Well after being ill i perked up in time to get to sharon and ians lovely house in SERINA BEACH. We flew into brisbane and then had to wait 3 hours for our flight to Mackay, we came upon Sharons house and what a splendid spot to build a house. it is on a small ridge, and has the ocean beach views from the front and then from the back it has views of the very wide creek which goes out to the sea............so sea views all round. Serina beach is a sleepy unspoilt hamlet with a perfect long and wide beach backed by palm trees that give shade.........


The weather is hot , but the house opens itself up to the gentle breezes and so is comfortable. there are verandas all the way round...........we have out tea on the veranda at the front when we get up and watch the ocean............we lunch on the back veranda and watch the blue seawater of the creek and the boats going in and out when the tides in.................. we can walk out the back down the grass thru the bush to the beach at the back just 50 yards away.........or walk down the road 5 mins to the ocean beach............



the ocean beach is a breeding ground for turtles october onwards so maybe we will see some............whales are passing thru at the moment so we should see them if we are lucky..............


this is a lovely spot, sharons neighbours have all been by to say hello and we are invited to drinks on Jimmys veranda tonite.............everyones been so friendly...........steve and michael and jimmy our three sets of neighbours from the adjacent three houses, gave us some fresh caught fish yesterday which we had last night.


All the houses are diferent , they are large and all have verandas (and big sheds for the men.).........they are all pretty and wooden and so very australian................. everyone has boats and evertyone goes fishing..........as the ocean is but a step away.............



its friday now so been here 4 full days.................




mainly so far we have sat on the beach , we have found a tree thats our spot for shade , as it is HOT !......we walk the beaches both sides each day.......... been into Serina town about the same distance as we drive to bedford tescos............ and down under WOOLWORTHS still thrives......

its the heartland of sugar cane industry and fields dominate the landscape when you are away from the sea...........we had the tour today of how the sugar is made etc........... reallyinteresting...also been to the ilttle museum in serina.........and had a beer in a proper aussie pub in the town !



have noticed the temperature has notched up a bit today in town and was nice to get back out to here where the small breeze makes a big diference.............the house and surrounds are so nice its easy to wind down and take life at a slow pace............. we still have 3 weeks here so dont feel the need to rush around like tourists but cherry pick our busy days and the rest of the time embrace where we are. Today we did the sugar cane shed and got the gen on the industry............ coal mining is huge here further along up the coast, and we have had a wander that way to see the coal mining.

The landscape is mainly undulating farmlands with sugar cane and cows........
oh the cows here have big floppy long ears and are very difernet to english cows.........

apparently we may get bitten by sand flies as they like new blood !GRIN......... but i hope they dont like me as mossies hate me so i am keeping my fingers crossed..........otherwise im in for some itching.............hope not ! so far so good...............keep up with the spray!



tom went to put the bins out the other night and got startled by lots of toads they are big and have taken over bit like our grey squirrels...................nooola next door said they can squirt poison..... steve next door said there was a big snake on his drive the other night as in 6 feet.............. he said the dingos comes out of the bush some times on to the back lawns and howls, and there are wild pigs in there............. just as well we dont go out at night !!............. the sea is clear of stingers and safe at the moment..............i love to hear about the wildlife and would love to see them, the birds here are all exotic.............theres a cute black turkey wandering arouind with a bright yellow neck.........

im so glad sharon and i did house swops, this is a splendid soujourn for us. one could easily be on a tropical island paradise somewhere, the area is called the serentity coast, its a gem and a well kept secret i think................

well lots of love to all back home, bye for now...........sue xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx