Home Sweet Home

Made our way into Melbourne after rush hour found our way to Ikea for a look, did'nt buy much. Then to the Exhibition Centre to the Craft Fair for Diane, I filled in two hours in the Museum. Then called in to see my niece Rosina and baby Ruby before heading to the boat.
Boat trip was good and never woke till in Devonport. Getting home felt strange after nearly six months away but pleased to find everything in good order.
Had a busy fortnight getting things back to normal and catching up with family and friends, even the dogs were happy to be home.I headed off to Flinders Island the weekend after we got home for my sisters 70th birthday for four days.
We had six terrific days at Ansons at the long weekend,everything good. Then started my new job after that, a bit of a shock. I crushed my finger the third day and had to have seven stitches, ouch!
After a month at home our holiday just seems like a dream, but a very pleasent one.

The last leg

Diane finally got to checkout the big craft depot at Pennant Hills and had to put more air in the tyres. We made our way to Simon's through the mad traffic to get to know our cute granddaughter, Rylee. She's 14 months but not walking yet but knows how to get her own way. Visited the Parklea markets and Warrengamba dam in three wet days.
Headed to Leeton through the Burley Griffin Way and the countryside looked magnificent, beautiful grain crops and acres of bright yellow canola and the purple weed Patersons Curse. Spent a beautiful day sight seeing with a great couple we met earlier on our trip. With all the rain the rice growers are gearing up for a great season, first crops for three years.
Heading south called into a dairy farmer (Richard Carter's mate) at Numerka, he reckoned it would be the best season for years, grass everywhere.
Staying in a cabin in Seymour, ready to tackle Melbourne tomorrow and on the boat tomorrow night. Whoo hoo!!!!!!!

Heading Home

Next day I had an unsuccessful fishing trip with Nathan but still tried out his new boat.We dropped down to Rockhampton listening to an exiting AFL grand final and stayed in a cabin due to threatening rain. We headed inland through Mt Morgan and Biloela, beautiful country all green and mixed crops, even diary country. Camped the night at Gayndah and seen a cloud of fruit bats on the move on dark,(millions)
On the way to Maroochydor we drove into Noosa and got a shock,not used to crowded civilization.We stayed the night with Rick and Helan Bransden in their absolutely beautiful new home at Twin Waters, good to catch up.
Headed inland again through the Blackall Ranges, looking down over the coast. We called into the Black Forrest Cookoo Clock shop which was amazing.Drove through Towoomba in pooring rain and camped in Texas for the night.
Onto Newcastle via Inverell,Uralla and Tamworth all beatiful green rolling hills and had a coffee with Ella Cunningham,Phils great niece at Willow Tree. Camped at Burning Mountain and checked out a burning coalseam underground.Called into Hunter Valley Gardens,very nice and stayed the night with Diane's sister Sandra and caught up with her family.
Heading for Simons today.

Wedding Day

The big day started with threatening rain but the day turned out ok. The setting was at the Palmetum in Townsville at a beautiful sheltered rain forest section. There were about 65 guests in attendance with the groom happily waiting for the traditionally late bride.(All good) The vows were exchanged without further ado and the happy couple were congratulated in a cloud of bubbles,then the photos began of the radiant bride and relieved and relaxed groom.
The RSL was the venue for the reception which was carried out very professionally. The nervous but entertaining speeches were given during the superb smorgasbord meal.
The dance floor got a good workout and a good time was enjoyed by all.
Celebrations continued on sunday as interstate guests headed home. We left the happy couple to go on their honeymoon on Thursday and we were only too pleased to be finally heading for home.
We stayed with old friends Helen and David Watts who are managing a caravan park in Bowen.We missed out on a fishing trip at Bowen with Nathan Oakley due to the wind.The weather is very unsettled but still hot and sticky.

Cairns

Rained all night at Wonga Beach.Then had a couple of enjoyable days with Graham & Michelle Anthony at their unit at Trinity Beach and made good use of the pool,very sticky weather.
Checked out super yacht "Kocomo" in the marina at Cairns. (magnificent).Then headed for Townsville checking out the 'Boulders' at Babinda,Innisfail,Mourilyan Bay,Etty Beach and camped the night at beautiful Kurrimine Beach.
Finally arriving at Tim & Lynda's for a couple of days, catching up on the wedding preparations and chasing mud crabs.
We moved into Rowes Bay Caravan Park for a week.Had the Buck and Hens party on Saturday night,say no more.
Had a boys day fishing on the Reef catching some coral trout and spanish mackeral and had a fish Barbie with wedding guests on the foreshore.
Diane has finally found a dress for the wedding(phew)ready for the big day tommorow.

Tablelands

The wind blew us out of Karumba so we found a nice quiet spot in Croydon ( an old mining town), then headed through Georgetown (more old mines) then onto Gobbold Gorge. We done the three hour gorge tour, well worth the look and a great camp spot and shared a campfire with fellow tourists.
Next stop was Mt Surprise and done the Undarra Lava tubes tour which was excellant. Then moved onto an old mining town called Herberton and booked a hotel room because of rain, our first for 4 months.
Spent the day checking out the historic past of the town and then spent the next 2 nights in Atherton (still drizzling) checking out the highlights of the Tablelands. Beautiful tropical countryside.
On the way to Mareeba we stocked up with lots of tropical fruits and vegies, (yummy and cheap). Then headed down the mountain to Mossman and the Daintree and camping tonight at a beautiful park on Wonga Beach and wet again.

Plenty Highway

Headed south on Thursday the 19th to Daly Waters to check out the historic pub which was filled with stuff! Had lunch at the Elliott roadhouse with a flock of peacocks.Stayed the night at Tennant Creek, still hot 34 degrees, 20 overnight.
Checked out the Devil's Marbles before heading to Gemtree on the Plenty Highway through a plague of locusts.
On the road we passed a huge termite mound, flocks of green budgies and quail, a couple on pushbikes riding from Alice to Longreach, nutters!In places the grass was 2 feet high from all the rain, the cattle was laying around too full to move.But passing into Queensland it was dry open plains.
Camped the night on the Georgina River and caught up with some pig hunters with a ute load of live wild porkers.
Fuelled up at Boulia and onto Mt Isa for a couple of days. Phil done the tour at the Extrata silver, lead, zinc and copper mine.
Drove onto Cloncurry and headed north for Karumba, where we have spent the last 2 days. Had a nice feed of prawns ($15 a kilo) and Phil done a fishing charter, but only brought home 1 blue salmon.
Heading east on Friday.