Daniel and Marysia around Australia: October 2011

As you can see I think that I'm finally working out how to use the new laptop and the new camera. Hope you liked the Fraser Island pics! I was frustrated with the work that I couldn't get done so I took the washing down at 1.30am this morning, got onto the computer, moved the photos into some respective working order for me, updated the blog and all by 5.00am.

Daniel still sleeping but so soundly. I think the Fraser Island driving got to him. The length of the Eastern Beach is about 140kilometres. We drove over the sand dunes from the bottom of the Island around Inskip point to the top of the Island, Sandy cape and then some in between before heading inland for the freshwater lakes and creeks. The petrol consumption on this short distance was huge, but that's due to the terrain.

We're in between Hervey Bay and Maryborough at the moment before packing up heading to Noosa North Shore to catch up with Stew and Les and some of their friends. I can only say that this is a beautiful part of the world and could live here easily. I'm off to Hervey Bay in the morning to collect mail that our son has kindly forwarded to us and has done so since we left home. He's done a great job in keeping us in touch with all the 'real' stuff that you get.

We caught up with Stew and Les, meeting with some of their friends at Teewah Beach. It was a lovely time to catch up and farewell them again hoping to catch up with them if we come to Brisbane. Went to the Saturday markets at Noosa which were huge and fantastic.
Noosavile with its surrounding suburbs are beautiful. The wildlife at Teewah was wonderful having fun feeding all the lorikeets, kangaroos, black cockatoos that joined in swinging from the trees. A bike ride through the area was a great way to see some sites.

Time now to head on moving in a southerly direction towards home. In about 8 weeks we should be back in Melbourne. The journey also having ended for Stew and Les as they go back to work in Queensland, which is what we'll be doing before long!

Waiting at River Heads for the barge to take us to Fraser Island

I can see dolphins!

Celbrating with a little drink on the barge

Back again! This time we have a new laptop, so there are some teething problems on learning how to use it. Have also collected the camera from the Post Office and learning how to use that. So it's been a bit of an uphill challenge trying to put things up on the blog with the pictures if you can imagine that.

Where are we now? We've just completed a five day trip to Fraser Island, under tent. It was a fabulous trip, to add that the photos from this camera are great. The shots are really sharp, in focus. We had a couple of good days with good sun for fishing, sunbaking, reading, moving along the Eastern beach length North to South each day to pitch camp some place else. However, on Saturday, I was listening to the radio for the weather forecast which was not going to be good for that night. In the end I said to Daniel that dinner would be early, everything to be packed up, stowed in the car. The tent could stay but in the event we had to evacuate we would sleep in the car! Well the lightning show was amazing to say the least. The flashes came one after another within seconds of each other. We had never seen or experienced anything like it before. Yes it rained, rained and rained all night. I don't know how we managed to stay dry in our little tent, but we did. On rising the next morning I can only say that I was happy to know that all that I had decided to pack and put into the car was dry!

Weather starting to break up but still managing an early start, Daniel and I packed our gear up at 6.00 in the morning heading out to Lake Wabby. As we walked out on to the outlook, which was incredible, we got hit by a rainstorm. It poured, couldn't take a photo with the new camera for fear it would get wet! I only hope that I can remember the sight from the platform. The lake below was magnificent freshwater, the surrounding tree forests, sand dunes just spectacular. Perfect vista even though it was raining. By the time we got back to the car, I was soaked. It has to be said that my man, Daniel, came to my rescue as he raced ahead to the car to return with an umbrella. Who says 'knights in shining armour' don't exist??????

Lake Mackenzie was just as awesome. We only dipped our feet into it....raining still. Yesterday we swam in the largest freshwater creek on the Island....Eli Creek. It was magic. We also did get the opportunity to spot a few dingoes roaming the beach at odd times. One morning as we were packing I turned around and there was this dingo just standing not more than a metre from me. I tried to reach for the camera but wasn't quick enough to get her shot. Daniel did catch a reef shark which we did have for dinner one night. That was the extent of his catch!! There were other keen sea fishermen who swayed around the swirls of the beach hitched up to their huge rods. Daniel looked pretty funny with his little rod! One thing about Fraser Island is that you cannot swim in the ocean....sharks!!!! What beautiful weather for roasting, with waters beckoning but no go!!!

I shall leave this place now with fond memories as we cross back to River Heads on the barge. I have to add that we were fortunate to have seen dolphins, turtles and of course the odd whale or two on this part of our adventure. Fraser Island is truly a wonderful place but be prepared for tenting conditions, roughing it. It's like a timewarp! ...... a land so pristine that you expect to see a dinosaur!

For now bye as we head back to base to WASH everything as we head down to Noosa National Park to catch up with Les and Stew at Teewah beach, their place of relaxation when at home in lovely Queensland. Now to try and load some of the pics for this and the previous blog!!!