On our previous trip eight years ago we had gone through Maryborough on a miserable day - it was cold and windy and rainy. We could see it was a nice town with lots of historical buildings, but we just couldn't stay to look. We had moved on to Hervey Bay - the rain had stopped but it was still grey and dull. The beach was long and muddy looking, especially as the tide was out. We had stayed in a caravan park at the back of town which was crowded and ugly, so our overall impressions were not good.

This time, it was completley differnt. The sun was shining and we are finally having some warm weather. Maryborough is a beautiful town. We explored the old buildings, the mural trail, and the Cistern Chapel - a toilet block covered with murals, topped off with a golden throne (toilet.) There is also the Story Bank, a museum in the home of P.L. Travers, the author or Mary Poppins. They take Mary Poppins seriously here with bronze statues and her picture emblazoned on trafic lights for the 'walk' and 'don't walk' sgnals. And the town hall clock, chiming out the day into 15 minute parcels

Yesterday we decided to head out to Hervey Bay, about half an hour away, for the market as it was a Saturday. Here again we were pleasantly surprised. Hervey Bay is very pretty in the sun, and the beach much more impressive at high tide. The town is long and thin, following the coastline, and it boasts an esplenade that runs continuously for many kilometres. It is spattered with groups of shops and cafes every now and then, and has many parks and picnic areas for people to enjoy.

We found the market, eventualy, and it wasn't that impressive. Then we found another market near a long jetty and that was actually much better. While there we were also informed that this is the middle of the whale watching season (another thing we had missed out on last time), so we signed up for a cruise in the afternoon. It was amazing - whales so close you could touch them, mothers with their calves teaching them to breach and leap all about us. Somehow seemed to miss all the best bits with the photos - they never do it justice.

By the time we got back it was dark, so we settled in Hervey Bay for the night, cooked a leisurely breakfast by the beach next morning, and watched a local band performing in the rotunda. George even got in a spot of fishing.

Being a Sunday, we googled a local church and managed to find one with a 10.30 service. Greats singing, and a good talk. Then back to Maryborough, where everything was shut. Relaxed in the afternoon - will check a few more things tomorrow morning, then moving on.

Georgy's bit

Maryborough is a lovely town. Global warming has added its magic but climate change has meant this lovely town was flooded earlier this year. I wish the science invents a digital thermostat to set the convenient temperature and rain times and amounts instead of the old backward technology of flood control using dams and old ways like beavers.

Nicely decorated with murals, and of course Mary Poppins.

The same about Hervey bay without the floods but temperatures and sunshine were welcomed. Witnessed the attempt to break Canada's record for the largest mobility scooter convoy, but the news next day said we were short by 15. Canada still has its disabled to thank, not their leaders. Mobility scooters are brilliant, battery powered freedom movement for the elderly. They are fitted with a basket to park your shopping and adapted to cater for every daily errand. Unlike electric bicycles used solely for exercising, ticking all boxes as the worst of all choices, even worse than electric treadmills. Acheived by introducing the inefficiency of batteries to the pollution of the disposal. Its only "reaon d'etre" is to bring in your face the fact that I, a middle aged man, can do cycle (without pushing) and I paid $3000 to $5000 just to park my gear outside the Latte joint, cool? Mostly a word that rihymes with banker.

The whales were amazing and gave a good show, not very choppy waters but Eva's stomach revolted again and made its point about gravitational change, by emptying its contents.

For four hours we were educated by the crew on how this magnificent creatures we enjoyed today can be cared for. the usual "Biology/Science educated mantra. I was thinking this experience we all enjoyed is only possible because of Diesel, the unsung hero that powered the whole event and propelled us to the whales and back. I shared this view with one of the crew and she told me this vessel uses a lot of Diesel. I rest my case.

Driving at night is no fun but the morning concert was nice and the church message seemed casual but it was effective and pointed to things I needed done. Back to Maryborough for the Museum and the night.

Last minute treat was the repaired trains being returned to suburban service being pushed by a double header Diesel powered locomotives as there is no overhead lines above these seldom used tracks.