October 2015 just a few Days just a bit North

Left at 9.30am headed for 1st appointment for Geoff's Broadband for Seniors (BFS) at 11.00am at Carseldine. (via Paradise, Beaudesert rds, Muriel ave., Ipswich rd, Freeway, ICB, Gympie rd. Traffic as expected, but not a bad run.) Did 4 visits (couldn't find one at North Lakes (no sign, no street nos. anywhere). Hottish day around 31c. Stopped at Jowarra Park (near Caloundra turnoff at Bruce Hwy (on Steve Irwin Way/Glasshouse mountains rd). A couple of spots left, but many taken up with commuters. Rainforest backdrop one side and busy intersection with traffic lights on other. Bollarded spots, found fairly level one, but not deep enough for long van unhooked, but we fitted in OK. Drop loos (smelly because used extensively by travellers, picnicers, commuters) no paper. Bush turkeys, birds, tall trees, so plenty of shade. Early to bed, as traffic starts early.

As expected, traffic started at around 3.30am and in full swing by 5am, then just got heavier. Bin day so the birds were joined by the engine and reverse beeping of the garbage truck and the accompanying clanging of bins, etc. Another warm, clear day expected. Left a message for cousin Lorraine, but we didn't speak until we wereleaving Maroochydore, so we'll catch up next time. Stopped at a few BFS locations (Geoff's work) on the Sunshine Coast, Bli Bli and Nambour and just avoided two more bin clearances. That will be all for BFS now. Got bamboozled a few times by the Sunshine Coast Hwy and adjoining freeway type roads heading in all directions. Later in the day, stopped at IGA Yandina and then up the road to Bridges Browns Creek rest area. It is a lovely place and it was good last time, busy and lucky to get a spot last time. This time, 1 motorhome and rest were cars for permanent tents, a broken down old, old caravan, boarded up windows, caravan on bricks and other side of rest area, three vehicles (tray truck, bus, car and trailer) owned by the one older guy. (I waved and he waved back so hopefully he is OK). They all look permanent. I should have checked Wikicamps, didn't realise things had deteriorated. Wikicamps reports, mostly about the noise, swearing, abuse, one post said people tried to pinch their fuel tanks off the top of the car. Geoff and Maurice (from the motorhome) chatted for some while and I, having a bad feeling about the place, looked up Wikicamps. But it was too late, Geoff didn't want to move. We had aready set up. No wonder no other vans or any travellers came in at all - they obviously had checked wikicamps. Later a backpacker van pulled in behind us and I've never been so glad to see foreign backpackers - their only vice usually being campfire smoke and rubbish left. They took the spot of one of the perm campers and I wondered when they returned if there would be a 'barney' as the backpackers had parked in 'their spot', but, no, they got one of their other mates' vehicles to move, so I'm hopeful the 'perms' are not complete morons. Geoff spoke to Carl, an older perm for some time and got his life history. Turns out they have been given notice by the council. He had been there since July - not bad for a 48hrs stop rule. Haven't spoken much about the Sunshine Coast, generally it is one long suburb with traffic problems and a beach.

Had a good sleep, no disturbances, 'quiet as' (except of course for the trains and the traffic). Having had an early night, we woke around 5.30am. 3 more campers had pulled in during the night. Curious how the old guy got around with three vehicles, this morning Geoff spoke to him again and turns out the tray truck doesn't run and the 6×4 trailer is broken. So he just stays put. Then Geoff spoke to the French backpackers behind us and then the German backpackers cleaning their teeth at the tap. No rest when Geoff is around. Took our time as we didn't have any great distance to travel and not really sure where we were going. Turns out Geoff had done more BFS calls than he needed, so we don't need to do any more. Headed towards Gympie via the scenic route, by-passed Gympie on another scenic route, lovely rolling hills of the Mary Valley (the one they were going to dam a couple of years ago). Travelled through Wigee on our alternate route and stopped at Mary McIntosh Park for lunch. High overlooking a lovely creek, green grass, loos and the only ones there. Wind picked up considerably and temp stayed around mid-20's, a relief from the hot of the last two days. Still alone at 5.15pm.

Only ones there last night and pitch black, but all good. Rained during the night and still drizzling in the morning. Although we were next to the road, hardly any traffic - being a minor alternative road between Gympie and Kilkivan. Headed out from Widgee and passed a property that was named 'Bodgies at Widgee'. All those over 60yo will remember the Bodgies and the Widgees of the 1950's (just think of the characters in 'Grease'). Countryside still very pretty and undualating farmland, with the road surrounded further out by a ring of state forest. Joined the Wide Bay Hwy, checked out the Fat Hen Creek overnight site, travelled through Kilkivan and stopped at Kimbombi falls. Lovely area high overlooking a gorge. Becaue we stopped, the drizzle rain caught up with us. We met Peter with his litte van (smaller than ours) and walked the 200 steps down and up and to and various lookouts to the gorge. Very picturesque. Will definitely stay another time, maybe not a week-end, plus we were out of food and had planned to stay at Nanango. Moved on through Goomeri. Stopped at Broadwater Recreation Reserve for lunch. Not a quick stop. We turned onto an unsealed road for 1km, through a cattle gate that you had to open and shut, then along dodgy dirt tracks in to this huge area (20-30 acres) full of very large gums 'the widow makers' and the whole area bounded by a small river. No picnic tables, loos or bins here, just peace, quiet and vast farmland across the river. We were the only ones there, until another van turned up. After lunch we followed the track a little to investigate and found an old concrete cricket pitch in an open area with no trees, so you could almost see the ghosts of communities past gathering for Sunday community picnics. On to Nanango to the Tipperary Flat/Lions Club rest area. We have to have at least one episode of moving the van 10 times to get the 'right' spot and this was it. The drizzle once again caught up on us, but cleared by the time we did a 6.5km round trip walk into town to get chips, fish and hamburger, yum!! On the return loop visited the cemetery where Kristi's friend, Phil is buried. Got back to the van just as the sun went down.

Headed for home. Weather still a bit iffy. Whilst travelling through Blackbutt, we diverted to Geoff's cousins place, but they were not home. By phone Aunty Lois confirmed they were still interstate. Back on the highway and dropped into, again, to Benarkin rest area for another look. May stay one day, but it was too early again today. Has a portable toilet/ shower block (donation), not a lot of a shade, backs on to the old railway line-now heritage walking/bike track and across the road from a small store. There were about 4 vans there. Moved on, past Moore (another free camp in middle of town - outside the hall and then turned off the D'Aguilar Hwy on to the Brisbane Valley Hwy.

Stopped at Toogoolawah (unsuccessful at finding the free camp last time). Turns out it was next to the police station but now closed. They have a new area across the road and backs on to the main street. About half acre site, bare with one huge Eucalypt in the middle - supposed to be self-contained as no facilities. Walked to the markets between our stop and the heritage railway station which were just closing up and bought a Lavendar plant.

Moved on, with the weather now quite warm (for the first time on the trip) and stopped at a couple of the Wivenhoe (lake) picnic areas, then the Dam information centre.

From there we travelled home on a road we have taken many times so no more stops.