Back on Track & On The Road Again

 Yes, the RRs are travelling again. But a "different" adventure this time as much of our time away will be spent "house-sitting" in Innisfail.

 We left home with 'Ada' at the end of Feb. Destination "Dylisglen" in time to celebrate Master Landon's 2nd birthday and my 65th..OMG - I really am an "old woman" now!

On the way we stopped overnight at Ceratodus Park - a lovely "free" camp spot 10km north of Eidsvold, and our 2nd night stopover was at Duaringa. We had planned to stay in the RV park but the area was over-run with flying foxes so we actually camped behind the local pub. What else could we do!!!!!

When planning our travels this time, the OWO decided it would add a little 'excitement' to the adventure if we took a few of the 'back roads' between destinations. So the back road it was from Duaringa to 'Dylisglen'.

Sometimes one can 'discover' some interesting little gems along these 'detours'. To our delight we found a beautiful gem in the middle of nowhere.

1956 Olympic Torch Memorial

Croydon Commemorative Park is located on the Marlborough-Sarina Road, which was the main road between Mackay and Rockhampton back in the fifties, before the Bruce Hwy existed. A terrible road for travelling (nearly rattled our brains out!!!) but it was worth the detour to find this little gem. Here at the park is a wonderful memorial marking the place where the Olympic  torch was exchanged on its way to the 1956 Games in Melbourne.  Who knows, this may become the 'Little Gem Adventure'!

We stayed ten days at "Dylisglen", celebrating birthdays and creating more beautiful memories with our youngest daughter and grandson --- and no rain like last year to dampen the big day activites, thank goodness!

Burdekin Bridge, Home Hill

With a sad farewell and a promise to FT regularly, we continued our travels north, stopping overnight at Home Hill. There is another great "free" camp area here with free showers and a camp kitchen for travellers across from the railway station. The old building now houses the local information center, and inside we discovered another little "gem" ---- a wonderful photographic display depicting the building of the magnificent bridge that crosses the mighty Burdekin river, and links the towns of Ayr and Home Hill. Certainly worth stopping here just to visit the info center.

Time to move on. Next stop --  the "Pera Court Hilton", Townsville. Mrs OWO spent 5 wonderful days with her "stitching sister", Miss Carmel, enjoying "girlie" activities. You know, things like shopping, lunches, morning teas, stitching, card making, more stitching, more shopping, more lunches - you get the idea!! It was pretty hot and humid in Townsville but the weather didn't dampen our enthusiasm to enjoy our time together....it was like being on a "retreat".

Leaving the comforts of the "Pera Court Hilton" we continued north with a 2 night stopover at Big Crystal Creek campground in the Paluma Range NP. This is a lovely campground with great facilities and a short walk to a very cool swimming hole.

It is many years since we last visited this area (back in the 80's) and neither of the RRs could recall travelling up the mountain to Little Crystal Creek and Paluma, so we took the opportunity on day 2 to explore a little'.

Paluma is a very interesting village, I would go so far as to say a "ghost" village. There are no longer any businesses open there, although there are some good walking tracks and interesting historical info. The road to get there, although sealed, is very steep, narrow and winding. There are fantastic views out over the valley and across to Hinchinbrook Island.

Leaving the mountain behind we took a short drive into the town of Ingham - stopping in at the Frosty Mango - yummy! Whilst in Ingham we stopped for a short walk around the Tyto Wetlands. This is a lovely area but it was so humid that the RRs were only able to walk around part of the park before retreating to the air-conditioned vehicle to return to the campground for a cold shower.

After two short days in the bush is was time to pack up "Ada" and head for Innisfail. This will be our "base" for the next 8 weeks - in a 3 bed air-conditioned home with an in-ground pool on 11 acres. From here we will be able to explore more of the Atherton Tablelands, coastal towns and beaches north to Cairns and south to Cardwell and, many of the beautiful NP's in this region.

Yes. It will be an "adventure" with a difference!!!

At the time of posting, far north east coast residents in Queensland are battening down in readiness for TC Debbie. On Thursday the RRs were getting 'cyclone' ready but thankfully we will not have to deal with the arrival of Debbie, only the wind and rain effects at this stage. Our thoughts are with our friends in Townsville and family in Mackay who may now be facing the ferocity of Debbie.

A Celebration in the Wet Tropics

Wednesday, 2nd March - 'Dylisglen'
Rained overnight and overcast this morning. We had a lazy start, leaving Eungella Dam around 11am. The plan was to stop at Broken River to do some walking, and maybe spot a platypus in the creek, and arrive at 'Dylisglen' around 4pm. Good thing these RRs are flexible with their plans.

Pioneer Valley in fog

After a lunch stop at Broken River Cafe and a short walk along the creek (no platypus sighted by the way!), we were once again rained upon - not just a light shower but a tropical downpour- so our plans for walking changed to driving. However, the rain got heavier and the fog got thicker - pea soup fog at Eungella.

Broken River - Platypus?? Nope

Broken River -- Turtles? Heaps

Down into the Valley we passed by 'Dylisglen' around 1.30pm. Taking a chance that Mrs K might be home, a quick phone call confirmed she was and she would meet us at the gate as we would have to go through the paddock to cross the creek as the grid was broken. That was an interesting little exercise towing 'Ada' through the cow paddock!

The creek was a little high!

And the track a little muddy!

After setting 'Ada' up near the barn out of the wind we spent the rest of the afternoon with Mrs K and the little lad - lots of cuddles and games just as Nanna's should do. By now the rain had really set in but no matter - we happily settled into an evening of fun and laughter as we put the little lad's birthday gifts together - brought back so many memories of when we spent hours putting our kids Xmas toys together so long ago.



So lovely to be able to share these special moments with Mrs K and the little lad. We missed so many of those magic moments with our other children and grandchildren being so far away.

Nanna making party hats

Thursday, 3rd March -- Master Landon's FIRST birthday.

A special morning full of surprises

An early start to share the joy of the little lad unwrapping his birthday gifts - so many things for him to take in but there were two things that held his attention - a wooden music table, and the 'trike' pusher that we had spent hours of laughter putting together the night before. Our main task today was to collect groceries from Mackay for Mrs K. This proved to be quite a challenge in the wet weather. A pretty scarey drive with extremely heavy tropical rain and flooded roads along the way. The scariest part was crossing the causeway and creek into 'Dylisglen' which were flowing quite rapidly. All part of living here I guess.

Party preparations - Nanna made the banner!

Saturday, 5th March -- Party day

A party -- What-oh!

It has rained continuously since our arrival and there was some concern that celebrations would have to be cancelled. Some guests did cancel due to flooded roads but party preparations continued and a lovely group of people joined us in celebrating the little lad's first birthday bash.



Tuesday, 8th March -- and the rains continue!!
Still raining at 'Dylisglen'. So wet that Mrs K bought me a pair of red wellies to wear between our 'Ada' and the shous. Our Driza-bone coats have been well worn this past week!  We had a little reprieve from the rain today though when we drove into Mackay for some items in preparation for our departure tomorrow. The sun actually broke through the cloud for about an hour!

My birthday tomorrow but the OWO bought my presents today whilst in Mackay - fishing tackle and tackle box ( because he packed the rods but forgot to pack our tackle in the van) and new camping chairs. How things change --- it used to be perfume and lingerie!!

Tomorrow we will say farewell to all at 'Dylisglen' and continue our adventure.  We have stayed two days longer than planned due to the wet weather and we don't want to overstay our welcome, so it is time to restart our adventure north. Sad, yet excited by the prospect of exploring 'new' areas of our home State - even in the wet tropics.  Our first planned stopover from Mackay is just north of Townsville at Toomulla Beach for a couple of nights with the lovely Pat. But we'll see how we are travelling as the day progresses.