Fraser Island Getaway

It cannot possibly be 3 weeks since Rod and I went away. I think I must live in a time warp.

Fraser Island was a different kind of holiday for us, and I was feeling anxious for weeks leading up to it. We were going somewhere that only proper 4WD cars could go, and borrowing a tray back camper from a friend. Not being experienced 4Wheelers, there was a lot to learn before we went.

Barry took the time to show us the ropes, with the truck itself and the camper, which was custom-built by the man himself. After hours of tuition, we felt ready to tackle a trial run at Rod's place.

It was a total disaster. We got the camper set up and off the truck, but while we were inside of it, congratulating ourselves, the whole thing tipped up and threw Rod right off the bed. I couldn't believe it, we broke Barry's camper!

We spent the remainder of our day gently getting it back upright and I swore I was not going anywhere in it. The camper survived, my nerves were shot. Aren't holidays supposed to be relaxing? Rod promised me we wouldn't have to take the thing off the truck, and I settled for that.

Well, of course we did take it off, and the trip turned out to be a wonderful adventure. Very memorable, right from the dress rehearsal.

We started out with a visit to our friends in Perigian, a couple hours from our destination. They had been busy doing renovations, and we drove straight past their place!

What a luxurious start to our holiday! They do love to entertain, and besides the gourmet food, fine wine and witty reparte, just when we didn't think another bite could fit, out came the fresh local strawberries with CREAM and ICE CREAM. Naughty friends!

We set off Wednesday morning, refreshed from being pampered. We stopped off at Eumundi Markets to get some fresh fruit and veg. If you haven't been to Eumundi on market days (Wed and Sat), do yourself a favour and check it out. It is a dedicated market site, and it is huge!

After a brief stop at Rainbow beach for permits and information about The Island, we were off to Inskip Point to get on the barge.

Ha. We almost didn't get to the island at all. We cruised along the road to the barge and rounded the corner...and stopped dead. Yikes, there was a 300m stretch of deep, soft sand to negotiate! And some guy in a beefy lookin truck, Bogged halfway.

After watching someone else get on the barge, we just followed in their tracks and it was all fine.

That was the real start to our adventure and I finally started to feel better about the whole thing. Plus, the nice man on the barge gave us a good lead on a quiet camping spot, so off we went up the beach.

That one was taken, but I reckon we got the best one on the Island, right next to it. We had the whole area to ourselves, even tho the Island was bulging with fishermen and women.

We got set up easily before dusk and christened the site with a lovely bottle of red.

The first day was very cruisy, got the truck out from under the camper easily and headed up the coast to Indian Head and Waddy Point.

Eli Creek was pretty cool, despite the hundred or so people and the planes and giant tour buses. There is a boardwalk a little way up the creek, and I had a couple of rides down the fast moving, shallow water. It was so pure from being filtered through the sand, I could actually drink it while floating.

Up to Indian Head, which was great for whale watching and photo taking. It was a really nice drive, and we managed to avoid or ignore the large clumps of fishermen and tourists. I'm sure they were all very nice people.

Friday was adventure day. Naively, we set off to explore the inner island.

Well, that truck of Barry's, without it's camper on, feels every bump in the road. And there were lots and lots of bumps, big ones, little ones, long ones and short ones. In fact, I am pretty sure that's what they used to make the roads. Bumps.

We made it in one piece to Lake Garawongera before anyone else came along. A little too early to be warm enough for a complete dunking, but I paddled in paradise for a little bit.

Then we got stuck. Well and truly stuck. Tried everything, ran out of options stuck. Luckily for us, the nice man in a big 4WD came along and yanked us out of the poo. Which he had to do because we were right smack in the way. After that, we had to negotiate all these hairy bits of road at some speed, because going too slowly was how we got stuck. Honestly, there were some bits where I just hung on, closed my eyes and said go go go go go, don't stop, go! And there we were on the other side. Unbelievable. I think Rod closed his eyes too.

All the way on the other side of the Island is Kingfisher Bay, where we stopped for lunch under the casuarina trees. We took a walk to the end of the pier, met some very entertaining drunk fishermen and had a cold beer. Which I needed before getting back in that truck.

About 27 kilometres from anywhere (an hour at least), I was in tears, just wanting to get off this crazy ride.

But we made it back to camp, just before it got dark, very proud of ourselves indeed.

I then refused to get back in to the truck for the rest of the trip.

The next morning, we took a long walk along the beach and went exploring a bit. We had a little time for reading and relaxing, then a short ride to Lake Wabby, which was spectacular. It is a freshwater lake, on the edge of Hammerstone Sandblow (sand dune). The walk from the beach is 2km, half rainforest and half sand dune. The lake is clear and clean and emerald green, surrounded by rainforest, with these giant catfish swimming around. Shortly after we got there, everyone left, so we had the lake to ourselves.

When we got back to camp, we spent a couple hours packin up to go early in the morning, with the tide.

It was a lovely early morning drive back to Hook Point to catch the barge, and then back on to the mainland. We were in Rainbow Beach quite early, walked around town and had a nice breakfast before setting off again.

We had decided to head back to Perigian for another night of luxury, via a 50 km drive along the Cooloola Coast. We spent a bit of time at Freshwater National Park, waiting for the tide. We checked out the camping ground, the day use area and the lake. Had ourselves a nice picnic lunch and a rest in the shade, then off we went onto the beach again. There were lots of camping sites along the beach and some beautiful coloured sand dunes, which we stopped and checked out.

At one point, we came to a BIG yellow sign right on the beach that said, "SLOW DOWN, CHILDREN PLAYING" We thought, that's a bit interesting. Up ahead, there was a bit of a gathering at a narrow part of the beach/road, and it was a breathalyzer! Stopping everyone.

Boy I bet they got a lot of people that way. Fishing all day, having a few (dozen) beers, getting late, back to camp or home or whatever...Doh! Busted. Naughty fisher people.

Anyway, Rod passed with flying colours and we continued on to the ferry across the Noosa River. We soon met up with our friends again for another night of good food, wine, company, accommodation. What a great way to round out our holiday!

Much gratitude to B and V for the loan of the camper, and to Y and A for their gracious hospitality.

Can't wait for the next one!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY at the Hospital!

My gorgeous man just celebrated his birthday! Well, not celebrated in the traditional sense...he actually turned down the planned drinks with workmates and home made lemon merengue pie, because he was busy rushing me off to hospital.

Me? Well, I was busy wandering around with a burst appendix. I reckon a bit more panadol and I just about could have made it for those drinks and pie.

The operation was "nasty" I kept getting told, and they pumped me full of lots and lots of really strong chemicals, and drugs to keep me from getting sick from the chemicals (they did NOT work) and strong drugs for the strong pain.

Rod was a champion, visiting every day, bringing me whatever I asked for in my drugged stupor and keeping everyone informed about my progress.

One week later, and I am washing my brain out to get rid of the horrible HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!! experience of having a burst appendix. The recovery is something I would have refused if death had not been the alternative.

Here is hoping that I will not be setting foot in a hopsital for a long time. I am sorry if you need someone to visit you there, you will need to find someone else for the next little while. I'm busy being traumatized.

The good news is that I am well and truly on the mend. Hopefully next week will be mostly back to normal. Or whatever passes as that.

So, here is what I learned, and I will pass it on for anyone's benefit: If you get a burst appendix, do NOT try to fix that with over-the-counter medicine for period pain. It won't work. You have to go get an operation, okay?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY at the Lighthouse!

In mid-July, Rod and I were guests at a gala affair! A dear friend who turned 70, had a week-long party up at the lighthouse. The old lighthouse-keeper's cottages have been converted to holiday accomodation, and they are spectacular!

Picture this: One week at the most easterly point of Australia, culminating in a Full Moon Party with close friends and family. Invited guests coming and going, staying a day, or two; lots of presents, serenades, accolades and wine! Lots of wine, oh yes. A fitting honour for an amazing woman.

We were lucky enough to stay in the guest room for two nights. For those two nights, we were the most easterly people sleeping on the continent. When we got up on the first morning, at dawn, the full moon was setting over the hills just as the sun rose out of the ocean.

That night, the party was perfect! The moon was full, the guests were full. Good music, fine wine and great company!

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Recent Travels

On our recent trip to Eurimbula Park, near the Town of 1770, we camped in a gorgeous eucalyptus forest, right on the north Queensland Coast. It was warm enough to swim. In mid-winter.







Here is what we call, CAMP HAIR.

We had a great time, as we usually do. We embarked earlier than usual, to beat the city traffic, which we didn't. But the trip THERE was smooth sailing. Not too many arguments, don't think we did any breaking up. Once we got there, we drove around exploring all the campsites and such, I HAD to see them all before agreeing to go check out the Natl Park, which was far superior. But I had this daydream of the perfect camp, with privacy, and a nearby coffee shop and just the right amount of company, like a quick friendly chat on the way to the HOT SHOWERS...but it was pretty busy in Agnes Water and 1770. That campground on the bay was wall to wall 'vans. I'm sure I saw someone's cleaning lady along for the trip...

My Own Blog

I'm sorry.

That was to my boyfriend, who very nicely set me up with a blog, which I had been promising myself I would make. Which I didn't.

So he made one, but it is too complicated and I was too impatient and stubborn and independant, so I've made my own.

Which I probably wouldn't have done if he hadn't taken that first step.

Poor boyfriend.