Days 258-261 – Glass House Mountains, Qld (28-31 May)

Last week in Glass House Mountains so started to get the van repacked, spring cleaned and ready to go in for a service.  Weather has been really cool and overcast, more grey skies then sunny lately and the nights are cold down to 9 degrees!  Some photos below of Sunshine Plaza shopping centre in Maroochydore.  The centre is built alongside a waterway and forms a lovely setting.

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Some trivia – Looking at a map Brisbane is about halfway between Geraldton and Denham – more in line with Mt Magnet.  In fact Geraldton lines up with Lismore on the north NSW coast.  Carnarvon is just south of Bundaberg (Fraser coast), Port Hedland almost smack bang in line with Bowen (Whitsunday coast), Broome just south of Innisfail and Derby just south of Cairns.  Busselton pretty well lines up with Sydney, Margaret River with Adelaide and Perth is just south of Port Macquarie on the central NSW coast.

Day 257 – Glass House Mountains, Qld (27 May)

Back to the chiropractor in Kawana today for Johns adjustments.  We took Coco with us as Alan the neighbour told us that she has been naughty lately barking whilst we have been out so we thought we had better give him some peace.  On the way back we stopped again at Ewen Maddock Dam for a walk.  A great spot for walking the dogs with a horse trail as well.  Coco had a spat with the dogs next door, not their fault.  Alan has three dogs and whenever we go out for a walk they Bon and Coco torment each other like crazy.  Coco rushes up to the wire fence and barks at them as if to tell them she is going out and they aren’t and of course they bark back and it is on for young and old.  However usually it is over before it starts.  This has been going on pretty much since we arrived here.  Well today one of Alan’s dogs had a lucky lunge and grabbed Coco’s tail and two of Alan’s dogs were trying to drag her backwards through the fence by her tail – and they weren’t letting go.  Luckily I saw it and broke them up.  There was no harm done except Coco being embarrassed and feeling sorry for herself.  Bon was very sweet and checked Coco over to make sure she was alright.  Let’s hope that teaches her a lesson and she gives them a wide berth from now on. 

Ewen Maddock Bushland Reserve

Day 256 – Glass House Mountains, Qld (26 May)

Kondalilla Falls National Park, Montville

Another birthday for me today and as the sun is actually shining and it is almost warm (yes a rare occurrence lately in sunny Qld) we drove to Montville about 26kms north east into the Blackall Range.  We were going to have lunch there after we had done a walk to the Kondalilla Falls in the national park.  The loop walk to the falls and return was 4.7kms.  It was very pretty walking through a fairly lush rainforest and with all the rain lately it was exceedingly green and quite muddy in spots.  We came across a small cave which had ‘rock people’, as walkers went by they were adding a little person into the cave.  There was a fair bit of water in the falls which was good to see as we know the best time to go is after the wet season.  The scenery at the base was very lovely with lots of huge boulders with moss growing on them which gives it a serene appearance.  Back to Montville for lunch where we found a nice inn that served lunch until 4.00pm which worked well for us.  We had a lovely seafood linguine and then went across the road for coffee and cake to a restaurant that had great views over the valley to the ocean.  It was a very nice day.  As it is a special birthday for me John had organised for us to fly to Alice Springs on 6 June (after our housesit finishes on the 5 June) for a week.  We are doing a day trip to the McDonnell ranges and a 3 day/2 night camping tour out to Uluru.  Really looking forward to this as didn’t think we would get to Alice as it is quite a trek and I really wanted to go there.  As it is John’s special birthday in November it is a combined special birthday treat for us both - just that I get it closer to my birthday!  As next week is our last week in Glass House Mountains we will be busy cleaning and repacking the van and of course tidying up the house for Lydia and Bert’s return (don’t worry guys we have been looking after it for you).  Whilst we are away Coco and the van will be the good care of Wendy and Rob in Pomona where we will spend a couple of weeks before we head to Hervey Bay for a two week housesit.  Works out well as we realised we would be in Hervey Bay in the school holidays and been a tourist destination figured it might be tricky getting caravan sites and it turns out we will be housesitting for a teacher who is going to NT for the hols.

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Days 254-255 – Glass House Mountains, Qld (24-25 May)

These last two days we have travelled to Kawana Waters which is near the coast about 40kms east so that John can have visits with a chiropractor (long story).  To get the maximum benefit before we leave the area next weekend he has to have 12 sessions (adjustments) so to get through them he is having two a day over six days over the next two weeks.  Whilst we are over there we are trying to do as much as possible to minimise trips.  So yesterday we went to Maroocyhdore again and and had coffee at Cotton Tree Beach which is a really lovely setting overlooking the estuary.  Today we went to the Ettamogah Pub which is a novelty pub that are franchised I think.  Apparently there is one in Cunderdin, WA.  Here is a description of the Ettamogah brand.  “Ettamogah venues embody the central theme of the cartoons. Closely linked to the cartoon architecture, stepping into an Ettamogah pub can be like walking into a cartoon, with their precariously balanced and gravity-defying walls, and life-sized models. Each venue brings something new to the chain reflecting their local environment, and range from the traditional styled country pub to inner city bar and restaurant”.  The restaurants serve steaks, burgers, fish etc more casual dining.  Certainly different.   Next to the Ettamogah Pub is Aussie World a theme park.   We also stopped at the Ewen Maddock Dam which has some lovely walks and it suitable for kayaking.  We plan on going back for some walks after our next trek to the chiropractor.  Unfortunately the weather lately has been really overcast and wet so not the best for photo taking.

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PS:  John did a calculation on our average weekly expenses based on nine months of travel in case anyone else may be thinking of doing a similar trip and it worked out to be just over a $1000/week and he reckons we have been fairly frugal.  Whilst this includes the odd tour and things like that we haven’t a lot of this.

Days 247-253 - Glass House Mountains, Qld (17-23 May) – Week 36 (Month 9)

Not much to report this week.  Haven’t done too much at all.  Lots of local walks with the dogs and reading books, John started to study a trading package.  I even bought out the knitting needles and am knitting beanies for the homeless.  Weather has been iffy with some nice days and wet days.  Nights quite cool getting down to 8 degrees.  The good news this week is that it looks positive that we have a tenant for our rental unit in Busselton that comes vacant mid June.  A lady with her 8yo daughter is moving down from Perth on a minimum 12 month transfer.  A friend of ours in Busselton is doing the legwork for us and is confident she will be a good tenant.  We only had the ad in the paper for two weeks.  From a few local sources we have found out that good rentals are getting hard to find in Busselton and rents have gone up an average of $20/week recently.  All good news for us of course.  John helped the local Rotary setup for a garden expo.  Marking out exhibitor sites and then helping the exhibitors get setup early on a Sunday morning.  Luckily the weather was fine and the ground fairly dry for the event.  We have a couple of rainy days coming up.  Still wondering why Qld is called the sunshine state – we have had as many cloudy or wet days as sunny days.  At the moment the weather here in GHM is a very similar to Busselton weather!  This should change come June when winter hits with vengeance in the west.  Some pics below of Bon who we are dog/house sitting.

Cute pic of Bon                                                Bon with his owners shoe waiting for him to come back for a walk

Almost forgot - had a brush with fame the other day saw Terri Irwin shopping at the local Woollies in Beerwah! Bit sad that I feel the need to report that.

Day 246 – Glass House Mountains, Qld (16 May)

RSPCA Million Paws Walk, Caboolture

Went to the Million Paws Walk today in Caboolture (about 25kms east).  The walk is held at Centenary Lakes which is a lovely park that we have driven by a couple of times and always said we should stop so today was a good excuse.  Nowhere near as many people as we thought would be there, we envisaged it to be packed.  We had a good walk though and the park is really pretty.  Unfortunately it was not as well organised as it could have been. We thought the walk began at 10.00am (as do all the others) and it started at 9.30am so we were late, the online tickets also had a 10.00am start and the registration fee was $3.00 more than the webpage stated.  There were no signs to show which way to walk.  There were 3 walks 1, 2 and 3km.  As we were late and didn’t know which way to go and the event staff weren’t sure, we had to make up our own walk and eventually found a group that we tagged on to.  Despite this, we all enjoyed the walk.  There was no stalls selling coffees, pet and doggie stuff and organised activities that we are used to, so quite a surprise and when the walk was finished everyone went home.  So quite different to the ones we have done in Perth and Busselton where there are lots of things organised, to do and see.  There was a doggie wash who wanted  $23/wash!  Consequently didn’t see anyone getting their dog washed.  We also went to Bribie Island for a look. Another 25 odd kms to southeast from Caboolture. This is not far from Brisbane and is a popular coastal holiday area.   Don’t know what we were expecting but we weren’t inspired.  It was quite nice but nothing spectacular (at least we didn’t think so).  I just think we are too spoilt by the WA coastline.  Although today is very overcast, cold and miserable and it was windy by the water so we didn’t see it at its best.  It was much bigger than we thought it would be with lots of residential areas and houses on marinas/canals (similar to Port Geo and Mandurah Quays).  There were some nice views of the Glass House Mountains and on a clear day would have been some good pics. 

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Days 239-245 – Glass House Mountains, Qld (9-15 May)

Trachyte Circuit, Wildhorse Mountain, Sunshine Coast Caravan Show

Pretty much a lazy week for us.  Did the 5.7km Trachyte circuit walk near the base of Mount Tibrogargan.  This walk is through woodland and heath.  Took a picture of Mount Tibberoowuccum (232m) at Jack Ferris Lookout (named after a local pioneer who turned 100 at the centenary year).  We found a snake/worm/skink on the track – in fact I almost stepped on it.  We have identified it as Burton’s snake lizard.  It didn’t take off like you would expect a snake too.  Another walk we did was back to Wildhorse Mountain Lookout with John.  It was a clearer day than when I had done the walk earlier. Went for a drive to Coochin Creek, which leads into the Pumicestone Passage which leads into the Pacific Ocean.  The Pumicestone Passage splits Bribie Island from the mainland.  Went to check it out for kayaking possibilities.  Could be good.  Coochin Creek has a camping ground which has loos and designated sites close to the water.  Would be a nice spot to stay if you don’t have dogs.  Lots and lots of mozzies though.  Met Wendy and Rob at the Sunshine Coast Home and Caravan Show in Kawana Waters.   Not as big as we had expected and Wendy and Rob thought it was much smaller than last years show.  A lot of the exhibitors we have seen elsewhere were not there which surprised us.  It was very popular and a lot of people.  After this we went into Caloundra and sat by the coast and had lunch.  It was a perfectly glorious sunny day.  There was a huge autoliner out to sea that looked like it was heading directly to shore at one stage.  The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately, blue sunny skies and warm days.  The nights have been really chilly though down to 8 degrees overnight – brrr.  The flanny PJs are out again.  We had a huge thunderstorm and downpour earlier in the week, 20mm in about 2 hours.  The thunder was great.  There are a heap of mozzies around and I am continually getting attacked.  John thinks it is very funny as at home he is my insect repellent as he always gets bitten and here they leave him alone and attack me.  At the caravan show I bought some organic tropical strength insect repellent and it seems to be working a treat even take the itch out of existing bites.  Very impressed, expensive but worth every penny so far.  I have developed a really itchy rash on my neck over the last few days and checked with the local pharmacist who says it looks like an allergy rash maybe to shampoo, soap – hmm. I was worried it was something much more sinister.  Anyway this repellent is working really well in keeping the itch at bay.

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Day 238 – Glass House Mountains, Qld (8 May)

Taigum – near Brisbane

Had a very enjoyable day with Bob and Kath, George, Lynn, Tricia, Paul and Keith.  Thanks for lunch it was yum.  Bob and Kath are long time friends of Dennis (John’s dad) from their days in Africa.  Bob and Dennis used to live near each other when they were at school.  Bob and Kath emigrated to Qld in 1965 with their young family.  Lynn is the eldest of their two daughters.  They also have a son and they all leave nearby each other.  Tricia, Paul and Keith are George and Lynn’s children and Sally is the special four legged baby.  Tricia is a teacher currently working at an Indigenous community two hours west of Rockhampton.  Some interesting stories to tell.  She and the other teachers there have befriended one of the ‘local’s dogs who looks very very similar to Coco.  Poor thing is nowhere near as spoilt as Coco of course – dogs there have a very hard life.  The last time we caught up with Bob and Kath was in 2005 when John was with Hometrader setting up the Brisbane office.  Dennis and I flew over and Dennis spent a week or so with Bob and Kath.  Bob and Kath are fantastic for their tender ages and seem to have an active busy lifestyle.  The last time John caught up with George and Lynn was about 30 years ago! and hopefully it won’t be that long before we catch up again.   Good luck George convincing Lynn to do the lap with a van in tow!  We might see you in WA one day or on the road somewhere.

 

Back (left to right) John, Tricia, Keith, Paul, George

Front (left to right) Lynn, Bob, Kath, Karen and Sally

Day 237 – Glass House Mountain, Qld (7 May)

Mt Ngungun climb

John and I climbed to the summit of Mt Ngungun today.  I had climbed it a couple of weeks ago but didn’t get to the very top – 70m short.  It was well worth the extra trek the 360o views were stunning and it was a perfect day.  From the top you can see over the Glass House Mountain township, the ocean in the distance and over macadamia farms.

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Days 235-236 – Glass House Mountain, Qld (5-6 May)

Brisbane

Spent the day in Brisbane while John met with a business colleague then met me afterwards.  I really like Brisbane and the way is is set out along the river’s edge.  Across the Victoria Bridge is Southbank where you can find restaurants, cafes and even a beach.  The beach is always popular and I would think fairly unique in a city.  There is a nice walk along the rivers edge.  The city cat is the public transport system on the river which you can catch across, up and down the river it covers a large area.  Its good to hop on and off for sightseeing. Of course lots of shopping to be done with all the big, small and in between department and speciality stores.  It was another sunny day for exploring and there a some cityscape photos below. 

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Days 231-234 – Glass House Mountains, Qld (1-4 May)

Pomona

Spent a lovely weekend with Wendy and Rob in Pomona.  They have been in Qld for over 12 months now after moving from WA and are settling into their new lifestyle.   They have built a beautiful home (and those who know Wendy and Rob wouldn’t expect anything less) in a very nice area called Stratford Park which is about 7kms out of town.  Their block is 1.6 acres and they have positioned their house so that they have a great outlook over the forest that borders their property.  It is a very quiet area and there are some very nice homes around all on big blocks.  The town of Pomona is a nice town with everything you could need including a new IGA store.  It has a silent movie theatre which is unique to the area but unfortunately there weren’t any screenings while we were there.  Next time.  Rob and Wendy took us for a sightseeing tour of nearby areas and it is all very nice.   Everywhere is so green.  Qld sure beats other states for everything growing so well and quickly.  Like Wendy said someone told her you could stick a broom handle in the ground and it would grow – don’t think that is too much of an exaggeration.  We stopped for coffee at Booren Point which is on a lake.  The lake itself was very busy with holiday makers for the long weekend but it is makes for some kayaking and bush walking spots.  Rob sometimes goes there with the dogs so they can have a swim. We took the dogs for a walk in the forest and it is just lovely.  Can see why they chose to live here it is a very nice spot.  Pomona has a population of about 1000 people and its closet town Cooroy, 8kms away has a population of 2000.  Noosa would be the biggest town nearby and that is about 30kms to the east.  Unfortunately time went so quickly that we didn’t take any piccys of their house or surroundings but will do so when we go stay for longer after our housesit.  On our return to their house we found a kookaburra sitting on the mailbox and as we were leaving saw a mob of kangaroos on some vacant land.  Wendy did say they were around.  Boy big roos – like everything else here they grow well.

 

Well after all the sunshine last week we are back to rain and cloud.  Should be fining up by the end of the week, fingers crossed.  Have to admit we are getting a bit fed up with the rain.