Wednesday 20 July 2011

Rainbow beach to Bundaberg

The trip to Bundaberg was not all fun as the Army had a convoy ahead of us that was travelling slower than the majority of the traffic but not letting the faster traffic make use of the few passing opportunities presented on the Bruce Highway. Fortunately by about half way through the convoy and well past my point of tolerance for thoughtless drivers we were able to take a secondary road for the last 50k into town. Still we are this far north after leaving home in early May – the couple next to us made it from Melbourne in three and a half days....

Bundaberg was promising rain and our first choice caravan park was full so we had to settle for one with ensuites for all sites. It was near the Sugar Mill and Distillery but far enough away not to catch the smell from those two important industries. We put up the annex and spent most of the time housekeeping and recovering from the coughing jags. After sleeping sitting up for a couple of nights I had to walk some fluid off the ankles.
A small visitor welcomed Jim one evening at the ensuite doorway
We took a trip out to the beach at Bagara and then down to Elliot Heads which we enjoyed more than Bagara . The beaches there reminded Anne of some of the beaches in New Zealand - all dark rock no sand. We used the local RSL courtesy bus and had an evening out. The driver gaves us a commentary on various things, burning off sugar cane, cane smut, etc.  Dinner and the free raffle, was entertaining enough without the bonus of winning a slab of my favourite soft drink.
Bargara in a choppy mood

This part of the coast forms part of the Great Sandy Marine Park

Elliott Heads on a blustery cloudy afternoon
The next leg of our journey north called for some careful coordination as Elaine and Bruce were coming south with Josh and Jess.  They had been to the Cape and had even managed to get themselves on Sunrise which was seen by a surprising number of friends and family.


what their mother calls 'shameless advertising' by the next generation of O'Connor-Aitchisons
7 July 2011

It took only three calls between the grandmothers to ensure that we met in Mount Larcom for a sit down meal of ‘home-cooked’ pies and coffee/soft drinks from Big Mama's home cooked pies. Elaine’s skills in tour timing are superb. They had come south from Sarina about 375k while we had come north about 215k and we were less than five minutes ahead of them at the meeting point. It was a very enjoyable visit for all of us – let alone the exchange of tips and gossip.

Mt Larcom Cafe and Collectables the home of Big Mama's pies home cooked by two little old ladies on the premises!

After leaving the rest of the family we continued north to Rockhampton where we are booked in for a week from 16 July.

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