Thursday 28th February 2013 ~ Rockhampton

Hello Sunshine,

Today is my Little Brother's 50th Birthday .. Happy Birthday ~ up and over the hill you go .. YIPPPEEE !!

Having been rained in at Koumala for a couple of days, we were at serious risk of 'cabin fever'. However, thanks to technology (computer and audio book) and craft (Ivor's beanie is finished, trauma teddy started !), we survived.

Yesterday, we were encouraged by tiny (very tiny) bits of blue sky breaking through the clouds. Encouraged into thinking that a (dry) change is coming and safe for us to press on with our travels.

As usual, we were up early and over coffee, commented on hearing a few showers in the night (totalling 46mm). While listening to the news, we heard that Gympie had flooded again; mmm, that's where we heading. But, it's time for us to move on, so we should pack and hit the road and aim for Rockhampton (maybe).

We went through only a few light showers here and there and stopped for smoko at a very newly updated, very spacious rest area ~ Waverley Creek Rest Area with lots of covered picnic tables and brand new toilets. There were quite a few other travellers also taking advantage of the facilities. If we were to look at a fast forward video during the course of the day at that rest area, I'm sure it would show a large number of travellers enjoying their rest time.

As we drove into Rockhampton, it was lunch time and decided that it was best to stop here for the night.

After lunch, we drove south for a birdwatching trip. At the large roundabout, we drove through major roadworks. An attempt to 'flood proof' the southern approach to Rockhampton. It might work. But when you look around at the height of the debris left behind from the recent floods, you wonder. At least it will be an attempt to rise above minor flood levels.

We were in search of the Yellow Chat. Following our bird guide, we turned off the highway and ventured down a gravel road, but were stopped by a flooded creek. Never mind, we continued down a different gravel road and eventually came upon the Cheetham Salt works. No Yellow Chat, but an interesting drive.

Meals while travelling can prove a challenge, but we've been enjoying the Thai curry pastes. Tonight's meal was Chicken Massaman - throw in chicken, a few vegies served on rice .. YUMMY.

My other food experiment on this trip is travelling with lettuce. On previous trips, the fridge is too cold for the lettuce and has frozen. So, do you have warm drinks, so the lettuce doesn't freeze, or do you not travel with lettuce?  mmm - no question, cold drinks win every time! But it is nice to have lettuce. I have a winning idea ~ Our lettuce now travels in the fridge, in a wet suit. You know one of those lunch bag coolers that you pack your kids lunch in, to take to school. Our lettuce is happy, and we're happy too. 

Tuesday 26th February - Koumala

Change of plan today .. after listening to the weather report and checking BOM, we thought it better to stay put. More heavy rain, Gympie flooding again ~ good grief ... good decision too.

 

It's been a day of knitting, computing, watching a bit of TV and listening to 'Monsoon' .. yes, no joke, Monsoon. Maybe, we need another book :)

 

 

 



Monday, 25th February ~ Koumala

Our drive today was short, but pleasant. In towards Mackay from Finch Hatton to Koumala (just south of Mackay (Sarina)) with the idea that we wanted to pick up a few supplies from the quiet IGA shopping centre. HAH !!  It was a full-on construction site, not sure where we should drive in the car park (or, if at all) and in hindsight, should not have! But, well, we're here now, and what now !?  Thankfully, we manourved through the maze and out onto the road. Parked in a narrow section just off the road and stomped back through the rubbly car park into IGA, wondering where our quiet sojourn into a quiet shop had gone. Once composed and shopped, we started our stomp back. A casting glance towards our rig, saw another rig behind us and a closer glance in front of us saw another couple wearing the same frown (I'm sure) we would have worn. Funny when you think of it now - of course, not at the time.

Why Koumala? Our bird guide tells us that we can see the Zitting Cistola here. Not commonly seen. And for us, not lucky today. However  we were quite happy with our tally of 57 birds while searching/listening for the ZC.

Interesting to note that Koumala Caravan Park has a facebook page :) And at $26/n, while a neat, clean and tidy spot is still a bit on the expensive side. Just an overnighter.

Saturday 23rd February - Finch Hatton

Many people have tried and failed to find this little honeyeater in the rain forest, so we armed ourselves with our bird guide, smoko and lunch. Using the directions in the bird guide, we headed up towards Mount Dalrymple to the edge of the Eungella National Park. Stopping to take in the view at the Eugnella township. 

 

Then headed off on our honeyeater hunt. Our surroundings didn’t seem to match up with the book, but with rain and past cyclones, who would know. As it was about smoko time, we parked and made coffee. Binoculars at the ready, sipping coffee, dunking biscuits and scanning the surrounding bush, I noticed a little movement high up in the tree and said nonchalantly, there he is.  Binos shot up to the eyes to check this flippant call. And Yes, it was HIM (unfortunately, not my photo – he’s too quick for me).

 



We spent the next 45 minutes scanning the bush to spot 10 more species including these cute cuddling Redbrowed Finch.

 

As we made our way back to the Eungalla township, we stopped to scan the bush in the hope of adding to our list. With more success, we spotted the Regent Bowerbird – not so rare, but a great find. That golden yellow colour is just so beautifully brilliant (again, not my photo, thank you Wikipedia).

 

Following our birding success, we did a couple of little walks, including the Sky Window that takes in more Pioneer Valley views and Broken River picnic area with Platypus Pools. We didn't see any Platypus though, I expect it was because too many people around and the water was a bit mirky also.

Then back to our camp for a rest and drive our to Finch Hatton Gorge. It was quite a pleasant drive through the cane fields and over a few shallow flowing creeks, but on discovering that it was then a 2.5km walk up hill to see the gorge (in very high humidity), we wimped out.

Finch Hatton has a family history connection for me. My Grandfather owned/operated two movie theatres here back in the early/mid 1940s. The old railway station building is still in tact and houses many things including the internet cafe and an historical photographic collection, but it is closed and as the sign on the door states, 'volunteers are hard to come by and we'll open when we can'. Anyway ...

 

 

Friday 22nd February

Car and caravan packed and we're on the road again. We planned a departure date of 14th February, but as with planning, flexibility is the key. Especially when it involves car repairs. Good job done, thanks Toyota. Other planning is, no planning. No dates to be anywhere, no dates to return home.

All intersections on our departure showed us Green. Green lights at every intersection .. WOW, we took that as a positive sign.

Our first stop for lunch at Home Hill. We usually stop at the park on the southern side of town, it's basic with an old picnic table and toilets, but on a day-trip to Bowen, Dad showed me the 'Comfort Stop'. We've upgraded now. This spot offers a covered area with not only picnic tables and toilets, but a stainless steel sink and bench. Music too, but we won't say anymore about that.

We enjoy listening to books as we travel and we've started with Di Morrissey's Monsoon. Funny how some things stick in your mind, like the comment made by the character Tom, an Australian journalist who reported on the Vietnam war and now 30 years later returns to holiday there 'once a journalist, always a journalist' and may write an article or two of his travels. He got me thinking about the writers mind. Do writers compose sentences, paragraphs as they're travelling? Or do they have such great memories that they can sit and 'spew' all their experiences on the page. I guess, as with all things, the more you do something, the better you get, here's my go at writing.

Back to our trip.

The big 'stand out' was how green the countryside is and how much water is laying around. Dams on farms are full and overflowing, creeks are flowing. While it's a great feeling that everything looks lush and fresh, not too far from our thoughts is more rain would result in flooding.

As most of you know, we're birdwatchers. We decided it was time for us to try to find the elusive Eungella Honeyeater, only seen at the Eungella National Park (near Mackay). We opted to stay a couple of nights in the showgrounds at Finch Hatton, a small rural town (around 270 people) about 60km west of Mackay in the Pioneer Valley. You can read more here .. http://queenslandplaces.com.au/node/336
I've never ventured into the Pioneer Valley. Always been in a rush to zoom past and through Mackay to somewhere else.  Setting up camp in a humid 32 degrees wasn't pleasant, but afterall, we are 'glamping' so we shut ourselves away in the air conditioned comfort of our van.

It seems that today's message is green .. green traffic lights on departure and green countryside.