5TH NOV. 2009GIN GIN-HERVEY BAY (a little late for this posting)
5TH November and we were on our way again along the Dawson H’Way east via Biloela to Calliope and the Bruce H’Way south to Gin Gin. A distance of 329klms. Rest area 119 2klms nth of Gin Gin we decided to stay 2 nights. As it was a little quiet, not many travellers, we thought going over the 20hr. limit would be ok. As we were due to visit a friend in Mundubbera on the 14th, which was not far away, we decided to visit other friends, Carol & Len in Bunderberg where we stayed for 3 nights. A visit to the markets is always good in Bundy, with lots of fresh produce. As it was 6 months since our last visit it was good to catch up with Carol & Len.
10th Nov. Left Bundy headed south to Childers then west on the Burnett H’Way which saw us travel through Biggenden, Ban Ban Springs to Gayndah. (159klms) Claude Wharton Weir, 3klms north of Gayndah, (#460) beside a lake where we stayed for 2 nights. Very relaxing, but only a small area to park up. I don’t think we would get in when times are busy. Because we were ahead of schedule by 2 days there was a rest area in Mundubbera, The Black Stump, where we stopped for a night. Was going to be a couple, but went into town and caught up with our friend Peggy who suggested we head out to her place the following morning. She has a lovely property ,“Bonnydoon”, on 30acres just outside of town where we were very comfortable for 4 nights. Like most of Queensland it is very dry and could do with lots of rain. Fortunately, on our 1st night a storm came through and produced a good downpour throughout the night. Follow-up rain is now needed as her dam is totally dry. Really enjoyed Peg’s company and had a lovely time. Thankyou Peg for the wonderful homemade quiche and mango, passionfruit cheesecake. D’Arcy’s mouth is still drooling.
17th Nov. And we were in Rainbow Bay at the Rainbow Waters Holiday Park. As we hadn’t been in a park for a couple of weeks the washing needed doing and the fridge needed a defrost so this was a good opportunity. Carlo Point is on the water, but the park is very sandy and lots of sandflies, which is a bit hard to take so after 3 nights there it was on to Tin Can Bay only a short distance (40klms.) We had a visit with some friends we made during our yachting trip across the top to Darwin, back in 1996, Jeanette & Don in their boat ‘White Rose’. Lovely to catch up after 13yrs although we had still kept in touch. As son Roger & partner, Helen now live in TCB we had dinner with them at the TCB Country Club. The Tin Can Bay Tourist Park was very lovely. It had been quite awhile since we had lovely green grass under our feet. It would have been good to be able stay a little longer, as the town has really improved since our last visit, maybe 12yrs. ago. Many new homes and improvements made along the foreshore. An outdoor gym has been added for the health conscious with walking tracks just about right around the town. Right up my alley....TCB also has quite good markets, although not a lot of fresh produce. We did a bike ride around the whole track on our arrival. If walking is on the agenda it is best done early. I found that about 5-5.30a.m. was the best before the sun is too high and hot.
After departing TCB on the 24th Nov. We stopped for 1 night only at rest area #138, Petrie Park on the Mary River. Situated 2klm. NW of Tiaro. There is toilets but no fresh drinking water. Limited space for big rigs also. Next day saw us back at the Pialba Caravan Park, Hervey Bay for 1 week. A good chance to catch up with daughter Kellie & husband Rory. Had a lovely night out to help celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary and also a friends birthday. Although we had a lovely site on the waterfront it was quite windy for our week there, so restricted any water activities. We just love the fact that it is easy for walking & bike riding along the Esplanade (7klms each way) to the Pier at Urangan, to which we done most days.
3rd December we left for the Sunshine Coast. Son, Darren is now living there at Buderim. We have a beautiful site, parked up next to his house, which overlooks a local lake inhabited with wild life, including swans, birds, ducks and the occasional pelican.
Here now till our departure on the 1st March 2010.
Till next posting........
