Last Day at Eurimbula NP

Last nights roast lamb was delicious and carefully attended to by Russ.

We work to some clouds and did not have any specific plans, but what a day it was! Nearby anglers gave us some yabbies for bait, so out came the rods and the whole catastrophe, and down to the beach, with some welcome cloud to give our skin a break. Within ten minutes (or so!) I had caught a beautiful whiting, followed by a decent sized bream. Russ was now throwing a line in and caught four very tiny flathead, which had to go back for next time. An hour and a half later, and two more bream, we were very happy with our morning's work, and had used up all the bait.

Everyday there is an old army Lark that takes tourists from Agnes Water across the sands and water, to Eurimbula NP, and the photos here show its passage through the waters near us.

It will be a full moon tonight and the effect on the tides has been amazing. We have never seen the water in an inlet move as fast at low and high tides as this one does. It would be dangerous to swim at those times.

We are tidying up this afternoon and moving off early morning (so hopefully, we don't meet anyone coming in). We are going to Cania Camping Resort to fill up with water and get some washing done.

Bustard Beach, Eurimbula NP

After discovering Middle Creek and Bustard Beach Eurimbula NP(pronounced the same as Merimbula, without the M), we packed up and moved to Bustard Beach. The narrow, sandy road reminded us of Frazer Island and our camp site is in view of the ocean and a large creek. The water flows incredibly fast out to sea with the change of tide, and comes in equally fast on its return.

We swam in the creek at low tide yesterday. It was very cold, but invigorating. Even Russ came in! Later that night we were advised not to swim there, because of sharks that get trapped in there at low tide as well as large stingrays! We were looking out for Stone Fish, but did not even consider that there might be anything else to worry about.

The caravan is working well without power, with our diesel hot water service and our solar panels, we are very well set up.

This afternoon, at the change of tide, we'll try our luck fishing. Other campers have boats and one lot came back with forty whiting yesterday! If we don't catch anything, we'ss be having roast lamb tonight, cooked in the coals, in our camp oven.

The birds are many and varied, with a pair of golden whistlers close to our site and a very striking honey eater we've yet to identify. The weather is perfect with approximately 24 degrees, a slight breeze and a beautiful blue sky, after a fairly cold night.

This may be the last posting for a while.

Three Relaxing Days at 1770

Thursday 26 July 2007

We have enjoyed this idyllic spot and we are really feeling in 'holiday mode' now. The weather is mild, often with a cool onshore breeze and I have been looking forward to a swim, but the best I could manage was a long wade through the water yesterday, which was cold to say the least, but invigorating nevertheless. Stone Fish are present, so appropriate footwear must be worn.

We collected oysters off the rocks at nearby Eurmobula National Park today, which I have opened and in a couple of hours will be devoured. We are moving to Bustard Beach in the NP tomorrow for 3 days at least.

The Town of 1770

24/07/07

We haven't gone back in time, but have arrived at 'The Town of 1770'. We were greeted by rain, yet again, but 21 degrees, so who's compaining? Travelled 395 kms from Maroochydore through Maryborough, Childers (where we lunched), Bundaberg, Agnes Water, then 1770.

Where ever we go, people are interested in our new Kimberley Karavan. We'd like a dollar for everyone who's had a tour! Even at our lunch stop outside Childers, we were showing another couple the van. The van is everything we had imagined and more. We use our diesel powered ceramic hotplate every morning, and prior to Maroochydore, used the diesel powered heater/ hotwater. We had trouble getting the solar panels working, due to a regulator fitted to the van, so Russ had to make up a new lead with an Anderson Plug.

We use the inbuilt shower everyday, toilet at night and it feels like a luxury to have hot water to wash the dishes, straight from the tap!

We spoke to our family tonight and caught up with the news from Rhys and Heath. Rhys is looking forward to a school excursion tomorrow to Chesterfield Farm, where he can wear his gum boots!! Heath is wearing his Batman costume to bed, with a beannie!! That's Melbourne's weather at the moment.

Maroochydore Merry Making

We have had a fantastic time here, hosted by Trish and Dave, to celebrate Trish's birthday. What a birthday. Dinner Friday night, party Saturday, indoor picnic Sunday and breakfast Monday! Accompanied by Trish and Dave's friends from NZ, the family and Aussie friends, including Barry, Rhon from Melbourne. Thanks everyone for a great extended weekend.

We are heading off tomorrow to 1770, for three nights. We had better get some exercise to burn off some of our indulgences, weather permitting. It has been cold for Queensland standards, with rain washing out yesterday's picnic, continuing overnight and this morning. It's still warmer than Melbourne, so we're not complaining.