Week 450 - Bundaberg, Queensland

Another week in Bundaberg. We had more rain and storms but have now settled down to 30 deg steaming heat.

Billings Warehouse - The workshop in action 

The progress on the bus has been steady and at some times alarmingly slow. I have been on the roof for approximately four days in a crouching position, not good for your knees nor your brain. Bill has completed rebuilding the front cupboards and reskinning the back wall.

Back wall clad - More work than you think 
went to repairing this back wall

So at the end of this week, we have made some achievements punctuated by trips to Across the Waves with a small group of Highway Wanderers.

Cabinetry - Bill's skills are excellent 

As you can see by the photographs, we are deeply in debt to Bill and Narelle for their hospitality, help and friendship. All part of being in the Highway Wanderers' family.

Week 448 to 449 - Bundaberg, Queensland

We apologise for our absence for the last 15 days. We have been busy, busy, busy at the CMCA Rally at Bundaberg and what has made matters worse, we have also suffered torrential rain for approximately 5 days. The rains made the rally site a quagmire and eventually damaged our bus. The rain poured in at two locations but isn't covered by Ken Tame Insurance on a technical term as the evidence points to the leaks having been there for some time.

Bundy bash - Super power collides 
with genie on a carpet! 

Fame at last - Rusti sings happy birthday on 
stage to 1000 people accompanied by 
Ray and Horror 

We are now parked up at Billing's Warehouse for a major repair. As I have said before the CMCA Rally was hectic to say the least and at the finale Rusti, Ray and myself sang happy birthday to an audience of over 1000 people. Rusti received raptuous applause and calls for an encore. I believe there is a bootleg video doing the "youtube" rounds.

A break in the storm - Bundaberg has been inundated 
with 550 mls of rain and we were stuck in the middle of it

Tongue stage left - Rusti enjoys a long hot bath 

So as we literally tred water in Bundaberg, we have the time, the know how and the skills of Bill Prime to repair our bus.

Flood damage - Torrential downpours discover a 
couple of leaks in our motorhome and cause 
mass destruction. 

Week 447 - Biggenden, Queensland

Our week has been dominated by the health and welfare of my mother and the visit of Mum's younger sisters. My mum is 82 and unco-operative with diet, liquid intake and her own well being. During the sisters' visit, they tried to encourage her to participate in outings, family functions and life in general. But sadly she has given up.

The sisters have been for four weeks and have enjoyed their excursions, sight seeing and the Australian natural wildlife. A sighting of a Galah caused great excitement, something we all take for granted.

The departure from Lowood was planned to military precision. We did an excursion into Brisbane to plan their trip, bumping into Bushy and Pomerang, the Pfeiffers and then Dregs, Greasy and Navigator.

Architecture - There is no need to sit in a pub with 
uncomfortable furniture in a run down pub. 

74 taps - However, these taps were part of the 
ambiance of the pub.  A fountain of water 
from 9 taps 

74 different beers - Quality beers abound. 
Finally the people of Ipswich don't have to 
drink XXXX Gold and Hahn Light

On one visit to Ipswich, we discovered the PA Hotel, the old Prince Alfred Hotel. 74 beers on tap and the decor would have cost millions. It has been voted best pub in Queensland and best pub in Australia. If you can visit this pub in Ipswich, you should do so.

A picnic in the park - Colmslie Reserve next to the 
Gateway Bridge is a great place for travellers 
to park during the day and take their toad into 
town for some R&R. 

On the day of departure, we packed the bus up at 10.15, picked the aunts up at 10.45 and arrived at Colmslie Reserve punctually at midday. Colmslie Reserve is a lovely picnic stop and has plenty of room to park the motorhome with toad attached. We had a wonderful picnic by the river and completed our final leg to the airport without incident. It was probably the first time that a motorhome and toad had dropped passengers off to the International Airport.

Brisbane International Airport - The Aunts 
were dropped off at the airport in style.

Poms on their way, we headed North to Biggenden. We encountered heavy traffic on the gateway and was diverted by the GPS on a short cut from Gympie to Biggenden. On the short cut we encountered 6 km of dirt road, cattle and many creek crossings.
Darkness failed and we were hit by a rain storm with just 10 km to go. We arrived at Biggenden at 6.30 pm.

The last four weeks have been hectic, traumatic and sometimes very enjoyable. We have had family get togethers and a few sad moments.

Today, we are camped at Biggenden with our Highway Wanderers chapter awaiting the commencement of the CMCA rally at Bundaberg.