It's arrived! The last day in Aussie-can't believe it-We feel so settled (Sheila's having a fit). Had a beautiful relaxing stroll along the almost empty beach on Bribie Island. As usual, wildlife everywhere-spotted a commotion in the water and were told by fisherman dolphins had been seen earlier or it might be a small shark or just a tuna feeding on the small fish. Visited Christine, Paul, Helen and girls to say our fairwells; loved the views from Christine's house - the setting is amazing, not to mention the swimming pool-thinking of having one in Cheddleton. Went out for our last meal-Tempenyaki!! Japanese cook prepares your food in front of you-surrounded by 12

people. The climax comes with wearing a bib and having raw eggs and cups of rice thrown at you. Well we are in Aussie!! Visited Steven for farewell and pics. Now the hat!! Started as Andrew and Janet's joke buy from the supermarket in Hobart-has been on David's head ever since, but we thought it needed to be returned-perhaps it will turn up on the beach near your new house Andrew!!

Almost the end!!!

Arrived back in Redcliffe after a 16 hour train journey over night from the Whitsundays; train is quite comfortable, but very slow. Martin cooked a smashing Bakewell Tart to get us ready for home-once it was defrosted it tasted brilliant.
Decided to do a mega bike ride around coast towards Brisbane across dome fabulous wetlands. Weather only 25 compared to 35 earlier in week thank goodness. Birds were really interesting and Dave managed to get some more up close shots-our down stairs toilet will look like an RSPB brochure after this holiday. The budgie is taken in Sheila's garden.

Airlie Beach goodbye

Had a lovely evening with Mike and Julie last night; enjoyed a sunset swim in their horizon pool overlooking the harbour and then had a fabulous meal with them in their hotel. Really enjoyed their company, chatted non stop and I'm sure we'll keep in touch, may even make it to Perth one day. Took bus to Proserpine and back then spent rest of day in Airlie lagoon, savouring the sunshine , blue skies and glorious views over the harbour and islands. Start train journey tonight back to Brisbane (18 hours long!!!).

kayaking

After a chill day on bikes and then in the lagoon we set of on our all day kayaking trip from Scute Harbour. After 10 mins we watched 2 dolphins chasing and catching fish. They really got it down to a fine art and we had great sightings before heading out to sea. I spotted the stingray under our boat (I had to share with Dave!) Snorkled 2 gorgeous islands with not a soul in sight. On way back after 15 kms we were treated to a brill sighting of a turtle surfacing a number of times. Out tonight with couple of bikers (push bikers) we met yeaterday from Perth. Hoping to have a dip in their luxury high rise pool over Airlie Harbour.

Up early for a change!!! Set off on trip

around islands. Snorkling and underwater viewing on inner real at Hook Island- afriad we were spoiled by the first outer reef experience-Andrew and Janet said it might be murky and it was a bit, but some of fish were stunning. Moved on to the famous Whitehaven beach-just like walking on icing sugar-very fine, I did some swimming in the clear blue water, bit too much sun exposure for Dave. Last island was beautiful-Daydream Island had wedding chapel of glass and wedding going on at time. Could spend a month there- had some unique coral and marine life pools complete with stingrays and sharks. Rest day tomorrow-probably only push biking to Schute Harbour!!

Left Atherton Tablelands on the Tuesday - had some more memorable stops at breeathtaking scenery including waterfalls and the Mamu aerial forest walk-needed a head for heights! Back in not so sunny Cairns for 1 day-cloudy and rain-haven't seen that for 4 weeks! Booked slow train to Proserpine-most of the cars on the road passes us, even the tractors were faster, but it was quite relaxing and scenic. Woke up in Airlie Beach- fabulous marina, lagoon and beautiful sunshine!! Swimming in lagoon was brill. Have booked up for island tour and snorkling tomorrow(saturday) and sea kayaking on Monday from Schute Harbour-determined to pack it in!

Atherton Tablelands

Hi there. Spent last 2 nights in absolute luxury in Mount Quincan luxury treetop retreats for couples- bath spa included with great views. Saw tree kangaroos from balcony and fed paddy melons down below. Had a brill boat tour of lake Barrine, guide feeds wild life at special spots including eeels, turtles and close up and personal with amethyst python in the reeds.

Saw more sightings of platypus on early morning walk (7 pm!) Toured Australia's own tea plantation-Dave really enjoyed that!!! Walked 6km around Lake Barrine-marked path with board walks, just looking at small rat kangaroos when I turned and spotted blake snake by bush, gasped and spooked David-my snake spotter let me down! Fortunately it scuttled away. Apparently, the guide says its up there-no 6 of top ten most venomous. Apparently we were lucky to get a sighting! Just getting over that when decided to do platypus walk again- under the bridge, Dave in front too busy looking for platypuses,,,,,,,behind him on rocks 2 m version of the same black snake. I wet myself and Dave took a picture-typical! Decided to abort walk. Dave needs to watch the path we've decided! Think we'll get back to coast today-much safer I think!

rainforest and bush

Got car, left Cairns hit Kuranda before most of tourists. Did walk, very touristy, left for Mareeba-went to a wetland and bush reserve. What a contrast, 3 miles down a dusty unmade road and then an amazing lagoon and wildlife centre. Decided to stay the night in a deluxe bush tent (tent on staging, attached open topped ensuite) I was a bit anxious as only 2 others staying a long way from us. Evening walking saw kangaroos - so quiet and then beautiful sunset over lagoon. Visited lots in night by scratching in tent and scuttling-licking our dinner plates clean- "quoll". David surprised one or was it the other way around! Had an amazing bird tour in jeep with Chuck(alias Crocodile Dundee) next morning 7 am - 61 species of birds. Moved on around Atherton- much tamer, but lovely. Caught sight of first platypus this morning!

thanks for the invite

dave/nicky nice to here from you really enjoyed the photographs and text, glad you're having a good time you get used to things scratching around in the night if you have a dog, enjoy the rest of your holiday, brian,lorna,sam,tilly.

Had Dave and Niki here for a week in Tassie.It was great to see them and show them our way of life.Hope they enjoyed the visit.Nice to see them in the warm weather now,its rained non stop since they left.We all miss them.
D,J,C,C&Milo

Great Reef

Yes! That's really us underwater on the Great Barrier Reef! I can't believe I did it-just managed to avoid sea sickness in time as we arrived at reef. Scuba divers and snorklers aboard, no room for sunbathers only! Dropped into water- WOW!

Pictures taken by underwater diver. Divers actually only 5 metres below us, we could see them. Reef teaming with amazing fish complete with sea turtle and 4 feet shark. On way back we were treated to mother and 2 calves humpback whales breaching water in spectacular leaps!

Cairns Day2

Up early-breakfast provided, loads of people emerged. Picked up bikes and off we went. Spent a lot of time in Botanical Gardens, very lush, amazing plants. Back for swim in Lagoon. Off on our Barrier Reef trip tomorrow. Car booked for a tour of rainforest area over following few days.

Cairns

Arrived yesterday morn, very warm, lovely setting.
bustling resort. Had first swim in lagoon-water freezing! Beach not for swimming, brill for birds. Went to "Reef Teach" really interesting talk about Great Barrier ready for our snorkling expedition on Thursday - all day out on reef. Bit concerned that she gave us advice on best sea sickness tablets!
Put photos up when I can.

Dear all

Saturday morning and a 3 hour trek to Bunya Mountains and the rainforests

The trees as you can see were magnificent! Did a 4 hour walk, bird calls and wild life amazing-wallabies everywhere and the colourful parrots you can see came for food - barbies all weekend- beats the total for a whole year in UK! Great being with everyone - 11 in all