Thurs, 15th Aug, 2024 Manyimi Campground, Gove Boat Club, Nhulunbuy, NT

The Variety Bash people started leaving early this morning. The Tassie fishermen weren’t far behind them heading out for one last try. We just enjoyed resting and reading our books.

Decided to fly Perth to Brisbane end of Feb and have a couple of days looking around the city then train up to Bundaberg to visit Steve’s Dad, Terry. Train then to Cairns for a week with Dan, Fran and Sophia for her birthday on the 9^th. Across to Jon, Annalise and Beau for his birthday on the 11^th and spend a week then fly back to Perth. Booked it all and a hotel in Brisbane after chatting with Leanne about where to stay. Very stressful - I had the online booking in case I put the wrong date etc but I got it sorted. Haven’t booked the return yet as Jon had said to use some of his Virgin points so will chat to him about that.

Steve got to work on putting in the automatic door opener for the truck as he was over just opening it with the key. Big job but he got it sorted.

The others came back before lunch with a few more fish. Now for the big pack up and put the boats back onto the vehicles.

Wendy rang to wish us a happy anniversary and to wish Steve a happy birthday. Their wedding anniversary is the 19^th. We had a wonderful chat about her renovations - sent me some photos, and everything else that has been happening. There was a helicopter stolen at 2am the other morning and it crashed into the top of one of the motels along the Esplanade. We had heard about it on my ABC app.

After lunch I continued catching up on my blog and Steve helped mike and Anne load their boat on using a winch system.

After a cuppa we loaded the camper back onto the truck ready to leave in the morning. Have to remember to go down the stairs after being on the ground for 12 days.

Chatted with our back neighbours. A couple with 3 kids who headed off for a year travel which is now up to 20 months and they don’t think they want to go back to house for a while yet - they are from the Gold Coast. His parents have joined them for this trip in their van. So many people enjoying the travelling life these days rather than waiting till retirement so they can do all the hikes etc while they are still young. Of course you have to have the funds to be able to get going - their set up probably cost them $300,000!

The others joined us at our camp for drinks then we went across to the Boat Club for dinner.

We had burgers with very good chips. They had fisherman basket for 2. We have had a wonderful time here exploring and fishing with our Tassie mates, Jenny, Mike, (Steve), Anne & Ron.

Information inside about the Flying Boat Base at Melville Bay during WW2. Great photos on the wall too.

A few aerial shots too.

Lovely sunset.

Back to our high-rise home for a game of cards.

Annalise sent a photo of Beau after eating his solids which he is enjoying and spreading over his face. He sits up so straight in his little chair and is rolling everywhere.

Jon rang - still working on the BHP job on the Birdsville Track. Should be home mid next week. He will look at the flights back to Perth for us.