Day 13: Sat 24 Oct - Esk to Home, 322km; total towed: 738km; total driven: 939km

Cloudy and very muggy, no rain until we got home

Due to the rather ominous weather forecast for today, we decided to hit the road early. We were able to be on the road by 7:30am as we were awake and out of bed at 5:30am!

Our first stop was at Nanango for some peanuts from the Peanut Van; second stop at Goomeri for mornos in the van; third stop at Puma Curra for mornos for the truck; and finally arrived home just after midday.

After unpacking the fridge, perishables and washing from the van (we may be going out again in a weeks' time), lunch was cooked and eaten, followed by a rest.

We then washed the truck and the van. The van roof was full of flowers from the tree we were parked under at the Esk van park and they were quite sticky, so it took a bit of washing to get them off. Both vehicles were then put to bed before we headed over to our neighbours for a quick drink. Back home to watch the AFL Grandfinal. Neither of us are AFL fans so this will be an experience.

We had a happy and relaxing 12 days in our tiny house on wheels. Greg was quite disappointed that we didn't get to our other intended destinations (Toowoomba, Crows Nest, Blackbutt), however, there is always another day.

Day 12: Fri 23 Oct - Esk

Cloudy but fine

After breakfast we hopped in the car and headed for Ipswich to visit Greg's three sisters. It was great to catch up with them and Greg's nephew and his family.

Back home we had a very late lunch, a little rest then went out on the bikes for more rail trail rides.

Due to forecasted rain overnight, we decided to take in the awning and pack up all stuff outside. We will be home tomorrow, as the weather forecast for the next week doesn't look so good to be out caravanning.

The same house (permanent resident) at the Esk Caravan Park

A pretty-faced wallaby on the streets of Esk

Lutheran Church at Esk

Coffee capsules we bought at Woolies Fernvale

 

Day 11: Thu 22 Oct - Esk

Cloudy, but cool and fine 

After our morning constitutional walks, breakfast was had before Wendy did some more work and Greg opted to ride the rail trail to Toogoolawah, around trip of 40km.

After a light lunch and a rest, we both headed out for a very short trail ride just to sharpen the appetite for dinner at the pub.

We had dinner at the Grand Hotel and Greg had the lamb shank which was from a very tiny lamb, whilst Wendy had the Frenchy Parmy (chicken parmy with brie, bacon, mayo, amd some other stuff) which was from a very BIG chicken. Greg helped Wendy, so we were both very well satisfied.

Bird feeding station at van park

A vibrant Jacaranda with misty hills in the background

Brisbane Valley Rail Trail at Esk train station

Esk pedestrian bridge

Resurface section of the railtrail on Greg's ride

Big homestead on the hill

Esk Cenotaph

A colourful garden in the van park

Street art at Esk

Wendy's huge Frenchy Parmy

Greg's tiny lamb shank

Day 10: Wed 21 Oct - Scarborough to Esk, 137km; total towed: 416km

A lovely sunny start to the day on the coast, ending with grey skies and drizzle at Esk

Despite having less than 150km to drive today, we were still on the road by 8:20am after a leisurely breakfast and pack-up. We stopped for fuel at Deception Bay as the diesel was the cheapest we've seen for a while at $1.09. Our next stop was at the bakery at Kilcoy just for old times' sake; we were there in June on our way from Nanango to Kenilworth. Brewed-up in the van though.

We were all setup at the Esk Caravan Park by 11:20pm on site #61. They are very helpful people in the park - they showed us to our site and despite being able to drive through, they still felt they had to direct us. I guess they have to do something for the $41/night (weeknight) and $45 (weekend). No sooner had we gotten the awning up and the floormat down, and the rain came down. And that put at end to our thoughts of taking a short walk through town before settling in for the afternoon and evening.

It rained on and off during the night which was nice to hear as they really need the rain out here. 

Esk Caravan Park, #61

Day 9: Tue 20 Oct - Scarborough

A sunny but windy day.

Greg's temporary fix of Wendy's bike cables was very temporary. So, yesterday Greg rang Redcliffe Cycles who were very accommodating despite being fully booked;  Chris said that if we had the bike at the shop at the time of opening, they should be able to get it done. So, after breakfast it was on the bikes for a short 4km ride to the bike shop. We then took a walk to wile away the time. An hour later we returned and the bike was fixed. 

Back home for mornos and a relax before heading around the corner to the Morton Bay Boat Club for lunch (we missed our Saturday pub outing) and both had very nice meals at 3 times the cost of a meal at the Howard pub, but the view was 300% better.

Another rest and we took off on the bikes again in search of an ice cream which we found at Redcliffe after casting our early votes.

We have had a relaxing five days here at Scarborough, and move inland tomorrow. At the time of publishing, we have still not decided exactly where we will end up.

Lunch

Settlement Cove Lagoon at Redcliffe

Day 8: Mon 19 Oct - Scarborough

Another glorious day in paradise 

After breakfast, Greg set off on his bike whilst Wendy worked. Greg went to Redcliffe Botanic Gardens and some art galleries.

Home for lunch with Wendy, a rest and another short ride before settling in for the night.

Glass House Mountains this morning from Scarborough

Red cliffs of Redcliffe

A door in a tree at Scarborough

as above

Bee Gees memorial lane at Redcliffe, under renovation

Redcliffe Botanic Gardens

Redcliffe Botanic Gardens

Redcliffe Botanic Gardens

Redcliffe Botanic Gardens

Redcliffe

Defence Force memorial at Redcliffe

Greg's ride

Sunset over the Morton Bay Boat Club

Day 7: Sun 18 Oct - Scarborough

Perfect weather in the morning, with the wind picking up considerably in the afrernoon

After a leisurely breakfast, we took a drive to Sandgate to visit a bike shop in the hope of having Wendy's bike repaired - her front gear cable had a blow-out yesterday. It was due to open at 10am, so we went a bit earlier to have a wander and mornos. Alas, the bike shop's mechanic was not in attendance and even if they were, the bike would not be fixed for another three months, allegedly! All was not lost though. On our return, Greg mended the blow-out with some thousand-mile-an-hour tape and it worked. 

We took another trip down memory lane when we checked out the house we lived in at Bracken Ridge in 2008; it has undergone some decent renos since then. We then shopped at the Woolies near our house and then came home to the van.

Pizza was on the menu for lunch today. then a rest, then Greg went out for a ride in the wind out to Deception Bay and back; he found some new bike paths he had not ridden on before.

Water tank mural

Newport Canal living

Greg's 28km afternoon ride

Day 6: Sat 17 Oct - Scarborough

Wow what a gorgeous day weather wise, perfect temp and clear blue skies. After our separate walks, one earlier than the other, and brekky, we headed out on the bikes to Sandgate. A bit of trip down memory lane as this was our favourite ride when we lived at Bracken Ridge in 2008. Since leaving, the bike paths have been well maintained and on some areas upgraded. Being a Saturday morning there were lots of people out and about; not all aware that they were not the only ones using the paths. Hence you had to be constantly on your guard watching for unexpected movement. There was also plenty to see on the water with every mode of watercraft out enjoying the great weather. Most of the path is along the ocean front. The most impressive part of the ride was over the newish Redcliffe Bridge, with its 5km separate bike / walkway.

We made it to the Sandgate pier and the ride back to our favourite cafe, Charlie’s Raw Squeeze at Clontarf. The only vegan place in the world Wendy gladly enters. Ride completed, 42km, it was time for coffee and a rest.

About 4pm we hosted Wendy’s cousin, Ray and his wife Jeanette for a cuppa and Baker’s Delight yummy scones. It was so nice to catch up with them and show them the latest van and tug, which they hadn’t seen before. After they joined us on our afternoon walk they left.

The NRL finals, Rabbits vs Panthers, kept us in front of the box tonight with the latter advancing to the Grand Final to take on The Storm.

Another great day out and about in Queensland. 

Early morning at Scarborough

Us at Scarborough Holiday Village

Ted Smout Memorial Bridge

ABC at Sandgate

Shorncliffe Pier

Sunset pano

Ray and Wendy

Sunset through the Pandanus