1st - Woke to the sound of misty rain on the roof. Heavier rain and some wind started our New Year so no walking this morning. Good day for reading books.
Played Sequence after morning tea. Steve and Erica started off the new year with a 3 to 2 win over Terry and I.
Sky clearing up in the afternoon but still very windy.
Paul came over and we chatted the afternoon away.
Another round of Sequence after dinner. Terry and I reigned supreme tonight.
2nd Went for our walk and noticed the very high tide. We had heard on the news they were predicting it due to Cyclone Seth (Cat 1) which is moving down the coast way out to sea.
Walked back and got Erica & Terry and my camera. Luckily it is flat and just the big swell roll is pushing the water up and over the top dune. Yesterday was so windy and choppy it would have pushed it up and onto the road.
Erica & Terry packed up and headed back to Bundy. Just the two of us again. Leanne & Rick are coming on the 4th now as I rang to say no one was here and with the low from the cyclone coming closer I figure we might be in for some not so nice weather in a few days. She changed her overnight stay with her aunt so they can come a day early.
Quiet afternoon.
Dinner then a few games of pool - Steve won, 2 games to 1.
3rd - Another very high tide again this morning as we went for our walk.
We put on our togs and headed back for a swim. First one for 2022.
Steve took some photos as the swell rolled the water up the beach.
I got wet feet sitting at the top when the big roll came through.
Back home for a cuppa then we drove down to Theodolite Creek. The backwater is very high beside the road too.
The carpark is full and there are people and boats everywhere. Took some photos to send to Erica & David.
We walked around the point - the water has come right up from both sides so the point would have been completely under water at times.
More trees have fallen on the ocean side but they will at least stop more erosion from the waves rolling in. I checked the tide advice and there is still a couple more days of these very high tides.
Robert, Michelle & Riley called in to say goodbye. Heading back to Mundubbera today. We got Riley on the height chart for the first time.
After lunch Steve got to work on one of the windows, only 3 or 4 left to do now.
Clouds came over so he didn’t start on another one as the putty needs to dry before he can paint it. We had a quiet afternoon.
Drinks down at the beach chatting with another couple who were in the van park in their 1960s renovated caravan. The beach seems steeper.
Lots of people on the beach where the caravan park is.
Paul and Ben caught 1 whiting and a few fingermark up the creek so they were having fish for dinner.
After dinner we played a couple of games of Phase 10. Nothing worth watching on TV and we want to keep our movies on our hard drives for when we hit the road again.
4th - We left for Childers at 7.30am to do the groceries. The sea is flat as with no swell and still very high.
I booked us in for our Covid booster shots at the chemist for the 11th. Decided to get it done now in Cairns they run out of vaccine in Cairns when we return.
Leanne and Rick are on their way. Clouds are building and it is very hot. The sandflies have moved in under the house as there is no breeze.
Tolly signs sent the latest proof of the Geckos and footprints on the truck. Looks great. We approved it and will call in when we get back to Cairns for a final measure up then they should have them ready to put on in a few days after that. I will then take a photo so I can get new ‘business’ cards made up for our travels.
Paul and Ben headed back to Brisbane. I cleaned upstairs and made the beds ready for Leanne and Rick. They arrived for a late lunch.
We went down to beach for a look and sat and watched the slow roll of the waves.
Back to the house for a cuppa then games of pool - 1 each for the girls versus boys.
Drinks down at the beach then Leanne & I went for walk on the sand as it was low tide.
Lovely dinner then the decider pool games - the boys won!
Two more games after that - that they won so Leanne and I admitted defeat. We shouldn’t have drunk the wine with dinner!! Very still tonight - certainly glad we have the fans today.
5th - Leanne joined us for our morning walk. Rick hopped on Terry’s bike which we had put up for sale.
Put on our togs and headed into the water for a swim. Lovely. Clouds are building over Fraser Island where the low is situated.
There is room for 4 in Leanne and Rick’s car so after lunch we drove down to Theodolite Creek to check the high tide. It was much higher.
We drove back out and down 1st Avenue where there is a bridge across to the other housing area. Some houses have good lake views today!
We drove to the other end and around to Walker’s Point then down the sandy track to find the caravan park Paul had mentioned. We found it then continued on along the high bank by the Burrum River.
A chap had hooked something big but it turned out to be a sting ray. They cut the line and let it go.
Home for a cuppa, a couple games of pool then drinks at the beach. Dinner and games. Perfect holiday.
6th - Overcast this morning for our walk. Rick gave the bike another run.
We headed off in Leanne and Rick’s car early to show them around the beaches and Bundy. First we wove our way up the coast and stopped at Elliott Heads for a cuppa. A nice small place, even if it is overcast and windy. I forgot my camera so I had to use the phone camera - not as good.
Looking across the Elliott River and then upstream.
Continued on along the beach road and found Submarine Lookout.
You can see the volcanic rocks on the water’s edge.
Looking back to the Surf Life Saving area around from where we were on the point.
Further along I saw a ‘history’ sign and we stopped to check out the old homestead with rock walls for the boundary.
Across Moneys Creek which the sea has broken back into with the high tide.
Nice mural on the toilets in the park nearby.
Through Bargara and all the aged care and retirement villages. Leanne is amazed at how big it is as a few of her friends had said about moving up here and she thought it was just a little beach place. Parked near the big playground and walked out onto the groin. Nice and calm on one side.
The waves are rolling in on the other.
Missed these plaques last time.
On to Burnett Heads where we checked out the lighthouse.
The boys had fun on the exercise equipment.
Around to the ‘Basin’ near the mouth of the Burnett River.
Then back to the Lighthouse Hotel for lunch. Very big meals and very nice - 10 out of 10 for their hot chips.
Onto the Hummock - very windy up here.
Into Bundy and around to the Botanical Gardens to check out Bert Hinkler’s house. Amazing to think how they managed to pull that house apart in England and bring it over and reassemble it.
Outside Steve pointed out this lovely flower. It is a magnolia grandiflora from USA.
We were too late to make the most of the museum as it closes at 3pm so we had a quick look at a video. It was the chaps who planned, fundraised and got the house moved. There was a photo display too.
There is more to see (like these planes) so we will come back another time.
We walked down the path past the one of the vines that grew on Mum & Dad’s trellis - can’t think of its name now.
We crossed over the train line. I remember bringing the boys here for the train ride around the park with Erica & Terry.
Walked down to the lake but the area stinks from Ibis and other birds nesting on the island in the lake - a real turn-off.
As we walked back up I spotted a Goodwood Gum (eucalyptus hallii) so Steve posed for a photo. Unfortunately the sign is disappearing in the ground. It says grows to 17m - Burrum Heads, Elliott River.
We headed back to Woodgate for late drinks then light dinner as lunch was very filling.
Jon and Annalise posted up their invite to the engagement party on the 5th March via Facebook - the modern way. Lovely photo of them.
They made it so I could invite who I wanted through my page as it will also be our farewell gathering too. Took me a while to sort out how to do it - needed help from Annalise over the phone. Of course, the party will all depend on what Covid is doing in the community at the time as to whether we will be able to have a party at all. Glad the wedding is next year so hopefully things will be sorted by then - we said that last year didn’t we!!
For once there was a good movie on TV so we had a relaxing evening watching it. Misty rain started as we headed to bed.
7th - Misty rain fell through the night - from the ex-cyclone low. Overcast morning but nice and cool for our walk.
I rang the Cruise company to touch base on how things will go with the lastest Covid changes as we are due to pay the balance on the 15th. The lady said to wait until 15th Feb till WA provides confirmation about their border opening. I was happy with that.
Later on Wendy sent me a message with a photo of a newspaper article about the Cruise Company having to cancel a cruise because staff and patrons have tested positive at the last moment now they are using the RAT system. No wonder the lady was happy to allow me to delay paying if she thought I rang because of the article. It certainly has been a terrible couple of years for the tourism and hospitality industries. Maybe we should have just kept Qld shut like WA is doing but no one could predict how quickly this variant has spread. At least more people are vaccinated so deaths and people in ICU are less but it is very sad for all those families.
The rain is on and off so we were still able to go for a nice swim in between.
Heavier rain started in the afternoon so we played our card games to pass the time. The rain is coming from the south-east blowing onto the front of the house (normally hits the back) so the water was pouring down through the patio and onto the concrete below. Originally this was where the tractor etc was but now we have the pool table, cupboards etc we had to stop the water wetting the carpet under the table and the beds in the other room. The fibro sheeting isn’t waterproof so the walls became wet but the water was pouring through the joins too and the walls looked like waterfalls. I used the broom and towels to stop the carpets getting wet and removed anything that might get wet near the cupboard.
We had booked dinner at the Bowls Club but as it was still raining heavily we drove around to it rather than walking with umbrellas. It was member’s draw night with raffles etc. Rick managed one win - nothing for us.
We can hear the sea roaring tonight. More rain but we managed to keep everything dry.
8th - Dad has been gone 5 months now. Seems unreal but life just rolls on. I think of them all the time and talk of them often as they are still so much apart of my life. It is just like I can’t ring them but there spirits are with me.
Bit of blue sky out to sea this morning but very black inland. We looked on the BOM and there is a storm warning issued.
We went for our walk but shortened it as the rain started again. We can hear thunder in the distance from the big storm. The waves are crashing on the beach at low tide.
I rang David - the boats are being moved in the Mary River as it is to rise to 9m as all the rain was in the catchment area of the Mary River in the south. The highway is already cut at Tiaro and a few places. He said the Lamington Bridge is closed as when the high bridge broke with the last big flood they put in a lower one but made it so all the handrails etc can be removed to lessen the impact on the bridge as the water flows over it. Hope that works.
We played pool and assorted games so all good here.
David sent a photo of the river and Lamington bridge.
Luckily they are one house up from the river so they are safe. Erica rang - they had very heavy rain too.
9th - Blue sky with a few clouds about this morning. The road is still blocked to Childers and the main highway blocked at Tiaro so Leanne and Rick are staying another day. David sent a photo of Queens Park where the floodwaters of the Mary River have covered all the grass near the Gallipoli walk.
The river rose to 10m. Not as bad as the last flood at least but the levee put into place for the CBD failed as the water came up underneath and flooded out shops and homes. Hopefully with no more rain predicted things will go down again quickly.
I baked my usual Anzacs and date slice for Terry and Erica too and some curry pasta salad for tomorrow when we visit. I also baked a banana cake with a very ripe banana of Leanne’s.
We bought fish and chips from the Convenience Store for lunch - not the best chips!
Andrea sent a weather advice that the gates under the recently installed levee in Maryborough hadn’t been damaged and the CBD was going to flood. I rang David to see how they were going and he had just been around to check on the Museum but so far it was still ok.
The sea is still brown from the flooded creeks and the line of sticks and logs goes from one of the beach to the other. Some idiot dragged down an old cable reel that was being used as a table and hoped the sea would take it away rather than taking it to the dump - really! We tried to move it back up but it was rotten on the bottom so we couldn’t roll it back up the steep slope.
We passed the afternoon playing games.
Checked on the beach again. Very messy - the cable reel is still there.
I put a passionfruit coconut pie in the oven for dessert. Ted came over as we were getting dinner and chatted with us while we ate. When I dished up dessert I put some pie in a container for him and Dulcie as the passionfruit was off their vine. Dulcie came over looking for Ted and we all sat around for a while chatting out on the grass in the cool.
10th - Leanne & Rick headed off early now the reports are that the road is open at Tiaro. They still have to go back to Foleys Road and across to the Isis Highway and back through Childers as the Gregory River is still up blocking our way up to Childers from here.
We headed to Bundy via the Goodwood Road as the Elliot River had gone down so the traffic was flowing again that way. I took my baking and some curry pasta salad for Erica and Terry. Steve got to work putting up the hand grab rail on the shed where the boys had replaced the timber with some bricks to make steps into the shed for Terry. I got Erica’s grocery list and headed to the shops. Trying to minimise their exposure with this new strain of Covid around. I was going to do my shop tomorrow in Childers but as there wasn’t much on the shelves in Bundaberg I decided to grab what I could and see what I can get tomorrow if needed. No toilet paper at all - no one can understand this need to buy up all the toilet paper when Covid affects your lungs not your bum! Very limited meat and vegies too but that might be because the trucks couldn’t get through with the recent flooding.
Back home for lunch. Erica’s very old laptop still worked so she has been able to play some games on it. I was able to get the printer to work. She had found a postcard we had sent them when we were honeymooning at Great Keppel Island - what a lovely surprise to read it again.
Steve had put up the new shower rose with grab rail for them too.
Erica and I then dropped off her laptop to see if the fan could be replaced as it will be hard to have to change her to a new system if she has to get a new laptop. We did a couple other jobs too.
Erica game me the puffer fish mobile I had admired in the bathroom. Had a cuppa then we headed back to Woodgate. Leanne & Rick home safely with only a bit of waiting to clear recently flooded sections on the highway. They will come back another time to the sightseeing around Gayndah and Mundubbera they had planned to do before the rains fell and flooded roads and towns.
After dinner we played 3 to Kings now I remembered how to play it again! Will need to play each game more regularly so we remember the rules.
11th - Woke to rain during the night - only light so didn’t bother closing up my window etc.
Went for our walk. Lots of ‘teepees’ made from the washed up sticks are along the beach near the caravan park.
A light mist fell and dark clouds are coming nearer. Quite hot and humid. I cleaned upstairs and shut it up till Erica and Terry come down again as we only use downstairs and our camper. Had a nice cold shower then dressed to go to Childers.
Drove into Childers as the rain came down again. The road is open again after the recent rains causing the Gregory River to flood. They have done some repairs to the road by the bridge. Had our Moderna Covid booster shots.
Back home for a late lunch.
I worked on my blog etc and Steve worked his way through another book. The wind is picking up and the sky is clearing so hopefully I can do the washing tomorrow. Rang Dawn as it was her birthday on Sunday but I had lost her phone number when my phone died so I got it off Kaylene. Looks like she picked up Covid off her grandson but is ok though the doctor said she has pneumonia so hopefully she will be ok.
12th - Quite cool this morning. Our arms are sore this morning from our booster shots. Forgot to take more panadol before bed so took some now. Otherwise we feel fine.
Nice and sunny for our morning walk.
Hung the puffer fish mobile up under the house for the time being. Will take it home and see if it can travel with us in the camper but it is fragile.
Malcolm’s birthday - sent him a message and he replied that birthday BBQ has been postponed as two of his daughters were with someone who has now tested positive to Covid. Sounds like the tune of many people at the moment.
Managed to get our clothes washed and almost dry when a dark cloud came over and sprinkled on it. Luckily it moved on quickly and the sun came back out.
Quite afternoon pottering about. Steve investigating how to waterproof the area under the house that got wet with the recent rain.
Rang Erica to say we are all good after our booster shots (Moderna), just a bit of a sore arm. They had their shots too and have had no problems (Phfizer) which is good.
The sun came out again so I continued with the washing and got all the sheets etc done so the house is all clean again.
Went for a walk along the beach. Still covered in sticks etc and water is brown and very choppy with the strong wind. The foam is being blown along the beach. Picked up a couple of intact Razor Fish shells.
13th - Cool morning with clear blue sky. Warmed up quickly though while we walked but the breeze was nice.
Pottered about then played a few card games.
Rang Bob in WA for his birthday and he and Margaret were with Kev and Linda in Bunbury so we had a lovely chat with them all. Looking forward to seeing them all this year sometime.
Jon texted our new accessory plate had arrived but it is red, the main ones are green. I checked the invoice - it shows it red, obviously you can’t personalise the accessory plate. It is on the rear of the camper so that won’t matter as the green geckos are on the side and front.
Relaxing day. Phil called in for a chat.
14th - Cool evening and cooler morning, 21 degrees. Lovely walk. Water still dirty and beach still scattered with branches.
Continued typing up my old diaries. Steve had another go at the mower trying to get it to run smoothly.
Erica rang to say Terry has a rash near his booster needle site a few inches around. Will keep and eye on it.
Phil and Brenda called in for a chat over drinks. Sky clouding over and breeze is quite cool.
I finished my diary from my 1982 trip to New Zealand. It was such fun reading my notes and relieving a wonderful trip. I am still in contact with Kerri, Phillip and Debbie.
15th - Another lovely morning. The tide is coming up further each day dragging the branches etc back into the water. Calmer this morning so it still looked tranquil and the brown didn’t stand out as much.
Started on the next trip diary in my old book - Sept 1982 when I went to Toowoomba for the Carnival of Flowers as Miss Cairns 1981.
After a cuppa we headed off to explore the Burrum Coast National Park.
Mum & Dad plovers and 3 chicks were on the road. Mum and Dad flew off trying to distract us but we stopped so I could get a photo of the chicks. I haven’t seen babies before. So cute until they grow up and dive-bomb my head!
The first part of the road was good then we went through a wide sandy section that obviously when it was wet some people had had a bit of fun! We were expecting deep sandy sections like the other end near Walkers Point. Further on the recent water still hasn’t disappeared, probably because of the high water table too.
Next was the south arm of Theodolite Creek with its brown paperbark swamp colouring. Steve got out and walked it to be sure and it has a good rocky base.
Someone went home missing a bit.
Crossed over no worries. Continued on over the sandy track.
Next was a narrow dip with water and we went straight through as there was a tree on one side in the water but we disappeared into a hole and the water just came over the front of the bonnet. We looked at each other and said “didn’t see that coming”. Should have walked that one too!
All good so we carried on till we met a 4WD with trailer coming out. We warned them about the next creek. They have been in for a week unfortunately arriving as all the recent rain fell and only just made it to the beach. He said the road had lots of water on it but was ok and the other track going back out towards Bundaberg isn’t passable and there are abandoned camper trailers etc there. We continued for a bit then came upon more water so we decided to turn back as we know the beach won’t be pretty with the brown water and sticks just like at Woodgate.
We caught up with the other car at the deep creek. The chap had pulled out the tree and decided to go closer to that side to avoid the hole. All good.
Two other cars were on the other side so they came over. One on the edge but he slid down into the hole and had to gun it to get out. The next guy drove straight in, dipped into the hole and popped out ok. Makes a difference when you are forewarned.
Steve put the lockers on this time and we went straight across - more mucky water coming up. Now he will have to wash the car! Never looks that bad in the photos.
Relaxing afternoon.
16th - The high tide is coming further up and shifting the sticks etc around. As we walked we can see big logs rolling back and forward in the water. A earthquake exploded underwater near Tonga so the east coast of Aust up to Fraser Island is on tsunami alert. We should be fine here.
I continued working on my old diaries. One from when I was Miss Cairns and went to Toowoomba for the Carnival of Flowers. Then I started on a trip Steve and I had in April/May 1985 when we travelled down inland Qld, NSW to Adelaide with his Formula 500 race car in the back of our new Toyota ute to race in the Australian Title at Murray Bridge. We then travelled around the coast and back home again. It was very interesting reading. And I kept record of fuel, costs, presents and who we sent postcards too so nothing has changed as I still do that with our current travel - just no postcards!
17th - No walk this morning as we headed up to Bundy to mow the lawn, sort out Erica’s laptop and do some other odd jobs. Bought sheeting etc to waterproof under the patio area after we saw how much water came in from that recent rain.
Went for a walk down to the beach when we got home. Lots of sticks pushed up higher on the bank from the rising tide levels. We picked up and heap and put them further up so they won’t get swept back into the water again.
18th - Tides are getting higher as the full moon will be tonight. Also according to the weather we will be also be getting effects from Cyclone Cody. The tsunami alert has been cancelled now. Moved a few more sticks up higher.
Steve got to work first on moving the water pipe so he could properly sheet under the patio area to stop the water leaking in under the house. Connected up the water again - no leaks - good start.
He moved some wiring too then put up the timber spacers to attach the corrugated sheets to so the water can flow across and out the side of the slatted wall.
I helped Stephen put up the sheeting by using a broom to hold the panels up. He screwed them into place - took a bit of doing as the sheets were overlapping etc.
Rebecca texted to say Megan and Andre are now the proud parents of a little boy, Theodore Tiejie Liew was born last night at 8.57pm, weighting 310 grams (I hope that is 3100g as he would be a bit small). they are hoping to fly down soon so cuddle their new grandchild but will have to see how all the Covid business goes.
David rang to say Erica had called an ambulance to take her to hospital because she was in a lot of pain around her chest. We grabbed a few things to stay overnight then drove up to Bundy. David rang back after the doctor rang her saying she was sitting up and comfortable and the pain had subsided. She had a high temp 39.5 and the pain but otherwise her heart etc was good. They took a CT scan and tested her for Covid which was negative. We had dinner with Terry as they still hadn’t gotten back to her with results so they fed her some dinner. 10.30pm the doctor rang to say Erica wanted to come home.
19th - My darling Mum left us 9 months ago.
Erica had a good night and was back wanting to do things again. After lunch we headed back to Woodgate.
Steve continued on with the waterproofing job. We put the other sheeting outside under the patio then he put conduit on the end to catch the water - smart chappy!
He then put the conduit on the inside section to catch the water and direct it outside.
Went for a walk on the beach. Still a lot of sticks and a couple of huge logs - tried to move one but it was too heavy. Some people have been busy making their ‘log cabins’.
A couple of sea eagles were soaring over our heads back and forth along the beach. We watched as a couple of smaller birds came out from the trees and attacked one when it was too close to their young, I suppose.
Spotted a seagull (silver gull) which we don’t see many of here. Lots of plovers though!
Jon rang - he got tonsillitis too after Annalise got it, poor things. They are both on the mend. Our new number plates have arrived.
Paul arrived with his Brisbane neighbours’ father, Joe (he calls him), who flew in from Korea 3 months ago. He has very limited English but with a interpreter app on their phones they are communicating. I managed to find out where he lived, near Seoul and told him that Jon had raced there with BMX. He thanked me for trying to communicate and said I made it easy for him as I spoke slowly and clearly. Lovely chap. He had to pay a lot of money to cover insurance if they needed medical treatment in Australia. Amazing what people will do to get over here to see their families.
20th - Woke to the sound of rain at 2pm. Not too heavy or for too long.
Went for our walk. A huge dark cloud is out on the horizon dropping rain on the ocean.
Rang Erica, doing well. Wanting to plant her desert roses seedlings but the rain is pouring down there.
Steve started sealing up the new roofing under the house.
Quiet afternoon reading our books then a lovely walk along the beach. The tide was very low so there was plenty of flat hard ground to walk on. No shells at all.
WA Premier announced he won’t be opening the border on Feb 5 so we will have to see what the cruise company says next month before I pay the balance.
21st - Dark clouds out to sea as we headed off for our walk. We just got started then a sneaky cloud to the south sprinkled on us so we went back to the house. Wasn’t long and the sun was out again so we went back for our walk. Nearly got to the end when a dark cloud behind us caught up and sent down the rain with lots of wind. Luckily we were at the shelter sheds so we were ok till it passed. Quite a good drop as we had to dodge lots of pools of water on the way back. Sky a cloudy now so might be a wetter day.
No rain under the house where Steve had put the panelling but you can see it on the panelling and out the front it was flowing into the drain.
As the rain was coming on a different angle than normal it had blown in through the timber slats that just had a blind hanging down but had poured in where the blind was missing. Another job to do.
Very windy day. Our awnings are doing well again the wind which is good.
Someone posted this amazing photo on the We Love Woodgate, Facebook page.
22nd - Still windy but nice for our walk.
Erica and Terry arrived. She was going to go to Bingo first but thought she should leave it another week.
Rebecca sent me a lovely photo of Theodore. They are heading down on Monday - hope they can stay safe from Covid.
Roald rang confirming they are arriving on Monday. They are staying at the Van Park so will let us know when they get here.
Kaylene rang for a chat - having to get set up at school even though school start has been delayed 2 weeks with Covid.
23rd - I woke up at 2am and felt sick. Went to toilet - not pleasant and then threw up. Don’t know where that came from. We all at the same thing last night and Steve said he was ok when he woke to see if I was ok. Another bout about 5am then I started to feel a bit better. Day in bed with my book today so I don’t share it. Erica and Terry are fine too which is a relief.
Jon sent a photo of a lovely flower, Jewel of Thailand, which has come back from the dead.
24th - Feeling much better but didn’t go for our walk - Steve was good and went.
Steve mowed the lawn when he returned so the mower can go back to Bundy with Terry. Terry and I pulled some weeds.
After lunch we did our last job - put up some mesh to stop the water coming in through the wooden slats when the rain comes that way which isn’t very often.
We walked down the beach after smoko. Lovely and cool and the sea is looking much nicer now. Steve picked up some sticks to make ‘ladders’ for the lizards to get out of the drainage pits - sadly we have lost a few who have gone in but couldn’t climb back out.
Roald and Joan arrived at 5.30 so we had a lovely time chatting then all enjoyed dinner together. Erica showed Roald how she divines with her wires and can discriminate different gemstones by holding the stone she is after in her hand while she devines.
25th - Went for a short walk - tummy a bit wobbly this morning after my cereal. Steve did the big walk all the way to the boat ramp. I did the washing.
Erica & Terry packed up.
Steve hung the balls again and added the anchor that both her parents and his parents say was theirs!
Paul and Joe called in to say bye as they are heading back to Brisbane. Joe has had a wonderful holiday, fishing, swimming and learning so much English. He has done well.
Erica & Terry headed back to Bundy.
We read our books and chilled out. A lady, Maxine, who is the researcher for the Woodford Museum rang (I had sent an email asking what info they need on our family). She was very excited to chat and she had just found the Coronial Inquest into my great great grandfather, Alexander McPherson’s death. He had fallen off his horse and died of concussion. She sent me a snippet of it and will send the whole thing (a big file) later. Will start sending her bits and pieces too.
Roald and Joan came around so we chatted then I transferred all the Brotherton info and photos onto a hard drive for him to peruse later on.
They headed back to their van and we packed up our drinks and nibbles and met them on the beach near the van park. We had a lovely afternoon chatting as the sun disappeared. A bit windy but still very pleasant.
26th - Very still morning. The sea was so calm - it looked like one of those Infinity Pools that resorts have. A few boats out fishing and a few people on paddle boards or swimming. We enjoyed our walk as there was cloud covering the sun so it was quite pleasant. A lady mentioned that a heap of turtles had hatched in the early morning and one ‘early riser’ had found them going across the road away from the ocean. She managed to get some help and round up all the little darlings and set them free into the ocean.
I did my baking while Steve filled in gaps on the patio with silicon. He will put some green paint on it later to make it blend in with the floor boards.
The turtle saviour put up some photos on Facebook. They were Loggerhead Turtles. There was also a great photo of the calm sea this morning too.
A light breeze at lunchtime so it was very pleasant under the house.
Aust Day dinner with Roald and Joan. Drinks on beach first then back at their van where their neighbours joined us. Great evening chatting and then a delicious dinner.
27th - Went for our walk then sprayed water on the patio to check for leaks in the panelling and siliconing Stephen had done. There was a big one on the window but we found that hole and a small one on the panelling so got that fixed too.
Joan had been for another big walk so she called in for a drink on her way back to the van.
We went for a drive to find the pontoon on the Gregory River but the track was all wet so we skipped that. Followed another track down to the Vietnam’s Retreat and tried to get around to Walker’s Point from there but there was a tree across the road and the track was chopped up. Back along the road to Jarretts Road where we found a heap of houses at the end. Never knew they were there and no one mentions them. Seems strange as they don’t have river frontage or anything. They are near the Gregory River. We headed back out and then on another track which turned out to be the original track into Walker’s Point. One section through salt pans has been eaten out and a log bridge made for the left side of the track. Cautiously we went across. All good.
We came out at the spot by the Burrum River where we turned around with Leanne and Rick
Joan and Roald joined us for drinks and lots of chatting. They had been out cruising too and had been down the same track but turned around before the bridge. They headed back to the van for dinner and we got ours and enjoyed Foyles War on TV.
28th - Quiet morning after our walk. Weigh in was good so the walking is helping. As is not eating so many yummies!
Rang Uncle John. He is improving with his new medication. So nice to hear his laughter. He always brightens my day.
Steve’s cousin, Gael, called in after lunch and we chatted the afternoon away.
David and Amanda arrived about 4 then Joan and Roald. Phil and Brenda walked down so we had a great time chatting. Rang Erica to see where they were as it was getting late. Nearly here - the chap didn’t arrive to fix the reversing camera so they sat around all day waiting! Gael left then we all chatting around the dinner table eating Amanda’s delicious Cottage Pie. I made sticky date pudding for dessert and Amanda brought ice cream so the Geck family were happy.
29th - A shower of rain this morning from one black cloud otherwise the sky was blue with little white clouds. Nice walk - I feel back to normal now.
Relaxing day. Quite windy.
Joan brought a chook to cook for dinner as I had put a roast in the Ecopot and we prepared a heap of vegies to roast. The Women’s final for the Aust Open was on and as our Aussie girl, Ash Barty, was playing we had it on. She had won the first game but was down 1 to 5 in the next one and managed to come all the way back and win the game and win the trophy. Well done. Then the Doubles Men’s final followed with two sets of Australians playing off for the big prize so we didn’t care who won.
So lovely to have everyone here for our last weekend in Woodgate. If WA doesn’t open up we might be back sooner than we think!
30th - Another lovely morning for our walk. I started on our washing.
David finished off the last windows that needed sealing yesterday and painted them this morning. He and Amanda headed off after smoko back to Maryborough.
Steve did the whipper-snippering to tidy up the lawn.
Erica and Terry packed up after lunch and headed back to Bundy. We will pop in on Tuesday for a final farewell.
I cleaned the house and closed it up. Certainly was a warmer day today and quite humid.
Dark clouds loomed as we headed up to the Pub to join Roald and Joan for drinks and dinner. Luckily we closed up the camper as it chucked it down for 10 minutes. That must have been the 8mm of rain they forecasted possibly for today. We were sitting outside under the verandah at the Pub but we got wet there too as the roof leaked all over the place. The rain disappeared and the sun came out making it steamy so we headed inside to our table for dinner. Very nice. Steve ordered beef ribs and Fred Flintstone would have been very proud of the size of them. Luckily you can take home a ‘doggy’ bag so guess what Steve’s having for dinner tomorrow night!
Settled in with a cuppa to watch the Men’s final for the Aust Tennis Open in Melbourne. Nadal was versing a Russian guy who had two games up before Nadal managed to get one. It was very hot and they were sweating heaps. We went to bed thinking Nadal couldn’t come back from 2 down.
31st - Woke to the news that Nadal had managed to come all the way back winning the next two games to win the trophy. Well done as it had been over 10 years since he had won it and now he is has won the most (21) grand slam tournaments of all time. At least he could retire with a big smile on his face if he chooses to do so.
Took some books up to swap with some in the Street Library that has been installed near the park. We found a few authors we like so we came back and got some more books to put in for other people as well. We then went for our last walk. Put our togs on and went down the beach for our last swim. Still a lot of sticks up high and we noticed some have been swept back out with the high tide rolling in. It was lovely - the water temp was perfect.
Joan wandered by. They are staying another night so we will catch up with them this afternoon.
Got started on packing up our ‘home’.
Loaded the camper back onto the truck and parked up beside the house ready to head off tomorrow morning.
Met Joan and Roald on the beach for last drinks. Lovely sunset colours on the clouds.
Said farewell to Ted & Dulcie and Ann and Alby - neighbours on each side.
