MACKAY TO AIRLIE BEACH

Sorry bit short on photos first camera is broken so just sorting out back up.Left Mackay at 7.30am after having a cuppa and drove straight to Airlie beach which was about 100 miles away.Found a great camp site called Whitsunday adventure park.Peter and Brian fired up the barbecue and we all sat and had lunch.Peter and Lynn tried out the swimming pool which was good while we went into Airlie Beach and found a Mc Donalds,later on when we returned we went to the local Woolworths and bought ourselves an underwater camera a couple of soft bags to go on the boat and some more water resistant sun screen.Later peter took Betty and Lynn to get tangoed,back for more food and drink and so to bed.We should have plenty of news after we have been on the boat,we have just checked in and been given our boarding passes(don`t know why there are only eight of us) managed to find out that one of the other couples is from Israel .Must go now got to pump some air into Bettys arm bands sort out Lynn,s sea sick tablets,find caramelised ginger to stop us feeling queasy,get cotton wool for our ears and then we should be set.(sounds interesting).must go now love from us all.xx

MACKAY TO AIRLIE BEACH

Left Capricorn Palms around 7.30am,very cloudy with rain which cooled things down quite nicely.Betty`s bites were much better.We passed through Glen Geddis,Marlborough,Clairview and lunched at Greenhill which was on the coast.Most of these places are quite remote and very few people about.By now the sun is shining and we carried on eventually arriving at Mackay.We found the tourist office which doubled up as a travel agent,we managed to book a two night cruise around the Whitsunday Islands leaving on Thursday afternoon and returning Saturday pm(get those sea sick tablets out bet) .The young lady who was brilliant then gave us information on Cairns but most importantly she gave us a couple of camp sites to look at in Mackay for this evening.The first one we were not too impressed with but the second one was a hit which was Andergrove park,beautiful park with landscaped gardens tropical palms and Lorikeets by the hundreds.Time to try out the laundry and we used up three machines between us. Betty had her nails done at the local shopping centre and Lynn found a chemist for some advice on her bug bites.Enjoyed a lamb curry with a glass of wine.Chat on the night was all about the cruise and who the other 4 people will be ,as the catamaran has eight guests and two crew.Just shopping for arm bands and a rubber ring for Betty oh and an underwater throwaway camera.Don`t know if we will be able to take the lap top on the boat but we hope so.goodnight from us all xx

HERVEY BAY TO YAPOON

Today we were hoping for an early start but had a problem as we couldn't`t get away until we were reimbursed for our site key. Our destination being Yapoon about 250 miles away. Finally leaving at 7.30am. Bacon and eggs on the way for lunch at Miriam Vale and it`s getting really warm now. Lynn and I shopped while Peter and Brian did the blog. Found a picture postcard site between Yapoon and Emu Park called Capricorn Palms 4 star and we were even asked if we liked morning or afternoon shade! we had a walk along the beach no big surf here and the sand is much darker. Notices warning of marine stingers and box jelly fish (so we decided to swim in the pool which seemed like a good idea). Wasn`t such a good idea as we all got bitten buy the bugs, mosquito's i`d imagine. My bites were the worst! now I know every one thinks theres are the worst but mine came up into blisters and the ones on my hands and eyelids were swollen. Not a pretty sight so I`m glad theres no camera today. The one we were using has broken so the back-up is on charge. Dinner was a cooked chicken,very tasty and so to bed.

Brian got up in the night and he lifted up the toilet seat there was a bright green frog having a bath in the loo blue (he hadn`t even changed colour) he jumped straight out of the water onto the rim of the toilet seat (don`t know how high Brian jumped1) I tried to wait until the morning but to no avail. I put on my long green Kagool that doubles up nicely as a dressing gown and made my way to the melody block alone! can`t believe he wouldn`t come with me but no way he was budging b..........d! cracks are now appearing in the relationship. When the holiday started he couldn`t do enough for me. Anyway when I arrived at the toilet there was a little green frog waiting for me. we were both the same colour with me in my bright green kagool,luckily his friend wasn`t in the loo. I was looking over my shoulder all the time and the odd spider would run along the floor or come up the plug hole when I turned on the tap. Couldn`t wait to get out and when I got back into bed bri said "don`t worry bet you will soon be hanging over the boat on the Whitsunday Islands! goodnight love from us all x x

ADVENTURE ON FRASER ISLAND

Well we were going to give this a miss but we are all really glad that we did this.We had discussed the night before whether or not to go to Fraser Island but we made the decision and our driver Jason picked us up from the camp at 7.45 in his lovely white Hummer .We were to catch the 8.30 barge to the island called the Fraser explorer,not many vehicles on this barge about twenty i would say and it took us about 30 minutes to cross the short channel to the Island.We were first off the boat and then we realised why we needed the 4 wheel drive (only 4 wheel drive vehicles are allowed on the island) Fraser island is the largest sand island in the world and is a world heritage site.Our first stop was Central Station which in bygone days was a logging camp.We were then left to walk just over a mile through a beautiful rain forest which was great.After the walk Jason was waiting for us with the table laid out with coffee tea chocolate cakes and biscuits,smashing.We then went along another sandy road to seventy five mile beach,when we arrived we had the pacific ocean in front of us and to the left and right of us a sand strip about 150 metres wide.

Now Jason informed us that this was the main highway on the island ,he then said we would make our way north on the beach which meant turning left,all road regulation are the same on the island as on the mainland and the speed limit on the beach was 80 kmh.Now Jason did not hang around and it wasn`t a flat beach we came across dunes and creeks coming off the land from the left,this ride was not for the faint hearted.Oh and to make life more interesting we had to share this highway with the light aircraft that needed to take off and land but there are signs saying give way to aircraft (i suppose you wouldn`t argue).We eventually arrived at the wreck of a passenger ship that went aground in 1935 it was called the Maheno , then on to the swift running waters of the Eli creek where we all had a paddle.Then it was back into the Hummer and Jason found us a nice shady spot on the beach where we sat up table and Jason appeared with a basket for each of us filled with tasty prepared food chilled beer and wine.It is now 2pm and time for the next hair raising beach ride until we found a turn off that took us inland to a lookout point to view a large sand dune that is constantly changing.Back in jeep and off to Lake Mc Kenzie ,here we had an hour to relax and have a swim in the crystal clear water.We changed back into our travelling clothes and when we met up with Jason he had got a surprise waiting for us,on the table was set out strawberries ,champagne and truffles(wow it was fantastic).We then had to pick up the 5pm barge back to river heads.Jason dropped us off at 6pm and we thanked him for a truly memorable day.A couple of beers and glasses of wine later and we all went to bed ready for an early start.goodnight Betty Brian Lynn and Peter xx.

NOOSA TO HERVEY BAY

Sorry we missed a day but sometimes it`s fitting it in with the time. We had a good look round Noosa and enjoyed it. We then made our way to Hervey Bay which was a good drive. Think we need to get a move on now it`s a long way to Cairns. Hervey Bay is near Frazer Island but at this stage not sure whether we can fit a whole day in. Booked into a lovely site and managed to get two pitches next to the lagoon which was filled with pink lilies , oh and we had our own en-suite! could get used to this. Had a meeting with a drink and thinking what to do about the Frazer Island visit. Well really we thought now we were here we should go for it. So chose the Jeep with our own guide. They told to just bring swimsuits and towels! sounds like hell Trish with all that sun! Big hello to all the Lynotts I knew things would look up now your mom`s here! Love from us all x x xx x

!!! CRIKEY MATE IT`S THE AUSTRALIAN ZOO

Well after leaving our site at Redcliffe Lynn and Pete needed to find a supermarket to fill up the fridge and get some groceries,so very handily we found a Woolworth's and the shopping was done, (bought Betty a better map as the navigator is having trouble with the old one ?).Anyway we set off on our way to the Australia Zoo which was only about thirty miles away. The road leading up to the zoo from both directions has been named Steve Irwin Way as a tribute to him.

On arrival which was about 10.45 we went straight to the Crocoseum arena where on stage at 11.am was his daughter Bindi and her dance team who were getting the show up and running.His wife and little boy Robert who must have been a baby when his father was killed and Bindi all took centre stage and introduced the various birds and animals that came into the arena.None of the birds were caged they all flew around the audience,there were macaws and many other species that were flying around.Then we had snakes which the rangers had around their necks walking in and out of the audience(it is still the Easter holidays for the kids so there were plenty of them who enjoyed the reptiles).Then came the crocodile keepers who were telling us about them all the time ,it was then feeding time and we couldn't believe it when Bindi and Robert both fed the croc with mom looking on!.It was a great visit and well worth the trip.On then to Noosa Heads where we found a big4 caravan park that had two powered sights together ,we had a swim on the evening and then tried out our new barbecue that worked a treat.Discussed our plans for the next day over a glass of wine and decided to move on to Hervey Bay.Don`t know whether Lynn and Pete are organised yet they haven`t made up the double bed so far Karen!Speak soon love Betty And Brian xx

KINGSCLIFF TO REDCLIFFE VIA BRISBANE AIRPORT

Well we said goodbye to Karen and Jeff did our shopping and were on our way for 9 30am. The weather was lovely and we made our way to Coolangata but stopped along the way at Point Danger (strange name) met a lovely guy called Alick who gave us great advice on our route. Thanks Alick1. A quick lunch and then a ride along the coast to Burleigh Heads, Broad Beach and Surfers Paradise which was lovely but all high rise flats . The beach was fantastic so I think that was the attraction. It was then time to go to Brisbane Airport and meet up with Lynn and Pete. Great to see them both and soon got on our way to pick up their camper van and change ours. That went well and we were on our way. Didn1t go too far but there was a lot of traffic it was rush hour. Found a site and settled in at Radcliffe which was an hours drive from Brisbane. Had evening meal and a good drink and gossip and so to bed goodnight bet & bri x x x