22nd to 25th Dec, 2023 Geck Beach House Woodgate, Qld

Fri, 22^nd

3am - woke to the sound of heavy rain - no thunder etc. Still sprinkling so no walk this morning.

Terry & I headed into Bundy for the last of the Christmas shopping.

Reached the rail crossing to find a train blocking the road. Had to wait 5 minutes for a north bound train to pass so the other one could continue southward.

As we drove along I saw the emu sign on the side of the road and was just about to ask Terry if he has seen any when he said, ‘there are 4 emus in the paddock’. Fancy that.

We got more paint from Bunnings then turned down the main road to go to the Woolies servo but the traffic wasn’t moving. We were stuck then till we got down to where the police had the dual lane blocked due to an accident further along. Must have been a death as they had the other two lanes blocked too. Very sad for those involved. Did a blockie then went back to another servo to fill up then headed back to Woodgate. A heavy rain cell crossed our path then another one but it was dry when we got back home.

Steve had continued with the painting and David & Bradley moved their cupboard from downstairs upstairs and brought one of the small ones down to go into the shed to store things in. Much better for playing pool now - before you had to open the door of the cupboard to make a shot from the end. Also we can open the window and see all the height measurements that we have been doing over the years since 2000.

Rain started after smoko and drizzled on so drinks was inside today.

Brian arrived in time for dessert so we chatted the evening away.

 

 

Sat, 23^rd

Watched Paul & John launch the boat off the beach with the tractor then went for our walk.

Boys got into the painting again. Then they got the trestles from Robert and did the high bits.

Updating the family on the progress using our family chat page on Facebook - very handy.

Paul & John came back with a few mackerel so Jenny is happy to be having fish for dinner.

The sea was so clear when Jenny and I had our swim.

Amanda & Ben arrived at smoko time. Togs on and down to the beach again for a swim, bit choppier but still perfect.

The boys are now doing the window sills and facia in the green - nearly done.

Amanda cooking dinner tonight so I get a night off.

 

 

Sun, 24^th

Heavy rain at 4am. Stronger wind from NE this morning so rougher sea.

Boys finished off the painting. Will do the other two walls another time. Time to relax and enjoy Christmas now.

Got a few things prepared for Christmas lunch.

 

 

Mon, 25^th Christmas

Slow start to the morning. Jon rang for a chat, will be working on his wall as Annalise is at work. So is Fran - joys of nursing. Dan and Fran are going to her brother’s place in the afternoon.

Opened our presents and chatted away.

Got lunch sorted. Jenny and Paul joined us. Lots of great food, fruit and desserts.

All full up so relaxed for the afternoon. The other Gecks messaged on our Geck Family page so we got to hear their news etc. Jodie, Bryon & Sam were playing Skipbo.

Jon sent photos of relaxing below the waterfall in his own private pool.

Steve and I had a game of Skipbo - I won both games!!

Drinks outside then a bit of leftovers for dinner.

Was quiet without the younger ones to play cards and pool with.

 

 

15th to 21st Dec, 2023 Geck Beach House Woodgate, Qld

Fri, 15^th

Pottered about. I found a new glue gun but the glue had gone orange but still seemed to stick so got down the bathroom mirror that I had put shells on years ago and fixed it up. Much better.

Next was a timber board that used to have a big crab on it but has fallen apart. The star fish has been ‘desmelling’ in the shed for years so I glued it and more shells on it and then hung it upstairs again.

Finally I decorated the display shelf too. Very happy with them all.

Went down to the beach with Jenny and her grandson Oscar for a swim. Very rough but the water temp was lovely. 

Fran posted a video taken from the bridge over the Barron River at the Hydro Scheme, scanning around to show Surprise Falls too - amazing. Found this amazing photos of the Barron Falls.

A big storm has hit Brisbane with winds like a Cat 3 cyclone so there is a lot of damage there and lots of homes without power.

Joined Tony, Kerry and other neighbours for drinks this afternoon.

 

 

Sat, 16^th

Grey sky this morning for our walk. Ted’s poinciana is blooming well so I got some photos.

Looks like there is a storm building in the west. The wind has picked up. Eventually we got a misty shower of rain then it was over and the wind stopped too. 

Had drinks with Paul, Jenny and Oscar today. Jenny has a long piece of driftwood with shells hanging from it and she says its their fishing guide. If they can hear the shells tinkering then the wind is up and no good to go out in the boat.

 

 

Sun, 17^th

Still hot morning, 23 min and expecting a max of 32 today. Thin cloud covering the sun for our walk. The tide is out so we went south then back along the beach for a change. Sea is calm but no fish jumping today.

Still very rough for our swim this afternoon so didn’t stay in for long.

The cyclone didn’t move on like they predicted and has just sat and dumped a heap of rain. The Barron River has flooded and the big bridges are under. The water has swamped the airport too. Amazing photos on the news.

 

 

Mon, 18^th

Steve headed into Bundy to get some more bits for the truck and for the house. Slowly getting it sorted and rearranged to make it more user friendly now that Erica is no longer here to sort things out.

Jenny and I headed for Childers for some groceries for Christmas etc. Had a wander through the Op Shop and cheapie shop too and got some bargains. Nice cuppa and cream bun at the Bakery.

Back home for lunch with Terry.

Jenny and I went down for a swim after lunch and it was perfect. Not too much wind and the water at the right height so we could just float on our ‘noodles’ and enjoy the water.

Carols in the Park is on this afternoon so luckily Jenny is taking Oscar so I tagged along with them as Terry and Steve weren’t too keen. Dug out the antlers in our box and headed to the park opposite the Bowls Club so only a short walk for us.

The Mens Shed made the sleigh so I got a photo of Oscar.

Oscar thought my camera was interesting and took a few photos. Not bad.

I showed him how to do a selfie.

There was face painting and the lady was impressive to watch. She was so quick as the kids’ faces transformed into works of art. Oscar wanted a Santa face to match his Santa shirt.

We had a wander around the market stalls. Santa and his helper came with lollies for the kids and Oscar got a photo with him so he was happy.

As the sun set the singing started.

There were words on the screen to follow. A couple beside me were signing well too - I just love carols, so we had a great time singing so the compère brought over the mic for us to sing into! Kids then came up and sang along with him so it was a great night.

A few more photos. They had led lights in bottles for sale rather than candles so Oscar got one.

Walked back home - Steve had cooked dinner and I timed it well as they were just sitting down. Kaylene had posted a video of the downstairs of their house having water flowing through it. Boy are they having a bad finish to this year.

The rain has stopped in Cairns but there is a lot of work to be done fixing the roads, clearing the airport, getting the power back on etc to get the town going again.

 

 

Tues, 19^th

Lovely calm sea this morning - tide was out. Pottered about. Steve had bought paint (Classic Cream like the shed will be) yesterday so he painted where the sail track needed to go. Terry still had a shade cloth awning from their old van which fits across the roller door to protect the chairs from the hot morning sun and keep the heat off the concrete. Looks great - I put up the fairy lights too so should look good tonight.

We continued with the painting on the bottom section. When Steve’s cousin comes down we will borrow their trestles and plank and paint the upper section - well that will be Brian’s job when he gets here on the weekend! After 56 years the house is getting painted though we are only doing the front wall at this point.

Jeff and Lyn rang to see if they could call in for a visit. I said to stay for the night as its a long drive from Rocky. Their daughter Robyn is on the Sunshine coast so she will come up and meet them here too.

Moved Erica’s park bench outside beside the pole Xmas tree to make some room in the ‘dining’ area. Very good for our ‘drinkies’ afternoons.

 

 

Wed, 20^th

Another lovely morning for our walk.

I opened up the house ready for our visitors. At 9.30 a few spits of rain fell so closed up the camper then the wind picked up and I rushed upstairs to close up the windows as heavy rain fell. Only for a short while but it was a good drop of rain which cooled things down nicely. Terry had put his washing on just before so had to wait till a while before he could hang it out then the sun shone hotly.

Robyn and her husband Nick arrived so we chatted for a while then Jeff and Lyn arrived. Had a late cuppa and chatted the morning away then we had lunch. So nice to meet Robyn and Nick after hearing about them over the years, lovely couple.

Took a few photos then Robyn and Nick headed off back to the Sunshine Coast. Nick was good with the selfie.

Had a cuppa then took Jeff & Lyn for a drive to Walkers Point then back up to Theodolite Creek. David has arrived. I got dinner sorted then we relaxed with our drinks outside.

A bit of delay for dinner as the big oven stopped working so had to change to the smaller oven for the chicken legs and I put the roast vegies in the camper’s oven. I had made the Sticky Date Pudding early so at least dessert was sorted. It all turned out ok then we taught them how to play Tripoli.

 

 

Thurs, 21^st

Dark cloud to the north that ended up sprinkling a few drops on us as we walked then gave us a small rainbow before disappearing. Further along the ground was wet so it only rained well in one spot. Spotted two sting-rays flapping about in circles just off shore in the calm sea.

Jeff & Lyn left at 9am as they were hoping to see a friend at Baffle Creek on the way back. It was great to see them again and finally meet their daughter.

Got out the paint again and continued on the front wall. I am on the brush doing the cutting in. Terry asked for the side wall to be done too so did that. Will get some more paint tomorrow. Kerry & Tony came over and offered Steve rollers etc - they used to own a paint store!

David worked on his knot skills to fix the rope around a glass buoy and did a good job with old Telstra rope. We have a few around the place.

Rang Brian - will hopefully be here Friday night so we said to bring old clothes for painting as he can be the one on the trestles to do the top bits.

The Lychee farmer had some for sale up the road for $15/kg so we got some - yum.

Storm heading across from Childers but we only got a sprinkle. Phil & Brenda and Ted called in for a chat.