Calliope River and Boyendale Bush Camp July 24

As we have never had a caravan before we have lots of things to learn. There is a whole way of doing things just like boating and we are learning along the way. Lloyd seems to have got the backing pretty well sorted but he tells me my signals need some work. I  need to move my whole arm for the backing action instead of just my hand evidently it's not clear enough through the mirror which is far enough, so I have plenty to work on!
We travelled a few hundred kms to a riverside camp at Calliope for the night . There were heaps of vans and motor homes again it was not far from the main highway.Some head out pretty early in the morning and others stay around having a leisurely chat.

Lloyd fishing for red claw (they are like fresh water cray)

Our new purchase was a Jamie Oliver charcoal Bbq from the op shop, brand new for $20. This time it has a black lid and legs that come off.However Lloyd had to do a few alterations as it did not work as well as the Canadian version, it needed more holes for air.

Look everyone ,no crocs!!

Our new purchase RD2 Mark 3 Version

We left Calliope River and went inland about 26kms to Boyendale Bush camp. It is beside Lake Aoowanga and is run by the Gladstone water catchment. You can stay free for 7 nights and we managed to find a prime spot right by the lake. We decided to stay here at least 2 nights, the weather was great and it would be good to chill out after the busy few weeks we have had. It didn't take long to meet our friendly neighbours and we enjoyed a camp fire with them and others later in the evening. 

The Lake is known for its red claw which are abundant in the summer and we had bought a net to try and catch some. However this proved to be a non event but our neighbour was luckier and we did sample some. They taste a bit like Moreton Bugs.I had to have a paddle in the Lake which was actually quite cool, no one was swimming even the kids which said something. We really enjoyed our stay there and we meeting new people like Mike and Chris and learning heaps about the Aussie way of caravanning and camping.

Preparing for the Trip and Maryborough

After picking up the van quite late from the Gold Coast we ended up staying in a caravan park right in Surfers at Main Beach. It was very dark and Lloyd had to back into the only site they had left. he did very well. The next day we had to register the van and so we headed to my cousins wayne and Sandra as they had informed us that mail had arrived and we guessed it was our Queensland driver licenses.
While at Waynes, he kindly took us to the local stores to buy things we needed and then Lloyd decided to change the gas bottles. The van had 2 small 4.5kgs and we knew that we needed 9kgs so Wayne leant Lloyd the gear and helped changed the brackets which were welded on.We stayed the night in Wayne and Sandras drive way and then completed the job and got away the next morning. We are very grateful for their help.
Our mission was to head north and we drove as far as we could by about 5pm. In Queensland there are many roadside rest areas were you can stay only 20 hours. They are next to the main Bruce Highway often and some even have showers and water available.
The next day we visited Maryborough which is a lovely little town. There was a market on with music and we managed to buy things like spices and fresh veges.
We were driving looking to empty our toilet tank and came upon the airfield which had a dump station. While there a lady informed us we could stay the night and use the hot showers so that seemed pretty good.                                    

Statue of Mary Poppins

Of course Maryborough is now know as the place where PL Travers the author of Mary Poppins was born and the family left going to the town of Allora where her father died. This has all come out in the film Saving Mr Banks and there is a museum with a lot of information about her. What I didn't know was her real name and where she had lived in Australia only came to light in 1995. She left Australia in 1924 and never returned, writing Mary pippins in 1933 and living in London until her death in 1996 at 96 years old. Its an interesting story and news cutting in the museum tell how much she hated the Disney version of her book.

Market Day in Maryborough

Brisbane and Van Buying

We stayed in Brisbane on Braedyn and Krishas last night at the Capitol Apartments. They were centrally located and really large.
The next morning we took them to the airport for there flight to Thailand were they had 3 weeks before flying to Dubai to see one of Braedyns school mates and then London.In Thailand they had a dive course and a boat course of 5 days booked so would be kept busy. Lloyd and I tried to be strong while at the airport but a few tears were shed as it could be some time before we see them again

Saying goodbye at Brisbane Airport

Our mission now was to decide on a caravan, we had seen quite a few  but not the right one for our budget. Once again we poured over the net and looked at 4 in one day. We finally found the one and arranged to pick it up after it had a gas cert and road worthy done. We bought a 20ft 2004 Roadstar Grange. It has independent suspension which is required and 2 solar panels with a awning and even a built in Baby Webber bbq.The layout was what we both liked too with the shower toilet in the middle of the van. It also has a nice timber finish on the walls which is not surprising after our boat and house.It also has large windows with a L shaped diner area,even a TV which we probably won't use much. We are pretty pleased with it and with a few Lloyd mod cons it will suit us very well.

Sunshine Coast Cont'd

We enjoyed a lazy day on Sunday and undertook a road trip up to Bunderberg to look at some caravans on Monday.
It actually was a 3hr trip each way and so Braedyn drove home, the caravans weren't much but we had a visit to the Bunderberg factory.
You will be surprised to know that it was not the rum factory  but  Bunderberg Ginger beer and they now make so many fruit drinks as well. However it was only the tasting that was worthwhile!!
Tuesday was the actual day of Lloyds birthday and Braedyn and Krish decorated the apartment for Lloyd when got up.We had some Minmosas for breakfast

Hiking at the Noosa National Park

Guess how old he was!!!

We headed out to the Noosa National Park for a hike. It was about an hour away and we hiked for about 2 hours on a path that followed the coastline.It was nice and warm and we spent time looking for koalas and snakes which we didn't find. That night we had dinner out at a restaurant called Yabbis which we had researched. Lloyd had fillet steak and seafood and the rest of us had Moreten Bay Bugs which were cooked wonderfully. During our meal Krisha noticed a sign saying that you could dine for free on your birthday so Lloyds meal was complimentary which was a bonus. The deserts were yummy, Lloyd had his favourite Sticky date pudding. So the 2nd birthday celebration was great too!

Sunshine Coast

Saturday saw us drive up to the Sunshine Coast after Lloyd and I went to a huge garage sale up the road at the local school. We managed to buy quite a few things for our van even though we hadn't  purchased one yet.
Our apartment was at the Rolling Surf Apartments, Kings Beach, Caloundra and we arrived late afternoon after stocking up on supplies needed.

View from the apartment at sunset

We were pretty happy with the apartment as it was plenty large enough and had 2 bathrooms,bedrooms and a spa bath which actually opened into the lounge!

Braedyn and Krisha in the Spa bath

Looking out from our deck

Hello Australia-Brisbane July 7 2014

On our arrival in Brisbane we collected our hire car and used our new Tom Tom GPS to locate our Airbnb accommodation which we had booked until Saturday. It was in Alderley which is quite central so we could go off looking at Landcrusiers and caravans.
It was a lovely clear night and not too cold, especially after Aucklands weather.
We had already sorted some cars to look at, so on Tuesday morning we rang a few to organise viewings.They all were down towards Gold Coast and after looking at 3 we knew we had found the one. We did take a day to finally decide as you felt like you needed to thoroughly check out as many as possible but both of us felt that we had made the right choice.
It was from a Toyota dealer and came with a years Australia wide warranty so that helped. Its a one owner 2001 and is a diesel 4.2 ltr which Lloyd wanted not petrol. Lloyd was a bit sorry that it did not have big bull bars or a snorkel and CB aerial but at least it had a roof rack and maybe when we sell it people will not know it has been in the outback and around Australia!!!!!!        
 Now we also had a car to fit Braedyn and Krisha too as we had all our stuff and they had their luggage they were taking to London. We did have a bit off a problem trying to register the car and luckily my cousin Wayne who has lived in Brisbane for many years came to our rescue and allowed us to use his address. You must have not only a Queensland address but have papers signed by the resident of the address you use to say the car is garaged there. In the end it was also easier to get a Queensland drivers license which we did.

Our Toyota Landcrusier

We spent the next few days looking at heaps of caravans before picking up Braedyn and Krisha who flew up from Melbourne to spend 5 days with us for Lloyds birthday.The owner of our studio flat which only slept 2 leant us a air bed for Braedyn and Krisha to stay so they did not have to arrange accommodation and we could stay together which was nice of her. We had a great night in town on the Southbank with a nice dinner catching up on all the news.

     

Turkish dinner at the Southbank Brisbane

NZ and Lloyds 60th Birthday

We arrived in Auckland to a lovely sunny day and appreciated Raewyn meeting us at 6am on a Sunday morning. Thats sisterly love for you!
Our week was very busy with accountant, lawyers, doctors and so on.
We loved catching up with our friends and family and sharing our travel stories.
On major event was Lloyds 60th birthday celebration. This was the NZ one as we would be in Brisbane on his actual birthday and wanted to share the occasion with our NZ friends and family.
He had a wonderful night at Delicious, with drinks first at Malt Bar. It was great to see everyone.Thanks to Raewyn for the yummy cake too.

We also had the lucky timing of being able to attend my Uncle Harry and Aunty Gladys 65th wedding anniversary on Sunday. Again it was lovely to catch up with family and be there for the celebration.

So Monday 7th July saw us off to sunny Brisbane with repacked bags and ready for the next part of our adventure.We hoped to find a Toyota Landcruiser and caravan before meeting up with Braedyn and Krisha who were flying up from Melbourne to join us.So we would be very busy.
Goodbye NZ until next year!!

Birthday boy

Grouse Mountain

We got going early on Thursday morning and travelled into the city and got the bus to Grouse Mountain. Again its on the north side of the city and is only about 20 mins from town over the Lions Gate bridge which we had sailed under on the boat.
The mountain has many things to see, You get up there on a cable car or you can walk. Its pretty steep!!They call it the Grouse grind.                            
The part we most enjoyed was the bird of prey show which was well done. We also went up to the
very top on a ski lift,lucky it was a clear day so it was such  great views.
When we came down we had just missed the bus which left on the hour so rather than wait another whole hour we caught a local bus to Lonsdale Markets. They were very similar to the Granville markets and Queen Vic in Melbourne. What was cool though was getting the sea bus ferry back over the harbour to get the train home.

The wonderful view from the top

We did get up on our last day,Friday to pouring rain, so decided to laze around before heading to the airport.We had enjoyed our Canadian travels hugely. The scenery we have posted is only a small sample of what we saw, it is majestic on a large scale. And more important are the wonderful Canadian people we met. Some who I know we will stay in contact with. Even the local people in the street were always helpful and everyone was keen to hear about NZ.We were very pleased with our timing as in the last 2 days places were very busy with tourists and we did love having not to be with the crowds.                Thank you Canada!!! Maybe one day we will be back

The Eared owl, the only owl that hunts in the day.

BACK ONLINE !!!!!!

Well, we have been really busy getting things sorted but it is not good that I did not finish the Canadian journey. So I will cover the last few days in Vancouver first.

We had 3 days in Vancouver city after finishing the cruise. We stayed in a different part of town called Commercial Drive which is the area with many ethnic restaurants and shops. Its only a quick train trip into the city which we did on Wednesday afternoon.
We caught the free bus over to Capilano Suspension Bridge which is on the north part of the city. It has not only the bridge but a tree walk about 15meters  high and also a cliff walk among such beautiful huge trees.

Cliff Walk

We also enjoyed a lovely meal out. We went to this great Mexican place which did  modern twist Mexican food. We sat at the chefs table part of place and met these 2 lovely Canadian sisters.
We chatted all night mainly about travelling and
thoroughly enjoyed the food and the company.
The airbnb was a little average compared to the
previous 2 places. We have to remember not
to chose basement places as you do hear the noise from above which we are not used to. But all good for the price of $60 per night.

Lloyd enjoying rocking the bridge