The last week has seen us spend time in two completely different settings - both a huge amount of fun for us all.
When Gordy said we were off to the gem fields I pictured two possible scenarios: something akin to the goldpanning experience at Shantytown or me sitting on a rock in the blistering sun watching him do something like dig for spuds with a pick-axe.
Although the former is probably closer to the actual experience it was so much more real than I imagined. For a start, the gem fields around Rubyvale where we stayed are rolling, green, hilly places at this time of year, not the red dusty plains of my mind. There are 'claims' aplenty - many for sale if you are interested, but most travellers fossick from a bucket of dirt. We went twice to the same establishment - 'Miners Cottage' - where we were showed how to clean our dirt and all the other tricks of our trade. We all voted this activity 'best value experience' so far this trip. One bucket of dirt (= almost 3 hours fossicking per bucket!), hot drinks and devonshire scones for us all, loads of help and encouragement, a packet of sapphires as a result of our hard work (the best one being a 2.5 carat green/brown sapphire), an expert look at the gems for us, AND a jolly little fridge magnet ALL FOR $10!!! We also toured a mine and went to the markets (at Sapphire - where else?) while staying in Rubyvale...priceless!
I must mention the cold in Rubyvale - the days were lovely - the nights almost gave us hypothermia...brrrrr. We met a lovely family from Tasmania in Rubyvale too, the kids loved having some mates, even if it was just for a few hours, and Gordy and I enjoyed the company very much too...cheers to the Parson family!
We headed coastward through Mackay for a night and out to Airlie Beach. We had been looking for a good deal on a family day trip to the GBR (generally about $450) when a couple of weeks ago Gordy spied an amazing offer for two nights, 3 days on Daydream Island for less than that for all of us. So that is where we went on Wednesday. We have already been very spoilt on this trip, but after 5 weeks of living in a car we were very excited and happy with the Daydream experience. There was hardly anyone there (apparently about 8% occupancy at the moment) and we just lapped up the fun - snorkelling and scuba diving lessons, outdoor movies, open air reef tours, sports, sun loungers aplenty...ooh wee. Google it for a pic (and relevant info) and you'll see what I mean!
So we are back to car camping now at Airlie Beach which is a very pleasant spot indeed. (Another)Big drive tomorrow to Townsville and then we will feel like the top is in sight!
Sadly and scarily one of our favourite spots visited so far suffered from a hurricane last week. Lennox Head in NSW was torn up - houses wrecked, caravans flipped etc - noone killed thankfully, but it has given us a little shake to think how we would have fared at there at 7.30 in the morning...
We are all well and happy - it has just reached that time in the trip where we all needed to refresh - haircuts, eyebrows plucked and new toothbrushes were required - and we are good to go!
Much love to all xxxx
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Talk about a trail of devastation in your wake!
ReplyDeleteHi, we are at Steve and Rosemary’s on a cold miserable afternoon typed lots of blogs to you from home, but there’s something lacking in my information. Good to hear from you that island sounds wonderful, that will do for now. Keep safe, love to all. Mum and Dad O.
ReplyDeleteHello everyone,
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your recounts of gem fields & Daydream Island. We thought of you often while in the camper watching the rain coming down at Queens birthday weekend. At least we have proved we can stay warm & dry under adverse conditions.
Keep on having fun, we are looking forward to spending spending a week with you all on the Gold Coast soon.
Hi CaddieCruisers!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing and diverse trip you are having. It's really hard to imagine sleeping in a tent when we are so cold and wet over here. Today the rain is thinking seriously about being snow....
We got a puppy about 3 weeks ago. Her name is Twiggy and she is a wee honey. She is proving to be very tolerant and resistant to the over-loving provided by Meg and Patrick.
We are counting down the weeks until our own trip across the Tasman in August to thaw out the bones a little!
Bye for now!
Adele etc.....
Kia ora Caddie Cruisers. Your holiday sounds amazing and look forward to more stories, photos when you return. Life back in ChCh will be ho hum compared to your trip, even Waltham School can't match!!!
ReplyDeleteNo major catastrophe's to report, not that you want to know. We do miss you and the admin block is great. Your office is waiting for your return.
Enjoy the rest of the journey.
Cheers Janine
Hey y'all!
ReplyDeleteYes, I know, it does seem a little strange that this is winter! Cairns is a constant 28 degrees in the daytime which is just perfect for me.
Gordy will be pleased to get your message, Janine! Walthamites might be interested to know that we caught up with Richie in Townsville - good value - the first familiar face (at least to Gordy) since Karen in Japan.
x