29-30 Apr, 2024 Geck Beach House, Woodgate, Qld

Mon, 29^th

Into Bundy to do some chores. Steve and Terry sorted out things to go to the new shed from his old shed. Lucky we have a big truck!

Back to Woodgate to unload. The three shelving units Brian brought down are filling up quickly.

Dulcie and Ted stopped by for a chat in the afternoon.

 

 

Tues, 30^th

Cloudy morning - another lovely walk along the beach with the tide out.

Steve started digging the trench to run water & power across to the shed. Hit a few snags - big concrete block around post base then he found the old soakage trench for the septic hiding under the path so he will have to put the conduits under that.

To the shed - now to go down 600mm.

I had done some washing so the ‘new’ clothes line was erected. Works well and can be put away when not in use. They will look out for one to hang off the side of the house too.

Electric conduit in first then the water pipe above that. All we need now is the electrician to run the cables etc. Lucky we have inherited one into the family, just need to get him to visit!

Jenny & Paul headed back to Brisbane. It was great to see them both again.

Drinks at the house as it’s a bit chilly now then dinner and some TV.

 

Sun, 28th Apr, 2024 Geck Beach House, Woodgate, Qld (Jon’s birthday)

Heavy shower of rain in the early hours - blew in through our screen door!

Clear sky now and light breeze. Sent Jon a birthday message as he is working still in SA.

Enjoying our morning walks along the boardwalk.

Steve and David dug out the clothesline base but as it is a pain to get rid of concrete they decided to just dig a bigger hole and lay it over and bury it. Terry had put all the concrete in so he said a few words as the boys buried the base, ha ha.

Quiet morning chatting.

David headed back to Maryborough after lunch.

Restful afternoon reading.

 

Sat, 27th Apr, 2024 Geck Beach House, Woodgate, Qld

Annalise sent me a video of Beau having a giggle - it was so cute. What a perfect way to start my day.

The sun is out again so time to finish painting the house. David & Brian had started over the Easter weekend on the remaining two walls. I had the job of cutting-in around the windows!

David had a very good expanding pole this time which made things easier. He was about to paint over the footprint on the eaves that was put there by the builder in 1967 - historic, so we needed a photo of that.

Lots of comments from the neighbours about how good it is all looking. I continued with the cutting-in and painting pipes and even the meter box got a coat of paint. Nearly done.

Finished at lunch time.

The boys declared the fascia, windows and sills can wait till Christmas. Need to give their arms and necks a rest! There is still another coat to go on the wall so will see how we feel before we leave next weekend. We will be loading up Terry’s things from his Bundy shed to bring down so we will be busy with that too.

Windy day but very pleasant - only got to a max of 26.

I worked on my blog while Terry had his SCAN (Senior Citizens Afternoon Nap). The boys sorted out what they wanted from the old lawn locker and moved it into the shed. Brian had brought 3 sets of shelves on wheels which will be very handy. They also packed away the left over bits and pieces from the shed build.

We all decided that the rotary clothes line had to go to make more room. We can put one on the side of the house and string a line across to the shed for sheets etc when we need it.

The old shade shelter that Erica had won needed to go too as we don’t have the room for it now with the shed. Luckily the transfer station is open so they chopped it all up and loaded it on the truck too.

Terry and I went down to the street library box and exchanged books - got a heap of Lee Child paperbacks which will keeps us going for a while.

Drinks on Erica’s bench again. The sea is choppy but the breeze wasn’t worrying us. A couple of young lads made a very good crocodile in the sand. I didn’t have my camera, of course.

Quiet evening.

Fri, 26th Apr, 2024 Geck Beach House, Woodgate, Qld

Glad I did my washing yesterday as it is overcast and cool today. We went for our walk - lovely morning. Lots of boats out today.

Annalise sent a video of Beau have a ‘chat’.  

Steve and Terry headed off to Howard to meet David at the Garden Centre. They are buying retaining wall bricks to fix the back fence where the concreter cut down the sand to level the block for the shed.

I did some baking then started on my blog.

The boys came back just before lunch then got to work on the retaining wall.

Time for a photo of their progress and one of the pits that Steve put in.

Coming along nicely.

I came out to help now they had the first level done. Phil came back to offer a hand too so we put him to work. Terry is head supervisor, of course. Misty rain started but we kept going - certainly a cool day to work in. We carted the blocks to the boys to lay then I got on the truck to get the middle ones off the pallet. It all went very smoothly and it wasn’t long before it was finished. Might get a few more to finish the other end though the boys then levelled out the sand so it might be ok like that. Just need Paul to move his steel off the fence. Steve says we can bring down all Erica’s rocks she collected over the years and put them on the ledge.

The misty rain continued so we all got our flanny shirts out as it was very cool and closed up under the house for dinner. Nice roast dinner too.

Thurs, 25th Apr, 2024 Geck Beach House, Woodgate, Qld

Anzac Day - woke at 6am to the sound of an old plane flying low overhead. Part of the ceremony up the road.

We didn’t get up for the ceremony but went for our walk along the boardwalk towards the south. There are lots of cars up at the Community Hall for the Anzac ceremony etc.

Lovely sunny morning so I got the washing machine cranking to wash the sheets, towels and winter cloths and air the blankets as summer is over and it will only be getting colder from now on. Put the flanny sheets back on! Everything smelt musty after being in rainy Cairns so it was nice to get it all clean and fresh.

Steve dug the holes for the storm water pits for the shed - forgot to take a photo of him hard at work. At least digging in the sand isn’t too hard.

Fran sent a photo of Sophia - she looks like she has grown so much, ha ha, it’s only been a week since I saw her. 

No breeze this afternoon so headed down to the beach for drinks. Two boats were out front - they were throwing cast nets for prawns. Brought back memories off all the fun we had fishing for whiting here over the Easter holidays - well Terry and I, Erica was in charge of my children! Steve was in Cairns working.

Two lads came down to try and lure out a sand worm - it was interesting watching them and unfortunately I don’t think they ended up with any. We used to go to Theodolite Creek and pump for yabbies then dry and salt them to use as bait. Erica would say ‘another 50’ before we were allowed to go, then another 50.

The sunset glow was lovely tonight.

Jenny had made her own Tripoli Board and wanted to check a few rules with us so I said to come over tonight for a game to refresh their memories. We had a great time - Paul went broke. Steve and Terry ended up with most of the loot!

Cooler evening again.

 

 

 

 

Wed, 24th Apr, 2024 Calliope River Rest Area, Calliope to Geck's Beach House, Woodgate, Qld

All quiet here except for the birds of course. Clear sky and only 16 degrees so will have to put the flanny sheets on as it is only going to colder as we head south.

Packed up. I took our camp photo this morning as it was too dark last night. The people in front of us have moved on already.

Across the Calliope River.

Stopped for a cuppa at the rest area north of Gin Gin - very nice.

Turned off and headed to Bundaberg. Overcast and a few drops of rain when we arrived.

Popped into the shops for a few things and a hot chook and buns for lunch with Terry. Steve and Terry went to Bunnings to get the pits for the storm water off the shed. We hooked up his van and got his few things then headed down to Woodgate.

A bit choppy today but forecast is for nicer weather this week.

Terry goes Walker St way while Steve takes the Ring Road. We laughed when we pulled in and Terry had arrived just before us - not an old slow poke at all!

Steve had brought some blocks so we could level his van better near the house so they got that sorted first. Then he backed the camper into the carport of the shed and we unloaded the camper. Just the nose sticks out as we needed to leave room at the back to step out onto the concrete. Plenty of room to get along the side too. We will need the truck on Friday to pick up the retaining wall blocks.

Then he backed Terry’s car into the shed. All neat and tidy.

Got things sorted under the house with the fridges etc then headed down the beach for drinks on Erica’s bench. Took a photo with the phone first with Terry.

Then Steve joined us and I took a photo with the camera - a bit dark.

Full moon tonight so I waited patiently for it to rise but a band of cloud was blocking it. Nice sunset colours though.

It was getting very chilly too. I nearly gave up when the moon peeked through the clouds.

Then it started to disappear again.

Back to the house for dinner.

 

Tues, 23rd Apr, 2024 Guthalungra Rest Area, Guthalungra to Calliope River Rest Area, Calliope, Qld

The truck didn’t leave till 5am!! By then the normal road traffic has built up. Joys of free camps by the roadside.

Sent Susan a happy birthday message. They are off travelling again in their van and heading to Lightning Ridge etc which is where we will be heading in June.

Sky is all cloudy this morning and the wind is back and stronger. As we were ready to leave another camper came over to chat with Steve about the truck and camper.

Bleak overcast day as we continued south to Proserpine.

The sky started to clear as we continued on. Stopped in a small pull off area for a cuppa across from a car transport truck in another pull off area. Steve noticed he had engine problems so went over to see if he was ok and whether he wanted a cuppa or anything. He said he was fine - waiting on a new turbo. He has been sitting here since Sunday night. We were the first vehicle to stop and see if he was ok - very sad to think people don’t stop to check.

The grey sky is back all the way to Mackay. Driving through lots of roadworks - one had banked the traffic up a very long way so we had to sit for quite a while. Then when we got going we had to listen to the truckies complaining about a caravan up front who was not doing the right thing. Dual lanes were certainly solve the problem.

Lunch at Sarina - very cool wind and overcast. Roald rang for a chat and advice on his gas hot water system. Will see them soon.

The sky cleared again near Carmilla and the wind dropped off. Clear sky as we neared Rockhampton. Must be low tide as we cross the Fitzroy River - hadn’t noticed these rocks on previous visits.

Rang Jeff to say we wouldn’t be stopping in as it was nearly 5pm and we wanted to keep on to Calliope so we could get into Bundaberg early tomorrow to see Terry and get things from the shops as they will be closed tomorrow with Anzac Day. Jeff and Lyn are good and happy to have had some rain.

As we continued a nearly full moon rose as the sun was setting behind us (full moon tomorrow night). Very pretty.

Pulled off the highway and down the old Bruce Highway to the north side of the Calliope River free camp area on the high bank. Lots of campers here and across the river on the low bank too. Very wet so we pulled up just off the bitumen and set up for the night.

Very windy so closed up and played some cards while we had our drinks. Dinner then read our books. Very quiet here compared to last night.

 

Mon, 22nd Apr, 2024 Rotary Park, Babinda to Guthalungra Rest Area, Guthalungra, Qld

23 degrees min this morning and cloudy.

We chatted with the couple with the 6 wheeler - 6 x 4 like us. They are from Ipswich and have been enjoying a travelling lifestyle for the past 12 years. Our camp site photo this morning as it was too dark last night by the time we pulled up.

Packed up and stopped at the dump point. Good info here for travellers.

Across the fast flowing Babinda Creek.

Onto the Bruce Highway again and headed south.

At Mourilyn the sky has cleared and is all blue ahead - not a cloud in sight for a change.

Stopped for a cuppa at Cardwell overlooking the water - a bit choppy.

Turned off for a look over the Hinchinbrook Channel and island. There is another lookout further around which we have checked out previously. Lots of interesting information here.

Steve is happy with the engine temps coming up the range etc though it is a cool day.

Continued on to Ingham. Michelle sent a text that Ron Knight has passed away on Saturday after a long battle with cancer. Sad for all the family.

As we neared Joorama Falls area we noticed a bit waterfall on the mountainside. Then we crossed Waterfall Creek so presuming the water comes from that waterfall we saw.

Lunch at Bluewater Rest Area then we continued on to Ayr to visit Nev and Carol. Nev was home so we chatted over a cuppa. Carol came home with her granddaughter so we chatted a bit more. 

The fuel economy is not going to be good as the wind has come out so we are now pushing into a headwind!

Continued on to Guthalungra and pulled into the rest area there with a few other travellers. Stopped earlier tonight as there aren’t many free camps now till after Mackay. 

We had run out off biscuits so I cooked some Anzac cookies. I heard Steve chatting with someone and it was a couple from Brisbane, Andrew & Jennifer, doing a 6 month lap with their two young sons. We had a lovely afternoon chatting and suggesting different things to see and do. Their sons were well behaved so I said they could come see me after dinner for a couple of Anzac cookies which they thought was wonderful.

There is a bit of road noise but unfortunately a truck with refrigeration has parked nearby and is very noisy. Hopefully he will move on soon.