latest news from Bowen

25th May
Hi to all our friends and those that just read the blog. Haven't added much lately as Ian and I have both been busy working so not a lot to report but will keep you posted with the latest adventures. Ian is still with Isovale Fresh(tomato growers) as their maintenance manager and has a good reputation out there. Anything to fix he is the man!!!He really enjoy's the job and the tomato picking machines have never run better. Now he just has to keep them going for the season. This company has a contract to Woolworth's and i was reading today in the local paper that Bowen supplies 95% of produce at this time of the year all over Aussie.Eggplant's,bean's,capcicum's,melon's etc. Handed my notice in at the pub a week ago and had a week with my sister Di. Had been there since Feb. but really had enough of working nights and drunken bum's. Also my boss was quite different, really can't run a business. Started a new job last Monday in the tomato packing shed for the same company that Ian work's for, it's really handy we go to work together and i work full time as well. People are all really nice, lot's of young backpacker's. I'm on a production line were the tomatoes go into 10kg boxes, it's hard work and i have muscles i didn't realise i had, i am sure that will go the more i work. All good our plan's are to work hard, put money in the bank and have 6 months of. Had a great weekend a couple of weeks ago. We rented a penthouse in Airlie Beach for 3 nights and my sister Di flew in on her way home from Bangkok. For those that don't perhap's know Airlie Beach is part of the WhitSunday Is group and is 63kms south of Bowen. Also joining us was my sister Karen and her husband from Brisbane. Of course Jason didn't want to miss out on all the fun either. We had a spa on the balcony and a beautiful view of Airlie Beach it's a pity that the weather wasn't the best. The day Karen and Scott left sun came out and beautiful. Mind you Di stayed on with us for a week and the sun didn't appear either. Now it's a sensational 25 degrees and clear blue skies during the day and 10 at night with clear skies. It really is like paradise although i think both my sister's would say we are dreaming and telling lies!!!Have a look at Ian's facebook page and there is a good photo of 3 grown men in a spa. On that weekend we had planned a trip to WhiteHaven Beach but cancelled due to weather. This beach is one of the most photographed beach on the front of travel brochere's. All of us had done the trip before though. Whilst Di was here visited the Bowen River Hotel which is 100kms each way. This is a heritage listed pub and used to be a Cobb. and Co. stop over. Fabulous place to visit with memorbillia all on the wall's. It's in the middle of nowhere and you really need a 4WD to get out there. There is also a camp spot out there wouldn't mind staying out there for a couple of day's. Ian reckon's he would get our van slowly out there. Really is a peaceful place full of atmosphere. Whilst there 2 stockman pulled in on their horses,tied them to a post and stayed for a beer. They also hold the well known rodeo out there which was last weekend on the Queen's birthday longweekend. Jason partaked in the event but Ian and I had to work. Our next trip will be the last weekend in Sept. when Aaron comes up for a week. He has been here before so thought we would do something special whilst he is here. Both the boy's and ourselves are going on a catamaran for 2 nights,3 day's sailing around the WhitSunday's all meals included. The tour just sounded too good also on board is scuba diving which Jason and Aaron want to have a go at. Ian and i will pass.That's about it for now, hope those down south aren't too cold love Sue 

PICTURES OF BOWEN

our private waterfall

queens beach bowen

bowen township

jason,me,doug at montes

beach at montes

sue,doug,jason at dingo bay

our setup at queens beach, my new tinnie ??

LIFE IN BOWEN

our water front view

2 of the picking machines i am working on

road to my work after the rain

after the rain

sue at work QB hotel

St pats day  the QB

we are now in bowen ,far north queensland, 65km north of Airlie beach, top of the whitsundays. When we first arrived we stayed at the big 4 caravan park 100mts up from jasons place, very nice, right on the beach. the weather here has been great but was very humid when we first got here and 30-32 deg every day,i dont think i have drunk so much water in my life.We moved from there to Queens beach caravan park as a long term resident which is right behind the Queens beach hotel where sue now works behind the bar and doing the odd function, ie birthdays, engagment parties etc.i am now allowed to go to the pub for a beer and get served by sue, all good. I am working on a large tomato farm here looking after the matinace on all  there machinery. To date they have planted 700.000 tomato plants, yes 700.000 that is not a misprint and looking to plant more if all goes well so i am kept busy at the moment servicing the picking machines,4 in total be ready to go for the harvest starting end of may early june. The weather now is great as the humidty has now gone but still 30-32deg most days so most days i have a swim when i get home before happy hour up the road. We did however have about 500mil of rain over 4 days so everything was flooded,the bruce hwy was closed so no one could get in or out and where i work i have to cross a river which also flooded so we were stuck for a few days.We are off to Townsville on good fri as we are both not working so will catch up with Natalie & ben and karen and scott will also be there so will try to meet up with them. On weekends we try go see some sites so we have been to airlie beach a couple of times, bowen river hotel,dingo bay, hideaway bay etc, all very nice places to visit for a clensing ale after a hard week at work. all for now, cheers ian

Yeppoon to Bowen

Mackay harbour

whitangi day in mackay

At big 4 caravan park bowen

pool at caravan park

big 4 caravan park

Left kinka beach heading into Rockhampton, a quick look around, just another town, heading north to pull into a free camp spot at Carmila beach. nice spot right next to the beach, got the fishing rod wet but thats all and more walking along the beach, very nice. Stayed a couple of nights then of to Cape Hillsborough national park just north of Mackay. nice caravan park again right next to the beach and plenty of bush walks and swiming in the pool but also had swim at the beach to cool off but not for long as it is still stinger season up hear. Lots of mossies up this way  but otherwise very nice. 3 nights there then we headed of to Mackay for a few days. Busy little industral town with the mines not to far away and big ports taking the coal to china. Lots of kiwis there working so went to whitangi day celebrations in the park.departed Mackay heading for bowen. Booked into the big 4 caravan park just down the road from Jason again right next to the beach, spent a lot of time in the pool although the water was a bit to warm  to cool off properly but still nice. Even the sea water is warm but still have to look out for those stingers.have now moved to queens beach tourist park on a long term basis at the moment, nice park within easy walking distance to beach, bowls club and more importantly the queens beach hotel where sue now works as a bar bitch.took jason down to Montes ,(just out of airlie beach) for lunch on Sunday for his birthday then onto cactus jacks in airlie beach for some cocktails, all good.i am still looking for work so hopfully something soon, still a bit early for the picking season so will keep working on my tan.



walk in Cania Gorge

Cania Lake-Cania National Park

Somerset Dam

Overhang Rock-Cania gorge

Free camp spot-Carmila Beach

who's this fine specimen-Carmila Beach

can't escape rain-Cape Hillsborough

Caboolture to Kinka beach nr Yeppoon

Stayed in the Caboolture Showgrounds for a couple of nights. On arrival at showgrounds Ian wanted to check out a couple of caravan repair places as we still have some repairs that need attention but i think these might have to wait until we get to Bowen when we have more time in one spot. The stove top has to be ordered and sent up to us. Whilst we were there found out that the showgrounds held huge markets so decided to stay for them. Spent most of the morning wondering around as they are really big. Also got to meet some fun people for happy hour so had a great gathering in the afternoon. Left Caboolture for Kilcoy showgrounds for overnight.After unhooking and some lunch went to visit the Sommerset Dam and Wivenhoe Dam. Wivenhoe Dam caused all the flood problems in the 2011 floods. Now the flood gate's have already let some water out over the spill way's of both dam's in hope the same won't happen this year. It was a really nice drive , scenery very picturesque around there and nothing else better to do on a wet day.!!! Onwards north now to Kingaroy the place of Sir Jo and Lady Flo Peterson. Also known for the peanut capital of Australia. Ian and I did want to have a look around the factory but there isn't one something to do with OHSC issues. We did stop at the peanut museum which was very interesting and watched a couple of DVDs on the peanut industry. We had no idea how peanut's came about and that they are a legume,(member of the bean family). Also the staff were great and full of information, highly recommend a stop. Had an overnight stop at free camp and this is where the rain started. It rained all night and didn't let up. When we looked out side what a boggy mess. Of we went now heading for Cania Gorge Nat. Park. Here we visited Cania Dam,Cania Lake. We really liked this place and ended up spending 3 nights. These day's we just book day by day depending on the weather and do we like the place. When we set up camp weather good and the caravan park really nice, with a swimming pool for the afternoon dip, as it is still very warm.On arrival we visited the dam and lake, plus surrounding gardens, what a beautiful spot.Ian started talking to the gardener who was mowing the lawns and he said you must join in the Australia Day celebrations to be held on the following day. After lunch did a 3.2kms walk to Dripping Rock and Overhang Rock, finished our walk and on the way back, weather settled in and it bucketed down, we got extremely wet, never mind it's only water. Went along, on the next day, neither of us had ever been to a Aussie Day BBQ. Turned out to be excellent with awards first, followed by a BBQ lunch all supplied by the Monto Shire council. Lunch was just over and all the guest's left in a hurry as the rain settled in. We just tell each other that it is the wet season!!! The rain was so heavy that we spent the afternoon reading and Ian had a sleep snoring very well. Rain had stopped during the night so we had breakfast and set off on a 5.6kms walk to Fern Tree Pool and the Giants chair, now that Ian's leg is proving to be much better. Lucky got back to campsite for lunch and it rained all afternoon. Now Sat.28th Jan. at a free campsite at Calliope alongside the river which is very wide and running very fast due to rain fall. We did hear that the Monto Shire that we had just come from was being evacuated due to expandind rivers. Apparently the rain was coming down from a cyclone up near Mt. Isa dragging rain down. Right now we are in Kinka Beach nr Yeppoon will be leaving here in the morning. We are opposite Great Keppel Is. group which is a 30mins boat ride from the mainland. Tomorrow off to Camilla Beach further north south of Mackay. All for now. 

New Zealand pics

New year supper

sue and jan , after new year supper

sue and brother geoff ,  the eyes say it all

me and eshter

time to fillett, me and Margeret-ann

the batch

time for some R and R

George's 21st, arrrrrrrrrrrrr the memories

Brisbane / NZ 2011-2012



opps i did it again




nana and pop with grandkids (ipswich)




ummmm is it xmass ???



nanna And pop

Happy new year to all. got to karen and scott's at Victoria point qld on the 3rd dec 2011, had the run down on what was to be done while they are away in Bali, lawn mowing, painting and decorating,looking after the dog,cat, taking Scott's place at happy hour with the neighbours in the court etc which kept us busy. Had a chance to call in on other friends for lunches and dinners who are also in the area once all our daily duties were completed however i did have a fall while out to lunch with my artificial leg twisting behind me trying to kick my arse, badly twisting my knee and stump,so ended up at the doc with x rays etc to make no broken bones as we were of to nz in a couple of weeks. Back on the crutches for a couple of weeks,  and with the aid of drugs on the road to recovery.Karen and co arrived back from Bali having a good time, back out to the airport the same afternoon to pick up Gill and Gordon, (sues parents) who had come up from Adelaide for xmas.back to the airport the next day to pick up Jason who called in for a day on his way back to bowen for xmas, good to catch up and sort out my job prospects in bowen ? Had xmas day at Karen and scott's with nanna, pop,brother Daryl and his  family, a good day had by all, a few beers,swim in the pool,nice weather all good.Down to the gold coast for nanna's birthday on the 27th for yet another bbq and surprisingly more beer, who would have thought??. 2 days to regroup, nanna & pop of to stay with Daryl and co,  and then we leave to head of to NZ for new year's at coromandel. My sister Jan & david picked us up staying at their place in Auckland the first night, next day guess what ??? Jan and Sue want to go shopping.All good got what they needed, back at Jan's for lunch, then Sue and i head of to corras to get some fishing in. Weather not great but at least out most days catching fish, scollaps, mussells etc. Sue and i both caught our first king fish, how ever they were undersize but still good fun to reel in and Catherin and Margeret-ann pulled in the biggest snapper i have seen a good 8 to 10 kgs which we also set free to live again to go and multiply. Left corras to have Georges 21st (jan and davids son) and catch up some friends. all good. Back to ozzie on the wed arfo 18th jan, thurs  and fri  spent restocking the van, ie Dan Murphys, woollies, B,W,S, filling up with diesel,Dan Murphys,fri night happy hour in the court etc. On the road again sat morn 21st jan 2012 heading north. At the moment in Caboolture cheers for now.