(Backup) North to Eumundi, Cooroy and Gympie!

 I still haven’t hit my stride in Australia yet...it’s such a big place a lot of energy and time goes into finding one’s way around!

Eumundi was next on our list of places to visit with the market high on our list!

We went to the Wednesday market, which was a little less crowded.

 A local speaking with the locals....parrot fashion! 



This is how a laid back Aussie uses a hammock.

This Architects sign outside his home looks good while his letter box is not got the same attention to detail

...would you get a house designed from the owner of this mailbox!

 Eumundi Sportsground is an impressive place...shame the parkup at the back is right next to the Bruce Highway, 

with trucks and traffic whistling by all night!

This sunset is heading for the “Outback” which is definitely out the back of here! 

Australia Zoo visit.

The Australia Zoo is just north of Beerwah in Queensland.

Steve Irwin, the driving force of it all, died in 2006. It’s a very impressive complex and even today the manner and attitude of Steve is still evident!

This is the main showing area for the Crocodile show.

They had native birds flying across to retrieve a $5 bill from a spectator in the audience.

Then it flew back to its handler.

Feeding time with the large crocs.

Not the sight you’d want to see while your having a swim!

Many strange animals, I’m sorry I didn’t take down their names.

This is the Tasmanian Devil.....

Sleeping seems to be a great Koala pastime!

Snakes are quite amazing...

This one’s.....apparently not poisonous!

I love the sound of the Kookaburras.



Below is a Wombat



I was surprised to see how large the Dingo is!

This is the Jabaroo

Australia’s iconic animal...the Kangaroo!

This is a blue Wren, which looks very similar to the NZ Piwakawaka

Otters are such a spritely energetic animal.

It was a full half day and we were plain “tuckered out”

Australia Zoo is well worth a sticky beak “peek”
Cheers

From Oz

Jimu & Christine.

Last Blog from NZ .... the prep is all Done...now the Fun!

Hi Family & Friends

Yes, a lot of preparing for the off to Australia, has been happening. We have a 7.7m Motorhome booked for 45 days. We had originally planned to travel inland from Brisbane through Roma and north to Mt Isa heading on a loop to the Gulf or Carpentaria, then east to Cairns and back down the coast to Brisbane. This is a total distance of over 4800klms. The change in plan to make it more peaceful and perhaps see more, is to travel 500 klms north and 500 klms south of Brisbane and inland a bit too!

Since we got home from recent trips to the bottom of the South Island (3 months) and a month in the lower North Island I have only been home for 3 weeks since January, so I had a lot to catch up on!

Also at this time Nelson also had its own Fringe Arts Festival and I partook in a juggling workshop by Ballista alias Paul & Deryn and saw the amazing"The Bubbles Show" by Eran the bubble man.

 Deryn showing us how to hula hoop!

 And Paul with some expert juggling instruction.



Both of these shows were top rate and great crowd pleasers.

And now for your edification and entertainment...The Bubble Show.

Eran used to be a rifle carrying soldier in the Army, and much prefers a life of bubble making and entertaining kids!

Every kids dream.....to be inside of a giant bubble!

 A hair raising experience...no kidding!

The Weber Bros Circus has been camped up at Saxton Field.

I was very glad I went and saw some excellent acts. The clown Ari from Mexico was a terrific sax and trumpet player. I talked to him a few days later, he is the fourth generation clown in his family. His father played trombone and this is what he started on, and progressed onto saxes and trumpets. He invited me to come to the next circus barbeque next thursday night, however I’ll be in Brisbane.

 Two trumpets playing the same tune, now that's impressive!



This guy is a bit of a big head!

This guy is a bit of a blob

Just hanging around......a healthy co-dependant relationship!

This young juggler was incredibly fast, at least 10 balls bouncing off the super slick platform, 

All while he danced what looked like Irish dancing!

On came the Motocross boys and one woman too!

They jumped high across the ring 

and four bikes also rode inside the huge caged ball

Now that's lot of Hoopla!

I have been sorting out what to take for Australia. I will be travelling for the first time overseas in 25 years without a sax. However I will be taking a soprano Ukulele and my new SYN aluminium  Australian made whistle.

Technology wise I will be taking only the Ipadpro, however I have to transfer photos from my cannon digital camera, my Samsung smart phone, and my GoPro. All this is certainly a first world problem and something I never had to do as a boy back in Scotland!

Travel time is haircut time.....this is the before shot!

Literally a cut above....

And the final result.....crazy man....crazy

Well they do have colourful birds and characters in Australia.

Below is my busking kit, I made the padded Ukulele case out of an old Japanese jacket.

Roll on Australia, as the NZ weather is cooling down we head for around 25 degree days in Brisbane.

This will be an adventure of a different kind. I’m hoping and intending to blog regularly and keep up to date with it!!!!....might even give surfing go?  Sea surfing that is!
We will see?
Another job....make a Bucket list!....#1 on the list is....Don't kick the bucket!

Cheers from home.

Jimu & Christine