Nearly home

Getting a move on:
Steve has called to say Philippe has broken his arm in an accident on his new motorbike. Martine has flown in from France.

Deniliquin: A nice spot for overnight before the run home tomorrow.

Calling in to see Lindy & Graham at Rochester along the way.

Should be home Thursday 1st September 2011

More photos

Photos:
1. Euroly Bridge Murrumbidgee River
2. Hay, Brandon Bend, Murrumbidgee River
3. Edward River, Deniliquin

Photos

Photos:
1. The Lachlan River at Gooloogong
2. Artesian spa at Lightning Ridge
3. Balonne River at Surat

Homeward bound

Continuing south, driving each day for 200-300km then spending the afternoons looking around the locality.
Staying overnight at:
Surat: on the Balonne River in the fishing club grounds (fellow campers gave us some fresh capsicums they had purchased locally)
Quarry: went bush for the night
Dirranbandi: still on the Balonne River, a lovely spot, watched herons fighting for the best fishing spots
Lightning Ridge: spent the afternoon at artesian spa, very therapeutic. Learnt a lot about opals.
Dubbo: good spot by the Macquarie River, met some people from Ferntree Gully, the lady introduced herself because she saw me sewing.
Gooloogong: between Forbes and Cowra along the Lachlan Valley, a lovely outback town (they have an old church on an acre of land for sale, just the shell of an old stone building). No mention of Yvonne.
Euroly Bridge: camped in the forest on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River (lots of water running). Took a while to find the spot. We had our own campfire. It was a lovely evening.
Hay: stayed overnight at Brandon Bend on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River.

Clermont Qld

Photos:
1. Turtles on a log
2. Gold hunt at Clermont festival

Gold Rush:
Stopped in this lovely little town by accident, only to discover that they were in the middle of a fossicking frenzie due to the Gold festival in progress. The whole camping ground is involved, even to the extent that they have a fossickers detection equipment shop/club right on site. We needed the rest and this looks like a very interesting hive of activity. Everyone owns a metal detector and a myriad of other equipment right down to special snake protectors. We spent the first day at the Gold festival being held in the town park, starting off with a bush poet’s breakfast followed by lots of country music interspersed with raffles for gold nuggets and shopping vouchers, and stalls with all things gold (jewellery, etc.) The next morning we got up early to attend the annual fossicking competition to be held at a secret location. We spent the morning watching all these people walking around a paddock with their metal detectors looking for marked tokens (not as easy as it looks, using the detectors, I mean). There were lots of very expensive prizes, one being a $5,000 metal detector. It was a fun day in the sun and Ray's now thinking gold sounds like a good investment.

Atherton Tablelands

Photos:

1. Albino catfish

2. Millaa Millaa falls

Tomorrow the Atherton Tablelands:
Drove to Mareeba (overnight at Tolga). Found we had a flat tyre. Ray changed it and decided we would get it fixed in Atherton tomorrow. Couldn’t fix it, so we had to buy a new one.
Next day we did the “waterfalls drive” – an area in the Atherton Tablelands where there are lots of waterfalls and if you take the right roads you can fit a lot of them in on the one day. They are all really beautiful - Malanda falls, Millaa Millaa falls, Zwillie falls Ellinjaa falls and ended up at the wind turbine farm at Ravenshoe. Saw a cute little albino catfish at Milla Millaa falls.

Overnight just past the 40 mile Scrub National Park in the Misty Mountains. Woke up next morning and sure enough – ‘Mist’ – amazing. It turned into a beautiful day.
Continuing south we spent the next night by the Fletcher River just near Charters Towers.Today we have arrived in Claremont near the Blair Athol coal mine and apparently a good gold prospecting area. We have arrived right in the middle of a coal and gold festival

The Tip

Photos:

1. On the beach at The Tip

2. Water crossing getting to The Tip

3. Compass at The Tip

4. Us at The Tip

Today we spent the whole day at ‘The Tip’. A very rough road out there with quite a deep river crossing. When you get to the end of the road there is a 15 minute walk out over the rocky headland to the very northern most point of Australia. Off course we took photos. Then we spent the rest of the day on the beautiful beach nearby and watched the tide go out. Got a bit sunkissed. Once the tide is out you can walk around to the Tip by the beach and then up the rocks, so we did that too.

Once you are in here the Cape is a very beautiful but rugged place. It is mostly all Aboriginal land and there is not much development going on. This could be a good thing.

Island Trip

Photos:

1. Fishing on the Island trip

2. Ants nest at Bramwell Junction

We spent the day travelling around a few of the islands. Firstly we went to Roita island, a small island owned by the family of one of the boys crewing on our boat. It is where they live and run their pearling business. Then we did a spot of fishing and we caught a big blue fin tuna on a lure before proceeding onto Possession island where Captain Cook first landed. After that we went to Thursday Island (known as TI by the locals) where we had a cup of coffee while we waited for our tour to begin. The tour was conducted by local islander who drove us all over the island telling us about it’s very rich history. It is a nice little country town and the hub of all the surrounding Torres Strait Islands for shopping etc. After our tour we then went back to the boat for our trip to Horn island where we had lunch of local fish (Spanish Mackerel) caught by the proprietor and chef. He gave us a recipe for the tuna we had caught: Coat the fish in a mixture of sea salt and sweet paprika and fry. Serve with dressing of Balsamic vinegar and honey.
After lunch we went through the museum of WW11 and Torres Straite Island exhibits.
On the way home we did another spot of fishing and this time we brought in a 5 foot Dusky Whaler shark. Ray reeled him in but he was too dangerous to deal with on the boat so they had to let him go.
It was pretty exciting with three of them trying to wrestle him back into the water.
The weather got a bit rough coming back across the straite.

Weipa to the Cape

Photos:

1. Ray checking the crossing Lakefield National Park

2. No crocs! I hope

3. Our camp north of Coen

We took off the road shortcut from Sudley to Botavia Downes across to the PDO then north to the old Moreton Telegraph station and on to Bramwell junction. We have been eating dust all morning. The Bamaga road is pretty rough, lots of corrugations and changes of road surface, lots of swearing, new word ‘jolly roger’. The vegetation is thickening up. Stayed off road overnight in a quarry. It was late and we couldn't find anything else.

In the morning we lined up for the Jardine River ferry crossing. The ferry fits two cars at a time but it only takes a few minutes to make the crossing. There was a car there with two guys who tried to get on the ferry without paying. They were very rude to the aboriginal ferry operator and we were all embarrased on their behalf. We let him push in just to get rid of him.

We arrived at the Cape by lunch time hot and tired. The weather is very hot and humid.We are camped at Numagico camping ground by the beach in a shady spot. Spent the afternoon in Seisia organising tomorrow’s island trip.

Weipa

Photos:

1. Our camp site at Weipa
2. A snake we passed on the road

3. Sunset at Weipa

The morning is drizzling rain as we take of for the road to Weipa.
The road in is not too bad. At least Ray has stopped swearing.
We spotted a snake on the road. See the photo, he looks pretty mean.
We arrived in Weipa at 2pm and decided to use the tent for the first time.
We have been sleeping in the back of the car and it is quite comfortable.
Relaxed by the beach for the afternoon and had a BBQ tea.
Ray tried to buy wine but the restrictions here wont allow him to buy anything until after 5pm.
Happy hour has been extended.
We are going to spend a couple of days here.
Went out croc spotting today. There is a beach across the bay where they sit at low tide. We didn't see anything there but as we were driving back over the bridge we spotted a huge one swimming in the river.
Joined a community fish fryup tonight and watched the sun set over Weipa.

And now the Cape via Cooktown

Photos:

1. A rough day

2. Our first river crossing

3. Another crossing

Arrived Lakeland for lunch. Spent the afternoon preparing and packing everything we will need for the next section of the trip. We are going to leave the van here and go on with just the car and tent.

Tomorrow the Cooktown loop.

Spent the day looking around Cooktown.

We will take the Battlecamp road (4WD only) track from Cooktown through the Lakefield National Park to Old Laura to get back onto the Peninsular Development Road.
We weren't far into the track when we came to our first real water crossing.

We decided to have lunch and think about it before we attempted the crossing.

Ray walked across it and fortunately someone else came through and did it before us, so we knew it would be OK to try. There were three more crossings that day. We're old hands now.

We spent the night at the Old Laura Homestead camp.

And, safely made it out onto the PDR the next day to continue to Coen.

The road is pretty rough in spots, lots of corrugations and dips.

We spent the night by the side of the river 3km north of Coen.

Met a man catching yabbies in the river with a net.

The Daintree and Cape Tribulation

1. 2.

3.

Photos above:

1. Ray at Cape Tribulation

2. Daintree Rainforest

3. Crocodile (across the river from where we are camped)

We left Tully after breakfast and headed to beautiful Bramston Beach, just north of Innisfail, recommended to us by a couple of volunteers from Port Douglas.
We spent a relaxing day walking along the beach. Where we were camped we could see the waves from our caravan.
The following day we called into Cairns and picked up some groceries then headed to Palm Cove and Port Douglas. Nice places but a bit too trendy and busy.

We have arrived at Daintree Village and I have come down with a terrible cold or flu and I feel rotten. We are going to take a few days break here to recuperate.
It is a gorgeous place and the weather is being kind to us.
Our first activity was a boat cruise on the Daintree River. The minute we left the shore we spotted a giant crocodile sunning himself on the opposite shore right across from the camping ground and another even bigger one a bit further along. I’m glad we are on high ground but any water makes me nervous. I am even going to keep a check on the plug hole in the showers.

Spent the next day just sitting in the sun.

Today we drove to Cape Tribulation and back. I made a navigational miscalculation and we ended driving up the (4WD only) Bloomfield track a way. We had lunch at the Cape then made our way back to the village calling in to all the rainforest walks and lookouts along the way. It was a lovely day but we are tired.

Tomorrow we leave the Daintree.

Our last days at Blaze Aid

Photos above:

1. Part of the volunteer group

2. Peter, Christine, Cath, Al, Jenny & Ray

3. Patchwork at the Tully show

4. River crossing at Alligators Nest

Day 12
Our last day of volunteer work.
We were assigned to John & Vicky, another elderly couple and neighbours to Ron and Val.
We had a quiet day with Janet & Tony helping us felling trees along the river frontage of a beautiful garden property. Tony is dynamite on the chainsaw and made light work of it.
Both elderly neighbours have retired up here and went through the cyclone in their own homes, like most others. It must have been very frightening.

We went to the Tully Show in the afternoon. A much bigger affair than any of the small town country shows I have ever been to. The whole town and the sugar refinery gets involved.

Our last Supper, and breakfast next day for that matter.
A very nostalgic farewell. We have met lots of lovely people here and we are sad to leave but determined to return to Blaze Aid at another time and place.

And so we continue north.....

Blaze Aid - Days 6 to 11

Photos above:

1. Lea and one of the wood piles we made

2. Ray checking out what job we were assigned to

3. Murray River Falls on the way home

4. Some of the cows on Mark's farm

Day 6
We were assigned to Mark & Steph Clair’s farm in the Murray River Falls area, 50 km south of Tully. Our team consisted of Glenys (a single lady about our age who has been with Blaze Aid for quite a while now. She has travelled very extensively; Africa, South America, Asia....) and Rod & Cecilia (who are a bit older than us). They are all Queenslanders.
Mark appeared much stressed when we arrived, but after working all day he warmed to us and you could tell he really appreciated our help. He desperately needs help with his fences because trees had fallen on them and the cows were getting through to the neighbour's property who was complaining. She has problems of her own and I think they are all under stress.

Pizzas for tea tonight – nobody had to cook.

Day 7
Back to Mark & Steph’s to finish off. We had Glenys, John and Joy with us this time.
Joy was good value because she has her own farm in Wakerie S.A. and was quite good at the fencing.
It was a nightmare driving up Mark’s drive and his neighbour’s was even worse.
We made progress on his property and he now has three good paddocks he can keep his cattle in. He was happy with what we had done but he still has a long way to go to get back on his feet.
Ray wants to go back and do more for him but there are other people on the list who also have problems.
We visited the Murray River falls on the way home.

Day 8
Took the Blaze Aid vehicle today because we had to go so far away. It didn’t help that we missed the turnoff and took ages to get there. We were working with Kat & Jenna (the English backpackers) and Rob (a Dutch backpacker). We worked at clearing trees so that the farmer (Tony) could make an alternative route into his property because the original one was so damaged in the cyclone. He is a tree feller himself and he worked hard with us all day, lopping huge trees which we then cut up and dragged away.
For a professional tree lopper he has an interesting approach to safety – he wore his thongs while he worked. ??? What can I say - he's a Queenslander.

It has been a long hard hot day and I am buggered.
After our showers, which we take as soon as we get back, we are in the habit of having a quiet drink on the lawn outside the van and people always come over for a talk. Tonight two old codgers (Bob and Jerry) who have just met up again after working at Blaze Aid Charlton together for 5 months came to join us. They are amazing for their age. Jerry is 80 and he spends most of his time volunteering. Bob is a great bloke and we got on very well with him.

Day 9
A day off.
Eugene has more than enough volunteers for today and we are exhausted, so we are taking the day off.
It is amazing how the grey nomads just keep pouring into help. It is very refreshing to see, and gives us a renewed faith in humanity at large. When you hear on the international news of all the terrible things people do to each other, it makes you proud to see the Aussie spirit in operation.
We have cleaned up the van, it was getting pretty messy, and Ray has changed the tyres on the car. We are getting ready to head north at the end of the week......
The afternoon at the beach will be good medicine. We will be having a BBQ on Mission beach tonight with the other volunteers.......
I had to go into Tully to pick up the backpackers and take them out to Mission beach for the BBQ.
......Turned out to be a bit cool and windy but the BBQ was great.

Day 10
Our team today was Lea (a French backpacker), Brenden (a young man who comes from Richmond, Vic. and is up here on business and called in to help just because he could) and us.
We went to help Ron and Val (an elderly couple in the outskirts of Tully on 2 acres). Ron only has one arm. Their property is in pretty good condition but the back perimeter has become overgrown with vines when the fallen trees were not removed and it is really beyond Ron. We made good progress and will return tomorrow to finish off. Val made a beautiful morning tea and lunch.
Ron and Val are very involved with the Lions Club and will be busy with the Tully show this weekend.

Day 11
Ray’s Birthday.
Went back to Val & Ron’s to finish off. They were all excited about their responsibilities with the upcoming Tully Show. We promised to catch up and buy pies and strawberries & cream from them when we visit the show.
Bought five birthday cakes to go around for tea. It was a good Birthday tea party with all the volunteers.