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Hi guys, we have now left Mackay and it is a surprisingly nice place to visit. I think that FNQ has blossomed in the last few years. The locals take a lot of pride in the gardens and landscape and it helps that they are not short of water so the place is fairly green. It is crushing season which means all the cane is getting chopped and sent to the mills for our lollies and whatever else they make with sugar. Toddy went to college up here for his industrial chemist training.
So what is there to do up here.....lots actually? As we only had the one day to get to see as much as possible we put the girls in the boarding kennels so we didn't have to worry about them. The van park, although it is puppy friendly was not somewhere I was comfortable leaving the girls all day alone. The manager insisted it would be ok but after we saw the three legged mastiff roaming free we thought better of it. Any way the SPCA was near and they needed the donations to look after all the lonely puppies. We bought the shelter some dog food and left them there in their care. It was nice enough and the girls were well cared for not to say they were not chomping at the bit this morning to come home with us. The girls did get a nice present from the kennel......fleas! Poor things, I don't think they have ever experienced them before.
Anyway, first stop was the Finch-Hatton coffee shop then the nearest bin. I know that one cannot be too picky when looking for a coffee in FNQ but this was undrinkable! We did however find that the local supermarket which did have a machine, brewed a fine coffee which was drinkable and also rateable. I took a couple of pics of the cane train taking the chopped sugar cane to the mill; I haven't seen one of them since I was dating a local Bundy cane farmer back in the 80's.
Off we go to Eungella (yun-g-la) national park. Trekking through rain forest and creeks was so nice to see compared to the rock and dirt landscape we have seen so far. Although the weather is changing and we can definitely feel a chill in the air, the rain forest is decidedly cooler and the air feels wet to breathe in. Lots of bird life, bush turkeys, brightly coloured birds, lyre birds etc and beautiful scenery to see. We did a couple of walks then went to try and spot the elusive platypus and guess what, we did! They are not easy to spot and not always out to be spotted but we got one. Actually Hughie and his eagle eye spotted him. We watched him for about 45 minutes, so exciting to see this little creature in the wild without any impact from civilisation. They are surprisingly small and agile in the water. We got a few shots and hope they do him some justice. We then went back to Finch- Hatton to visit more falls ad climb some more rocks.
Next day was Hughie's birthday so we went out for dinner when we got back to the van, had a great meal at the local steak house with the locals, had a few drinks and then went to bed. Getting tired these days' folks!
So, next day was going to be a big one, 590Ks! I can see why dad and all the nomads vow that 400ks per day is the max amount of driving. By the time you get packed, have brekkie, get on the road, stop for a coffee, stop for lunch, stop for a wee break for the puppies that 400ks can take 8 hours so 590 was a big one. Anyway we are on the home stretch and we were off to 1770/Agnes water where I use to visit again back in the 80's but then it was dirt track and uninhabited...lots have changed.We stayed at Simon's caravan park (Captain Cook Caravan Park) and it was fantastic. Beautiful big trees, lots of shade, nice walk to the beautiful almost untouched beach. This was our last stop with Ma and da. Dad made Hughie a birthday curry for dinner that was waiting for us upon our arrival....NNNIIIICCE!!!
Ma and Da left and we had the last few nights with some friend that we met in Richmond, Anne and John from Cronulla NSW. We also met their friends Terry (Toad) and Lyn. Beautiful people, we had dinner at the restaurant attached to the caravan park, lot of laughter and a great time had by all! Terry suggested that we go to Baffle creek. Bit of 4 wheel driving, bush trekking, to a beautiful beach and Creek. He was right except for the bit about the 'bit' of 4 wheel driving. Bloody hell! It was fun though!
We are now at home in QLD, at Ma and Da's place and it is good to have a bit of space. We went to my aunties last night for dinner with all the cousins. We had the best night, so much laughing and good food! I'll tell you, if you do not know how to laugh at yourself or have a thick skin no one would survive in our family. Of course it is all done with genuine love and affection even if we don't say it very often.
We are now counting down the days until we get to Geelong. We have just put in an application for a house in Geelong. An older house with 4 beds and 2 baths, 2 min walk to the coffee strip and a short walk to Simons and Kymma's.So, on the 21st we actually may have and address for anyone of you to come and visit......bring a jumper ;)
We are off to Mollymook on Thursday so I will write again soon. Sorry it has taken so long to get to this one. Ps it is bloody cold at the moment, I am going to have to give in and get the woollies out for the rest of the journey south...........BUGGA!
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