1st May. Dancing around the Maypole at Lake Maraboon

Another beautiful Sunday. We went for a drive into Emerald, it wasn't as big as I had expected, in fact the shopping centre that I went to yesterday bad the biggest shipping precinct. We fuelled up For $1.02 Diesel, pretty good.

Because we don't have anything special as a view, I packed our lunch and drove around to the lakeside, brought our easy chairs and its most tranquil.

During our drive we say this in the sky...... It makes a good story headline " NEAR MISS"

While out here we have been pouring over maps and checking stopping spots, it fun to note how we are finding out what we want and we don't want and what we can and can't do with our rig. It's all going wonderfully.

Happy May Day everyone.

30th April Lake Maraboon, Emerald.

Hot and dry is the anthem up here. Brian went exploring and I went to the nearest shopping centre, 24 k. Refilled our prescriptions, and stocked the fridge for the next week. I had both the GPS & Google maps and nothing made sense, I ended coming back to the Camp Reception to get my bearings! There are 2 ways, but I didn't know that, anyway I made it. Then this afternoon I took Brian to see was I had found on my misadventure.

Reminders of our years at Lake Eildon.

Lake Fairbairn and a mighty Dam. Water was VERY low.

The spillway, no gates to control the flow...... and no overflow.

The Dam

Lake Fairbaine

The water side of the Dam

There was a Triatholon in the area and we saw the signs and then some of the cyclists.

It was hard going. There are a big group camped very near us and there is not a sound from them, worn out!

29th April. Lake Maraboon Holiday Village, Emerald, QLD

8pm, I have just returned from the Ammenity block.....each one is an ensuite, glassed in shower, toilet and hand basin all beautifully tiled. They are worthy of anyone's home. Golly I sound like Jan and the laundry!!! But then It's worth writing about.

This morning all of the 20 or so caravans had gone by the time we left at 9.25. Golly grey nomads re up early. It's not us. Only 188k today drove beside the railway, electric, and it's a busy line. Coal is mined in Blacktown and moved by rail. The trains are VERY long with engines at both ends. The black at the top of each wagon is coal.

This camp ground is huge

We are as far from the lake as you can get, but no caravans have a view of the lake.

View from our door.

We have water and are right beside a very classy BBQ so that saves setting up the Weber.

We did something our of character , we went to 'Happy Hour', the nearest table had a couple so we asked to join them....naturally there was a connection. Eddie & Hilda from Fitzroy, originally from Austria and Switzerland and Eddies cousin Singrid lives in our Retirement Vilkage and we shared our last community meal with her before we left Melbourne. They have been to our Village a couple of times & even knew the caravan parking spot! Yes the world is small & we expect this to happen more often. It's great. We have agreed to meet up again tomorrow night.

It's quarter time and the Kangaroos are winning the football"...for now. Time will tell, we keep looking for a Christy & Jamie and boys, haven't spotted them yet!

28th April. Duaringa Queensland

The day improved, for us. We very soon ran out of rain and heading inland, the earth has turned red & the grass has turned brown.

We have stopped at a Rest Area that allows a lot of vans, there are hot showers (only 2), toilets, water, dump site and information centre/Historical centre. We are asked to make a donation as it is run by volunteers. We had a nice chat to Carol, lived here all her life, married 1968, wow, population 246!

It's 5pm and there are 17 vans here! We can stay 48 hrs but we will move on to Emerald tomorrow.

While driving we listened to the last one of the 20 discs of 'Danny Dunn' by Bryce Courtney, talking book. Thank goodness I wasn't driving, I was sobbing! We had lived through this book since Swan Hill and they were now very close friends.....I am allowed to be emotional 

28th April 😭🌧🌧🌧

9am We are packing up between downpours. The farmers are soooo happy.😀😀🤗

We are not crying, it's OK 

There is a break in the rain, Brian is doing the final hook up.

I will do my 'Check List' & we will be on the road.

27th April. Kinka

This is our final day on the East coast, The Capricorn Coast, & very beautiful it is. This morning we sat and chatted to our next door neighbours, from Phillip Is! and we have been given lots of nice places to stay and see as we travel across the north.

This afternoon we drove into Emu Park for Brian to see the impressive ANZAC memorial walk. The wind was soooo strong that we could hardly speak. The singing ship was in full voice.

This has been a delightful week and we say farewell to the ocean, only lakes from now to Darwin.

This should have been video to show the force of the wind.

By the way ... I hate sandflys.....& they love me!

26th April. Kinka

Yesterday, ANZAC Day, being a public holiday, this picnic area was thriving with families fishing on the lake as well as activity on the lake with boats etc.

In the afternoon I went to Emu Park & just missed the Parade but it was the celebration of the opening of the final stages of their ANZAC Memorial that was activated for the 100 year commemoration. It's a. Small town and it appears that the whole town is centred on the RSL. They now have a walkway from the main memorial

Past the cenotaph 

And a glass panel that has Soldiers of WW1 embedded, so that when the sun rises each day it's a reminder of thr first ANZAC Day. I wasn't there at sunrise but a woman showed me a photo she had taken & it was amazing

This led to an open pavilion with pictures and stories of all the people from the area who were connected to WW1

The floor

The nurses... The one on the right was Edith Toft. I stayed with the Toft family in Bundaberg !

The story of why poppies are the emblem  and all this led to the 'Singing Ship'

When the wind is blowing this creates beautiful music. Yes the was blowing, I could hardly hold the iPad to get photos.

Home to cook a roast of pork in the weber, yummy.

Today 26th is cloudy, windy and warm. We set off for the Etna Caves about 40k north. I had been advised not to do it as there were stairs and a lot of uneven ground. Brian went on the 1 hour guided tour and thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the very bottom which is called The Cathedral , perfect acoustics, and they turned out the lights and left the candles burning and a woman sang 'Anazing Grace' Brian recorded it on his phone for me. Weddings are held there & there was one last week.

A young woman also stayed behind and 'naturally' we talked the whole hour. Ramona Rocco is travelling Australia for 2 years from Italy, her partner, also Italian has his second degree in Finance which he took in Russia!!! Ramona is claustrophobic so no caves for her.we had the most lovely time together & when the tour returned, I was left with a kiss on both cheeks! Beautiful.

24th April Kinka

Today is special, Jocelyn's Birthday. It was nice to chat with her this morning & we hope she has had a very happy day.

Last night we had an exceptionally happy night out with our new friends from Queensland. The meal was very nice and we just about had to be asked to leave as we sat and chatted so long.

This morning there was a market aejestent to our park, it was a bit disappointing as there was no produce but lots of jewlery, some beautiful wood work a few cards that were priced $8.50, the same as Liz & I make!, there was some ultra bright coloured clothes, tie dyed I think. I HAD to get 2 necklaces & a pair of blue earnings, the nob at the back is a new feature, we will see how it goes.....

Brian's phone used all its battery power over night, so..... We went into Rockhampton nc went to Optus, asked at 2 IT type centra Mall stands and none of there young wiz kids could come up with an answer. Even phoned Jamie, still to no avail. Brian kept trying and now he thinks/hopes he has sorted it out. Blooming electronics are the bane of out life, it must settle down soon.

Brian & Lyla called in to the market, then off for sightseeing and called in on their way back for a coffee and to say goodbye. We will keep in touch as they are in the process of selling and moving to an over 55s at Buderim. We want to follow their story and feel we have made very lovely friends that we will see again.

Easy tea tonight after 2 nights out.

The sun rises and sunsets are exceptionally beautiful with the colours on the lake here.

Tomorrow is ANZAC Day and also our Son-in-Law's Brithday. Happy birthday Mark Geary. It's a big one!

I had a lovely message from my youngest grandson Ben, "I miss you Nen & I love you" he's a sweetie ( well most of the time)

I enjoy Facebook keeping me up with all those near & dear to me.

23rd April. Kinka

Why are we planning a trip right around Australia? This is perfection, perhaps I will just make up the rest of the trip and just stay here!

With this as our frontage, why move? Yesterday there were a flock of Red tailed Black Cockatoos flying, chatting, swooping right between us and the lake, it was a beautiful sight.

While I enjoyed 'my front view' I was also mildly productive Liz......

Only made 5 then we went into Emu Park, a very pretty small town, very hilly. I went into a '$2' type shop and got everything on my list, extra stretch cords for the awning shade side, new soap dish for Brian (I don't know why his is the only one that gets dropped!), a fly swat, a roll of draw liner as the cutlery is marking too much. 

Home then...... Lunch is served......His....chicken and salad, yogurt and milk.

and hers....

Yumm, I love pineapple and banana with yogurt.

 We had expected to meet up with Brian & Lyla (neighbours from Bargara) but Lyla wasn't feeling well so we decided to go to the Bowls Club on our own in Yeppoon. We both enjoyed beautiful meals.

This morning Brian & Lyla came round, they are camped 2k away at Kinka Beach Caravan Oark....it has state of the ark abolition set up. It's Top Tourist & 5 star. A place for future stops.

Lyla is much better today, she is a hairdresser so I had dared to ask for a hair cut and so it's been done.

A change, nice and short which is needed for windy days. We have had such a lovely morning with them, they are from Ireland & today their house in Brisbane is on the market as they are moving into an over 55s complex. No auction in Qld, so we're very excited when their daughter phoned to say there were 12 cars lined up for the first open house! We are picking them up at 6pm and going to dinner at The Bowls Club, it's 'Beef & Reef' special tonight.

Looking at my photo, I wish I was as beautiful as our lovely Queen. Happy 90th your Majesty.

21 April. Kinka, Causeway Lakeside Caravan Park.

We didn't quite know where this park was but both of us talked of a picnic day we had last year when we stayed in Rockhampton. I lovely park, beside a lake, watching boys fishing from the bridge/causeway. WELL..... That's the Park. We didn't know there was a park here! Only $28 per night for powered site if staying a week, we are.

How is this for sunset from front of our awning and then about turn and moon rising from rear of the awning. Spectacular.

20th April Bargara

It's hard having 29 degrees every day!!!

Monday I visited the Op Shop looking for something to wrap our chairs and table in, so they can stand in the Van for travel instead of in the back of the car. I had thought of a single doona and instead bought a single sleeping bag. By turning it sideways and stitching up one end, I've made a pocket for the chairs in a much better fabric. $4! HAD to buy a top also!

I served up our lunch, and took it on a tray out to table and chairs, set up in our park on the ocean's edge. It was just beautiful.

We spent the evening with Brian & Lyla, our neighbours & have arranged to meet them on Friday night for a meal out in the Yeppoon area. After a late dinner it was time to watch the final episode of Downton Abbey. Every one paired up correctly and a really beautiful ending. I'm sad it's finished as I've really enjoyed it.

Tuesday morning Brian moved something & his iPad smashed in the concrete slab where we were having breakfast! No, there were no bad words (spoken)......

We were going into Bundaberg for our Flu shots anyway, so off to the Optus shop and now he has a new iPad, it's white as it was the only one they had in the type he wanted. I had packed lunch, so we had that in a park overlooking the Burnett River, in the way to Gin Gin (where we stayed last year)

Brian took the opportunity for his cat nap while I read as we waited for our Doctors appointment 

After filling in 3 pages of information at the Medical Cente, Brian was called in first, the Dr came out and went to speak to reception, then back to Brian........ Brian came out, came to me & said ' We are going'....... They had run out of Government Funded injections!!!!! They had plenty if we were willing to pay $20 each..." No, we will go somewhere else in another town. After all, let's get our priorities right, we have just bought a new iPhone and a new iPad, nothing left in 'kitty' for flu injections!

I had my obligitary visit to the Ginger Beer factory & bought a small supply, caravans done allow for greater stocks. We had to go back to Optus to collect the iPad as it was being reloaded, we are still working through the getting of documents etc out of iCloud, a lot is a mistery to us oldies.

A message, especially for Jan, I think I am the only person to use the laundry & the sun and sea breeze do the rest. No elbows needed & no tears!

Tomorrow we leave this beautiful spot, Bundaberg area really captured us both, we love it. 

Some how I think we will be like 'McArthur' "We shall return"

17th April. Bargara & Elliot Heads

The morning dawned with bright sunshine, light wind & prospects of a perfect day.

I went to The Salvation Army in Bundaberg and sat with the same lady I sat with last August. She is the last of the generation of the Toft family that I stayed with 54 years ago while on a working holiday from New Zealand. Great to join in the SA service and feel at home.

Brian walked the foreshore for a couple of hours and as soon as I got home 11am I packed a lunch and we set off for Elliot Heads about 20k south. It's a very popular spot to take your dog for a run & a swim. I think we were the only ones without a dog!

We waited for a spot to have our lunch and we both had a very nice chat with our grandson Mark.

The BBQ next to us was being well used by 8 young Asian people, they had noodles and were cooking 3 types of meat, very effectively. They are working as fruit pickers and by doing it in country location their visas are extended by 1 year. They were lovely looking and so happy.

Later we returned home visiting Coral Cove, a very up market Cove, beautiful homes, no beach but a view of the endless blue ocean, to enjoy reading in the park. The sky changed colour & we had a short shower then had neighbours over for a long chat. 7.30. Lyla wanted to watch MKR or we wouldn't have even got any tea. They leave tomorrow & we have arranged to have dinner with them on Friday night at Kinka. We will be in different parks but not far away.

Another great day.

16th April. Bargara...yes I was spelling it wrong!

We are out driving & have just been past Burnett Heads Lighthouse Caravan Park. It looks very nice & would be more sheltered from strong winds than where we are. 

This is better for boat people. It's further out of Bargara & not much here , it's a board harbour with lots of pleasure craft.

We have been driving through my dream land.....Sugar Cane. It's soooooo beautiful .

Today it looks like an ocean of green, the wind making waves across the acres of sugar.

As you can guess, it's a dull day, we had one down pour but it didn't last long enough for a Brian to get into bathers and clean the car or van, oh well, next time?

Roast dinner tonight on the Baby Weber, chicken, potatoes, pumpkin, turnip, with broccoli & corn, gravy naturally.

15th April. Bargara Queensland.

A good night for sleeping, no need for the doona and awoke to another beautiful day. Did a wash (oh such joy Jan, no queue!) washing out in the strong sea breeze by 9.30 ........oh dear , just remembered to bring it in 9pm, it feels 'salty' OK it's clean & will smell of the ocean!

We took off for Bundaberg going the long way round to see this lovely area. Have made a booking for 2pm Tuesday to get our Flu shots, been to Bunnings for a mop for cleaning the awning and van as well as the car. Watched a neighbour doing it one day and found an easier way than we were doing it. On then to Telstra for the rest of the day. My battery was lasting about 2 hours, the phone was just too old (like me) So I got a new phone (Mothers day gift) it doesn't look any different as I kept my original case I Brian is using the new one that came in the package. I had such a great guy, Matt, help me through use of my Data Pack that I didn't really know how to use and cleared up a lot of settings for me. Now I have a real good amount of data and a new battery... Hip,hip hurray. Transfer via iCloud was what took the time, went and had lunch, Brian walked around the outside of Stocklands at least twice while we waited. I wandered the shops and didn't buy, just admired.

Came home and found we had new neighbours & ended up talking to them until 7pm, they are from Brisbane, mid 60's bought into a retirement village last week, put their house on the market, and set out for a few weeks caravanning !!! Brisbane realestate is a hugely different to Melbourne... We live in the right place. They have an Isuzu vehicle the same as ours, 

I repeat, 'the joys of caravanning'.

Last night view.

This mornings view.

How privileged are we?

Goodnight.

14tg April. Bagara, Bundergerg 's beach

A lovely drive today 230k.....that's what is called a day on the road! We didn't have a booking but had chosen 'Absolute Waterfront Caravan Park. We are learning ...at last! Parked outside asked to see the sites available, looked fine. The manager assisted with parking when I asked ' is this the prevailing wind?' YES.....Well can we have a site facing the opposite way? Yes, so we have no 11 with our annex on the wind free side. Not that anywhere is wind free tonight, even taken the annex down & we will be rocked to sleep. There is no beach but huge rocks and great walking tracks for Brian.

The ocean was wild and beautiful & we will hear it all night, well I won't, I sleep too well.

Temp was 29 to day and down to 19, this is our expectation for the next 6 months.

It's 5 minute drive to a huge Woolworts, so fresh salad & beautiful ham for tea tonight, they had run out of cooked chicken.  Need to complain about that, message to self 'write to Woolworths'!

We have clocked up 4,000k so far. We have had 6 free camping & 4 at $12 per night, doing well so far. We have an unpowered site here but there are showers, toilets and water, as we have solar we don't need electricity.

Oh an important thing today, we are back in Sugar Cane country, it's so beautiful, I'm nutty about it.

Forecast is not wonderful for the week we are here but the temperatures are great with prospect of some showers every day.

We hope to get our Flu vaccine while here. Will get Ginger Beer but no Bundy Rum!

Greetings to all our friends all around the world.