Two Days of Travel

Thursday Oct 27 - Friday Oct 28

A lovely start, Josh brought his breakfast and ate it sitting at the foot of our beds. Harry joined him in asking questions about their Mum when she was young. Sara also joined in for a time. After Mike had departed on the school run, we three women breakfasted together, Sara carried our bags to the car and we made our farewells.

Despite Martina taking us the pretty way - lots of new roads around the airport - we were dead on time in dropping off the car. Rather early for our departure, time to read our Kindles.

What can one say about a seven and a half hour flight followed by a thirteen and a half one......tedium, discomfort, plastic food, cramping, seemingly endless.

The two hour stop over in Singapore soon passed, a Frapuccino at Starbucks and a Pandora bracelet for me. Sara has one and I read a book whilst away where a woman used one as an incentive for losing weight. Each time she lost half a stone, she bought a new charm. What an excellent incentive for me.

We were on the M25 by 7.30, a welcome home text from Bridge was appreciated. A loo stop at South Mimms and a sandwich for breakfast, another at Thetford Sainsbury's as usual, we arrived home at 11.30. Apart from the odd patch of fog, a lovely, sunny Autumn day.

Unfortunately, NooNoo has something wrong with him, he's very dribbly and seems not himself, we have a vet appointment at 2.50. Robbie is fine apart from a tick on top of his head which I shall remove shortly.

NB Never go to Australia Economy Class again !!

Last Day

Wednesday October 26

At 7, Sara had left for work and Mike and the boys were up - we left in a hurry to get out of the way. Remarkably little traffic too. We were at Golds Creek Lane within an hour. We spent a considerable time along the lane, seeing a few of the squeakers for a change. Swamp Harrier was a trip tick. Both Golden and Rufous Whistler females sang and showed themselves, such drab individuals compared with the colourful males. Several Red-browed Finches gave themselves away by bending grass stems as they made their way down to the seed on the ground.

We arrived in the paddock in time for the mowing men to arrive, what a row as they tended between the graves, mower first then a strimmer. Two men, two pick-up trucks, one with the mower, the other the strimmer! The Lake was a sight, 500+ Pelicans milling about in groups, doing their collective fishing thing.

We departed to the other end, watching Figbirds, Dollarbird and Noisy Friars. When the squawking feral Guineafowl arrived, along with a female Brush Turkey - in case we had food - we left for Kobble Creek.

It had rained overnight, we didn't want to get our sandals wet, so stayed in the parking area, joined by some cheerful Asian fishermen. When asked what fish they were after, either they didn't know or, would eat anything they caught, from their reaction.

Back to the Samsonvale Lake area where the workers were finishing. The Lake was now empty of Pelicans, replaced by a constant stream of Great Cormorants flying through, hundreds of them. The Rainbow Bee-eaters are nesting in the earth heap, not too perturbed by the machinery.

Slowly driving the Lane back to the main road, we were just in time to see a small group of Brown Quail disappear into the verge. Small and very secretive, they seem to melt away.

Next stop, Golds Road (who was Golds?)to check on the nesting Tawny Frogmouths. Yes, they'd hatched two chicks, just visible, behind some greenery, high in the Hoop Pine. I had to try a photo even though it focused on the branches not the birds !

The best experience of the day was finding four Sulphur-crested Cockatoos feeding on the verge. Very common birds and exceedingly raucous but extremely difficult to find one that is photographable.

The ambition is to photo one with their crest up but this only occurs when they land. We tried encouraging them to fly......when they did so, they landed too far away.

A look at that beak tells you why they are so destructive, they can dismantle a house in very little time. Sara's doors and windows are all metal. They are great birds though, we love them.

Terribly hot and humid to-day, hateful. We were pleased to get back to the relative cool of the house and put the fans on. We started packing and generally sorting. Emptying the car was a big part of it, after living in it for six weeks.

Mike left to pick up the boys, then drop Harry at Indooropilly to meet old friends and buy Josh some new goalie gloves. He also bought him some new swimmers, rather tropically patterned Speedos. He donned the trunks and gloves to greet Sara downstairs in the garage.

I think Mojo approves.....

Mike produced some delicious Jamie Oliver burgers with salad for tea, we all chatted, the boys and Mike are playing FIFA, Sara Pam and I are in the living room reading and computing.

 We've had a great six weeks, the family worked hard to prepare for us and to make us very welcome. Sad to leave them but delighted to be going home to-morrow.

Silky Oak

I'm  suddenly awarethat I haven't mentioned, nor shown, the great blossom trees enhancing the countryside. Here are a few......



Unknown but lovely

 

One of the many differently coloured Bougainvillea



Jacaranda, they have bloomed throughout our 6 weeks, beginning to drop now as the leaves appear.

Wader Roost - Last Hurrah

Tuesday October 25

Well, why not? Awake very early, we might as well go. We left at 5.20 a.m. and arrived in Toorbul at 6.45. High tide was due at 8.10, we thought we had plenty of time. Consternation when we arrived at the Esplanade and found no mud in sight, it looked like high tide already. Hastening to the far end, passing some small groups of Curlew and Godwit, we joined a small group of oldies, parking in the shade under the mangroves and walking to THE high tide roost.

The oldies were very friendly, members of U3A - the group Tina leads in Bundy. It stands for University of the 3rd Age - i.e. oldies! They surrounded us,  trying to identify the hundreds of tightly roosting waders. Most were Bar-tailed Godwits and Whimbrel, close scanning - hindered by constant arrivals and position shifting - found a few Grey-tailed Tattlers, several Great Knot, a few Red Knot, one or two Curlew Sandpipers, a sprinkling of Sharp-tailed Sandpipers all fringed by scurrying Red-necked Stints. A very few birds showed a tinge of breeding colour, the general impression was a sea of grey. The spots of the Great Knot were diagnostic, as was the chocolate cap of the Sharpies. A few Caspian Terns and rather more Gull-billed spread about too.
Do I dare show these appalling photos.....distance and poor depth of field....here goes.

Caspian Tern, several Gull-billed Terns, Sharp-tailed Sandpipers and Red-necked Stints

Grey-tailed Tattler (yellow legs, on stone L back) Great Knot amongst the throng

Could be Cley or Titchwell, Bar-tailed Godwits

We were hoping for assistance from the group, instead, we found ourselves in the position of being deferred to for ID help! Flattering but unnerving. But, they did point out a Yellow-cheeked Honeyeater, perched on a wire for a short time, a trip tick, and a passing Osprey.  

Yellow-cheeked Honeyeater

There was also talk of the number of Buff-banded Rails being seen, a result of the wet weather last year it's thought = good breeding season. We've certainly seen more than ever before, a couple of glimpses only in previous Aus visits.

It was so hot by 8.30 that we got back in the car and drove to Banksia Beach and the Kakadu roost, the other side of the Pumicestone Channel and on Bribie Island. Here we found two more oldies, even older than us, who didn't really know their waders either. We were able to show them Lesser Sand Plovers through our scope, the only other wader addition was a pair of Red-capped Plovers and their diminutive chick.

A couple of workers drove up in their pick-up, left the door open and the music on, whilst they ate their breakfast under an awning. We drove away.........

To Buckley's Hole. Such a lovely view on a beautiful morning. Freshwater pool in front and below us, the sea beyond.

We breakfasted here, loving one of our favourite views anywhere, moving shade trees as the sun got higher. Yes...a Buff-banded Rail came out of the undergrowth and fed on grass seeds outside the car. Amazing.

Buff-banded Rail - my best so far - room for improvement

A leisurely tour of the Waterworks road, the usual Rainbow Bee-eaters, Red-backed Fairy-Wrens and unseen but calling birds (frustrating), including Brolga. Still haven't seen any this trip. Woorim for a drink, iced chocolate, then Avenue 5 for the loos .

Where better......back to the pool. Three people were hacking out and weed-killing unwanted and invasive plants around the pool verge. A lawnmower man turned up mowed a couple of large lawns using an incredibly noisy ride-on. Our peace had gone.
After photographing a Magpie Lark and a Masked Lapwing, we left for the bridge back to the mainland.

Magpie Lark

Wattled Lapwing

There are 13 lamp posts along the bridge and ten of them had sleeping Pelicans this morning overlapping the stanchions like downy pillows.
Beefy's for a very late lunch - 3 o'clock. I'd texted Mike earlier and he'd requested a Family Angus and Mushroom takeaway pie for their tea.
The journey back was enhanced by a group of 5 then a single, Yellow-tailed Cockatoo flying over the Bruce Highway at Burpengary. Less traffic at first than this morning. The queue on the way in to Brisbane was tailed back at 6.15, we were fine going our way.
In later than usual, Sara even more so, it was gone 6.30 for her. Apparently having to do the job of one and a half people at the moment, staffing problem. She should get some extra money.
I booked in online with Singapore Air, the seat numbers don't mean anything to me, I trust that they are what I asked for ! Just the delivery of my penknife to arrange now.
Our last day to-morrow, Pam has chosen Samsonvale and I concurred.

Gardening, Shopping and Cooking

Monday October 24

The heading says it all. Pam completed her gardening chores - Mike came home from the gym having remembered to buy the alfalfa mulch she wanted. Smelt just like hay, which is what it is!

We shopped in the morning and I cooked the Bobotie for to-night's tea. In between I caught up with my computing. We went to Bellbowrie via the Moggill Ferry so that we could take a photograph in the hot sunshine. It was 27C yesterday and again to-day, it's also forecast for the rest of the week.

The Moggill Ferry aecross the Brisbane River.It was almost lost in kast year's floods, the banks still show the scars.

Looking forward to Toorbul in the morning.

Packing up, Beach, Beefy's and Vanwall

Sunday October 23

A first. I saw three Buff-banded Rails and, a Kookaburra digging for insects, whilst sitting up in bed. We woke early to a sunny/cloudy morning, we sleep with the curtains open. The sun hit the fantastic house high on the hill overlooking the forest and our garden first. There's a volcanic plug nearby, conical in shape. The Glass House Mountains, just a little south of here are all plugs.There are some spectacular houses all over Queensland  - and not expensive either by UK standards. This house is on 6 acres. The proper name is Kuri'bigil'ba, the Aborigine name for Cooroy Mountain, meaning 'The Place Where the Sun God Came Down to Earth'.

We were ready to leave at 9.50, Mike's satnav stopped working, we led the way to Marcus Beach when he overtook so that he could lead us to the parking place.

We parked easily and reached the beach via a boardwalk through the trees. An infinity stretch of golden sand, barely populated. 

A small section of Marcus Beach

Pam and I sat in the very pleasant temperature with a balmy breeze whilst the family walked to the sea. I soon joined them for a paddle. The sand was very firm where the sea had gone out, standing in the water was alarming in the rapidity with which you were sucked into the sand. 

Pam, Harry and I then sat watching the activity whilst first Sara and Mojo and then, Mike and Josh, set off, out of sight,  into the distance. I chatted to Harry and attempted to photograph the occasional bird flying by - they always appeared too suddenly for any preparation. Some were Gull-billed Terns but we are yet to identify the slender black-billed terns with any certainty. Maybe White-fronted.......
Two views of Gull-billed Tern



Is this a White-fronted Tern?

When the family returned with a very ratsy Mojo and samples of Bluebottles (Portuguese Man o War') jellyfish for us to see, I took some photos



Blue-bottle - the several feet long tentacles which hang down in the water, in a mass below

and we all departed for lunch at Marcus Beach. Mojo was washed under the shower first, wrapped in a towel and cuddled.

A mosey around some shops, lunch outdoors at a German cafe, another shop survey - Josh wanted me to see a clock which only showed the time when you clapped your hands. He was dying to buy it but it was A$40 and his parents didn't want him to spend that much. He bought a ball which changed colour according to the warmth of your hands instead, A$ 6.95. much better price.

I bought a pair of earrings, can't go home without ONE new pair, and Sara a candle stand for the table.

We left them to it and drove home via Beefy's. We tried an Aberdeen Steak Pie this time, very pleasant but no nicer than our usual 'Signature' which is a dollar cheaper. We didn't eat it until we got back to a good welcome from a vocal Zulu. The family were only half an hour after us, they didn't stop at Beefy's, ' wanted to get rid of the children as soon as possible!'

I set to on downloading photos whilst my laptop was charging and noticed that Pam was gardening already !! She has a list......

We're now watching the Rugby World Cup Final and keeping fingers crossed for Man U later. I fancy a draw I think but hope it's a win for us. It's a 6 pointer.
The Family at Marcus Beach

Pam took the photo

Lake McDonald and Rain

Saturday October 22

My best night's sleep in Australia. Was it the Four-poster bed? More likely the mattress totally suited me and my wrist disn't wake me up for the first time in three weeks (broken blood vessel and spectacular bruise).

Sara and Mike had left for Eumundi Market soon after 6.30, bliss for them to do so without the children. They returned at 10ish to show off their purchases - I got a bag of avocados - Sara had a flattering new outfit, a dinner gong (! maybe the kids will hear it) and Mike a couple of shirts. The boys got new Tshirts too. Both of them will only wear black or blue, Harry started it.

After Sara had cooked them an eggs on toast breakfast, they all went to Marcus Beach, one of the few beaches where they can take the dog, south of Noosa. Pam and I toured the extensive Lake McDonald, finding several widely scattered access points, the only trip list addition a distant Jacana.

After lunch at a lakeside table, we set off for Noosa Heads - in increasingly heavy rain. This continued all the way to Noosa and back to the house, where we found that the family had arrived back five minutes before us. Luckily, the rain had started as they left the beach.

Pam Josh and I sat on the back porch watching birds for the rest of the afternoon. He loves using my bins, uttering joyous cries of admiration at the colourful plumage one can see close up. To our astonishment, a Buff-banded Rail sneaked across to the flower pots. Josh picked it up exclaiming 'Waw, it looked like a brown bird until I looked through the bins'.

Buff-banded Rail

.The Honeyeaters love the banana flowers with the emerging 'nana bunch small and green above. I don't think Josh had seen that before. We three sat happily chatting, occasionally joined by Sara and /or Mike whilst the rain continued.

Sara offered to take us to a good view-point in Noosa, we three women went off for an hour. We found the sea view place in the driving rain, glimpsing a goodly number of birds on a distant sandbank. Noosa is popular for weddings - Mike and Sara were married here - not a good day for the album photos although there was evidence of ceremonies.

I still haven't been able to get a good pic of the beautiful Pale-headed Rosellas nor the Blue Faced Honeyeaters. They're very wary - and Mojo's not a help either. When the rain stopped, he had a run out on the back grass with his toy.

Everyone decided that the pizza place 'Orange' on Sunrise Drive would be good again, table booked for six and inside this time. Everyone wore a woolly. I hadn't realised that a) it was called Orange and b) the glasses, candle holders and napkins were orange.

Another long wait for the food, an opportunity for the adults to chat. The boys were introduced to my laser pen as we left, five weeks plus in my bag and they didn't know. They were impressed when the beam reached the stars. Street points for Grandma.

After downloading my photos (battery down to 12%), we all, except for Harry, played a board game called 'Dash About Australia'. Very like Trivial Pursuits but you play on a map of Australia answering questions when you get to the major cities. I know very little about Australia as it turned out. One of my questions was ' what's the name of the purple shirted Wiggle'. What's the Wiggles? Children's programme.

We called it quits at 9.30.

A lovely relaxing day despite the rain  or maybe because of it. WiFi access means that we see very little of Harry but he's happy.

Bribie, Mad Mojo, Roos and Eccentric Pizza

Friday October 21

Pam and I left soon after 7.30, in time for the rush hour ! Toorbul en route to our weekend cottage was the plan - until I found that high tide was at 4.20 a.m. That made the high tide wader roost an impossibility. We went to Bribie Island instead, Buckley's Hole, Waterworks road and Kakadu. Very pleasant birding but nothing of note apart from a juvenile Black-crowned (Nankeen ) Night Heron.

Via the drive in Beefy for a lunchtime pie, we re-joined the Bruce Highway and motored north towards Cooroy.  As we left Beefy's , six Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos flew overhead and Pam decided to chase them - causing Martina great distress. It was the wrong way and she kept repeating 'Perform a U Turn as soon as possible'. We didn't see the birds again either.

Soon after re-joining the Bruce, an enormous dark Heron flew over. It could only have been a Great-billed Heron, although it's further south than the book says it should be. The only other bird of that size and colour is the immature Black-necked Stork but this bird definitely had the folded neck of a Great-billed, the Stork has a stretched neck when flying. A tick.

As we passed the Highway Beefy, Mike drove out into the stream of traffic two cars ahead of us. How spooky is that? I texted Sara to 'Look behind you' and a forest of arms waved.

Kuribigilba House lies between Cooroy and Tomantin on a road to Noosa. It's set in 6 acres of lovely grounds and is half a house, the other half occupied by the young and very pleasant owners.

We sat on the porch for the whole afternoon, Pam, Josh and I, joined by Mike first and then Sara after her sleep. Josh spent much of the time wearing my binoculars, genuinely enjoying fantastic views of Pale-headed Rosellas, Blue-cheeked Honeyeaters, Pied Butcherbirds and Noisy Miners.

Pale-headed Rosellas

At the feeder

In a Jacaranda Tree - the trees are beautiful at the moment

Blue-cheeked Honeyeater

Noisy Miner - a Honeyeater too

We also saw a pair of Channel-billed Cuckoos, Pam's list adding up to 18 birds in total. Four Eastern Grey Kangaroos sheltered in the shade of a distant tree.

When not birding, Josh spent his time playing with Mojo, who had a fun and thoroughly exhausting afternoon - until Tristan put a gate up at the end of the porch. He was either chasing birds, barking at horses, chasing shadows or enticing Josh to play with him and his new favourite toy - red canvas with two balls inside which he found somewhere. Maybe when he's older than 10 months he'll learn some discretion.

Come and get it

Missed it.....Mojo hasn't learnt to 'Drop' yet!

Josh played football with dad too.

His final act of the day was to chase after the two female kangaroos which appeared in our area.

Eastern Grey female with Joey in the pouch - he quickly disappeared

Dinner was booked for 6 at a local pizza place - in the middle of nowhere but had to be booked as it was a Friday. Difficult to describe.....unlike anywhere I've ever been before but we all loved it. Walked in past an open area where they were rolling out the dough, assembling the pizzas to order ad cooking them in proper pizza ovens. The woman proprietor found us a table outside under an awning, saying, help yourselves to cold drinks, otherwise you might never get served, just tell us what you've had at the end of the evening. Mike produced wine and beer out of a bag and she brought us glasses.

A round of garlic pizza kept us going until -much later - the food was brought. Josh told her it was th best pizza he'd ever eaten. Mine was good too and so large that Sara and Pam helped me eat it. A very eccentric place but delightful.

Mike had a bath as they only have showers at home, Josh is soaking at the moment, Sara is asleep and I'm off to bed as soon as I've finished this.

For a Few Dollars More

Thursday October 20

Well, Pam had a busy day. She spent the morning finishing the front centre bed, clearing the roots out and planting. The mulch is still to be purchased. Looks like it will be Lucerne mulch rather than sugar cane as it contains some nutrients. I answered Emails and carried the odd bucket of water for watering and glass of iced water to drink. Mojo usually drinks from the bucket and he had a long draft when he came back from his walk with Mike.

Mojo was active throughout, he loves to participate. He whined piteously when Pam shut him in, not wanting to risk him in the unfenced front.  When I let him out the back, he ran off over the bridge and up the back garden with one of her boots.No harm done, he abandoned it unchewed. We all reckoned he couldn't stand the smell.

After lunch, Shepherds Pie sandwich (!!), Pam and I went shopping in Bellbowrie via the Moggill Ferry pond and the Brisbane river bend.

I missed photos of the two Channel-billed Cuckoos that flew through, hassled by a raucous Masked Lapwing but, at last, managed to get some colour on a Dollarbird. All the ones we've seen are perched on wires and not well lit. I manouvered myself so that  this one was silhouetted against some trees.

Dollarbird, they have dollar sized pale blue circles in their wings when they fly. A member of the Roller family and different from the African Dollarbird.

Our last postcard posting, a quick look at our river bend - high tide - usually useless but to-day we could see two Royal Spoonbills, a Pied Cormorant and an Australian Pelican.

Coles for meat, Josh's favourite Lamb Cutlets and a few extras to take with us to-morrow before home to greet the boys.

Sara was late to-night, making up for to-morrow 'off'. It means that she does the same amount of work spread over fewer days.

Pam and I are setting off early in the morning so that we can bird along the way.

Rain Stopped Birding

Wednesday October 19

Icy cold feet kept me awake last night - but not for long. That's what comes of being at the top of a mountain. We did have a heater in the room too and it felt nice and warm.

As it was raining when we awoke, we stayed in bed with the curtains drawn., only to find a couple of Rosellas standing on the balcony with their beaks pressed to the glass doors. Honestly !

Better light for the view this morning though, the sun was shining in Canungra.

Breakfast at 7.30, we remembered it as being excellent. First course was. Several mueslis, to which I added, sultanas, apricots, pistachio nuts, sunflower seeds and yoghurt. The hot course was poor this time. Very smoky bacon with the rind left on, greasy potatoes, sloppy scrambled egg with a brown crust on top and frankfurter sausages. There was also mushroom, baked beans and tomatoes. The queue for DIY toast was hampered by  old  Michael O'Reilly being in charge and wittering on about eating damper and drinking billy tea in the old days, 'nothing like this'. I only wanted some toast.....I accepted a small slice and moved off. The place is a bit of a rip-off these days. Despite the expensive breakfast, any coffee, other than DIY instant, costs A$4 a cup. We were scandalised.

We were in early and bagged a table in front of the glassed off feeding area, which is enclosed by wire mesh of a size which only allows medium and smaller sized birds through. A man arrived to fill the two feeders attached to living trees and, immediately, several Satin and Regent Bowerbirds arrived, many of them the females missing yesterday. I tried some shots.......

Female Regent Bowerbird

Going for my main course, I spotted Roy Sonnenburg (he's guided us on previous trips), sitting at a table with eight Americans, his birding group. He gave me a big cuddle and told us he'd already been to NT and Cairns, was moving on to Stanthorpe to-day and then flying to Sydney for the last leg of a three week trip.

He later called by our table to tell us about an Owlet-Nightjar hole on the Boundary Trail, except that he'd only seen it at mid-day.After finishing breakfast, we set off to find it, dressed in several layers of clothing, everyone else was wearing woollies and coats. We did manage to find the correct tree and hole and I tried a photo - which shows the well hidden roosting bird better than we could see it ! You need an imagination......

It was raining steadily by now so our walk was again curtailed. We returned to our room to pack the car, sign out and pay the rest of the bill before trying some birding again. I took some photos around the grounds, birds where they should be.

Crimson Rosella

Male King Parrot

Eastern Yellow Robin, they cling to the sides of trees in the shadow of the forest.

 We checked out the shop, Pam fetched the car and we decided to cut our losses and move on.

Lovely place marred by the weather, everyone was complaining.

We decided to explore the camping ground for the first time, Dot stayed there many years ago and said it was good for birds. It's hidden away on a hilly and well treed area scattered with concrete platforms. Puzzling - no way could you get a caravan or camper on most of them. Pam spotted a Pademelon run off into the bush and we then found a rather mangy looking specimen of Red- necked Pademelon, about twice the size of a Hare.

We made several stops on our way down, all fruitless apart from the one at the Rosemount Alpaca Stud, where we watched a caramel coloured baby suckling from its stoical looking white mother. They have a shop of course, the view is the best on the entire mountain. We fell for a Cockatoo wall tile, the simplest of those on display.

The lower we got, the better the weather. By Canungra, the roads were dry and the sun was out. We ate an ice-cream and motored on, stopping in several park/picnic places adding Brown Cuckoo Dove to the trip list. This is a largish, remarkably quiet and secretive, forest dove.

Brown Cuckoo-Dove

For the last four visits, I've wanted to photograph a Cattle Egret in breeding plumage when they are a wonderful caramel colour around the shoulders and head. I tried again to-day.... As soon as  the car stops, the nearby ones fly. One day.

I did manage a White-necked Heron though, much less frequently seen that the slim White-faced ones.

We ended up at the Moggill pond where a Straw-necked Ibis was wading warily amongst the cacophany of Swampies (Purple Swamphen).

Straw-necked Ibis

Home in tIme to unpack before Mike brought the boys home. We had a lovely welcome from Mojo and then both boys. Harry spent the whole late afternoon and evening with us, in the living room, which was nice.

Josh's team won another Futsal match last night, 7-2, and Josh scored the first goal.

At dinner, Mike told us that, in Australia,  the replacement of telegraph poles is the house owner's responsibility if they lie within your grounds - and theirs needs replacing. A$ 1900 if yours is the only one, A$ 1600 if next door has theirs done at the same time. Weird.

One day before we're off again.......