Today the girls wake early, Astrid has so many exciting different toys to play with.  The girls play mouse trap, and watch TV for most of the morning.

I have a heap of washing (4 loads) to do so Steve and Simon take the girls to Muddys for a play. Astrid comes off the hammock – painfully hitting the concrete strip with her face and it is time to come home.

 

The rest of the day was a relaxed day doing a whole heap of not much.  (Well all the washing).

 

Lily and Astrid had a swim in the pool.

 

Charlotte took out her plaits in anticipation of a new hairdo tomorrow.

 

We had cannelloni for dinner – thanks Simon yum, spinach and ricotta cannelloni was one of mum’s favorites.   Then I had an early night.

 

We wake early but stay in bed, there is no point getting up as we have to wait for the camper to dry,  an unusually heavy dew last night – how annoying.  The girls are happy to lay in with us on their iPods.  We get up and I make pancakes for breakfast.  I am not sure what time check out is but at 11am I get out the hairdryer to finish drying the camper.

Then it packed up and we are on the road just before 12.  To Cairns or bust..

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We are just discussing where to have lunch when we see another sign to Lucinda.  That becomes out destination.

It is a bit off the track but how often do you get to go to a town that shares your name?  It is lovely, so warm and sunny.  We stop in the shop – I really wanted a T-shirt I remember having one as a child.  Mum kept it for years.  Unfortunately they only have kids sizes so I get a Tea towel, a drink bottle and a fridge magnet.

Then we go to the gym park – the girls love it. 

 

 

 

 

 

There are so many signs in this place – all with my name on them- so cool.

 

 

 

 

 

All to soon it is time to head off again, it is 3pm and really need to get going to Cairns.  On the way out we see a Sugar cane train.  The are so long and cool looking.

 

 

 

Here are the girls in the car – not too well packed today as we just shoved the luggage in after daydream.

 

 

 

 

Such a beautiful day and so much sugar cane as we drive.  This really is a most beautiful part of the world.

 

We arrive at Simon and Jeni’s at about 7pm they have been at the Malanda show and are all tired but very excited to see us.  The girls are sharing Astrids room and Steve and I have a beautiful clean white 1000 sheet bed.  No mould anywhere.  So amazing.

They have a pool and the girls are in like a shot. Lily borrows Astrid’s bikini cause they were “just so cute” and she couldn’t locate hers. Bath to warm back up and then it is time for dinner.   We sit on his amazing red wood table he had brought all the way from Dinner Plain – I have loved this table for years.

Simon has made us yummy tacos for dinner – so lovely to have someone cook for you.  He texted he was cooking and I said to Steve “I love him”.  Charlotte piped up – not as much as daddy.  Was an interesting conversation about love that followed.  Simon you are a legend.  Thank you for your amazing food and for being such a great person x

The girls go to bed and I am not long to follow  travel days are super exhausting.

OMG it is 7am, I can’t believe I am doing this but I wake Steve and we are going to queue for that Catamaran booking.  We leave the girls in the room, awake but watching TV and head to the beach hut to book. On the way we see Darren heading to the beach hut to work. He’s a bit surprised to be ambushed but it gets us in with a good chance.  We see Wallabies on the beach.   There is only 1 other person ahead of us so we book for 9.30am and head back to get the girls up and have some breakfast – yum buffet.

Lots to choose from, Eggs done 3 ways, sausages, infinite BACON, croissants, toast, fruit, yoghurts, muslies, cereals, tea coffee and 3 types of juice. Sadly (and happily ) we stuff ourselves.  Then for a quick change and back to the beach hut to discover the wind and current have cancelled Steve’s Catamaran ride, not a good idea to try stand up paddle boarding as is very hard in this weather.  So Kyaking it is – go the family experience.

I took Lily and Steve took Charlotte- we didn’t last all that long, I am so unfit at the moment and the current was very strong.  We had a good time though.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time for a bit more croquet for Lily, some bocce for Steve, Charlotte and I.  Then we realised it was time to head back to our room to drop off the towels to witness the 10 am shark and sting ray feeding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then to our room to grab the towels again and some noodles for a very tired hungry Lily.  And we head off to lovers cove for a spot of snorkeling and the 11.30 am wild fish feeding,

Charlotte and I have a lovely snorkel but Lily finds the water to cold and her goggles not right and has a hissy fit so we get her to lay down and have a nap on the banana lounge while the rest of us enjoy the snorkling and scenery .  The water is way to cold for Steve.  

 

When Charlotte has enough is it back to the room for a rest (especially for Lily) a bath for me

ahh the serenity.  And TV/relax for Steve.

Then all too soon it is time for Archery on the North side.  Steve and the girls waited in line and got 2 turns each.  The Bow was almost as big as Lily.   They got 5 shots each turn.  Somethiing the girls had never done so they were very excited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I called to book for dinner at Mermaids only to discover they were booked out till 8.15pm, not really acceptable for children, so we have to go back to the Fish Bowl for dinner.  Steve and I are very unimpressed but the girls are happy about it.

After Archery the girls played on the playground again and then we did the bush walk back across the island.  It has such lovely views and is very easy walk for the girls.  A hill

but nothing too hard. 

Plus some education at the same time – hooray, education is everywhere if you just know where to look for it.  Another one for the quiz Kate x

We spotted yet another Curlew as we came down to the resort.  They are everywhere on the island and make a

noise like a child screaming and hiss at you  if you come too close.  They are very pretty.  We went back to the room for baths and relaxing until it is time for dinner, we are going early and then we will be in time for the movie – Karate Kid – the new one, very exciting, I  have only seen the original so a bit excited.

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner was ok, nothing exciting.  Lily loved it and enjoyed dancing with lots of new friends again.  She was having so much fun on the stage.  She is such an entertainer.

Then it was time for the movie, girls are so tired, it is only 7.30pm but we are so all rugged up, we have popcorn and drinks and everyone made it though to the end.  No buggies on the way home – too late so the girls get shoulder rides all the way back to the resort – happiness for a child.  Arriving back in the atrium to discover Steve the musician in on again. I am too tired so we take the girls up to the room for bed and Steve goes back down for more triple Steve time (him, the barman and the guitarist).  He is loving it.

 

Early morning wake up call today.  We are mostly packed up and ready to go for our trip to daydream.  We are catching an 8.30am bus and need to get the tent down and the camper packed asap.. Up at 6am, well before the alarm.  The camper is done – though slightly wet – dew around here is tragic, next time don’t take down the tarp!!

We were ready and waiting at the bus stop at 8.20am, the journey begins.  Arrive at Able Point Marina  in plenty of time, we check in for the ferry and have a stroll around.  This is the map of the area at the marina.  Excitement is mounting, we are all keen to get on the water.

 

Then the ferry arrives, we board and see some jet skiers out for a tour as we are leaving Airlie.

Half an hour of beautiful views and sunshine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all loved the ferry ride, it was one of Lily’s favourite things about the entire Daydream Experience.  We definetely need to do more boat rides.

Such beautiful sights to be seen, the water, the boats, the sunshine.  So much beauty and joy.

It was very windy on the boat as we sat on the back outside, but so worth it for the view.  And then all to quickly Daydream was in sight.  These mermaids are new.

We were first off the boat onto the dock (Ferry was travelling on to Hamilton), then we were being greeted and given our shell necklaces and having a  complimentary photo taken – all feeling a bit wind blown.  Then to the transit lounge for our complimentary mock tail, a quick overview of the island and told to head to reception to check in.

Of course it is only 10.30 am so our room is not ready.  We change the girls into swimmers and dump the bags with a porter and head off to the South Side of the Island to check out the Tavern, the pool and whatever we can find.

The walk along the board walk is as stunning as ever – such a beautiful place.  There is a cool playground, tennis courts and then we are at the pool (freezing) and shops, bakery, “the Fishbowl” restaurant and finally the mini-golf and paid water sports activity area.  So Steve and the girls have a pie for lunch – made here on the island and pretty good according to Steve.  A little disappointed with the service.  Asked for tomato sauce and told they didn’t have any when there was a 4ltr bottle on the bench behind Nat (The team leader according to her badge).

So I asked for some of the sauce on the bench..  oh my,  the effort that would cause this girl..  she could do it but it would take a while – told her I was happy to wait. Hmmm hope everyone is not as over their jobs as she seems to be.  Anyway Steve and the girls enjoyed their pies and we headed back to reception as they called to say the room was ready.  On the way back we saw this sign and Lily had to have her photo taken with this mermaid.

 

 

 

The room is lovely, very clean and with a great view of the saltwater reef, we can see the sharks and sting rays.  Not to far from the main area, and it has a bath – could not be happier with the room – except if it had free WiFi.  It is available in the main atrium only or $6 per hour in your room.  All our luggage has arrived – lovely.  

We pop into reception for our pool towels and head down to explore the north side.  Unfortunately this pool is really cold too. The last Big 4 had a heated pool so we were a bit spoilt.   We head to check out when Steve can get a go on the Catamarans – something he remembers so fondly from the last time we were here.  Unfortunately they are having really low tides this week so the Cats are only running from 8.30 – 10.30 if the weather permits.  The lovely assistant tells us that they open at 8 and if we would like a go we have to be there in the line at 7.30 or we will miss out.  They only have 2 catamarans, but if we would like we can go and pay for jet ski’s or banana boat rides on the North Beach.  Steve is very dissapointed, nothing like he remembers it plus now we have to get up at 7.30am – seriously.  So loving the customer service so far, I guess she was honest but reality is not really what we came here for – not living the dream right now.

So off to the pool bar for a swim for the girls and a cocktail for us.  Hmmm “?Hello Solomon.  What cocktails do you have?”

“We have some great cocktails, only my offsider has been taken to Mermaids Restaurant as they are busy and I do not have any glasses so I will need to put it in these plastic cups”.  Hmm – no thanks the glass is so part of the experience.  The girls are having a swim – short due to it being cold and playing with some other kids so it is still a very restful and lovely place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They are loving it.  We pop back to the room – so close for a brief rest and change of clothes (I put my bathers on though I am not sure I will really need them) and we head back to the pool and to check out Mermaids restaurant – we will eat here tomorrow, having dinner at the “Fish Bowl”

tonight which is the Tavern where we met (It opens at 5.30pm, so we wern’t able to look in earlier). We find a lovely spot with croquet and bocci set up and while away the afternoon between croquet, bocce and swimming in the pool (for the girls).  Such amazing views, such a picturesque place to play bocce – love love love the Whitsundays – such an amazing place to be.  The girls are weary so we head back to the room (Charlotte decided to swim back) for a bath and rest before the 4.30 bingo session..  Opps we take too long and miss the bingo – never mind we head over to check out the last part of the island we have not seen – lovers cove (formerly sunlovers beach).  There are Proserpine Wallabies hopping around.  The girls are so excited to see them and love that they can pat them.

 

 

 

Apparently lovers cove is the best place to view the sunset.

Then it was time for dinner.  So we headed down to the Fish Bowl Tavern.  No bookings needed and were seated, we had to go to the bar to order so did so, a couple of steaks, and some hamburgers for the kids. Quite a limited pub style menu.  When we got back to our table someone else was sitting there.  So went out to the server to ask what happened and she told me to wait.  We found our own new table – the seater and 3 of the staff are on their first day.  We decided to take a poll.  5 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 days, 3 days, 1 day are all answers we receive.  Lily found some friends and decided dancing was the way to go.  Dinner was ok my steak

 

supposed to be medium rare, Steve rare.  We got MW and blue.  Nevermind.  We are heading home and the movie Here comes the Boom has started, we decided to give it a miss tonight, all very tired.  We head back to the North side of the island and are fortunate to meet the buggy driver – the girls and I jump on the back.  The buggy rides are the highlight of their night.  We arrive back in the main attrium to find muscian Steve is palying – wahoo dancing time.  Lily was too hot in her long sleeves so we went back up to the room to change.  Then back for more dancing.

Steve and Lily put on a show for everyone, I had a quick dance with Lily, Charlotte was a bit tired.

Then it was 10pm – where does the time go,  I took the girls back up to the room for bed and reading until we all fell asleep.  Steve loves live music so stayed down stairs until Steve (yes the musician’s name was Steve – so was the bar man) finished and then he came up to bed.

Woke up to another day in Paradise – the sun is shining hooray, I am loving Airlie Beach.  This big 4 is awesome, we are not leaving the park today.  A fry up of bacon and eggs for breaky along with crumpets and toast.  Yum.

Then it is time for the Master Chef classes again with Isabella and Sofia.  Lily got to help this time with her new friend from the pool yesterday – Emma from Middle Park Melbourne.

 

Lily was so dissapointed she didn’t  get a turn yesterday!  We make pasta at home all the time so this we easy peasy she tells me.

 

 

 

The finished product?  Canolli, Crostini, Crepe with toffee banana and home made strawberry sauce.

I skipped this masterclass and went straight into Airlie beach to get myself a couple of new bikini tops – only $5 each at cotton on.

It was a quick shop and then back to the class, some lunch and into the pool.

The girls and I had loads of fun on the slide and in the pool.

 

Then it was time for more master Chef classes for Charlotte, Lily stayed in the pool with her friend Emma.   This time Charlotte got to help seal all the ravioli.  Lily and Steve went to investigate at the end.. and enjoyed the tastings

 

The girls have really enjoyed the opportunity to rub shoulders with the Masterchef sisters.  Charlotte in particular .  Thanks very much Sofie and Isabella, we wish you luck with your future.

After lunch there was more pool.  I started the pack up camper, we have booked for Daydream Island tomorrow and are very excited to be returning.

We pulled everything down – except the sleeping area and packed it all up including the tarp, then Steve and the girls went over for another movie night. This time it was ParaNorman.   They girls loved it, Steve liked it a bit.  I finished after dark and managed to rip the cover zip on the camper – oops.  We also noted we lost the car keys this morning and I have not located them on the clean up – fortunately we have a spare but no way to lock the bikes onto the car..  Hmmm I am sure they will turn up as we have not been anywhere and the car was unlocked.

Everyone is back from the movie and it is time for an early night.  I have set the alarm for 7 am as we are catching the 8.30am bus and the 9.30am ferry.  We are leaving the car and the camper here for $7 per night.

 

 

 

 

Wow we have been on the road for 3 months officially today, super excitement. I woke up at 7 am and headed for the shower – so nice to shower alone, when I get back everyone is still asleep. So I decide to update the blog – have lost the 5 paid for and 1 hour free wi fi papers from last night, Call reception and they will replace them, how nice. I head off to the supermarket for bread, milk, Oj, Bacon, eggs – just the essentials really.

Then I head home to discover everyone awake electronics in hand..  Another toilet run – OMG Lily it is not cold! – Charlotte helped her get dressed and I am wearing shorts and a T- Shirt.

I make Bacon and Eggs and then, we hang out for a bit and then it is time for the cooking show with Isabella and Sophie from Junior Master Chef – the girls are so excited. The girls put on a good demonstration making omellettes, mushroom bruschetta and a strawberry pancakes. They even asked Charlotte to come up and help.

Charlotte and Lily got their autographs and bought a tea towel to remember the day.

 

Sophie and Isabella were very friendly and only too keen to answer questions and talk to the girls.

I am sorting the blog photos in the back row.  The girls loved it.  We are booked in again tomorrow tough there is another demonstration this afternoon.

 After the demo we moved over to the pool and the girls swam for and slid happily with other kids, I took my lap top and did my Queensland RSA online. It is 70 questions long so it took awhile.  At least it is done and I am now employable again.  I have booked in for the RSG as well, only $60 for them both.

 

Charlotte and Steve went back to the afternoon cooking demonstration just in time for the tastings.   Lily and I stayed at the pool.  Then Steve decided it was time to check out Airlie for real.  So as we were all tired and it was a bit hot we decided to drive instead of ride..  A good idea all round we discovered as there is a bit of a hill into town.  The main street is also under construction at the moment so not very attractive to say the least..

We bought some books at Lea’s book swap.  Then went for a picnic lunch at the lagoon park.  The girls had fun on the exercise  and play parks.

 

Then a walk along the for shore. It was so beautiful.  But nothing like we remember at all.

 

 

 

 

 

We saw some cool sand art a mermaid and a dragon.  There is this whole beach section that was never there when we lived here.  We all had a lovely stroll along the foreshore – we gave the shops a miss due to all that construction – the whole main street was being done at once.  The days seem so short these days.  We were back at the park and in the pool for an hour or so,  Steve was having a lay down and  I met 2 other lovely mums, then suddenly it is 6pm.  Time for dinner and then to be ready for the movie – tonight it is Shorts.  The girls are loving movies under the stars.  I sat them up the front in thier chairs, popcorn and drinks, I sat up the back sorting more blog photos.  Have had issues getting my WIFI signed in again, apparently there are often problems with Macs.  So unable to use the camp WI FI anymore.  Time to sort photos and hope Daydream has WIFI so I can update blog.. (no such luck – I am in Cairns typing this).  Movie over and it is time for bed.  It has been another long day.  We have decided to stay one more night.  We booked in on our way back from Airlie, luckily – apparently someone else had booked our site for tomorrow night online.  It is a great site right on the edge of the camp site, only neighbours on 2 sides.  They moved them so we can stay.

 

Another travel day has arrived, we have a long drive so get up at 7.30 to complete the packing.. We have to wake the girls mid way so that we can pack their beds and then the rest of the tent.

Steve fills the car with petrol and gets the gas refilled while I feed the girls.. and they play with their friends, from left Cayla, (lily and Charlotte) Portia and Lara.

Then at 10.15am we are on our way to Airlie Beach. Hooray more warm on the way
and joy oh joy it is Sunday so NO roadworks… there are signs but everyone has the day off – hooray!

We stopped at Rocks exotic fruit garden for ice-cream, cookies and cream for Charlotte and vanilla for Lily, a chocolate milkshake for me and a steak pie for Steve – yum.

A much needed break and it is my turn to drive the car again. Wow it has been a while, I have not driven with the trailer on since we left Sydney for Tuncurry on the 26th of April… Wow it is so different. We have had new tires, a wheel alignment and lost some weight since then. It is easier to drive. I have my first trailer overtaking experience (not on an overtaking lane) and nearly kill us all as it starts to fish tail – not much though, we survived but then get stuck behind 5 cars – no overtaking possible – I am slightly grateful.   I drive until the petrol stop in Mackay.

 The girls and I have some sandwiches I make in the boot for lunch and then we continue to Airlie. At some point Steve notices it is 26 degrees outside and we all get excited, then we pass 80 000 km on the car – wahoo and pass some remarkable similar scenery.

We are booked into the Airlie Beach Big 4, apparently it is amazing for kids. It takes 6 hours but we are here. Hooray. The girls are off to the jumping pillow and Steve and I set up the tent in 1 hour, including tarp and Steve is off for ice and beer.

We wander over to check out the girls to discover that a boy has hit Lily and Charlotte has retaliated… Not good. Serious conversations ensue.  We head over to reception to get some WIFI tickets, it’s getting dark so time for dinner.. suddenly it is 7pm.  Fortunately the pool is open till 9pm oh and it is heated to 27 degrees.  I take the girls over to the pool and we pass the movie – Herbie the Love Bug (the Lindsay Lohan version) we watch for a bit then head into the pool area.  They love it – 2 water slides.   We finish in the pool (not as much fun as we are the only people in it apprently – according to Charlotte). A quick shower and back to the movie to watch the end.  Then back to camp to find dad making friends with our neighbours and bed.

 

Oh what a good nights sleep – finally, I needed that. The girls get up in the morning and play with their friends until they head out to see the movie Epic at the cinema’s. I washed their hair last night so sit down to plait them up today – nice and cool for them in the warmer climate. I did Lily first, then Charlotte who asked for ribbon in hers. Loving it.  

Then we walk next door to check out BCF for some more bait and hooks for Charlotte and then Rays – I am looking for a new back pack – not today.

Back to camp for a quick play in the games room and then more Bocce, jumping pillow and rip stick for Steve and Charlotte.  Reading for me.

 

 

 

 

 

At about 4 we pack up for a couple of hours so there is not too much to do tomorrow. Dinner, showers, play bed.

 

I was sitting chatting on the phone to Kate and I had a little visitor – beautiful Australian Wildlife.

We have not seen to much of Rockhampton but this Big 4 Discovery Park has been awesome, a great place to have a break.  It is definitely all about the people as we travel.  The places are great and we are enjoying seeing our beautiful country first hand but it always helps when we meet and hang out with new or old friends.  They are the ones who are making this a journey of love and happiness.

THANK YOU TO YOU ALL XXXX

We paid for 2 nights here – we haven’t even set up our table. The girls made plans to meet their new friends at the jumping pillow at 9.  Steve and I relaxed until 10am then it was time for breakfast and we headed out for some groceries and general civilisation shopping. Must say I am not that keen on Rockhampton north stocklands, very, very crowded.  Charlotte is looking for the Great Big book of Tashi that she saw in Coolum before she got all her birthday money, of course it is nowhere in sight.

Back to camp for washing/drying, skating, jumpy pillow, a swim in the pool, then it is nearly time for dinner and we got out the bocce, the circus stilts and all the circus toys.

What a lovely relaxing afternoon.  Charlotte is learning how to rip stick with Kayla’s rip stick and her and Lara are taking turns on our penny boards.  The girls are loving their new friends.  We hang out till after dark, then it time for showers, more hanging out and finally bed with a movie.

 

Steve put the lower stilts on – Lily was so excited to have a turn.

What a great day, we have decided to stay another night.  Everyone is so relaxed and having a great time – plus it is warm yeah we are finally reaching the heat – in the day at least!!

Pack up this morning. We have only been here  3 days but it seems to take forever to pack up. We leave at 12.30 having just purchased a surf board from some German backpackers for $60 – we enquired about it yesterday and they told us $200 (apparently they paid $240) but I said $50 was the most we wanted to spend.  We are heading away from surf country after all… So this morning they came past, we negotiated and voila, it is ours..  The girls are super excited.

Some parts of this place look just like home, lots are like post cards. We had a lot of time to look at the scenery today as there were lots of road works and long delays and not many places to buy lunch.

 

 

 

 

 

By 3pm we are all starving so turn off at Calliope for lunch, there is a bakery there and they have 1 plain pie left and 6 party pies (3 each for the girls) I had 2 sausage rolls and a piece of banana bread and Charlotte bought a lemon curd butterfly cake.  We all stuffed ourselves and felt much better.

Then we were heading for another free campsite in St Lawrence recommended by Steve’s friends with the fire. We just didn’t make it.  We stopped at the Big 4 discovery park in Rockhampton, it was dark and we were all tired.  We put the camper down and took the girls to the pool side BBQ and drinks for sausages in bread for dinner (they had a carrot and some beans each back at the tent too).  Then back to set up the tent.  There are lots of kids here so the girls played on the jumping pillow (I can see it) and play equipment while we set up.  When we were done the girls and I went for a 1 hour shower – ah the joy of washing off the last 3 days – unbelievable. I think I can enjoy bush camping if only I do it with other people I know.

Otherwise I love my hot water.

Then to bed, another travel day over.