The Queen's land!

This morning we decided to explore the northern coastal areas of Brisbane, we drove south from Bribie Island - with a quick interrupt for a "random breath test" - to Scarborough. Scarborough, like so many coastal areas in southern Queensland, has its share of canal housing, but it is quite established and not nearly as over the top as some other canal estates are. It is on Moreton Bay - famous for its " Moreton Bay bugs" - the popular crustacean and then of course the wonderful old Moreton Bay Fig Trees which are spread from the Atherton Tablelands near Cairns to the Illawarra Rainforests in NSW.

Fishing off Scarborough in Moreton Bay - with a backdrop of the hazy Glass House MountainsNext stop was Redcliffe, and its jetty. Lovely established coastal village, now maybe a suburb, with simple atmosphere - reminded me a little of Manly in Sydney some 40 years ago.

Redcliffe's old boardwalk and bath house

Its Jetty and beach

This lagoon (and many playgrounds) have been built on the waters edge at "Settlement Cove" in Redcliffe, fabulous facility for families. Not too many swimmers today though- it was quite nippy and windy. Walking from Settlement Cove back to the Redcliffe Jetty.

From Redcliffe we drove south through Margate onto Brighton, with one more quick interrupt for yet another "random breath test" at Woody Point. Brighton's Flinders Parade which runs along the beach front is lined with wonderful examples of the old Queensland architecture.

The Ole Queenslander is normally built on stilts

of timber, with flowing balconies

Ornate doors and filigree work

Some more colourful than others

but all charming

Brighton's waterfront church. Back to the Gold Coast and the Broadwater tomorrow to start all over again!

Bribie Island's wildlife!

After three quiet nights at Warwick, we drove north to Toowoomba, then to Esk (lovely village surrounded by mountains) and onto Lake Somerset, an artificial lake (a very large one) created in 1953, when the Stanley River was dammed. Stayed there overnight - unfortunately it was quite overcast, so didn't take any photos, but would definitely go back there. Great atmosphere, with each campsite having its own fire place etc. etc, and many happy campers. As it is still school holidays in Queensland, sites on the coast are hard to come by, but we have managed to get 2 nights on Bribie Island, just north of Brisbane and south of the Sunshine Coast - again it is overcast, so it's a bit hard to appreciate all the beaches, plus some heavy winds. We drove around the island checking out the different areas and came across this rather large bird - the emu - just a struttin' his stuff down one of the streets of Pacific Harbour.

Nothing like mountain air!

After a very ordinary few days, with the seller defaulting on settlement of the house we had thought we had bought, we decided to head west to regroup, the goal was Goondiwindi (cotton country) some 4 hours south west of the Gold Coast, but we only made it as far as Warwick (2.5 hours west) beautiful scenery all the way, nice quiet park, and plenty to see. So today, we picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and drove up to Main Range National Park and the Queen Mary Falls - 40 klms away. This NP is nestled in the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, it has a small sheltered rainforest pocket on the valley floor which contrasts so sharply with the open eucalypt forest of the upper slopes. Some of the eucalypts are humungous, too big to get any kind of photo.

Overlooking the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range

Queen Mary Falls - plunges for 40 meters

over glistening rocks and hanging gardens to the Condamine River which then flows into the Darling River, and this flows into the Murray River in Victoria.

There are over 100 different type of birds here, some of which can be encouraged with a little seed.

Reckon this King Parrot and Rosella are checking out who are the nicest kids (below them) they should grace with their presence.

Mr. King Parrot made a good choice, this dear little soul was so gentle, I took this photo before our walk to the falls, and she was still there with her birds when we got back.

Overlooking the Condamine Valley, part of the Darling Basin which feeds the Murray Darling Basin to the South Australian Coast.

Think the Murray Darling is the longest river system in Australia

Finished off our day with a coffee at a super cafe hanging off the side of the mountain beside Carrs Lookout!

And the Brig turns ??

Today was the boy's birthday, and it was also a lovely sunny, and very warm winter's day. With a lot still going on with the house situation, we could not join the Aunts today, but did get a chance to get to the Northcliffe Surf Club at Surfers Paradise for lunch.

Followed by a much needed walk along the Esplanade.

The beach was quite busy - it is mid winter school holidays Statues - not sure what they are, dotted along the Esplanade, along with stunning Pandanus trees.

Fruit of the Pandanus!

Lamington National Park

We headed for the McPherson Range this morning, well part of it, namely the Lamington National Park, and its subtropical rainforest - less than an hour from the Gold Coast.

Above - The McPherson Range

Photo above: Groom cottage where most of the rainforest walks start from. Named after Arthur Groom who was a co founder of the Lodge.

The rainforest is subtropical, and home to many waterfalls, over 150 bird species

ancient trees and ferns mosses and fungi Leaf skeletons on the rainforest floor.

We took time out - to sit and relax at Binna Burra Lodge

and enjoy some peace

in a truly stunning part of the world

and wonder what tomorrow will bring!

Saturday at the Spit

Today around noon, the sun decided to shine, so we took off to discover a bit more about the Spit. This is where the sea meets the Broadwater, the gap that joins the two is called the Seaway. Slightly south of the Spit is the 1.5 klm sand pumping jetty. They pump the sand to keep the Seaway open so that stormwater on the Gold Coast can escape to the ocean.

Looking from the spit to the sand pumping jetty. The jetty is very popular with fishermen early evening.

This beach (Main Beach) runs the full length of the Broadwater.

This northern tip is "dog friendly" , what a wonderful time they were having, it is also popular with "learner" board riders.

Summer fun in Minnesota

Grandson, Jack has swapped his snow board for board shorts in St Paul.

Kids having fun (Jack in centre)

The main ring at the Circus Camp Jack has just attended.

Such concentration!

Taking a bow (centre)

Ou est le soleil???

Where is the sun - certainly not in the Broadwater. After some wonderful weather on the Sunshine Coast, we arrived back to the Gold Coast on Saturday, and torrential rain, on and off, more on, than off. Anyway guess no one out there is feeling too sorry for us!. It has been the same all the way down the coast.

What does one do when confined to a caravan with headcolds in revolting weather, they watch other species more silly than themselves - namely the "masked lapwing". These 2 in the photo below are amazing, they are sharing the "nesting" duties, which is out in the open in a garden opposite our van, they have weathered torrential, and I mean torrential rain for the last 3 days. It's quite crazy where they lay their eggs, one leaves for hours on end, then it comes back, there is some backchat, then a changing of the guard takes place, and of course if you dare go near them or the their nest - you are dive bombed. Maybe we might be lucky to see the chicks before we leave.

Today, to amuse ourselves in some more very ordinary weather, we spent many hours looking around, including having lunch, at the new IKEA complex just south of Brisbane - most impressive. The house situation is still up in the air - most unusual rules up here, definitely "buyer beware", but then the stamp duty is more "buyer friendly". C'est la vie!!!