12 April - Town of 1770

Time to pack up and bid farewell to Hervey Bay. Nick kicked the day off with another run, I got the kids up and started the pack. As per usual WW3 broke out when the packing commenced, with Em and Lachie tearing each other apart over the green truck Christine and Grandad got for Lachie.

We paid one last trip to the beach to race up and down the sand with the truck and look for hermit crabs and starfish. Unfortunately the tide was too far in so no luck. Em has started asking questions about why the tide goes in and out….time to google me thinks.

After picking up our obligatory trailer sticker of Hervey Bay we headed towards 1770. We travelled via Childers, home to the Backpacker fire that killed 15 backpackers back in 2000. We did a brief coffee stop, got a few marshmallows for the kids and kept on going.

A few hours later and hurrah, we are back on the coast at a spot called 1770, with the town of Agnes Waters just down the road. This was the first landing spot of Captain Cook in Queensland in 1770 (surprise), and hence the cool town name. It has been labeled “the new Noosa”, but being a little harder to get to get to.

Our new camp ground is fabulous – compared to that of Hervey Bay. It is a bush setting, about 1km outside 1770, and is quiet. We decided to trial the annex without walls which went well until half way through dinner when it started to bucket rain. Dinner was ditched in the panic of getting the annex walls up and the rain continued….sigh, here’s hoping for a dry night.

Nick spotted and squashed a couple of cane toads so we are well are truly hitting their territory now. Yucks –will have to watch my step at night and remember to always wear havvies!

11 April 2012 - Maryborough

We drove to Maryborough today for a look around. We managed to join the free guided walking tour that leaves the front of the town hall at 9am. The tour was excellent and  Maryborough was much more interesting than either of us expected it to be. During the late 1800's, it was a major immigration port for Australia. The city was also lucky enough to have a great number of benefactors over the years who have contributed to the architecture. We were unaware of the city's connection to Mary Poppins, the author Pamela Travers (P. L Travers) was born there in 1899. Will put Maryborough down as one of the surprise packets of the tour!

In the afternoon we visited Hervey Bay's free water park, established by Wide Bay water to raise awareness of water issues. Not sure too many people who visit care too much about water issues as they are having too much fun on the slides.

10 April - A Look around Hervey Bay

Nick braved a run this morning while I got the kids fed and popped a few kilometers up the coast to meet Rod for breakfast. Christine has wisely opted for a sleep in and some time out. WW3 started soon after I took the kids on the bike track on the esplanade as Em attached Lachie with one serious scrawl (yes, drew blood) as he was singing “Na na na nan a, I’m faster than you…..” as he tried to cruise past her on the bike. Suffice it to say I had enough and retreated to the coffee shop for a large cappuccino.

We all hit the beach for a swim, and then back to the playground for some fun until Christine caught up and then we all headed out to the Marina. We saw plenty of fish, had a walk and then coffees before it was time to bid farewell to Rod and Christine. Em bawled crying – she had had such a great time with them this last week she just didn’t want them to leave. They left and she clung to Daddy crying….aww….there is a first for everything.

We actually managed to get both kids to sleep in the tent for a couple of hours, so I finally finished my resume and managed a walk in peace before Em was up, ready to hit the beach. She was so thrilled to go without Lachie, and even happier to take his truck. Like yesterday we collected heaps of starfish and a few hermit crabs before finding a toad fish in a shallow pool, caught by the receding tide. Em was in fish heaven as we caught him and put him in the truck with the starfish.

Nick and Lachie soon joined us and it didn’t take Lachie long to reclaim his truck. The 2 had a ball swapping the truck for the toad fish – named “Teddy Bear” – as they ran up and down the beach until sunset. They also managed to befriend some people who has a suction gun for pulling yabbies’ out of the sand so we had lots of fun spotting and grabbing these little beasts.

They watched Happy Feet while Nick bbq’d some whiting fillets purchased today. Bliss. And Night #2 of the kids going to bed and not even talking not to mention singing – they were truly shattered. Hurrah!!!!

9 April Hervey Bay - Back in the Tent again

We packed up and after being fed another wonderful breakfast by Christine, we finally go on the road and left Murgon. The kids were sad to bid farewell to Henry the cat and the Rocking Horse – named Sherry Loveheart  - but knowing that we would see Grandad and Christine later in the day cheered them up.

We got to our new campsite incident free, but looks like we are camping beside a tinkers camp.  The tents are nearly on top of one another and it appears there are a few serial smokers and drinkers next door, so it will be interesting to see how we over night.

The kids were back to their old selves fighting like cat and dog while we put the tent up. No bouncing castles here, so suppose it was to be expected. Then straight to the beach – about 20 meter from the tent – to cool off with a swim. The beach was a little seaweedy and water brown, so myself and Nick refrained while the kids went in.

They were in starfish heaven as the beach had “millions” to quote Lachie. There were also hermit crabs, so plenty to keep them entertained and filling their buckets.

Rod and Christine arrived shortly afterwards and while we had intended to go fish at Urangan Pier, it got too late, so we opted for a walk followed by a Chinese feast. Thanks Rod, it was wonderful. Of course the evening could not be complete without Em spilling greasy food on me and Lachie smashing a glass and going bananas…..yes, I think that is largely why we don’t go to restaurants too often these days.

Nick purchased ear plugs and good job for him as the knackers next door, are not only chain smokers and drinkers, they snore too. Sigh!

8 April - An Easter Feast

The long awaited day arrived when the Easter Kangaroo dropped off a few eggs at Murgon (again) and the kids were ready and waiting to go searching soon as they had eaten their breakfasts and allowed out of the house. Anyway, they were both thrilled with what they found and stuffed their faces soon after. Yums, this is what Easter is all about. Interestingly Lachie call it the “Uder kangaroo” and “Uder Eggs” so not sure what is going on there.

After an early trip to the markets in Murgon with Christine and Rosalind, Christine and myself planted some bushes in her garden while Nick helped Rod with a few odds and ends.

Ian and Rosalind left, and Christine rolled out the Easter Feast. We started with prawns and Oysters and a wonderful salad, with some lovely local Verdolho on the side, and went on to a full lamb rack roast feast. I haven’t eaten so much in a long time – Christine, you have spoilt us rotten.

The kids said farewell to the frogs. She got a major shock when she tried to pick up a rather large green frog and it squirted something at her – wee and poo apparently. She now says “frogs are DISGUSTING, I will never touch one again”. Within half an house this had changed to “frogs are DISGUSTING, I will never pick up a large fat green one again”. Hmm…..

5 - 7 April - Murgon with Rod and Christine

Finally the day the kids had awaited with such anticipation arrived. Since we left Smiths Lake all they wanted was to get to Granddad and Christines, and they were so disappointed with our stops at South West Rocks and Byron along the way. Finally we were here!

I hadn't realised until on the road there that Christine had other friends staying over Easter also, otherwise we would have rescheduled, but as it turned out it worked perfectly as we got to stay in the house with Christine and Rod again. We will have to book early for next year at the "guest house".

The kids were absolutely ecstatic to see the rocking horse in the living room. Christine had purchased an amazing wooden horse which was to provide hours of enjoyment, and just a few fights over the coming days. It was named Sherry Loveheart after the horse at the farm. This proved to be only the first in a series of surprises for them. Em got a beautiful new pink princess dress complete with tiara and earrings - she was over the moon, and Lachie got a truck which I think is up there with the best presents ever - he is hooked. Lots more treats followed but these were the favs by far!

Luckily Christines friends did not arrive on the 5th, so we got lots of attention and the kids were thrilled. They love collecting the eggs from the chooks, playing with Tex and Henry, feeding the guinea pigs and the best of all was the cane toad hunt at night where Grandad slayed (with a knife, or life as Lachie calls it) any toads found on the property. We are hoping there are a few green frogs left and they haven't all be scared off by the over enthusiatic kids.

Emily, mentally scared from the tractors rides last year (or lack thereof as Lachie refused to give up the tractor) was first in line this year and thrilled to let Lachie watch her drive about from the ground. He got his shot eventually, and Em was delighted to get to ride the mower with Grandad too. I was totally dissed for him, but should be thrilled with this.

Christines friends Ian and Rosalind arrived the next morning and the feasting continued. After being spoilt with a fabulous roast on night one, we had a delicious bbq on night 2..... Great to be fed like the royalty we are not. Poor Christine didn't get much rest, but hey, we all had a ball.

Nick managed a few runs and a ride or 2, I was a little less enthusiastic and only managed one ride. The scenery around Murgon is just so beautiful at the moment after all the rain, but fine dining did not bide well for keeping fit.

We had a wonderful afternoon at the Dam where we enjoyed a lovely lunch and headed to the Dusty Hill vineyard for a great burger. We were not to relax for long as Lachie fell in the dam while trying to reach some little fish, and I had to jump in after him - waist deep. Not a particularly good look, but I am sure it provided entertainment for those enjoying their lunch or tasting wine. Lachie was a little traumatised and it was a wake up call as to just how quickly these things happen. All ended well, so lessons learnt - though I am not convinced he wont do this again.

We enjoyed seeing the full moon rise and a fine wine at "the guest house" and then returned for a relaxing evening at Rod and Christines. I think by now we have all eaten about as much as we can....but then with Easter on the way, why stop now.

1- 4 April Too Old for Byron Bay

I never thought I would see the day that I felt too old for this beautiful place, but rocking up to a campsite full of dope smoking backpackers pretty much had that effect on us. Having left the mostly tranquil setting of South West Rocks for the backpackers and traffic jams of Byron was quite a shock. We were just glad we were only there for 3 days and getting out before the Blues Festival madness set in at Easter.

We headed to Benongil Beach as soon as our tent was up for a run in the sand before sunset. With shorter days we are desperate to tire the kids out before they get in the tent at night. This pretty much did the job, though dragging them from the beach as it got dark was not so easy.

While our campsite was a dive, the kids were thrilled with the campsite. It had ducks, bush turkeys and roads to ride their bikes - bliss for them.

We took a drive to the lighthouse, but they were not too interested so we left it and I said I would head back for sunrise the next day. With Cape Byron being the most easterly point in Australia, this is recommended as "the place to see the sun rise first". I had planned to take the kids, but they were so shattered we left them behind. The sunrise was good to see, but not the most beautiful I have seen.

Most of our time here was spent on the beaches - Watego to collect perriwinkles, Caseys to swim and Benongil of course for the surf. The currents were very strong and not the best place for the kiddies, and i was somewhat paranoid there having been 2 Indian tourists drowned there the afternoon we arrived. We also managed a swim at the campsite pool - probably the once plus of where we stayed.

Not sure why I feel Byron has lost the magic it once had - perhaps we have just outgrown it, or seen too many more beautiful spots on our travels of late.