After 8 1/2 hours driving we arrived at Beechworth, it was soooooo cold it felt like snow. So off to the op shop to buy some winter woolies. Had a great night catching up with Jackie.
We arranged an appointment at the local GP to get a referral for Mark for treatment at Wangaratta. We obtained the referral but to no avail, as it could have taken nearly three weeks before Mark could have treatment at Wang. So yet another phone call to Frankston, they got him in for an appointment for the following Tuesday.
So home we go. Dropped the hire car at Wangaratta on the Saturday morning, Fran came and picked us up. After picking up Danielle we went out to Mum's for a BBQ lunch. Tara and Justin came up to Mum's on the Friday night, so after lunch Mark & I came home with Tara & Justin. We arrived back on the Peninsula on Saturday 13th October, cold and homeless.
Outcome of the holiday to following; including total kilometres driven, total time away, update of the bus, getting the house back, catching up with family and friends etc.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Thank god for the RACV
Wednesday 9th October, we left Coffs Harbour at lunchtime, after making the decision to head to Victoria. After four & a half hours of driving, we were cruising up a hill on the Pacific Highway, halfway between Taree & Newcastle, Mark was changing down from 5th gear to 4th. Yes, the bus got stuck in neutral. Not a good feeling sitting on the edge of the highway with no gears, the semi's flying past only inches away and we knew we weren't going to get very far.
Yes, another call to the RACV.
Yes, another call to the RACV.
Broken down on the Pacific Highway, near Bulahdelah
Here we go again.
The RACV and the NRMA were fantastic. The RACV arranged two nights accommodation at a motel in Bulahdelah.
As the NRMA mechanic couldn't get us going on the side of the road, a tow truck was called and the bus was towed into the nearest town, Bulahdelah. The mechanic where the bus was taken couldn't fix the bus for at least 5 days and we needed to get back to Vic, so the RACV then arranged a chauffeur driven Fairlane to pick us up and drive us 70km's back up north to Forster to pick up a hire car. A total recovery was then arranged for the bus and trailer, which involved both being pick up and taken back to Mum & John's, for John to repair.
The alarm was set very very early on the Thursday morning, so we could head off before 5am, did I just type 5am. Yes, earliest time we have been up on the whole trip, but we wanted to get an early start as we were aiming at reach Beechworth.
Thank god for the RACV and Total Care.
Gympie - Coffs Harbour
2nd October - 9th October 2012
We left Inskip Point and headed into Gympie for Mark to have his blood test, then out the a free camp north of Gympie as Mark had an early appointment the next day.
After treatment we headed across to Somerset Dam, before driving south past all the theme parks and into NSW, moving onto Mullumbimby, near Byron Bay. The weather is starting to get colder, not nice after all the warm weather we have had.
Our next stop was Evans Head, a very nice small seaside town. The caravan park fronts onto a surf beach and also runs along side a river, which had sandy beaches. Evans Head was very busy due to the end of school holidays. We jumped on the bikes and went for a ride around town and off to the fish co op for more seafood.
We left Inskip Point and headed into Gympie for Mark to have his blood test, then out the a free camp north of Gympie as Mark had an early appointment the next day.
After treatment we headed across to Somerset Dam, before driving south past all the theme parks and into NSW, moving onto Mullumbimby, near Byron Bay. The weather is starting to get colder, not nice after all the warm weather we have had.
Somerset Dam
Artwork heading through the Gold Coast
Beside ourselves
Our next stop was Evans Head, a very nice small seaside town. The caravan park fronts onto a surf beach and also runs along side a river, which had sandy beaches. Evans Head was very busy due to the end of school holidays. We jumped on the bikes and went for a ride around town and off to the fish co op for more seafood.
Evans Beach surf beach
The river
We stopped over a night near Grafton and stayed at a Caravan Park and Ski Park, there was Malibu's everywhere, a waterskier's paradise. Every vehicle that goes into the Ski park has their own pin for the boom gate, for security due to the money's worth of the boats, vehicles etc.
The bridge at Grafton
Emerald Beach
We moved onto Emerald Beach for a couple of nights, still trying to arrange Mark's treatment in NSW.
On Tuesday 9th at lunchtime, we were finally notified that the oncologist in Queensland wouldn't
refer Mark onto NSW. Mark should have had his treatment the following day, so we both made the decision to head for Victoria and try to arrange treatment at Wangaratta.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Inskip Point
26th September - 2nd October 2012
We spent the week out at Inskip point with Sue, Gavin & Mitchell. Danielle, Ben, Annabell, Kirsty, Simon, Blake, Conner came out and camped with us and Kegan popped in for a couple of visits. Got the boat in and caught some whiting, sand crabs and Mitchell got himself a large hermit crab.
We spent the week out at Inskip point with Sue, Gavin & Mitchell. Danielle, Ben, Annabell, Kirsty, Simon, Blake, Conner came out and camped with us and Kegan popped in for a couple of visits. Got the boat in and caught some whiting, sand crabs and Mitchell got himself a large hermit crab.
Our entertainment one day, as Mick pulled in with his bus and it just sunk into the sand. We had our fingers crossed that we weren't going to end up in the same situation when we were leaving. Lucky we got out with no issues.
The tinny sitting high & dry.
Gavin, Sue & Mitchell
Me at Rainbow Beach
The coloured sands
One of the crabs caught.
Our camp spot
Biggenden - Gympie
23rd - 26th September 2012
On Sunday 23rd September we arrived back at Biggenden to catch up with Fay & Stan.
On Sunday 23rd September we arrived back at Biggenden to catch up with Fay & Stan.
Mark & Fay in front of the shopping trolley
Fay, Mark, Barbara (neighbour) & Stan
After leaving Biggenden, we wanted to go back to Burrum Heads but didn't stop the night at the caravan park was nearly full and too crowded. Instead we keep driving towards Gympie and stopped over the next two nights at free camps.
Isn't this Queenslander beautiful, and currently on the market. Make a beautiful B&B
Cone shells collected at Burrum Heads
Wednesday 26th - Mark had treatment at Gympie hospital before we went out to Inskip Point (opposite Fraser Island)
Funtastic - Great Keppel Island
20th September - 22 September 2012
Stopped over one night at Armstrong Beach, for up the next morning and did a tour of the Sarina Sugar Shed, then drove down to Yeppon. Stopped at the Big 4 caravan park and went sailing on the Saturday on "FUNTASTIC". This catamaran was built by Hans & Dianne, it took them over 4 years to build in their backyard. They have sailed the world in their boat and only take 4-12 guest on board. They supplied morning and afternoon tea. We went snorkelling before morning tea, then cruised over to Great Keppel Island, spent 2 hours on the island. Hans then picked us up from the shore in the zodiac then once back on board we cruised around to another cove and did more snorkelling, afternoon tea, then up went the sails and cruised back to the harbour. Very rough one the way back, with just added to the fun of the day. An awesome day and only$70 per person, we left at 9 and arrived back at 5.30pm.
Stopped over one night at Armstrong Beach, for up the next morning and did a tour of the Sarina Sugar Shed, then drove down to Yeppon. Stopped at the Big 4 caravan park and went sailing on the Saturday on "FUNTASTIC". This catamaran was built by Hans & Dianne, it took them over 4 years to build in their backyard. They have sailed the world in their boat and only take 4-12 guest on board. They supplied morning and afternoon tea. We went snorkelling before morning tea, then cruised over to Great Keppel Island, spent 2 hours on the island. Hans then picked us up from the shore in the zodiac then once back on board we cruised around to another cove and did more snorkelling, afternoon tea, then up went the sails and cruised back to the harbour. Very rough one the way back, with just added to the fun of the day. An awesome day and only$70 per person, we left at 9 and arrived back at 5.30pm.
Hans in the zodiac heading back to Funtastic
Mark fishing off the back of FUNTASTIC
Funtastic anchored off Great Keppel
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Bowen - Mackay
13th September - 20th September 2012
We spent two nights at Bowen which was great, getting the kayaks back in the water. Out in the kayaks we had two turtle's around us. Then went out to Kinchant dam for a couple of nights, then up to Finch Hatton Gorge and Eungella National Park. We did a lot of hiking around Finch Hatton and Eungella, beautiful places. Back to Kinchant dam for one more night before heading back into Mackay for more appointments and to try to co ordinate our trip further south.
Finch Hatton Gorge
We spent two nights at Bowen which was great, getting the kayaks back in the water. Out in the kayaks we had two turtle's around us. Then went out to Kinchant dam for a couple of nights, then up to Finch Hatton Gorge and Eungella National Park. We did a lot of hiking around Finch Hatton and Eungella, beautiful places. Back to Kinchant dam for one more night before heading back into Mackay for more appointments and to try to co ordinate our trip further south.
View from Eungella, road was extremely steep. At one stage we were going up in 1st gear. Really thick fog rolled in at night, felt like we were back at Kinglake.
Did the Rainforest walk at Broken River, were we saw a snake at the start of the circuit and then a goanna half way along the track, so Mark was made to take the lead on that walk.
At Broken River you can see platypus, we didn't see any but there was heaps of turtles in the water.
At kinchant dam, we fed Diane's girls (the peacocks and guinea fowls) they would eat out of our hands.
Heading South - Townsville
Friday 7th September - we finally head out of Cairns heading south. Cairns has been great but it was nice to finally be leaving. Our first night out of Cairns we stopped at a free camp Toomulla Beach, the Camps book should also indicate midge's, we both got eaten alive and were very quick to move on the next morning.
Saturday we stopped again on Stony Creek, north of Townsville and Mark caught four muddies and yes more midge's. I now look like I have chicken pox. A night we started seeing all these lights going through the mangroves very quickly, it took some time to work it out, but they were fire flies. They put on an amazing show.
Monday we arrive in Townsville and went across to Magnetic Island for a look around, had lunch over there. Yet again weather wasn't great, overcast day. Booked into the Caravan park next door to the Army Barrack and we caught up with Adam, he popped in after work.
Tuesday was spent at the hospital and then at the Townsville Aquarium, absolutely amazing. Again Adam called around for dinner, it was great catching up with him, it certainly had been awhile since we had seen him.
After Mark's treatment we stayed the night at Townsville and then off to Home Hill, where we caught up with Ray and Jenny. They are care taking the Home Hill golf course and Ray is also working on the cane harvesting trucks. Didn't stay the night as with weekly treatment we really have to keep moving.
Saturday we stopped again on Stony Creek, north of Townsville and Mark caught four muddies and yes more midge's. I now look like I have chicken pox. A night we started seeing all these lights going through the mangroves very quickly, it took some time to work it out, but they were fire flies. They put on an amazing show.
Monday we arrive in Townsville and went across to Magnetic Island for a look around, had lunch over there. Yet again weather wasn't great, overcast day. Booked into the Caravan park next door to the Army Barrack and we caught up with Adam, he popped in after work.
Tuesday was spent at the hospital and then at the Townsville Aquarium, absolutely amazing. Again Adam called around for dinner, it was great catching up with him, it certainly had been awhile since we had seen him.
After Mark's treatment we stayed the night at Townsville and then off to Home Hill, where we caught up with Ray and Jenny. They are care taking the Home Hill golf course and Ray is also working on the cane harvesting trucks. Didn't stay the night as with weekly treatment we really have to keep moving.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Tara & Justin's week
26th August - 2nd September 2012
We left Ellis beach, dropped the boat trailer off at a caravan park to be put into storage for the next 10 days. Then went to the Cairns airport to pick up Tara & Justin. They left Melbourne at 8 degrees and arrived at Cairns with a nice 28 degrees.
We went and picked up their campervan and then heading south out of Cairns and arrived at the Boulders and got one of the last two sites available. Then we went for a walk down to the boulders.
We left Ellis beach, dropped the boat trailer off at a caravan park to be put into storage for the next 10 days. Then went to the Cairns airport to pick up Tara & Justin. They left Melbourne at 8 degrees and arrived at Cairns with a nice 28 degrees.
We went and picked up their campervan and then heading south out of Cairns and arrived at the Boulders and got one of the last two sites available. Then we went for a walk down to the boulders.
Monday we drove down to Paronella Park and once set up in the caravan park we then did a day tour and a night tour. Tara & Justin loved the place.
Tuesday we left Paronella Park and went and did the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walkway before going to our campsite in the Wooroonooran National Park. The sky opened up and we had heaps of rain for the rest of the day, so a lazy day was had by us all and then cooked up a roast dinner on the cobb.
Wednesday - Mark & I had to travel back to Cairns for treatment, so Tara & Justin went and checked out the waterfalls and we then met back up at the Innot Hot Springs. We arrived there about 6pm, so Tara & I decided to have a soak in the hot springs in the morning, which was great.
Thursday - we arrived at the Undara lava tubes, we did a tour of the lava tubes then dinner at the Fettlers Iron Pot Bistro.
Friday - we headed back to Mareeba, stopped at Ravenshoe for lunch. Stopped at Atherton and checked out some shops, then before arriving at Mareeba called into the Becks Aviation & Military Museum. It's the largest privately owned aviation and military museum in Queensland.
Saturday - first stop for the day was the Coffee Works at Mareeba, then an ice creamery where I had an apple pie ice cream. We stopped at Kuranda and went the the Australian Venom Zoo, where Tara was the one offering to hold the reptiles.
Arrived back in Cairns went and washed the vehicles before booking into the caravan park, then off to dinner.
Sunday - Tara & Justin flew out just after 9am, so it was an early start. It was a great week having Tara & Justin up here with us and so sad saying goodbye, but we'll be home in about 2 months. After seeing Tara & Justin off we again took off back to Ellis beach, as we only had two days before more treatment.
Ellis Beach
23rd - 26th August 2012
Thursday morning and we are up at 6.30am seeing June & Brian off on their 12 day Cape York tour.
As we only had a couple of days before Tara & Justin flew up to spend a week touring with us, we decided to check out the northern beaches. We ended up staying at Ellis Beach Caravan Park, which is right on the beach. Beautiful spot to sunbake on the beach under the coconut trees.
We had a massive mango tree behind us, so we would go out gathering the mangos that were dropping onto the ground. There was so many you could have set up a stall on the side of the road.
Yummy!!!!
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