Sunday Drive.

Sunday was earmarked for a drive north to Palana. We hadn't really explored this part of the Island yet and the weather was glorious. I packed some sandwiches and fruit and off we headed in the Forester.

Once we hit the gravel roads the landscape was flat, farming land with cattle and sheep dispersed throughout. We were really exploring as we decided to drive an alternate route to the map but guess what we didn't bring the map. Well, you can't really get lost here so we headed in "the" direction and enjoyed the drive.

Heading into Palana, the landscape returned to bush, elevated land, scattered with granite. As, we took the turn down onto the beach at Palana, we were presented with a beach that stretched out for miles and the dunes glistened among the foliage. Amazing!

We spent some time exploring the beach and rocks where we came across this little red starfish.

Parking the car at a vantage point. 

We were a bit intrigued when we came across a few of these anchor points in among the rocks behind the Forester in previous picture. We also came across this ?bridge ? trolley full of smaller rocks.

We decided that there must have been a wharf or boat ramp here at some point. We will endeavour to research this further.

After having our sandwiches we headed home taking another route. Over the Island there are many little abandoned dwellings/homes from days gone by. I am personally very intrigued by these little places often imagining what they are like inside, who were the people who lived in them, and what was life like for them. 

Heading of on another dirt track we came across a little house in a secluded little spot that was actually accessible by foot. It was also For Sale. A we headed into the property, the gate welcomed us with "Eden". So there I was imagining this little house was actually someones ideal place to live and their own piece of paradise. Walking up the little path, overgrown garden beds could be deciphered as daffodils, agapanthas and such stretched up in between the overbearing weeds.

The house was simple from the front. One wooden door, two net curtained windows and a small  "mat".

Once we walked around the back there was a little washroom obviously for doing the laundry and a quaint little verandah out back. The place showed signs that someone had lived there more recently. Austar attached to the side, solar panels mounted on the outhouose and under the verandah was a large battery pack that Bruno said was "had it". 

Looking inside the windows the house was 3 very small rooms - living, kitchen and bedroom and there was still furniture and such inside, as if someone just got up and left. As we stood on the back verandah here we could here running water. Bruno set out to find where it was coming from and alas just down the back of the house was this:-

I was falling for this house and if circumstances were different in many ways it would have made a great weekend escape. What a shame that it has been left in such disarray and hopefully someone will come along and do it justice. I think I will go and enquire about the cost and find out some of its history, just for interest sake. 

It brought back many childhood memories for me. The strongest one being of my collection of  "Little House on the Prairie" books, most  particularly the one, "On the Banks of Plum Creek".

Rainbows, sunsets and everything in between.

Flinders Island is truly a magical place. I have witnessed the most beautiful, natural events that I have ever seen anywhere else.

This particular day we watched the clouds forming over  the range in the distance. This is the view from the side of my house. It wasn't long before we saw the start of this rainbow. It was as bright as I have ever seen (the photo does not do it justice). Then as it was forming I could see both ends of the rainbow as it stretched out over the paddocks. I could just about see that pot of gold at the end and could have walked out into the paddocks to touch it. It was truly spectacular.  Unfortunately I couldn't fit it in one photo but you can get the gist. Can't you?

A week or so later we were having tea and once again out the side window we could see a full moon peeking over the range. Over the next half an hour we took many photos as it went behind the clouds but you could see the light shining through the edge of the cloud and then coming out the other side. Amazing indeed. 

Heading behind the clouds

Going

Gone

Back out the other side.

We often get out and about around sunset. We have been able to capture some lovely shots in different locations and in differing conditions. 

Whitemark Beach

Bruno contemplating life
Taken on same day.

Walkers Lookout

See the vivid blue behind the clouds?

Taken a week ago

Same day

The Suby - written especially for Tracey and Ian.

On arrival to Flinders Island my car still had half a tank of fuel. Two and a half  months later  we have only just refuelled her. Good going hey? Most of the time it is parked, in the garage of course (you know living on a island and rust) and is used less than its original owners, if that is at all possible. 

Once a week she comes out of the garage to drive up the road, around the corner (seriously a 5 min walk) for me to do my weekly grocery shop. It is still the shiniest, cleanest  car on the island and it proudly displays its Qld number plates.

A few weeks ago when we went on our walk with Parks and Wildlife around Trousers Point, we drove to the starting point in her, just so she could get out and about.

On the dirt roads.

Mt. Strezelecki

Exercising options.

On Friday night, a week ago, Bruno and I headed off to the local Barefoot Bowls. We were in opposing teams which made the competition "on".

Earlier that day Bruno had been asked if I played bowls before, to which the reply was no. He was then asked to fill in, on one of the Corporate Teams which played for "sheep stations" on Sundays. The team of all things was called The Pink Ladies.
However, getting back to Friday night bowls. I was struck with beginners luck and was bowling very well for a first time. It wasn't long before Bruno was demoted and I became the new replacement for the Pink Ladies. I did try to warn them that they were taking a gamble with me but I think they were also worried that Bruno in pink was not going to be a good look. We went on to win our Friday night game.
Anyway, Sunday came and I put on the only pink Tshirt I owned and headed to the Bowls Club. I was feeling quite good and proceeded to have my first bowl and ouch! the back of my thigh was complaining not to say the ball went way off track. My next turn came and again as I lunged forward to bowl the pain in my leg sent me off target once again. By the time I had bowled three more times it was obvious that I couldn't play anymore. The pain, every time I bent forward sent me off balance and consequently the balls were way off. Lucky some of my fellow team players were nursing staff and yes, I had strained my hamstring muscle. Bugger! I had really let the team down. Despite the absence of me they did go onto win and I have to live down the fact that I strained a hamstring by playing, of all things BOWLS!
Zumba started this week so Monday I spent nursing my injury determined to make that class on Tuesday which I did. The class was a bit different to what I am used to but it was fun and at least I am getting out there and burning some of those excess calories. Now Zumba is only once a week, so, what am I going to do the rest of the week. Exercise options on the island are varied and I can choose from bike riding, swimming, bowls (which I have decided is NOT for someone as young as me!) aqua aerobics, karate and Scottish Country Dancing. I have decided to give bike riding a go on Monday, Wednesday. Zumba Tuesday. Swimming on Thursday and aqua aerobics on Friday. Now that does sound like a plan doesn't it?

To end this blog I will leave with you some scenes from the island.

Looking out at Whitemark beach

Gardening is in the genes.

I knew it wouldn't take me long to get into the gardens here, but it is a world I know very little of. As all of my Qld friends and family know, my garden at home had a tropical theme and it did take me many years (we were there 18 years) to perfect and sort out which plants do well and where.
On Flinders, I was lucky as there was already a little vege plot which I am going to use for my herbs. Bruno is going to build me some raised garden beds very soon for our veges. So, the herb plot is coming on nicely and herb seedlings I planted on a previous visit here are looking much better now with a bit of TLC and water. Kirsty and mum bought me some name stakes for my garden and I have now put them to good use.

Herb Garden with potato plant to the left.

I had an unidentified plant growing in this particular plot and after a bit of research it is a potato plant. So, just waiting for the leaves to go yellow and then the potatoes are ready for picking. New potatoes! Yum.
I brought many of my pots with me from Qld so I have to decided what I am going to plant in them. My big troughs that had herbs in them back home I am dedicating to flowers. Before I left Kirsty bought me FORGET-ME-NOT seeds. So, last weekend I decided to plant them out. I prepared the troughs, made the burrows and proceeded to plant the seeds. I planted two rows and then while doing the third row, a gust of wind (which is unpredictable at times) blew the packet of seeds out of my hand and around the corner. NO..... I cried out and when I got to the packet there were only 3 seeds left in the packet. I was so close to crying, it really upset me. "They were the seeds that Kirsty got for me and now most of them are gone," I sobbed and poor Bruno spent a good 20 mins searching for wayward seeds for me. He did manage to find another 6 and they were tiny!!
Anyway, a week on and there are green shoots peeking through the soil. I am now so happy and can't wait till they flower. Love you Kirsty xx

The car arrives and routine starts to set in.

Well, followers things have quietened down here at the moment. After spending 2 weekends unpacking, left us very little extra time for anything else.
Our car arrived on the barge last Friday which was ahead of schedule. We drove down to Lady Barron, which is the next little town to pick it up. It was interesting to watch the barge back up onto the loading dock which took probably 10 mins to align it right. The car had travelled with cattle so when I got into it, it stunk of cattle and the poor wheels and car was splattered in cattle debris.
Anyway, we drove home which was an event in itself. Bruno was in the lead in his car. I was mindful of wallabies and other wildlife as it was after 5.30pm and we don't have a "wombat bar" on the car yet,  but nothing prepared me for what happened next. Following the road we headed over a rise and I  proceeded to take a bend, then suddenly the car was right over on the far left of the road in gravel. I tried to steer out, wheels locked and I started driving horizontally across the two lanes of the road heading for the white guide post on the other side. I tell you my life flashed up before me especially my kids faces. Anyway, had to get myself together, turned the steering wheel the other way, to righten myself on the road and to avoid the post. I succeeded to avoid the pole however, now I was horizontally facing the other side of the road and a ditch. My god, take your foot of the acelerater I told myself and the car stopped, facing the ditch. I sat there somewhat stumped. A car coming the other way slowed down to check if I was Ok. I reversed out, straightened the car, and by then Bruno had turned around and checked that I was OK. Good save he said to me. We or I at least,  proceeded somewhat gingerly home.

One of our new walking routes

 The Bluff Walk
adjacent to the beach.

Getting to the beach.

I have still been going for my daily walks with Rosie. Today I am venturing out, would you believe to go to water aerobics???? must be crazy. They say the pool is heated, so how cold can it really be???
The weather was sunny so that was a good sign. On arrival at the pool, I put my foot into the water and after deliberating for several moments with my feet poised over the water in the pool, I decided if I was going to get in I had to just go for it. Splash, my breath caught in my throat, ok keep swimming, keep swimming I WILL warm up in a minute. It really didn't take long for me to feel warm enough in the water to stop shivering and carrying on. The aqua aerobics class consisted of 4 of us, and we danced along and exercised to music some of which were familiar to me especially the Zumba songs. However, my movements on several of the songs was not the same as the instructors ( she is the zumba instructor too) as she had adapted some zumba songs for "zumba aerobics". So, with her calling out, arms out, arms up and twisting around I was doing one arm up, other arm up, arms crossed and jump whilst singing along to Livin La Veda Loca in my own little world with some memories of my past life in Qld. LOL.

Call Outs

Bruno also maintains the diesel generator at the Communications Tower for the Emergency Services for the Island. The other day he had a call-out, so Rosie and I went for the drive. Now,  the communications tower is at Walkers Lookout, on the Darling Range which runs through the centre of Flinders Island. The altitude is 397.75m. There are spectacular views nearly 360 degrees however, the weather wasn't too good so couldn't get any descent shots of the eastern side of the island.

Mt. Strezleki altitude 756m, in the background.

Looking west to Mt. Strezleki

Its a bit windy - back here!

It must have been the week-end for callouts. On Sunday Bruno got a call out for the Power Station. We were actually on our way to the dump so trailer was all loaded up and we got half way there and the phone rings. It alerted Bruno that number 1 generator was overheating. This was the day the temp on the island was 30 degrees. Is it any wonder!

We about turned and headed to the station. On arrival Bruno said,  "can you hear that?" there is silence.   There is usually a constant rumble at the station as the generators tick away providing power to the residents of Flinders Island but now,  "We have a "black station" says Bruno "and no-one has power." 

Bruno has to find the fault, isolate it and restore power to Island.