Leeches, torrential rain and floods

All through the night and all through the day it rained. Sometimes just a light drizzle but more often it was torrential. Even as we left the campsite we had to stop because of a tree down across the road. Not just that one but by the lookout as well. And that 'Best of all Lookouts' was again a total wipeout with too much cloud cover to see anything.

 But this is the rainy season so to be expected but was it going to stop us looking at waterfalls? Not on your life. Waterproofs, walking shoes and bug spray and we set forth with gusto. But that rain had swelled the small creeks and we found ourselves paddling through water more often than not.  We even had to negotiate small waterfalls cascading from the rocks. The path went right through the middle.

Also, those leeches came out in force. 5 were found on Ian with one right between his toes. Bled for what seemed like forever but then again since his chemo he bleeds profusely at the slightest cut. Most of the leeches were very small and although none actually latched themselves onto me, my coat, shoes and trousers seemed to be targeted. Even on the floor of the camper, on our return, one was looking for a meal.

3 times we changed and even our waterproofs turned out not to be waterproof. As for the shoes...how I will get them dry is beyond me. But a walk behind one of the falls, truly wonderful and very unexpected. So much water flowing that the falls cleared the path enough to get right behind it. Never thought I would welcome so much rain but the rainforest came alive, so vibrant and the smell....wonderful.

Behind the Twin waterfall

and my turn. This is where we picked up most of the leeches.

That's Ian in the red jacket.

The last walk was to the natural bridge falls. This was almost in a cave with the falls being viewed through the rock wall. This cave also housed a number of glow worms but at 4pm it was still too light to see them.

The rain was relentless. Instead of staying in the Springbrook area we had an urgent need to fill the camper with water and find a dump point. The nearest one was at Coolangatta about 57k away so we set off not realising what was in store. All the rain had caused the creeks to burst its bank in two places along the road. First one we drove straight through without a problem but the second had more flow to it. To turn around would put another 100km on our journey and when a 4X4 drove through without any problem, Ian felt we were high and heavy enough to plough our way through.

Top left, 1st creek.. 2nd creek a bit more challenging but we made it without incident.

Wednesday pm and it is still raining! Forecast for the Queensland/NSW coast is for flooding and more rain in the next few days. Not a good end to our final journey here in Australia, but we will make the best of it. The weekend we will be staying with our niece Lizzie and Rich. Then a trip to the Blue Mountains before returning the camper on the 23rd.


A few more photos of the walk to the waterfalls.

This bush turkey took refuge in the same hut where we were waiting for the heavy rain to ease. Wise turkey!

At Canyon Lookout.

Ahrggggg...... Leeches.

Didn't bother staying on the coast, instead, we headed inland to a place called Tambourine Mountain. Found a decent campsite with no light pollution so had hoped for that wonderful Australian starry sky. Not to be as it rained on and off throughout the night. I think the wet weather has brought out those biting insects because by the morning my legs had been made a feast of. Must have let those mozzies in on the last visit to the loo block.

This morning we had a look to see what there was to do at the Mountain. Cedar Falls was literally a stone's throw away from the campground so that was our first port of call. Not far from there was Curtis falls so we did that too.

Cedar Falls

Curtis Falls

 We then headed off to see the massive leaning Strangler Fig. About a km walk through the dense and dark rainforest. With all the rain it was wet underfoot and at one point nearly turned around as the ground got very slippery. Then suddenly we came upon it. Not the massive leaning fig that we expected to see, no.... because that fig would lean no more. A chainsaw had been taken to it and the majority was lying on the ground. Very difficult to see just how big it would have been because the forest had started to reclaim it but I expect it would have been a sight to behold.

 On our return, we headed off toward Springbrook. Only a few minutes into the journey and I felt something on my ankle. Ahrggggg....a leech and I tried to dislodge it but it was holding on fast. I went all girlie and yelled at Ian to get it off. He pulled the van over to the side of the road, jumped out, grabbed the salt and poured it over the beast. He then managed to pull it away just before I got to the hysterical stage. Blood poured from the wound and didn't stop for what seemed like an age. Another lesson learnt.... Next time I won't be walking around in open sandals!

Springbrook has lookouts and more waterfalls. It also has a waterfall in a cave. It was late by the time we arrived because of stopping at the Advancetown Lakes (or Hinze Dam) to take photos of submerged trees. The dam was originally built in 1976, raised in 1989 and upgraded in 2011. The purpose of the dam was to have a good water supply for the Gold coast and when the dam was built it flooded 207 square km of the valley and is still fed by the Nerang River. Eventually, it will hold 310370ML of water. At present, it is only 91% full.

So because it was now well into late afternoon the drive to the viewing point, (lovely name of 'Best of all lookout') was a drive through the cloud. In fact, we got to the top and turned round to come straight back. No point in viewing the valley below in a fog. What we did manage was Purling Brook Falls although that, as most of the other falls seen in Queensland, was disappointing. For the rainy season, hardly any significant rain has fallen to swell the rivers. About a km drive from these falls and we found a National Parks campsite. Only loos on site but so very peaceful and for $12 a night, a bargain. Tomorrow we will try the lookout again and head for the 'falls in a cave'.

The view seen at the start of the leaning fig tree walk.

 And wildlife

Bush Turkey nest.

This ran across the road in front of the van. Could it be a Kangaroo Rat?

This beastie was over 6" long.

Lizard hiding in the rotting wood of the Strangler Fig.

On the walk in the dense rainforest. Light was atrocious so lucky to even get this photo.

Another of my cousins met and we make it to Surfers Paradise.

It is said one should never go back to places which hold lots of fond memories. For us, it meant visiting the old haunts and being bitterly disappointed. From Noosa all the way down the East coast to Bribie Island the places were unrecognisable. Remembering how rural and remote the drive to the beaches were back in the 1980s and seeing it now, grown into huge towns with high-rise buildings, modern shops and 'kiss me quick' foreshore proms, we decided then and there that this would be the last time we would visit. The only good thing was the beaches, still pristine with its miles of white sands and very few people and at Rainbow Beach 4X4's were allowed onto the sands with a permit. That was not allowed in the '80s.

From the first mention of the visit to Australia last year, an arrangement had been made for us to visit my cousin John and wife Linda about 25km from Brisbane. Seen for the last time at Ian and my wedding 1973 it was a lovely way to spend the weekend. Wined and dined, a decent bed and no having to get dressed to make the trip to the facility block... oh what bliss.  Sunday John and Linda took us to the Glasshouse Mountains with a stop at Bribie Island on the way back and on our return, a full Lamb roast dinner with all the trimmings finished off a perfect ending to a perfect day. The weather was kind to us and the only thing missing was packing the bathers for a dip at Bribie Beach. Mind you with the amount of Blue-bottle Jellyfish along the tide line....not sure if a swim without protection would have been a good idea.

Walk toward Mapleton falls, Glasshouse Mountains which unfortunately was just a trickle. And this is supposed to be the rainy season! Ian and John top right and Linda bottom left. Not sure what the bird was,

Me, cousin John and Linda

Monday morning and we said our farewells. Next stop was to the Britz centre in Brisbane to check the engine and have a bedding change. Took what seemed forever while the vehicle was being looked at but in a way it turned out to be rather fortuitous as Linda phoned to say Ian had left his sandals at their place. Bless her she drove the 25km into Brisbane to drop them off. Another round of fond farewells and we were finally free to head off to the Gold coast.

Very dull and overcast as we drove towards the Gold coast. Crossing the impressive cantilever Story bridge we found out too late that this could be climbed offering some stunning views over the city. By the time I found the information on the web we had reached Surfers Paradise so no going back.

Brisbane

Wow the skyline of Surfers reminded me very much of Dubia. Most impressive. Very lucky to find a parking spot near to the beach and even though rain was forecast and a few drops had already fallen, we decided to go play in the surf. Then a timer selfie and, instead of a nice pose together, I ended up falling on top of Ian. Sometimes it's the photos that make you look rediculous that are the ones worth keeping.

Dolphin feeding.

Had a busy weekend so this post is very late...happened last Friday but I wanted to show the feeding of the Dolphins at Tin Can Bay.

We were up very early and parked in the car park by the marina by 6.45am. Even at that time, we were not the first to arrive. There was quite a long wait as the feeding didn't start until 8am but the gate was opened at 7am and we all troops round to where the 5 Dolphins had already congregated. These animals are wild and so no knowing how many would turn up but a bonus for all us spectators was when a 30-year-old female brought her 4-week old calf to see us. Two lady volunteers had already entered the water but the policy was no touching and the feeding was to take place in a strictly controlled manner. For $10 we could get into the water and offer just one fish to these beautiful animals. I opted out because I still didn't feel 100% as this cough of mine still hadn't shown any signs of improving. The last thing I wanted was to have a coughing fit whilst trying to hand feed the dolphin. Ian, on the other hand, did pay is $10 and was amazed at how gentle the fish was taken from his hand.

4 week calf