We explored the bustling country town that's built along the Burnett River and is a major centre for any smaller towns in and around the region. Luke and I have been here before but with the kids in tow, there would be no Bundy Rum tours this time, so we chose to stay on the coast at Bagara, just 13km past Bundaberg. This sleepy seaside community has a huge caravan park right on the patrolled beach, with a skate park, bike tracks, playground and wandering wildlife, perfect to keep the kids amused. We rode our bikes along the flat bike path all the way into town and after grabbing a coffee and watching the kids climb all over the sea-themed playground on the water's edge, we hit the sand and searched for shells and hermit crabs in the rocky pools that make up the main beach.
The weather is still being extremely kind to us on our trip, with most days hovering around the 27-29 degree mark, and the kids seem to be thriving on the fresh air and slow days. Bastian has gotten into the flow and rarely protests now, when I sneak him into his bed at one end of the caravan and pop on the fan so he can snooze the morning of sea and salt and bike riding away. And I admit, most days I nod off with him, until another little hand grabs me by the foot and reminds me that it is their 'rest time' too and would I mind putting on a movie for them to chill out to? It's a tough life this caravanning life!
But it hasn't been all fun and games with still Luke working each week day, balancing his online business All Things Stainless (www.allthingsstainless.com.au) with our holiday adventures and me giving the home-schooling thing a go, with daily scheduled time for school work and reading for Arley, and Sage insisting on being in on the action with her own 'school work' to do!
An unexpected treat for us on our last day in the area, was being invited for a long, home-cooked country lunch at some former work customers of Luke's from his former life when he worked as a software engineer over a decade ago! Tina and Neil showed us the sights of their 600acre beef cattle farm, which is a hidden piece of paradise about 30 minutes from Bundaberg in the rural town of Bucca.
Luke took the kids for a tour of the farm on the Quadbikes, a first time for all, and Arley in particular, was beyond impressed with both the beautiful cows that Tina and Neil breed and the power and speed of the Quad! I know what he wants for Christmas and it's never going to happen, son....!
I wandered through Tina's lush garden full of water features and sculptured hedges and salivated over her incredible vegetable and herb gardens and fruit trees. The combination of fertile volcanic soil and access to underground water supplies means Tina says she rarely has to shop in town for produce, and instead grows all her own fresh food at home (beef, pork and chicken included!). To say I was jealous was an understatement.
The generosity of this lovely couple and their son and his family who also joined us, was quite overwhelming, as Tina laid out a lunch spread of baked chickens, pork, roasted and steamed veggies and more, followed by home made custard, lemon meringue pie, apple pie and ice cream, all served under their old fig tree with love. After being on the road for a little while now and sometimes feeling like it is just the five of us Tonkins against the world, this get-together with such kind-hearted people was just what we all needed to remind us of our dear family and friends and make us appreciate the country hospitality and lifestyles of those that call this part of Queensland home! Thanks again Tina and Neil!
No comments:
Post a Comment