Brisbane to Gympie and beyond!

It has been more than a week since the last blog from when we arrived in Brisbane.

Was there nothing to write?

Did nothing happen?

There was enough, but we have been kept very busy and we have been busy a lot, so no time to sit down and write a story or upload photos.

After seven night in Brisbane (Aspley) we have moved on towards , and past it, Gympie. Where we are now at this moment in time, because tomorrow Else and I move on to our beloved “Rainbow Beach” for 2 days for sure. But, more about Rainbow next time.

Sunday we went with Jos and Laz to the harbor side where there is a nice little ( hippie style) market with all kind of stalls and food to choose from in different styles and taste.

WE ate some nice things there and I even found a single from Elvis for my jukebox for just $ 5,00.

Most of our camp nights are filed up with get together, with or without campfire where you bring your own drinks and some snacks and people tell stories about travelling and give you tips. Not so much in Brisbane we got together anyway.

Monday, early with Els to a dental technician to finally get her top denture fixed.

After that we did some shopping because we have to keep on eating and drinking, don’t we.

Tuesday, we went to Ed and Susan Hengst for a nice and intimae get together and a meal to pick up where we left of 3 years ago.

Wednesday, with the train to Brisbane center because we could not missed out again on it this time, now this became a story on itself.

The trains don’t cost anything and within a half an hour you are from Carseldine for about $ 2,50 in the centre.

Picked up a map of the city over at the info Centre and started walking, seen a lot of nice and lovely things and buildings and shops.

After a while we went to the park on the south bank which was developed after the last flood. There we got on the boot taxi to see the town from the Brisbane River. During our float, we realized that we forgot to talk about Rainbow Beach with Jos and Laz in our planning so got my phone out of my safe trouser pocket and texted Laz. After that I put my phone in the pocket of my cardigan. When we hopped off after a hour and 30 minutes I missed my phone. This could only be on the boot who just took off. Went to the info Centre and they helped me wonderfully and rang the office. After 20 minutes we got a call, “they found the phone” . But by me being on the south side it would be impossible to be at the los and found office on time, so you better come back tomorrow. The info center told us where the office was and we walked slowly towards that address to get there at 17.10hr to find out they closed at 17.00 hrs. ?????

After a meal we headed back to Carseldine where the car was parked. When we got back to Jos and Laz we had a great laugh about this.

Thursday, early on the road again to the centre and picked up the phone without any delay. Got back to Carseldine so early I decided to drive up to the NRMA office to get the insurance for the car and caravan sorted as well today. It was not an easy thing but it is done.

Now we had to get ready for our departure tomorrow and to get the meal started we promised to make for our relatives, Jos and Laz, Ed and Susan, and Las, Bhami ( the Dutch way).

This became a very nice gathering full of laughter and joy, just in the camp kitchen next to the caravan of Jos and Laz.

After that Young Las took us for sightseeing to see Brisbane by night from different viewing points, it was amazing and wonderful.

Friday, just before 10.00 we left the campsite in Brisbane to drive the 180km towards Gympie and beyond. Short after leaving we lost sight of Jos and Laz in the busy Friday traffic in Brisbane so after some searching we found the campsite “Standdown” at about 14.00 hrs.

We are becoming more and more experience with putting up everything so after 30 minutes we were done. Only to find that in the morning one of the sliding arm brackets broke and had to be replaced. No worry, on our way up here I did see two things , a house with a lot of old cars ( might write later on about this) and a caravan dealer with service parts, so back to Gympie I went. Bought the thingy and some other stuff and back to the camping again

When I wanted to fit the bracket I looked at the broken one and that one fitted without any problem at all.

Saturday, made a trip across the peninsula with Els and found a campsite for when we leave here over at Rainbow Beach. By the time we got back the campfire was burning already and we picked up our chairs and drinks and joined the rest of the group, “it is a hard life we are living as “grey old nomads”.

Sunday, cleaned and polished one side of the caravan while taking care of Buddy the dog.

Now we just got back for another evening at the campfire and we should turn in, but I had to write this first. Hope to do the belonging photos on Monday.

Keep on reading and we keep on traveling. Cheers.