24th to 30th Nov, 2022 Erica & Terry’s place, Bundaberg, Qld

Passed the days helping Erica and Terry around the house etc to make life more comfortable for them.

Steve put up new handrails for front steps.

I helped Erica by letting her rest and I took over all the daily duties. We sorted her wardrobe and other things she was wanting to get done before Christmas.

Erica gave me her mother’s garnet necklace and earrings which are lovely. Will get them cleaned up.

Terry showed us some old photos of them in their younger years. They went out picking cotton to save up for a motor-bike for Erica (which Terry is sitting on).  Terry's brother, Claude, made the trailer to go behind the push-bike, just for fun.

Fixed a drainage problem on side of house (inspection time!) and pruned the mango tree that didn’t have one mango on it this year - what a shame.

Terry did National Service when he was younger and they just sent him another medal which was great. It even has his name and number engraved on the side of the medal. David found some old photos of him with other servicemen.

Steve and Terry having fun cleaning out the shed and finding lots of hidden treasures. David came up for a visit and went home with some treasures.

An Indian Ring-neck parrot dropped in for morning tea this morning. I sent Jon a photo and he said it was a male. Jon had one he called Charlie hoping it was a male but she turned out to be a female and was very attached to Jon! We figured he was someone’s pet as he was very comfortable about me holding out some apple for him and would come and sit near us but not to be touched though he would come over and bite Steve’s finger! I posted up the photos on FB Lost animals pages and got a message from a chap saying it was his grandfather’s and he was called Charlie. Steve was able to grab him and we put him in the clothes hamper with some apple and mango then covered it with a towel. He squawked a couple of time then settled. The chap came around after work and put him in a special box and away went Charlie. We were enjoying his visits every time we sat outside but we are glad he is home with his family.

Dark clouds have arrived bringing some thunder then rain. Not heavy - just drizzly and cold wind. What has happened to global warming and the hot weather. It seems to be cold where ever we go. We had hotter weather in August!

Wed, 23rd Nov, 2022 Jetstar flight to Brisbane to Erica & Terry’s place, Bundaberg, Qld

We arrived safe and sound in Brisbane at 7am. The flight was a bit turbulent to start with but we both got some sleep which was good. As we descended I could see the river etc then we swung over the islands and turned to land.

Headed down to collect our bag but stopped at the cafe beside it first for some breakfast. At last the bags arrived so we found our bag then headed over to collect the hire car. The sky is grey and bleak.

Headed out to the M1 and turned towards the Sunshine Coast. A lot of roadwork still happening. We have an Outlander and Steve had fun trying to work out the cruise control. Mind you we were up and down with speed limit changes it was hardly worth putting on for a while.

We stopped for a walk and coffee to keep us awake - obviously we didn’t have that good a sleep! Pulled into a service centre before Gympie and found Matilda - from the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.

The sky hasn’t cleared up at all - still grey but it feels warmer outside.

Continued on - chatting with Wendy via text as they were ahead of us. They had already headed into Bundy. We arrived at Childers at lunch time so we got something to eat then got some food stuffs from Woolies there and will get the cold stuff at Coles when we get into Bundy. Dave and Wendy were heading home so we didn’t get to catch up with them.

Into Bundy and grabbed a few things at Coles then headed around to Erica & Terry’s place.  

So good to see them both again. Had a cuppa then Steve drove the hire car to get fuel and then around to the airport to drop it off. I had Erica’s car and managed to get lost but eventually found the airport and then found Steve as he saw me going around the roundabout trying to find where he had taken the car.

Back home to Erica and Terry for a drink on the back patio. The sky is still grey and a few drops of rain fell too. They have a baby butcher bird who has made himself at home and even comes inside and sits on the dining chair - cheeky thing.

Cooked dinner then we went to bed early to try and catch up on some sleep. So glad we have come across so spend this time with them.

 

Tues, 22nd Nov, 2022 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, WA to Jetstar flight to Brisbane, Qld

Warming up, min of 16.8 this morning. Sun shining and light breeze.

Steve pulled the water tank out of the camper to get a friend of Bob’s to have a look at it and see if he can reweld it or whether we have to make a new one.

Packed the last of our stuff and dropped the roof and locked up the camper and truck.

After lunch we all headed to Perth to drop off the water tank then picked up a new compressor for Bob. We headed around to the Minelab agent to get our detectors looked at but the chaps were not very helpful and treated us as if we knew nothing so we took our gear and left. Will ring Minelab direct and get our questions answered properly.

Had a cuppa and cake with Bob & Margaret then they dropped us at the airport. We found a nice table in a cafe in the airport and bought a drink then got out the cards to pass the time. Our flight doesn’t leave till 11.05pm.

Had a nice dinner there too then a coffee, playing cards and reading. At last we could put our bag in but then found out the flight was delayed till 11.30pm.

Through security - I had taken off my bangles but the alarm still went off so took off the chain bracelets - still alarmed then I removed my belt. Still alarmed so then I had to stand in front of a screen for a body scan. All good! The drug testing people didn’t have any one but they waved me through - figured I had been through enough. Steve just stood there with a grin on his face!!

Eventually the delayed plane from Brisbane arrived and then we were called up to board at 11.40pm. I had paid extra for extra leg room in the exit seats as my last experience was not nice with no leg room. At midnight we flew off.

 

Mon, 21st Nov, 2022 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, WA

13.8 degrees minimum but by 7am it was 18 degrees, clear blue sky and gusty wind.

Jodie’s birthday so sent her off a birthday message.

Pottered about doing the last of the washing and packing our bags. Steve helped Bob with a few things and finished a couple of things he needed to do too so we are all good to leave the camper and truck here tomorrow.

Another lovely evening chatting etc.

 

Sun, 20th Nov, 2022 Tom & Sandy’s place, Thornlie to Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, WA

9.4 degrees minimum. Still a bit of condensation but not bad.

7.30 22 degrees, clear sky and no wind.

By the time we packed up the sky was cloudy again. Said bye to Tom & Sandy. Will stay here when we return from Qld as we fly in late so we can have the spare bed for the night and maybe another day of cards before we catch the train down to Bob & Margaret.

Programmed ‘girlie’ and headed off. Across to the Kiwanna Freeway and south to Mandurah then we knew where we were and headed across the Cut to Florida Beach and drove up their driveway.

Had a cuppa then the boys dropped the camper off beside Bob’s shed and turned the truck around beside their caravan so Bob had room to work on the van as he is putting in the shower.

Met Margaret’s daughter Julie and her husband Gary (who we had met before) when they called in to collect their dogs that were being ‘doggy-sat’.

Steve had coloured my hair the other day so now I gave him a hair-cut so we look presentable for the flight to Qld. Put some washing on and sorted out the camper’s fridge etc.

Bob and Steve investigated solar systems for Bob’s van and pottered around in the shed. Steve resiliconed the shower & toilet vents as we had been getting a few drips of water through them recently. The plastic surrounds have cracked already and they weren’t cheap items!

I had pulled out things in the freezer for dinner which we all enjoyed then watched some TV. Forgotten how bad free-to-air TV has become.

Back into the camper for a shower and bed, 18 degrees and no wind.

Sat, 19th Nov, 2022 Tom & Sandy’s place, Thornlie, WA

Min of 9.6 degrees so we had a bit of condensation on the aluminium pop-top surround but nothing got wet. We didn’t get out of bed till 7.30 when it had warmed up a bit to 14 degrees.

Another month has passed since Mum departed this life.

Blue sky with patches of darkish clouds still about. Max of 20 for today so staying in the jeans and jumpers! No rain supposedly.

Dan and Fran rang for a chat. They are planning to get down to Woodgate for a few days over Christmas too. Such a shame we won’t be there but we are glad we are going shortly for a couple of weeks.

Some more showers of rain - so much for the forecast. Then the sun came out.

Passed the day chatting and playing cards. Steve serviced Sandy’s hotplates in the house then he and Tom went out to the caravan to look at that cooktop. Sandy and I got out the cards and played 3 to Kings. After a while the boys came in and said - thanks for the help! Apparently Tom had taken the inside door handle off to fix it and forgot when he closed the door as the rain fell. They were stuck inside - there was a hot carton of beer but they didn’t have to settle for that as they wiggled things and eventually got the door open. We didn’t hear a thing!

Lovely BBQ dinner then a few more games of cards - the girls have it over the boys today.

10pm 14 degrees in the camper again - showers in the morning. Clear sky and no wind.

 

Fri 18th Nov, 2022 24hr Rest Area, York to Tom & Sandy’s place, Thornlie, WA

Another shower of rain in the early hours. Min of 13 degrees, overcast and light breeze.

Jeans and jumpers on today as the maximum is only getting to 17 degrees.

Switched the Hema back to street mode as we have been on 4WD maps. Very funny listening to Stephen arguing with ‘girlie’ again when she gets up him for being over the speed limit and he can see the speed sign and she is wrong.

Packed up and headed back across the bridge then down another road we haven’t travelled on before to head to Tom & Sandy’s place in Thornlie. Rain sprinkles as we head out of town. Climbed a rise which gave us nice views over the grain fields. The rolling hills remind me of the Tablelands but yellow now instead of green.

Alongside a Nature Park then into Wandoo National Park. Saw the sign for Mt Observation but it is wet and cold so no sightseeing today.

The grain fields changed to sheep and cattle farms as more rain fell. At least there is no traffic to contend with on this minor road.

Reached the Great Eastern Highway again to descend the escarpment to Perth and surrounds. Stopped at a 24hr fuel stop and topped up ($218.8/L). Parked nearby and just go inside to make a cuppa when thunder rumbled and heavier rain fell with lots of wind.

Once the rain settled we headed down the escarpment with blue sky and puffy white clouds ahead. One thing modern technology is good for is programming in an address and letting ‘girlie’ guide us there. Hazy view across to Perth City as we descend.

Traffic everywhere - take us back to the bush!

Lovely purple flowers of the Jacaranda everywhere. Found Tom & Sandy’s place and parked on their front lawn.

So lovely to see them again. We had a lovely time chatting over lunch then played Skipbo in pairs - boys v girls. We showed them the alternative way to play which was fun though had a few games of the traditional way too.

Cold wet day so it was a lovely way to pass the day. Sandy and I went to the shops to get some things for dinner then back again for a few more games while we had drinks.

Lovely dinner then a few more games. The girls ruled playing Sequence. Didn’t get out to the camper till 11pm so it was quite chilly in there, even with it all closed up, 14 degrees so we decided to have our showers in the morning.