A Week With Eil and Sue!



Cooktown Pole Dancers

We spent a week in August exploring the north from Townsville to Cooktown with  friends. Four of us in our tent! Tim has decided that one wife is plenty. (Whats worse than a nagging wife? Three nagging wives). We covered a lot of ground in an amazing amount of  time. It actually felt like a marathon! Enough said for fear of an uprising!

Not only was it  rushed  but crowded too...no not in the tent...everywhere we went! Kurrimine Beach resembled a nursing home for grey nomads and ...well that is all I am going to say about that too! I have decided that from now on  we go where no one goes on our get-aways.

Cassowary at Etty Bay

  In our search for Cassowary's we discovered Etty Bay just south of Innisfail. A glorious little bay tucked away around the corner from Mourilyan Harbour.  The dangerous critters actually have breakfast with the campers! Apparently they have become very tame after cyclone Larry went through, when locals cut up fruit for them to live till the forest grew back.

Eileen and Susan near the Curtain Fig Tablelands .

We did a day trip to the Tablelands too doing all the falls and all the beautiful vilaages between Innisfail and Malanda!



Mr Smiley was our chaperon. He kept the peace and made us all happy!

Don't know what we would have done without Mr. Smiley. He broke the silence and melted the frayed tempers when things got a little frizzled. Wasn't many times thank goodness. We are actually planning another trip so it must have been okay.

Looking through the figs with lichen growing all over it in Mossman.





Milla Milla Falls.



We decided to go back to Etty Bay  last week for a couple of days. We hired a van for the time we were there and for sure and certain I am cured of ever owning one! I suspect there may have been a 'passing' taken place in there. So old and ramshackle but we didn't really care  as we ate at the little store mostly and sat on the beach.  I set up office under a fig tree and conducted the business of writing poetry. Pure bliss. Next time we will pitch our tent and take our chances with the mozzies. It is a lovely spot and I was inspired to ramble on.



Ramblings from Etty Bay

The tide half up, half down.

Endless lapping and movement regardless, from both land and ocean blue

Children frolic, castles built, endless search for shells and treasures

Chasing, catching, rolling, romping, screaming and laughter...

Joyful expressions of appreciation.

Junior Life Savers practice their skill

Rotate and take their turn at saving.

Spot the waving arm, march, guide harness, rescue, carry, drop and kneel... kiss of life.

Then there are the boards ...paddle out and glide back, turn ‘round and do it again.

A swayed backed mother leeds her twins to the waters edge

One with bucket other with spade

Sit in waves trying to contain the ocean in their toys

Their little bottoms sandy like crumbed chicken.

People gather; holiday makers, teens stealing time off work,

Mums and dads, grans and granddads hand in hand, not much talking.

No need.

In the silence I  sense the spirit of a visitor from another time

Young nubile nymph climbing rocks, jumping waves, the fresh sting of salt on skin.

Crisp, refreshing, dunkings on a hot summer’s day.

Bare feet cautiously climbing, clambering over shell encrusted volcanic leftovers.

Searching, inquisitive, prying and fascinated young eyes.

Waves’ creating an explosion of spray pounding islet rock.

New discoveries as the wash pulls away and exposes secrets.

The shadows almost reach the waters edge

Streams of low,  sun rays seep through the giant figs.

My silhouette grows chasing the last of the days light.

A Forest Kingfisher darts across my path

It’s time to retreat to my nest too.

Brisk cold shower, to get rid of crusty sand.

Fold up chairs and tables, baskets, bags of soggy towels, buckets and spades

Eskies, light now, picnic lunch long eaten....all lifted into the boot of the car.

Tired happy children strapped safely into car seats,  a far cry from the freedom of  the day

But too tired to care. Be asleep before they get home

Dreaming of castles, and wild roaring oceans.

A sumptuous feast for the soul as I sit and gaze into the setting of sweet little Etty Bay.

Carnarvon Gorge and back via Longreach

If you haven't been to Carnarvon Gorge yet you had better before it's too late. No, they are not mining it or turning it into satellite suburb complete with K-Mart and Bunnings. The reason you must hurry is because YOU my friends are not getting any younger. Leave it too long and you wont be able....especially as walking 22 kilometres in one day will be on the agenda. Tim and I decided that Carnarvon Gorge was our Everest! Over 30 creek crossings, stairs that felt like they were the ones to Heaven, hills that felt like mountains and kilometres that I think where miles! We decided to go to the end of the trail. 'Big Bend' and do all the 'featured' walks on the way back. Big mistake! We knocked over the first  three coming back but by the time we got to the turn offs to 'The Amphitheatre' and 'Moss Garden' neither of us could bring ourselves to do it. We did make it to Wards Canyon though and from what we had seen thus far it was the pick. My photos do not do it justice. Our feet where on fire by the time we got there and a soak in the foot bath of freezing cold water got us mobile again for the last 5 ks back. (felt like 25).

It was very cold camping, could have thought it was Tasmania! The camp fire was comforting though as well the Tawny Port  we discovered at Dan Murphy's before we left. Our sleeping bags rated at -7degrees worked a treat so we didn't have too much to complain about apart from sore feet. It was well worth the effort and I am sure if we had of done a little more training before hand we would not have thought too much off the distance. Being gobsmacked around every corner  at all sights and sounds of the bush made it all worth while. The sand stone cliffs where amazing. The gums living on the edge where of particular interest to me! 

Warrumbah Gorge

One of the many creek crossings.

                                                            

Alive On The Edge

  King Ferns at Wards Canyon

Our trip home was interesting. I had not been any further west in Nth Queensland than Charters Towers. Places like Blackall ,  Longreach and Winton were mere dots on a map till this journey. Still dots on a map but people do live there. Amazing and nothing short of a miracle that they do! In all the towns the emphasis seemed to be on our pioneers and the way they lived. I  will always be grateful for the hard work they put into opening up and laying down the communities that make up our precious state. We have no idea what hardship is these days!

Tim and Suzie and the dusty road before us!

We decided to take the 'tourist track' to Tambo from Springsure. I thought it was worth it and Suzie handled the road well even though her 'footwear' was inappropriate. We know we have to get proper 4wd tyres for any more adventures like that. Sliding around in the bull dust in city slick  tyres was not all that much fun. 

Mr and Mrs Emu out for a stroll along the road to  Belyando Crossing.

Tim picks up with a new bird.

Bottle Trees near Blackall.

I bought one home from the Information Centre in Blackall. I am now officially a grey nomad picking up plants where ever I go...except from the National Parks of course!

The Stockmans Hall of Fame Longreach!

The QANTAS Museum.

We found The Stockmans and Qantas Museum very interesting and spent a long time in both. I am not sure I needed to know all that stuff about how a plane stays up in the air though. I was comfortable in my blissful ignorance. Now I will be wondering if all the parts are  in good order!

Homeward Bound

The last nights where spent at a motel. I know we piked out of the camping deal but we did make that decision  when we first set up the rig. Too tired? Then rent a room! So we did.

 

Look at the fancy fences out west!

All the posts were wrapped in tumble weeds! It went for miles like that  then suddenly stopped. Must have been the edge of the winds space.

Suzie smiling even though she has bugs all over her face.

Till the next adventure....

"Change of Minds"

                We are allowed...we are entitled to change our minds if we want to! Here is a photo of our first adventure in our 'rig'. The car could fit in the tent if we really wanted it to. We have a name for it...Suzie...because of her brand but have attached another...Tardis. If you could see what we put in between her three door frame you would be amazed. We have a state of the art tent Black Wolf go up in a flash model, air beds that blow themselves up (inflate) and a set up that all falls together in the least amount of time possible.  From pulling up at the site , wandering around and making sure it was the best spot, to ripping the ring pull off a can of beer was 20 minutes. And that was our first time! Have plans to be getting even better at it with a bit of practice.

Sunset on the banks of the Basalt River 'Bluff Downs' Western Qld.

                 Our first stop was Bluff Downs a farm stay where you can camp on the banks of the Basalt River. We had the place to ourselves apart from the cows and crows. Quiet? Yep. The river drops down and has a small waterfall that makes itself known with it's shushing music. Birds feed and drink all day long and create a scene that changes constantly. "Hey look....is that a crane? Are they  scraggy necked ibis?"  All day long we bird spotted. Bluff Downs run deer as well and Tim and I tried to recall all the names of  Santas reindeer round the camp fire while dutifully dealing with an over full bottle of Brandy. Shame the internet doesn't work out there or mobile phones we could have dialed a friend! 

We came home to attend a party but didn't unpack. Restocked and took off again this time for more civilized spot...Kurrimine Beach Caravan Park. The 'happy campers' from the school holidays had all packed up and gone home and left us  to the pick of the plots....beach front . Pub was just a stroll away...no cooking this time...just fishing and making wind chimes out of  the oceans remnants, reading and of course those pesky over full bottles of wine! Bill and Bev from Hervey Bay our new neighbours looked on in amazement at our rig and how it all fitted back into the car. That is when we decided Tardis should be Suzie's surname!

Thats all folks!   

Decisions Decisions Decisions !

Since our retirement we have talked lots about the how, when, where and why we will do 'our trip'. You know ...the one you traditionally take  after retirement. As far as I am concerned the van thing is out. It's okay if you  want to leave home for an extented period of time and maybe 'live' somewhere but hey...we already live in paradice so why would we be wanting to stay anywhere else for more than what it takes to check the place out , see the sights, taste the wine, etc? Soooo... so far,  as of today we have agreed on something that we both like. Remember I am the one who is happy with a toothbrush in one pocket and change of knickers in the other and Tim...well lets just say he likes his creature comforts (lots of them). Just as an example he likes a fishing rod and all the tackle while I am happy with a cork real and two hooks! Anyway, at last we have at least landed and idea that we both can work on. Here's the rig so far.
A medium size 4WD
A small tinnie  25hp motor (we pack camping gear in that)
The idea is to hump our swags around lots of watering holes around the country. Thats a bit of us. Like the old times in our yachts (I refuse to go there again; been there done that) only this time on land. Actually Robert was conceived in Cardwell while we  fished the Hinchinbrook Channel  in a wee small tinnie...there will be none of that this time round!!
There are no photos yet but will leave your imagination to conjour up a picture till we get the rig together. Amazing what  reading the Saturday morning Bulletin can inspire sitting on the balconey with wonderland before us.

Klose Kall for Kez!

Tim said, "Lets clean the loft".
I said, "What for...there is very little up there these days."

Up goes the ladder, a different one, I might tell you, to the one I used last time I went up into the loft (3 years ago). "She'll be right", said Tim and I agreed as it was very long and I would be able to manage better. Mmmmmm! Scene was left till it cooled down ...an indoors activity planned for later.

While Tim and Sooty were off having their evening constitution up to the dam and back I thought  I would pop up and give it a sweep and get down the stuff we wanted.

Ladder secure. Mat under feet so we don't scratch the timber floor. Give it a shake and a push... the ladder not the mat! All seemed safe. I was approximately 3/4 the way to the top when ever so gracefully the ladder slid. It was like walking on an escalator in the opposite direction, you know, like when you were a kid!  Trouble is I am 56 now!

I looked down as the ladder was sliding and was thinking about how to land, fall, crash and what damage I was going to do to myself. Suddenly the floor was the furthest concern from my mind. Just as the end of the ladder reached the edge of the man hole ( woman  hole?) ...it stopped. Stuck on the edge  was a small plastic end cover thinggy that broke in half and went flying accross the space called loft. Stuck on the edge was crazy women in knickers and T.shirt hanging on for dear limb. Life was okay I summised but a ride in ambulance was sure to be the nights activity.

Tom was home. Thankfully he was just hanging around waiting to run to my assistance. Normally he'd be asleep by now, aircon  blasting just enough noise to dampen my calls for help.

After berating me for doing such a stupid thing without someone to hold the ladder and threatening  to leave me there and collect his inheritence early he then held the ladder steady while I  went up to finish what I started. Nothing like a bit of drama to finish off the day. Yep...Alive On the Edge!
Keeps the heart pumpin' clears out those arteries!

The ladder stuck on edge.

This is how far it slid.

"Nothing Has Happened Since July"

Nothing has happened since July! Actually so much happened that month that I have spent the rest of the year getting over it. There was the wedding,  visitors from the wedding, Toms 21st, the V8's, visitors for the V8's, our birthdays, Grandma's birthday all in the space of 3 weeks. Whew! Talk about over it and hanging out for an AFD (alcohol free day).

September I dried out a bit in time to attend biannual WWW event and a Birthday Bash three others and myself commit to yearly before taking off to Coonabarabran for a couple of weeks visiting my birth mother and family. I rode down. I had a ball. On the way, while I was there, on the way home; the lot! My bike clocked up 20,000 ks somewhere near Mungindi. I aught not skite...I could of had more up by now if I had put my mind to it. No matter....got plenty of time to catch up. I know I wont be doing it till the weather settles down. As we speak the rain is angrily throwing itself on the roof. Not complaining. Waited long enough for it. Frogs are starting to celabrate with a chorus. Talk about chorus...guess who has joined a chior? Yes me!

 "Aquapella World Chior".

We sound like angels...so much so we float on water!

I am not sure what I sing but I do know I sing in upto six different langaugaes every practice night! That has got to be good for brain cells, yes? It is so fun! It replaces my night at Writers In Townsville. My  writing is off the boil for the moment...yes, not only the blog but my book as well. At this rate I will be in the nursing home with  the publishers lining up on visitors day!

"Grandma's 89th Birthday"

Maddie took Grandma to Billabong Santuary. Hazel and Eric attended too!

"The Start of My Second Day to Coona"

This was the last time I saw my leftie (bag). Somewhere along the track to Injune it came adrift and emptied itself, Grandmas camera included. But never fear! Grandma had her name on it and phone number. David Black from Moranbah found it and had it in the mail heading back to Townsville before the day was out. Believe that? Well what do you think took the photos you disbeliever you!!

"Miss Maddie Rose Trophy Winning a 2009 Kart Race "

Maddie attended the National Kart Series at Easter. She didn't win but got loads of experience racing against a mob of testosterone crazed men out to win at all costs. She may not have won but she put up a reasonable fight .

"V8's in Townsville...awesome!

'SPEAK UP....I CAN'T HEAR YOU!  VROOM!"

"The Wild Womens Weekend in Paluma"

The theme this year was Mumma Mia...incase you couldn't pick it. Gee  us girls know how to have fun! Aphrodite had nothing on us!

" Birthday Bash...Civic Theatre"

Trish, Delayne, Gail and myself all decked out celebrating our birthdays. This tradition started with Gails Mum, Thelma who went out each year with her three friends to celebrate all their birthdays at once. We are carrying on tradition and enjoying every bit of it. Each year we take a turn and go somewhere different and it is usually a surprise that we keep till the last moment. One year we went Belly Dancing, another year we had a complete makeover. Need I go on? I am sure you get the drift by now!