Kevin Withnall

I’ve already done this and the next day but wordpress ate them.

I got up early but stayed in the room as it was really cold. My breakfast was delivered (pre ordered the night before) and I packed up and was ready to go about 8:30am.

The Rum tour wasn’t starting till 10am (I had to be there 15 mins early) so I had some time to kill. I went to a bookshop in bundaberg and asked for a short book just for a few days. The lady sugested, and I bought, a book called “Don’t tell mum I work in the old rigs”. Its really quite funny and interesting. I then went to a coffee shop. got some decent coffee and raison toast and started reading.

The book was so good, I almost forgot to get up at the right time but just made the tour.  I’m not really into rum (or any alcohol for that matter) much but am always interested in doing factory tours. It was quite interesting although I don’t think she (the guide) liked it when I asked if they get their timber from sustainable plantations. Aparently they are working towards it.

During the tour, they explained all their different varieties of rum and how they are made and how the differ. There was one that sounded interesting. its called “Royal Liquor” and was sugested for the people who don’t like rum that much. They only sell it there (you can’t even mail order it, it has to be purchased in person). Because I did the “Gold” tour, I got 2 free drink vouchers to try in the bar at the end of the tour. Bear (sic) in mind that its 10:45 in the morning when the bar opens and I’m not a drinker anyway but I asked for one of the royal liquor things. It was really really nice. I finished it quickly and wanted another but having no real tolerance to alcohol, and having to ride to Noosa, I decided to not use the other ticket.

In the obligitory gift shop at the end, I got some of the liquor, and while wondering how I was going to get it on the bike, saw a sigh saying that they have a postal service. I then got some more things and boxed them all up and freighted them home.

It was then time to go to noosa. My brother had finally sent me his address so I programmed it in and went there. Noosaville is like a maze. Without satnav, it would be really hard to get in or out of there. I got there at about 1500 and Suzie was there. Marc and the kids were not that far behind me and soon we were talking about old times and Marc was preparing dinner (apparently this is rare). I haven’t had a lamb roast for years so this was a nice change. I live in a vegetarian house and only get meat at work lunches etc. Even those times, I don’t eat pig, lamb or veal.

During dinner the family has a ritual called “happy/sad” where everyone gets to talk about what made them happy today, what made them sad, and what they want go get out of tomorrow. I really enjoyed this and would like to start something similar with my family. It gives an interesting perspective on what people think is important.

After dinner, I spent some time with Marc on the computer and hopefully solved some issues.

Well, I left Townsville and headed to Mackay. I thought it was only 250k but it was closer to 400. Wasn’t the most exciting day. When going through Bowen,  I’m not sure why I went through there as its a few k off the main road, I was sitting in a carpark eating some lunch when I looked up and saw the following.

It took me a while to read it and after seeing the name, I went over and introduced myself. Theres not that many withnalls around so its interesting to find one, especially by chance. That’s Lex in the photo.

On leaving Bowen, I passed the Big Mango and took this photo.

Then, when I arrived at Mackay, I found the bike service place first so I could get somewhere close to sleep. I found somewhere a few k away and it was quite nice.

I got to the service place at 8am and wanted them to do the service quickly. They told me it would be 10am when its finished. I went to waste some time at a cafe and read the papers. At 10am, I went back to the dealer only to find it was still 30mins to go.

After I picked up the bike, I started riding out and decided to go to Bundaberg for the night (I was previously thinking of Rockhampton).

When I reached Rockhampton, the sky looked bad. The previous nights news said there would be 1mm or so rain (and confirmed by the paper I read that morning) so I decided to put some wet weather gear on. I’m quite glad I did. I had serious rain (although only for about 30 mins) that was going sideways, and again when I thought It couldn’t get worse, it started hailing. Hail really urts your fingers when it hits.

While riding, I decided I might go straight to Noosa and see if my brother could house me early. About 2 mins after programming the GPS, he called and said he couldn’t and I ended up in Bundaberg.

So, I’m now sitting in the hotel room (its cold and the aircon is taking ages to heat up) and I’ve already booked the tour of the bundaberg rum factory in the morning. Then, I’ll get to noosa by about 4pm and see some more family, although this family visit will be expected.

Then, Onto Coffs Harbour and Home.

I got my camera working (after it got moist) but couldn’t upload last night.

heres some photos.

Me on the ski. This was quite fun.

My baby on the ferry. I was quite concerned it might get too bumpy and come off the stand.

This was the view after they cleaned a drain. Before this, my room door was a waterfront.

My bike all ready for a vry wet day. The rain cover on the backpack and the tank bag were both ineffectual at keeping water out.

Today, I had a plan.

I have decided that I’m the sort of person who needs a plan. When I go snow skiing, I always need to have a plan to get somwehere, when I get there I ust make a new plan and go somewhere else.

I was not really looking forward to today. I’ve been getting lonely and wondering what the point of all this was.

But, as I said, today I had a plan. I decided to spend $378 on a Jet Ski tour of Magnetic Island (all around it) and It was good to have something planned. I had to get up at 6:20. Normally I would already be up, but I set my alarm anyway. When it went off, I really could use some more sleep. Then, Ihad to find the ferry terminal and get on the RORO boat (Roll On Roll Off) with the bike. That was the 7:10 boat and I managed to find it. Aparently you need to go to the correct terminal if you want the prepaid ticket to work.

Then, onto Horseshoe Bay. I was there early because of requiring to get the early RORO boat and had an hour to kill. I found a great cafe that had really nice coffee and that, with some raison toast, last weeks paper and I was set for the hour.

It would appear that up here, people don’t seem to care what papers they read. In Alice etc, I expected this but not in Townsville. Anyway, As long as I hadn’t read it previously, its all good.

Then onto the JetSki tour. This was really really fun. They were the 4 stroke sealed engines (I had checked before booking) so they didn’t leak oil like the 2 stroke engines do. They had 155hp and were great. Along the way, we saw a Dugong. The ski infront of me (the Guide) almost ran over it (what imagery that would have been for a semi eco tour) but missed and we all got to give it plenty of space and watch if for a while. It can’t have been too disturbed because they are normally quite shy.

Then, at the end of that, I got back on the RORO and back to townsville to warm up in a shower.

Then, as Linda and David arrived in townsville, I went to see them and have dinner. This also gave me a chance to unload all the extra stuff I no longer needed (stuff that was only for desert travel like shovel, water bottles etc).

Now, its time for bed, Tomorrow I need to get to Mackay but as its only a short trip, Ill leave late and have an easy day. Plus, after some days of nice weather, It will be sad to leae Townsville.