Wed, 20th Sept, 2023 Bluewater Rest Area, north of Townsville to Dale’s place, Mackay, Qld

7am 19 degrees, clear sky and lots of dew on the roof. Lots of bird poop too as we were parked under a tree!!

Headed off through the roadworks. Even the new Motorway around Townsville had roadworks. Into Ayr and around the Nev and Carol’s for morning tea. She let Mark & Debbie know we were coming so they called in too. We had a great morning catching up and reminiscing about the good old days racing Formulas and the parties afterwards.

Continued on, across the Burdekin River which was dry. You can see the old footings of the old bridge below. Into Home Hill where we stopped for lunch at the Lions Park which had lots of information to read in the shelter shed too.

Great photo of the old bridge and information about the river and dam.

Great info about the sugar cane industry too. I was thinking when we passed the Sugar Cane Museum at Mourilyan that I should go through that to put up sugar cane info but it is all here.

Continued on. More roadworks as we approach the turn off to Bowen. That has to be the worst intersection on the Bruce Highway and they aren’t improving it with the roadworks.

Stopped for a cuppa in the rest area opposite the Big Mango. Nice view across the water.

Steve rang Griffo to give him and update. Moving the radiator for the automatic made a big difference to the auto temp but no change with the main radiator. He thinks he will have to change the new shroud we bought with the new radiator and put in stronger fans to pull the air through to keep the temperature happy. The gauge on the dash never moves but the one on the boost gauge tells the accurate temp so he wants to keep that under control. Will try Dale’s Ford fans as they are stronger and see how that goes when we get to his place.

Back to our spot on the grass out the front of Dale’s place. At least this time we didn't arrive on the back of a tilt tray!! He has dinner with his daughter and grandkids so we will see him when he gets home. Set up camp.

Kaye had messaged about trying to catch up with us on the way down so I rang her back with our plans. Also Kerry & Brian are heading across to NT and wanted info on the area around the Oodnadatta Track to gave her a call back too and will send her the map from the Pink Roadhouse that we used to find the attractions etc.

Drinks while playing cards then dinner.

Dale arrived back with his son, Senan and this lovely lady, Laura. So nice to see Senan again - all grown up now.