15th August - Happy Birthday Mike!!!
An early start for the birthday boy and opening of several presents under the awning. Mike had brought back a big bag of presents from the family in Perth so whilst it was his first birthday on the road he was still very spoilt.
It was then off to the Marina for breakie in one of the funky cafes over looking many grand yachts and boats including Mimi McPherson's.
After breakfast we went into town and has a relaxing stroll along the water’s edge and shops before hiring a 'Jolly Jalopy' (4 seater peddle bike) and setting off for what would be a tiring adventure.
A lazy arvo back at camp was required in order to recover before headed back over to the boat club (Mikes new favorite venue) for pre dinner drinks, a seafood dinner, a jam and cream donut (as they didn't have any birthday cake), pokies and a great win where Mike won Bec a stuffed horse on his first try at the skill tester. We then watched a man pump $50 dollars into the machine to win a stuffed gorilla (some peoples gambling problems are out of control!)
It was a fantastic way to spend Mike’s birthday with family in an amazing little town.
16th August
Awoke with fuzzy heads and packed up before moving on to Bundaberg. 1st stop the Bundaberg Rum Factory!
Went on their silver tour which included a tour of the processing plant and chance to huge a 70+ year old rum barrel containing $2 million dollars worth of rum! They have over 300 barrels so even after Mr Tax Man takes approximately 65% there still doing very well. The tour was humorous and fun and ended with a few drinks in the bar - Nath Ilaqua would have been proud of Mike as he had a Bundy and OJ!
Went to the tourist info centre to try and find a caravan park for the night but when we found they were all fully booked we went 15kms out of town towards Gin Gin and stayed at a free camp at Sharon Park. Turned out to be a top little spot. Shortly after opening the bar we met some of our neighbors for the night Mal and Noel from Victoria. They've been on and off the road for the last 10 years in their coaster and with their dog Dotty who Charlie was very happy to play with.
Mike had a look at their laptop for them as it was playing up and in the process managed to blow up our inverter - oh no! They where a really interesting couple who bread snakes as a hobby/side line business. We all had a few drinks before going our separate ways for dinner.
We had a BBQ and some more cards (it’s all getting very competitive and we've started keeping score for both Rummy and Uno). No TV tonight due to the inverter although Bec and Mike feel asleep to the sound of the bass humming on Mum and Dads van stereo - we wonder if the neighbor's will still be friendly in the morning!!
17th August
Awoke at Sharon Park and yes no probs with the neighbors! We swamped contact details and Mal showed us pictures of her snakes - very scary!!
We then drove back into Bundy and visited Schneider's Cooperage - the company that make the massive wooden barrels for Bundy Rum. This was especially interesting for Mike due to his history with our wine barrel and the creation he made a few years back when he converted one into a wine rack. It was very interesting and also included the work of some local artists. A very talented young girl had her paintings there and as she was still fairly new to the market and young her prices were really reasonable so Bec couldn't refuse buying a beautiful painting of Frazer Island for the house upon our return.
Traveled on to Agnus Waters and Town of 1770's and explored both little adjoining towns. Accommodation is very limited here so we got stuck in a dindgy caravan park out in the sticks where they were quite rude to us:( Its only saving grace were the amazingly tame kookaburras that Mike managed to just about hand feed).
The boys cooked dinner in the grotty campers kitchen and whilst there Mike met a Swiss couple that would be heading up to Bali and staying in Tulumben (same village his parents live in) in only a couple of weeks. They're also divers so Mike gave them the scoop on some special dives.
More cards just for a change!
18th August
Traveled on to just south of Gladstone and checked out a great free camp for tonight. It’s called Calliope and it’s right on the river and full of other travelers.
Went into Gladstone and checked out town. Visited the local Marina and day dreamt about the possibility of owning one of the massive yacht or boats. Mikes latest idea today is that after we've finished the trip we sell the bus, buy a yacht and sail around Aus - that way we get to see it from two different angels. With Bec's lack of sea legs it’s not looking to realistic but hey who knows!!
Had a nice picnic lunch at the marina before driving back to Calliope and setting up for the night. The usual campers night with happy hour(s) and you guessed it more cards!
An early start for the birthday boy and opening of several presents under the awning. Mike had brought back a big bag of presents from the family in Perth so whilst it was his first birthday on the road he was still very spoilt.
It was then off to the Marina for breakie in one of the funky cafes over looking many grand yachts and boats including Mimi McPherson's.
After breakfast we went into town and has a relaxing stroll along the water’s edge and shops before hiring a 'Jolly Jalopy' (4 seater peddle bike) and setting off for what would be a tiring adventure.
A lazy arvo back at camp was required in order to recover before headed back over to the boat club (Mikes new favorite venue) for pre dinner drinks, a seafood dinner, a jam and cream donut (as they didn't have any birthday cake), pokies and a great win where Mike won Bec a stuffed horse on his first try at the skill tester. We then watched a man pump $50 dollars into the machine to win a stuffed gorilla (some peoples gambling problems are out of control!)
It was a fantastic way to spend Mike’s birthday with family in an amazing little town.
16th August
Awoke with fuzzy heads and packed up before moving on to Bundaberg. 1st stop the Bundaberg Rum Factory!
Went on their silver tour which included a tour of the processing plant and chance to huge a 70+ year old rum barrel containing $2 million dollars worth of rum! They have over 300 barrels so even after Mr Tax Man takes approximately 65% there still doing very well. The tour was humorous and fun and ended with a few drinks in the bar - Nath Ilaqua would have been proud of Mike as he had a Bundy and OJ!
Went to the tourist info centre to try and find a caravan park for the night but when we found they were all fully booked we went 15kms out of town towards Gin Gin and stayed at a free camp at Sharon Park. Turned out to be a top little spot. Shortly after opening the bar we met some of our neighbors for the night Mal and Noel from Victoria. They've been on and off the road for the last 10 years in their coaster and with their dog Dotty who Charlie was very happy to play with.
Mike had a look at their laptop for them as it was playing up and in the process managed to blow up our inverter - oh no! They where a really interesting couple who bread snakes as a hobby/side line business. We all had a few drinks before going our separate ways for dinner.
We had a BBQ and some more cards (it’s all getting very competitive and we've started keeping score for both Rummy and Uno). No TV tonight due to the inverter although Bec and Mike feel asleep to the sound of the bass humming on Mum and Dads van stereo - we wonder if the neighbor's will still be friendly in the morning!!
17th August
Awoke at Sharon Park and yes no probs with the neighbors! We swamped contact details and Mal showed us pictures of her snakes - very scary!!
We then drove back into Bundy and visited Schneider's Cooperage - the company that make the massive wooden barrels for Bundy Rum. This was especially interesting for Mike due to his history with our wine barrel and the creation he made a few years back when he converted one into a wine rack. It was very interesting and also included the work of some local artists. A very talented young girl had her paintings there and as she was still fairly new to the market and young her prices were really reasonable so Bec couldn't refuse buying a beautiful painting of Frazer Island for the house upon our return.
Traveled on to Agnus Waters and Town of 1770's and explored both little adjoining towns. Accommodation is very limited here so we got stuck in a dindgy caravan park out in the sticks where they were quite rude to us:( Its only saving grace were the amazingly tame kookaburras that Mike managed to just about hand feed).
The boys cooked dinner in the grotty campers kitchen and whilst there Mike met a Swiss couple that would be heading up to Bali and staying in Tulumben (same village his parents live in) in only a couple of weeks. They're also divers so Mike gave them the scoop on some special dives.
More cards just for a change!
18th August
Traveled on to just south of Gladstone and checked out a great free camp for tonight. It’s called Calliope and it’s right on the river and full of other travelers.
Went into Gladstone and checked out town. Visited the local Marina and day dreamt about the possibility of owning one of the massive yacht or boats. Mikes latest idea today is that after we've finished the trip we sell the bus, buy a yacht and sail around Aus - that way we get to see it from two different angels. With Bec's lack of sea legs it’s not looking to realistic but hey who knows!!
Had a nice picnic lunch at the marina before driving back to Calliope and setting up for the night. The usual campers night with happy hour(s) and you guessed it more cards!
19th August - Happy Birthday Donna
Awoke by the river and after breakie and a walk it was time to hit the road once more with Rockhampton in our sights!
First stop the tourist centre to see the marker of the Tropic of Capricorn and find out what there is to do around here. Being a Sunday it’s all pretty dead so after the customary happy snaps at the marker we moved onto a tea house for Bec's favorite - Devonshire Teas!!
We then visited the Archer Park Station and Steam Train Museum which was fantastic. We got to ride on an old steam train as well as board the first class sleeping carriage. It was all topped off by some very bad karaoke being projected loudly through massive speakers.
Well we've crossed the Tropic of Capricorn and instead of getting tropical its wet, go figure. We headed just out of town to Gracemere for the night and set up camp in a lovely caravan park. Dad got the hot tip that the local pub did nice meals so we showered up and headed down there.
Beautiful food, just a shame about the weather.
20th August
We're now just over half way through the fortnight with Mum and Dad and a fair way north so it’s time to head back down south.
Packed up at the caravan park and drove to Dululu for a break and to check out the camp for the night. We've not come that far and it’s not the best so we'll keep moving.
Stopped at another rest area where we met two old solo's (motor home speak for people traveling alone), a lady named Mary who showed us her home made mobile oven/cook top - god knows how it worked but it looked very basic. The guy she was traveling with (separate vans) wasn't very talkative and we didn't catch his name (he reminded Mike of the taxi driver from Cunamulla - for Tony, Bev, Dawn and Jeff).
Kept going to Mulgidie as Mike and Dad were excited at the prospect of camping behind a pub for the night. When we got there it was so boggy due to the recent rains that we decided to park up the road near the sale yards. Took a stroll into town and Mum scouted the local antique shop with no success.
We then moved onto the old pub for a few bevies, a game of pool and a look around their art gallery. While we were there the barmaid told us an old story about there being a ghost there, she showed us their signature post card which displayed to us what looked like a puff of cigarette smoke!! Asked them if it was ok to stay the night down the sale yards and she replied "no worries, no one cares around here".
Mum and Dad's first dodgy (Mike and Bec's term for anywhere that's not a true camp site!)
21st August
After a great night sleep with no problems we awoke and had breakie.
Packed up and drove on to Gayndah checking out our camp for the night on the way into town. We're allowed to have an open fire here so we'll try and get some wood so that we can show Mum and Dad how we cook in our camp oven.
A quaint little town where real estate is so cheap that Dad nearly bought an old Queenslander! Mike organized some chocks for the bus and the local hardware were so obliging that they didn't even charge him and gave him the phone number of someone for firewood. Bought a nice leg of lamb from the local butcher and then called our firewood man. He would deliver to the camp by dark - they sure do make it easy around here.
Went back to Claude Wharton Weir and set up and leveled the camps. Built a fire and whilst waiting for the firewood man Mike made friends with the local homeless guy who was camping there indefinitely! He was harmless enough but just kept popping over.
Later that arvo a chirpy Milkman/Firewood man arrived with a couple of crates of wood for us. He delivered them with a smile and offered us the crates before jumping back in his truck and getting ready to drive off. When Mike asked him how much he said no worries mate just enjoy Gayndah - country hospitality to the max but we didn't let him drive away without stuffing some money in his hand.
Had a very enjoyable night watching the flames of the fire whilst eating a succulent roast - who said camping was roughing it!!
22nd August
Woke to rain at the weir this morning. Unfortunately we weren't expecting it so everything was left outside and was now wet. Had breakfast and packed up before heading to Maryborough.
The rain was so bad on the way that we decided it would be a good idea to get off the road for awhile - what were we to do though, maybe a movie. Chuck and Larry it was in a dingy little cinema where we were joined by only 2 others. A funny movie though, very light hearted but good and a great way to keep warm and dry.
Drove onto Tiaro just south of Maryborough and went to Petri Park to camp for the night. After arriving we spent about an hour getting level spots before Mum and Bec ventured to the toilet in the rain. We had a brolley but Mum was wearing thongs which she doesn't normally wear and the ground was very slippery and muddy so a 2 minute task took about 10 minutes and involved lots of laughing.
We all showered in the bus before enjoying a customary few rounds of cards and dinner.
23rd August
Awoke to the sound of rain and we were very glad to see that we hadn't sunk into the mud overnight!
Drove onto Gympie hoping for a phone shop as Mum has been meaning to get a new mobile phone contract like ours with my hour but has found it a little daunting to organize by herself. Arrived in Gympie but no such luck so we decided to move on in the direction of Caloundra and hopefully enjoy our last night on the road together there.
Arrived in Caloundra to more rain and organized the phone - a few hours later we emerged and drove onto our caravan park for the night. The weather was that bad when we arrived the owner of the park told us just to park up and organize everything in the morning.
It was our last night and whilst the weather was so bad we felt we should make the effort to go out. After a strange set up of running to and from the showers in the rain and then changed inside Mum and Dad's camper in front of the Boat Club and then running inside we were there and relatively dry. We then enjoyed another night of seafood, drinks and pokies - a good way to top the travels off.
24th August
After a restless night due to the never ending rain we awoke and did our best to pack up, eat and organize our board without getting too wet. Today we are returning to the Switch to spend some time with Mark and Darryl before Mum and Dad fly out at lunch time tomorrow.
Drove back to the Switch via Deception Bay which unfortunately in these conditions wasn't worth the detour!!
Arrived back to Mark and Darryl's and caught up on the goings on from the last few weeks. Mum was quite tired so she had a rest whilst Mike, Bec and Dad headed into the Switch to show Dad around and organize a few bits.
It was then time for a low key night involving pizza, beer and a DVD - the DVD of choice was Borat and we were all concerned at how Mum and Dad would take it. They did actually enjoy it and all 6 of us spent a couple of hours laughing very hard!!
It was then time to get some sleep in before the big departure tomorrow.
25th August
Awoke at a reasonable time and helped Mum and Dad pack their van up before having breakie and leaving for the airport.
Mike and Dad drove the van and Mum and Bec went with Mark and Darryl. It would be our last chance to have a good chat in person before they left.
Arrived at the airport and as Dad had already checked in on the net last night we were able to skip the big lines. We actually ended up lining up in the wrong line though, but thank god the check in staff where in a good mood so they didn't make us join the end of the really long one.
Mum, Bec, Mark and Darryl went for a coffee whilst Dad and Mike had one last beer for the trip - at 11 in the morning mind you!
Soon after they were called to board and it was time to say goodbye, we've had such a great time showing them how we travel and it was hard to say goodbye. At least we'll get to see them soon when we arrive back in Perth.
Mum waved the whole way down the airbridge before she vanished in the distance!
No one felt like going home so we went to Indoorpilly for some shopping. Bec bought a few tops and they guys got a few bits too before we headed home.
Had a lazy arvo around the house doing some washing etc.
26th August
Had a well deserved sleep in, then went and washed the van and filled the gas bottle so it would be ready to be dropped off tomorrow morning.
Cleaned up the bus and re-stocked the cupboards.
Drove around the Switch and surrounding suburbs looking for a Laundromat to try and get our sheets dry etc - no such luck as they're all busy due to the long term poor weather and everyone having the same idea.
Had a very cruisey afternoon and evening as tomorrow we would both be returning to work for one final week before hitting the road for good.
27th August – 31st August
Our last week of work! Both companies where sad to see us go, lucky for Mike's they get him back when we return.
Bec had a few good bye lunches throughout the week with the girls she'd made good mates with in her time here in Brisbane.
We're now free again and it’s a great feeling!!
Awoke by the river and after breakie and a walk it was time to hit the road once more with Rockhampton in our sights!
First stop the tourist centre to see the marker of the Tropic of Capricorn and find out what there is to do around here. Being a Sunday it’s all pretty dead so after the customary happy snaps at the marker we moved onto a tea house for Bec's favorite - Devonshire Teas!!
We then visited the Archer Park Station and Steam Train Museum which was fantastic. We got to ride on an old steam train as well as board the first class sleeping carriage. It was all topped off by some very bad karaoke being projected loudly through massive speakers.
Well we've crossed the Tropic of Capricorn and instead of getting tropical its wet, go figure. We headed just out of town to Gracemere for the night and set up camp in a lovely caravan park. Dad got the hot tip that the local pub did nice meals so we showered up and headed down there.
Beautiful food, just a shame about the weather.
20th August
We're now just over half way through the fortnight with Mum and Dad and a fair way north so it’s time to head back down south.
Packed up at the caravan park and drove to Dululu for a break and to check out the camp for the night. We've not come that far and it’s not the best so we'll keep moving.
Stopped at another rest area where we met two old solo's (motor home speak for people traveling alone), a lady named Mary who showed us her home made mobile oven/cook top - god knows how it worked but it looked very basic. The guy she was traveling with (separate vans) wasn't very talkative and we didn't catch his name (he reminded Mike of the taxi driver from Cunamulla - for Tony, Bev, Dawn and Jeff).
Kept going to Mulgidie as Mike and Dad were excited at the prospect of camping behind a pub for the night. When we got there it was so boggy due to the recent rains that we decided to park up the road near the sale yards. Took a stroll into town and Mum scouted the local antique shop with no success.
We then moved onto the old pub for a few bevies, a game of pool and a look around their art gallery. While we were there the barmaid told us an old story about there being a ghost there, she showed us their signature post card which displayed to us what looked like a puff of cigarette smoke!! Asked them if it was ok to stay the night down the sale yards and she replied "no worries, no one cares around here".
Mum and Dad's first dodgy (Mike and Bec's term for anywhere that's not a true camp site!)
21st August
After a great night sleep with no problems we awoke and had breakie.
Packed up and drove on to Gayndah checking out our camp for the night on the way into town. We're allowed to have an open fire here so we'll try and get some wood so that we can show Mum and Dad how we cook in our camp oven.
A quaint little town where real estate is so cheap that Dad nearly bought an old Queenslander! Mike organized some chocks for the bus and the local hardware were so obliging that they didn't even charge him and gave him the phone number of someone for firewood. Bought a nice leg of lamb from the local butcher and then called our firewood man. He would deliver to the camp by dark - they sure do make it easy around here.
Went back to Claude Wharton Weir and set up and leveled the camps. Built a fire and whilst waiting for the firewood man Mike made friends with the local homeless guy who was camping there indefinitely! He was harmless enough but just kept popping over.
Later that arvo a chirpy Milkman/Firewood man arrived with a couple of crates of wood for us. He delivered them with a smile and offered us the crates before jumping back in his truck and getting ready to drive off. When Mike asked him how much he said no worries mate just enjoy Gayndah - country hospitality to the max but we didn't let him drive away without stuffing some money in his hand.
Had a very enjoyable night watching the flames of the fire whilst eating a succulent roast - who said camping was roughing it!!
22nd August
Woke to rain at the weir this morning. Unfortunately we weren't expecting it so everything was left outside and was now wet. Had breakfast and packed up before heading to Maryborough.
The rain was so bad on the way that we decided it would be a good idea to get off the road for awhile - what were we to do though, maybe a movie. Chuck and Larry it was in a dingy little cinema where we were joined by only 2 others. A funny movie though, very light hearted but good and a great way to keep warm and dry.
Drove onto Tiaro just south of Maryborough and went to Petri Park to camp for the night. After arriving we spent about an hour getting level spots before Mum and Bec ventured to the toilet in the rain. We had a brolley but Mum was wearing thongs which she doesn't normally wear and the ground was very slippery and muddy so a 2 minute task took about 10 minutes and involved lots of laughing.
We all showered in the bus before enjoying a customary few rounds of cards and dinner.
23rd August
Awoke to the sound of rain and we were very glad to see that we hadn't sunk into the mud overnight!
Drove onto Gympie hoping for a phone shop as Mum has been meaning to get a new mobile phone contract like ours with my hour but has found it a little daunting to organize by herself. Arrived in Gympie but no such luck so we decided to move on in the direction of Caloundra and hopefully enjoy our last night on the road together there.
Arrived in Caloundra to more rain and organized the phone - a few hours later we emerged and drove onto our caravan park for the night. The weather was that bad when we arrived the owner of the park told us just to park up and organize everything in the morning.
It was our last night and whilst the weather was so bad we felt we should make the effort to go out. After a strange set up of running to and from the showers in the rain and then changed inside Mum and Dad's camper in front of the Boat Club and then running inside we were there and relatively dry. We then enjoyed another night of seafood, drinks and pokies - a good way to top the travels off.
24th August
After a restless night due to the never ending rain we awoke and did our best to pack up, eat and organize our board without getting too wet. Today we are returning to the Switch to spend some time with Mark and Darryl before Mum and Dad fly out at lunch time tomorrow.
Drove back to the Switch via Deception Bay which unfortunately in these conditions wasn't worth the detour!!
Arrived back to Mark and Darryl's and caught up on the goings on from the last few weeks. Mum was quite tired so she had a rest whilst Mike, Bec and Dad headed into the Switch to show Dad around and organize a few bits.
It was then time for a low key night involving pizza, beer and a DVD - the DVD of choice was Borat and we were all concerned at how Mum and Dad would take it. They did actually enjoy it and all 6 of us spent a couple of hours laughing very hard!!
It was then time to get some sleep in before the big departure tomorrow.
25th August
Awoke at a reasonable time and helped Mum and Dad pack their van up before having breakie and leaving for the airport.
Mike and Dad drove the van and Mum and Bec went with Mark and Darryl. It would be our last chance to have a good chat in person before they left.
Arrived at the airport and as Dad had already checked in on the net last night we were able to skip the big lines. We actually ended up lining up in the wrong line though, but thank god the check in staff where in a good mood so they didn't make us join the end of the really long one.
Mum, Bec, Mark and Darryl went for a coffee whilst Dad and Mike had one last beer for the trip - at 11 in the morning mind you!
Soon after they were called to board and it was time to say goodbye, we've had such a great time showing them how we travel and it was hard to say goodbye. At least we'll get to see them soon when we arrive back in Perth.
Mum waved the whole way down the airbridge before she vanished in the distance!
No one felt like going home so we went to Indoorpilly for some shopping. Bec bought a few tops and they guys got a few bits too before we headed home.
Had a lazy arvo around the house doing some washing etc.
26th August
Had a well deserved sleep in, then went and washed the van and filled the gas bottle so it would be ready to be dropped off tomorrow morning.
Cleaned up the bus and re-stocked the cupboards.
Drove around the Switch and surrounding suburbs looking for a Laundromat to try and get our sheets dry etc - no such luck as they're all busy due to the long term poor weather and everyone having the same idea.
Had a very cruisey afternoon and evening as tomorrow we would both be returning to work for one final week before hitting the road for good.
27th August – 31st August
Our last week of work! Both companies where sad to see us go, lucky for Mike's they get him back when we return.
Bec had a few good bye lunches throughout the week with the girls she'd made good mates with in her time here in Brisbane.
We're now free again and it’s a great feeling!!