The past 3 weeks we have explored the inland waterways of Qld. The objective, Red Claw, the eastern states fresh water crayfish.

After Bourke we made our way up the Kidman Way into central Qld where at Clermont, we met up with John and Cheryl (friends from NSW). Theressa Creek Dam was calling, especially those red claw. What a fabulous place. While the boys explored and fished for the elusive red claw Chez and I played scrabble at the local cafe with a coffee and a treat. Later in the day ,of course the game was over a gin and tonic. Campfires and shared meals were an evening event and the park even put on an outdoor movie one night. Could have stayed longer, but the lack of red claw moved us on.

On the way to Bedford Weir we visited the Qld gem fields and had a go at fossiking. More success with the sapphires than red claw. We were at a tourist fossiking centre where you are guaranteed to find something. We now have a stash of fine chips of sapphires of minimal value. But we had fun and discovered a new area of OZ.

Bedford Weir at Blackwater was another great discovery and this time great success. Locals helped the boys heaps and the reward was 50 red claw in one line of pulls. We had a feast. However, red claw in QLd are classed as vermin and you can't throw any back. Our red claw varied in size of small prawns to large tiger prawns, so the feast was somewhat small. Those larger ones that we didn't have for lunch Tony BBQed in garlic butter for dinner. Magnificent. So sweet, more so than cray and marron. Unfortunately we couldn't stay much longer as we had booked into Miara and needed to move on.

Driving through the Rockhamton area was an eye openner. The devistation of the big floods 18 months ago was still evident. Major roads were still under repair and often being totally rebuilt. Water was every where in the vast lowlands, birds and lush green shrubbery were plentiful. Definitly entering the tropics.

Miara is a little fishing C'van Park north of Bundaberg. We have been here before and Tony is really looking forward to catching fish and trying for mudcrabs. Only been in Miara a few days and will explore the surrounding area from here. Chez and I have already had a shopping trip into Bundeburg and of course my first stop was the art shop for pastel painting materials. I'm ready to plunge into my first pastel painting with guidance only from a book and my magazine of "Back of Bourke".

All is well here and have to now plan carefully the next part of the trip. Big roads and civilization to contend with. From here we hope to visit Geoff (Tony's brother) and Robin in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Jess in Brisbane and then head toward Sydney and Canberra to visit the boys and thier families before I fly home on 23 August. Unfortunately I will miss Andy as he will be attending a months course in Hawaii. Poor boy.

Love to all