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3rd August,
Elliott Heads is one of the more picturesque beachside suburbs of Bundaberg. It's also pretty hard to get a booking into the caravan park. We were very lucky when we rang and booked a site just a week in advance.
Once we were set up (left) i.e. leveled, water, power, drain, awning, satellite dish and more.. the antennas became the focus. The 2m/70cm was no problem but the heavy HF multi band trapped vertical was the usual problem (left).
Today however I came across a solution that seems to work for me (right). The earth stake is behind (inside) the "A" frame and the U bolts for the antenna mounting bracket are used to hold the mounting bracket hard against the outside of the "A" frame. The earth stake keeps it vertical as long as the caravan is not moved.
Whilst wandering around Elliott Heads we made the discovery of a lifetime (left) .... um?
It is all about holding your breath and putting a finger in your left ear every time you get your hair cut .. .. isn't it?
Oh no, don't tell me I've misunderstood!
17th August,
We arrived at Coolum Beach (right) on the Queensland Sunshine Coast on Monday 15th. Now, Connie can walk for miles and miles along this great beach of fine clean sand. I'd love to go too, but it's just not quite warm enough.
Our first excursion was to Eumundi and the markets - they are so popular that we spent half an hour finding a car parking space. I eventually let Connie take control (left).
We also stopped at Yandina and the Ginger Factory where our young tour guide completely lost her self control (right).
Pity, she had been doing such a good job until she finally snapped.
I wanted to make a complaint about another stupid policy that the Labor party was promoting on TV, and so I looked up the local member for the Labor party and went to their office (left).
What I found at the office did not really surprise me!
22nd August,
Woah! what's happening? The weather has crashed. Today we reached a max of 14 degrees and the wind (which could easily damage the Labor party's office) made it feel like 4 degrees. The sea is wild and my swim across the bay was hard work this morning.
Connie pleaded with me to hurry up when I took this picture (right). She was freezing (can't you tell!).
When we visited the Ettamogah Tavern, I was surprised at the immaculate decor inside (left).
I caught the bar maid doing her Mickey Mouse impression (right). When I showed the picture to her, she gasped and said "Hell, you won't get much for $14.99".
24th August,
Back at Coolum, things have not improved. It is raining cats and dogs. The sun came out for a moment and we put on our running shoes. We ran to the other end of the shops but couldn't get back - it started raining again (left). So we sat in a coffee shop where they make nice hot cappuccinos, and ate an ice cream!
26th August,
The weather forecast is dreadful and we have a small water leak in the van. The decision is made to head for home - a few days early.
27th August,
We left early in pouring rain and headed for the New England Highway, however something went wrong and my "ratbag GPS" took us through Toogoolawah, Eskdale, along The Bluff Road to Crows Nest, and eventually to Toowoomba. The Bluff road was 60 or 70 klms of dirt and mud - it was a nightmare which almost reduced Connie to tears. We finally stopped the night at Glen Innes (about 600 klms). When we opened the caravan door (shock, horror) I was almost reduced to tears. We had developed more water leaks somewhere in the (now water logged) roof and we finally fell asleep listening to the sound of dripping water.
28th August,
As the sun beamed in and the water dripped out I told Connie "We are going to get home today". It turned out to be the best day we have seen for over a week and we drove another 500 klms arriving home well before dark.
It was a great trip. I won't forget the Bungle Bungle National Park, or the Horizontal Waterfalls.
See you soon.
Allan & Connie
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