Brisbane and area

March 29


Our first morning back in Brisbane was a typical tropical morning, rain and showers. However by 10:00 a.m., it was sunny and getting warm. We went with Angela to the nearby grocery store to check out the products and see what new and exciting things are on shelves outside of Canada. This is one of our favourite things to do in another country. Who knows, maybe your favourite food ever is sitting on a shelf yet to be tasted!

After a quick unpack and repack we were back on the road heading about 80 minutes north to visit our friends, Jeremy and Becca, and their two kids for a few days. The last time we were up in this area we drove but this time we were happy to leave the driving to Angela. The location for those who really want to know is not very far from the Australian Zoo. You will remember the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. The zoo is his legacy.

Jeremy and Becca live on a nice 1 acre lot in the country. We drove up their driveway and parked near their little fruit plantation (bananas, different kinds of oranges,and lime/ lemons and grapefruit). The grounds are just wonderful with lots of trees, a small pond and space. They even have egg laying chickens.

We met their adorable kids, Mali 3 and Tili 2 for the first time. The last time we were here they were not around but it was nice to see their now old dog, Marvin. I'm sure he remembered us.

We had a wonderful afternoon getting caught up and had a tasty chicken tandoori dinner.

Angela left us to head back to Brisbane and Becca drove us about 30 minutes northwest deeper into the country to this little piece of Aussi heaven. We are in a perfect little cabin overlooking a grassy small hill heading down to a small lake which is all surrounded by gum trees (small rainforest). We arrived near dark but the owner said that we could possibly see small kangaroos (wallabys), koalas and lots of birds. We can't wait for the morning to see what kind of wildlife is around us. Oh, this place also comes with breakfast but we have to cook it. They supply a basket with everything we need (juice, coffee, bread, free range eggs, a nice looking bacon, butter, coffee, milk, gronola and jam)

As I type this, Greg is reading about this area and the cottage grounds itself and the activitiies available in the area. They even have horses that they invite you to pet and feed with the odd carrot. How's that for country living?

We thought this cabin had a little first aid kit... WRONG, it is a snake bite kit. In our little welcome book it tells us what to do in the event someone is bit by a snake. (apply bandages, pressure and hollar for help. hehe) There was also some humour regarding mice. It said "don't worry about mice, the snakes ate them all" but they did say they were kidding. We really are not worried about it and plan on going for a hike in the morning before Jeremy and Becca pick us up.

Anyway as I finish off this part of the blog the moon is almost full, the screen door is open and for the first time since we left Canada, we don't need the air conditioning to stay cool. Oh you should also hear the night sounds out here, frogs or geckoes, we are not sure, but I'm sure sleep will be quite relaxing. Now this is heaven!

Greg, Becca and Jeremy Judah

Our cottage at Whispering Valley.

Our view from our cottage's deck.

A wallaby sighting near our cottage's reception center

Our morning alarm clock; the kookaburra.

Countryside view


March 30

We awoke just coming on morning to this bird who sounded like it was sitting on our bed post. If we were to describe the sound we would say it sounded like a loud monkey. Since we wanted to see what might be outside off our deck, we were out of bed just about sunrise. Snuggled in our provided robes, Greg sipping his morning coffee and I sipping my orange juice, we just sit on the deck looking and listening to nature waking up (it was 5:45). We didn't see any mammals but we did see lots of birds. About 7:00, we decided to walk along some of the trails to see what we might find. The mist was just lifting as the sun came over the hills we are in. The spider webs are heavy with the dew and the birds are mostly freaking/squawking due to some tasty treats on a near by tree. One thing we have noticed is that all birds from the parrot family are some loud LOUD birds. The trails don't take us that long to walk so we decided to go back along the small road around the cottages to the main office and it is here where we spot our first wallaby, down in the grass near some cows. Now the morning is complete and we return to the cottage for breakfast.

We sit on our deck and again the birds take notice, we think they are excited to see us Canadians and fly right on the deck to take a look... or maybe it was the breakfast they were after. There were several kookaburra who dropped by and this stupid bush turkey along with 3 or 4 other kinds that we have no idea what they are.

After breakfast, then off to the shower. Francis showered first. Shortly after starting his shower, he called to me to bring some salt. Salt??? Why would he need salt in the shower? As a result of walking in the mowed wet grass path with crocs on, Francis had picked up an unwanted traveller... a leech. Little did we know you could get a leech from wet grass. We administered the salt and the leech let go of his foot. I looked down at my foot and also saw blood on my foot and a leech puncture mark between my toes. Thankfully, no leech!

Jeremy and Becca pick us up around 9:30 after dropping the kids off at daycare. We go on a sightseeing tour of the area and stop off in a small artist type village for some breakfast for them and a cool drink. Before we know it the hours have passed and we have to head back to pick up the kids at daycare. After we return to Jeremy and Becca's place, we start supper and hear from the kids how their day went and all the other stuff young kids do (wow how do you parents have the energy to even brush your teeth?)

Since Jeremy is the pilot and has put us on his family pass, we sit down infront of the computer and book our cheap staff/family flights around Australia. We booked our return flight to Perth (6 hour flight one way), the flight to Melbourne and then on to Tasmania and finally on to Sydney. We have a few more days later in the month and we still may fly off to another country, we will see. Thanks Jeremy for helping us with this!

Friends of Jeremy and Becca join us for a wonderful dinner and before we know it the evening is gone again. Since the friends live closer to where we are staying, we get a lift back to the cottage with them. Let me digress here... as part of the dinner conversion Mark and Carolyn tell us about their property and how they are always finding bugs, snakes and other not so nice creatures. Then we hear stories about snakes and spiders from Jeremy and Becca and how they find these big spiders in the car. So needless to say our eyes did glance around the car on the way back and the room before lights out. Greg did check under the sheets and under the bed before getting in.

Francis making biscuits as Mali watches

Checking out limes/lemons for a cool refrshing drink.

Tili - cute as a button

Mali - what a boy!

An orb spider..  a master at creating delicate webs

Yes, we wore a soft warm robe as we watched and listened to the morning awakening


March 31

Again we awoke with the screeching of this bird! We think this is the official alarm clock of the rainforest. We just have breakfast on our deck checking out the birds. Around 10:00 Jeremy and his son Mali arrive to pick us up and help us check out. We spend the rest of the day at Jeremy and Becca's place just enjoying everything. We even pick some fresh lemon/lime/grapefruit type fruit and make some 'lemligrapaide'

Like all days when you are on vacation, the time slips on and Jeremy drives us back into Brisbane. With luck we are just in time for a very nice dinner that Angela prepared. She and Monique also had some family and friends by and we all sat around and enjoyed the nice tropical evening on the deck.