Seaforth

We arrived at Seaforth on Thursday before lunch to find a sign up to saying No Vacancies ! Bob the caretaker was not answering his mobile phone, so were wondering what plan "B" was going to be. We were not the only ones expecting to get into the camp ground, there were about half a dozen other van & vehicles hovering. We had rang Bob on Monday and he had said no worries just rock up and we would be OK. We tried his number a couple of times until we had some joy, he said that he remembered speaking with Bazza, so then he spoke to one of the resident campers and told them to let us in, but if anyone asked we had to say we had a booking.

We have settled in very well, have a very large site and already had a game of bowls on Friday afternoon. It was pairs with two games of eleven ends, it was a lot of walking by the end of  the afternoon. We lost our first game and then it was loser's play loser's and we won that one, so did not do too bad on a very fast green. Tomorrow (Sunday) we are going up for their social bowls afternoon, do not know what format that will be.

The weather here has been lovely, nice hot sunny days but the nights can be a bit chilly down to around 8 degrees, have put the feather doonah back on the bed, nice and snugly now.

Guthalunga

This morning it was a sad farewell to Paronella Park it was truly an amazing place to visit. We are now heading south down the Bruce Hwy, encountering many areas of road works, some with quiet lengthy delays. We decided we would try and get as many klms under our belt today (400), passing through Tully, Cardwell, Ingham, Townsville & Ayre to finally pull up about 4pm at a rest area set aside for overnight travellers at a little place Guthalunga about 45klm north of Bowen. We only just squeezed in as there were17 caravans & motorhomes already there. Since we arrived there have been quiet a few vehicles stopping for the night, they must sleep in the cars, not a very comfortable night.

It was strange seeing the trees that had been stripped of their foliage and the destruction from cyclone Yasie. Tully and Cardwell are still recovering with many homes & business still showing signs of damage and tarps still covering the roofs, there are also many homes displaying lovely new shiny roofs.

Tomorrow we will only have to travel about 200 klms to Seaforth which is about 46klm north of Mackay and hopefully set up there for two or three weeks. Bazza will finally think he is on holidays, as he has been hanging out to get to Seaforth. We have spent time there on previous trips and have really enjoyed the quiet seaside town & the occasional game of bowls!

Paronella Park-Mena Creek

Once again we said our goodbye's this morning to Pauline, Les, Carlene and Rex hopefully this time we will not have to return to Cairns. We only had to travel 120klm from Cairns to Paronella Park, so after the requested cup of coffee from Pauline we hit the road reaching Paronella Park by lunch time. On the way we were held up by several lots of road works which slowed us up considerably, but it was quiet an enjoyable journey as the weather was beautiful and we travelled through lush greenery also passing by lots of cane fields and banana plantations.

Paronella Park was the dream of Jos'e Paronella and is located beside Mena Creek Falls, his dream was to build a castle. On 13 acres he built his castle, picnic areas at the lakeside, tennis courts, tunnels and bridges, and planted 7000 tropical plants and trees. In 1933 he also built North Queensland's first Hydro Electric Plant, the power from the plant was used to light up the falls and his castle, also to run the water features throughout the park and lighting. Over the years the park has sercomed to natural disasters, flooding, fire and cyclones and was left to become over grown and neglected. Paronella Park is heritage listed and the main focus now is on maintaining the property and there are a number of ongoing restoration & preservation projects happening. The entrance fee of $38 each includes a guided day tour and a night experience tour and we also received a free night in their caravan park. During the night experience tour we were able to see eels, turtles and fish in the lake, would not like to be swimming in there with all those eels (yuk). Lights and music made the castle very enchanting at night.

Cairns Again !

We spent a very busy10 days back home, not only did we have to organise a funeral we also had another three to attend while we were in Hobart. Not Four Weddings and a Funeral but Four Funerals. Lucky we made Min's on the Monday as both Bazza and I were unwell, me coming down with a virus and chest infection, that eventually took my voice as well as gastro, Bazza had a touch of gastro plus kidney pain and later that day passed a kidney stone. I think we are now on the mend, I just have a very deep gravelly voice, Bazza liked it better when I couldn't talk.

It was a shame that we were unwell as did not get to see Tan, Jason and the grandchildren, as much as we would have liked, but I still think I have shared my virus with Tan and Cooper as they are now sick !

The weather in Cairns had settled down while we were away, since we have been back lovely clear blue sunny skies and no humidity, temperatures around the 27 degrees and 18 degrees overnight. We have spent the last couple of days just taking it easy, not too much running around enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. Yesterday we went into the city to the market on the esplanade and then enjoyed a lovely gourmet Salmon Pizza for lunch finished off with a Cream Brule Ice Cream then returned to the caravan park where Bazza had a couple of hours snoozing in the van, while I enjoyed the pool and a quiet read.

Across the road from the caravan park is an equestrian centre where a two day event was held a couple of weeks ago, with horses coming from other regions. Unfortunately, one of the horses from Mackay was found to be suffering from the Hendra virus and two of the local horses have since died. The paddocks have now been quarantined with people dressed in protective clothing tending to the horses, I hope they have contained this virus and that they do not loose any more horses or worse still any human life.

Today we went to the Edge Hill Bowls Club for a game of Scroungers, it was a very enjoyable afternoon the weather was kind and not too hot. I ended up with the highest score on our rink, and had to play off against a couple of men who had the highest scores on the other rinks. Unfortunately they out classed me and I did not get to take home the winnings.

Tonight Bazza and I went into the City for an enjoyable Indian meal and then had a wonder around the night markets, they certainly cater to the tourist trade.