Back to the big smoke

Time to get back into the 'big smoke' and was not long before we were travelling down the Bruce Highway with plenty of traffic and trucks.  Intended to have lunch at Eumundi however forgot it was Market Day so had to drive through car park in order to head back onto Bruce Highway.  Plan B was to stop for lunch at Forrest Glen as we have previously had a nice lunch at the Cafe and knew we could park the van across the road in the bush.  It was a while since we last called in and were shocked to see all the vacant land now being developed into housing estates.  Could not find anywhere to park so decided to continue on a narrow busy road looking for somewhere to pull off .  Kept going until we came to Buderim where we found a park big enough for the van and had much needed coffee and lunch. Drove to our friends Terry and Joan home where I backed van into their drive and maneuvered into a snug area in between house gutters and fence!!  

Only a few km's on the Bruce Hwy and the traffic was stationary!

 Had a great catch up for a couple of nights and met with a Builder to discuss house plans.  Headed off into traffic again however came to a stand still approx 20km down the Bruce Highway where we stayed for approx 45min.  A car towing a caravan had rolled and was blocking both lanes and listening to the UHF radio, the truckies were not impressed!!  Eventually pulled into Todd & Tenelle's home at Tugun where we parked and levelled the van right outside their gate.  Briony came over and we had a wonderful family gathering.  The next day Briony took us to Pasture and Co Cafe at Currumbin Valley for coffee, which was a great spot.  Went for a swim with Todd and Tenelle before heading off to Kirra Beach where we booked in for 5 nights.  

Parked for a few nights in front of Todd and Tenelle's

On arrival the site we were allocated had a big bus parked on it, so were allocated another site which had big tree roots which we could not park on.  We chose another spot and started to set up when neighbour asked Helen why we parked next to him when there were other sites!!!  By this time Helen was not a happy vegemite -  however after a couple of days the neighbour's wife came to apologize for her husband's tone, explaining he wondered why the office had directed us to the site when there were other empty ones around the park.  Whilst at Kirra we drove to Jimboomba for a look at a couple of display homes at Greenbank however the more we look at the more confused we become.  Had lunch at Canungra then drove around their Canungra Rise estate looking at larger blocks.  Way too steep for us and good to have a look so we can cross off our list!  I had been enjoying riding the bike early morning however one morning the bike was missing.  Probably the first time I did not lock it to the caravan wheel and someone came and helped themselves while were sleeping.  Even had the chairs stacked in front of the bike but believe people wander around the parks and grab whatever they can.  Reported to Police, our son put message on social media and I kept an eye on Gumtree and visited Cash Converters.  Was just saying to Helen that the bike was getting a bit rusty and had had a hard life being stuck on the car and out in the elements most of the time.  Instead of riding I went walking and saw people riding their bikes - Helen said I came home grumpy.  Went out to get fuel and called into a couple of bike shops however both had sold out of the hybrid bikes I would have liked (people were buying during COVID) and were waiting on new stock.  Just happened to call into one more shop and there was a Merida 21 Crossway Hybrid Bike, which is what I was looking for.  Sent Helen a photo asking what she thought - she knew full well I was buying it!!  Was able to go to Todd's home to watch Bathurst on the big screen - great race this year as was a sprint to the end and great result with Holden winning.  Had a long day driving up to the Sunny Coast - stopped for great coffee at Nicky's Cafe, Little Mountain.  Viewed a GJ Gardner display home at Palmview before heading back down the M1 before peak hour.  I attended Santa Training for a day at Mermaid Waters before we packed up and drove to Ballina where we stayed 2 nights free thanks to New Age for a photo I had taken and submitted for a competition.  Ballina Big 4, Skinnershead Road is a nice Caravan Park and once again we were busy visiting display homes.  I had a great bike ride to Lennox Heads on the bike path - glad I had the new bike as had to negotiate quite a steep hill. Had a drive to Bangalow where Helen purchased another 'hippy mat' for the van, visited the Op Shop before driving back to Ballina and cruised down the very busy main street before stopping for a great lunch at Salvatore Cafe in the Shopping Centre. 

The new bike, firmly secured to the caravan!!

Sorry, not sorry for the bike spam.

Found a great bike track along the coast from Lennon Head to Ballina

Boulder Beach

Pat Morton Lookout with Lennox Head in the distance

Skennars Beach

Leaving the Top End

Morning stop King River rest area

We left the Top End on 23rd September when the humidity had returned.  Called into Emerald Springs Roadhouse for coffee - they were just starting to have a few customers after the border re-opened.  Unfortunately due to the lateness of this opening, and the uncertainty of COVID,  a lot of southerners decided to stay at home this year. Outside temperature travelling today was 48 degrees so drove to Highway Inn Daly Waters where we stayed the night - van temperature when we stopped at 4.20pm was 40 degrees!  Had a cool drink at the pub where we met up with another couple who were just starting their adventure and had been on the road 3 months. Next morning was a bit cooler however wind was quite strong.  Called into Renner Springs for morning tea - lot more people around than when we were here in April.  Nice to see a lot more vans on the road so owners of these Roadhouses will once again have some money coming in.  Had lunch at Tennant Creek at the Top of Town Café which supplied us with food while we were in Quarantine.  Had a quick chat with Nic before heading off into a head wind across the Barkly Highway, staying the night at the Barkly Homestead.

Heading back east across the Barkly Hwy

As we approached the NT/Qld border
we had to pass back through the check point into Qld,
with the appropriate border passes.
No quarantine this time!!

This sign welcomed us back into Qld at Camooweal Road house.

More traffic on the roads now as heading across Qld
into the mining areas you come across the occasional wide load.

Had an early start and stopped for morning tea at Soudan Bore (130kms west of Qld border) before crossing the NT/Qld Border and having no hassles with Border Passes (I had them downloaded on Tablet).  Police were happy with this and after a bit of a chat we were on our way, stopping for lunch at Monument (100kms west of Mt Isa).  Continued on to Cloncurry where we stayed the night at Oasis Caravan Park which was the same one we stayed on our way up to Darwin.  Once again there were a lot more people in the Park.  Next day we had to contend with a strong head wind, stopping for morning tea in McKinlay. The countryside is so dry particularly on the stretch between McKinlay and Winton and the road is so bumpy.  Approx. 50km before Winton I noticed the outdoor shower door flapping in the wind, the lock had broken away from the plastic, so pulled over and taped it up with 100 mile an hour tape.  Drove on further and found a shady spot to stop and when checking out the inside of the van the clock on the wall (we have had for years), was on the floor!  It had put a small dent in the cupboard and on the floor - something always happens to us when nearing Winton!!  Travelled to Ilfracome where we stayed the night - weather had cooled down and we were looking for our track pants!  Once again this park was nearly full - great to see people out and about again,

Started our journey in jumpers as weather had cooled considerably.  Noticed heaps of kangaroo road kill for quite a few kilometers. Morning tea was at Jericho and by then we had lovely blue sky and sun shining, around 25 degrees.  Stopped for lunch at Aneke Road Stop/Info area, approx 43kms west of Emerald, before driving onto Emerald where we pulled into Emerald Cabin and Caravan Park.  The Receptionist was quite grumpy and we were put out the back which was not the best site however would be OK for 2 nights.  When looking around the Park we had a good site as no one was near us however the front sites were packed in like sardines and the drive through sites were equally very close. Nice to have a rest day and was able to catch up on washing, shopping and resting up.

Moving on we travelling on another undulating road stopping at Blackwater for morning tea and having the caravan door handle snap off ! Think the van is getting very weary and wants a rest!  Experienced a couple of Wide Loads travelling west accompanied by 2 Police cars so we pulled off the road until they passed. Called into Aldi at Duaringa and Helen had a smile as apparently I was like a little kid looking at the centre isle 'goodies' as we had not seen Aldi for over 5 months!  Stopped at RTM and bought a handle, called into Spotlight for a new clock and drove to Ally and Buck's property near Yepoon where we stayed for 3 nights. 

We have put a holding deposit on an acre block of land at Gulmarrad NSW (near Yamba) so planned to call into some display homes along the coast as we make our way south, the first being at Yepoon.  After a couple of days rest we travelled to Gin Gin, where we stayed a couple of nights with Greg and Deb on their property about 20 kms west.  Had a great catch up at happy hour around the camp fire and enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the bushland. Went to leave but battery was flat so had to use my Jump Start kit which worked a treat.  Had a stop at Childers Peanut Van and purchased a couple bags of peanuts then drove onto Harvey Bay, where we stayed with friends on their property at Susan River for 3 nights.  Once again we had great catch ups with people and also visited a couple of Display Homes in Hervey Bay.  

Childers Peanut Van

Camped at Greg & Debs

Fire pit when needed for happy hour