8th to 14th Dec, 2023 Geck Beach House Woodgate, Qld (Cistern Chapel, Maryborough)

Fri, 8^th

Another lovely morning. Warm but nice breeze. Lots of bait schools being smashed by some bigger fish so the birds are diving for the leftovers.

I made my ‘book’ tree - Wendy had shown me how to do it off an instagram post.

I continued on with my cross stitching while Steve finished putting the fans in the engine to keep it cooler.

David and Amanda arrived in time for drinks.

 

 

Sat, 9^th

Had our morning walk then we got into some jobs. The boys worked on cleaning out the shed so they could move it to a new spot ready for the new one next year.

Amanda and I sorted the linen then changed curtains around.

Paul came over and the ‘move’ was on. They decided to do it Egyptian pyramid style as it was too heavy to carry and they found a log they cut up to use as rollers. Worked well.

Bradley arrived just after we got it in position!

 

 

Sun, 10^th

Finished the curtains then Amanda and I worked out how to make a cover for the washing machine. Not bad.

The boys pulled the shade shelter down and attached it to the shed for the time being. After the new shed it built it might go up the other side beside Paul’s fence as another ‘car park’.

The boys loaded all the ‘not keeping’ things etc onto the truck to go to the transfer station this afternoon.

Uploaded the pole tree and Christmas tree onto our Geck family FB page as we will only be a small family this year.

David, Amanda & Bradley left, poor things have to go to work!!

Took Terry upstairs to check out all the changes - he is impressed. It was time for a big spring clean.

Steve and Terry went for a drive in the truck to drop off the stuff at the Transfer Station.

Kaylene sent a photo of us with Jakob (I am holding him). They celebrated his 30^th birthday early as they will be Townsville on his birthday (14^th) for his wife Annaliese’s Medical Degree graduation. We look so young!

 

Mon, 11^th

Grey sky and very windy so the sea looks mean as we headed into Bundaberg to do some shopping and appointments for Terry.

I took a photo of the oil painting Erica had done with Mum’s help.

Back home for late drinks then leftovers - thanks Amanda.

 

 

Tues, 12^th

Cyclone Jasper is heading for Port Douglas but only a Cat 2 so the media is beefing it up while the locals are going - oh well. Hopefully it will just be a lot of rain which they need as it is very dry up there.

Got a few more jobs done around the house. Breezy day with passing clouds.

 

 

Wed,  13^th

Watched the TV coverage of ‘Cyclone Jasper’ as it headed towards to coast - made us laugh at some of the broadcast but at least the authorities had everything set up and ready in case of damage and flooding. Sadly though Ergon seem to have things to sort as they had lost power before the cyclone made any impact on the coast!! Once it passed over as a Cat 2 which isn’t that bad really there were 40,000 home without power!! I texted and rang family and friends and everyone was doing well and not too worried about things as the cyclone was going to pass further north but the upswing wind can cause a lot of damage too.

 

 

Thurs, 14^th Cistern Chapel, Maryborough

9 months since Erica departed this world.

Went for our walk then sent Jakob a happy birthday text for his 30^th. He is in Townsville for Annaliese’s Medical Degree graduation. She has a placement in Cairns which is great for them both. Kaylene & Rick made it down through the rain to join them.

We headed to Maryborough for the day with Terry. First we visited the Cistern Chapel behind the Information Centre. An Usher checked the cubicles so we could go into the Mens and Ladies to have a look and take photos. It is amazing and is used as public toilets so I didn’t have much time for photos as someone was waiting to use the toilets!! Certainly a fabulous tourist drawcard.

The markets were on too in the street beside it.

We wandered along and found a cafe for a cuppa and yummy muffins. Mary Poppins was dropping into the cafe too.

I went for a quick wander through the stalls - it went the full length of the street with lots of different things.

Back to the car to head to Hervey to visit Margaret in one of the many retirement villages. She and her late husband John had met Erica & Terry whilst travelling on their way to their favourite spot in Bowen from Victoria. Erica & Terry said to call into Woodgate and they loved it so much they bought the block behind our house and put up a shed. I had many fun times with them when I took the boys down for Easter etc. We had a lovely time catching up over lunch then headed off to visit Erica’s brother, Ron in Scarness nearby. Checked out his many fruit trees and desert roses and Steve fixed his mower for him. Hopefully he will be up to Woodgate for Boxing Day.

Back home again for a drink then a walk along the beach. Watched the news of the cyclone and most of the damage was over the Daintree area with rainfalls recorded over 500mm over 24 hours. Flash flooding of course as the cyclone is a low and slowly moving dropping more rain but not too much in Cairns itself. Just glad it wasn’t too bad for most people.

 

 

 

1st to 7th Dec, 2023 Geck Beach House Woodgate, Qld (Boolboonda Tunnel)

Fri, 1^st

Grey heavy sky this morning for our walk. Very humid too. Hopefully the weather will be ok for Terry’s caravan rally over the next few days.

After breakfast a light shower of rain fell. Uncle John rang for a chat. Looking forward to seeing him in January.

Steve won the battle with the new water tanks under the truck and got the spare tyre back in. Now to just finish off the plumbing part. I worked on my cross-stitching.

Daniel’s boss sent us some photos of our hard working son. They are very proud of him as are we.

Callum rang for a catch up. Will be selling the farm and moving in to Maryborough soon.

After lunch the sky started to clear up.

Drinks with Tony (Kerry away). Steve only had a half nip as we were driving down to the Hotel at the other end of the Esplanade to get takeaway pizza. Thank goodness he did as the police were breath testing on the Esplanade. The policeman said Steve had a good liver after he told him he had just had a half nip half hour ago. He blew all 0s.

The pizza was yummy so it was worth the drive.

 

 

Sat, 2^nd

We headed into Bundy to get a few items and our groceries. Very hot and humid so a good day to be in air conditioning. The wind is blowing from the north, hence it is hot.

Joined Tony & Kerry again for drinks and watched the storm building - actually there were two cells. At 6.15pm a few drops of rain fell so we headed back home with lots of lightning flashing about and rolling thunder. A short burst of heavy rain with more lightning and thunder that continually flashed and rumbled as it rolled over us and headed out to sea. A bit more rain. Just getting ready to watch a movie when the power went out so we went up to the camper where we had 12v power so all was good.

9.30pm the power came back on. Lightning still flashing out to sea.

 

 

Sun, 3^rd

Overcast and calm sea this morning.

Steve continued with his truck jobs. I walked back to the markets near the Bowls Club. Nothing new.

Ann said we had 25mm last night.

Terry came home from his rally. Had a great time and won some raffle prizes.

The mangoes we picked off Terry’s tree are ripening so we are enjoyed one at lunch time.

Dave & Wendy arrived in the afternoon so set them up in the back yard.

Chatted over drinks then drove down to the Hotel for dinner - no breath test this time. Everyone had Hervey Bay Whiting & chips - I had calamari so Steve and I could share half. Not as good as catching it ourselves and Erica’s beer batter but it was nice.

 

 

Mon, 4^th

Hot and humid walk with Wendy too this morning.

Chatted then played Kelly Pool.

Another storm is brewing but only a few spits of rain.

Taught Dave & Wendy how to play Tripoli using the 1 & 2 cent pieces as payment, which they enjoyed. Terry won.

A quick walk with Wendy as the clouds were building again. We got sprinkled on as we headed back. Sarah and Ben have set the date for their wedding, 12^th July next year so I will make them a wedding cross-stitch when I get back to Cairns in March as we won’t be there for the wedding.

Some mozzies have moved in after the rain.

After dinner we had a couple of games of Kelly Pool - lots of fun. I won the first one and Dave won the last one.

 

 

Tues, 5^th

Sam’s birthday - sent him a message, hoping he is enjoying his new job in Orange too.

Went for our morning walk then Dave & Wendy hooked up the Suzuki behind their motorhome and we headed to Gin Gin with them to check out the old railway tunnel. Stopped in Gin Gin to disconnect the Suzuki and had morning tea at the bakery with some yummies. Lovely mural here.

Up the road towards Mt Perry then turned off to Boolboonda Tunnel. Read the info. I forgot my camera so had to use my phone so the photos not as good.

We headed in first - I got out for a couple of photos then back into the truck. 

I got out to take photos of Dave & Wendy and the smell was terrible from the bats. Glad we didn’t walk through.

At the turn around area there was a lovely ‘painted’ tree.

Dave lead back through with his bright lights on which was good but the photos still weren’t great.

Wendy got a couple of better ones.

Back to Gin Gin for lunch - yummy pies.

Said farewell to Dave & Wendy - will see at the end of February when we head back to Cairns to await the arrival of our two grandchildren.

We drove back to Bundy to pick up the camper water tank that was being welded again. Hopefully it will hold this time. Picked some more mangoes and got a few groceries for Terry.

Jon sent photos of his completed brick laying for the bottom fence retaining wall. Very proud of his hard work - he said it was very very hot and humid but he pushed on.

Back to Woodgate in time for a drink with Terry on the front lawn in the breeze. Must be a fire somewhere in the west again as the sun is on fire again.

Steve and I went for our walk south then back along the beach. I heard a strange noise and looked up as a small plane was descending above us. No engine sound and the landing gear was down. We turned and watched thinking it was going to make and emergency landing on the beach but it rose up and the landing gear retracted and it flew back towards Bargara. Must have been doing a ‘crash’ simulation. Glad it wasn’t the real thing.

Paul is up for a week so he called in for a chat.

On the weather it showed the low near the Solomon Islands has formed into the first cyclone of the season - Jasper. Also there was a hail storm in Maryborough so I sent a text to David. Unfortunately both Amanda and Ella’s cars copped a bit of damage. Bradley sent a photo from his work of a big hail stone.

Had a visit from a ghost crab.

 

 

Wed, 6^th

Lovely clear sky, light breeze and calm sea for our morning walk.

Steve put the water tank back in. I caught up on my blog.

I sorted out the shells that have been in the lawn locker for many years. I had decorated the mirror in the downstairs bathroom many years ago and the shells have slowly fallen off. I found a new hot glue gun in a cupboard so will fix it up. Also my wind chime I made 30 years ago had one string break so fixed that up too so it can tinkle for another 30 years.

Found a use for the old wooden tent poles that came with a tent Terry when Steve was a little kid. Steve made a holder that we inserted the tips into and made them stand like a teepee. I wrapped fairy lights around them so we have an outside tree. Will decorate it more when Amanda comes up on Friday.

 

Thurs, 7^th

Another lovely morning walk though the sea is choppier today. Steve continued with his truck jobs.

David & Wendy are back in Cairns.

I did some washing as we move back into the camper tonight, then got back into my cross stitch.

Jon posted the latest on his ‘great wall’. He can have a rest for the weekend before he goes back to work on Monday.

Brenda & Phillip called in for a chat.