Seriously? #4

After making a mercy dash back to an Apple IT repairer in Cairns after the work computer wouldn't turn on today, we headed back up to Port Douglas along one of Australia's most scenic coastal highways.  And, as if we haven't encountered enough nature on the road these days, there was a dingo standing right in front of us.  Derek says in the 9 years he did this same drive for work when we lived up here, he never once saw a dingo.......let alone 2!

Port Douglas

We are at beautiful Port Douglas enjoying a few days at the beach. It has been fun re-exploring the town as it has been at least 9 years since we have been this far north. The humidity is a bit of a killer making our daily walks uncomfortable, although still managed the climb up to the lookout, around the foreshore and down to the marina.  I thought I would try out the "palm tree pose" photograph after watching 2 European girls for 5 minutes trying to get it perfect.

Ayla Grace Hovell

Our beautiful granddaughter Ayla was born after a very short delivery on the morning of the 16th. Sara and bub are doing very well. We had left Carnarvon Gorge and had decided to get a little closer to Cairns, but our 8 hour day of driving turned into 14 hours and we drove the 1200 km we still had to go to get to Cairns, and got to meet little Ayla on her first day, albeit 9.30pm after Craig sneaked us into the hospital.

first day

2nd Day

Carnarvon Gorge

13-15th Nov. Three nights camping at Carnarvon Gorge were fabulous.  We hiked a total of 24 km in 2 days.  Wore our poor feet out, but each part of the Gorge was so different from the next.  Even did the climb up Boolimba Bluff 200m high, 6 km return with 300m of verticle climb up ladders and steps.

Plenty of wildlife in Takarakka camp ground including kangaroos and platypus.  Very quiet, and we felt like we had the gorge to ourselves. Definitely a place to return to.

The Gorge, and climb and view over the Visitors Centre From Boolimba Bluff

Seriously? #3

The drive today was from Lightning Ridge to Carnarvon Gorge (7 hrs). We had kangaroos in the middle of the road,  horses and cows jumping out at us, and emus and teddy bears watching from the side - all in the "middle of nowhere".  Seriously!

Lightning Ridge

Lightning Ridge was well worth a visit and with so much that we didn't get to see means a trip back for sure. The weather was comfortable, and we walked around the town for most of the afternoon, as well as a visit to the arteasian bore, naturally heated to 40 degrees c. We felt like cooked lobsters after a quick dip.

We did one opal mine tour...but with a difference.  The owner had carved over 700 sculptures in the walls, really unique.  Also the place is a cross between eccentric and just plain stuck back in time.  We felt we had been dropped into an Aussie cartoon strip, real life caricuture.

Overnight in Forbes

Made it to Forbes after a late start.  Over 20 camping along the lake in the heart on town.  Beautiful spot, good on Forbes for being so kind to RV's. 

We are excited about the trip ahead as we haven't been through central Qld. Derek has tomorrow planned with the Australia world cup match tomorrow morning, a car museum here in Forbes, then 51/2 hours to Lightning Ridge - opal paradise. another big day.  Trying to take it "slower" this time.

Baby Hovell due 20 November

We are hoping our newest little grand daughter can wait until her predicted date of 20 November to make her entrance into the world, to give us time to do the 2700 km over a planned 10 day road trip to get to Cairns, leaving tomorrow.

1st Anniversary of Derek's Surgery

The 4th November was 12 months since Derek's surgery.  Although we had to go to Yarrawonga to pick up some alloy wheels for the Landcruiser (second hand), we used the day to enjoy the sunshine and ride our bikes around the lake, have fish and chips, and reflect with gratitude on what happened 12 months ago. In the evening we helped celebrate Jacey's 6th birthday with pancakes, cake and sparklers.

 

Love'n the Landcruiser

We are still trying to work out the best way to travel around this great country.  I have never pictured us towing anything, thats why we bought a Hiace Campervan which has been perfect for camping in Queensland.

But... the weather is just too cold, and we are starting to see that we are not going to enjoy 9 months of glorious warm weather like Qld.  It is November and I am still in long sleeves and long pants, and a doona at night and flanelette sheets.  We went to Melbourne yesterday and the temp was 11degrees at 1pm, yet 17 at 8am when we left Finley. We had only travelled 3 hours south.

So we look like getting a caravan so we can travel no matter what season it is.  So after saying I preferred a Landcruiser over a dual cab vehicle, we had one within a week.  Derek's favourite passtime is looking at cars, and now caravans.

It is a one owner, 100km, not even a shopping centre scratch on it, never towed anything and never been off road.  It is immaculate and we bought it private in Melbourne.  Now just trawlling through the mountain of info needed to make an educated decision about which van to buy.

Best Buddies

Jordan and Derek spend tonnes of time playing Subuteo

Watching the English Premier League which warrants sleepovers, and middle of the night soccer parties, especially now Brighton were promoted. 

This night they were watching Australia play

and now the weather is warming up our backyard has turned into a soccer field, and they play a tournament ever day after school.  Sometimes the girls join in, or just keep score on the Ipad app.