1st – Another day off work for me. I went looking for doona covers and shower curtain material as I will have to make one to suit the pop-top. Steve has bought bendable shower curtain rail so it can hang from the roof down to the top of the shower walls. He has been finishing off a lot of bits and pieces. Connected up the water so the taps run and the toilet flushes. The gas bottles have been installed in their compartment. He ran the cabling for the side indicator lights and installed the outside lights as well as connected up the four inside lights. He is doing an amazing job considering all the time he spends looking after Mum and Dad too. There are so many bits he has done that I haven’t taken photos of which are all part of making the camper.
No rain but still overcast and quite warm and humid.
Cross-stitch at Valerie’s with Christine. Finished off my Christmas initials for the newest members to the Geck family – Bryon, Fran and Annalise. They can hang them on the tree when we get to Woodgate.
2nd – Took my biscuits to work to chomp up ready to make my Kahula balls etc. Lee and I were on stocktake duty at work – so many shirts and shorts to count!
Steve built the storage box that will be under the dining table.
Unfortunately we forgot about the size of the box when we ordered the dining table and Steve decided to make it narrower to give us more sitting room – slight oops as now the box sticks out on each side. Oh well we can always get a new dining table made after we decide on what chairs we are having.
3rd – Lee and I finished off the stocktake then we started assembling the shelving that Steve and I picked up on the weekend. We were very impressed with our handiwork – I had Steve on call in case we couldn’t get it together ourselves.
Steve put the edging on the pantry and glued the fibreglass panel to both sides of the shower door he is making.
Made up my Kahula balls, Baileys balls and apricot balls ready for Christmas.
4th – After I got Mum and Dad sorted for breakfast I met Kaylene at Holloways Beach for a walk and a cuppa. Luckily Steve is nearby working on the camper so I can duck out for an hour.
Steve cut holes in the roof and installed the vent/lights above the shower and the toilet.
My big contribution to the camper – I cut the shower mat to size!
Steve glued and riveted the solar panel brackets on to the roof then installed the solar panels – more cables to run.
After lunch I popped out again and met Wendy and her mum, Heather, at Earlville for a quick cuppa and catch-up.
When I got home Francis was just leaving after remeasuring the vinyl for the pop-top. The material was delayed so he will get into it this week. Greg Nolan arrived too and he stopped for a cuppa and chat.
Steve put in a wall and shelf in his ‘battery area’ – well planned out, even room for the water hose.
We tried the lights in the shower - very bright.
Susan rang – they are in Yeppoon enjoying the caravanning lifestyle. Looks like they won’t be back in time for our ‘cross-stitch’ dinner out next Wednesday.
Steve has been working in the night trying to get everything ready for the trip to Woodgate.
5th – I helped Steve put the shower door on. I will sew the curtain for the top bit. We have bendable curtain rail to put up yet.
Greg arrived after lunch to help Steve load up all the metal rubbish to take to the dump – free to dump.
Jon and Annalise called in for a chat.
6th – Steve busy finishing off bits and pieces on the camper while I got some Christmas present shopping done.
7th – I had a slippery time sewing the curtain tape onto the material for the shower curtain. Then I helped Steve as we bent the curtain rail into shape. He will put it up once Francis has installed the pop-top vinyl. Then I can shorten the curtain etc.
Finished off my Christmas shopping and got everything wrapped.
Hot and humid today – very nice having the air conditioner on for lunch. Thanks Jon.
8th – Last two last days of work. Lee brought in some Perspex to cover the grill in the storage room we put the shelves up in. Steve will pop in later to put them up for us.
Dark clouds building, 34 degrees but the humidity is the problem, very high so it is very sticky. The weather bureau has been going on about all the extreme temperatures down south but it is the humidity that wears you down. We were in 40 to 45 degrees and it didn’t worry us because it was a dry heat.
Steve is working on the truck for the next few days – reinstalling the water tanks and new air bags to help with the load of the camper now it is nearly fitted out.
9th – Last day of work for me. A shower of rain fell in the morning.
Steve has been busy and getting very sweaty in all this high humidity working on the truck.
Rang Erica, looking forward to seeing us soon. I put Mum on the phone and they had a nice chat.
Storm building, 6pm thunder and lightning.
Dinner with Valerie, Russell, Christine, Richard, Susan and Ross at Pearl Gardens Chinese Restaurant. We had a banquet meal – lots to eat and we finished off with fried ice cream balls – yum. I used to make them – very fiddly in hot weather!!
10th – Heavy rain as we woke up (20mm), still very humid. Steve back in camper finishing off bits as it is too muddy to work on truck now.
Did some baking and prepared my plum puddings. An old recipe from when Dan was in Preschool. Leave overnight then microwave – very simple.
Sun out again with nice wind. We sit outside to have our cuppas and the curlew family are still there in the cleared area. Baby has grown a lot. Karen has a kitten now so they don’t spend much time in her yard!
Steve started putting the aluminium edging on the cupboards under the sink to protect and strengthen them.
Daniel called in to take measurements to make the nose cone for the front of the camper to deflect the wind.
Jon called in later – his big job at Cairns Central is finished. Won’t be doing any more commercial work for a while – too many hassles.
11th – Francis arrived early to install the vinyl for the pop-top. Looks fabulous and the big windows will be great in the hot weather.
The Francisia – Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow plant (Mum called it Day and Night) looks lovely. The fireballs are popping up with the recent rain.
We put up the curtain rail.
I hung the curtain then measured the length we need. Sewing the slippery material is not so good but I got the job done in the end and hung it up. Will see how it goes when showering as to whether we need a few Velcrose dots to keep it from blowing out of the shower cubicle.
Dad has a very, very long bamboo pole with a wire hook and mesh basket to get the mangoes out of the tree. Unfortunately all the flowers on it early on have disappeared and the three mangoes we did see the flying foxes have already gotten. Steve noticed the tree behind our old work was laden with Bowen mangoes, it is beside the drain so hard to get to. Steve put the big pole on the truck, 7m long same as the truck and we had fun picking the just turning pink mangoes. I wiped the sap and wrapped them in newspaper as they are still very hard. Will keep them in a cardboard box till they ripen. Another couple came along and asked about the pole so we shared a few mangoes with them. Francis’ shop is here too so we had told him we were coming down to take the high ones and he can get the low ones with the pole Steve left him 6 years ago.
Heavy rain as we headed up to bed.
12th – 13mm in the rain gauge from last night’s rain. Sun comes and goes from behind the clouds so it is humid but there is a strong wind which dries the clothes in the carport.
My hairdresser – Stefan, ha ha – coloured my hair. I will do all the hair cuts and nail trimming next week so they will be set for the 3 weeks we are away.
Steve tidying up wires for the fan lights and drilled through the roof to run the cables down from the solar panels.
Pete dropped in and gave us pumpkin, passionfruit and limes from his garden and his home-made sweet chilli sauce – lovely.
Now the camper is sealed I started cleaning the bed end and opened up the mattresses ready to make up tomorrow.
Steve put up the towel rails and toilet roll holder then finished gluing the edging on the under sink cupboard.
Drinks with Annalise’s parents, Lynda and Miles, as Miles was home from WA mine job for the Christmas break. Lynda gave us beautiful coasters and matching tea towel. They have a unit at Airlie Beach so Annalise will just have a few days with us at Woodgate then join them via train for Christmas. Jon will drive up to her on Boxing Day.
13th – I put up some Christmas decorations ready for our ‘Christmas’ dinner tonight.
Made up our beds in the camper and continued cleaning the camper.
Steve worked out how to raise the shower rose – use a painter pole. He also bought some to make into tent poles for the awning – lighter and stronger.
Dave and Wendy called in to check out the camper – very impressed.
After lunch I finished cleaning the camper and put in the non-slip matting in the cupboards. Steve worked on the truck.
I got everything ready for dinner – easy Christmas spread, hot chook, ham, salads, fruit then plum pudding, custard, trifle and ice-cream and then some Kahula balls and chocolate wafer sticks. We put the air conditioner on to take the stickiness out of the air and to show Jon and Brian that we do use it.
As they arrived each one had to hang their initial up – usually it is on a Christmas tree but I didn’t put one up this year so a bit of tinsel did the job.
Annalise took some photos of the four of us – I wanted to replace the photo on Mum’s wall. It was taken when Daniel was 21 and Jon 17 – just a few years ago!!
Mum handed out her presents and we all gave Mum and Dad their presents. We all popped the Christmas bon-bons at the same time. Read the ‘jokes’ and put on our hats ready to start eating.
Great night chatting – so lovely to spend time with our boys and their lovely ladies as well as Brian and Greg too. Mum loves listening to all the prattle and Dad even makes a comment or two.
14th – Hot and humid day with dark clouds passing over but only the slightest bit of rain fell.
Glued the soap, shampoo dispenser on the shower wall.
Rick popped in to see how the camper was progressing.
I started packing the camper. As we don’t have doors on the cupboards yet I have to put everything in boxes so it doesn’t fall about.
Steve put the aluminium protection, which Daniel bent for him, down the underside of the camper to protect the water pipes on one side and to make a storage area for the tent poles on the other.
Rebecca and Clive called in for a cuppa and to wish us all a wonderful Christmas. They are off to Sydney for Christmas to see Megan and Andre.
15th – Mum and Dad had a big sleep-in as Dad had the wanders last night so he kept Mum awake too.
I did some more packing while Steve continued with his final jobs.
So glad Mum has the air conditioner going after lunch. It is certainly very humid today with more storms building but no rain here. Down the SE corner of Qld and northern NSW they have had heaps of rain and the beaches have been battered by wild weather, and we pay the high insurance for living up here in the ‘cyclone’ area!!
After lunch Steve started on the steps for when the camper is on the truck. He made it from the left over bits from the truck’s tray. Very good for a temporary fix – he will make a better set next year. Now he just has to work out how he is going to attach them!!
Dan dropped off the folded light aluminium wind deflecting device for the camper. Steve has to pop-rivet it together.
16th – While it was still coolish in the morning I cut Dad’s hair. He mightn’t have much on top but the back is thick and grows quickly. Mum says she will be right till I get back.
I rang Club 4x4 to check out insurance for the truck and camper as other insurance companies only work on the basic value of the truck and as we built the camper it is hard to insure. Club 4x4’s representative, Chris, was so helpful and she organised good valued cover for our truck and camper at a very reasonable price.
Steve got to work on the wind deflecting device. He had it together and up before I had a chance to take a photo. Took another one after he got the cover on it. The three holes are for capped poly pipe to house our fishing rods. Dan is still making the side bits which will be hinged and will also protect the linear actuators.
Greg came over for Chinese with Mum and Dad. We went out to Andrea and Alan’s for dinner with them and Kaylene and Rick. Andrea has done, with a lot of help from Alan, to create another Christmas Wonderland.
17th – Steve put in the poly pipe in the wind deflector ready for our fishing rods.
Greg and Kristen called in for a cuppa and to check out the camper and wish us all a Merry Christmas. They don’t have to travel as far this year to join their daughter and family as they have now moved to Ayr.
The big moment – putting the camper back onto the truck. Up goes the legs high enough to back the truck under.
All the way back and snug as a bug. Steve left the roof rack on so we can bring back some more sheets to do the cupboards doors etc. Luckily there is just enough clearance – or is that good planning!
Legs going up. All good – the tyres are still up!
Drove it out from under the tarp to make sure the solar panels on the roof are working properly. They are putting in good amperage so he is very happy. Steve put on the safety chains.
4pm Steve drove off to put the truck and camper over the weigh-bridge!
Steve put more air in the air bags and back tyres and it rides well. Nothing fell out of the cupboards considering they don’t have doors.
When he returned Mum and Dad came out for a closer look. Still a bit to do inside (like cupboards doors, floor vinyl and chairs) but the basics are all done and functioning.
Steve trying out his new steps. Not bad for using scrap bits and pieces. Will make another set next year.
18th - We have been home a year today. Finished packing the camper and closed up the caravan.
Greg moved in ready for 3 weeks ‘holiday’ with Mum and Dad.
Used the shower for the first time - all good, my curtain works well too.
19th - Had a pretty good sleep, the bed is very comfortable but it always takes a bit to adjust to a new bed and surrounds. As we are up high on the truck I had a good view through the trees as the sun rose about 5.30.
Had our breakfast in the camper then closed up and went inside to say a final farewell to Mum, Dad and Greg. Our home from inside Mum & Dad’s.
Greg came out to take some photos of us once we had the truck on the road
Mum waved farewell from the window. It’s only 3 weeks but it will feel like forever again, like when we first left 6 years ago.
We left at 6.45am and headed south. Jon and Annalise were at the airport ready to fly south.
We stopped for a cuppa in Cardwell. Pulled out the step from the camper then inside to make a cuppa - easy, just have to remember to keep my head bent. Bought some lychees for $10 a kilo.
Jon sent a photo of them both masked up, just in case as someone from Sydney was infected with CoVid came into Queensland recently.
10.30 Jon and Annalise are in Brisbane waiting for the flight up to Bundaberg at 11.30.
We stopped for a late lunch in the park beside Pioneer Speedway in Brandon where Steve used to race.
Took the new bypass around Mackay which was great. Fighting a head wind which will kill the fuel economy.
Cuppa at Bowen rest area near the Big Mango. Our mangoes are in the car with us and are smelling very delicious.
Continued on to the rest area just south of St Lawrence turnoff. Lots of other travellers here. Parked up and quickly cooked dinner. Played a game of Skipbo to christen our new pack of cards - very slippery compared to the old dusty, mouldy ones! Had our showers then a cuppa and chocolate to celebrate our new camper.
We are very happy with the layout and Steve’s amazing work.
Into bed listening to the flying foxes screeching and trucks zooming by. A bit of breeze coming in through the big windows.
20th - Up with the birds at 5.30am, breakfast then on the road by 6am.
Early cuppa at south side of Rockhampton. Continual roadworks all the way to Calliope making it slow going.
10am stopped for another cuppa beside the Boyne River. Rang Mum - they are fine and Greg is coping alright.
Lunch at Apple Tree Creek then into Childers to get some food at Woolies. All the trees have big red ribbons around them. Turned off to Goodwood then 19km down to Woodgate Beach. More red ribbons here. Blue water and choppy waves.
Hugs and kisses for Erica, Terry and David and of course Jon and Annalise. Set up beside Erica and Terry’s van in the back yard. First time so it took a bit of co-ordinating as the shades had to be put on before we raised the roof. Making do with our old shade cloth ones at the moment and Rick gave us the waterproof one for the back which will be handy when it rains.
David and Jon had started putting in the drainage grates and pits to stop the rain water flowing under the house when heavy rain falls, so no rest for Steve as they got straight into it since this side of the house is in the shade in the afternoon.
Annalise and I sliced up some of the mangoes for dessert as they are all nearly ripe.
Walked down to the beach to put my feet in the water.
A few clear jellies on the beach. Jon and Annalise went for a swim.
Back to the house for late drinks and dinner.
Jon took Annalise to the beach with a torch to chase ghost crabs. Only found a few.
21st - Up early as the sun is bright and shining in the window by Steve’s bed at 5.30. I got up at 6.30 and went for a walk along the beach as the tide was out. So relaxing.
Jon set to work on plumbing the new outdoor shower. David had found a old surf board for $10 so it looks very beachy.
Steve, David and ‘foreman’ Terry continued with the drainage pits. Forecast for Christmas Day is up to 25mm so they might get to see if all their drainage work will stop the water flowing under the house.
After lunch I played a couple games of Skipbo with Erica, Jon and Annalise.
All hands on deck to erect the big marquee out the front.
Rang Mum - they are all good and having fun!!
Time for a swim then back to finish off the marquee decorating while I got dinner organised.
After dinner and yummy mango and icecream we played Tripoli. Annalise went broke first then me but we made a come back with loans from our darlings and stayed in the game. Steve won in the end with Erica a close second.
22nd - A lovely long walk on the beach today. I shifted two coconuts, a dead big puffer fish and half a crayfish further up the beach so they wouldn’t roll around in the water as the tide caught them again. I found a little scallop shell that we made windchimes out of years ago. Erica still has hers.
Finished putting up the Christmas decorations. I had my cross-stitched initials so when each person arrived they had to hang their initial on the tree.
Bradley arrived after lunch then Stephanie about 2pm.
Daniel and Fran are on their way here. They left Cairns at 3am and decided to drive straight through.
Lovely dinner then more mango and icecream for dessert. We all played in a Kelly Pool competition.
Daniel and Fran arrived just after 10pm and with a quick hello when straight up to bed as they were exhausted. Steve and I used to do that drive when we were first married, leaving after work and driving through the night - 4 hour shift each - couldn’t do that now!
11pm I heard the pitter patter of rain on the roof so closed up the pop-top zipped windows.
23rd - Cloudy morning. Stephanie had blown up her big paddle board and had a lovely time down the beach as the sea was flat. I slept in so I missed my walk!
Did our washing in case the weather bureau gets it right and we get rain for a few days. Erica has a twin tub washer here so I am right at home but it is bigger than my little one.
Jon and David started a pool competition where each person has to challenge the one above them and win to be able to climb up the ladder. As they started with the first game, Jon was on top and David second. They put Steve as 3rd as he had done well in the Kelly Pool comp - rigged!
After lunch the kids played Monopoly - new age with credit cards, no money!!
Stephanie went to the Sunshine Coast to visit some friends. Steve and I sat under the she-oak tree looking over the rolling sea. Lovely sea breeze.
Wrapped up four big mangoes for Annalise as she loves them as much as I do.
Took some photos by the Christmas tree with Jon and Annalise.
Jon drove Annalise to Bundaberg to catch her train at 8.30 up to Proserpine where her family have booked a unit for Christmas. She dosen’t get in till about 6am tomorrow. Jon will join her on boxing day.
The boys continued with their pool challenge while Erica and I played Skipbo.
24th - Went for a nice walk along the beach, chatting with guy who was fishing. A beautiful big shell rolled in while he was there, just had a couple of small barnacles on it - amazing.
Had an early cuppa then Erica and I headed into Bundaberg to see her cancer doctor for her latest results - great news, nothing has grown and they are very happy with how things are going.
We stopped in at home and had the lunch I had prepared then headed to the shops. The boys were hard at work pulling out the old vanity in the bathroom and installing a new one for Erica’s Christmas present while we were away.
Managed to get a good park and all our shopping done and home again by 3pm.
Ella had arrived earlier then Amanda and Ben arrived after we got home.
Time for drinks under the marquee. Daniel brought out a ‘toy’ that was great fun and a challenge - even Granma had a go. She wants one for their Caravan Club.
Set up the tables after drinks ready for Christmas Day lunch. I snuck upstairs to get a photo of the new vanity. As they are staying in their van Erica hasn’t had to go upstairs so she will get a surprise tomorrow morning. The boys kept the old newspaper from under it thinking it would be from the original build but it was on 1981 when Terry last renovated the bathroom.
The pool competition is still going. Easy dinner tonight - spaghetti.
25th - Christmas Day. A few drops of rain fell about 4am but Weather Bureau has changed it from 0 to 25mm to 0 to 0.4mm so we should be fine. It is overcast but that should keep it cooler under the big marquee.
8.30am we gathered under the marquee to open presents that were stacked under the tree.
We took family photos. Fran took one of the whole family, just missing Jodie and Samuel from our direct family group.
Ella and Stephanie were the present givers and we all enjoyed seeing what everyone received. We gave the boys money and a gecko each.
Erica snuck upstairs and saw her new vanity so I didn’t get a photo of her surprise - she was very happy.
I then pulled out my bag of cheap presents and we played the game Valerie had told me about. Take a present then roll the dice to see where the present goes, pass to the left or right or change with some-one else. We went around the 12 of us twice then they opened the presents. Then we went around two more times with a lot of bantering about what present they wanted etc. It was a lot of fun and amazing everyone liked the cheap gifts I bought.
Rang Mum - they had a lovely breakfast with Greg, Tracy and kids. It has been very hot up there so I am glad they had the air conditioner.
Made a cuppa then we played the question answer game Erica had from one of their caravan rallies. The sun came out making it quite hot so we set up fans but then the clouds came over again and we were all good.
More pool competition - it is getting very competitive!
I uploaded Facebook onto my phone as I am having trouble with internet reception for my laptop. I put up my Christmas wishes for everyone and Maralyn came back asking for photos. Stephanie sent me the photo Fran took on her phone so I got Ella to show me how to crop it on my photo then I uploaded it.
Brian had a go on Dan’s Bop It game - it is very addictive to see if you can increase your score.
Bradley works for an engineering company doing the CAD drawings etc so he made a copy of the original house number here and had it laser cut for them. Looks great.
The old version.
Charlie, a cousin on Erica’s side, arrived with his wife, Carla and son, Coen. Terry got out his propeller blade to show Coen - a fun trick for the kids as the vibration makes the blade turn then he says Cooee (and changes his finger position) and the propeller goes back the other way.
Charlie’s father, Ronnie and his brother Robbie eventually arrived just as we were getting lunch ready. They brought more food and fruit so we have so much to eat.
Misty rain passed over which kept it cool. After we filled up on food the three brothers got to work on the dishes.
The rest of us chatted for a while then brought out desserts - we all kept room for that. Carla and Charlie were first in line.
Another cousin Dael and her husband Neil (who’s parents live next door) came over to chat.
Lots of chatting and games so it was a great afternoon. We showed everyone our camper and truck too as they are all interested in what we have been doing.
Got a Miller family photo before Robbie and Ronnie headed off. It was lovely for Erica to have two of her brothers here for Christmas.
After they left we all walked down the beach - very windy.
Charlie, Carla and Coen then left. Lots of food still so dinner was easy to organise.
A few more games of pool. Ben and Ella headed back to Maryborough as Ella has work in the morning. It was a lovely day.
26th - Up early with the sun. I headed down to the beach with Stephanie so we had a lovely walk and chat. She is heading off early to go down to Brisbane to pick up Jodie from the airport - a surprise for Erica and Terry as she didn’t think she could get away from her work in Mt Isa. Unfortunately Sam and her fiance, Bryon couldn’t come so Brian’s family was incomplete for Christmas.
Jon left at 8.30 to take Granma’s car back to Bundaberg house then get a taxi to the airport to fly up to Proserpine and join Annalise and her family there for a few days. Then they will drive back to Cairns.
Quiet morning, I caught up on my blog etc. Steve read his book - very nice relaxing day.
Brenda and Phil called in for a chat and to check out the camper. They saw the bare shell when Steve was here in October.
Sliced up the rest of the mangoes as Robbie bought a big tray of mangoes too. I will freeze mine to take home for Mum and Dad as I only left them with 8 mangoes.
Brian challenged Stephen who was on the top of the pool comp and won so Steve had to go down to the bottom, like what happened to Jon. Steph is second now as Dan has gone.
Steph and Jodie were held up with a caravan crash near Caboolture and arrived after dinner. Erica was playing pool when Steph drove in. I called out that we had icecream if she wanted some and Jodie came around the corner. Erica looked up and did a double-take as she thought it was Steph - took her a moment to realise it was Jodie. Lovely surprise for her and Terry.
27th - Lovely morning walk again and Stephanie was keeping pace with me on her stand-up paddle board and the sea was calmish with just smooth rolling waves. As I got back to our access area I saw Jodie so we went in for a swim while Steph tried catching waves on her board. It was lovely and we chatted away for quite a while about her life with Bryon in Mt Isa and their wedding in June next year.
Back home to wash off under the new surf-board shower then have some breakfast.
Amanda’s parents, Jan and Rod, arrived at morning tea time. We had a great morning chatting then got out the lunch food - feels like all we do is eat and chat!! Daniel left his ‘Bop It’ toy behind so Erica can take to one of her caravan rallies. Everyone loves the challenge so we passed it around the table after lunch and had a good laugh.
Brian had given Erica a book for her to write the story of her childhood etc in. She had started and she had lots of other notes about family anecdotes so I started typing it up for her.
I played Granma in the pool comp and won - only just so I moved up the board into third. Steve hasn’t challenged Amanda at the bottom yet to climb back up again.
28th - Another lovely morning for my walk along the beach. Tide up high now. Gael called in for a chat then Dael, Jenny and Dulcie dropped in. So lovely to have family in the houses around us and we can all wander and chat.
The boys got to work upstairs sanding the main beam in the lounge and gave it a fresh coat of paint. Only some roof repairs is left on the list of jobs to do!
After lunch I chopped up some of Ronnie’s mangoes to freeze some for Erica. Jodie and Stephanie dismantled the Christmas tree and packed away the decorations.
Finished of typing up Erica’s stories etc. She will keep working on it and I can update it in June when they come up for Jodie’s wedding.
The pool competition continues with less competitors of course. Those that have left just get wiped out. Most games get down to the Black ball so we are all fairly equal. I challenged Steph and she just beat me! Then she challenged Brian who is at the top and just got beaten so no one has changed positions.
After smoko Steph and Jodie went down the beach for a swim and a paddle. The others sat in the shade of the she-oaks. Lots of people making the most of the lovely weather.
I managed a photo of Steph balancing on her board as she surfed in - then she fell off!
Erica got out the jigsaw I bought ‘the family’ for Christmas. Another great passtime at Woodgate - doing jigsaws as everyone likes to put in a piece or two - or put them in the wrong place to mess the others up!!
Another great night chatting and playing pool. No movement in the pool comp as the challengers haven't managed to beat the one above them.
29th - 6am rain, zipped up the pop-top surround windows but the water came in through the stitching. We realised Francis had left an inch gap from the bottom of the flyscreen to where he stitched the vinyl on so when zipped up the water came in the flyscreen and pooled here and as there was a lot it seeped through the stitches and the edge where the zips are so we had a lot of mopping up to do.
The storm passed so I dried things off and then Steve decided to try silicon along the bottom to seal the stitches. I said the water will still pool and it should have had some eyelets to let the water out.
Amanda headed back home to Maryborough. She has to go back to work. The others chatted under the marque while Erica and Stephanie continued with the jigsaw.
Katherine and her partner John called in so Erica got a photo of them for the family tree.
Paul stopped in to check out the camper then Gael and Jodie popped in - getting crowded! Then Ray and Carol arrived to check it out - very popular spot our camper!
Made cuppas and chatted the morning away.
Ray and Carol had come in their hotrod. Will join them Sunday for a BBQ. They have sold their shed and now the house is nearly sold. Originally he said they were moving to Nullagine to dig for gold - he is such a joker. They are moving to Bribie Island!
Time to pull down the marquee - many hands make light work.
After lunch the jigsaw assembly continued - nearly done.
Daniel texted to say he and Fran were home. They had a nice hotel in Airlie Beach but the advertising was false - the pool was the public lagoon and the car park was a council one that he had to pay $10 for and it wasn’t safe.
The jigsaw is completed and we didn’t lose any pieces.
Had dinner then Paul and Gael joined us so the pool competition continued. Stephanie at last beat Brian so she jumped to the top of the leader board. The leader who lost then goes to the bottom of the list to challenge everyone again to get back to the top. I was next so I challenged Stephanie and I just beat her!! I sent off a text to Jon about my win and took a photo of the board.
Stephanie and Brian are leaving at 4am tomorrow morning so we said our farewells. Jodie will take the hire car Stephanie had driven down from Cairns in and take it back to Brisbane so she can catch the plane back to Mt Isa tomorrow afternoon. Got a photo of Jodie and Stephanie with Granma - they all complained how messy they look - but that’s the beach look!!
Pitter patter of rain on the roof of the camper as we went to bed. Hope we don’t get too much rain and the windows leak again!
30th - The rain did come and at 4am it poured. Brian and Stephanie headed off in it. We didn’t go out to wave goodbye as we were too busy stopping the water pouring in. The silicon sort of worked but the water was too much and it still flowed in so we will need to get Francis to sew it up completely which will be a pain to have to take it all off again but it needs to be done. In the meantime Steve agreed we need to put holes in the bottom so the water can flow out. About 6am the rain settled so we could do some snipping. We then moved the shade cloth to the other side to stem the flow onto that side of the camper - we had it the other side to shield from the afternoon sun. Jodie was up the house and commented the top of the camper looked like a swimming pool so Steve used the legs and angled the camper so the water could flow off down the shadecloth - worked well, looked like Niagra Falls. Steve decided we will buy two new actuators to put in the middle on each side to stop with the bending etc. The roof definitely needed a better design - oh well we learn from experience. Daniel said he will start drawing a plan to replace it in case he gets a call from us from the middle of somewhere and the roof has collapsed - ha ha.
Jodie left at 7.30 as the rain had settled into a drizzle and we thought it would be better to have plenty of time to get to Brisbane airport.
Wet dreary day but we had a good time chatting. David headed home after lunch.
While Erica and Terry had a rest upstairs. Steve and I had a game of pool as we hadn’t played against each other in the competition. He won!!
Jon texted that he and Annalise arrived home safely from Airlie Beach. They had a good time and the dogs were very happy to see them.
They walked around to the house and put up the Sold sign that the real estate agent had left their for them to put up. They are very excited.
The drizzly rain continued all day. The BOM said Goodwood which is 19km inland had 30mm. Erica’s great wall of sand across the front and the drains the boys put in seem to be doing the job.
As there is only the four of us now we moved upstairs to have dinner. After the very early start we headed off to bed early. Hopefully we will get a good night’s sleep if no more rain seeps in.
31st - The sun was shining through some clouds in the east - no rain through the night so we had a good sleep. I hung out all the wet stuff from yesterday.
Steve joined me for a walk along the beach. Sadly a big turtle is dead just below the high tide mark. QPWS have marked it and there was a crab pot on it - not sure if that was the cause or someone put it there to take a photo to make a statement! When we walked back the crab pot was gone. The dark clouds continued north along the coast to everything dried. Not game to do my washing yet though.
After breakfast we did some more ‘jobs’ for Erica and Terry.
At morning tea time Brenda called in then Ted from next door so we chatted the morning away.
Rang Mum - all ok, Greg was off getting some groceries.
After lunch Steve pulled out the old silicon around the base of the shower as it looked bad compared to the lovely new vanity. Steve then used the black silicon he had with him to reseal it. I updated my blog ready to up load for the month - if I can get good enough internet signal that is. Bit hit and miss around here.
Dark clouds hanging about and quite windy but no more rain.
After smoko Erica and I worked through the ‘memories’ I had been typing up for her. Brian had given her a book to write her life story in so I typed this up too. Now we were going through it to make sure we had the stories were correct.
Steve and Terry tidied and cleaned out the garden shed. I must have left games here in 2013 before we left on our travels. Some I will now take and the others I will leave here in a drawer (not the shed) for others to use.
Paul and Gael joined us for drinks.
Had our dinner upstairs watching the New Year programs - amazing what has happened to the country in 2020. Hope 2021 is much better. Sadly 1.8 million people died from Covid 19 throughout the world (that’s are the ones that were recorded of course) and 82 million people have contracted the virus. Poor NSW and Vic have had a flare up again so the state borders are shutting to try and protect each state’s citizens.
Steve, Erica and I played Skipbo - Terry watched TV through his closed eyelids! Watched the fireworks display in Sydney at their New Year time (our 11pm). We all won a few games and finished just before midnight. I sent off a post on Facebook then texted the boys etc wishing all a wonderful start to the new year. As the ABC repeated the Sydney fireworks for our new year we heard fireworks going off up the street near the Bowls Club. Hugs and kisses to bring in the new year then we headed off to bed. A few more fireworks went off down on the beach too.
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