Leaving Taree . . . at last!

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 . . .

 

Sunday, 10 March 2013

We finally start . .

Ready to leave . . . Taree

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!!!
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. :-)

Thursday, 21 March 2013

One 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 (www.easysteelsolutions.com.au) 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 that 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 Marcia Street Fabricators 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 Coffs Coast Plumbing 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 our 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.
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! :-)
A quiet few days, with a bit of housework and a bit of shopping - nothing out of the ordinary, just poking along.
Thanks to Miss Mahli, both Gordon & I are now snuffly & coughing.  Nothing like cuddles with a loved & loving granddaughter to spread the germs. :/
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. :(
Saturday saw a trip to Bellingen Markets - 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 Ausbuff Stuff 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.
Sunday was yet more marketing - "Made With Love" markets at Coffs Ex-Servicemen's Club 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 'www.adoremat.com.au'. We also have a cutlery wind-chime, at a fraction of the cost of those we have seen in Sydney.
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. :-)

Ubiquitous ‘tourist’ stop at The Big Banana

 

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.
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.

 

 

 

 

 

Monday sees time to move on, after of course the tourist photo in front of the Big Banana.  On arrival at The Anchorage (www.anchorageholidaypark.com.au) 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. :-)
Finally  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.
Thursday night to Iluka Bowling Club.  Not your classiest venue, but a good feed & very welcoming locals.
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.
Stay tuned . . .

Memories . . .

 The Ladies bathroom, at Conway Beach Caravan Park -

 reputed to be the most photographed bathroom in Aus

 

 

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'.

Cedar Falls - just off the Shute Harbour/Conway Beach Road

 

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! 

 

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.

 

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. 

Just one of the displays - this one of stones.

There are many more, mainly butterflies and beetles but also some shells.

 

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 -

A EY

AYR Q

 

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.

 

 

 

We met & made some new friends at Home Hill, as well as catching up with Dave & Rita (and of course Henry) from Monto.

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'.

Just one of the local homes at Groper Creek

 

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. 

 

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.

 

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.

The entry is a bit kitsch but you can't miss it!

 

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.

 

Live the Life You Love . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warming to the Tropics

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.
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. 

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!

 



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.





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 ( blazeaid.com.au ) 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)

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. 

 

 

 

Pictured from left: Dave, Terry & "I Can't Remember, Sorry & His Wife" 

 

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. 

 

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. :-)

 

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

$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. 

 

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. 

 

This is a selfie taken at Dululu on 25 May

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

 

 

This is just one of the photos - which I managed to salvage from Facebook. 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

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!

 

We now also have a new camera, so from Cairns onward (starting 14 June) photos should be better and more plentiful. Hopefully.







Natural Beauty

And onward . . .

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. 

The late husband of one of Gordon’s Legacy widows had been in the 7^th 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 www.milnebaymilitarymuseum.com.au; museum25battalion@westnet.com.au

we were able to speak with some of the volunteers and see the general set up which is quite good. 

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) www.odessuperstore.com.au .  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.

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.

Lumley Hill (they say) has sites suitable for ‘large rigs’.  Unfortunately Carmel (who took our booking) didn’t seem to classify a 27ft 5^th 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. 

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!

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!

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. 

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. www.standown.com.au facebook.com/Standown.Park  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.

The Memorial – awaiting consecration

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. 

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.

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!

         

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.

  

   

 

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        www.foodandartsunshinecoast.com.au.  A truly fabulous meal and not what one would expect in a small country town bowlo. 

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. 

Monday 29^th 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.

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.

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.  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.

Part of the Vietnam War Memorabilia

Various firearms arranged to represent the Rising Sun Badge

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”

Still Heading North - Upward

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.  

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.

 

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. 

                       

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. 

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. 

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 “Brucksner” whereas in Tenterfield it is known as “Brooksner”.  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.  

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.  

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.]

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.

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.

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!

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^th Wheeler, and as such of more than passing interest.  AND . . . with each campsite there appeared to be at least one watercraft.  

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 his speed-boat behind his 4WD and Mandy in her 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!

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. 

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.

At least I was first in the shower for the morning!

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.

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.

That's about it for now - will be back soon.  Still heading north.