Fraser Island

11th August Saturday

Off to Gympie today for last shopping before going to Fraser Island tomorrow. Didn't drive into town as found a Coles at Goldfield Plaza. Stocked up and just had a wonder before getting back to camp lunchtime. Slowly put tent down over the afternoon and put the awning out as we intend to sleep in LRover tonight, makes it easier in the morning to just get up and go. Had a walk round memorial and took photos.

 Didn't chill down as quickly tonight with only a few clouds about. Spent the last evening talking round campfire again and saying our goodbyes.

12th August Sunday

Woke before alarm, showered had breakfast and left camp at 8am. Marion rang they were just aproaching Gympie. At Rainbow we were in rangers office getting permits when Laurie rang, Ronnie has blown a tyre on his trailer and they are at Standown Pk changing it. Went and had a coffee to wait for them. After getting their permits and filling up with fuel and water and food for their tummies drove up to Inskip Point to catch the barge

 to Fraser Island($100 return) we had already put down tyre pressures. It seems the low tide is quite high and is already on it's way in. It took us over 2hrs to get to our camp site for the week and the tide was very challenging in places

, had to make a few detours inland

 to get round the rocks,

 water washing under the vehicles as they drove along. We saw a big shipwreck on the beach.

 The wind made it very difficult to put the tent up but it's supposed to calm down tomorrow. Finally got everthing sorted just after 3pm,

 now the clouds are rolling in, feeling very tired. Lightening storm out at sea for several hours. Not a late night for anybody tonight.

13th August Monday
Warm night but very windy and rain. When we got up we had a swimming pool in the awning, Laurie gave us some mats to put over the top so we didn't have to paddle. It is still raining, at times the sun tries to peek through. The sea and sky are grey. Laurie says it should clear up today. The men spent time getting the fishing rods ready while the women sat around reading. By the evening the weather has improved tremendously. Going fishing off the north of the island tomorrow.

14th August Tuesday
Barely a wind and sunny start today. Laurie cooked us a fried breakfast before hitting the sand(road). Drove up the beach to Indian Head

 before taking an inland track to Champagne Pools,

 where we saw Wales blowing in the distance as we walked the boardwalk. We then drove back inland to Orchid Beach, no fishing done as other fishers seemed to be packing up their gear. The scenery all along the drive is as always, stunning.

 Decided to head back after an ice cream and the boys might try fishing off the beach by the camp. Laurie spoke to someone who said fishing is not good at the moment and to perhaps try further down the beach towards Cathedral. It has turned into a hot sunny day, such a contrast to yeaterday. Fraser Island is managed by QLD Parks and Wildlife Service and is a World Heritage listed protected area. The coastal waters are alsoprotected to protect the wildlife and habitat. Everyone so full after nibbles at Happy Hour,

 didn't have any dinner. Spent evening chatting with the surf going in the background.

15th August Wednesday
Warm night, Laurie already out catching fish,

 2 Tailor, Ronnie got his waders on and joined him

 and was soon catching fish. The rest of us just sat on the dunes with our cuppas watching. They had just packed up their gear when a dingo

 came along the beach, it saw us on the dune, then Laurie started using his catapult and it headed off into the bush behind our camp, we watched it climb the hill and circle behind usbefore dropping down onto the next beach further along. Except for Marion, who is having back trouble, we all headed off to Indian Head and climbed to thetop. At the top you can see the beach towards Waddy Point

and on the otherside towards Corroboree Beach.

Whilst there we saw Manta Rays

 in the sea, they must have been quite a size for us to see them so far out. We wnjoyed the walk and views. Back at camp after lunch the men drove off down the beach to do some fishing, not biting so they came back and tried their luck by the camp, success Colin caught a fish called a Tailor,

 Laurie cast out for him but he is still learning, the other 2 caught fish as well but we have the first fish we can actually eat. Ronnie and Laurie continued fishing till nearly dark, as were a lot of other fishermen along the beach. Good day.

16 August Thursday

Laurie and Ronnie already up fishing when we woke up.  Another lovely sunny start.  Very easy alow morning, late morning piled into vehicles and drove down to Cathedrals at Fraser for and ice-cream.  Passed tour buses stopped at the shipwreck and a small plane

which had landed on the beach.  Cathedrals is set back from the beach and is a private camp with fuel and a small store, we then drove to Eli Creek

 and walked the boardwalk along the creek into the forest,

 very pretty.  Back at camp Colin checking vehicle when 2 Rangers stopped and would you belive it one is a Land Rover nut, don't think they even checked our permits.  Ronnie and Laurie

 have gone back down to the beach to fish leaving Colin to look after us girls. Ronnie and Laurie arrived back after dark with bucketfuls of Tailors, they will go back to the same spot tomorrow morning.

17 August Friday

FRIDAY FACT - FRASER ISLAND IS THE BIGGEST SAND ISLAND IN THE WORLD

Lot of condensation in the tent, everything is damp and dripping.  Ronnie and Laurie already left to go fishing.  After breakfast pulled all the bedding out to dry in the sun.  Roonie and Laurie returned with a good catch, now to gut and fridge them all.  The rest of us just chilled.  We saw a white headed sea eagle over the camp, Laurie tried to tem[t it down with a fish but it wasn't playing, lovely sight.  Rose helped Laurie cooked dinner of crumbed Tailor and chips, scrummy.  Laurie went back out at dusk and caught a few more.

Back on the road

4 August Saturday
Colin went to pick up Laurie's new car with him it is a Discovery TD5 auto. It is a nice tidy vechicle can see how it has moved on from our earlier model. It has turned out to be a warm sunny day. Ron and Wendy popped round in afternon and stayed for dinner, it was a lovely evening and good to renew friendships.

5 August Sunday
Warm in the sun, Tim popped round and stayed for breakfast, Laurie does a mean fry up. Colin and Laurie got the camper trailer into the garage and were doing man things to it, readying it for the trip to Fraser Island. It was a slower day but still got things done. Skyped the twins who were staying at Natalie's and that was good fun.

6 August Monday
Rose making lists, contacted shipping company and they will be emailing shipping details to us later. Details arrived and we will drop Carnet off Wednesday, the LRover leaves country 6 September and arrives in UK 18 October, it seems if we drop Carnet off asap we should get it back before we return home, glad to have it sorted. Went out to the RSL (bit like British Legion in UK) for dinner, Colin and I went for the Roast pork, absolutely stuffed. Back at home Marion cooked a lovely chocolate pud which we had with custard and ice cream, we might start to put some weight on.

7th August Tuesday
Went and did our food shopping, as we are leaving tomorrow. Itis very warm out, summer clothes unpacked again. Filled up with fuel. Repacked boxes qnd left souveniers/mementos at the house. Weather forecast for next week looks good, low to mid 20s in the day with a chill at night. We cooked dinner tonight, good hearty British food, pie chips beans and gravy.

8th August Wednesday
Finished putting belongings in LRover and got away just before 10am, heading to Cargo Clear at Eagle Farm Brisbane, to drop off Carnet. Satnav should have taken us the shortest route, but it has a mind of it's own and took us via Morningside over the river and Hamilton, we shall go over the Gateway when we take the vehicle across. We have to contact them on the 22nd August for date they need vehicle, nice to have it sorted. We got onto Bruce HWay as soon as we could to clear Nth Brisbane, then onto route 60 towards Caboolture, where we stopped at the Centennary Pk.

for lunch, it was a lovely spot. Back onto road and stopped at the lookout at Beerburnum and walked up the mountain, it's 700mtrs but it was so steep

we didn't make it. We could see through the trees across to the Ocean

 and then the other way to the Glass Mountains, stunning. At Landsborough now driving towards Kenilworth, we have twisty steep roads and the views are amazing.

 Stopped for the night 6km south of Kenilworth at Little Yabba Picnic Area(free), lovely well kept site. Put up the Oz Trail Anywhere Bed so will try it out. Zip on main tent still playing up. Lit our BBQ and cooked Pork chops and jacket spuds. Chilled down quickly. It is nice to be back on the road and camping again, the stay at Marion and Lauries was needed and enjoyed.

9th August Thursday
Cold night, bed was good but still had condensation on the mattress, will try a blanket under mattress tonight. 6degs in LRover, there was a mist around this morning, but when sun comes out it was very warming. Left site at 10am, after waiting for tent to dry out, into Kenilworth where we visited the cheese factory. We took part in cheese and pudding tasting, yummy, we bought 2 cheeses(one garlic and the other sweet chilli) and a chocolate cheesecake. Kenilworth is a very picturesque small town. Carried along the Mary Valley Rd until Brooloo Rd. We pulled up at Imbil and had coffee and cake at the Rattler Cafe,

 whilst sat outside, the children from the school came walking past with hats they had made, even the teachers had dressed up. A teacher stopped and told us that the Melbourne Cup was coming to town on the train at noon. We had a walk round town, past The Railway Hotel

 to the station, eventually the train pulled in and all the children

 cheered as the Cup was carried off the train, we all gathered in the towncentre and were able to take close up photos of the Cup,

 Merzougah even touched it.

 Right place right time for a change. Back on the road up to Gympie. The scenery is stunning and very reminiscent of English countryside, it's beautiful. We found our way through Gympie to The Tin Can Bay Rd and our camp for the next few nights at Standown Park, and only $15 per night. The caravan park only used to take Vietnam Veterans, but when they applied for funding it had to be opened up to anybody, they do discourage children. It is in a beautiful open parkland setting

 and the facilities are very good. We joined happy hour round a campfire, talking to a few of the Vets before dinner.

10th August Friday
FRIDAY FACT - THE MELBOURNE CUP DAY IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN VICTORIA

Much warmer night, wind got up in the night and was quite gusty at times. Beautiful sunny day. The owners of the park have built a memorial garden for the Vets, with flagpoles.

 In one weeks time it will be the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, so they are trying to finish the planting etc before then. Colin has volunteered to help today and is barrowing mulch to put round trees, following a Vet in a motorscooter who is watering them. You can already see that it will be fantastic when finished. On the anniversary the park will be packed with Vets and there will be marching and ceremonies. The volunteers worked till lunch. We sat in sunshine in the afternoon reading, trying to stay out of the wind. After dinner sat around campfire chatting and getting warm.

4 walls and a roof

28th July Saturday
What a cold night, heavy frost on the vehicles and grass. Went and had a shower, could have stayed there all day warming up. Decided last night we can't hack the cold any longer so heading to Brisbane, we spoke to Marion last night and told her but she will keep it a secret from Laurie so we can surprise him when we turn up tomorrow all being well. Didn't get away till 9.50, heading east along the Warrego HWay. Sun has come out but still a lot of cloud around. Passing pastures with lots of cattle in them. Road is bad still, but there are a lot of road repairs being carried out, due to flood damage. Past Roma saw a lot more trees, long straight rollercoaster roads. There are a lot of roadtrains on the roads today and we've spent a lot of time listening to the truck drivers on the CB. Finally stopped at Warra Rest Area, very tired, it won't be a late night.

29th July Sunday
Asleep just after 7pm last night, another cold frosty night, but we were much warmer sleeping in the LRover. Away before 8am back on the Warrego HWay still heading east, there are signs saying they are starting roadworks on 30th July, they need them as the road surface is pitching the LRover all over the place. Stopped for coffee, it's still cold only 14degs inside LRover. Colin put his jumper on and Rose has put her Uggs on. Found awning poles loose on the roof rack, hadn't put them away in the bag, looks like we lost one of the horizontal poles, it could have been worse. We are passing through grain country now. At Toowoomba we had a very steep descent on the east side, views were stunning between the trees, we could smell the brakes burning. We made very good time, rang Marion to say we we were only 10mins away only to find Laurie was out. It was great to see Marion. Just made a cuppa when Laurie arrived home, what a surprise for him!!! Spent rest of time catching up with both of them. It's great to be back in Brisbane again.

30 July Monday
Warm and a good sleep, Colin went with Marion to pick up Abbey as she's not well, poor Laurie has to go to work :( Colin spent the day taking fridge out of LRover and blowing dust out with compressor, he said it wasn't too bad. He's been clearing inside and moved the water tap switch to a better position. Rose spent day doing laundry and spending time with Marion and watched Happy Feet with Abbey. Surprisingly busy day

31 July Tuesday
Colin up early, Abbey not at all well she saw the doctor and has a nasty virus. Colin spent day tinkering with LRover.

1 August Wednesday
Colin again working on LRover whilst Rose helped Marion around the house and sat with Abbey when Marion had to go for physio on knee. Tried OzTrail camp bed in tent and it fits nicely, we will try out on the road and might get one as it gets the air bed off the cold ground.

2 August Thursday
We went to Wynnum Plaza for a look around and Rose treated herself to a $10 (£6) watch, then to Bunnings for electric cabling and switches. Nice to have a mooch around.

3 August Friday

FRIDAY FACT - WYNNUM IS WARMER THAN A TENT
Rose went with Marion to appointment at hospital to have knee checked out, healing well. Colin still tinkering and put lights inside vechicle to make it easier when looking for stuff. Leigh dropped in with her cat Bella, she is off the USA for 15 days holiday, good to catch up. Spoke to Dee will try and see her soon as she is now in Brisbane for a while.

Warm days, cold nights

21st July Saturday

Another cold night. Went into Longreach to library but couldn't upload photos, got a bit of shopping

and heat beads for BBQ then onto swimming pool for not very hot showers, but feel clean. Back at camp sat in sun for a while then went for a walk collecting firewood, our neighbour Jim (originally from Scotland) took his vehicle out to collect some bigger bits of wood. The heat beads we had bought needed firelighters, oops forgot !!! Got the BBQ going using just wood then coals. Big rump steak for dinner tonight enough for the two of us, cost $5 (£3). Eventually had dinner, the steak was lovely, had enough left over for steak sandwich tomorrow, which we put into a container to cool down. Lit fire and sat chatting to Jim and Julie till 10pm, got back to tent to find the steak had gone from the container with the lid on the floor, we think it was a feral cat as we've seen some on site in the evenings, (hope it bloody chokes).

22nd July Sunday

Not so cold last night, sunny day ahead. Went into Longreach to the Stockmans Hall Of Fame to see the show at 11am, it was very busy. The show is led by Luke who tells jokes

 and does tricks with his horses, he told us about how camels

played a part in early Oz exploration and when they were of no further use were set free into the bush,(owners could not bring themselves to kill them as ordered), there are over 1 million living in the bush. He had 3 dogs that rounded up a small herd of bullocks, (bullocks have no bollocks according to Luke), then he yoked up 6 bullocks collected a log and then used the strength of them to pull the log up onto a cart.

 Whilst yoking them he quoted a poem from the early 1900s that lasted about 10mins wiyhout any notes. It was a brilliant show, worth going to see. Back at camp Colin had a look at the brakes (not stopping) to find the nearside front pipe had 2 small holes in it, so we will not be leaving tomorrow, more repairs. Spent evening round campfire again with Jim and Julie, after we spoke with Natalie and Liz, another great evening.

23rd July Monday

Up and into Longreach with brake pipe, first stop Autopro, they didn't have enough pipe so we went to an engineering shop 2 blocks away, they had enough pipe but nobody to spare to flare the ends, (they use steel here and not copper) so back to Autopro for them to flare the ends, it has taken us nearly 3hours. Colin fitted the pipe and tightened up wheel bearings on front nearside, so back on the road tomorrow. Another BBQ and campfire before turning in. Not a bad day after all.

24th July Tuesday

Eventually left site (why does everybody want to talk when you leaving ?) first stop swimming pool for hot showers, then food shop and fuel, left town 10.30 heading east to Ilfracombe and Barcaldine. Stopped at Ilfracombe to look at some of the Great Machinery Mile, it covers 1km and is made up of machinery, equipement, farm implements, vehicles and wagons from yesteryear,

 quirky. Onto Barcaldine our camp for the night at the showgrounds, a bargain $5 per night for a tent. Had a walk into town to look at The Tree Of Knowledge. In 1891 there was a strike by the shearers, the unions wanted to stipulate who could work in the shearing sheds and to work according to union rules. The Tree Of Knowledge became a symbol of that period,

 also the Labour party was born. In 2006 the Tree was poisoned, the council received funding from many sources to preserve the Tree and built an architecturally designed memorial, which opened in 2009.

Reading the Heritage Trail signs along the street, it seems a lot of the buildings burnt down and were rebuilt only to burnt down again some years later. The original are characterful and charming. Whilst having dinner there was a rugby training session going on with what looked like under 10s followed by teenagers who were put through their paces.

25th July Wednesday

Warmest night in quite a while. Stopping another night. Woken up to hearhorses galloping past, later saw 2 riders excersing their horses. Sat in the sunshine eating breakfast, just what we needed. Had a walk into town for laundry and treated ourselves to a coffee at the bakery, we were going to upload photos but battery was flat on computer. Strolled back to camp site and relaxed in the sunshine for rest of day. Not feeling so tired now. Rugby training again tonight, the little lads are practising tackling, had a walk round campsite, not much happening but it's lovely and warm.

26th July Thursday

Cloudy start, forecast 25degs, away by 9.15 heading to Blackhall. Either side of road is very green, but also a lot of dead Roo's at side of road. Road surface is not good, back to potholes and corrugations on the bitumen. Stopped at Blackhall and saw the big ram

 in Ram Pk, the park

 is being set up as a living history of the district, the Ram signifies the importance of the sheep industry for the area. We saw statue of of Jacky Howe

the legendary shearer, he is Australias most famous shearer who shore a record 321 sheep in 7hrs 40mins in 1892. Walked to the memorial park and saw the statue of Leiutenant Turner,

 a local man who won the Victoria Cross and Military Cross in WW1. We have noticed all the towns we travel through are very proud of the achievements of their local people. We carried on along the HWay and stopped for lunch just north of Tambo, we were going to stop but decided to drive onto Morven, we made good time despite the many roadworks (the roads were very badly damaged due to the floods over the last couple of years). We arrived at 4pm. Camping at the Rec Ground is $5 per night with power, unbelievable. When sun went down it got very cold very quickly. Colin rang Laurie after dinner to find out how Marion is after her knee operation. She was in a bit of pain last night, they have bandaged her from ankle to thigh and at the time of calling she was trying to get in the bath, keeping the bandage dry, it made us chuckle.

27th July Friday

FRIDAY FACT - The name Australia comes from the Latin Terra Australis Incognito which means the Unknown Southern Land.

Craig's birthday. Very cold night, frost on roof of LRover. Warm weather gear has come out again. Had a walk into Marven which was founded in the 1860's and named after a town in Scotland, it was a stop over point for Cobb and Co. Coaches and Bullocky teams. We visited the Historical Museum, (Colin got a concession from $2 down to $1, every bit helps), it is a small museum but manages to cram in a lot of bygone era bits of bric a brac, old machinery, and Aboriginal artefacts. In a separate building is a miniture display of wooden buildings

as they would have been in the original pioneering days, amazing attention to detail. Outside is a hut made entirely of Kerosene tins

 from the 1930s, at that time during the depression it was the only accomodation available. It is a fascinating town. Backat site the sun is out but the wind has got up, several people have lit fires and after dinner we joined one of them, the old boy got out his guitar and sang songs and recited some of his poetry

 and told us of his times as a stockmans cook during the 1950s, it was a great evening and gave us a bit more insite into the hard lives of those days before mechanised transport. Into a cold bed with our hats and gloves on.