The Run South

After 4 more days at O'Connell River Caravan Park - this time in a warm dry cabin - I sadly had to leave the Whitsunday area.

Just north of Mt Larcom Richard who, unbeknown to me, was driving north for work, called. We were just a few klms apart so we enjoyed a coffee together. I like life's little surprises.

The drive down the Bruce Highway was the worst I've encountered in my wanderings. The rain was so heavy once I got south of Rockhampton that I had no choice but to slip in behind a well lit semi-trailer being driven at a sensible pace and follow his lights. I made Gin Gin by nightfall and chose to stay in a motel.

Next day I climbed the steep winding, picturesque road from the Bruce Highway, through Palmwoods to Maleny and was at the Stipanov's in time for lunch. Their son Martin was there on holiday and it was the first time I've seen him since he was a young teenager in the 90's. My meditation teacher, Wendy, and Gary's Mum, Jan, were also there for lunch which, as always, was a healthy and delicious one.

At the Glasshouse Mtns I called into drop of the Dingo Beach Yarn Group's charity knitting to Karen Croke who later reported we'd donated over 300 items. What an amazing effort by just 9 dedicated ladies and there is more which I just couldn't find room for in my car this trip.

Mitchell, Nicholas and Zac greeted me with enthusiasm and I stayed overnight with them then went with Zac to his first official swimming lesson. It's always great to be able to be part of their lives.

The Wet Came

There I was with a week left to go when THE WET began. Unfortunately, my little tent proved incapable of handling this quantity of rain and it flooded driving me into the front seat of my car where I spent a warm, dry, not too uncomfortable night. The power of the mind is a wonderful thing - I simply imagined I was sitting on an aircraft heading to Europe. The drum of the rain on the car roof replicated the drone of an aircraft engine and I slept.

Next morning I had no choice but to up tent pegs and head back to friends, Sue and Wayne, at Dingo Beach. I turned up looking like a drowned rat but, as always, found a warm welcome. Wayne's shed made the perfect place to put my tent and camping gear to dry.


My final Dingo Beach housesit was a little different to the usual in that the senior member of the household, Mona, was there with me. Mona is 91 yo, still does crosswords, suduko, reads, knits for charity and keeps up with world affairs. She took care of me really. She made us porridge each morning and our dinner each evening. We had Sue and Wayne around for dinner one night and Mona prepared everything. I was assigned the table setting and the vegetable preparation duties!

North Queensland Wanderings

O'Connell River Caravan Park 22 klms south of Proserpine

My current home

O'Connell River Caravan Park is where I'm currently camped filling in time between housesits. I must have passed this place dozens of times but never noticed it previously. Yesterday while on the Bruce Highway heading to Cape Hillsborough it looked very appealing so I swung in and found a gem. My camp site overlooks the wide, healthy looking river (no fish biting the locals tell me). The grass is lush, there are shady trees, friendly folk, mobile and internet access and a swimming pool. All for the princely sum of $16 per night. I've decided to stay all week. The only negative is the number of insects, some of which flap their wings loudly, which seem to find their way into my tent at night. Tonight there are 3 jewel green grasshoppers gazing through the mesh as they take up residence between the tent and the fly sheet at ceiling level.

It's Wednesday and I've spent the entire day reading a book I just can't put down "More than Riches" by Josephine Cox. It's a story about a girl called Rosie set in the 40's and 50's in the UK.

Whitsundays - Hydeaway Bay

This is the view I have to wake up to each morning at the Hydeaway Bay housesit.

I'm playing tennis several times a week with the local ladies late in the afternoon when it has cooled down a little. Humidity is high but still the rains haven't come.

My knitting production is at an all-time low, not because of the heat but due to my wonderful social life. These country "girls" know how to enjoy life to the full.

The Dingo Beach Yarn Group have handed me many boxes of knitted items to courier back to Knit 4 Brisbane's Needy. Just to name a few there are 50 beanies, 12 scarves, 3 cartons of baby clothing, 3 adult ponchos, 6 children's jumpers, all knitted since I was here last in January. If they keep this up I may need to bring less personal things with me in future so I have room in my little hatchback on the return journey south. Great work ladies - thank you.

For those of you interested in fishing - the locals going out to the reef are not catching much. Dave, the retired butcher who knows how to spin a yarn, claims he's catching them off the Beach at night. I suspect he's simply out to stir the boat owners spending a fortune to travel out to the Reef!

My 2010 housesitting diary is filling fast. If you know of anybody needing my services please have them get in touch as soon as possible.

Whitsundays

Our Dingo Beach Christmas Tree - the birds like it and the Lorikeets think they are part of the decorations.

The view from the verandah of my first Dingo Beach housesit. That's Gloucester Island in the background.

Dingo Beach at sunset with the tide out.

Yesterday I moved from Dingo Beach, a piece of undeveloped paradise in the Whitsundays where mobiles don't work and neither do wireless modems, to another glorious spot just around the corner, or over the hill, depending on your mode of transport. These housesitting gigs are getting tougher and tougher!

Farewell Maleny - Hello Highway

One more sleep then my homeowner Audrey will be home, 2 more sleeps and I'll be back behind the wheel heading North. The time spent in Maleny has been wonderful. The biggest bonus was discovering Dean and Jan Francis again. Tiggie the dog I will miss very much, she's so intelligent and such great company. There's something to be said for waking up each morning and gazing out across the valley of green - it's good for the soul. I trust there will be many, many more opportunities to return to this community in the future.

Red Riding Hood Project

The jacket Red Riding Hood is wearing is 2.5cm at the centre back, was knit with Rubi and Lana 2ply (which I think knits up more like a 1 to 1.5ply) on size 18 needles. I began at the front of the hood and knit from the top down. I then knit the sleeves on 4dpns needles, so no sewing up was required when completed. This very cute bear was designed and made by Lesley Stipanov of Les Bears who currently has it listed for adoption on eBay. My very creative friend, Lesley, made the little toggles using a product called Shrinky Dink which is available from scrapbooking suppliers. It takes all day to knit a jacket like this - I think I'm mad but feel much satisfaction knitting these miniature items I'll continue to do it while my eyesight allows me to.