Springbrook - World Heritage (Day 3)

Even thought we didn't need to be out of the chalet until 11am we decided to make an early start to Natural Bridge. We would be travelling a different direction on the way down the mountain than the way we drove up and not knowing the district, we wanted to give ourselves as much time as possible to enjoy our last stop. I must say that the western drive of the mounting wasn't anywhere near as exciting as the windy east drive but it was still beautiful country. More cattle and dairy country with only little pockets of the forest we seen on the way up. Again I was anxious to find out how far I would have to walk to see the Natural Bridge. I had heard so many people talking about this site that more than anything, this was not an attraction I wanted to miss out on. Before reaching the Natural Bridge we drove through Numinbah Valley. A rich grazing valley with spectacular rock outcrops on either side. It was a plesant drive with an abundant amount of scenery on both side of the road. Driving into the Nature Bridge parking and picnic area we noticed how many car and bus parks there were. This was obviously a popular attraction. The sign post said it was a moderate 1km round walk which was perfect for me. The walking track was very well signed to, showing us exactly where we were on the path and what was up ahead. We crossed a couple of bridges with gently running crystal clear creeks and then, there it was. Natural Bridge was and will most probably always be the most glorious of all waterfalls I have ever seen. How amazing that over thousands of years, water has eroded such a big hole into this rock. It really was a bridge. The colours of the water flowing through the rock took my breath away. Yet, there was more to come. Steps led us down to where a caved had formed giving us a perfect view of the gapping hole. Here too resided glow worms and if we had another night in this wonderland, we could have had a night time trip to see these magnificant creatures....but alas, our weekend was nearly over, this would have to wait for another visit. I just couldn't get over how nature could provide such special places for us humans to enjoy. On our way back to the top of the falls, a separate shorter path led us to the rock hole in which the water was cascading down. It was so big. It would be magnificent to see a lot of water going through this hole, especially when it was in flood. The view underneath would be pretty spectacular too. This truely was a wonderful weekend. I was left in awe of the wonder of nature and I left Springbrook with many special memories. On the way back home Glen and I marvelled at what our weekend was like and we both agreed that one day we may visit Springbrook again.

Springbrook - World Heritage (Day 2)

I was awake at my usual 5:30am and even though I was eager to go outside and explore my surroundings, I didn't. I lay there for a while, snuggling into my husband, thiking of what a magical place Springbrook is. I was actually feeling more de-stressed than I thought possible. Once I got up, I grabbed my camera and went to look at the outside world. From the outside the chalet looked like it had been there for many years. The forest growth was untouched. How beautiful the ferns, old rotting logs and moss looked. The birds were awake and singing. Such diversity around me. I took my fill of photos just as my body was telling me it was breakfast time. I cooked a 'big breakfast' for us both. Bacon, sausages, hashbrowns, tomatoes, eggs and toast (plus mushrooms for me). That with a nice cuppa and we had all our energy for our mornings activities.

Our first stop was the "Best of all Lookout". Yes, that was the actual name of the lookout and the best it was. The view really did make you feel like you were on top of the world looking down. We could see from Brisbane in the north to Byron Bay in the south and in the middle was the Gold Coast. Absolutely the 'best of all'. Pity it was such a hazy day.

From the "Best of all Lookout" it was just a short drive to our next stop. Goomoolahra Falls. This waterfall was only a short walk but just as spectacular as Purlingbrook Falls. I did notice however that the rainforest at Springbrook was not as dense as the rain forests up in north Queensland. I pondered this a bit until I thought that the Gold Coast Hinterland does not receive the amount of rain as North Queensland does. I accepted this and looked at the cover of trees and the floor of the forest more closely. I was not disappointed as this forest, in this area, was just as perfect as the forests I remember up north. How strange that some plants and animals only grow or live in small pockets of forests that you won't find anywhere else in the world. In this particular section of forest grew a giant lily with a massive flower head and they say that it only grows here, nowhere else. Another fascinating fact of Springbrook.

Across the road from the picnic ground was a place called 'The English Garden". As I am fond of flowers and gardens we paid the two dollar entry fee and wound our way around the winding paths. Another thing that I found interesting on our journey was that this English garden was owned by Japanese. As we walked around, each Japanese person we came to did a little bow and greeting us in a very friendly way. Beautiful gardens and friendly people, something else that was special.

Our next place of interest was the Tallanbana Picnic Ground. This is where the beautiful Twin Falls is located. I was hoping it wasn't too far of a walk as I am not the fittest person and I really didn't relish a 10km walk. To my surprise it was only a 4km trip (the easy walk they say) and being the ever energenic person that I am (NOT), four K's didn't seem that far to me. Besides, I walk more than that on the treadmill. So off we started, eager to see what was in store. We crossed little bridges at first which were pleasant enough to stop for a short break and then we got into the harder stuff. Nah, joking....it wasn't that hard at all because it was mainly a downward walk. Some places steep, others you walk through caves and rock groupings, and a few places where it was quite flat so you could stop and look at smaller waterfalls or little running creeks. We were doing a zig zag kind of downhill walk to the base of Twin Falls and what a wonderful experience it was. Mind you, I wasn't much looking forward to the walk back as most of it was up hill....still, I didn't let that worry me just yet. We could tell we were getting closer to the falls as the noise of rushing water was becoming louder with every step. As it had been a while since there had been any rain in the South East, I was wondering if these falls were going to be as spectacular as they say they are. As I was pondering, the Canyon opened up before us and yes, it certainly was spectacular. Huge rocks, a beautiful crystal clear lagoon and falling into it was the most gorgeous twin waterfalls. We sat and looked on in awe. The sheet of water falling over the sheer cliff face, never ending. The plant life it was feeding, so lush and green. The coolness of the mist enveloping you. The looks of wonder on the people's faces surrounding you. A place where each and every worrying though leaves you. A place to delve deep into your inner soul. Mother Natures beauty putting on a show so beautiful that you couldn't do anything else but enjoy it. You could spend all day here, I think, just sitting and looking....still not seeing all that nature provided. So truely magical. As we started the path back to civilisation, following other people, we realised that the path actually led you behind the waterfalls themselves. Another welcome surprise for those of us that enjoyed seeing our land of beauty. Walking behind the falls was exciting and a little wet. What a glorious day this was turning out to be. A lot of new memories to tuck away into my heart. Full of natures energy, I started to walk with eagerness. I was quite surprised that yes, I did stop a few times but they were very short stops and I made it back to the picnic area without too much stress. It was here that we found a shady picnic table and had our very meagre lunch. A chook and some breadroll. Both using our fingers mainly and both enjoying it very much. Once rested, it was off to see more of the mountain.

The townhall, painted so brightly, showing what Springbrook offers. The information centre that was closed. The camping ground that seemed to be stuck out in the middle of nowhere with out any trees or shade. A gift shop that wasn't selling any Springbrook momentoes only crafty things and a coffe shop that didn't seem to appeal to us. There was however, a lookout called Canyon Lookout just across the road and this, like all of Springbrook was just as breath-taking as everything else we had seen. When we had our fill of the panorcmic scenery we stopped in at the small General Store where they served some very tasy scones served with jam and cream, and a delicious hot cappuccino. With some small chatter and feeling relaxed, it was back to the chalet. Glen lit the fire and I had a good long soak in the spa. Thinking of all the wonderful places we had been to, I layed back, closed my eyes and drifted with the bubbles. Our afternoon was spent sitting by the fire or lounging on the sofa....talking a little but mostly wrapped in our own thoughts. How, I loved looking at the ceiling of the chalet. It was like being in a boat. The woodwork glowing from the lights. The big round window making the setting more so. It wasn't hard to dream in this chalet. It was like I was in a completely different world. Before too long night had fallen and it was with great regret that this was our last night in our special haven. With the warmth of the chalet, our tea over, we made our way upstairs to savour the time we had left. A night to dream of the wonderful, joyous time Springbrook gave us.

Springbrook - World Heritage (Day 1)

Heading away from the Gold Coast, up toward the mountains was exciting but no where near as exciting once we started the climb to Springbrook. It was like our climb was never going to end. Hairpin turns, winding roads and still we just kept climbing. The anticipation of what we would see once we got up there was like waiting for Christmas morning to see what presents you received.

It was hard to keep an eye out for our accommodation when there was so much forest around us. Of course we missed the driveway but once we turned around all we wanted to do was see if our Chalet was like the pretty pictures you see in the brochures or online. There wasn't anyone at the reception to greet us, just a note to ring a number and talk to Sandy. Very casual up here I thought. I rang Sandy and she told me to grab the number two key from the desk, gave us directions to our chalet and said she would catch up with us later. Yes, very casual but also welcoming. It isn't often you feel trust like that from any human being. We drove around to our chalet and at first I was a little disappointed because it looked a bit aged but once we were inside, the comfort and cosiness overwhelmed me. Yes, it was a little old, it was cold (a fire would fix that) and it was a shame the spa wasn't big enough for two....but....it was ours for two nights and we loved it all the same. I checked out every room: the toilet, the bath and spa, the kitchen (yes, everything we needed was there) and they climbed the stairs to the bedrooms. The main room was beautiful. The bed was made up nicely very comfy too) with towels and a few toffees to top the look off. The huge round window looking over the balcony was spectacular. I loved how you could look over the balcony and see downstairs. Very open but it still had that cosy feeling. We got everything out of the car and while I unpacked, Glen started the fire. A little while later, once the unpacking was done and we had a crackling fire, we thought we should go for a short drive and discover our surroundings. Our first port of call was Purlingbrook Falls. This had two options.....an easy walk to the top of the falls or a harder and longer walk to the bottom. As it was getting on in the day we decided to go the easy way and do more discovering in the morning. The falls were spectacular. Such a long drop (we couldn't even see the bottom). It really felt like we were on top of the world up here. With our fill of Purlingbrook, it was time to get back to the chalet but first we had to find out where the Glow Worm site was as we had our tour booked in at 7pm that evening. As things were so casual on the mountain, all we could find opened was the Fudge Shop. Yum, all those fudges, I just had to buy some. I made sure I brought enough for the girls and the little family in Dalby. The owner of the shop was very helpful in directing us to the glow worms and telling us of other interesting sites to see on the mountain. Once we were back in the chalet, we rested for a few hours before our nightly tour of the glow worms.

The Glow Worms! Before our tour started (Glen and I were the only two in the tour), Garry Maguire (the owner of the property) told us about his reseach on both the glow worms and mushrooms. All of which are luminous. It was nothing like I expected at all. I was imagining these longish grubs that glowed in the dark but they are very miniture indeed. It was most fasinating. I was also expecting these glow worms to be in caves but they were in crevices on a rock wall. Garry told us that the luminous mushrooms only grew in summer so we wouldn't have the opportunity to see them tonight but he did however, have some growing in his reseach station. Once he turned the lights off I was completely amazed. There were these little mushrooms glowing brightly and the more your eyes adjusted to the darkness, the brighter they glowed. So amazing. I was now eager to see the glow worms. Garry led us down this cement path which within a matter of metres became very steep steps where we had to hang onto the rails to decend. I thought....oh no, it's dark and I am going to fall for sure but whew, I didn't. We were led to this rock face where Garry proceeded to turn off all his solar lamps which were lining the pathway. A few seconds and there they were. Some bright and some you could only just see. Just fantasic. We were so enthralled with everything Garry was telling us. How amazing such a tiny little creature could be so resourceful. Garry told us that as it was a full moon we would not see the worms to their full extent. The more moonlight, the less they glowed. Garry was so kind in answering all our questions and let me tell you, there were a lot of questions. Never before had we seen anything like glow worms or luminous mushrooms. On the path back to the house, Garry showed us his mushroom builds (logs piled on top of each other, each drilled with numerous holes filled with fungi) which, come January will shed enough light on his path that he won't need any other lighting except luminous mushrooms. On the way back to our chalet, Glen and I were both quite as we thought about the 'wonder' we had just seen. We cranked up the fire, had our tea and just relaxed once we got back.....a perfect end to a glorious day. We will definately go back in January and we plan to take the girls with us.

The Verandah

Wind rushing through the trees

Rustling treetops to and fro

It sounds like gental rain to my ears

But yet the sun is shining

Birds whistling, tweeting, screeching

Eagerly starting the day

The forest is alive, but I can't see it

Nature telling me to get moving

Still I sit........I listen.......I become a part of it

The coolness of the morning

Letting me know, as I shiver

That this isn't my home, I don't belong

I watch, I stare

My thoughts drifting easily

Calming, relaxing

Until.......It's time to pack and leave

Goodbye Springbrook

Thank you for a wonderful weekend.

My Wishes

This isn't something we like talking about but I promised after we lost my Father In-law that I would tell my family what my wishes were when I passed from this world. Below is what I wrote.

To My Family

This is my dying wish

I wish to be cremated please. Anywhere, anytime…it doesn’t worry me.

After my cremation I would like my wake to be help at a pub (any pub) and I want everyone to remember me with a XXXX or Bundy in their hand.

Now to the special part. What to do with my ashes?
Well….I want them to be sprinkled in the ocean at Teewah. I want to go HOME. That is the easy part.

This is going to be the hard part as I know you all don’t have four wheel drives. Plus you will need tents and camping gear as you will have to spend the night….Hee hee.

I want my ashes to be sprinkled at the exact time the sun rises and sits on the horizon of the sea. I don’t want the sun and sea to separate. The EXACT time you hear? No sleeping for those of you that find it hard to get out of bed and see the wonderful beginning of a new day.

I don’t want anyone in their pyjama’s either. Get that Girl’s, no P.J’s. You all have to be dressed in your best camping gear. I want everyone that has the decency to see me off, to have a can of Bundy and Coke, opened and waiting (the time to drink will come). Once my ashes are floating in the water and they have started their eternal journey, then it is time to have that drink for me.

Oh yeah, one more thing. None of this standing back and not getting your feet wet either. You all have to be in the water, up to your ankles at least so my spirit can wash around you before I begin my new life.

After you have had your can of Bundy, I would love for you to carry on up at the camp site. Drink, get pissed and have a wonderful day at my home.

I love you all
Keep smiling for me

My Sista's

Three very different people, all born in separate countries, brought together through working for Apollo Motorhomes. Anne, a bossy but so wise Samoan, Ivy, a soft hearted, gentle Chinese and me of course, a typical Aussie.

Anne first started working for Apollo in 2005, a few months after my first day. If you asked Anne what her first impression of me was, she'd tell you I was a grumpy bitch that never took the time to look away from my work. Always grumbling about something or other, ignoring all those around me but deep down, I knew she was only jealous because I had spectacular nails :)

It didn't take long for us to click though. Both of us as loud as each other, seeking some fun and happiness in a workplace where we felt lost and alone. Oh, what fun we had (still have but not as often). Both meeting out on our brick wall in the early mornings to have a 'before work chat' and a few smokes. Yes, one of the many things we had in common.

Ivy came along the next year. Shy, lacking confidence and just as lost as we were when we first started working for Apollo. We found Ivy to be a pleasant, caring person and soon she too, became one of the Sista's.

Anne and I, being the motherly types that we are, took Ivy under our wings and soon she was laughing and joking as much as we were. Brimming with confidence and becoming a beautiful, very loved friend. Sitting beside me in the office it wasn't long before Ivy was trying some of the Aussie slang that I used all the time. She now says "no worries" just like a real Aussie which upsets Anne as the Aussie lingo is not so much to her liking.

Working for Apollo. as staff, we are allowed to take a Motorhome away for a weekend with the bigger expense of a normal rental. I knew Anne and Ivy alone, would never have the opportunity to use one of these vehicles (Anne didn't have a license at the time and Ivy was too scared to attempt driving a big six berth), so Glen and I decided to take the girls on a trip they will never forget. Ivy and Anne's faces, when they arrived at home that morning, were full of excitement and eagerness. What a joy it was for Glen and I to see. We headed, the long way around, to our home town of Jandowae. Visited some wineries on the way (two wineries was all it took to get the girl's merry) and they both got to experience country Western Queensland. We had a ball. So much fun and laughter. I know that trip and the memories we created will remain in our hearts forever.

Anne left Apollo last year and is much happier in her work life now than she was at Apollo and now....sad to say, it is Ivy's turn to leave. She is off to Melbourne to be with her partner. I will dearly miss my friend sitting beside me but I know, this is the beginning of another, more exciting chapter of her life. I also know that this isn't goodbye as Anne, Ivy and I, will never be apart in our hearts.

Until next time Sista's.....stay safe and be happy. I love you both.

Heartfelt Thanks

I believe we all have soul mates out there somewhere and if you're lucky, you will find a soul mate at least once in your lifetime.
I have the most loving relationship with my husband, children, family and friends but there is one person that has touched my heart in a way of those closest to me have.
This special bond, I found, over eight or nine years ago now. Maybe it has been longer. It seems like a lifetime to me. Someone I have never met in person but know, in depth, more than some of my family.
It started with the usual internet chat. How are you? Age, sex, location, etc. The normal online 'get to know' each other conversation. Over the early weeks, it was fun and interesting and it wasn't long before I started to see a glimpse of a person who could, in time, become a part of my life.
We shared insights on life and the world around us. We talked about and got to know each others families. We shared our deepest thoughts and inner feelings of ourselves. We helped each other through the rough, most difficult times. We supported each other through the saddest moments and we shared our joy in our happiest times. Sometimes serious and often laughing so hard it hurt. Other times I'd get lectures on looking after myself or learning to love the person I am. We'd drive each other crazy talking about one or another's collections. The silliness of having too many tools or hanging onto something just in case you needed it in this lifetime. I admit I am a slight hoarder but some people do go overboard (hint, hint).
You are always encouraging me to expand on my photography and writing, two hobbies we both enjoy. The amount of knowledge you have is amazing and you willingly share it with me. You tell me a man's perspective or views on concerns I have. Showing me another side to the situation before I go off in a rant and open my big mouth.
Anyway, I could write about you for ever here but I won't. We have been through a lot over the years and I hope there are many, many years to come.
I hope to one day meet you in person Rich. To be able to tell you, face to face, what a wonderful, amazing and loving man you are. I thank you with all my heart for being a part of my life.
Take care and we will talk soon.