Rockhampton Flood Jan/Feb 2008

The Fitzroy River in flood. While the river is flooding, and it has made headlines on National TV - in fact there is very little risk to most residents (and it is a long way from my house). Darryl and I cycled around on Saturday morning (2 Feb) and took photos around the riverbank. The views from Mt Archer of the city were taken the day before by Darryl. Swirling floodwaters flooding down the Fitzroy River. Big clumps of water hyacinth are being washed down. Notice the train going North over the railway bridge.

Keppel Island

Australia Day Long-Weekend 2008 - Keppel Island

As it was a long weekend, the Capricornia Bushwalkers were holding a get-together on Great Keppel Island. Darryl and I picked up Cindi from Cawarral, and met up with most of the rest of the group at Keppel Bay Marina. The ferry trip across to the island was lovely, with bright sunlight and sparkling blue water. We landed on Fisherman's Beach, and were greeted by the Lodge managers with a 4x4 and trailer to take all our gear up to Keppel Lodge.

We took the short walk up to the Lodge and were really thrilled to see how lovely the octagonal building was inside. There are 4 bedrooms, each with their own ensuite, containing a double bed and 3 singles. The large lounge, dining and kitchen areas are shared. Each bedroom can be rented by itself, and has a small tv. In the lounge is a huge plasma screen with digital tv, and dvd player, and there is free wireless broadband! This lounge runs on solar energy, and there is bore water, but also tank water for drinking.

Some of the group were keen to head off on a walk, and after lunch headed off to Clam Bay. Some went up Mt Wyndham, others walked back on the track, but Darryl and Mary walked back by the beach and Morris Lookout. I just stayed at the Lodge, and went for a swim, and had an afternoon nap. Click here for a Map of the Island. Some of us headed down to the Wreck Bar to watch the sunset.

On Sunday, one group walked to the lighthouse and then to Svendsen's Beach, returning via Leeke's Beach (approximately 15km). At Svendsen's Beach the group met up with Dot's ex-in-laws, who live there. The other group went straight to Svendsen's Beach. All enjoyed a coffee and a muffin, before heading back. The group who walked had to wait for about half an hour for the tide to go out before they could cross one of the tidal creeks. Once again, I had a very relaxing day at the Lodge. I watched the DVDs of my UK trip from 2000 - I hadn't seen them before in one hit - had a nap, and did a little work. I wasn't the only piker, though, as some of the others stayed behind and watched cricket and tennis on the very clear, large TV screen. Of course, each evening we enjoyed 'Happy Hour' and a very social time.

On Monday, we were pleased to discover that we did not have to vacate as early as indicated
(although one room had to be cleared for other visitors arriving on the ferry). Darryl and I decided to go snorkeling. Some of the others had walked the track to Shelving Beach, but Darryl walked around the rocks and I snorkeled around. We saw large parrot fish, bream, lots of holothurians (sea cucumbers) and bait fish, rock cod, sponges, little black-tip sharks, and an injured turtle. Darryl was pleased to see that underneath the damaged coral was healthy growth. While swimming around to the beach, I started coming across water hyacinth which had been washed out of the Fitzroy River by the flood. Eventually we walked back, by the track, and had lunch before heading down to catch the ferry. The ocean, which had been so beautiful and clear on a couple of days before, was now looking very murky, with lots of logs, flotsam, and big clumps of floating grass, some dead, some alive, floating past us. 

Christmas 2007 - Townsville & Rockhampton

We were in Townsville for Christmas, having headed up there for Mum & Dad's wedding anniversary. Marc and Shane had already flown home, but we did not have to fly until after lunch on Christmas Day. Steve and Heather organised a delicious luncheon at their home. Gifts were shared, but of course most of the focus was on the youngest family member, Justin, and his excitement at his presents.

A Thomas the Tank Engine train set was the brain-tickler of the day, as first the tracks were put together and then investigations were made into how to insert the batteries (there were no instructions anywhere on this). Eventually it was all together and the result was enjoyed by all. All too soon we had to head to the airport, and flew home on an almost empty plane. We were given shortbread and star chocolates on the leg from Townsville to Mackay, but only a bottle of water on the leg from Mackay to Rockhampton!

We arrived home to a beautifully cooked roast pork and pavlova, prepared by Marc. It was a lovely evening spent with both sons.

Mum & Dad's Golden Wedding Anniversary 21 Dec 2007

Mum and Dad celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on December 21 2007. Marc, Shane, Darryl & I flew up to Townsville. Steve and I had organised the celebration. Steve drove Mum and Dad to Townsville RSL Club at 6.30pm, and we headed upstairs to an area which had been specially set out for us with tables around in a big u-shape. Golden balloons were attached to Mum and Dad's chairs, and a foil Gold balloon floated from a table at the front, and gold 50^th confetti was scattered on the white tablecloths. Initially, this top floor was packed with lots of noisy people, who were there for a competition for the RSL, but once the competition was over they cleared away and everyone else arrived.

Mal drove down from Innisfail with his partner, Deb. Jeffrey drove down from Cairns with his girlfriend Stacey. Terri and David arrived from Charters Towers with Blake and the new baby, Cayden who was only a month old. And, of course, Steve, Heather and Justin were also there. Mum and Dad were thrilled to have their entire family, children, grand-children, and great grand-children, all present to celebrate 50 years of marriage. As everyone was arriving we had pre-dinner drinks, and then ordered our meals. A surprise visit by Santa had the children excited, although the parents were a little worried about the effects of the lollies (mind you, some of them got lollies from the bag too!). Although our meals took a while to arrive, when they did, everyone was quite impressed with what was on their plate. Marc was especially impressed, as they had actually got his order wrong, and when he accepted what was offered, the waitress bought him a drink! 

We were all feeling quite satisfied when out came a chef with a huge cake, which was then put on the front table. Barrie and Val cut the cake and distributed it to all (except for poor me, who cannot eat wheat ) it was apparently a deliciously, moist chocolate cake topped with cream, chocolate curls and cherries!

  

After dinner, I guided all to chairs set up in the middle of the table, and showed a video presentation which included colour movie footage of the original wedding, and Mum and Dad's slide collection, along with photos, and the key milestones of their lives. There was quite a bit of hilarity and jokes during the presentation, not diminished by the fact that the majority of the slides included our me (being the first-born), with many less of Malcolm, and only a few of Steven! Everyone was also entertained by the antics between Justin and Blake. With both of them not quite 3, they are both full of beans, and had a great time with the helium-filled balloons.

At the end of the film, I presented Mum and Dad with letters of congratulations from the Premier of Qld, Anna Bligh, the Governor of Qld, Quentin Bryce, the Governor General of Australia, Major General Michael Jeffery, and since the night a letter has also arrived from Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister. We then presented them with a gift from all, being a digital picture frame, which has a clock-calendar showing, but can also show a slide show, to music, of the family photographs. Sadly, all events have to come to an end, and way past Mum and Dad's normal bed-times they were delivered home…but were able to take some of that lovely cake, which they savoured for a couple of days afterwards.

  

In the top photo we have:

Back Row L-R: Deb, Marc, Shane, Malcolm, Jeffrey, Stacey, David

Front Row L-R: Heather, Steven (with Justin), Barrie, Val, Chris (with Blake), Terri (with Cayden)

To the right is the photo of Val and Barrie cutting the cake.