Ruby and I headed off from Gladstone with much enthusiasm and optimistic we would make good time to Byron Bay to meet up with Carla, Dave and their two boys.The car had other ideas.I started getting a wee bit worried about an hour in to the trip when the spotties started flickering and then died altogether and then the GPS would turn off every time I stepped on the brake-not a good sign while doing a 10 hour solo drive to another state.7 hours in to the trip I stopped for coffee and food and got back to a car with no life.No lights, no power….no motion.I did the first thing most girls would do in this situation….ring Nath who was still in WA working and abuse him about his worthless car.A lovely man kindly pointed out the mechanic about 15 metres behind me and a few hours and 30 bucks later we were back on the road! Byron was great and we saw a few sights, caught up with Carlas Dad and sampled some of the finest that the local bottle shop had to offer.

We then headed up to the Gold Coast and in to the worst storm they had seen for quite some time.We had torrential down pour and category 2 cyclonic winds - I was just happy to not be experiencing it in the camper van.We stayed in the resort, played cards and emptied the fridge.Nath arrived a couple of days in and thankfully the weather cleared up for a day or two.We spent one day at Seaworld which was great and the kids loved it and wentup to visit Mt Tamborine National Park.We got a baby sitter for an adults night out and had a great time at an awesome Tepinyaki Japanese Restaurant with a very charismativ Chef, Jo Jean.After plying ourselves with beautiful food and many cocktails, we hit the Casino and left our asses there.Except Dave who cleaned up….lucky he shouted the taxi home - we were broke.

After bidding a sad farewell to Carla, Dave, Will and Tom we headed a little further up the coast to visit AustraliaZoo.This place was pretty awesome and seeing the crocs in action at feeding time did nothing to calm my nerves about our impending trip to the cape.Even 15 rows up in the Crocoseum, I could see those Crocs eyeing up Ruby's chubby thighs and licking their lips.I have since made Nath go and buy a fence for the camper so we can keep Ruby VERY close.

On to Gladstone and back for a quick stop with Lindons who put us up once again - thanks Lindo's!Ruby still managed to insult them by yelling at Dwain whenever he went near her, even the lollies he was offering were quickly snatched out of the hand before she quickly ran away.After that we spent a couple of nights in Mackay and the beautiful National Parks which are just west of the city - definitely a place we will spend more time on the way home.Then we hit Townsville to do some car maintenance and stay a few nights with my old friend from London, Jules, her hubby Billy and their gorgeous girl Amelia.We had a great time in Townsville thanks to this family and the footage we have of us all drunkenly screaming to singstar will hopefully be deleted, burned and the ashes thrown out to sea.Jules and I remain the Eucka champions and will happily defend our title!

Since then we have driven up to Cairns and spent a few days in the city and of course on the Great Barrier Reef.We spent a full day at the Reef and could not have asked for a more perfect day - calm water, beautiful blue skies, right amount of sunshine and unbelievable snorkeling.Nath got a couple of dives in and we had such an amazing time that I am sure we will do this again too.That brings us to Port Douglas which we think is just paradise.I could stay here for weeks - however we need to get going before Nath has to go back to work next month.So we are prepped, primed and ready for our trip to the tip.We plan on going to some pretty remote places and will hopefully see some amazing things (hopefully not the inside of a crocs jaw….you may be sensing my paranoia by now).This lady plans on keeping her fingers and toes as far from the water as possible.Until then, goodbye family and friends - more stories in a few weeks.xxxxxxxxx