Melbourne - Echuca

Friday morning we left Rutherglen travelling down the Hume Hwy to Melbourne, a very good dual lane hwy but other wise a very boring journey. Along the way we saw a large B Double Truck that had taken a slight detour off the hwy and down through the grass verge, luckily only cleaning up some small gum trees before coming to a stop. The front of the truck had considerable damage and a broken windscreen, not sure how the driver came off after what looks like a quick nap at the wheel.

We hit the Melbourne City Link around 3pm, just as the Friday afternoon traffic was building up, over the Holt Bridge then it was into the tunnel everyone going flat chat, swapping lanes getting no where fast. We did have to break suddenly once when some ethnic person decided they would come to a stop in our lane. He had missed the exit road before the toll way started, did think the van may have fish tailed as there was a screech of breaks before we pulled up as this person shot off at a right angle across to the exit.

Arrived at the Jurgens factory at Tooradin just in time to leave the van locked up in their yard for the night. The van was booked in at 8am Saturday for some warranty issues and to have an additional window installed in the ensuite. As it was going to be such an early start thought it was easier to drop it off Friday and treat ourselves to a night in a Hotel in Dandenong. It was nice to have some space to spread out in ! Bazza and I were feeling considerably short this morning when we had to share the lift and the dining room at breakfast with very young tall basketball players that were also staying at the hotel, there was a pre season tournament in town, one of the teams was even from China. We had just finished breakfast when we had a call to say the van would be finished by 10am, so it was back down to Tooradin then back on the road again heading for Echuca.

OMG school holidays have just started in Victoria, the caravan park is over run with camper trailers, tents and kids. Just hoping we haven't got the family from hell beside us, they seemed quiet nice and had their kids in bed nice and early. Hoping they sleep in until at least 7am !

Murray River Echuca

Moree-Forbes-Rutherglen

We left a lovely hot sunny Gold Coast early Monday morning to start our journey south, we headed West travelling through the Cunningham Gap to Warwick then onto Goondiwindi. Just before Goondiwindi we could see the weather changing and it wasn't long before we were travelling in the rain and the temperature was dropping. We were heading to Moree a 500klm day to stay the night to catch up with Carlene and Rex who had left the G C the day before. On the way we received a call from Faye and Alan whom we had stayed with in Queanbeyan that they were heading north and would be in Moree Tuesday night, so we did a few quick calculations and decided we could stay two nights in Moree. Once again we were able to enjoy the artesian hot spa's as the caravan park has five pools, all kept at different temperatures, the coldest being 25 degrees and the hottest 39 degrees. We had a thunderstorm Tuesday night with lightening and heavy rain, we had walked to the nearest Tavern for a meal $7 for a 250gm steak with salad & chips if you bought a drink. Lucky for us the storm had passed over by the time we needed to walk back to park.

Wednesday we left Moree around 8am for another big day of klms around 580, had to make up time for the extra night spent in Moree. We arrived at Forbes just before 4pm and set up camp beside the river.

This morning we left Forbes around 8.45am for the next leg to Rutherglen, only 435klms today. We detoured into Junee to visit the Chocolate & Licorice Factory and to buy a supply of goodies. As it was nearly lunchtime we decided to have an early lunch at the Factory then it was back on the road arriving at Rutherglen by 3pm. We have a lovely spot opposite Lake King, it was very pleasant sitting in the late afternoon sun watching the bird life on the lake and the sun setting.

Climbing Cunnigham Gap & roadworks

Hanging out with the Big Boy's

Enjoying the cheap $7 steak at Moree

Chocolate & Licorice Factory Junee

Lake King Rutherglen Caravan Park

Gold Coast

We arrived at the Broadwater Tourist Park at Southport early Monday morning after a very enjoyable weekend in Brisbane. Not long after arriving we caught up with Maree and Brian who have been here for some weeks, after their move from Tassie to Newcastle, so there was a lot to catch up on over a coffee or cup of tea for me.They had just left when our friends who live here on the Gold Coast, Alison and David came over for a visit, as usual it is like we have never been apart all trying to talk at once.

The weather has been lovely around the 24degrees, had planned only to stay for a few days and have a leisurely drive down to Melbourne but once again have changed our plans. Will not leave here until Monday, then will make a four day dash as we need to be in Melbourne by the weekend, as the caravan is booked into the factory to have a couple of things done.

Visa card has been hit very hard with the retail therapy since being here, especially when you receive a list of requirements from our daughter. We were going well for space in the van, have now had to juggle some things around under the bed to fit in the extra purchases. Bazza was also like a kid in a candy shop when he visited RV Coastline, went in to enquire about a gas heater for the van and the next thing I know arrangements were being made for the heater, reversing camera and other wiring to be done on site on Saturday. Looks like I wont see another Big 4 again, as will not have an excuse that it is too cold to free camp.

Wednesday night we went out with Alison and David to Crown Towers where we enjoyed a seafood platter for 4, then it was a phone call to their daughter-in-law to pick her brain as to the best coffee and desert location. We ended up going to the Marina Mirage to enjoy an unique chocolate experience at a Max Brenner Chocolate Shop, Bazza enjoyed a Giant Bald Headed Chocolate Truffle and I had a Banana Crepe drizzled with melted chocolate yum yum.

Today is our last day here at Southport, I had my last swim this morning while Bazza was packing up, he was also ready to put up the jacks until I went off my tree and told him to leave them until tomorrow. Then it was off to have lunch with Alison and David at their unit needing to be back at the park by 5.45pm as a courtesy bus was picking us up along with Maree and Brian to take us to the Shark's Club for a meal.

Will miss the fresh prawns that we have been getting direct off the prawn trawlers, will send Bazza around in the morning before we hook up to get some to take with us. Two weeks today until we are home, hoping the weather is improving !

View of Gold Coast from the caravan park at Southport

Broadwater Caravan Park Southport

 

Emerald Lakes where Alison & David live in the French Quater

Brisbane

Thursday was our last day at Bargara and of course it was superb weather, certainly did not want to be leaving the next day.  As it was our last day we thought we should go into Bundaburg and visit the Botanical Gardens, we had a very enjoyable walk around the boardwalk wetlands where we saw many turtles, ducks, geese and bird life. The Japanese Gardens were very picturesque and there were many turtles in the lake and some were certainly enjoying sunny themselves on the rocks.

We also made sure to pick up another 1kg of Strawberries to take with us the next day.

Once again that afternoon our friends Pauline and Les caught up with us , so after catching up with all the news since we had last seen each other we went to the local bowls club for an enjoyable meal.

Friday we said goodbye to Bargara and our friends and headed south stopping at Childers for a walk up the main street, and popping into the Bakery for a vanilla slice to share with Bazza. I am sure he would have preferred one all to himself. We stopped just north of Gympie to have lunch and decided that we would continue further south and head to Maleny that is up in the hinterlands inland from the Sunshine Coast. We were a bit surprised at the slow steady climb up the Brown Mountain Range which had amazing views over the Glass House Mountains and out to the coast. We pulled into the showgrounds that offers overnight camping to find that the following day there was going to be a food festival to be held there and we would need to be out by 8am. Surprise surprise Bazza had me up early and we were heading out the gate by 7.05am ! We headed back down the range and out to the coast to have breakfast at Caloundra before heading down to Brisbane.

We were at the Aspley Caravan Park by 9.20 and spent a nice quiet morning settling in,  then after lunch we went to visit our friends Sue and Tony that live only 5mins away from the park. We had given them instructions that we wanted to go the Thai Restaurant that night  that is near their home. We had been there previously and have always enjoy the food, we were not disappointed once again it was lush !

This morning Sue & Tony popped in for morning tea and then we all went back to their place for a lovely lamb roast and of course more bubbles and beer.

 

 

 

 

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