1st – A bit overcast first up but then the sun shone brightly and I got more washing done. Dad pottering about then nodding off in his chair. At least his life is easy and peaceful.
Dan called in to see what the next project he has to do on the camper.
Greg came over to help Steve with the yard and to loan us his Tarago van so we can take Dad out. The Corolla is too low for him to get into as he is having problems with bending his hips etc.
The boys decided it was time to pull down the ‘arch’ as the white ants had eaten out all the beams. Steve used the winch on the truck then we cut away the vines etc. Looks different now.
Took Greg around to Jon and Annalise’s to show him the house and the waterfall. Fabulous view from up here. Jon is going to make a deck here too.
I hadn’t been up to the waterfall yet. We followed a little path around and I was astounded at how fabulous it looked. Of course it is only because of all the recent heavy rain but it has a continual trickle all year. We have seen so many in our travels and I can honestly say this one is up there with the best of them. Unfortunately there is a tree in the road to get a good photo from up on the side.
I tried a couple of spots and zoomed in to get the top of the falls too.
The chap before had built this little shelter too which Jon is going to fix up and make a better path down to the pool below the falls.
I didn’t climb down as you need to hang off a rope to get down. Greg went down with his good camera to get some photos – turned out lovely.
2nd – Steve found a Brown Tree Snake, thin but quite lengthy – mildly venomous, taking up residence on top of the caravan. Asked him nicely to move on.
3rd – Public holiday for Labour Day.
Took Dad for a drive and walk/wheel along the Esplanade.
Had a cuppa and cake at the RSL. A Willy-wagtail joined us and Dad had fun feeding it his banana bread.
The war memorial is surround in wreaths from the recent Anzac Day celebrations.
Suzanne visited after lunch. So great to catch up with her again.
Greg brought ‘Sunday night dinner’ over then we played a few games of Skipbo – as they say ‘life goes on’. We all had a smile remembering playing cards with Mum.
4th – Rochelle texted early for me to come in as one of the girls was sick. I wasn’t due to go back till Friday - holidays are over!
5th – Picked up Rebecca and we took Dad for a ‘wheel’ along the Esplanade. Steve headed off towards the Pier for a long walk, we just wandered along enjoying the view and watching the birds.
Tracy and Greg joined us for Chinese with Dad. Had a great night playing cards and Dad joined in – sort of!
9th – Mother’s Day. Mum had said for me to have her blue sapphire ring so I decided today was a good day to start wearing it – nice to have something of hers with me always. Jon and Annalise called in with a bottle of Asti Spumante for me to celebrate ‘Mums’ – that brought a tear to my eye. Daniel popped in later with a lovely bouquet of orchids – another tear or two. Nice messages from friends too checking on how I was going not having my Mum here today. We had had so many hugs over the past 18 months so I just have to think of those moments. It’s just like when we are travelling - I just talk to her in my head rather than on the phone now.
Greg brought Sunday night dinner and we had a big hug and a tear or two remembering our wonderful Mum. We had started playing Phase 10 so he wanted to have another go as I won the last lot and tonight he was the winner.
10th – Drove up the Gillies Range with Dad to Yungaburra where we stopped for a cuppa. Continued on to Atherton and met Julie at the bakery for pies for lunch. Visited Carinya Aged Care Home where we hope Dad will be able to go by the end of the year. The lady was lovely who chatted with us and then she showed us around the facility. Very nice and they have a resident cat which is so lovely. We drove on to Tolga and visited Grace and Fred, old friends of Dad and Mum’s. Had a great afternoon chatting with them and their daughter Janice who lives next door. Back down the Kuranda Range. Dad did well all day but was very tired by the time we got home – I was too I might add.
11th – Back to work – I started doing the uniform stocktake then helped the others with catering for the teachers doing Naplan testing.
15th – Big week with catering and uniform stocktake. Got it all done which was good.
Kaylene and Rick called in for a cuppa and chat in the afternoon.
18th – Our eldest, Daniel, is 32 today – wow haven’t the years just flown by. We are very proud of him.
19th – Dan, Fran and her Mum, Val and Jon and Annalise joined us for Chinese (it is Wednesday of course) to celebrate Daniel’s birthday. I brought out some photos I had given Mum so we had a lovely time looking back on two young boys. Annalise loved one of Jon so much she took it home.
22nd – The van is all clean so we put it up for sale on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. Got a couple of ‘scam’ enquiries straight off then a few from people wanting to have a look. One couple called in but they have a daughter too so they left to have a think about it. Another couple came in the afternoon and spent ages chatting with Steve about it – I let him do all the talking while I looked after Dad. Eventually Steve came in with their offer which we accepted.
I had posted up a few other things too and a chap who has a second hand store down the road came and bought my spoon collection which was housed in two glass front timber wall cabinets.
24th - Steve took the camper down to Carpet Bob to get the vinyl laid. Raining again – hopefully that won’t upset the vinyl gluing.
It has been raining on and off now for a week – so over it! The laundromat down the road has been great with its big dryer.
Got the camper back – the vinyl looks great.
26th – Greg came over for dinner. Dad was watching TV while we played cards and for once didn’t fall asleep. Greg stayed later as he was filming the Blood Moon tonight – in between the clouds passing over it.
27th – We gave ‘Nova’ our van a final check over ready to hand over to its new owners. Steve went through everything with Brendan then hooked it up to their vehicle. Megan is very excited to be able to get away again. We hope they will be as happy with it as we had been for the 5 and a-half years we travelled in it.
29th – Jon called in for a visit with Bandit. He just loves Jon – everytime he spoke he would turn to him. Dad had a lovely time giving him lots of scratches.
I showed Bandit Dad’s dementia care cat, Socks. We all had a laugh watching him check it out then back off when it moved. He couldn’t work it out as there is no smell etc.
30th – Steve found this on Facebook. We have always wondered who started the Bikini Girl. Sadly she was burnt and is no longer part of the journey up and down the Gillies Range.
