"No matter where you go, there you are."

NORTH FOR THE WINTER

July 2007

We left Pete’s place on the 9^th July and headed north to Gympie where we stayed at Standown Park for 2 days. The park is a Vietnam Vet retreat located halfway between Gympie and Rainbow Bay.

We then moved on to Ken and Vicki’s place in Hervey Bay and parked next to Paul’s van in their back yard. Unfortunately I had picked up a tummy bug and was quite ill for several days. We stayed with Ken and Vicki for a week spending our time bowling and sight seeing. The area was experiencing its coldest winter, we awoke to white frosts each morning and Twistie’s water bowl had a layer of ice on it.

On the 23^rd July we packed up the car and headed north to Townsville minus the caravan. It took us 12 hours to get there. We stayed with our friend Robyn and shared her house with her daughter Peggy and her dog Molly. Twistie and Molly got along ok and were the best of pals by the time we left.

The next two weeks were a whirlwind of get togethers with friends and all our family. Ferg got to spend time with his grandson Dane and his daughter Jodie and son Jay. I spent lots of time with my daughter Jessie and son Alistair. I also had a lovely time catching up with my mum and sister. Ferg was quite ill for the whole two weeks with some kind of flu. Before we knew it the 2 weeks had whizzed by and we were heading back to Hervey Bay on 7^th August.

August 2007

It was nice to be back in our own bed in our little caravan. Over the next few days we spent time bowling and catching up with Paul, Marilyn, Ken and Vicki. We enjoyed some lovely dinners out at the local Craignish Pub. Ferg and I did a spot of house sitting for Ken while the four of them went out to Carnarvon Gorge for a 3 day trek. On the 18^th August we all attended a memorial service in Hervey Bay for Vietnam Vets Day (Long Tan Day). Paul, Ken and Ferg joined in the march carrying the 6RAR banner.

We hit the road south on 20^th August heading for Roz and Mick’s place near Gympie. We had a game of bowls at the Gympie Bowls Club and enjoyed a couple of days with Mick and Roz. On the 23^rd August we battled the wet roads all the way through Brisbane and down the coast to Pete and Marlyn’s place. It was nice to be “home” again!