Bob
& Joyce Newell, Bribie Island, Australia
The
year 2014 to 2015 transition found us on the high seas in the
Southern Ocean with swells of 3-4 metres from the west and on top of
that up to 1 metre wind waves from the north-east. The ship rolled
and pitched in a confusing fashion so we were all a bit green around
the gills especially poor Janet who was quite seasick.
Fortunately New Years found us at the Campbell Islands returning from Macquarie Island and just a day and two nights of the high seas before docking in Bluff on the far south of the south island of New Zealand. Despite the confused seas and quite cool and windy weather we have had a fantastic trip walking on the amazing subantarctic islands, viewing prolific wildlife and kayaking in calm inlets and wild seas – it seems we were the first tourists to kayak at Macquarie Island.
The following pictures will give you a little taste of the trip:
Fortunately New Years found us at the Campbell Islands returning from Macquarie Island and just a day and two nights of the high seas before docking in Bluff on the far south of the south island of New Zealand. Despite the confused seas and quite cool and windy weather we have had a fantastic trip walking on the amazing subantarctic islands, viewing prolific wildlife and kayaking in calm inlets and wild seas – it seems we were the first tourists to kayak at Macquarie Island.
The following pictures will give you a little taste of the trip:
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Once on dry land again in Invercargill, NZ we hired a car and drove west and north spending three nights in Te Anu and two in Queenstown before returning to Australia and a bit of “rest and recovery”.
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At the end of January we camped a night at Neurim Creek via Mt Mee and in February two nights at Forest Glen, during which Bob threw caution to the winds visiting the coast and ordering a new bike from the Electric Bike Centre – a Gazelle Orange C7+ Step-Through for $3750. The pedelec nature of the bike has done wonders gently strengthening his knees to the point that he no longer complains or hobbles up the stairs.
The next few months were quiet with Bob concentrating on playing golf, riding the bike, watching rugby league and a bit of stained glass. Joyce playing recorder, bike riding and catching up with friends. Together we kayaking in the passage and enjoyed a kayak camping trip to Mission Point (up the Pumicestone Passage).
Joyce went on her third Camel Walking Trip for three weeks in June/July and again she enjoyed the outback experience near the Northern Territory-Queensland border immensely.
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August was our next big trip taking the overnight train to Cardwell on the far north Queensland coast from where we hired a double expedition kayak and took a leasurely ten days to kayak the about 100 km from Lucinda to South Mission Beach.
We started along the east coast of Hinchinbrook Island and Goold Island. Then there was a long paddle across to the Family Islands where we camped on Coombe Island. Finally we island hopped north to South Mission Beach in choppy windy seas sheltering behind each island for a short rest.
There we had two days to repack before taking the overnight train home from Tully – for “rest and recovery” again.
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Towards
the end of September Joyce's printmaking group put on a one week
exhibition at the Arts Centre gallery. One of Joyce's initiatives was
a labyrinth outlined on the gallery floor in dried Banksia leaves of
which there is no shortage on Bribie.
In October we enjoyed a few days at Bellthorpe Stays in the first of their new cabins (came on two semi-trailers and bolted together). Lots and lots of walks taken and birds seen, including Regent Bower birds from the veranda.
The end of October saw Joyce and friend Kim Bennie take a conducted walk along the coast of New South Wales near Yamba. One highlight was three brolgas grazing by the track as they passed.
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November saw both Bob and Joyce convert to “stand-up” computer desks so we shall see how that goes over the next few months.
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Craig, now 40!!!, and his partner, Karen Donogue, moved to Atlanta Georgia at the end of March, and continues to enjoy the busy and well-paid life of a IT geek.
Janet, now 35, is still managing to go from contract to contract with her work as an ecologist focusing on endangered plants around Geraldton, Western Australia. One of her main projects, a planting of 23,00 trees mid-year was blessed with 50 mm rain from a localised storm just a few days after planting finished. She is spreading her wings in 2016 to spend 6 months in Mauritius from April studying Endangered Species Management as part adventure, and partly to update and broaden her knowledge of the field.
This Christmas will be a visit from Janet and a stay at home/visit family affair for Bob. Joyce will be again at the Woodford Folk Festival from December 20th till just after the New Year volunteering and partaking.
Plans for 2016 include a 3 week trek off track in Kakadu National Park for Joyce in June
http://www.bushwalkingholidays.com.au/ksc2.shtml (this time without camels to carry the loads, so lots of get-fit preparation, and hopefully some overnight walks will be needed!). We also hope to organise a kayaking trip in the Whitsunday Islands.
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to all our family and friends.
