26th August. Home after 10 weeks.

44/160 Springvale Road, Donvale 3111 Australia 

Every thing looks just great. The ground staff welcomed us at the gate to say could we park in the driveway of a vacant unit because there were big dumpsters in the caravan parking area. It suited us fine & it will sit there for a few days.

Our drive through Victoria was was all in fine weather which made driving so much easier. Huge trucks going both ways, North & South. We were home and sitting at our own table having a bowl of soup at 12.30. Collected the mail .......

No big surprises and no unexpected bills, yippee.

Off to the car wash after our muddy trip into the farm at Coonabarabran & the obligatory visit to the supermarket.

Unpacking is not a favourite thing but must be done, only essential things to day, the rest can wait in the van until it's on level ground.

Thanks to all who have shared this blog site. I have enjoyed every bit of this, the trip, the writing of this and now will look forward to the next trip.

25th August on the road homeward (correct date - previous entry should be 24th)

I'm not complaining- we left 10 weeks ago in rain, and guess what we are coming home in? rain! Over all the trip the only other we had was 2 nights where there was a light fall during the late night each time. Wow, what wonderful weather we had and how blessed.

The heavy rain at leased washed a lot of the mud off the car, but hooking up & unhooking is a messy job. Brian's a good boy.

The drive hasn't been too bad and we are at Tocumawall Big4 caravan park for the night.  Only 270.1k to Donvale tomorrow, so lunch at our beautiful Resort of Unit 44 Donvale Retirement Village.

We have moved a lot of things from the van to the car to make it a bit easier for unloading tomorrow afternoon. It was only drizzling here at the time and who knows what it will be like tomorrow!

Can't clean the van as every time you step in its mud, there has been so much rain, but nothing like poor Sydney. Well it gives me something to do on Friday- Thursday is booked, Christy & Ben are coming visiting (Christy says she has to touch me to make sure I'm back!) then Brian's appointment with his Heart Specialist which is the reason for being home on this date. Brian has had no ill effects so we are hoping and expecting a great outcome. We have both been wonderfully well all through the trip, midge bights were the only flaw while at Midge Point! What should I have expected?

Oh dear, I will have to visit the Supermarket tomorrow afternoon, long list in hand.

25th August On the road Homewards

What's happened to our sunshine trip?

As the road went through Coonabarabran we were able to call in and have a coffee with my brother Steve & wife Elaine. It was so good to see them. Because of the weather we weren't sure about taking the van into the farm so called Steve just as we were entering town & he said to leave it at his brother-in-laws shop. At that moment we saw it, gammed on the brakes, and turned in. It was a very good decision.

This is Main Street Coonabarabran 

Drive into the farm and our welcome 

Elaine had made a batch of scones and we has a very nice hour together. 

We have made a booking to spend 2 nights 13 & 14 November on our way to Surfers Paradise. It's Steves birthday on the 15th so we will have a party Saturday 14th. Great timing.

After the muddy drive back to pick up the van we we're VERY pleased we at left it at Shane's shop.

I went Ito say thanks and found both his wife (Elaine's sister) Eunice and their son both working there at that time. They are great folk and I got such a welcome because I had got to know them well during the 6 weeks we spent there after the Coonabarabran fires in January 2013.

On to Forbes for the night.

23rd August. Narrabri

We had another very good drive, away by 8.15 and a beautiful day. Interesting crops, and hard for me to recognise. There should be signs on the road side to tell us what the crops are. I must write to my MP and get a Members Bill into Parliment. Christy agrees with me , especially for young children and Grey Nomads!

Canola is glorious now, bright yellow and the young wheat is such a fantastic green - and the size of the paddocks are HUGE.

We want to the RSL for dinner to night, smorgasbord with very nice roast beef or/and ham and prawns as well as all the other expected things - dessert as well (naturally)

The dining room was dreamed up by and built by a local man and it was amazing as the photos show. At one stage there is thunder in the background and a few flashes of lightning then in a one meter area water runs down off the tin roof. Golly it fooled a lot of us as most of the patrons were just passing through.

First is the canola and then the restaurant.

22nd August The trip to Dalby.

We were on the road at 7.55.

A strange thing happened last night........it rained. We hardly knew what the stuff was! Hadn't seen it for 9 weeks! We were so glad we were fully packed, however we had no rain for our drive today and the temp was 27. We passed a place I hadn't heard of 'Craters of The Moon' , Philippa told me about it on Messenger last night and as it was only 500 meters from the highway, we turned in...... Ha ha, don'topen until 9am

 

Back to the highway an ever onward. The scenery changed and as we went inland I had to say goodby to sugar cane, sadly.

We have driven past huge paddocks of bright green about 7inches high. I asked at this caravan park and found it is Winter wheat, I've never heard of it. Dalby is quite big, a farming town, and today was a Food Festival here, but we didn't go. 

After the early start. TV schedule showing it would be but delayed but on at 3pm... Oh no, no football. We ended up going to one of the Clubs and they put it on for Brian to watch the last quarter. Richmond won by 91 points over Collingwood. If we had known he could have seen the whole game there.

This Pioneer Caravan Park is big, new ablution block and a notice on the door " choose a site and park" we will be back at 4.30" a great idea and it works because it's big and mostly one nighters.

On the road again in the morning.

20th & 21st August. Bundaberg

20th

I felt this was our last day of true Holiday/sighting. We went out to Bagara again and I tried to get a new pair of sandals at a Podiatrist type shop- he was so not nice told me I should have done something about my horrible feet 30 years ago! Ended up saying, you shouldn't be wearing those 'cheap' things (I pd $134.00 for theses CHEAP things) I should be wearing lace up shoes. I said they were too hot in summer and the reply was 'suck it up'! I walked out........

I enjoyed wandering around the shops and then to the water front to wait for Brian to finish his walk.

After lunch we went our own ways, Brian to do the Bundaberg Distillery - Rum, tour. The Polar Bear is the symbol and he's a beauty's 

While I went to the 'Ginger Beer Factory'. I expected that they would have some ginger products but only had the drinks. They do all sorts of flavours now and they are lovely. I particularly like Peach and one I have just tried, Pineapple & Coconut, they are both super. The price is better than at the supermarket so I have stocked up.

As I was driving, I went back to pick up Brian. As they finished their tour they had the opportunity to try 2 drinks. I looked at their shop and I'm so VERY glad he doesn't drink Rum. It wins world wide awards for their product and their prices show it. Very expensive!

21st -August 

Clean up, pack up, laundry day, prepare for 5 days on the road. We are only doing close to 400k per day so as not to wear my Chauffeur out. He has driven all the way and is wonderful.

I went out to the roadside a picked up some Macadamia nuts as there were 4 trees just on the roadside of the caravan park. I didn't get many, the owner had told me about them. There is a big orchard across the road but not a roadside stall.

All ready for an early start because Brian wants to be in Dalby to be able to watch Richmond on ztV at 1.30! Goodnight I have to hurry to sleep!

19th August. Bundaberg

I spent the morning on my Laptop, setting up the handover of The Phillip Is Card Camp, ready to hand over to to the lovely Gayle Andersen. I think it's all ready to put onto a USB stick and give it to Gayle.

Brian went for a 2 hr beach walk and after lunch I went to the Strawberry Farm at the next corner and picked 500g of the most beautiful berries. They have 250 working there, pick in the morning and pack in the afternoon. The area for 'pick your own' is separate with signs....do not eat in the picking area! Well....I didn't, so there!

We keep getting the maps out trying to decide which route to do next year, it's great fun. We have loved this so much.

We went to the Brothers Club for dinner, my 'roast of the day' Beef, was the best I've ever had. Found that they are cooked in steam ovens. I've never heard of steam ovens.

18th August. Bundaberg

We have been the luckiest travellers with wonderful weather. It looks as if we may strike some rain for the trip home by the forecast.

This park doesn't have a 'dump' spot....... So a trip across town to the public one is a necessity every few days! That accomplished we stopped at a caravan suppliers and bought a side and one end sun/wind/ rain screens. They are not solid annex type but make a big difference for card making when the breeze comes up.

We then went to 'Ferrymead house' in the Botanical Gardens which houses a museum for the sugar cane industry in this area. It was of particular interest to me because of my association with the Toft Family. There is a Toft Room and a Toft Theatre where we saw a 15 minute DVD on the industry.

The man whose home I stayed in invented the first cane loader, now it it all automated into one machine that cuts, picks up, cleans, pours into bins ready for transporting to the sugar mill and it must be done in 16 hours, that is from cut to mill! Amazing. One of Australia's largest exports.

In the afternoon we went out to the port, what looked like a huge Damm Wall turned out to be a sugar storage building ready to load ships for overseas.

Brian thinks it's the biggest building he's ever seen.

Its been another interesting & lovely day. Thank you Lord God.

17th August. Bundaberg and Bargara Beach

25 degrees is sunshine. After our leisurely breakfast.....we set out for Bargara Beach, 12 minute drive. We expected a water front with the customers seaside shops .........but were surprised to find another tourists resort with huge hotels, and appartments and the most beautiful one way shopping strip that was the end of the main road that let directly to the sea. This morning the sea was covered with 'diamonds', what a sight. The camera doesn't do it justice 

Then I about turned and faced the Main Street with so many people stil enjoying late breakfast and coffee. I walked back and went into the first shop........1&1/2 hrs later Brian came back from his waterfront walk and I was still there! Lorraine Lawley, the owner was a craft woman extraordinary talented. So many things, she had made and her daughters likewise gifted. She also buys from 3rd countries then mounts them or includes them in her craft thus 'up marketing ' the beautiful work and helping in 3rd world as well as her own business. She has given me a great web site (Crafr & Create) as well as her own 'Wish List'.

Such a lovely woman and I had the best time with her.

This afternoon was spent writing Postcards to the Grandchildren and chatting with fellow campers.

Oh I nearly forgot to mention the Bargara Caravan Park, it's HUGE, on the water front, it looks like a place to come for the winter.

 Note to self, REMEMBER THIS PLACE for when we want to have a place to stop when we stop touring and just want to come North.

16 th August. Sunday in Bundaberg.

As promised I went to The Salvation Army Corps, 9.30 service so we did a 'recky ' yesterday to find where it was. I phoned to make sure because the internet gave two sites - they had moved 6 months ago. Brian chose to go walking on the beach and I met 91 yr old sister of the lady I stayed with 53 years ago. Also spoke with 2 of their sons (naturally I didn't remember anything about them) it was a 'thing' I really wanted to do. 

Brian picked me up as arranged, 11 am , same as BBC (1&1/2 hrs!). Nice to be Army again after just on 34 years of being a Baptist.

We went to the 'Leagues Club ' for Sunday dinner and Brian was able to watch his beloved Tigers win be 83 points.

An AFL Football Tragic!!!

Home to a good book and as nothing of interest on TV we played Yahtzee and the score was a draw!

We have two types of TV aerial and still can't get decent reception at this site. ...... Oh, well, can't win them all! Chance for an early night.

15th August. The drive from Rockhampton to Bundaberg.

The drive was very comfortable, countryside very like the any uncleared land in Australia, no coast line, no sugar cane, Oh, well, we started another talking book which held our mental attention while still allowing our eyes to appreciate the trip.

20 k out we again came into sugar cane country, as you have noted ,I love it. Looks like lots of fruits also in this area. I know Ginger is here and it's the Rum capital!

We have booked into a park 'Oakwood ' on the Gin Gin Road. It is mostly Permanants living here and only a few casuals. Price is $165 for a week, pretty good. We have a very nice site and this is the view from under our awning 

Can't ask for anything nicer. We are 7 min from the CBD & there looks like a lovely new shopping centre between here and the CBD. It's only 12 min to some beautiful beaches that Brian loves to do walks at.

Looks like some interesting sights as well as rest time before the 'dash' to Melbourne.

Oh, yes, ROTTEN TV reception, and Qld has the audacity to show Carlton & Brisbane and NOT showing Hawthorn & Geelong. Shame, shame, shame.

14th August. Last day in Rockhampton

Sunshine, 27 degrees, light breeze - what more could one ask for?

Had our lunch during a drive around the Fitzroy River which divides the CBD & South Rockhampton.

Can I be forgiven for wanting to steal a set of bed sheets off the clothesline? They were the same as the ones I have on the bed and are VERY nice. I would REALLY like to have a second pair for the van. My second ones are only plain white - poor me! Don't worry, I didn't do it Jan! Found that they belonged to the couple next door so I confessed my sinful desires.........

During our drive I was able to get a photo of what is the symbol (to me) of Rockhampton, a statue of a Braford Bull. This is my brothers breed of cattle.

Tomorrow we are off to Bundaberg for a week before the 'dash' home. Staying in the warm as long as possible.

13th August Capricornia Coast

What a Magical day. Packed our obligatory lunch and set out for this stunning coast line. Firstly took the wrong way but good old Google Maps soon has us about turn and off to Emu Park. What a surprise it was, we were expecting a little holiday resort/ camping place and here was a big town, lovely homes and beautiful bay. On to Kinka where we had originally intended to go to, but I was turned off by having a week at Midge Point and it being 50k from Rockhampton. It was very nice , we had our lunch at the river mouth and could see out to sea.

We called into each beach/bay and looked out to Kepple Island. Brian found his next vehicle and as I was taking a photo of it a voice called out ' that will be $10', I told him we would owe it to him.

The ocean was such a beautiful colour today and it was good for the soul.

Yeppoon is another very big place and it's obviously the holiday place for folk from Rockhampton, just 50k. Yachts and highrises and very pretty town. Talks money.

We saw a train, but don't know what its carrying but we didn't think it would ever end

My brother Steve comes to Rockhampton to the Braford Association and is coming here in two weeks time with a semitrailer of cattle to sell and to day we went past the sale yards. It was great to actually see what we have heard  about for years.

We stopped at a roadside fruit stand & I took this photo. The guy said 'I hope you are not the Law!'

The fruit was beautiful, Pineapple, PawPaw, Orange, Banana, Lime, Passion fruit. Guess what was for dessert tonight?

We very nearly had Duck instead of chicken for dinner! Well they came right to our door step!

Oh what a day, how privileged we are to be able to enjoy all this.