Monday, 30 January 2012

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. 

Saturday, 21 January 2012

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.