We stayed with our friends, Bob and Ellen for a few weeks travelling up the coast to Seaforth near Mackay remembering how we had met each other there 4 years earlier, and the friendship we've shared since. The park is still the same with a different Bob still running the place in his relaxed, laid back manner that he has. With his "No worries mate, come and see me tomorrow" and every week having 8 days to it. Some things never change!
There were a lot of familiar faces at Seaforth from 4 years ago along with another 2 faces that we recognised from Darwin 3 years earlier. We had met Dennis and Christine on our first visit to Tumbling Waters in Darwin, enjoyed each other's company then and again when we visited them at their home near Geelong, Vic. It was a surprise to see them at Seaforth but they were expecting us as they had only recently checked this blog out and saw where we were heading.
We had a great 2 1/2 weeks at Seaforth before heading down to Emu Park with a 1 night stopover on the way. Dennis and Christine decided to leave Seaforth and follow us down to Emu Park and we all had a really great week enjoying each other's company. The boys spent a day at the cattle sale yards at Gracemere while we girls went shopping in Rockhampton and then another day they played golf while we checked out Yeppoon.
We were at Emu Park for my birthday this year, the big 6 0! I had a lovely day with good friends and an evening out at the local pub where we made up a team for the trivia night. Good food, great friends and we didn't disgrace ourselves by coming last. What more could the birthday girl want?
As we left Emu Park (famous for the whistling ship) we all went our separate ways. Bob and Ellen going to a house sit near Bundaberg and Dennis and Christine heading back home the inland road, dropping into and calling us from Coolah Bakery on the way through. We went straight to Tewantin/Noosaville to help Simon and Kerry move house where we had a full on few days, packing, lifting, cleaning and then unpacking again. I'd like to say it was fun but I'd be lying, good exercise though! and the new house looks great. Our nephew Justin and his family came over for a visit and along with Kerry's brother, Darren and his family, we had a small housewarming party. We caught up with Justin, Kate and Lilah again as we left Noosaville, meeting them for lunch at the strawberry fields at PalmView, off the Bruce Highway.
We have had long awaited catch up's with more friends. Dave, Karina, Blake and Jenna are a beautiful family we met in Darwin. We spent a lot of time with the kids both in the pool at Tumbling Waters and when they used to come and find us at our van, sharing a second breakfast and the odd snack with us. They are coming to the end of their 2 year travels and stopped in to see us on their way back down the east coast. We had a great day and were pleased that Blake and Jenna hadn't forgotten us and still enjoy our company.
More friends we caught up with were David and Carol. Chris used to work with David back in the early days at Aussie Post and our infrequent visits together don't come often enough nowadays. We had a good day, catching up on all the news and each of us expecting a grandchild very soon.
Now we're back in Tweed, staying at Boyds Bay Caravan Park as usual. It's a lovely park, near and handy to mum and where we store our van sometimes.
Mum is not too good at the moment. She's had this flu bug that's been doing the rounds which has left her with urinery tract and chest infections and she's also has a couple of falls so she's really not herself at the moment. Poor thing, it's a b***** getting old! We had planned on being in the area for a month so the timing to be here while mum is not well has been good. I am able to spend time with her and help with her moving into another room at Raffles. This one is nearer to the nurse's station and they can keep a closer eye on her.
I'm hoping mum's is going to improve before we head off to Coolah to meet our new grand daughter. Jo has a caesarean booked for 29/9 and we plan on being around to help out with them for a while. Can't wait to meet our little one and spend time with Josh, Ellie and Olivia!