What a life! This morning we are sitting in the sunshine with the temperature at 23 degrees, following an overnight minimum of 15 deg. Sorry to brag about it, for those stuck in the southern states.

After a nice few days with friends in Airlie Beach we backtracked for 160 km southward to Mackay, to see more friends there. It was fun to catch up with them again. The kids are 7, 5 and 4 years old and to watch them playing soccer and golf at that age was great. We are lucky to have had such generous hosts in both Airlie Beach and Mackay.

Sixty km inland (west) of Mackay is the nice little town of Finch Hatton, big enough to have a pub, a general store and a Showground that doubles as a caravan park. With power, water, green grass and heaps of space, it’s a really nice place to stay for a few nights. During the day we visited the nearby Eungella National Park and at night chatted with fellow travellers around our campfire. The National Park is mountainous, with rain forests and fast flowing creeks that are occupied by platypuses (yes, that’s how to say the plural of platypus). It’s beautiful, although at 4 degrees, the nights were cold.

From Finch Hatton to Cape Hillsborough was only 80 km, at first through cane fields then through pretty, hilly, farm land and forest. We stayed here last year and enjoyed it so came back again. The caravan park within the national park is the only developed facility for several kms so the beach and bush walks are not very busy. It is very relaxing. Wallabies, kangaroos and kookaburras are at home amongst the caravans and motor homes.

Tonight, being Friday, is pizza night so we will enjoy a social evening with neighbours before heading north to Bowen tomorrow morning.

We hope everyone keeps happy and well. From Ted and Jo.