Mon, 1st Jan, 2024 Geck Beach House, Woodgate to Apex Park, Bundaberg, Qld

Fireworks at midnight but otherwise a quiet start to the new year.

Lots of messages coming through from family and friends so the internet must have been fixed.

Cloudy with darker clouds out to sea for our last Woodgate morning walk. Tide is out. 

John and Paul arrived with his tractor and boat. This is how Terry put in the boat when he and I went whiting fishing many times. Great memories.

I noticed a new sign on one of the shade shelters and it was to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the ‘City of Melbourne’ that was shipwrecked on Woodgate beach on 28^th Dec, 1873 - fancy that.

Lovely Norfolk pine as we headed back home.

We had breakfast and then went to help Terry fold up his Avan but he had it down and nearly finished. So glad he can still get out and enjoy himself by doing some travelling.

He hooked up the van and drove it around to the front so Steve could mow where he was - the grass has grown well there. Cleaned up downstairs and covered things etc then had a cuppa.

Said bye to our neighbours, Paul had caught a few mackerel. Jenny was heading down for a swim - wish I was too!

Headed back to Bundy. Black clouds had built and that turned into a very heavy downpour of rain for a while along the Goodwood Road as we headed back to Bundaberg. Gave the truck and camper a good clean. It finished just before the big paddocks and we spotted 5 emus today.

All dry in Bundy though as we unloaded Terry’s car and he backed the Avan into the carport.

Had lunch then while Terry went off for his SCAN (Senior Citizens Afternoon Nap) we borrowed his car to grab a few things as we noticed the shops were open.

Bin day tomorrow so Steve helped Terry fill it up with things from the shed and I cleaned out the bottom of the linen cupboard.

Drinks on the front porch then I cooked dinner. Steve and Terry scattered the last of Erica’s ashes over her Desert Roses and her Dove Orchid which was in bloom - means storms!

It has been wonderful to spend time with Terry and we have heard many stories of his younger days and Steve and Terry have reminisced about many things which has been very interesting.

Had dinner then we headed off to camp for the night at the free camp near the airport. Only 24 hour place but ‘homeless’ people (some with flash caravans) have been parked up for a long while (some since Covid) as they can’t get rental properties or just can’t afford the rising costs any more. At least we choose to be ‘homeless’.

All quiet here and the traffic isn’t too bad - probably less than on Terry’s street!