Day 84 – Thursday 18 August – Yeppoon
The last day of our 12th week provided the best weather of our stay so far in Yeppoon. Although the forecast top was only 22 the lack of any cool breeze made for great holiday weather.
We celebrated with a walk on our fifth Yeppoon beach (this holiday) - this time it was the southern section of Farnborough Beach - which is around 17 km long.
Before we took the path to the beach we were warned of local snakes being active. This time they were active somewhere else.
As we stepped on the beach we were treated to a flock of red tailed black cockatoos - who were enjoying the nuts on a beach-side tree, or two. They are beautiful birds, and I never tire of trying to get a good photo.
On the second photo note the white spots on its head.
After our energetic start to the day we stopped at a beachside café and enjoyed their fare - Shirley with a cappuccino and me with a superb chocolate milkshake.
Just before 4:30 we wandered up to the camp kitchen to enjoy 90 minutes of music from Jo King. Jo sang a wide variety of songs with multiple selections from Tracy Chapman and John Denver and others. She finished with a fine version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah.
Apparently Jo has a mother called Fay and a brother called Leigh - all with the same surname. Say each of those names and think about it.
Day 85 – Friday 19 August – Yeppoon
We had a rude awakening when the smoke alarm went off, while I was still in bed and Shirley had just put two feet on the floor. It was suggested that Shirley's speed generated so much heat that the alarm went off.
However we rejected that suggestion and tossed the alarm into the bin.
The morning somehow disappeared and it was time for lunch at the Keppel Bay Marina - for the four of us. It was a superb lunch. Shirley had Chiang Mai Curry and I had Vegetarian Malaysian Vegetable Laksa Curry. We did not need dessert.
After lunch we went to Bunnings and bought a new smoke alarm - then went home and installed it. It is so flash it has a 'Hush' button. Shirley wished she had one to install on me.
Just after 5pm I drove one km to the 'Causeway', a bridge over the joining of the waters of Mulambin Creek and the ocean. The bridge is also a weir wall that ensures that the Mulambin Creek forms an inland lake. I took the following photo of Mulambin Creek from under the Causeway bridge a few minutes before sunset, at 5:32 pm. Local 'burning off' caused the haze in the photo.
By the time I had returned to camp Darryl had made the mixture for dinner - pancakes - with banana, ice-cream and maple syrup. We did not need anything more substantial after our great lunch.
Day 86 – Saturday 20 August – Yeppoon
It was another magnificent start to the day. Full sun, no cloud, no wind. It was wasted on Shirley as she slept on. The washing was on the line at 7:30 am and I resisted the temptation to head for the beach, as breakfast beckoned.
Birds were chirping, kids were making noise, and Land Cruiser owners were out wiping the dew of their limousines. Bull bars would be polished as it was Saturday.
After morning coffee the beach called, so we headed around 5 km north of Yeppoon to the middle section of Farnborough Beach - our 6th different beach in and around Yeppoon. Sun, sand and surf - magic.
Shirley found a seat and stopped while I took a photo. Yes, her feet are a foot off the sand.
Around 3:45 I lit the hooded BBQ and at 4pm the roast pork started cooking. Around 6pm the four of us sat down to a feast. It was pretty good.
Day 87 – Sunday 21 August – Yeppoon
I was awake at the right time to get to Kemp Beach for a sunrise photo. Although the sun was above the horizon it was hidden by a small island. A lone walker appeared at the right time. A few minutes later the sun appeared.
We had a cooked breakfast outside and then drove the 11 km to the Emu Park monthly market. It was not overly impressive and our only purchase was some lemons.
The rest of the day was rest and relaxation, before Happy Hour and a couple of lamb-burgers for dinner.
Day 88 – Monday 22 August – Yeppoon
The sun came through a few clouds at sunrise (I could see through the window), but by the time I headed for a shower at 8am it was raining. By the time I had showered and dressed it was sunny.
By the time we had finished breakfast the sun had disappeared - again........
Walking was off the agenda so we drifted in to town and bought a new pack of mozzie coils - a product that has been needed of late.
After lunch I made a batch of pumpkin scones. However they did not last long enough to take a photo.
There was time for some relaxation before I headed off to Keppel Bay Marina for a sunset photo. It has not been a good trip for sunrise/sunset photos but I enjoy trying. The land mass in the photo below is the Yeppoon township.
Shirley conjured up some left over roast pork for dinner. Yum.
Day 89 – Tuesday 23 August – Yeppoon
No wind and clear skies - the perfect start to the day.
After morning coffee we headed to Emu Park. Shirley had a stroll on the beach while the local (female) Barber made my golden locks look suitable for the upcoming wedding. During the process she advised me that the local beach was recently visited by a crocodile.
I soon joined Shirley on that same beach. Before I could tell her about the croc she showed me a local snake. It was not very active, but seemed to be alive.
We chose the local bakery for our lunch and we both selected a "Ned Kelly" pie - which seems to be popular in Queensland. It contained chunky beef, bacon, egg, tomato, onions & potato. It was superb. We ate it while overlooking the beach in the photo above.
We admired some of the local (emu) art work near where we ate our lunch.
We relaxed for a while, had a Happy Hour, then headed inside for dinner.
Day 90 – Wednesday 24 August – Yeppoon
Strong winds were forecast and they arrived overnight, and continued throughout the day - with a few periods of respite.
We chose a walk along the beachfront promenade in Yeppoon and what a pleasant place it is to stroll though - and a great place in which the young can play.
Happy Hour came and went, as did a couple of lamb steaks.
Day 91 – Thursday 25 August – Yeppoon
It was our coolest night in Yeppoon and many heaters were on around the caravan park - including ours.
We had a casual drive into Rockhampton to pick up our daughter Amanda at the airport. Amanda is staying with a school-days mate who lives a mere 5 km from our caravan park (shorter if you can fly).
The three of us had lunch at the caravan park before a walk on our local beach.
Around mid afternoon I dropped Amanda at her mate's house.
For dinner we had a meal that significantly reduced the food in our freezer - a necessary action as we need to turn the fridge off for a week on Sunday. The last of the following formed part of dinner - sausages, onion, potato, pumpkin, capsicum and peas. We also had carrot.
Day 92 – Friday 26 August – Yeppoon
The start of our 14th week started chilly, but just got better and better. Two loads of washing were on the line by 8:15 - despite the first wash not getting a 'spin' cycle. However the entire lot was nearly dry by lunch time.
Lunch was at the Keppel Bay Marina restaurant "Waterline". In attendance were Kay & Darryl & their daughter, Sara, plus team Kelly consisting of Shirley, myself, our daughter Amanda and her mate, Carly. It was so enjoyable that I forget to get a photo. It is a lovely spot that serves great food.
The afternoon was lazy. Happy Hour preceded a snack dinner.
Day 93 – Saturday 27 August – Yeppoon
The overnight wind was so strong and loud that I thought it was raining. I got up to check outside and found that all was Ok - and no rain. I resisted the temptation to head to the beach for an early sunrise photo. Bed was more alluring.
In a further effort to reduce the food in the fridge we had bacon and eggs for breakfast. That was a good start to the day. Neither of us were motivated to do anything, so we didn't - for a while.
The strong wind continued all day and so did our lack of motivation. Some organisation for our trip next week happened in bits and pieces, as did some shopping.
It was a quiet evening.
Day 94 – Sunday 28 August – Yeppoon
The wind continued overnight, but eased into the morning. I went for a drive and took a photo of our local Mulambin beach - from beside the road from Yeppoon - looking south.
The main two activities for the day were getting the caravan ready for 7 days of storage - with the fridge off - and getting the car ready for a 1200 km road trip to Port Douglas. Wedding gear was folded and packed neatly and double checked. Space was made for the coffee machine + several boxes of pods.
The Engel fridge in the car was loaded with the necessary liquid and solid food stuffs - for the 3 day road trip and beyond.
The biggest single task of the day was cleaning the top of the awning. Twenty one days of bird and palm fruit residue made it a necessary and painful job.
We pick up Amanda around 9:30 tomorrow and head north. It will be interesting to have an eager relief driver - or will it?
Late afternoon clouds encouraged me to go for a drive and seek a sunset photo. The following is what I saw.
We relaxed in preparation for an interesting and busy week ahead of us.
This chapter is Complete.
Last updated at 3:20 pm on Sunday 28 August.
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Something funny is going on here. I didn't realise Queensland was a day ahead. Scones look scrumptious and very well cooked. Nice brown tops. Enjoy! Cheers Jan and Stuart.
ReplyDeleteI can assure you Jan that Queensland is not a day ahead. I am not sure what gave you that impression. Chris
ReplyDeleteOn Wednesday night when we moved to chapter 10 the date and time was 24 hours in advance.
ReplyDelete