Well it’s been a while.........

 since my last post and as the old year finished the new year began in much the same way.  It seemed each state took its turn of having new Covid-19 flare ups and just as regularly all the other states closed borders whether it seemed necessary or not.  It was certainly making life interesting for anyone wanting to travel interstate now.  We have decided to just sit tight and hope we can get away in winter.  Till then we have plenty to keep us busy.  We did get out for a short getaway in February having a short break at Shady Brook Cottages in Harrietville. 

In April we had another short break visiting Cheryl and Shane in St Leonards then on to see Al in Foster before coming back to have lunch with Mum at the RSL in Chelsea.  It was so good to see you all and we enjoyed our short but fun visits.

After a few quiet weeks in January we made regular visits to our many North East Victoria outlets to top up stock and then to collect any unsold calendars.  Happily there were not too many of those.  Meeting James Al Pacca was a highlight of one visit to Violet Town.  We continued to do the farmers markets each weekend and this year were invited to do the Mansfield Bush Market.  This is held only four times a year and they are huge we were told.   We did Australia Day and the Easter market and wow - huge is an understatement.  Both were very successful and we look forward to doing them again.  

Of course Covid-19 reared it’s head again in Melbourne and this time the whole state was put into lockdown which clipped our wings for a short while but we were soon back out on the road enjoying our beautiful countryside.

At home we had some fun times with the first being Roma’s 80th birthday party.  Held at the Bowling Club those who attended had a great afternoon enjoying Jimmy, Gail and some Joyce family members providing the musical entertainment.  

Line dancing commenced again in March and it was so good to get back to the music and friends.  Quite a few coffees with friends have been shared in cafes and on the street depending on the current situation.  Pizza night at Judi and Peter’s place was a fun and tasty night.  There have been a dinner or two at The Sevens Creek Hotel and the local Chinese Restaurant.

Once our pop up shop closed Ruth asked me if I would like to help out at the One World shop next door so once a week I worked there helping her, Genevieve and Sue with sales and service.  Over Easter the shop has gone into recess as they look for a new premises but they had a wonderful success passing on a $5000 cheque to ASRC and a further $500 each to the Euroa SES and Fire Brigade.  I also returned to my indexing at the Museum.

All too soon the weather started to change and winter was showing signs of coming early.  Not wanting to spend another winter at home we started to make plans to head north around the middle of May.  

The day finally came and with the van packed we set off on May 23rd heading for Maroochydore where we were going to attend a reunion.  The 50th anniversary of the boys joining the air force was actually last year but of course had to be cancelled.  It was back on in June this year and we were looking forward to catching up with everyone again.

We made our way up to Qld stopping at some favourite campsites along the way.  Chiltern, The Rock, Touts Lookout and Gilgandra at the bowling club.  We called into Murrumbarrah/Harden to see the new life size sculpture of ‘Bill the Bastard’.  You will remember that a few years ago we stopped here to find the original sculpture which was quite small.  The same sculptor, Carl Valerius, decided he would bronze a life size model statue he had done and here it is.  He was still in the studio at the moment as the site out on the Main Street was being prepared.  It is a truly magnificent piece and meeting Carl and his wife Val was lovely.

It was at this point that our trip changed.  Having a coffee at Gilgandra the next morning we heard the news that Covid 19 cases were growing in Melbourne again and Victoria was going into a 7 day lockdown again in two days time.  Of course the next thing we heard was that Qld was closing their borders to Victorians from midnight on Friday.  We had to cross tonight or go into two weeks hotel quarantine so we set off and crossed into Goondiwindi around sunset that night and booked into the Showgrounds.  Good news but bad news too.  We now had to abide by the same lockdown rules as Victoria did.  Masks, isolation etc and of course as we’d had to fill out a declaration to cross the border they knew exactly where we were.  As the reunion was within the 7 day period it was a no go.  So very frustrating as we had left well before these cases were found and all were from metropolitan Melbourne not regional Victoria.  Still nothing we could change so we just waited out the 7 days and then made our way to Maroochydore as planned.  We explored the Botanic Gardens as part of our daily exercise and enjoyed the open space and the few sculptures we passed.  All of the other Victorians had to cancel flights and accommodation as they couldn’t make it either.

As we had booked and paid for our site in Maroochydore we continued on and once we could arrive did so in time to catch up with a few of the guys who were staying there.  We also had a great morning on our first day out of isolation as Anita and Greg hosted breakfast with a few others who had stayed. 

So here we were at a place we wouldn’t normally visit as we tend to stay away from the coast.  We decided to enjoy our time there and have a look around and this we did.  Cotton Tree holiday park was the biggest caravan park I have ever seen with 377 sites and cabins but it was very well maintained and lovely and quiet.  Quite a few empty sites but I guess that would be because of the current situation.  Set right on the beach on one side and the river the other side it was a nice place to walk around.

We drove to Noosa and Eumundi one day and enjoyed looking around these lovely little towns.  The quirky street art in Eumundi was hard to pass without taking photos.

The next day we drove back to Eumundi to visit the famous market.  It was busy but there were some empty spots so maybe not back to full capacity yet.  It was good to see how other people do things and it certainly confirmed our thoughts that we are doing ok.

Just one more day spent at the beach and then it was time to leave again.  It hadn’t turned out exactly like we had planned but we have enjoyed our stay here but are now ready to head out west and find some birds.

On Monday morning it was up early and we drove into Brisbane where the car and caravan were being serviced.  While they were done we took the train into the city but soon got sick of wandering aimlessly and returned to wait in the cafe next door to the mechanics.  Just 30 mins later all was done and we were on our way to collect the caravan.  With a clean bill of health for both it was time to go and we did.

until next time……….