Bargara Beach cont..................

The 10 days that we have been here at Bargara have gone really fast, time is certainly flying. Monday Carlene and Rex arrived for a few nights and Barry's cousin Judy and her partner Derrick also stopped in to give us a freezer full of fish, as they had been up the Gulf of Carpentaria fishing for several months. Once again we were having very social happy hours, and Tuesday night we all went to the local Bowls Club for their Roast Pork, only to be disappointed that there we not any crackle !

Wednesday morning we said goodbye to Judy & Derrick, then it was off to Elliott Heads to play bowls. Bazza & I could not believe our luck or bad luck when we saw who we had to play, it was a couple that come over from NZ every year. We were beaten by them last year, once again we lost to them but were lucky enough to win the Jackpot draw and we came home with $67.25 each.

Carlene & Rex left us on Friday to head to Harvey Bay, had hoped for a few alcohol free days but received an invite to a BBQ up with some of the permanent so that was the end of no alcohol. Saturday there was a couple here in the park that set up to entertain us, unfortunately the guy had had the flu and his vocals were a bit strained. Enjoyed the musical instruments that he played, flute, clarinet, trumpet and electric guitar with his wife on the keyboard.

Today being Fathers Day I managed to get myself out of bed earlier and treat Bazza to eggs and bacon for breakfast. Later we went into a market in Bundaburg to get some fresh vegetables and strawberries, the strawberries here are lush very ripe and sweet.

This afternoon we thought we would go for a little bike ride nothing too strenuous, but ended up riding all the way to Burnett Heads which took us an hour and half return, did have trouble getting off the bike when we got back. Lucky for Bazz that he has cable ties sticking out of his helmet, as the Magpie's must like or dislike his bright bike helmet as they swooped down attacking him. I could hear their beaks snapping as they were swooping on him, my bike helmet is black and they did not take any notice of me.

 

Helping with breakfast in my apron !

 

Well fed !

 

Bargara Beach

We left Seaforth on Wednesday and travelled south, stopping for the night at a free camp at Calliope. Once we were set up we went for a walk to stretch our legs after the long day in the car, we had driven over 400klms. Had not ventured very far in our walk when we a see a familiar motor home coming down the hill into the camp ground, it was Dennis and Lynn who had left Seaforth two day's earlier, have now given them the Stalker title. We enjoyed yet another happy hour together and realised that they would also be staying at Bargara for the next couple of nights, where they were catching up with their friends Helen &; Vince. We also realised that we knew Helen & Vince from when we were at Bargara last year and that our friends Pauline & Les who we left in Cairns  know Helen & Vince from when they lived in Ulverstone, such a small world.

We arrived at Bargara Beach around lunch time Thursday after a stop at the Bundaburg Botanical Gardens Cafe for a drink and to share a Vanilla Slice. We were looking forward to catching up with our neighbours Sue & Mike as we knew they would be there when we arrived. Unfortunately they had news that Mikes father was unwell and were leaving the next day to get back to Tassie quickly, we did get to enjoy a lovely evening with them at a local restaurant and hope they are travelling safe and things are OK at home.

Yesterday we again said our goodbyes to Dennis and Lynn , who are now making a big effort to head south to catch that boat, no more stalking !

A very large happy hour was held last night up near Helen & Vince's caravan with everyone taking a plate and they even had a fire ! Not the done thing usually in the park, but Vince had found a Webber on the side of the road and sat the base on some rocks and turned it into a fire pot. There were even a few of the permanents there that are friendly with that group of regulars to the park. With some easy listening music supplied by Rob and Disco Laser lights in the trees a very enjoyable evening was had by all.

Tomorrow it is off to the hairdresser for a much needed trim (haircut) feeling very woolly!

I am reading Fifty Shades of Grey on my Kindle did not realise it was such a hot sexy book and was telling some guy today that I was really enjoying reading it, am now a little embarrassed as at that stage had not read the chapter which is very detailed! Must finish this blog now so I can get back to the book.

Bargara Beach

Seaforth - Final Days

Our time at Seaforth is drawing to an end with only a five more days until we leave to head further south.

Shelley and Damian have been here this last week, they are Tasmanian's from the north of the state, and we met them here at Seaforth 2 years ago and once again it was great to catch up with them. We were out enjoying a meal at the local bowls club when we received a call from another couple, Jill and Graham from Berry S A, we had met them when they were travelling in Tasmania.  They said they were just below Mackay so would drop in to see us the next day

Friday we said goodbye to Shelley and Damian and hello to Jill & Graham, while waiting for them to arrive we were going for walk when we saw some more Tassie number plates and struck up a conversation to find out we were chatting with Annette's dad (one of my Dragon friends from my life prior to retirement) Dennis & Lynn from Ulverstone. It was a very enjoyable happy hour for the next couple of nights with J&G leaving Sunday, and before D&L departed on  Monday, we went for a lovely Devonshire Tea at the Railway Tea House that's on the way to Halliday National Park.

Sunday we had our names down for a social game of bowls but unfortunately when we rocked up there were no other players. We were a bit disappointed as we had missed out on Fiday's game, as we were expecting Jill & Graham that day. Since our time here was running out we then decided to go for a drive up to St Helen's Beach and check out a free camp inland from Cullen. St Helen's Beach had nothing going for it with mangroves growing all along the foreshore and a very small camp ground, have crossed that one off in the book. We then proceeded out to Boulder Creek and found this to be a beautiful spot where there is a large area to pull into just up from the creek which has lovely fresh running water.

Monday it was off for my last massage with Peter, have had three since being here just hope he is still massaging when we return in a couple of years.

Thanks Shelley for this beautiful picture of Seaforth Beach just had to include it in our blog.

Boulder Creek 

Happy Hour

Old Railway Tea House

Seaforth - cont....

              Comp Day at Seaforth Bowling Club - check out that style.....Whow !

                                            Car show held at Seaforth

           Our feathered friends Burdekin Ducks, Whistling Plumed Ducks & Curlews

We have now been here at Seaforth for two weeks and have really settled into holiday mode. The days are passing very quickly, the temperature has been constantly around 22-24 degrees so enjoying the walks along the beach, bowling and riding our bikes. Saturday we did a ride from the campground out to the boat ramp return which is 11klm, it is a great area for bike riding as it is lovely and flat. When we arrived here the campground it was packed but the last couple of days have seen many of the regulars that come here for 2-3 months packing up and leaving for their trips south.

We have been enjoying social games of bowls on Fridays and Sundays. I played in a big competition day last Sunday, it was a mixed fours and they had 28 teams entered. We had to play three games of 15 ends, I was worried if I would last the day, but surprised myself and pulled up OK. I had to skip our team which was made up of a couple of people from the campground and a local guy, our first game we were out classed by some locals & a couple from Mackay, beating us 25 to1. The next two games we were better matched, and won those by 4 and 5 shots, very pleased with that effort after our initial loss.

While I was off playing bowls Bazza was able to wonder around and enjoy the Hot Rods that were on display here at Seaforth and Market Day.

Bird life in the park is plentiful, heaps of Burdekin Ducks, Whistling Plumed Ducks & Curlews, we always seem to have them wondering around our campsite hoping for feed. The Curlews are very noisy they have eerie wailing calls at night !

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.