Bilyana to Tannum Sands

Port Hinchinbrook on a calm day

 


 Thursday 9/8 - I drove to Cardwell Information Centre this morning, walked to the beach and the jetty then went to Port Hinchinbrook where I had watched on the TV when Cyclone Yasi had done so much damage to the boats moored there.  It was a beautiful sunny day and hard to imagine the destruction, though it has been evident in so many places where the trees have been stripped bare of branches and leaves.  Had a short stop at Ingham then camped at Frances Creek the night, had the same neighbours as last night so Joanne, Gerda & I played cards till the cold chased us all inside. 
Friday I was the last to be leaving so did a clean up of the area, such a shame when people can't even use bins provided.  I saw a sign to Jourama Falls, it was 5klm of dirt road, then a 1 1/2 hour walk to to Lookout  

My swim at Jourama Falls


and back to the picnic area, but well worth it then I had a swim Brrrrrrrrrrr.  The water was crystal clear and I could see the fish all around me.  Drove to Balgal Beach, on the way I had stopped at 'Frosty Mango'where I bought the most delicious Mango Smoothie, there were no camping spots left so I went on to Bluewater.  The Community Centre nearby were putting on a BBQ dinner and a local Country Music Club privided the entertainment, can I just say it was very entertaining!!!!
Drove into Townsville and had M'tea with my friend Cecily then met some others after lunch.  I made camp at Home Hill which has great facilities but is the noisiest night I have had in all my travels.
Sunday I drove back to Ayr for Church and was given a warm welcome and some points of interest to see.  I stopped at the Burdekin Bridge and the Diarama showing the many changes in Ayr and surrounds  

WW2 Site on Charlie's Hill

since early settlement, then drove up Charlie's Hill to see the WW2 Site, they had clear views in all directions.  My stop was at Guthalungra tonight (nothing there except a 24hour garage and the camp area that is being developed, dare I say it I was chased indoors by the cold again.




Monday 13/8 I arrived in Bowen today a really pretty place ,Flagstaff Hill has a wonderful lookout and the water was an amazing colour blue.  There had been some whales sighted in the previous few days but none were about when I was looking,   

View from Flagstaff Hill Lookout

drove through Proserpine then stopped for lunch at Bloomsbury.  Took a detour to see the Eungla National Park, visited Melba House at Marian which was 
 once the residence of Dame Nellie Melba and now a Museum and the Information Centre.  Stayed at the Finch Hatton Showgrounds tonight so I could get up early to drive to Finch Hatton Gorge and do a walk.





Finch Hatton Gorge



Tuesday I attempted the Wheel of Fire walk (so named because of the trees growing in the area)  the path  had been washed away over one creek crossing and in my attempt to take photos and not get wet I dropped the camera, it got very wet though I stayed dry, thank goodness for mobile phones with cameras.  I turned back and went to the Casscades Lookout, had a picnic on the rocks and was thrilled when I saw another Ulysses butterfly.  I called in at Judi's daughter at Eimeo, drove  

 to the beach then to Dolphin Point on my way through Mackay on my way to  

Clairview for the night,  a great spot with amazing ocean views and good company. 







Sunset at Clearview

 Wednesday I watched the sunrise over the incoming tide, had a walk along the beach and chatted to other campers.  There was a community shop WAGS (the local Womens Action Group) which had a small op shop and lots of local produce.   
Checked out the rest area being revamped at Waverley Creek, drove through Marlborough for a look, then another stop at Yaamba before arriving in Rockhampton about 4pm.  Met up with a friend and camped out front of her place for the night.


Early morning at Yeppen Lagoon

Thursday 16/8 Margie told me about a lovely walk along a path beside Yeppen Lagoon, which I enjoyed before driving to Gladstone.  I called in to see Helen at work then had M'tea with my sister Ruth & husband Ray before driving to Tannum Sands which will be home for the next 3 months.  This is at a Conference Centre which my niece Jenny & husband David caretake, it is in a bush setting near the beach, there was a Clergy Retreat in that Jenny was catering for and I enjoyed a delicious dinner with them.
 Friday I spoke to one of the campers who I knew from 30 years ago when we were both GFS Leaders, the Bishop pronounced me Vicar General of Tanyalla Ha Ha.  Did some cleaning after they all left then we went walking along the beach.  Jenny taught me how to do some of the bookwork on computer, then spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing.
Saturday Jenny & David left for a few days, it is strange being in a house again.  I did some serious spring cleaning in the Van in the morning and checked out Jenny's vast assortment of craft magazines in the afternoon.  There is lots of wild life and most are really tame with the regular influx of people here. 

Sunday my first challenge, I locked myself out but thankfully remembered where the spare key is from when I stayed for a few days last year.  Rode my bike to Church and had to walk up a few hills, hope to up my fitness levels while I am here. 

My lawnmowers!!

Monday20/8 it seems quite strange living in a house again, a young lass comes to help with cleaning of the rooms and kitchen areas after there has been a camp which is a great help.  I cooked a Quiche for dinner and Jen & David arrived back mid afternoon.  Bible Study Home Group is here on Monday evenings so I look forward to joining that.

Tuesday is Craft Morning at the Church with about 10 other ladies another plus of being in one place for a while.  Today was Tim's birthday (Jen & David's son-in-law) he and Kylie came for a BBQ dinner followed by cup cakes with chocolate ganache and strawberries on top.
Wednesday I drove to Gladstone this morning, spent a few hours with friends, went to Telstra about my rogue phone and the biggest problem has been me, the very patient young lady spent 1/2 hour explaining how it should be used, what a shame that didn't happen when I bought it.  David lit a fire in the Fire Pit and we had dinner by the fire under the stars.  We could hear a Barking Owl in the trees amongst other things.