Some very memorable days!

Highlights	Not such highlights
Whale Watching - both	High Need Dogs - Will
Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens - Kate	Dog hair everywhere - both
Bike riding around Coolangatta - both	Sharing a bedroom with extra snoring bodies – both
Not needing GPS to go somewhere - both
Seeing the change in plants over time - Kate
FaceTime with the girls - Kate
Long phone calls with friends – Kate
Reading books on our war history - Will
Motorbike riding - Will
Having enough time to visit places mid week -both
Face to Face chats with 4 friends - Both
Friendliness of Gin Gin - Kate
Marlborough stop over - Both
Getting an A+ and sincere gratitude from home owner!! - Kate A+, gratitude both

We have had some wonderful experiences and times together during this house sit. But I want to be honest and acknowledge not every moment has been an Instagram happy moment. There have been ‘discussions’ on how to do things, there has been conflict between your way or mine, there has been tension in the air as each of us have been stressed and so far out of our comfort zone. Luckily, we are still communicating and both very much have the attitude that this is all new and we are learning our way through. I have learnt never to book a house sit where the dogs sleep on the bed. We know that we slept better at the house sit where we slept in the granny flat. We know 4 days isn’t long enough but maybe a month is too long unless you get work. We know to ask for photos of where the van will be parked before accepting the gig. So much we’ve learnt and seen and experienced and it’s only 8 weeks since we left home! No wonder sitting quietly in bed, with a cup of tea and typing, with no one needing anything from me feels so wonderful.

One of the most spectacular experiences was my visit to Crystal Castle and Shambhala Gardens.

I wasn’t sure I wanted to go and at $50 a head I was pretty sure Will wouldn’t want to go. When I told him what it was about and the price he happily packed a book to kill time while sitting in the carpark. Of all the places I’ve seen and experiences I’ve had this is the one that words just don’t describe. I was able to go mid-week when it wasn’t busy which was a blessing. The special thing about this place is its tranquillity and in some of the spots within its gardens I was the only person I could see and I think that added to the experience. I’ve always believed there are things science can’t explain, like the fact that I can divine water, so I’m open minded. When standing in between crystals taller than myself I’ve got to say I did feel something - a recentring, a refreshing of myself, a moment of quiet inner peace – like I said, I don’t really have the words for this experience but I am so glad I went. If you like gardens, nature and gems this place is absolutely worth a visit.

Our next spectacular experience was enjoyed equally by both of us. From the moment the small craft roared through the waves at the bar and sprinted out to sea we both had smiles on our faces. It took about 30 minutes for us to spot the first mother and calf whale.

They frolicked in the water just beside our boat. There were tail slaps and rolls and graceful moves! It was just amazing. Later we got to see whales breeching and waving fins with the backdrop of a gorgeous sunset. A day I hope I never forget.

We also had a lovely day bike riding around Tweed Head, Evans Point and into Queensland at Kirra Beach. And all of a sudden two weeks to go turned into farewells to Big Dog and Little Dog. Will had the van hooked on 36 hours ahead of departure and we’d made plans to catch up with mates from Alice Springs. We hit the road a little later than had hoped, after 2 dog walks, and made our way to Maryborough. We caught up with Toni and Bill and met 2 of their grandchildren. It was lovely to sit face to face and chat with people who know us.

And the hugs felt good too! We were offered a bed for the night but having had 31 days with something else watching us sleep we opted to hit the road for one of only 5 nights in the van before moving into the next house. (I know Toni and Bill weren’t going to watch us sleep but thankfully they understood our need to be in our own little van.)

We had a quick look around Childers the next morning. It ticked some of our boxes and might be worth a look on the way home. We didn’t really look around Maryborough but it too might be worth a look on the way back. We then headed to Bundaberg which has been an aim of ours since this whole crazy idea hit. We got into town, pulled up beside the Burnett River, looked at each other and said “What now??” We decided it was time for some local knowledge and considered going to the information bureau. It was about then that we wondered where two other mates from Alice were living – a quick message let us know they were only 10 minutes away and free for the day. Gail drove into town and chatted with us, giving us some local knowledge and interesting insights as she volunteers at the local Vinnies shop. We decided we couldn’t be that close and not see Jeff so off we headed to Burnett Heads. Wow – beautiful! A Kate place but not a Will place – still so glad I saw the beach and we got to catch

up with Gail and Jeff!! And we got two more hugs!

Next stop was Gin Gin, another on our to check out list. I laughed at its signage ‘Friendliest Town Awarded 2003’ and wondered if it was still up there. Let me tell you, it is!! The next morning I was wandering around town as I often do and the young lady wearing the hardware t-shirt said good morning as did the farmer and his dad with 6 kelpies and 2 horses parked outside the bakery. It was refreshing to be back in the country.

We once again travelled just a short distance and thanks to Jeff’s little tip I was starting to get the Wiki Camp App sorted out. His advice was to choose 3 options at 3 different locations then, depending on the driver’s tiredness, look of the place, etc. you could make your choice as the day went on. Turns out we pulled into the first of the selected options – Marlborough Hotel, reviews were good, $5 per person per night, great steak at the pub, friendly locals. What could be better? “No power,” said Will with a quizzical look on his face – I’d forgotten about that. Not a prob, hooked up the gas to the caravan fridge – sorted. Next, I popped into the toilet at the pub, the doors had no locks and everything was looking very run down. But, as soon as I offered my 10 bucks for the night the publican became friendly as did all the locals and other guests.

We ended up having a great evening, sitting in the bar listening to the banter and the jokes flying around by all who were in there while eating very good steaks. Will said “That was just what I needed!” The next morning, as I was googling, I was stunned to find a coffee shop in town considering there were only about 4 businesses all up. So off we went for breakfast, expecting it to be a little ‘rough around the edge’. It was, but the egg and bacon rolls were good, coffee great and the half an hour yarn even better. Once ‘Grandma’ knew we were tourists looking for work we were ok. She gave us the ins and outs of the area and introduced us to the local ambo who came for his coffee. It was a real highlight of our trip. If you’re ever in the area, pop into Marlborough, check out their museum, pub and Grandma’s Coffee Shop.