The Road to Home .....with bonus TGOT..'It's a Wrap!!'

Fri 10 Aug - Thurs 17 Aug 

Talk about save one of the best weeks till last !! Admittedly, it's now almost 2 weeks since we have returned home....we are getting used to the frosts again after a ridiculous re-introduction at our first weekend back at netball....3 deg....felt like -2deg!!! So it's actually lovely to be returning firstly to warm and sunny Carmilla Beach in my mind from about 3 weeks back.

Leaving Airlie Beach we had an easy run down to Carmila Beach. Beautiful warm days in shorts and t-shirts we knew would be drawing to an end soon as we'd be home in less than a week. A few people had suggested Flaggy Rock as a spot and Stu found Carmila Beach - another tick to the bucket list as it ended up. We had the most beautiful beachfront site for the camper....and yep wait for it $10/night! 

Shells everywhere! 

The main reason we were staying here for the night was as it was close to St.Lawrence where we were visiting some new buddys (whom we hadn't yet met) the next day. Such a blissful afternoon of space and vast beaches with a few campers round and all of us had masses of expanse along this gorgeous beach. Not necessarily a swim beach as the tide rolling in and out was extraordinary...it rolled out in an hour or so and you could then walk out about 600-700m to the low tide line. The kids loved the roaming and here I wondered how they would adapt to being back in their routines of school and class rooms with no lengths of adventure time to explore new areas in the arvos?? 

Absolute Beachfront - view from the camper!

A lovely afternoon stroll......

Low tide patterns....

The tide line went out for about 600m

Such a peaceful spot...

Perfect !!

Our first beach fire and campsite.....so amazing. Stu and Huges pulled out the little chainsaw and came back with some cracking wood...the fire was lovely....yes it was warm and created the most amazing atmosphere as the other caravanners headed inside for what is always the best part of the evening...kinda cracks me up a little. The kids had a bit of a dance-off on the beach to some of there fave songs and it will be interesting to see these erupt at 18th or 21st's in time to come.....

So after the kids were in bed ....I jumped into the ensuite shower as you do...nothing nicer as I squirted hot water watching how the southern cross had changed position so much in our time on the road from seeing it our first night near Cunnamulla..Stu calls 'Gem quick come and look at this....' !! Was it a croc, turtles...what ?? I had no idea.... Dripping and towelled ;) I ran out and saw a red/pinkish moon coming up slowly from the east over the horizon across the wet low tide sand and truly this was the first time I'd seen a staircase coming down from the moon....to heaven on earth! I have no words to describe this...unusual I know....it was out of this world and something that will remain with me as one of those moments where you feel so connected to being present in the moment on this earth and soaking it up for as long as you can. Needless to say the remaining rinse off was quick as I wanted to get back out there onto the beach standing in front of the fire and rotating around the warmth of it and soaking up a little bit of wee moonshine at the same time.....I can still feel it now....just amazing....major sensory overload.....I thought I'd been standing there for a half hour or so....it was not too far short of 3 hrs!!

Such a fabulous day on Saturday the next day - I'd lined up a cuppa with Ainsley and Rob McArthur at Mystery Park of whom we have some mutual friends. Some of our most treasured moments are people we have met and shared time with on the road....this was no different. So grateful to meet and spend some time with Rob & Ainsley that morning and the kids of course had a blast with each other.  There is nothing easier than meeting like minded people....I know we will see you guys again in the future thanks so much for creating the time to share your home and a cuppa with us all xx 

Entrance to Capricorn Caves

And further south we rolled...staying at Capricorn Caves for the night. We weren't keen on the idea of staying in town when we had so few camping nights left on the road. We had no idea about the caves until the next morning Stu says - so what's to do in Rocky....?? I look up Mr Google/Trip Advisor - top attraction in Rocky it said was ...yep you guessed it Capricorn Caves.....so we had a fabulous tour through the caves with the owner - yes it is a privately owned Caves...the only one in Australia I believe.

Ferns found here..only known place in Southern Hemisphere

Incredible fig trees with their roots heading deep towards water

These rock figs were extraordinary and had roots growing so deeply through the rock to find the water for survival....stunning to see this.

And the roots continue inside the caves.....

It was a shame that we were going to miss visiting Yeppoon as we've heard from quite a few people that it's a stunning place and hopefully next time we will make it there.

Our next visit was one we had on the agenda for months ! Visiting the beautiful Deb McBryde near Moura. We first met Deb this year at our place with Dr Patrick MacManaway and really felt such an instant connection. Oombabeer was so much more than I ever anticipated. Our visit was so lovely. Deb shared so much of her home and farming business with us and some of the methods she uses at an energetics or subtle energy level in all aspects of her home and landscape. To say this was palpable is an understatement - when you can feel, hear and see this every where you look there is the confirmed realisation that anything is possible you set your mind to.

Dinner at Oombabeer with the gorgeous Deb McBryde...

Zania Creek, Oombabeer

Our last night in the camper !

Our second last night in the camper was at Deb's which could not have been any more fitting, we had a delish meal toegther and the kids loved up the opportunity to watch a movie on Netflix whilst we chatted away ! They loved being in such a cosy and loving space and really made themselves right at home which Deb seemed to enjoy ! 

The next day we had a half day cruising around the farm. We met Mervyn who helps Deb run Oombabeer and had a bit of a ride sitting up on the back of the ute delivering liquid supplements and checking the lick lolly trays in a few places for the cattle. As you can see in the pictures the stock are content, happy and calm living in an incredibly balanced environment where they grow and thrive so well. It was an enormously energising experience and reinforced to me - there is so much still to do, see, learn, and implement what fits for us at Chesney Pastoral. 

Eva and Mervyn meeting Fred

Deb with Lionel 

Hanging out with the puppies on the back of the ute

Happy cows!

Love this pic xx proudly sponsored by Lyndhurst Team Penning ;) ;) haha

I had been looking forward to this time with Deb pretty much the whole trip, knowing it would be amazing and it so exceeded this for me, not just the learning and the sharing, but the friendship and mentoring too. Infinite love and gratitude to you Deb xx

We then had a super back drive roads tour through Theodore, Cracow across to Mundubbera. We stayed at the Showground as of course I didn't think anything would be booked out and this was the night it was. The nights were getting cooler and the jumpers and jeans were coming out well and truly. It was weird thinking we were packing up for the last time and would re-open the camper at home! Cracking bakery in this little town with a great breaky for all and top coffee to boot - talk about score !!

La Famille Bakery & Cafe, Mundubbera

So then we cruised across to Coolum and caught up with the fabulous Blackmores. James was one of our groomsman before the big girlfriend/boyfriend sleepover began. It was so great to catch up with James, Kate, Tess and Archie. Kids had a blast with Tess and Archie and see their beautiful home at Coolum - such a treat to be sleeping indoor again !! 

Lovely Noosa.....

Our last beach stay...at Coolum....a beautiful sunrise and early swim at the beach with a few boogie boards and surfboards to boot. Coffee on the walk home and hey isn't life just grand! Was really starting to dawn on me that in less than 48hrs - we're home, we've done it 11 weeks away from our home and farming business and all has gone well so far. 

Good morning Coolum Beach

Early morning surf/swim with the Blackmores

Truth be told I had a somewhat challenging 2 days in these last few days as I thought I had lost the camera and more so felt I had misplaced it - ever so thankfully we found it zipped into the bed bag inside the camper - this certainly challenged me and I'm so pleased I ended up with all the photos and not just 25% that I had downloaded - a big learning note to self here.....backup, backup and backup !! 

Our drive to Goondiwindi was a little long as we did back track Peregian Beach and Noosa looking for the camera. The one thing I haven't written about till now is that today was Day 8 of the Mongol Derby that our buddy Will Comiskey was riding in for the second time....and he achieved a podium finish again - two years running and wow what an epic adventure to be watching that little red dot cheering loudly from our travels...there's no doubt we were the 'Refresh button team' those 8 days!!!  So equal 4th for Will and Warren Sutton for this year, last year Will was equal winner. So not only did Will complete this 1000km....again..... this year he also raised to date $50,295  - with this years goal being $30,000 or better....wow !!! The difference (not to mention August entertainment ;) ) one person can make - proud to know you dude !! 

Photo Credits - The Adventurists Mongol Derby 2017

We had a great dinner at the Vic Hotel and rolled out early from Gundi in jeans and shirts ready for the weather at home and yes I think we were all excited....about 8 hrs to home. It was a great day of driving and as we pulled in over the ramp to home about 5pm it was amazing to walk into our beautiful home. Tonight we would have a camp kitchen and ensuite to oursleves !!! 

Victoria Hotel, Goondiwindi

Last morning on the road for this year!! Wow 

And even now almost 2 weeks later still getting things re-organised and sorted...almost there. Kids are back at school, farm is great, boyfriend is happy and already planning next years trip !! Yay!! I don't think any of us could have imagined how breathtakingly amazing this experience has been on so many levels - if you have any inkling of wanting to do this with your family - block out whatever time on the calendar you choose and make it happen - it is amazing how things within the universe will fall into place to support you all with a decision like this!! 

So now as promised - Team Green On Tour - 'It's a Wrap' ......for this year anyway !! 

Most Surprising Moment - 2 Cassowaries walking across the road as we drove down one patch of the Bloomfield Track between Cooktown and Cairns.

Best Campsite - Carmila Beach Campground, QLD

Best Shower - Donkey fired open topped shower at Lorella Springs, NT 

Best Breaky on the Road - Daly Water Hi-Way Inn, NT

Best Dinner Out - Bramwell Station, Far North QLD

Best Night Out - Territory Day/ 30th Anniversary Mindil Markets 1 July, Darwin, NT

Best Day Out -  Mission Beach Dive - Great Barrier Reef Day Trip

Best Swimming Spot in a National Park - Wangi Falls, Litchfield NP

Best Caravan Park with Water Slides - Big 4 Airlie Beach - kids choice !!

Best Russell Coight Moment (aka Hugo!!) - Almost burning the camp kitchen down at Evening Star Tourist Park , Charleville QLD

Best Joke - Eva - What did the Crow say to the Kangaroo?? You're in the dead centre of the road - Bahahahahaha !! 

Best Comedian - Sash with her one liners most days - too many to remember !!

Best Fire - Carmila Beach

Best Bakery -  La Famille Bakery & Cafe, Mundubbera QLD

Best Meat Pie - Mataranka Buffalo Pie, from the Blue Servo at Mataranka, NT

Best Unplanned Deviation - Mission Beach in tropical far north QLD....rocked in for morning tea rolled out 4 nights later ;) 

Best Brain Snap - Lunch stop at Jacky Jacky Creek just north of the Jardine River in Cape York - 3km off the road took us and hour to get in and out and almost got bogged in wet sand - the signs were there and hey we just kept going - zero tuning into intuition this day !!! 

Best Tourist Attraction - The Age of Dinosaurs, Winton, Western QLD

Best Coffee - Pop Rocket Cafe, Katherine, NT

Best Beer - Punsand Bay at Cape York, because it was on tap - no idea what it was and there was not a tinny in sight !!! 

Top 3 Most Stunning Landscapes - (so of course there's 4!!) 

                                                                   The Tip of Cape York, Far North QLD

                                                                   Lawn Hill (Boodjamulla) National Park, QLD

                                                                   Ubirr Rock, Kakadu National Park, NT

                                                                   The Bloomfield Track, North QLD