Hello from Mackay

Today is Sunday, we have been in Mackay now for a couple of days. We are all loving the warmer weather - compared to out west (just slightly cooler). Luke is not feeling well today, woke up very pale and hot, so I am just hanging out with him this morning while Benn takes Jacinta and Dominic for a bike ride.

Since writing last we have spent three nights in Rockhampton, which we all loved. Country towns sure have a different feel to them. Amazingly, on our day of departure from Rocky we meet a couple across from us from a property near Wyoming, the Fletchers, that know Benn and his family very well. Just amazing!

After Rocky we decided to go out west to see a Coal mine and go fishing at Lake Maraboon just south of Emerald. Really interesting country side, I remember going to Emerald when I worked for QR about 12 years ago, still love it. So much development, they now have two Centros. We visited the International Coal Centre at Blackwater and also had a tour of a working mine. All went out in a little bus and then stood on a platform to view the dragline in action. The size of the equipment was HUGE, the big trucks can carry up to 300 tonnes of coal, eight wheels on the trucks, each wheel costs $85,000. Very interesting ....... I have a much greater appreciation of what happens in mines now and the value to our economy and electricty etc.

Bit of a drive coming back to the coast (took us about 6 hours including breaks), off to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays tomorrow.

Another Barrier Reef Video

This was the video I was supposed to post on the last entry.....

did you see all the blue fish in the movie below???? (from Luke)

Still on the Queensland coast.....

I am writing from another beachside park, the town of 1770 just south of Gladstone. This is our fourth night here we are leaving tomorrow for Rockhampton. Yesterday, we went out on the Spirit of 1770 out to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, it was amazing! We went swimming with turtles, many colourful fish and beautiful coral - so wonderful seeing the kids excitement.

Below I had put a video that Luke took while we were swimming....

Before arriving here at 1770 we have spend time at Cotton Tree (Sunshine Coast) which was also on the beach. After that we had a week at Caloundra and had visits from my parents, my sister Janine and her husband Joe, Benn's brother James and 3 of his children, and also Benn's mum and sister Gemma. All up it was a very social week and wonderful to catch up with so many members of our family.

After Caloundra we then moved on to Hervey Bay - which was fabulous to take the kids and return to the place we were engaged 12 years ago. Memories, memories...

From Hervey Bay we ventured out to Frazer Island for a Mothers' Day treat, spend the weekend there having a treat staying at the resort and four wheel driving on the beach! Lots of fun, we also saw three wild dingeos and the boys swam at Lake Wabby with dozens of Catfish.

Well, off to bed now ready to get up early to pack up for another day of driving....