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Published: October 11th 2009
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Well the time had finally come - we were actually leaving Bowen!
What was originally supposed to be 10-12 weeks for the skatepark, turned into just over 4 months. We did actually really enjoy it there, even though it was a pretty small town and things were a bit more expensive there, the people were super friendly, the beaches amazing and such a great area for exploring, and the weather was fabulous. Still can't believe that was winter!! There was hardly a day we had to put a sweatshirt/jumper on and we barely saw any rain in the 4 months.
It was too bad that Brett wasn't able to see the whole skatepark finished with all of his long hours and hard work that went into, and it is going to look amazing with all the finishing touches, but he needed to get to see the specialist for his leg and not much left he could do up there on crutches anyways. And we will be back at somepoint for sure to check it all out. It was also a bit sad to be leaving with all the mangoes in the area starting to get really big and we
had a huge tree just outside of our unit just waiting to be picked when they are ready, but the manager at the units we stayed in said she would send us a box of Bowen Mangoes when they are ready. Can't wait for that! Guess there are so many mangoes in town, they just end up falling on the ground and noone even eats them. Can't believe that! The weather had also stated to get alot more humid in the last couple weeks, I can only imagine what it gets like in the middle of summer! The locals said there was generally about 6 or so weeks of really unbearable heat and humidity and heavy rain usually in January- February.
It was a bit of a job reloading all of our clothes, food and gear we had manage to somehow move from our caravan into the unit in the last 4 months now back into our little caravan. Good thing Tarra was with us to help me carry everything down. It might have not been the best pack job done by us ladies, but it was all in there (somehow!) and we were on our way.
We
took 2 days to do the drive back down the coast to Byron Bay where we are booked in for the the next 6 weeks. It is about 1200kms and it was pretty dry and hot in most areas, with a few bush fires you could see burning on the sides of the road in spots. The first day we decided to call it a night in a spot called Gin Gin. Not alot there to say the least. We ended up in a caravan park behind the petrol station that wasn't to bad, although there were quite a few locals that lived there full time that you weren't quite sure you should make eye contact with as you knew they would be over for the night! TP wasn't quite sure about it either and ended up deciding a better place for her was inside our caravan on the couch than outside by herself in her tent. Good thing she can sleep anywhere as it's an L shaped little couch with the longest side about 4 1/2 feet!
The next day we made our way towards Byron, with a detour through Noosa and the Sunshine Coast as TP hadn't
been up that way before. It was pretty busy in all the spots since it was school holidays, and Byron no exception. Although, don't really think there is a time when it isn't busy down this way. We are set back up in the exact same campsite spot we were in 4 months ago, so is kinda feeling like we haven't even left! We had a good last few days with TP hanging out at the beach, bbq-ing, a few happy hours here and there. Brett is doing really well with his leg, and went to the specialist on the Gold Coast, who was happy with how it was all progressing and gave him the ok to go swimming and ride the stationary bike. He has even dropped one crutch, so he was really happy about that. Although that may just be because now he can hold a beer in the free hand. And in true Brett form he is living up to the nickname of "XXX" that TP and I have given awhile back.... Riding the bike at the gym, then hopping on his bike, riding to the pool and then swimming a mile. Doesn't ever do anything half-arsed
Tarra happy to be out of the backseat for the day, but not so sure about Gin Gin.
And mixing up a ceasar for us all with the imported Canadian Clamato juice. Mmm! as they say down under, that's for sure! TP and I have been doing the walk up to the lighthouse every morning as well so that we are not outdone by the guy with the fractured femur. It is a really nice walk from Clarkes Beach, to Wategoes, then up to the lighthouse with 294 stairs so we have definitely been feeling it the next day.
We have had really good weather, sunny and about 25 during the day, although we have all been feeling it a bit cooler at night than Bowen that is for sure. The first night we were all freezing (and it was probably 17 or 18 degrees)! See the pics of us all in our jumpers. First time for that in awhile. We still haven't had to put long pants on though - then you know it's cold! But it definitely ruined us up in Bowen for that. We have been talking that it might be the spot to be spending the winter. Us along with all the grey nomads escaping the cooler winters in Melbourne!
Unfortunately TP did eventually have to get back to reality and head back to work, so after
2 weeks with us, we dropped her off at the airport in Coolangatta for her flight back to Melbourne, and she is already planning how she can sneak off back up this way for a long weekend while we are still here. Hopefully that works out. She knows where to find us!
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