat, thanks to <span style="color: blue;">'</span><i><span style="color: blue;">www.adoremat.com.au</span>'</i>. We also have a cutlery wind-chime, at a fraction of the cost of those we have seen in Sydney. <br />
Gordon also 'sweet-talked' his way into some commemorative coin-sets - Weary Dunlop , 30-year Vietnam and another - all uncirculated and in presentation folders, which thrilled him no end. :-)<br />
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Later in the afternoon, we were all enjoying our 'nanna-naps' in various guises when lo, and behold!!! Who should come out of the blue & sit on Gordon's shoulder? None other than our Dustee! So very calmly & quietly, Gordon goes inside the van & Dustee is firmly put back where he belongs - IN his cage. He didn't pull his head out of his feed dish for a good 20 minutes - obviously 'out in the wild' doesn't provide for him quite as well as we do. <br />
During the afternoon, after yet another fabulous luncheon on 'muddies' courtesy of Brad, young Mahli crawls for the first time. Unfortunately her mummy, Naomi, wasn't present but Grandma (Juanita) did manage to capture some footage. Thanks to modern technology & mobile phones.<br />
Monday sees time to move on, after of course the tourist photo in front of the Big Banana. On arrival at The Anchorage (<i><span style="color: blue;">www.anchorageholidaypark.com.au</span>)</i> at Iluka, we were greeted by Karen & Sel like long lost rellies - even though we had only been here once before, last November. They have wonderful facilities including heated pool & spa, wireless internet, jetty and boat ramp. The grounds are beautifully kept and the township is a short drive away. The golf course is quite handy as well. :-)<br />
<u><b>Finally</b></u> inflated the kayak & launched it. Neither of us had much idea what to do, but we managed to paddle up river a fair way & back again without capsizing - so all is good. We didn't go far, we didn't go fast, but we had fun. We did learn a few of things - 1) needs more air; 2) we should wear swimmers & 3) it's easier to carry sideways. <br />
Thursday night to <i>Iluka Bowling Club</i>. Not your classiest venue, but a good feed & very welcoming locals.<br />
We will stay here & visit a few more of the local spots - Harwood, Maclean, Yamba among them - before setting off westwards to find somewhere quiet for Easter. <br />
Stay tuned . . . <br /><br />
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<br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09389151084659882939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812550534393748480.post-51191443664870063282013-03-10T16:08:00.001+11:002013-03-10T16:08:40.409+11:00We finally start . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to leave . . . Taree</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
Our original departure date of mid-February was delayed because of rain. Then delayed again because of flooding further up the highway (around Kempsey). We re-set our departure date for Monday 25th Feb only to have the highway closed again. Frustration overload! Locals declared we were having more 'farewells' than Dame Nellie Melba. Flooding cleared Fri 1st March - so new date set for Mon, later changed to Tues - and we are going, come hell or high water!!!<br />
A few last minute additions - even though Gordon was insistent that 'weight is an issue'. The old army trunk from under the house was sanded back & re-painted with rust-inhibitor to travel in the back of the ute and contain such necessities as the chainsaw, a second toolbox, numerous 'odds & ends' and whatever didn't have a home elsewhere. The tray of the ute also houses the inflatable kayak, two milk crates one of which contains the camp oven and its peripherals and the other holds the blocks for under the van's legs (in case the ground is soft). Also the generator, washing machine, & two jerry cans - one for vehicle fuel & the other for generator fuel - and a storage tub with golfing gear and last but not least the 'Thunderbox' which contains levelling ramps and ropes & pegs for securing the awning when camped for longer than overnight. . The milk crates also become spare chairs with the addition of a couple of cushions. The kayak has travelled with us on two trips since this time last year and still has not had a wet bum. 2013 is THE year. :-)<br />
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