tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42510630500274375802024-02-20T03:25:35.001+11:00Our Trip - A year [and a bit] travelling around AustraliaIf you want to see any photo in more detail just double click on the photo and it will expand.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-42131625007866193122012-04-08T09:56:00.000+10:002012-08-08T20:24:06.889+10:00Mooloolaba- farewell to our blog - 3 to 7 April 2012<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R-L--k0_Sjo/UCGr1rFE5HI/AAAAAAAAEj4/gf25RoCmCsk/s1600-h/2010.11.01%252520at%25252004h50m53s%252520Mooloolaba%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2010.11.01 at 04h50m53s Mooloolaba" border="0" alt="2010.11.01 at 04h50m53s Mooloolaba" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l721u8jswTo/UCGr1-nTjyI/AAAAAAAAEkA/GS8FPspC5FQ/2010.11.01%252520at%25252004h50m53s%252520Mooloolaba_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a>We had only been able to book a one night site in Mooloolaba as it was Easter.</p> <p>We had a long drive to Mooloolaba from Yamba with our now nearly perfectly clean Bushtracker. </p> <p>We went to M on Mooloolaba, a sentimental favorite for dinner, and slept our last night in the caravan. </p> <p>We put the caravan in store at Kunda Park the next day. </p> <p>We stayed with Geoff and Sue while we finished our final cleaning and washed our bedding-thank you Geoff and Sue.</p> <p>We then headed home to the US from Brisbane Airport having completed our goal of traveling on Highway 1 all around Australia. </p> <p>We took a few detours and it took quite a bit longer than we expected but we had wonderful experiences, met a lot of interesting people and wouldn't have missed it for anything.</p> <p>We still have a tiny section to do near Halls Gap and the Bungle Bungles where we drove the Gibb River Road rather than taking the Bitumen and we still have to visit Tasmania in our caravan. We are also thinking about the Great Central Road.</p> <p>However this is fare well from Tricia and John for now. </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-82221469496546013052012-04-04T09:46:00.000+10:002012-08-08T20:24:11.653+10:00Southwest Rocks and Yamba – 29 March to 3 April 2012<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BbVcZklayrU/UCGo6aIpq-I/AAAAAAAAEjY/RTmgnV2R1fI/s1600-h/IMG_2019%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2019" border="0" alt="IMG_2019" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5TEzAkDjKvY/UCGo7sPQ2lI/AAAAAAAAEjg/iE-HT1Mag5I/IMG_2019_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a>We have been travelling North quite rapidly. </p> <p>We had an overnight stop at Southwest Rocks. We like Geppys Restaurant here. <br /></p> <p>Then on to Yamba, one of our preferred camping sites, where we have a lovely site on the Clarence River. <br /></p> <p>There are nice Restaurants here also and this makes it a good place to clean the caravan as we can empty out our food storage.  It also has good hot water. <br /> <br />We started cleaning the caravan for our return to the US.  This was very sad as we will be leaving it in store for a long time </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-29877675629953623602012-03-31T08:28:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:06.877+10:00Hawks Nest – 25 to 29 March 2012<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QMW6X5-URUE/UCGIhIl3VAI/AAAAAAAAEhY/hkYOoi1K-Hk/s1600-h/IMG_0053%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0053" border="0" alt="IMG_0053" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a_AJquHegGQ/UCGIhrifJdI/AAAAAAAAEhg/aaKawlwJDJk/IMG_0053_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WNvMC1eCeBU/UCGIiWyREgI/AAAAAAAAEho/mFybz1MZqA0/s1600-h/2012.03.28%252520at%25252012h17m33s%252520Hawks%252520Nest%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.28 at 12h17m33s Hawks Nest" border="0" alt="2012.03.28 at 12h17m33s Hawks Nest" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-heuq3cG0VB4/UCGIi8_07EI/AAAAAAAAEhw/GcI_VQfZFQQ/2012.03.28%252520at%25252012h17m33s%252520Hawks%252520Nest_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240" /></a>We by passed Sydney and Newcastle and drove to Hawks Nest. </p> <p>Hawks Nest has two beaches, an ocean beach and a bay beach both within easy walking distance. </p> <p>The caravan Park is set behind the Ocean Beach and we had a great site. It is the kind of holiday place you dream of.  </p> <p>We visited family here and had a great time.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AsYHBbh7uj0/UCGIjcv6PwI/AAAAAAAAEh4/OIvAg44Qcfk/s1600-h/2012.03.28%252520at%25252012h14m12s%252520Hawks%252520Nest%25252C%252520Louisa%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.28 at 12h14m12s Hawks Nest, Louisa" border="0" alt="2012.03.28 at 12h14m12s Hawks Nest, Louisa" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6lcDEsO11PM/UCGIjylok6I/AAAAAAAAEiA/nV_-qLOtxsM/2012.03.28%252520at%25252012h14m12s%252520Hawks%252520Nest%25252C%252520Louisa_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LZKQboNdE8o/UCGIkKVm08I/AAAAAAAAEiI/aTCXLRMH0HE/s1600-h/IMG_0072%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0072" border="0" alt="IMG_0072" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AzTuRo6q6AE/UCGIkSfoo8I/AAAAAAAAEiQ/hXJYJT2exvo/IMG_0072_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-alU0UTnOJWc/UCGIk26D1DI/AAAAAAAAEiY/7xylaiwgq5I/s1600-h/2012.03.26%252520at%25252017h27m27s%252520Chris%25252C%252520Hawks%252520Nest%25252C%252520Jeremy%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.26 at 17h27m27s Chris, Hawks Nest, Jeremy" border="0" alt="2012.03.26 at 17h27m27s Chris, Hawks Nest, Jeremy" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tko8_ZX4nnQ/UCGIle7I6VI/AAAAAAAAEig/W-e-aZRep4s/2012.03.26%252520at%25252017h27m27s%252520Chris%25252C%252520Hawks%252520Nest%25252C%252520Jeremy_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-I0y_0324qpo/UCGImP-5sBI/AAAAAAAAEio/XbokOHX7JMA/s1600-h/2012.03.28%252520at%25252011h33m28s%252520Chris%25252C%252520Hawks%252520Nest%25252C%252520Jeremy%25252C%252520Monica%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.28 at 11h33m28s Chris, Hawks Nest, Jeremy, Monica" border="0" alt="2012.03.28 at 11h33m28s Chris, Hawks Nest, Jeremy, Monica" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BikrZY1esSQ/UCGImSj2nrI/AAAAAAAAEiw/XZv-hwRdfnQ/2012.03.28%252520at%25252011h33m28s%252520Chris%25252C%252520Hawks%252520Nest%25252C%252520Jeremy%25252C%252520Monica_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SAtn1Jt-ea0/UCGImldcOlI/AAAAAAAAEi4/ICdjj2d4Ef8/s1600-h/2012.03.26%252520at%25252018h28m24s%252520Hawks%252520Nest%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.26 at 18h28m24s Hawks Nest" border="0" alt="2012.03.26 at 18h28m24s Hawks Nest" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9SMuej7troo/UCGImyTslUI/AAAAAAAAEjA/gZ8WcjORTVI/2012.03.26%252520at%25252018h28m24s%252520Hawks%252520Nest_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-56156875942092900352012-03-26T07:45:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.495+10:00Moss Vale – 24 to 25 March 2012<p>We visited a friend at his magnificent historic property in Moss Vale. This is a very beautiful area in the Southern Highlands south of Sydney.  It was settled  in the 1820's and is still a popular tourist destination. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rlIPCkD5kGo/UCF-jLpJuQI/AAAAAAAAEg4/3JkdrMB6PW0/s1600-h/IMG_0051%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0051" border="0" alt="IMG_0051" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Aj0XMGhZu00/UCF-j-6kbDI/AAAAAAAAEhA/sRnlW6SchAU/IMG_0051_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1024" height="683" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-50095740277693577372012-03-25T06:27:00.000+11:002012-08-08T21:01:55.063+10:00Canberra–21 to 24 March 2012<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cqlP5vjbU0E/UCF6Uxk_7LI/AAAAAAAAEgY/QznO687FsLg/s1600-h/IMG_0045%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0045" border="0" alt="IMG_0045" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-up9XNeN7PW4/UCF6VbwlaOI/AAAAAAAAEgg/r4ESM1FEn84/IMG_0045_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Zyt9VJamr6s/UCFtGlRvzZI/AAAAAAAAEfY/4WJZ1ETan5M/s1600-h/2012.03.23%252520at%25252014h53m05s%252520Canberra%25252C%252520Joan%252520Hughes%25252C%252520John%25252C%252520Trish%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.23 at 14h53m05s Canberra, Joan Hughes, John, Trish" border="0" alt="2012.03.23 at 14h53m05s Canberra, Joan Hughes, John, Trish" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LTZVsHqthPM/UCFtG7BOlHI/AAAAAAAAEfg/oxmVIg_G8A8/2012.03.23%252520at%25252014h53m05s%252520Canberra%25252C%252520Joan%252520Hughes%25252C%252520John%25252C%252520Trish_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Q5jdIH2CWaA/UCF6UJKwdOI/AAAAAAAAEgI/b-DFzimX8S0/s1600-h/IMG_0042%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0042" border="0" alt="IMG_0042" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1ImNkjNNzNc/UCF6Uo1PY4I/AAAAAAAAEgQ/9fDIkJXTuH4/IMG_0042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We were in Canberra briefly to visit friends and relatives. </p> <p>It has been some time since we visited Canberra and we spent a lot of time walking, seeing old sites and visiting the newly housed National Portrait Gallery.  </p> <p>The view from Red Hill still provides a great panorama of the original Walter Burley Griffin layout for Canberra.</p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zlGMwsuH0O8/UCFtHWXprTI/AAAAAAAAEfo/ebnEqUCFXtY/s1600-h/2012.03.23%252520at%25252014h45m33s%252520Canberra%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.23 at 14h45m33s Canberra" border="0" alt="2012.03.23 at 14h45m33s Canberra" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HnzIIwgbMBU/UCFtH5nvXHI/AAAAAAAAEfw/WHFPqsmLlAk/2012.03.23%252520at%25252014h45m33s%252520Canberra_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-22554016357564372742012-03-22T02:39:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:06.663+10:00Jindabyne via the Alpine Way–18 to 21 March 2012<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-arn5Ib25IhU/UCFonWCyh9I/AAAAAAAAEcQ/bkxoujt8bII/s1600-h/2012.03.18%252520at%25252015h22m36s%252520Murray%2525201%252520Power%252520Station%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.18 at 15h22m36s Murray 1 Power Station" border="0" alt="2012.03.18 at 15h22m36s Murray 1 Power Station" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-994fs9GjFZE/UCFon3-AALI/AAAAAAAAEcY/Q4M2TNzEyjk/2012.03.18%252520at%25252015h22m36s%252520Murray%2525201%252520Power%252520Station_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We drove the Murray Valley Highway to Upper Towong and Corryong.  </p> <p>The heavy rains had closed the highway beyond so we took the Alpine Way to Thredbo and Jindabyne. </p> <p>This was a challenging drive.  The sign at Dead Horse Gap at the Jindabyne end of the road proclaimed, “Alpine Way <strong>Unsuitable for</strong> Trucks, Buses and <strong>Caravans</strong>”  Perhaps we missed the sign at the Corryong end of the road?!!</p> <p>The Alpine way was built to service the Snowy Mountain Hydro Electric Scheme and the Murray 1 Power Station is an impressive example of the scheme’s engineering.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HwGF5gmzWqU/UCFooYgi_LI/AAAAAAAAEcg/JPw5xOGAdRE/s1600-h/2012.03.18%252520at%25252015h45m07s%252520Scammell%252527s%252520Ridge%252520Lookout%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.18 at 15h45m07s Scammell's Ridge Lookout" border="0" alt="2012.03.18 at 15h45m07s Scammell's Ridge Lookout" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iic9ZgeR9gk/UCFoo4HVg6I/AAAAAAAAEco/QmKjh9DUwJk/2012.03.18%252520at%25252015h45m07s%252520Scammell%252527s%252520Ridge%252520Lookout_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3hWLkC4sjy4/UCFopil6hcI/AAAAAAAAEcw/BVRWFNCa_II/s1600-h/2012.03.18%252520at%25252017h05m16s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Dead%252520Horse%252520Gap%25252C%252520Landcruiser%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.18 at 17h05m16s Bushtracker, Dead Horse Gap, Landcruiser" border="0" alt="2012.03.18 at 17h05m16s Bushtracker, Dead Horse Gap, Landcruiser" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-owbG2KCQu0g/UCFop-sDjmI/AAAAAAAAEc4/MIVg0IIXswU/2012.03.18%252520at%25252017h05m16s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Dead%252520Horse%252520Gap%25252C%252520Landcruiser_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u9GotJNqa7k/UCFoqcKRpfI/AAAAAAAAEdA/Qf_IeqLOtxo/s1600-h/2012.03.18%252520at%25252017h04m19s%252520Dead%252520Horse%252520Gap%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.18 at 17h04m19s Dead Horse Gap" border="0" alt="2012.03.18 at 17h04m19s Dead Horse Gap" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6bsgauVcHjI/UCFoqjK3gJI/AAAAAAAAEdI/FO9cVsvHSrQ/2012.03.18%252520at%25252017h04m19s%252520Dead%252520Horse%252520Gap_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-s_zYfzxlBrA/UCForKtJpbI/AAAAAAAAEdQ/rkwu-KxMoiI/s1600-h/2012.03.20%252520at%25252016h16m04s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Jindabyne%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.20 at 16h16m04s Bushtracker, Jindabyne" border="0" alt="2012.03.20 at 16h16m04s Bushtracker, Jindabyne" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-if3Jul1uq5E/UCForpgbO0I/AAAAAAAAEdY/Z3dHHrmqAls/2012.03.20%252520at%25252016h16m04s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Jindabyne_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We camped at Jindabyne. The Dam was the highest that had been seen in living memory so we had a waterfront site, the rest of the sites were underwater. The water was not going to rise higher as it was over the spillway.</p> <p>This was very pleasant and Tricia spent a happy afternoon wading and swimming around the caravan park.</p> <p>While we were at Jindabyne we walked to Mt. Kosciuszko, the highest point in Australia. </p> <p>We drove to Thredbo, took the chairlift to the plateau, walked in on the metal mesh pathway and had a picnic lunch at the peak.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aWidmcXqLC0/UCFosR_WLgI/AAAAAAAAEdg/o6Er6r_MSbk/s1600-h/2012.03.19%252520at%25252015h53m34s%252520Kosciuzko%25255B15%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.19 at 15h53m34s Kosciuzko" border="0" alt="2012.03.19 at 15h53m34s Kosciuzko" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xa8CLVswi68/UCFos2UFGDI/AAAAAAAAEdo/ssfM7el5sEE/2012.03.19%252520at%25252015h53m34s%252520Kosciuzko_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The mesh pathway is known as Australia's longest lightening conductor but it does conserve the fragile Alpine Vegetation. The scars from previous paths can still be seen. It is also very easy to walk on. </p> <p>Rawsons Pass just before the last rise to the peak has Australia's highest toilet. This is an attractive very ecologically sound design nestled into the surrounding countryside.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HoTx1AgHm7A/UCFot91x2rI/AAAAAAAAEdw/o5vxBSEZWxo/s1600-h/2012.03.19%252520at%25252012h44m07s%252520Kosciuzko%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.19 at 12h44m07s Kosciuzko" border="0" alt="2012.03.19 at 12h44m07s Kosciuzko" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UIGD8-MMjGM/UCFouXOrpAI/AAAAAAAAEd4/ywLChsscQGU/2012.03.19%252520at%25252012h44m07s%252520Kosciuzko_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ujCm-bJgBMQ/UCFouylRmYI/AAAAAAAAEeA/qsl-V7y5QO0/s1600-h/2012.03.19%252520at%25252017h35m35s%252520Kosciuzko%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.19 at 17h35m35s Kosciuzko" border="0" alt="2012.03.19 at 17h35m35s Kosciuzko" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fel_DV6txeA/UCFovft93OI/AAAAAAAAEeI/ngO9rmHk1-E/2012.03.19%252520at%25252017h35m35s%252520Kosciuzko_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We were too late for the chairlift back and walked down the face of the plateau to Thredbo on Merrit's Nature Trail.  This is well sign posted.  </p> <p>It comprises stairs set in the side of the face and the risers are rather high. This exercised some little used muscles and we were tired when we got to the bottom.  </p> <p>We actually slid down the last bit of ski run and had a nice dinner at one of the pubs. We really enjoyed being up on the peak of Kosciuszko when no one else was there but Tricia thinks if she were to do it again, and wanted to stay late, she would walk in from Charlotte Pass.  This is longer but less steep at the end.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6DU1BWS8dxs/UCFovjZzpSI/AAAAAAAAEeQ/LoCuZUJL9jo/s1600-h/2012.03.19%252520at%25252014h55m52s%252520Kosciuzko%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.19 at 14h55m52s Kosciuzko" border="0" alt="2012.03.19 at 14h55m52s Kosciuzko" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Iqujb0hIhe4/UCFowSu4G2I/AAAAAAAAEeY/tV9XrHiBUyU/2012.03.19%252520at%25252014h55m52s%252520Kosciuzko_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C5HhX1RBdq0/UCFow-n4y6I/AAAAAAAAEeg/bPpRv2a3W5k/s1600-h/2012.03.19%252520at%25252015h04m02s%252520Kosciuzko%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.19 at 15h04m02s Kosciuzko" border="0" alt="2012.03.19 at 15h04m02s Kosciuzko" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tz08GGls_yc/UCFoxLx8ssI/AAAAAAAAEeo/5mo8i8xot0I/2012.03.19%252520at%25252015h04m02s%252520Kosciuzko_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LXjUlW5GjV4/UCFoyeeaItI/AAAAAAAAEew/Jko6b1N73Mg/s1600-h/2012.03.19%252520at%25252014h56m12s%252520Kosciuzko%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.19 at 14h56m12s Kosciuzko" border="0" alt="2012.03.19 at 14h56m12s Kosciuzko" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5eFYlMMe2GY/UCFoyoRCVoI/AAAAAAAAEe4/rVRumA9qZPc/2012.03.19%252520at%25252014h56m12s%252520Kosciuzko_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-64889310002151893912012-03-19T08:41:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.510+10:00The Hume Weir [Albury] – 17 to 18 March 2012<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LGeVmQO3xz4/UBxHIX-XR_I/AAAAAAAAEac/ryaWMVGF9eY/s1600-h/2012.03.17%252520at%25252011h32m39s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Lake%252520Eildon%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.17 at 11h32m39s Bushtracker, Lake Eildon" border="0" alt="2012.03.17 at 11h32m39s Bushtracker, Lake Eildon" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-So23SWL6X0E/UBxHI7LpgbI/AAAAAAAAEak/MJ6runGVcKc/2012.03.17%252520at%25252011h32m39s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Lake%252520Eildon_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We enjoyed our time in Healesville and around Melbourne but it was time to head north again. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EKVhQndYNek/UBxHJXmmVZI/AAAAAAAAEas/fPx1OEF9Aew/s1600-h/2012.03.17%252520at%25252014h26m55s%252520Lake%252520Nillahcootie%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.17 at 14h26m55s Lake Nillahcootie" border="0" alt="2012.03.17 at 14h26m55s Lake Nillahcootie" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y2NIDJlDzs4/UBxHJhzwMZI/AAAAAAAAEa0/NUgfHtLFKFo/2012.03.17%252520at%25252014h26m55s%252520Lake%252520Nillahcootie_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n51w7tq1dHo/UBxHKJfc96I/AAAAAAAAEa8/istONY9-mdY/s1600-h/2012.03.17%252520at%25252011h47m43s%252520Lake%252520Eildon%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.17 at 11h47m43s Lake Eildon" border="0" alt="2012.03.17 at 11h47m43s Lake Eildon" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B_VtL4L8OzQ/UBxHKXrC2SI/AAAAAAAAEbE/s5Q_zNBvugU/2012.03.17%252520at%25252011h47m43s%252520Lake%252520Eildon_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>It was great to travel past a succession of water storages, full after being almost empty over the last years.  We stopped at Lake Eildon and had lunch at Lake Nillahcootie.</p> <p> </p> <p>Our first camp was a very nice campsite at Ebden in the Boathaven Holiday Park on the Hume Weir at Albury.  Tricia has visited this area many times and has never seen the Hume Weir so full, which was exciting.  After all the floods the weir is truly full. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_3srtdoY8C0/UBxHLJmQSDI/AAAAAAAAEbM/M4lGqAtP4c8/s1600-h/2012.03.17%252520at%25252019h20m15s%252520Lake%252520Hume%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.17 at 19h20m15s Lake Hume" border="0" alt="2012.03.17 at 19h20m15s Lake Hume" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_It-aXkCK0M/UBxHL8_giLI/AAAAAAAAEbU/ZvxqqH6UaaY/2012.03.17%252520at%25252019h20m15s%252520Lake%252520Hume_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="426" /></a> <br />In the morning we drove to the Weir wall and went for a walk around the Lake Hume Tourist Park where Tricia and the children spent many happy days swimming  at the little beachfront, now mostly underwater. <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3ZZFjTp4RKc/UBxHMSbZHeI/AAAAAAAAEbc/oucDVvdWty0/s1600-h/2012.03.18%252520at%25252010h34m54s%252520Lake%252520Hume%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.18 at 10h34m54s Lake Hume" border="0" alt="2012.03.18 at 10h34m54s Lake Hume" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yy4tJetZnNg/UBxHMqB5GeI/AAAAAAAAEbk/N3F2g0SBdp8/2012.03.18%252520at%25252010h34m54s%252520Lake%252520Hume_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wUx303scDXE/UBxHNAQG1eI/AAAAAAAAEb8/Ho2IqnWQtDI/s1600-h/2012.03.18%252520at%25252010h23m42s%252520Lake%252520Hume%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.18 at 10h23m42s Lake Hume" border="0" alt="2012.03.18 at 10h23m42s Lake Hume" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-XTy8NgB8zCg/UBxHOK6L7aI/AAAAAAAAEcA/-JTlmg_HFOY/2012.03.18%252520at%25252010h23m42s%252520Lake%252520Hume_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-60665391879644723072012-03-18T08:36:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.502+10:00Walkerville to Healesville – 24 February to 17 March 2012<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pYuON6MtcJA/UBry_af0HJI/AAAAAAAAEZg/ceg9XPbcauY/s1600-h/2012.02.24%252520at%25252013h23m13s%252520Kilcunda%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.24 at 13h23m13s Kilcunda" border="0" alt="2012.02.24 at 13h23m13s Kilcunda" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fJ-QFpb3dMc/UBry_n73txI/AAAAAAAAEZo/LwBT-lym9nw/2012.02.24%252520at%25252013h23m13s%252520Kilcunda_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We drove from Walkerville to Melbourne, stopping at Kilcunda on the way for lunch and a great swim in the roiling surf.  The surf break was so sandy our bathers were completely full of sand.</p> <p>We had a break from the van in Melbourne while John did his Professional Development courses.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pLD13uRYPfE/UBrzAMUiLXI/AAAAAAAAEZw/oCga7sLxCoo/s1600-h/2012.03.17%252520at%25252010h09m59s%252520Healesville%252520-%25252012-03%252520Vic%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.17 at 10h09m59s Healesville - 12-03 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.03.17 at 10h09m59s Healesville - 12-03 Vic" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gwR6MRh7PRc/UBrzAfLgzpI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/DVeaRAd8hmo/2012.03.17%252520at%25252010h09m59s%252520Healesville%252520-%25252012-03%252520Vic_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p>Then we returned to the Caravan Park in Healesville where we had originally set up the van for our travels. </p> <p>After more than three years of faithful service our reversing camera had become temperamental and had to be replaced, although not before we discovered that Tricia could give John accurate guidance for hitching up without the camera, which is good to know for the future. </p> <p>We serviced the Toyota in Healesville, and walked, enjoyed the lovely Yarra Valley, the wonderful Restaurants, and visited friends and relatives. </p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P1WTZRWHcyA/UBrzAyx7avI/AAAAAAAAEaA/ZKkDZJsvxGI/s1600-h/2012.03.05%252520at%25252018h59m11s%252520Healesville%252520-%25252012-03%252520Vic%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.03.05 at 18h59m11s Healesville - 12-03 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.03.05 at 18h59m11s Healesville - 12-03 Vic" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-22Sadcd1n_s/UBrzBWe4-lI/AAAAAAAAEaI/DaCIadskXnA/2012.03.05%252520at%25252018h59m11s%252520Healesville%252520-%25252012-03%252520Vic_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1024" height="683" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-79058985001632522042012-02-25T10:20:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.645+10:00Walkerville–21 to 24 February 2012<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-F6L9rDgofRg/UBhoWBEkCRI/AAAAAAAAEXY/L4EI6WKag6M/s1600-h/2012.02.24%252520at%25252007h10m46s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.24 at 07h10m46s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.02.24 at 07h10m46s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IRduAczAids/UBhoWb5eXzI/AAAAAAAAEXg/o7K6hdhZb9w/2012.02.24%252520at%25252007h10m46s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tnfW1aisVHs/UBhoW7GgBgI/AAAAAAAAEXo/vByj6x4spOY/s1600-h/2012.02.23%252520at%25252017h06m44s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.23 at 17h06m44s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.02.23 at 17h06m44s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pOYlin_0gU4/UBhoXOh_ExI/AAAAAAAAEXw/PmE89kU96IM/2012.02.23%252520at%25252017h06m44s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uuuuW1tTk2s/UBhoXZmbPQI/AAAAAAAAEX4/meVuMn8qhFs/s1600-h/2012.02.23%252520at%25252017h47m25s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.23 at 17h47m25s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.02.23 at 17h47m25s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vJ4IbKzMYEU/UBhoX2vxAEI/AAAAAAAAEYA/E84W40XzdPs/2012.02.23%252520at%25252017h47m25s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p>There really is no Walkerville as such, rather North Walkerville and South Walkerville.  Tricia has been coming here since she was nine and remembers driving on the sand between the two, now forbidden for cars, with the road being the only and the long way round.  The walk however, either on the sand at low tide past the lime kilns or by the headland with its cemetery is well worth it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VF36fdRWmIg/UBhoYYRRHbI/AAAAAAAAEYI/JJqlmvNLNVw/s1600-h/2012.02.21%252520at%25252017h20m17s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.21 at 17h20m17s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.02.21 at 17h20m17s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qE8l-GtURhk/UBhoYvvUydI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/V3KzZ0fBJE4/2012.02.21%252520at%25252017h20m17s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kM1vkjAAgL8/UBhoZOCxqBI/AAAAAAAAEYY/T4j1vZ7WfQU/s1600-h/2012.02.23%252520at%25252018h09m19s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.23 at 18h09m19s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.02.23 at 18h09m19s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X7tqVWMbzeg/UBhoZWgQ8iI/AAAAAAAAEYg/-Yg1LXV5PIg/2012.02.23%252520at%25252018h09m19s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>South Walkerville is the remains of a Village established to support a Lime Burning Industry which ran from 1875 till 1926. There were six kilns and the town supported about 50 families at its peak. The kilns and a few rock walls are all that remains, the kilns closed when David Mitchell opened his lime quarry at Lilydale.</p> <p>There is a very nice Camping Park on the foreshore at North Walkerville. We had a lovely beach front site in amongst the tea tree with a good view of the swimming beach. Walkerville has a very rocky foreshore but it has a safe beach and is a wonderful place for children.</p> <p> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DrpC9XKrlUo/UBhoZobOw0I/AAAAAAAAEYo/bQi88fPKSo8/s1600-h/2012.02.22%252520at%25252015h57m07s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic%25255B14%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.22 at 15h57m07s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.02.22 at 15h57m07s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GYCb5BsOBHg/UBhoZ-IuPuI/AAAAAAAAEYw/Pd2XhIPsEVM/2012.02.22%252520at%25252015h57m07s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--x0m4qk80xQ/UBhoaT9WybI/AAAAAAAAEY4/xWd30rEoZLw/s1600-h/2012.02.21%252520at%25252016h31m33s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.21 at 16h31m33s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.02.21 at 16h31m33s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ES4QofJnlzQ/UBhodi3HZaI/AAAAAAAAEZA/uWRThV4POOk/2012.02.21%252520at%25252016h31m33s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A0F4d_OePBQ/UBhod8ki5WI/AAAAAAAAEZI/C88iFxG01Gw/s1600-h/2012.02.24%252520at%25252007h27m18s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.24 at 07h27m18s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" border="0" alt="2012.02.24 at 07h27m18s Walkerville - 12-02 Vic" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iZppV5O6KKs/UBhoebIDDyI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/S3L6obCiWTc/2012.02.24%252520at%25252007h27m18s%252520Walkerville%252520-%25252012-02%252520Vic_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-64874044578759370812012-02-22T12:24:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.508+10:00Bairnsdale – 20 to 21 February<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t9I3Gl4RzPA/T0REnX9YjjI/AAAAAAAAEW4/U1WR3KOV4_Q/s1600-h/2012.02.20%252520at%25252018h53m47s%252520Bairnsdale%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.20 at 18h53m47s Bairnsdale" border="0" alt="2012.02.20 at 18h53m47s Bairnsdale" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lblzCTB08y4/T0REouRjrUI/AAAAAAAAEXA/L3oMLAinhoc/2012.02.20%252520at%25252018h53m47s%252520Bairnsdale_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Tk0d8SuJWb4/T0REqeTgNqI/AAAAAAAAEXI/BQWxvLkytIk/s1600-h/2012.02.20%252520at%25252018h11m27s%252520Bairnsdale%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.20 at 18h11m27s Bairnsdale" border="0" alt="2012.02.20 at 18h11m27s Bairnsdale" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-665YzFeyKpo/T0RErxkzodI/AAAAAAAAEXQ/FEWsPuTAzVw/2012.02.20%252520at%25252018h11m27s%252520Bairnsdale_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We stayed at the Mitchell Gardens Caravan Park in Bairnsdale. </p> <p>We had a good pull through site which makes onward travel easy as John doesn't have to hitch up in the morning. </p> <p>It was a very quiet park which was surprising as it is on the Princes Highway.  We did the Riverwalk beside the Mitchell River which is lovely. </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-89900906496886536112012-02-21T12:15:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.873+10:00[Eden] & Mallacoota–18 to 20 February 2012<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vI5W05MwRj0/T0QlOza0vKI/AAAAAAAAETY/KFLATbcav6w/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252011h02m45s%252520Eden%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 11h02m45s Eden" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 11h02m45s Eden" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YXKu1RdaGfY/T0QlQC47l9I/AAAAAAAAETc/InlK6G4qjlY/2012.02.18%252520at%25252011h02m45s%252520Eden_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dUGW0XPE_D0/T0QlRlyMXTI/AAAAAAAAETo/OmlyU24fI8s/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252011h06m19s%252520Eden%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 11h06m19s Eden" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 11h06m19s Eden" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LTMuGA7sTgM/T0QlTawqOKI/AAAAAAAAETs/bMfYckjVQkc/2012.02.18%252520at%25252011h06m19s%252520Eden_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We drove from Pambula via Eden to Mallacoota.</p> <p>Eden is an old whaling town on Twofold Bay, one of the deepest harbours in the world.  It is now a good place to go to whale spotting and still has a local fishing fleet. </p> <p>It is caravan friendly having large amounts of caravan parking available behind Main Street. We we enjoyed a pleasant walk down to the Harbour past a number of historic buildings and had a good coffee in a cafe on the wharf.  We liked the sign in the local shop reading “God put me on Earth to accomplish a certain number of things .. right now I am so far behind I will never die….”</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nu_0gpfrZMc/T0QlUou5eOI/AAAAAAAAET4/ek09DwQ603E/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252011h55m22s%252520Eden%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 11h55m22s Eden" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 11h55m22s Eden" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-b4PGNT9Pjyg/T0QlWKa09WI/AAAAAAAAET8/OWTTPtvsLCE/2012.02.18%252520at%25252011h55m22s%252520Eden_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TCe6O-hEFeE/T0QlXyceFuI/AAAAAAAAEUI/Xzwz8HpHTUM/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252011h12m53s%252520Eden%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 11h12m53s Eden" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 11h12m53s Eden" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-uZpY-qeNYY0/T0QlZHf_WcI/AAAAAAAAEUQ/hq_45c-f_dU/2012.02.18%252520at%25252011h12m53s%252520Eden_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0EYRLGgq6iE/T0QlbLOhjzI/AAAAAAAAEUY/sAC7xiSpcMg/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252010h43m22s%252520Eden%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 10h43m22s Eden" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 10h43m22s Eden" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FF1Q1HeMt8k/T0Qlca7Dy2I/AAAAAAAAEUc/Hg5NQl-akeY/2012.02.18%252520at%25252010h43m22s%252520Eden_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> <br />Mallacoota a little further South and off the main highway is a magnificent fishing village and holiday spot on the Mallacoota Estuary called by  the locals “Victoria’s best kept secret”.  It is very caravan friendly. The caravan Park runs along the foreshore for a long way and everyone can have a great site with a view of the water.  The local council runs the park and offers hefty discounts to people staying a full month, so all 200 powered sites were taken.  This is a great idea for the town as it keeps the locals employed and the shops busy.  Because we are self sufficient with power and water we had the pick of 400 unpowered sites, and got a great location with a perfect water view. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_RaSW5s7vPs/T0QleOggOKI/AAAAAAAAEUo/tbN7QbeON78/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252018h08m15s%252520Mallacoota%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 18h08m15s Mallacoota" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 18h08m15s Mallacoota" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZK4Mzz1W4UU/T0Qlftf0T2I/AAAAAAAAEUw/PGKUyRwb7TQ/2012.02.18%252520at%25252018h08m15s%252520Mallacoota_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9CUGmalZsEU/T0QlhRljJ-I/AAAAAAAAEU4/e_7PaPgSJFs/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252017h16m17s%252520Mallacoota%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 17h16m17s Mallacoota" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 17h16m17s Mallacoota" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B9jYQoeULnc/T0QlisE2KqI/AAAAAAAAEU8/ChV-IY0brIw/2012.02.18%252520at%25252017h16m17s%252520Mallacoota_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3JZrpZVTpE0/T0QlkQMAM-I/AAAAAAAAEVI/YTPFLJC7LfA/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252017h11m21s%252520Mallacoota%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 17h11m21s Mallacoota" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 17h11m21s Mallacoota" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MUyLruypxjE/T0Qll6G3CaI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/EtIZpOiuPMQ/2012.02.18%252520at%25252017h11m21s%252520Mallacoota_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p>One can walk on the sand islands which are great bird habitats, and which protect the birds against predators. There are thousands of Hermit Crabs in the deep pools. There are a lot of water birds including pelicans and sea eagles fishing in the lakes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sfgUZ_kfaDs/T0QlnfazRzI/AAAAAAAAEVU/XGIo2RWLYa0/s1600-h/IMG_1446%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_1446" border="0" alt="IMG_1446" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tdNVCwoaULA/T0QlopXzBsI/AAAAAAAAEVc/nBpJLmPaPFI/IMG_1446_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-d5Lhojg_dUY/T0QlqvGeHkI/AAAAAAAAEVo/WWQR-4kKpzg/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252017h41m10s%252520Mallacoota%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 17h41m10s Mallacoota" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 17h41m10s Mallacoota" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n6zvyiN7jb8/T0Qlr7Fj2cI/AAAAAAAAEVw/Nk2mx1SR6xo/2012.02.18%252520at%25252017h41m10s%252520Mallacoota_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2m2y4Rr-2WM/T0Qlt4VtujI/AAAAAAAAEV4/ddllx3K9Hfw/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252017h12m06s%252520Mallacoota%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 17h12m06s Mallacoota" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 17h12m06s Mallacoota" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OjNhPmT9_u8/T0QlvTDseeI/AAAAAAAAEV8/GOCpAt3IzpI/2012.02.18%252520at%25252017h12m06s%252520Mallacoota_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jh6tOiSAwFg/T0QlwyFM-wI/AAAAAAAAEWI/_4Z6D7rhBdE/s1600-h/2012.02.19%252520at%25252011h52m27s%252520Mallacoota-2-5%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.19 at 11h52m27s Mallacoota-2-5" border="0" alt="2012.02.19 at 11h52m27s Mallacoota-2-5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GD46Y2oRkNw/T0QlyjcB1bI/AAAAAAAAEWQ/wzljaDZ-H7o/2012.02.19%252520at%25252011h52m27s%252520Mallacoota-2-5_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1024" height="682" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TgyjVPJfQNs/T0Q_7LOaaNI/AAAAAAAAEWY/jBbWQX9uqko/s1600-h/2012.02.19%252520at%25252015h41m14s%252520Mallacoota%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.19 at 15h41m14s Mallacoota" border="0" alt="2012.02.19 at 15h41m14s Mallacoota" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PVsTVTQi10U/T0Q_8cBBxxI/AAAAAAAAEWg/J9tvjUDYDn4/2012.02.19%252520at%25252015h41m14s%252520Mallacoota_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WjVo5WLK8AU/T0Q_-cL42yI/AAAAAAAAEWo/MLhzTAlVcYM/s1600-h/2012.02.20%252520at%25252008h43m31s%252520Mallacoota%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.20 at 08h43m31s Mallacoota" border="0" alt="2012.02.20 at 08h43m31s Mallacoota" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lRZ1PY7Rtbo/T0Q__QaMShI/AAAAAAAAEWw/zB59CLVwyMs/2012.02.20%252520at%25252008h43m31s%252520Mallacoota_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>John did a boat trip on the Loch Ard around the Estuary.</p> <p>The place to eat is Lucy's Home Made Rice Noodles. It is a real demographic change as the once ubiquitous Fish and Chip shop is replaced with Rice Noodles with Abalone and Sea Urchin. There are also less challenging sauces. Lucy's sells great coffee and as one leaves all the caravans are lined up for that final cup of coffee to go. </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-60050725217660826582012-02-19T05:27:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.500+10:00Bawley Point, Batemans Bay & Pambula–15 to 18 February 2012<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0bUVaTgcjMY/T0PiOq67v8I/AAAAAAAAER4/kSf6oaaGy6U/s1600-h/2012.02.15%252520at%25252017h39m46s%252520Racecourse%252520Beach%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.15 at 17h39m46s Racecourse Beach" border="0" alt="2012.02.15 at 17h39m46s Racecourse Beach" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EfqwtawaCfE/T0PiQR8hLbI/AAAAAAAAESA/nDZnIzP629Q/2012.02.15%252520at%25252017h39m46s%252520Racecourse%252520Beach_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a>Having travelled with what felt like our own personal rain cloud since leaving Mooloolaba, Racecourse Beach at Bawley Point was beautiful and sunny. </p> <p>It is very quiet at this time of year, there was only us and one other caravan.  A walk over the headlands takes you through an Aboriginal heritage area and one of the largest midden sites in Australia.</p> <p>There is only dam and bore water to drink, we used our tanks. Showers cost 20 cents for three minutes.</p> <p>From Bawley Point we drove to Pambula via Batemans Bay. </p> <p>Batemans Bay is very caravan friendly. It has specific caravan parking near the McDonald's which encouraged us to do our shopping then relax and enjoy the town. </p> <p>We had a lovely walk along the river front, including the day’s drama of a sunken yacht which had brought out the Hazard Recovery Team to contain any diesel from the engine.  They made it clear they were not going to refloat the yacht.  We followed this with a relaxing lunch on the River Clyde with Fresh Oysters straight out of the Clyde river Estuary. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9Nb_RByZb98/T0PiSN5p7VI/AAAAAAAAESI/zTqingmxVcM/s1600-h/2012.02.16%252520at%25252013h28m43s%252520Batemans%252520Bay%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.16 at 13h28m43s Batemans Bay" border="0" alt="2012.02.16 at 13h28m43s Batemans Bay" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-33Ot-0Th-38/T0PiTMdk5UI/AAAAAAAAESQ/XN4A90ulyqI/2012.02.16%252520at%25252013h28m43s%252520Batemans%252520Bay_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qDBdTFTcFX0/T0PiVJ8rqdI/AAAAAAAAESY/tLQthmbYd9w/s1600-h/2012.02.16%252520at%25252012h17m42s%252520Batemans%252520Bay%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.16 at 12h17m42s Batemans Bay" border="0" alt="2012.02.16 at 12h17m42s Batemans Bay" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Qv7KqdbEolA/T0PiWCnhAkI/AAAAAAAAESg/Qwk9MVZpIdM/2012.02.16%252520at%25252012h17m42s%252520Batemans%252520Bay_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zJ699W9HP0Q/T0PiYZ0J5cI/AAAAAAAAESo/mxy7B-v9yuI/s1600-h/2012.02.16%252520at%25252012h44m16s%252520Batemans%252520Bay%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.16 at 12h44m16s Batemans Bay" border="0" alt="2012.02.16 at 12h44m16s Batemans Bay" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UpS3NSHBr3Y/T0PiZsF4WPI/AAAAAAAAESw/pFyXxKUo8AA/2012.02.16%252520at%25252012h44m16s%252520Batemans%252520Bay_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p>Our next stop was Pambula which has a campsite right on a wonderful swimming beach with resident Kangaroos who are exceptionally trusting.  Tricia even saw kangaroos going under vans to shelter from the sun. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Kkf7ok0rkHM/T0PibGB5DjI/AAAAAAAAES4/WXGFPEqxIEg/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252008h30m10s%252520Pambula%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 08h30m10s Pambula" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 08h30m10s Pambula" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iTJhbimSkUY/T0PicTAVjUI/AAAAAAAAETA/u4ymkvGUzDs/2012.02.18%252520at%25252008h30m10s%252520Pambula_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ne-xxnktQ7s/T0PiePthgZI/AAAAAAAAETI/YD90yicBuUw/s1600-h/2012.02.18%252520at%25252008h27m28s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Pambula%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.18 at 08h27m28s Bushtracker, Pambula" border="0" alt="2012.02.18 at 08h27m28s Bushtracker, Pambula" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kvn6BRFbqpA/T0PifVsbhJI/AAAAAAAAETQ/-l5EJDt3Ww8/2012.02.18%252520at%25252008h27m28s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Pambula_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-46584578845380625772012-02-15T22:03:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:06.894+10:00Kiama [Berry & Kangaroo Valley] – 12 to 15 February 2012<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zVTAXDzP0RE/T0OACkOl49I/AAAAAAAAEQI/DXKtuRNf5Zo/s1600-h/2012.02.13%252520at%25252017h31m33s%252520Kiama%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.13 at 17h31m33s Kiama" border="0" alt="2012.02.13 at 17h31m33s Kiama" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5qV3LowbVJI/T0OADxZ1MRI/AAAAAAAAEQQ/vNkOkw61AjM/2012.02.13%252520at%25252017h31m33s%252520Kiama_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-39ULNt1FmSA/T0OAFfnG6fI/AAAAAAAAEQY/7uZ7-QF4j1c/s1600-h/2012.02.13%252520at%25252017h52m20s%252520Kiama%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.13 at 17h52m20s Kiama" border="0" alt="2012.02.13 at 17h52m20s Kiama" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gU82AGG89eA/T0OAGa4-gVI/AAAAAAAAEQg/vUFJdZbZ4sI/2012.02.13%252520at%25252017h52m20s%252520Kiama_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We drove to Easts Beach Camping Park in Kiama. Tricia had a sore back and was glad to find a very good masseur as part of the spa complex at the caravan park.  The beach at the caravan park is lovely and very safe.</p> <p>We took the coastal walk North from the campsite to the little Blowhole and South from the campsite along the headlands.  We also visited The Blowhole which is right by the town of Kiama. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uOlAi4XHMlw/T0OAHxpPL1I/AAAAAAAAEQo/RNDwbnjyLdM/s1600-h/2012.02.13%252520at%25252014h22m32s%252520Kiama-4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.13 at 14h22m32s Kiama-4" border="0" alt="2012.02.13 at 14h22m32s Kiama-4" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KvXWExeAxJU/T0OAI2135eI/AAAAAAAAEQw/_paNJUHYbjg/2012.02.13%252520at%25252014h22m32s%252520Kiama-4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240" /></a>We drove to Berry an historic town which has a lovely deli Cafe with great coffee. From there we drove up to Kangaroo Valley, a very popular, scenic holiday destination. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JtbZic5BqSw/T0OAKvs8kSI/AAAAAAAAEQ4/QvHTTSAt6IY/s1600-h/2012.02.14%252520at%25252013h44m59s%252520Kangaroo%252520Valley%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.14 at 13h44m59s Kangaroo Valley" border="0" alt="2012.02.14 at 13h44m59s Kangaroo Valley" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OpbjMnOEcdQ/T0OAME6rGmI/AAAAAAAAERA/eFe8QGw8Pi8/2012.02.14%252520at%25252013h44m59s%252520Kangaroo%252520Valley_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KkAArdG7M8w/T0OAN5iK_TI/AAAAAAAAERI/WrVUr2DO3qE/s1600-h/2012.02.14%252520at%25252013h37m35s%252520Kangaroo%252520Valley%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.14 at 13h37m35s Kangaroo Valley" border="0" alt="2012.02.14 at 13h37m35s Kangaroo Valley" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K3mLVnxnBO8/T0OAO-_ys4I/AAAAAAAAERQ/DqzlkGXf0Rs/2012.02.14%252520at%25252013h37m35s%252520Kangaroo%252520Valley_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p>We both got leeches on our feet walking through the rainforest to see an old cemetery. </p> <p>Alongside the road on the verge there are masses of lilies in flower. They seem to grow the whole length of the Princes Highway in New South Wales. <br />We visited the Cambewarra Mountain Lookout with a magnificent vista of the coast towards the Shoalhaven River. <br /></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dRJ4AUb8fVM/T0OAQbXeccI/AAAAAAAAERY/SwzyrdBtV_g/s1600-h/2012.02.14%252520at%25252015h11m27s%252520Cambewarra%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.14 at 15h11m27s Cambewarra" border="0" alt="2012.02.14 at 15h11m27s Cambewarra" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hjVrkgpqZq8/T0OAR3BVpEI/AAAAAAAAERg/4Jg9cvOIbEM/2012.02.14%252520at%25252015h11m27s%252520Cambewarra_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-STNdRXwn9jw/T0PUbMoEXBI/AAAAAAAAERo/CWS95Aj7geA/s1600-h/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h12m07s%252520Trial%252520Bay%252520Gaol%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.29 at 16h12m07s Trial Bay Gaol" border="0" alt="2012.01.29 at 16h12m07s Trial Bay Gaol" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CDJvEn_PVic/T0PUcY9bwjI/AAAAAAAAERs/6Nv_i75T4nw/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h12m07s%252520Trial%252520Bay%252520Gaol_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-66906352948619255932012-02-12T21:55:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.518+10:00Sydney [Narrabeen] – 1 to 12 February 2012<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qILKu0_mhcU/T0N4YsUJO7I/AAAAAAAAEO4/_nVCC16FOU0/s1600-h/2012.02.09%252520at%25252015h33m31s%252520Sydney%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.09 at 15h33m31s Sydney - 12-02 NSW" border="0" alt="2012.02.09 at 15h33m31s Sydney - 12-02 NSW" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lmp7bHcAP-Y/T0N4Z6ColzI/AAAAAAAAEPA/auf4L96WsCg/2012.02.09%252520at%25252015h33m31s%252520Sydney%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ILpLXlCK1PI/T0N4b80QBJI/AAAAAAAAEPI/Btfv_e88rHU/s1600-h/2012.02.09%252520at%25252010h46m05s%252520Sydney%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.09 at 10h46m05s Sydney - 12-02 NSW" border="0" alt="2012.02.09 at 10h46m05s Sydney - 12-02 NSW" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p1Qq_Z9CaFE/T0N4c4dTiYI/AAAAAAAAEPQ/x1AfwpNf6Vw/2012.02.09%252520at%25252010h46m05s%252520Sydney%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>From Anna Bay we drove to Sydney for meetings and to visit friends.  Our campsite was at Narrabeen. This council camping park was an unexpected delight on the mouth of the Narrabeen lagoon in Sydney's Northern Beaches.</p> <p>Our first trip into Sydney was by car, but it is a challenge to find parking for our 4WD.  With the spare tyres on its roof it exceeded most of the height restrictions in city  parking lots. Thereafter our trips to Sydney were by bus and Manly Ferry, a much more <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RKDNiAMp1g0/T0N4eZvPuEI/AAAAAAAAEPY/eU2aY-gGx8I/s1600-h/2012.02.10%252520at%25252019h43m27s%252520Narrabeen%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.10 at 19h43m27s Narrabeen - 12-02 NSW" border="0" alt="2012.02.10 at 19h43m27s Narrabeen - 12-02 NSW" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-leqElYS4Jz8/T0N4fTt46PI/AAAAAAAAEPg/X4JlpPovUTU/2012.02.10%252520at%25252019h43m27s%252520Narrabeen%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>relaxing trip of about an hour and a half.  The view from the ferry is an added bonus.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n3syjyWFRAo/T0N4hq_CtoI/AAAAAAAAEPo/8VEj1U-RLBI/s1600-h/2012.02.11%252520at%25252011h02m28s%252520Narrabeen%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.11 at 11h02m28s Narrabeen - 12-02 NSW" border="0" alt="2012.02.11 at 11h02m28s Narrabeen - 12-02 NSW" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-m8fPTw7GyQ0/T0N4ing6fGI/AAAAAAAAEPw/6BSdGMh3JVI/2012.02.11%252520at%25252011h02m28s%252520Narrabeen%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p>In between times we walked around the locality which is beautiful and swam in the ocean pool built on the rock ledge at the edge of the surf. </p> <p>We have two favorite Restaurants, the Ocean Bay Café and Restaurant, which was opposite the campsite, and the Narrow Bean in Narrabeen itself. We both enjoyed rejoining café society.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x0BMdNTLj0U/T0N4kJU3aTI/AAAAAAAAEP4/obwN66VeFJk/s1600-h/2012.02.11%252520at%25252011h25m16s%252520Narrabeen%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.02.11 at 11h25m16s Narrabeen - 12-02 NSW" border="0" alt="2012.02.11 at 11h25m16s Narrabeen - 12-02 NSW" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xAm1C2lNEgs/T0N4lSw186I/AAAAAAAAEQA/miTkg9bAd0A/2012.02.11%252520at%25252011h25m16s%252520Narrabeen%252520-%25252012-02%252520NSW_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-41726966887633134292012-01-31T18:22:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:06.885+10:00Yamba, South West Rocks & Anna Bay – 29 to 31 January 2012<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-J_JvKso5Www/T0NEU75PimI/AAAAAAAAEM4/Ar6PqppuGic/s1600-h/2012.01.29%252520at%25252015h44m06s%252520Trial%252520Bay%252520Gaol%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.29 at 15h44m06s Trial Bay Gaol" border="0" alt="2012.01.29 at 15h44m06s Trial Bay Gaol" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TqgFjnmq2Xc/T0NEVxCmKNI/AAAAAAAAENA/uI479rkXCQ8/2012.01.29%252520at%25252015h44m06s%252520Trial%252520Bay%252520Gaol_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-daZOFUCf3kE/T0NEXCRPftI/AAAAAAAAENI/5AVN6piTORg/s1600-h/2012.01.29%252520at%25252007h58m13s%252520Yamba%252520-%25252012-01%252520NSW%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.29 at 07h58m13s Yamba - 12-01 NSW" border="0" alt="2012.01.29 at 07h58m13s Yamba - 12-01 NSW" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S4PGNkdUIkY/T0NEYfZA6dI/AAAAAAAAENQ/2Ye0ONeZ4tM/2012.01.29%252520at%25252007h58m13s%252520Yamba%252520-%25252012-01%252520NSW_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>With all the rain we started south, deciding to drive as far as we could. As it was a wet Sunday with no one on the road it was a good driving day. The road was cut at Grafton so when we got to Yamba, a previous favourite, [see our post of 20 to 24 March 2011] we stopped at the Blue Dolphin Caravan Park and enjoyed the  lovely view over the Estuary of the River Clarence. <br /> <br />The next day the River having subsided temporarily, we were allowed a shortcut around Grafton and drove to South West Rocks a town on Trial Bay named after the brig Trial which was wrecked nearby in 1817.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ersGXjfJ9jo/T0NEZ3cZhcI/AAAAAAAAENY/mSAg-lIV-7E/s1600-h/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h42m47s%252520Smokey%252520Cape%252520Lighthouse%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.29 at 16h42m47s Smokey Cape Lighthouse" border="0" alt="2012.01.29 at 16h42m47s Smokey Cape Lighthouse" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IPtQNu1KzE4/T0NEbQL4VWI/AAAAAAAAENg/GaiwyKaAGvM/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h42m47s%252520Smokey%252520Cape%252520Lighthouse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7_GZOyXlohs/T0NEce2GnLI/AAAAAAAAENo/OTT9794Fbgk/s1600-h/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h44m11s%252520Smokey%252520Cape%252520Lighthouse%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.29 at 16h44m11s Smokey Cape Lighthouse" border="0" alt="2012.01.29 at 16h44m11s Smokey Cape Lighthouse" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yvDq6Ry4Yf0/T0NEdigNg5I/AAAAAAAAENw/gsMtDC36res/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h44m11s%252520Smokey%252520Cape%252520Lighthouse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240" /></a></p> <p>The many wrecks in the area and the recognition of Trial Bay as a safe refuge for shipping against strong southerly gales led to the decision to construct a breakwater to provide a safe harbor. </p> <p>Trial Bay Gaol was constructed to house prisoners who would then build the breakwater. This was intended as an experiment in a humane way of rehabilitating prisoners. The job was much harder and thus slower than expected as the granite was extremely hard and only 300m of breakwater was actually constructed before more powerful ships avoided the need for a coastal refuge between Newcastle and Brisbane. The Goal was used to house German internees during WW1, <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p0mv7ohTpxE/T0NEf-7bX6I/AAAAAAAAEN4/47tti6Tqt1c/s1600-h/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h43m18s%252520Smokey%252520Cape%252520Lighthouse%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.29 at 16h43m18s Smokey Cape Lighthouse" border="0" alt="2012.01.29 at 16h43m18s Smokey Cape Lighthouse" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mDWqhPcXLG0/T0NEgyobwDI/AAAAAAAAEOA/0rofkRWOvZM/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h43m18s%252520Smokey%252520Cape%252520Lighthouse_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>and became a thriving place for sport and culture with its own Restaurant<font style="font-style: italic">.</font> Trial Bay Gaol closed in 1918 and as<font style="font-style: italic"> </font>it had no foreseeable future it was <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yVwToeuabG0/T0NEiPiFylI/AAAAAAAAEOI/O3MwYrwBz68/s1600-h/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h46m40s%252520Smokey%252520Cape%252520Lighthouse%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.29 at 16h46m40s Smokey Cape Lighthouse" border="0" alt="2012.01.29 at 16h46m40s Smokey Cape Lighthouse" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VvmvOrE_tQE/T0NEjYY9PAI/AAAAAAAAEOQ/VvwpWGnww-4/2012.01.29%252520at%25252016h46m40s%252520Smokey%252520Cape%252520Lighthouse_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>allowed to become the [now preserved] ruin seen today.</p> <p>We also visited Smoky Cape Lighthouse, its stunning views and lighthouse keeper’s house made more dramatic by a scudding rain storm which kept us huddled in the old barn housing exhibits of the lighthouse until the storm passed. <br /> <br />From South West Rocks we drove to Anna Bay near Port Stephens. On the way we stopped at the Akubra factory at Kempsey.  John found a new hat in the colour he wanted and we were offered a tour of the factory.</p> <p>Anna Bay is a lovely Beachfront location sheltered behind dunes. We had some lovely walks. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2562vXAegnQ/T0NEk_kNQfI/AAAAAAAAEOY/AX8TKhYMMLA/s1600-h/2012.01.31%252520at%25252011h59m26s%252520Anna%252520Bay%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.31 at 11h59m26s Anna Bay" border="0" alt="2012.01.31 at 11h59m26s Anna Bay" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BIObx5vSNno/T0NEmfOu5oI/AAAAAAAAEOg/gfq1gvs3AkY/2012.01.31%252520at%25252011h59m26s%252520Anna%252520Bay_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CoEPfv28mTA/T0NEn3Ln0bI/AAAAAAAAEOo/pRNU1bm22X0/s1600-h/2012.01.30%252520at%25252011h13m47s%252520Akubra%252520Kempsey%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.30 at 11h13m47s Akubra Kempsey" border="0" alt="2012.01.30 at 11h13m47s Akubra Kempsey" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g6l4b-PuINo/T0NEpOeC6kI/AAAAAAAAEOw/Y-N_YNxhTqU/2012.01.30%252520at%25252011h13m47s%252520Akubra%252520Kempsey_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-31725477567359254142012-01-29T22:37:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:06.878+10:00Mooloolaba–21 to 29 January 2012<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQEzJ7ke7RHASlk4T4DZY0DO-tzy9zPpbn88PnDbu8SozuVpzZamdVJ061E43fGz79VhciB6KxHmPInFstzjxCO59Gq9dupmpkzfUsjk4KcC_X6WddELlgr1t43qBne4YXC0VCNRBIj0/s1600-h/2012.01.25%252520at%25252006h35m58s%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252012-01%252520Queensland%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.25 at 06h35m58s Mooloolaba - 12-01 Queensland" border="0" alt="2012.01.25 at 06h35m58s Mooloolaba - 12-01 Queensland" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dGPq9eGE2ek/T0IwesNwowI/AAAAAAAAEMg/mxNLOnS3ocU/2012.01.25%252520at%25252006h35m58s%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252012-01%252520Queensland_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>Mooloolaba was hot, steamy, rainy and windy. The winds were so strong they whipped the sea into a foam, like froth on a cappuccino and great fun to walk in. We both enjoyed walking in the storms.</p> <p>So much sand was stirred up the sea went strangely yellow. </p> <p>It is quiet at this time because this is the wet season. We have seen Mooloolaba in all seasons now and we still like it.  The weather this summer was extreme, with a lot of rain. Visitors to Australia often are surprised that summer in Northern Australia is the wet season, when it is both wet and hot. Winter is milder and dry, and is when most Australian’s travel north.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUE3cUJ-ARaSZeEXsNyewZyvNkfzD7TR-97f-3mWLQYtAWdNj-S295jjdIVRK2ABl_ZW01JmcqQ10QQuHI_XupGNhCs7ANuY6lFdIELF7quEecE35C8VRpPs7mGHBWjz-KEt-Sr2h5xDU/s1600-h/2012.01.25%252520at%25252014h44m07s%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252012-01%252520Queensland%25252C%252520Trish%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2012.01.25 at 14h44m07s Mooloolaba - 12-01 Queensland, Trish" border="0" alt="2012.01.25 at 14h44m07s Mooloolaba - 12-01 Queensland, Trish" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-b0A3TCRq8kY/T0IwjKy5tJI/AAAAAAAAEMw/3LpvOgYWjMo/2012.01.25%252520at%25252014h44m07s%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252012-01%252520Queensland%25252C%252520Trish_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1024" height="683" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-56238081497727683802012-01-18T22:16:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.497+10:00USA, Canada, and Hong Kong–15 November 2011 to 18 January 2012We returned to the US for Thanksgiving.<br />
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We spent Christmas in Buffalo, helping Chris and Monica with their new daughter. The whole family came to Buffalo for Christmas which was a great pleasure.<br />
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At year’s end we moved to Niagara Falls and spent time there as John had a meeting in Toronto in early January. We walked a lot, visited the conservatory where they grow all the plants for the Niagara Park. We visited Niagara on the Lake and the Butterfly House with Jeremy and Chris.The illuminations along the Niagara Parkway were lovely.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Eqih4TCCZ-8/T0IsP_gK28I/AAAAAAAAEMI/J-0vRvCU2U8/s1600-h/2012.01.27%252520at%25252015h52m25s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252012-01%252520Queensland%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2012.01.27 at 15h52m25s Bushtracker, Mooloolaba - 12-01 Queensland" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SVIul3lkqR4/T0IsQ-KqsUI/AAAAAAAAEMQ/MT4leEXdwNc/2012.01.27%252520at%25252015h52m25s%252520Bushtracker%25252C%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252012-01%252520Queensland_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012.01.27 at 15h52m25s Bushtracker, Mooloolaba - 12-01 Queensland" width="240" /></a>We flew out of Toronto and returned to Mooloolaba via Hong Kong. It is always a pleasure to be back in Asia and we enjoy Hong Kong very much. We walked along the waterfront, visited a friend and enjoyed the view of the Harbour from our Hotel.<br />
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Then we returned to Australia, visited Geoff and Sue and then reunited with our caravan at Mooloolaba.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-50350644032968001492011-11-14T16:34:00.000+11:002012-08-08T21:05:32.324+10:00USA and United Kingdom–5 October to 14 November 2011<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RIfQQkwtwsc/T0HiECyijUI/AAAAAAAAEHY/qAJOpoxIOfI/s1600-h/2011.10.26-at-21h19m29s-Tyntesfield3.jpg"><img align="right" alt="2011.10.26 at 21h19m29s Tyntesfield" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cYsExYNbAYA/T0HiFW5QW4I/AAAAAAAAEHg/3_gL-ueZh1c/2011.10.26-at-21h19m29s-Tyntesfield_.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011.10.26 at 21h19m29s Tyntesfield" width="240" /></a>We returned to Washington for some meetings and then flew to London, in John’s quest to see a bit of the world which he had visited so often he thought it was all airport lounges and meeting rooms. <br />
In London we visited the National Art Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery, saw a west end show and caught up with friends.<br />
We visited our friends in Bristol, doing among other things, a lovely walk through the Welsh country side with a great pub lunch and visiting Tyntesfield a grand mansion, now belonging to the National Trust. <br /> <br />We then followed the Capital City route through the North of England. This is from the Lonely Planet Guide. All the cities, Cardiff, Caernarvon, Manchester, York, Edinburgh and Stirling were capitals at sometime. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rRifNuQ9EBs/T0HiKszpm9I/AAAAAAAAEH4/r7HZbLzlzX8/s1600-h/2011.10.31-at-02h20m09s-Caernarfon3.jpg"><img alt="2011.10.31 at 02h20m09s Caernarfon" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JoEUHB7Ibp0/T0HiLrB1oiI/AAAAAAAAEIA/Ewb-hbcsIF8/2011.10.31-at-02h20m09s-Caernarfon_t.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011.10.31 at 02h20m09s Caernarfon" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-30XT_luUKRA/T0Hia3j0jiI/AAAAAAAAEI4/BOpkRlB3ltY/s1600-h/2011.11.05-at-01h53m07s-Edinburgh3.jpg"><img alt="2011.11.05 at 01h53m07s Edinburgh" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9UkYDIzfbT4/T0HiciHFxOI/AAAAAAAAEJA/zJqvwqxTxdw/2011.11.05-at-01h53m07s-Edinburgh_th.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011.11.05 at 01h53m07s Edinburgh" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SLgMrSM5MVw/T0HiehMpcqI/AAAAAAAAEJI/gyaiS34ttxE/s1600-h/2011.11.06-at-21h49m09s-Carlisle-Cas%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2011.11.06 at 21h49m09s Carlisle Castle" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-86g2EtwTa70/T0HigY4BBTI/AAAAAAAAEJQ/sS8n4qU35lg/2011.11.06-at-21h49m09s-Carlisle-Cas%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011.11.06 at 21h49m09s Carlisle Castle" width="240" /></a> <br />Travelling south we visited Castle Howard, Goathead Rail Station [made famous by Harry Potter] and Whitby. Having seen many of Captain Cook’s destinations we wanted to see the town closely associated with him and his ship Endeavour. It was a gray and misty day and quite different to Cooktown half a world away. <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0dMQeugk3G0/T0Hih56NsGI/AAAAAAAAEJY/IvaWd7O9hro/s1600-h/2011.11.08-at-23h55m05s-Castle-Howar%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2011.11.08 at 23h55m05s Castle Howard" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s-a2exGVdU8/T0HijKrgIFI/AAAAAAAAEJg/kR-9Sl9DTB4/2011.11.08-at-23h55m05s-Castle-Howar.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011.11.08 at 23h55m05s Castle Howard" width="240" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZRPIM13I-4w/T0HilFLvd3I/AAAAAAAAEJo/UJT9WXb6vbw/s1600-h/2011.11.08-at-21h38m36s-Goathead-Rai%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2011.11.08 at 21h38m36s Goathead Rail Station" border="0" height="160" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--dVcAo1x8SE/T0HimT_FSxI/AAAAAAAAEJw/P1Tez-cgu7Q/2011.11.08-at-21h38m36s-Goathead-Rai%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011.11.08 at 21h38m36s Goathead Rail Station" width="240" /></a> <br />We spent time in Oxford with John’s Aunt Mollie and catching up with friends who were over from Australia. While there we visited Blenheim Palace and Bletchley Park where we saw the home of the Enigma machines used to break the German codes in World War II. A lot of things happened at Bletchley and it provided a fascinating day. The first computer in the world was built there. A lot of the actual machines were destroyed after the war but they are being returned to working order by a band of enthusiasts.<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7TyOfM4c6lo/T0Hiu6AfKHI/AAAAAAAAEKY/n3MPYfUIGZU/s1600-h/2011.11.10-at-22h00m22s-Blenheim-Pal%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="2011.11.10 at 22h00m22s Blenheim Palace" border="0" height="426" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6skbEozCw_M/T0Hix-twIUI/AAAAAAAAEKg/FtOuBGqlXj0/2011.11.10-at-22h00m22s-Blenheim-Pal_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; margin: 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011.11.10 at 22h00m22s Blenheim Palace" width="640" /></a><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-56768090384030188102011-10-05T17:56:00.000+11:002012-08-08T20:24:11.498+10:00Maroochydore & Mooloolaba–27 September to 5 October 2011<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fqUzCJYMl7g/T0Cd2ddRW2I/AAAAAAAAEGY/qyfgW7P3Gcg/s1600-h/2011.10.02%252520at%25252011h46m17s%252520Boerkamp%252527s%25252C%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252011-10%252520Queensland%25252C%252520Staziuk%252527s%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.10.02 at 11h46m17s Boerkamp's, Mooloolaba - 11-10 Queensland, Staziuk's" border="0" alt="2011.10.02 at 11h46m17s Boerkamp's, Mooloolaba - 11-10 Queensland, Staziuk's" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uUP-96Yzhz4/T0Cd4ec1UEI/AAAAAAAAEGg/uq3MaVopL3Y/2011.10.02%252520at%25252011h46m17s%252520Boerkamp%252527s%25252C%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252011-10%252520Queensland%25252C%252520Staziuk%252527s_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a>Mooloolaba being unavailable we stopped at the Maroochy Palms Caravan Park in Maroochydore  for John to meet his date with dental destiny. </p> <p>Our Melbourne dentist had recommended a very good dentist at Kawana and John had his dental problems fixed.  </p> <p>Tricia was exceedingly glad we had taken a medical travel kit with us as we were able to treat John’s infected tooth in spite of being in very remote areas, continue our travels and get to a dentist of our choice.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bGQ8Ov5kn3A/T0Cd6zy0XTI/AAAAAAAAEGo/ZUfBI9BV3EE/s1600-h/2011.10.02%252520at%25252008h53m39s%252520Boerkamp%252527s%25252C%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252011-10%252520Queensland%25252C%252520Staziuk%252527s%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.10.02 at 08h53m39s Boerkamp's, Mooloolaba - 11-10 Queensland, Staziuk's" border="0" alt="2011.10.02 at 08h53m39s Boerkamp's, Mooloolaba - 11-10 Queensland, Staziuk's" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PC7gZ0uXPrc/T0Cd7xi0cII/AAAAAAAAEGs/xJ8MWHcDPzM/2011.10.02%252520at%25252008h53m39s%252520Boerkamp%252527s%25252C%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252011-10%252520Queensland%25252C%252520Staziuk%252527s_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> <br /> <br /></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5kCo6uOKNzQ/T0Cd9l7KNJI/AAAAAAAAEG4/aMlk9n1Fcbc/s1600-h/2011.10.02%252520at%25252008h50m40s%252520Boerkamp%252527s%25252C%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252011-10%252520Queensland%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.10.02 at 08h50m40s Boerkamp's, Mooloolaba - 11-10 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.10.02 at 08h50m40s Boerkamp's, Mooloolaba - 11-10 Queensland" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rdngj432uys/T0Cd-_Mm4wI/AAAAAAAAEHA/2h7BOHKoU64/2011.10.02%252520at%25252008h50m40s%252520Boerkamp%252527s%25252C%252520Mooloolaba%252520-%25252011-10%252520Queensland_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>Maroochydore is a nice place and has a pleasant walk along the river. We like to bike ride there. </p> <p>From Maroochydore we drove the 5 kms to our prebooked site at Mooloolaba to pack up our van prior to leaving Australia. Once again we enjoyed it very much.  Some of our friends from Melbourne came to visit and we had a great weekend. They stayed in an apartment but we think we have the better location right on the foreshore.</p> <p>We left on 5 October for the United States.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-46221069194802677382011-09-27T16:25:00.000+10:002012-08-08T20:24:06.893+10:00Hervey Bay [Whale Watching] – 25 to 27 September 2011<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eP406hPjEVQ/T0CThwaSovI/AAAAAAAAEFY/BIEJiNgY2xY/s1600-h/2011.09.26%252520at%25252015h12m55s%252520Hervey%252520Bay%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.26 at 15h12m55s Hervey Bay" border="0" alt="2011.09.26 at 15h12m55s Hervey Bay" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8MeRdrrzR3I/T0CTkreF6NI/AAAAAAAAEFg/lbe-RJbv240/2011.09.26%252520at%25252015h12m55s%252520Hervey%252520Bay_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1024" height="683" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JylJNX3eCuY/T0CTmcXR_aI/AAAAAAAAEFo/stjDEhYruYA/s1600-h/2011.09.26%252520at%25252015h16m45s%252520Hervey%252520Bay%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.26 at 15h16m45s Hervey Bay" border="0" alt="2011.09.26 at 15h16m45s Hervey Bay" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lzcthYtFdG4/T0CTnUE8ufI/AAAAAAAAEFw/ALkMt9_1Mac/2011.09.26%252520at%25252015h16m45s%252520Hervey%252520Bay_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nnl11ZRXBb4/T0CTpy2cAUI/AAAAAAAAEF4/Nnoi8woIMXo/s1600-h/2011.09.26%252520at%25252015h44m32s%252520Hervey%252520Bay-8%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.26 at 15h44m32s Hervey Bay-8" border="0" alt="2011.09.26 at 15h44m32s Hervey Bay-8" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VUMVnD_mjXI/T0CTrPvo6XI/AAAAAAAAEGA/i1LggkTTadU/2011.09.26%252520at%25252015h44m32s%252520Hervey%252520Bay-8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We schedule in a rest day now and then, so on the 26th we went Whale Watching on the Wind Song Whale tour. We were very lucky as the whales were playing and we saw them breaching, slapping the water with their tails and waving their pectoral fins. There was a female with her calf and support whale.</p> <p>It is awesome to see 25 tons of Hump Back whale fly through the air. We also saw the calf breaching. It was so cute all 2 tons of it. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-T7AWKBrQS0I/T0CTtKkbICI/AAAAAAAAEGI/7lHASF2ATt8/s1600-h/2011.09.26%252520at%25252015h12m10s%252520Hervey%252520Bay%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.26 at 15h12m10s Hervey Bay" border="0" alt="2011.09.26 at 15h12m10s Hervey Bay" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DFFHFD3xy9o/T0CTu3yGR1I/AAAAAAAAEGQ/4DiMmLkwV40/2011.09.26%252520at%25252015h12m10s%252520Hervey%252520Bay_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="1024" height="683" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-49993074335504806522011-09-25T16:23:00.000+10:002012-08-08T20:24:06.898+10:00Rockhampton to Hervey Bay–24 to 25 September 2011<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YjEmXdoDi1k/T0CPTDw7riI/AAAAAAAAEEo/KpeBkH7c6iY/s1600-h/2011.09.25%252520at%25252008h55m47s%252520Rockhampton%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.25 at 08h55m47s Rockhampton" border="0" alt="2011.09.25 at 08h55m47s Rockhampton" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6ZAsv6lhim8/T0CPUWTOlWI/AAAAAAAAEEw/1YiKBBKV41c/2011.09.25%252520at%25252008h55m47s%252520Rockhampton_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a>We left Midge Point travelling south on the Bruce Highway to Rockhampton, stopping for lunch at Flaggy Rock Ice Creamery which has good home made food and easy parking. We stayed overnight at Rockhampton at the Tropical Wanderer Resort. <br /> <br />Rockhampton is caravan friendly with a good supermarket complex.  Kershaw Gardens is nice for a self catered lunch.  We had dinner at Saigon on the River which is a very good quality Chinese Restaurant.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RFmKuWrGItY/T0CPWyiCi3I/AAAAAAAAEE4/CtfbLTENFEw/s1600-h/2011.09.25%252520at%25252009h02m00s%252520Rockhampton%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.25 at 09h02m00s Rockhampton" border="0" alt="2011.09.25 at 09h02m00s Rockhampton" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DJqGcUkZrHk/T0CPYHI4u-I/AAAAAAAAEFA/mzRc5XqmSDA/2011.09.25%252520at%25252009h02m00s%252520Rockhampton_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> </p> <p>The next day we drove to Hervey Bay stopping  for morning tea at Calliope Market. This is amazingly busy. They have good products and good coffee. <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ISld143QTuw/T0CPcKeKZwI/AAAAAAAAEFI/1_4_0v3bcus/s1600-h/2011.09.25%252520at%25252012h36m30s%252520Miriam%252520Vale%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.25 at 12h36m30s Miriam Vale" border="0" alt="2011.09.25 at 12h36m30s Miriam Vale" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Tc1iQ9yTmCk/T0CPdWsxWFI/AAAAAAAAEFQ/DCDDNLIFR1I/2011.09.25%252520at%25252012h36m30s%252520Miriam%252520Vale_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We had lunch at Miriam. The Star Roadhouse at the Northern end of Miriam has home made bakery products, mud crab sandwiches made with their own bread and good coffee. The nice thing to do is to drive into Miriam Main Street which is off the Bruce Highway and have lunch on the railway reservation under a tree. Parking is easy. </p> <p>Childers is an attractive town for an afternoon tea stop. Mammino Ice cream has a shop there which sells ice-creams and coffee. Parking is easy and it is a good break. We stayed at the Big 4 Fraser Lodge in Torquay near Hervey Bay. </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-80940040925480433212011-09-24T16:21:00.000+10:002012-08-08T20:24:11.650+10:00Midge Point [Proserpine & Whitsundays] - 17 to 24 September 2011<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7hODGQCop9Y/T0BvvBJIt6I/AAAAAAAAECI/7BS50nKF0_8/s1600-h/2011.09.17-at-15h48m13s-Midge-Point-%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.17 at 15h48m13s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.17 at 15h48m13s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QvALHgUMJWo/T0BvwXgeBmI/AAAAAAAAECQ/Ya8hh_chv3E/2011.09.17-at-15h48m13s-Midge-Point-.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RiOn-wE0QqI/T0BvySQ3HrI/AAAAAAAAECY/uy4ANjm7Bxw/s1600-h/2011.09.22-at-13h36m06s-Midge-Point-%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.22 at 13h36m06s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.22 at 13h36m06s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r2OPChJfglk/T0Bvzg_LvWI/AAAAAAAAECg/_qNYqZdrBGc/2011.09.22-at-13h36m06s-Midge-Point-.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We returned to the Travellers Rest at Midge Point. It is so quiet and we have our resident wallabies and kookaburras.</p> <p>The great joy here is the large tide range and at low tide one can walk for miles on the sandbars. It is good to have an accurate tide chart as the tide comes in rapidly and in half an hour dry sand can be up to your waist in water.</p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-POQofOcPyeE/T0Bv1_3TyrI/AAAAAAAAECo/N5nw3cVb2lE/s1600-h/2011.09.23-at-13h33m37s-Midge-Point-%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.23 at 13h33m37s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.23 at 13h33m37s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WR6oLvQ6wHg/T0Bv3XCW7zI/AAAAAAAAECw/kOlKRHIVE8w/2011.09.23-at-13h33m37s-Midge-Point-.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jt-ZFs-tyCc/T0Bv4oGohlI/AAAAAAAAEC4/8JWPieKmd8k/s1600-h/2011.09.23-at-07h52m19s-Midge-Point-.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.23 at 07h52m19s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.23 at 07h52m19s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PTuTjQXMlF8/T0Bv5gKFW5I/AAAAAAAAEDA/xFOsHnVQWmo/2011.09.23-at-07h52m19s-Midge-Point-%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JMjRNjkD1MI/T0Bv7I2UwgI/AAAAAAAAEDI/_OM3lkxMTn4/s1600-h/2011.09.22-at-13h57m57s-Midge-Point-%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.22 at 13h57m57s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.22 at 13h57m57s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XYti7fG3KYs/T0Bv8jQP_MI/AAAAAAAAEDQ/eS2EJxgnJz8/2011.09.22-at-13h57m57s-Midge-Point-.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aio1Ws2JVYQ/T0Bv-VxsAiI/AAAAAAAAEDY/DfmjFkUihMo/s1600-h/2011.09.22-at-13h33m35s-Midge-Point-%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.22 at 13h33m35s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.22 at 13h33m35s Midge Point - 11-09 Queensland" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xezRkwjlXsk/T0Bv_4vG8mI/AAAAAAAAEDg/IFo2pt3hddg/2011.09.22-at-13h33m35s-Midge-Point-%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="426" /></a></p> <p>The Japanese earthquake meant a shortage of Toyota parts, and although Toyota’s customer support was excellent in locating dealers with the brake pads and protective rubber boots we needed after two years on the road, it did mean our our travel schedule became a tour of Toyota Dealers in Cairns and Townsville with the front brakes pads finally replaced in Proserpine. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mq3bFU9iXYU/T0BwBRYx2wI/AAAAAAAAEDo/dm3WLDivK2E/s1600-h/2011.09.19-at-14h02m29s-Proserpine7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.19 at 14h02m29s Proserpine" border="0" alt="2011.09.19 at 14h02m29s Proserpine" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lJVj16UrUxM/T0BwC2d9ybI/AAAAAAAAEDw/eQyq4fqxLtw/2011.09.19-at-14h02m29s-Proserpine_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/--SfYhaiSoN4/T0BwErRSkDI/AAAAAAAAED4/cLf_QkFd3ak/s1600-h/2011.09.19-at-13h53m29s-Proserpine7.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.19 at 13h53m29s Proserpine" border="0" alt="2011.09.19 at 13h53m29s Proserpine" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cSe4ygIZ9RM/T0BwFyw8tYI/AAAAAAAAEEA/2UivPOZvzH8/2011.09.19-at-13h53m29s-Proserpine_t.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>This is a small cane town. The Sugar Mill has been running since 1897. The mill now uses the cane waste (bagasse) to power its operation with a small amount sold back to the grid, making it extremely energy efficient.  What is coming out of the chimneys is steam. All the sugar produced is exported. Tricia thinks this is a good example of when you convince people of the need to change they do without government intervention. It is a win win situation for everyone.  <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-O3brDlxDHyo/T0BwHfwCUlI/AAAAAAAAEEI/YcmnSPNQqSY/s1600-h/2011.09.21-at-11h59m45s-Airlie-Beach%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.21 at 11h59m45s Airlie Beach" border="0" alt="2011.09.21 at 11h59m45s Airlie Beach" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cN9B4dms394/T0BwIs9KhQI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/OESXnYGkrwk/2011.09.21-at-11h59m45s-Airlie-Beach.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a>We went in to Aireys Inlet to have our camp chairs repaired at a sail loft. While we waited we drove to Shute Harbor the takeoff for the Islands in the Whitsundays. Captain Cook named the Whitsunday Passage as he thought he was sailing through on Whitsunday. Owing to an error in his log he was actually sailing through on Whit-Monday. The islands are in the Cumberland group of Islands. </p> <p>Some of the Islands of the Whitsundays are very popular Resorts and the area is also very popular for sailing.</p> <p>We had lunch by the lagoon, protective from marine stingers (jelly fish) at a lovely pizzeria.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AL6lPZ8rwlE/T0BwK0l-iEI/AAAAAAAAEEY/JzwgLiKfXL0/s1600-h/2011.09.21-at-13h58m53s-Airlie-Beach%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.21 at 13h58m53s Airlie Beach" border="0" alt="2011.09.21 at 13h58m53s Airlie Beach" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-chpxG4AujzI/T0BwL57vfxI/AAAAAAAAEEg/9ykMJ4Tebr8/2011.09.21-at-13h58m53s-Airlie-Beach%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-8022349697410164482011-09-18T11:33:00.000+10:002012-08-08T20:24:11.648+10:00Rolling Stone–13 to 17 September 2011<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2GEhkisJNGs/TnqcujWBKEI/AAAAAAAAEAo/ANYeX5Nko40/s1600-h/2011.09.14%252520at%25252016h37m33s%252520Rollingstone%252520Beach%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.14 at 16h37m33s Rollingstone Beach" border="0" alt="2011.09.14 at 16h37m33s Rollingstone Beach" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MGi1tKYe0pw/TnqcvUciOCI/AAAAAAAAEAs/pFrzubokbrw/2011.09.14%252520at%25252016h37m33s%252520Rollingstone%252520Beach_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MwV8NjDDcRg/TnqcwkLDtiI/AAAAAAAAEAw/khoyCrX-pIs/s1600-h/2011.09.14%252520at%25252014h13m01s%252520Rollingstone%252520Beach%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.14 at 14h13m01s Rollingstone Beach" border="0" alt="2011.09.14 at 14h13m01s Rollingstone Beach" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pd5w-V9u8lQ/TnqcxkcoLsI/AAAAAAAAEA0/bDw3liw7ccs/2011.09.14%252520at%25252014h13m01s%252520Rollingstone%252520Beach_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>Rolling Stone is a new caravan Park about 40 kilometers north of Townsville. It has a great location right on the beach.  At high tide one feels like one is on a boat.</p> <p>We spent a day in Townsville getting the CV Boots replaced on our car.  While we were waiting we toured the CBD.</p> <p>There was strong competition to become a Capital here with the contenders being Cooktown, Cairns and Townsville. Townsville is now the Capital of North Queensland. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L36Hxv9Ofkg/Tnqc1ir6XQI/AAAAAAAAEBA/2tSIn8Xf4ag/s1600-h/2011.09.17%252520at%25252006h31m48s%252520Rollingstone%252520Beach%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.17 at 06h31m48s Rollingstone Beach" border="0" alt="2011.09.17 at 06h31m48s Rollingstone Beach" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-t2U4dZJhVs0/Tnqc2VFAC4I/AAAAAAAAEBE/2F9-9uUiAek/2011.09.17%252520at%25252006h31m48s%252520Rollingstone%252520Beach_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GEElJfXRv-E/TnqczuiWj_I/AAAAAAAAEA4/4apA6mmSQXQ/s1600-h/2011.09.15%252520at%25252015h21m58s%252520Townsville%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.15 at 15h21m58s Townsville - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.15 at 15h21m58s Townsville - 11-09 Queensland" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UBf8G2uVa4E/Tnqc0uzUdPI/AAAAAAAAEA8/_5NjYW7C3DQ/2011.09.15%252520at%25252015h21m58s%252520Townsville%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p>The Railway helped it to become preeminent and provide service to the inland towns. Once it was possible to freeze meat and transport it safely, it was possible to ship frozen beef overseas. This enabled the opening of the hinterland.</p> <p>Townsville was a major staging Post during WW2 and many soldiers passed through here. The Railway Station was extremely busy. Sea was considered unsafe so everything went by rail. The fleets fighting in the Pacific and the Coral Sea sheltered in Cleveland Bay while they were awaiting engagement with the Japanese Fleet. </p> <p>In the words of our guide, they walloped the Japanese Fleet in the Battle of the Coral Sea. <br /><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zO2UMnjJDak/Tnqc6dQq1SI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/La5mY9e7DZ8/s1600-h/2011.09.16%252520at%25252011h03m38s%252520Magnetic%252520Island%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.16 at 11h03m38s Magnetic Island" border="0" alt="2011.09.16 at 11h03m38s Magnetic Island" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2mmM4za-4DI/Tnqc7Mcs6dI/AAAAAAAAEBU/iGedVnfeT_w/2011.09.16%252520at%25252011h03m38s%252520Magnetic%252520Island_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3QuhrKLIycE/Tnqc4PxddbI/AAAAAAAAEBI/pRtDJr4iR74/s1600-h/2011.09.16%252520at%25252014h13m24s%252520Magnetic%252520Island%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.16 at 14h13m24s Magnetic Island" border="0" alt="2011.09.16 at 14h13m24s Magnetic Island" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rtGqmo1XfcU/Tnqc43rwHcI/AAAAAAAAEBM/RPtkUWF_lCA/2011.09.16%252520at%25252014h13m24s%252520Magnetic%252520Island_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We spent a day on Magnetic Island. Magnetic Island is so named because Captain Cook thought it interfered with his compasses. However extensive research failed to prove this. <br />It is funny though how one slows down and moves immediately onto Island time so maybe that is what happened to Cook. We did an interesting tour to see around the Island which is at present a quiet and pleasant holiday back water with appealing Restaurants. Magnetic Island was a defensive location during WW2 as it overlooked Cleveland Bay. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Rrudnf3TRhA/Tnqc8MYem0I/AAAAAAAAEBY/Ykt5heaSuSs/s1600-h/2011.09.16%252520at%25252018h00m54s%252520Magnetic%252520Island%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.16 at 18h00m54s Magnetic Island" border="0" alt="2011.09.16 at 18h00m54s Magnetic Island" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hl2YMdBWLEw/Tnqc9UzVtAI/AAAAAAAAEBc/s4aZ01LHUY4/2011.09.16%252520at%25252018h00m54s%252520Magnetic%252520Island_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a>There are gun emplacements now minus the guns, built to protect the American Fleet. </p> <p>These are the first forts not protecting us against the Russians. Later as the War moved North the 'Resort' such as it was, was commandeered by the Americans for Rest and Recreation. The Americans were responsible for the roads which replaced the footpaths and travel by boat. </p> <p>The ferry trip to and fro is an enjoyable journey with the evening trip right on sunset.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-10911809184491393352011-09-13T20:54:00.000+10:002012-08-08T20:24:06.643+10:00South Mission Beach–9 to 13 September 2011<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JlbLfLka6Eg/TnnE4-FF_QI/AAAAAAAAEAI/lA27G5329uo/s1600-h/2011.09.09%252520at%25252010h39m20s%252520Mourilyan%252520Sugar%252520Museum%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.09 at 10h39m20s Mourilyan Sugar Museum" border="0" alt="2011.09.09 at 10h39m20s Mourilyan Sugar Museum" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5E5ZS2bmJn8/TnnE6fVdz6I/AAAAAAAAEAM/-vbdwqA8ZC4/2011.09.09%252520at%25252010h39m20s%252520Mourilyan%252520Sugar%252520Museum_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q_vzmzYUtyo/TnnFCHTqq7I/AAAAAAAAEAQ/4NdovhPLDR0/s1600-h/2011.09.09%252520at%25252011h46m54s%252520Mourilyan%252520Sugar%252520Museum%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.09 at 11h46m54s Mourilyan Sugar Museum" border="0" alt="2011.09.09 at 11h46m54s Mourilyan Sugar Museum" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1VlzDDuRVh4/TnnFDTgqD_I/AAAAAAAAEAU/md-udj2d2Ko/2011.09.09%252520at%25252011h46m54s%252520Mourilyan%252520Sugar%252520Museum_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>Still going South we visited the Sugar Museum at Mourilyan. </p> <p>Sugar is extracted by crushing Sugar Cane, a form of grass. Sugar is made in the leaves and concentrated in the stem (or cane) part of the grass; it grows to about 2 meters high. </p> <p>It is quite hard to cut and very heavy to load and most of the museum concentrated on the development of mechanical cutters and loaders.</p> <p>It is the major crop from Mossman south to Grafton. They are harvesting and refining at the moment and the air smells like toffee cooking. <br /></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tzUbEL5k6AE/TnnFLwAmupI/AAAAAAAAEAY/Jn-xJKxC0Xw/s1600-h/2011.09.13%252520at%25252009h45m54s%252520South%252520Mission%252520Beach%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.13 at 09h45m54s South Mission Beach - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.13 at 09h45m54s South Mission Beach - 11-09 Queensland" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PUqGPrfsRFg/TnnFOUPw_-I/AAAAAAAAEAc/OWok4xsrcGY/2011.09.13%252520at%25252009h45m54s%252520South%252520Mission%252520Beach%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a>We then drove south to Mission Beach, one of the nicest beaches in Australia. We camped at South Mission Beach. We have enjoyed relaxing and reading and long walks on the Beach.</p> <p>Mission Beach took a direct hit from Cyclone Yasi. The beach is still lovely and the houses seem to have mostly survived. <br />We stayed at the Beachcomber Coconut Park. </p> <p>The cafe here makes very nice coffee. If one walks along the beach towards Wongaling for about 40 minutes there is a great cafe, Nana Thai, just the sort you hope to find, home grown herbs and veggies and very refined cooking right on the Beach. If one doesn't feel like walking it is a five minute drive.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OlW6pj6LlvA/TnnFV_8CVNI/AAAAAAAAEAg/0Wuov4HV_Us/s1600-h/2011.09.12%252520at%25252018h19m42s%252520South%252520Mission%252520Beach%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.12 at 18h19m42s South Mission Beach - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.12 at 18h19m42s South Mission Beach - 11-09 Queensland" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hIIfDGEw4Y8/TnnFXQszG6I/AAAAAAAAEAk/EDbULIjHryc/2011.09.12%252520at%25252018h19m42s%252520South%252520Mission%252520Beach%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4251063050027437580.post-40049208963073008572011-09-09T20:35:00.000+10:002012-08-08T20:24:06.883+10:00Innisfail and Flying Fish Point–7 to 9 September 2011<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3g5q-Skfdqc/TnhyXkx_DiI/AAAAAAAAD_4/WkIrbItVbbI/s1600-h/2011.09.08%252520at%25252014h53m27s%252520Innisfail%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.08 at 14h53m27s Innisfail - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.08 at 14h53m27s Innisfail - 11-09 Queensland" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nO4YWYoAqYQ/TnhyYpYWNYI/AAAAAAAAD_8/T4WhLLMTfOU/2011.09.08%252520at%25252014h53m27s%252520Innisfail%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="160" height="240" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lsZn29GXSeA/TnhyMwPHUkI/AAAAAAAAD_Y/ldi8zTm9ltA/s1600-h/2011.09.08%252520at%25252014h40m14s%252520Innisfail%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.08 at 14h40m14s Innisfail - 11-09 Queensland" border="0" alt="2011.09.08 at 14h40m14s Innisfail - 11-09 Queensland" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rAjzfjXyVCs/TnhyN1SthfI/AAAAAAAAD_c/gYHbYyt2Phc/2011.09.08%252520at%25252014h40m14s%252520Innisfail%252520-%25252011-09%252520Queensland_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>We drove to Innisfail with its lovely Art Deco Buildings making for a  pleasant afternoons walk around town. It is very caravan friendly and one can park easily by the river and have a cup of coffee at the Coffee Club overlooking the River. If you are in transit it is easy to walk down to the town and get groceries. We found it very easy to while away an afternoon overlooking the North Johnstone River and sipping a cup of coffee while we read the paper.</p> <p>We camped out of Innisfail at the Flying Fish Point Tourist Park. Owners and Managers often love their parks and take great pride in the amenity they offer. They are frequently nicer to use than some hotels we have stayed at.   Although originally an old fashioned council park, The Flying Fish Tourist Park is beautifully landscaped and had their sites set at an approximately 45 degree angle to the road, making it very easy to back in and giving everyone privacy as one does not look directly at the camp next door. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v7NNYMF1qyQ/TnhyKkHQjrI/AAAAAAAAD_Q/q_CXxm-Fl1k/s1600-h/2011.09.09%252520at%25252009h32m00s%252520Flying%252520Fish%252520Point%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.09 at 09h32m00s Flying Fish Point" border="0" alt="2011.09.09 at 09h32m00s Flying Fish Point" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Nc3hgY_btvM/TnhyLpbJIDI/AAAAAAAAD_U/x_eexvNPg_I/2011.09.09%252520at%25252009h32m00s%252520Flying%252520Fish%252520Point_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>The amenities although old style concrete blockwork, had beautiful plants at the door and a very attractive paint job on the spacious interior.  They were spotlessly clean. <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FQZ62a2rpd0/TnnAPuwNcUI/AAAAAAAAEAA/ojm4lntIez4/s1600-h/2011.09.08-at-11h20m25s-MaMu-Canopy-.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.08 at 11h20m25s MaMu Canopy Walkway" border="0" alt="2011.09.08 at 11h20m25s MaMu Canopy Walkway" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HipnDuRhYtk/TnnASU8vihI/AAAAAAAAEAE/7IFHOgbzRiY/2011.09.08-at-11h20m25s-MaMu-Canopy-%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="640" height="427" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>The area had recently been affected by Cyclone Yasi. Although they are still repairing the foreshore there is a very pleasant walk to Flying Fish point.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h-AzxxUWrDU/TnhyTRhmqmI/AAAAAAAAD_o/dkn5xktBe8c/s1600-h/2011.09.08%252520at%25252010h25m51s%252520MaMu%252520Canopy%252520Walkway%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011.09.08 at 10h25m51s MaMu Canopy Walkway" border="0" alt="2011.09.08 at 10h25m51s MaMu Canopy Walkway" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uE5-EWFMJq8/TnhyUOhpQEI/AAAAAAAAD_s/473QZYx4qn8/2011.09.08%252520at%25252010h25m51s%252520MaMu%252520Canopy%252520Walkway_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We did the MAMU Rainforest Canopy walk. This is in the Wooroonoonan national Park. The walk was erected where cyclone Larry had cleared the land already in 2006 so there was minimum disruption to the rainforest. </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0