Today we have been on a 4WD (4-wheel-drive) tour through the bush close to seven miles plane.
After driving to the starting point of the track we passed Jelle’s Well (Early 1890’s pioneers bullock and horse team watering point). A perfect location for an early lunch and the children could have a play together.
After noticing that the access to the track as planned was impossible we ended up with another track. This track showed to be a real challenge for Dutchies from a flat country. Many times it was a real puzzle how to come across the difficult locations. Steep and deep holes, part of the road completely gone and/or just rocks/stones. The fact that our tires were not optimally made for this type of terrain and our car having a stepping bar under the doors made the challenge even bigger.
We were happy that we were with a group of more experienced 4wd drivers. We could learn a lot and they helped us to solve the puzzles on how to pass the different barriers. Of course we didn’t want to damage our car so we were careful.
Although we moved cm by cm, several times a wheel got loose from the ground. A strange experience. The more experienced guys with older and more dedicated cars gave some wild demonstrations of driving up (or not) and down on very steep tracks. Nicole and Jorick loved it.
When we started to go home we were lucky to see two Lace Monitor mating in front of us on the middle of the road. The were so excited that they didn’t notice us immediatly. Then they quickly disappeared.
Finally we went home and had to clean our car the week after.
We surely entered spring now. The temperature and sun are adorable and animals become more active.
Two Cockatoos in the garden
Australian King Parrot
Every day we are fascinated by a Brush Turkey that’s building his mould in our garden. It’s already around 1.5 meters high and 4 meters in diameter. Around his neck he has a yellow temperature measurement device (see earlier photo). He tries to keep the temperature inside around 33 degrees Celcius. If he is successfull he might attract a woman to lay her eggs in this mould. It’s incredible how quickly he can transport al kind of twiggs, leaves and parts of our garden watering system to build his house (pictures next time). The result is a clean garden.
Pale Headed Rosella (nesting in garden)
In our garden also other animals show up. Cockatoos get us shivering with their terrible noise when flying over our heads. They look nice, but their sound is horrible and they seem to damage timbre in your garden. Two Australian King Parrots show up frequently and are building their home in one of our bird houses. The Pale Headed Rosella is just a nice bird and a good visitor with a friendly sound.
Koala visiting our barbecue
Lace Monitor passing by
Several times we were surprised by a Koala in our garden. In de morning and evening when these cute animals are awake they make a sound like a pig.
That’s how you can notice them, because it’s very hard to notice them just by sight.
Once we saw a large Lace Monitor of around 1.5 meters crossing our garden. Impressive.
Boondall Wetlands, salt water specific fauna
Tawny Frogmouth in Boondall Wetlands
Together with some nice local people, related to a former colleague of Jan, we took a walking track in Boondall Wetlands. Just behind the border with the ocean a wet area with specifice Flora and Fauna is made accessible by tracks. A Bush Ranger was guiding us. The area is very beautifull and we were lucky to see a Tawny Frogmouth. The differences in Flora between the lower and higher parts were fascinating.
Boondall Wetlands
Brisbane River Fire
In the end of August we went to the Brisbane Riverfire. Since this is very popular we took the train to the city center. When its becoming dark an F-111 is opening the Fireworks with a lot of noise and a fuel dump (see movie). It seems that the F-111 is the only airplane that can do such a fuel dump. The sound and light was so impressive for Jorick that he decided not to see and hear anything from the rest of the evening. So he closed his eyes and did put his fingers in his ears for half an hour. Nicole was enjoying it very much and kept screaming: “It’s very beautifull, I think I’m dreaming”. She also tried to get Jorick to open his eyes. Nevertheless Jorick kept his eyes closed.
Nicole and Jorick making a painting on the veranda
Nicole is nearly talking fluent English, maybe we should say Australian. The Australian/Brisbane accent is also fluent. Sometimes she is correcting our way of pronouncing words. Yes, she just turned six years old and we are already behind.
She had three time “Show and Tell” on school. She told about chickens coming out of an egg, Carnivorous Plants and about Rabbits. In the class room the children could experience ducklings coming out of their egg and how they live in the first two weeks. It was exciting (and smelly).
Jorick did his “Show and Tell” about his piano book. He has been baking some cookies at school and feels more at home there every day. Although he likes pre-school we reduced the number of days from 5 to 4 days because he used to become very tired at the end of the week. Wednesday is his free day.
4WD in bush on Bribie Island
Jan enjoyed (Australian) “Fathers day” on 7 September. Jorick has made drawings and cookies at school and Jan was invited for a party at school with Jorick. There Jan got a certificate from Jorick for being the best father (as the other fathers did).
Nicole bought some presents at the Fathersday Fair and had baked some cookies as well. And of course some beautifull drawings. It was fun.
Last week Anita started to work for 50% so this gives her more time to relax with the family and to enjoy the environment. Finally we have received our 2 and 3 seater so that’s making daily life a little bit more comfortable as well.
Driving on the beach of Bribie Island
The weather is improving rapidly. The temperature is rising and the evenings are getting longer. We are often having lunch or dinner outside. This also has led to the first invitations for BBQ-parties as you can imagine.
With a group of eigth 4WD cars we made a beautifull 4WD trip on Bribie
A drink on the beach
Island. We crossed beautifull bush and beach tracks. We saw some animals there as well. Photos of Lace Monoitor in a tree and a crab on the beach are shown below. On the beach we had a picknic and the children enjoyed playing at the beach. The weather was fine (as it usually is) and it was a great day.
Although we would love to visit the Netherlands with family and friends, we enjoy living here and feel lucky having the chance to experience all this.