Leaving Hervey Bay, for Brisbane we realised that our caravan indicators were not working. This problem started a few days earlier however, we forgot until we were on the road again. Our caravan tripped the breaker when I ran over the electrical cord and broke the plug. Mr C went and bought new fuses for me to fit. Of course, the space where the fuses are kept is for small people not overweight people, nevertheless I managed to be able to sit on the floor and squeeze into small space to change them – Mr C suggested I take a photo so I could replace the fuses as they were – me “yes, good idea.” When the job was done, the indicators were still not working, however we took the chance and said we would fix at Hervey Bay – and we forgot until we set off. Mr C said, “Pauline go and check the fuses against the photo” -me “sure, I could be bothered arguing the point” – “yes honey, fuses are correct“. The fuses were not the problem.

We did a google search for an auto mobile electrician for caravans. Luckly for us, the first one we contacted was available in 30 mins – so we waited. The man arrived promptly, he had a broad South African accent, he was super helpful. He walked around the van – asked me to put the hazard lights on, and said, I think it’s a poor connection – and with his screwdriver thingy (a multi-meter that checks power) he confirmed we had a dirty connection – he cleaned it up, checked all the other lights – job done $120 for 15minutes and half an hour of chit chat and we were on the road again. Lesson for Mr & Mrs C – check the connection next time.

On the road again, Mr C is driving, I’m happy doing my crocheting and all is good with the world. We stopped for a late lunch at Lake Alford. We saw hundreds of birds in the trees, it was truly amazing. I got out the car and walked around the lake and took loads of photos of the birds – there were some sitting on nests, some building nests, and some mating. I spent ages watching them not realising Mr C was waiting to eat lunch with me in the car – Oops.

As we were eating lunch a man approached our car window and said, “it seems we have the same make caravan – can we see yours and compare to ours“. I thought strange people, be nice Pauline! We spent the next hour talking to Alan and Jenny from the Gold Coast – 76yr and 72 respectively, not married living together for 22yrs, with 6 children between them…… see Jenny gave me her life story. Whilst the boys were comparing the caravans – I tried very hard to cut this meeting short but failed miserably.

We finally were on our way again – now we have to find a place for the night, we were not going to make Brisbane. This is the part of travelling I don’t like, being the navigator, because Mr C second guesses google maps. I found a 20-hour rest place Steve Irwin Memorial – set google maps, it was 40 minutes away. It did appear that we were going the long way, but as we don’t know the area, we really have no choice but to follow blindly – at least I’m happy to do this.

However, Mr C isn’t and there is nothing like driving and directions to start an argument and so it happened. Mr C “this is the Bruce Hwy, we could’ve just come straight down the highway not round about the country” – me: ” we are following google maps so just follow the directions” – we missed the turn off for the rest bay, (you could only enter the rest bay from on direction) in fact there was no signage at all, so could not even see where it’s meant to be.

I reset google maps and now it’s telling me we have another 20 minutes, yet we know we have just passed the bay maybe 5 mins ago. Mr C put his google maps on and his phone, his was saying 10mins and going back onto Bruce Hwy to turn around – he was annoyed and said “that’s it we’ve finding somewhere else” – Me – “no let’s try one more time its only 10 mins and I don’t want to find another place” – lucky for us both, this time it worked – it was the smallest right turn half way down the freeway off ramp – we missed the first time, the most stupid rest place to date – no toilets, no tables, just a layby with beautiful trees. For some reason I was just so tired, and cranky, I just wanted to stop. Equally Mr C was tired. We were grateful to have found a place for the night. We got out the car and there was a stale smell of urine – really, by this stage I didn’t care. As we open a few windows in the van, we noted three cars pull in at different times – the men get out and went into the bush and then back in the car – that’s it, this is a shagging and bush toilet stop, that’s why it smells.

We both laid down and slept for about half an hour – probably not a good idea, we awoke and had some fruit and yoghurt for dinner about 8ish. Four big semi-trailers- trucks pulled up, engines running. The drivers all got out and had a chin wag outside our caravan…. guess it won’t be a quiet night. Thankfully it all went quiet about 10pm.

We awoke early and got back on the road to Brisbane. We had booked a caravan park in southern suburbs plugged the address into google maps – which led us astray again. It was a nightmare going through Brisbane towing a caravan and not knowing the roads or where you are going – never again.

We went via Brisbane for 3 main reasons. First to pick up my Cannon Camera being repaired. Secondly to visit my mum at the cemetery and thirdly to catch up with my estranged sister and her family. A bonus was too catch-up with a few friends. None of the above was achieved – it was all very disappointing and sad. – that’s all I am saying on this matter.

In June I injured my ring and little fingers on my right hand – I tripped and dislocated and fractured the fingers and have volar plate injuries on both the fingers. I was in a splint for 6 weeks. Now 5 months on I still cannot bend these fingers and have had a very painful hand for the last month. Whilst in a big city I decided to go and have it reviewed.

Logan Hospital A & E was a sight to behold, when I walked in, I could tell by the people waiting that it is going to be a long, long wait – and yes, I was correct. The triage nurse said 6 hours minimum. You guessed it, I did not wait – after going to several GP clinics I finally found an urgent care clinic that would see me. I had an X-ray and ultrasound luckily on the same day – and reported back to the doctor the next day – long and short of the story, I need surgery. This will have to wait until I get home – he suggested strapping my fingers until then and take regular pain relief.

There is a silver lining in everything – we had a wonderful last afternoon visiting Mount Tamborine – starting with a great lunch at the Bearded Tavern, followed by a walk to see Cedar Creek Falls – which didn’t have much water falling due to lack of rain. It was still beautiful and peaceful.

Halfway down the mountain – we stopped at a few beautiful villages, it was so tempting to buy some books, but I resisted the temptation, instead had a play with the pooches in the shop. I picked some strawberries and further down the mountain, had the most spectacular view of the Gold Coast – gosh it is getting bigger and bigger. We last visited the Gold Coast in 2014, we had no interest in going this time.

I did not enjoy Brisbane at all, the roads were difficult to navigate for both of us – unfortunately, it was bad timing to catch up with my friends they were all out of town (chance you take when you give them short notice). My Cannon camera was sent to Port Macquarie to get repaired, and my sister did not answer her phone or emails – so I guess she was unavailable.

Goodbye Queensland, it’s been a real adventure.

Lesson for me: I’m very grateful for my family and dear friends. I can’t wait to get home – love you all.

See you at the next adventure: Crossing the border into NSW – my favourite state.