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An update from Chris and Sue,
They write: “To all our wonderful swimming friends.
Well, after two months on the road we have arrived at my eldest son’s place in Cairns! And what an amazing time it has been. The freedom of life on the road is unbelievable…no time frames, no pressures, no real agenda or plans. So wonderful! After leaving Sydney we headed to Katoomba, then stayed inland travelling through Coonabarabran, the Warrumbungles, the Waterfall Way down to Coffs Harbour (to see Chris’ mum and sister), then on to Grafton, Glenn Innes and Toowoomba before ducking back out to the Sunshine Coast for my niece’s Wedding. Very little ocean swimming as you have guessed, so we have had to make do with local swimming pools ☹️ And, now that we are in Far North Queensland dips in the ocean are just not enticing, between stingers and the ever present threat of crocs. I will never complain about the odd bluebottle again!! Give me Narrawallee or Mollymook any day, the beaches here are rubbish! They look divine, with swaying palms and warm water but…Despite this, we have been having the most amazing swims and snorkels in fresh water rivers and waterholes, filled with turtles, fish and even massive eels!
We spent a lovely few days in Rainbow Beach/Inskip Point, looking over to Fraser Island, and then enjoyed heading up the coast through towns such as Bundaberg, Agnes Water/1770, Rockhampton, Airlie Beach, Townsville and Ingham. Spent a whole week relaxing at Airlie Beach, living it up in a van park. We have been snorkelling and scuba diving on Great Keppel Island, Hayman Island and Magnetic Island, but sadly Cyclone Debbie has destroyed a lot of the Reef, so the colours are pretty dismal. We did see nine awesome giant clams though, and plenty of beautiful fish.
Riding our bikes, doing some fun hikes, cooking on campfires and swimming in waterholes have been the highlights, along with the freedom the open road delivers. Yes, we do miss you all…and look forward to being home for a quick ten days in mid June. Having said that, I have adapted to this nomadic lifestyle very quickly and can highly recommend it 😎 Plus, the weather has been amazing…averaging 28 to 30 degrees, with nice cooler evenings. Perfect!!
Okay, must go. Cooktown is calling”.
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