Yeppoon

Looking for hills....today we found a monster (not that photos do justice ever). It was an access track for the telecommunications tower :-(

And then we found this lovely lookout across to Great Keppel Island. The water is so pretty but there are still croc warning signs. I'm ready to taste some ocean.

How cool is this rock....fan rock!

More beautiful ocean but no swimming.

Check out this creation from the kiddies.

I almost forgot to mention my laundromat experience. I headed out to do some washing....$8.00 per load (3kg). I had to do two. I was only allowed to use powder & I had liquid (another $2) and then I was short $1 coins & the change machine ate $2 without giving me $1. I really do miss having a washing machine. What a rip off!!!!! Yeppoon, officially the MOST expensive laundromat I've visited all over Australia. Anyone want to buy a laundromat???

Airlie Beach

So, my main objective on arriving at Airlie Beach was to run the 3.7km Bicentennial Walkway. All my travel guides showed a beautiful timber Boardwalk. I LOVE a great boardwalk so here we go. How disappointed was I! There is possibly 200m of timber Boardwalk. The rest is concrete (& not even by the water). I could have been running around Woongarrah.

Here is the very small section of Boardwalk. 

Woo hoo...there's some money at this marina. Michael is waiting on a call from a fishing charter company to take Isaac fishing this afternoon. He tried to get out this morning but they had no other bookings. Fingers crossed!

A very cool sand sculpture.

Charlotte has grown flowers where her fingers once were. It must be all the fairy gardens she's been building :-)

Buggar! We got the call from the fishing charter company. They have no other bookings & they've cancelled. When we were down at the Marina yesterday morning we noticed a jet ski company. A quick call & they squeeze Michael & Isaac onto the tour to Daydream Island. I have 20mins to get them ready & to the marina. We made it!!!!

They look lovely in their bonnets :-))))

Cool photo taken by the tour guides. There were 10 skiiis & Isaac was the only child. Michael said he was well behaved & only fell off once. 

We headed off to find school work & then to the lagoon for a swim. We even managed fish lunch....yummy!

We met nan & pop. Look what the girls made poppy do.  

In no time, it was time to pick them up. How cool is this photo. Isaac could hardly walk up the gangplank he's so sore. I think I'll have some tired boys tomorrow. It was so nice for them to spend some "man time" together. Love my boys xxx

  

Farewell Townsville

It's time for a new adventure! 

The troopy found pit lane on our way out of town. That's the closest we'll ever get.

Fresh prawns & sourdough for lunch at Bowen.....mmmmm!

I was pleasantly surprised with Bowen. It was a lot prettier than I expected. The sand was crawling with Spider crabs by the 1000s. The kids were amazed!

I also learned that the film Australia was partially shot here. The wartime Darwin scene was shot here because modern day Darwin is too built up. They even built a pub for filming.

We planned to stop at Proserpine (just out of Airlie Beach) but the van park looked a little dodgy & was right near a sugar refinery. The smell was foul so we've decided to pay the $$$ & head to Airlie Beach ($72 per night).....grrrr.

Townsville

Our last morning in Townsville. One more trip to Castle Hill.

The Richardsons have caught up again. I think a swim & BBQ is in order.

The girls having a painting lesson from Tenae.

The kids managed to convince Bobby to have a hair wrap. It's very untamed.

Charlotte & Jed tuckered each other out :-( He couldn't keep his eyes open.

Townsville

Although this is our second visit to Townsville, Michael hasn't actually seen much. He's either flown out or flown in. 

After a cooked breakfast, we headed off to the North Queensland Aquarium for a surprise for the kids. I love Sea Turtles & they have a turtle hospital. 

We enjoyed an early morning coffee by the marina.

The dove talk was cool. We spoke with the diver in the tank & she could answer us by her underwater microphone. We saw s lot of fish species that we'd seen on the reef but in a smaller area. We could also read about them. They had many presentations whilst we were there also.

A tank FULL of Nemo fish. The kids could climb in so it looked like they were inside the tank.

My favourite display was the Turtle Hospital. We got to go behind the scenes & see some of the rescued turtles. Most had been injured because of humans...fish hooks, ingested plastic, shell damage from boats. They are doing great work & release most back into the wild.

It's heating up in Townsville & the ocean is off limits. We visited the Riverside pool. It's not the ocean, but it's better than nothing (especially after learning all about Box Jellyfish at the Aquarium). 

Townsville

Yesterday had finally come....daddy is coming home. This has been a long fortnight & being Singapore, it was harder with time delays, to even speak with daddy. We kept busy all morning because daddy doesn't arrive until 2pm.

I headed out early for a hike in Pallarenda Conservation Area. It was a little overgrown & the bush rustles freaked me out a little. Then I noticed that there were loads of mountain bikers on the lower tracks. I'm sure if I needed help I'd just have to yell & someone would hear.

It was very rocky but beautiful views back to the ocean.

Welcome home roast. I think daddy will be happy if he never eats rice again, although, I did contemplate cooking Singapore noodles (lol).

Daddy also brought some sweet treats for the kids. The sour grape & watermelon fairy floss was a hit :-(

Townsville

Such an active town. I arrived at the foreshore at 5.30 for my shuffle & it was already a hive of activity.

How's this for a start to the day :-)

It's still cruel that with that lovely turquoise ocean....no swimming :-(

The kids have come up with a business venture....clip in hair wraps!

One more sleep & daddy is home. This has been a LONG two weeks. I think it's because we know our adventure is nearly over & daddy is missing out!

Excellent helpers at groceries. Mummy gets a coffee & cheese & bacon rolls for the kiddies. I still love the looks we get when we are out on weekdays...."why aren't you at school looks". That's because my mum is a great manager of time & we are DONE for the day (lol).

My darling girl Tenae has decided she wants to run for parliament for next year. She's been granted permission to record her speech & send it in. Regardless of the result, I am so proud of her courage. She is one special young lady. 

Townsville

I set myself the challenge of "Castle Hill" in Townsville.....1500 stairs straight up! It was awesome but very busy.

It was an interesting track. When I got to the top their was a load of army boys training. Not a bad view for a training session.

I'm very impressed with Townsville. Home for school & then a swim.

Nan showing Tenae how to float.

Check out this woppa of a lizard. Lace monitor? Goanna? Anyway, he was very interested in all the picnickers. 

The kids are ready to come home. They are homesick so we're trying to organise Skype time with a friend each :-)

Townsville

This morning brought the best weather we've seen at Mission Beach.

Look at that still water & a sunrise with little cloud cover. You know the sand is hard when cyclists ride by & say hello.

My last view to Dunk Island...this time anyway!!!

Hinchinbrook lookout was our stop for morning coffee!

Isaac was my co-driver today. He does t fall asleep like Tenae but he does like the music loud & he likes to SING! He did a fabulous job at navigating to our caravan park.

We decided we weren't up for school today so we spent the afternoon swimming & Tenae worked on her speech for school. We'll catch up tomorrow. Charlotte has a loose tooth!

I'm celebrating that today was my LAST solo tow for this trip. I never planned on towing solo but thanks to time lost with Roger & Michael's work commitments, I had no choice. I'm so pleased that nan & pop were close by. I think I did ok at the set up, pack up but some of the camp spots were tight & dad was called upon to reverse. Had I been solo I would have had to stay in one place. I am one lucky lady!!!! Thanks to the greatest nan & pop EVER!!!! Love you both. Three sleeps & daddy is home. 

Mission Beach

An early morning adventure. If I can't swim, at least it might rain :-)))) It's just so beautiful.

Our initial excitement with being able to swim was short lived. Our neighbour, a Queenslander suggested that all the bad weather may have blown the stingers in. Even if we find a netted beach, it will only keep the Box Jellyfish out :-( It's doing my head in. Beach weather with no swimming!

A drive will lift our spirits. I'm done with this solo caravanning thing. Tomorrow is my last solo pack up, tow, set up. Michael leaves again on November but I'm staying in one spot for the duration of Michael's Germany tour. Two weeks is too long :-(((

Mission Beach

We've decided to stop for a few nights so we don't do another 8 nights at Townsville. Mission Beach is beautiful. Dunk Island is opposite. 

We are camped right on the beach. It's the council van park. It's old but $23 per night is a bargain & he didn't charge extra for little people.

That's Dunk Island behind nan & pop :-)

Charlotte found a seat washed up. Apparently it's nearly stinger time so we probably still shouldn't swim. Someone suggested we find a group of backpackers jumping around & swim with them! That means our chance of being stung would be shared!