Lunasea on the Highway

six months later

2010-02-09T02:30:00.001-08:00

Skin and Lyn have been missing for six months.

I haven’t had the heart to tell anyone as each day I have been hoping to hear from them.

Yesterday, the 8th February, I received a letter from Skin. Here it is for you all to read.

Dear Jo,

It is with a happy heart that I can now tell you Lyn and I were married last week in Sydney on the 3rd February 2010.

We have been staying with a wonderful couple called Bradley and Wendalene. In fact they are such a great couple we call them Brandelene.

We left Hughenden in a removal van as we were very much in love and knew that you thought we were too young to start a life together.

We now know that we were meant for each other and in fact will soon be a family as Lyn is expecting twins in a few weeks time.

She is having one barrot and one cabanana!

We hope everyone will be happy for us and celebrate the combining of a fruit and vegetable in the best possible way!

We will send you some photos when the little one’s are born.

We love life in Sydney and are thinking of changing our name to Harbour. We hope to name our little baby barrot Pearl and our little baby cabana Sidney.

Til soon,

Love from Skin and Lyn.

STEW AND DAMPER

2009-08-06T02:03:00.001-07:00

We have had a wonderful week in Hughenden.

The teachers and students at Hughenden State school were fabulous and some exceptional poems were written during our visit.

Skin met up with Lyn Carrot at a Stew and Damper night at the caravan park. I was pleased to see the fruit and vegie enjoying the music and settling into eating and relaxing instead of running away.

Mim and Leah and another gorgeous friend ladled out the stew to the audience.

One greedy man came back three times for an extra helping!!!!

Mim thought the damper was HILARIOUS!!!!!!!

a GOOD NIGHT WAS HAD BY ALL!

As darkness falls out west, like a dark blanket……we would like to thank everyone at Hughenden State School for a delightful visit….

We all hope we can come back again!!!!!!!

Especially Skin and Lyn who love being OUTBACK!!!!!!

SKIN CAMPS AT HUGHENDEN

2009-08-03T03:08:00.001-07:00

Today we set off in the van from Home Hill, northern Queensland, OUT WEST…..to Hughenden.

We left Col recovering from his operation for writers cramp! He has been over doing it lately!!!!!!

(No more bananas and carrots in his writing groups!!!!)

It was a six hour journey through a never ending landscape of low lying bushes sprouting out of yellow grasses growing courageously out of dry sand. In the middle of this desert we foundthe town of Hughenden where dinosaurs roamed thousands of years ago. There are new bones being discovered all the time in this area.

We might go on a dinosaur hunt this week!

We set up camp in the caravan park near the school and Alllan the owner said the ensuite site involved a bucket and a tree.

Here is Skin trying out the ENSUITE!!!

We went to a meeting along the banks of the river.

As you can see there is only sand to be seen at this time of year.

We are both going to school tomorrow to work with the primary and secondary students.

Skin will have to get a good nights sleep so he will be on his best behaviour.

I wonder what mischief he will get up to???????

SKIN AT THE AUSSI LIFESAVING TITLES

2009-07-28T04:40:00.001-07:00

What a fabulous weekend Skin had watching Cass compete in the Lifesaving titles at Kawana Waters in Queensland.

We were chauffer driven to the beach in a racy convertible by Dale Topp. I think his name is TOPP because the top of the car rolls down!!!

Here is Skin in his straw sunhat looking at all the competitors on the beach.

As you can see…his neck is getting quite red in the hot Queensland sun.

Here is Cass waiting for the gun to go off to launch her boat.

BANG!!!! THEY ARE OFF….LOOK AT THE BOAT SOAR OVER THE WAVES!!!!

YES!!!! Cass and kristy won their heat!

Skin watched the events from behind the barricade.

He was horrified when Cass was injured in the finals and had to have her knee bandaged before being taken away in an ambulance.

He had to go too to be treated for sunburn!!!!

What a foolish banana!!!

Luckily they were both patched up and returned for the presentations.

Congratulations Venus Bay for a mammoth effort!!!!

Will Skin learn to SLIP, SLOP, SLAP SOON!!!!

If not, he will end up looking like Lyn Carrot.

By the way……where is Lyn Carrot?????

SKIN JOINS A CATTLE RANCH

2009-07-23T00:50:00.001-07:00

WHERE HAS SKIN BEEN FOR TWO WEEKS???

WELL!!!!!

He has just been brought back in a cattle truck from an adventure on a cattle ranch in outback Australia.

I took him to see a show called,’Outback Australia’ on the Gold Coast.Cassidy my gorgeous daughter, came too. Here they are lining up at the bar for a drink of lemonade!

Here he is having a ride on an oversized, furry cassowary, waving an Australian flag.

He thought cassowary riding was much too comfortable and decided that sitting on a hard saddle on the back of a horse was for him!!!!!!

Cassidy laughed and laughed, as she has spent many hours in the saddle throughout her life.

But Skin could not be deterred!

He made friends with a lonely looking cattleman…

AND……..THE NEXT THING WE KNEW…..

HE WAS GONE………….

FAR, FAR AWAY INTO THE HARSH, DRY OUTBACK.

I have been worried for two weeks!

Lyn carrot was so upset that she cried non stop for the whole fortnight. She is a soggy, soft mess and will have to go out in the sun to toughen up.

We are all going to watch Cassidy race the rubber inflatable surfboats on Saturday at Kawana Waters, here on the Sunshine coast in Queensland.

She is competing in the Australian Lifesaving championships with all her team members.

Maybe Skin will decide to become a lifesaver!!!!!

Watch this blog to see what happens!!!!!

He was so excited that he took off on one of his escapades out west.

Here he is

SKIN AND LYN BECOME WRITERS

2009-07-05T01:12:00.001-07:00

Where have Skin and Lyn been for 2 weeks????

They enrolled in Colin Campbells’ writing workshop on the Gold Coast hoping to become famous authors in a fortnight!

Here they are, sitting in their new snake skin chairs, with pens poised waiting to write words of poetic charm and perception.

Col sits waiting with his pen poised waiting for the fruit and vegetable to pay attention!

They keep swivelling their chairs around and locking their eyes on the computer screen……

What a naughty pair!

Just before they started this course, Skin decided to have a bath with all his clothes on!!!

Is there any hope for this appealing character?

It is Col’s birthday tomorrow and Skin and Lyn found this fabulous birthday cake at Eumundi market made of chocolate with a spiralling Queen cake tail. They were too frightened to bring it back to the coast!

The writing course finished today. Skin wrote a collection of poems about the joy of being a banana and Lyn wrote one long poem about her life as a vegie!

Will their work be published and will Col receive a cake!

Find out in the next weekly installment of, ‘Skin on tour 2009’

LUNASEA TOUR 2009

2009-06-20T00:57:00.000-07:00

We all left Venus Bay on Wednesday 3rd June heading for Merimbula to the jazz festival

In no time we were amongst a throng of people enjoying a blast of sousaphones, saxophones, drums and guitars....not to mention pianos!

Soon a very relaxed Skin was enjoying a beautiful picnic lunch.

During his lunch, a photographer for the local paper discovered we were from Victoria and suggested we should go into quarantine.

(Lyn remembered that she had been shopping with Kath and Kim at "Fountain Gate" and began to feel slightly sick). We would be "out of action" for 2 whole weeks!

After 2 weeks in quarantine, Lyn and Skin went out to celebrate. Skin booked dinner at Blackwells on Sophie on the Gold Coast. He hired a car from Maya's Car Yard, taking a scenic route via crocodile country!

But the car broke down, so Skin caught a wild brumby in the bush and rode to collect Lyn.

They had a private table at the restaurant which was nice, but they had a little disagreement, and Skin went off to hide in a palm tree.

How long will Skin sit in the dark?

Will he make up with Lyn Carrot?

YELLOW DAY AT KONGWAK PRIMARY SCHOOL

2008-10-06T01:29:00.000-07:00

We all arrived at Kongwak Primary School at 12.30 today to a welcome home party and celebration with the grade 3/4 children extraordinaire!

Skin, Lyn, Flyn and Banana custard were so excited that they could hardly contain themselves. I was so excited that I drove right past the school and had to turn around AND go back.

The children all ran to the fence when we pulled up in the car park.

Look at Nanna showing off her yellow T shirt.

I loved this pants leg that said, " JO AND SKIN ROCK!"

Judy had a twist to HER yellow!

JUST LOOK AT THESE YELLOW CLOGS!!!!!!

We went into the YELLOW classroom and met two more bananas.

OUR EYES NEARLY POPPED OUT OF OUR HEADS WHEN WE SAW THE YELLOW FOOD....

AND...THE 3 YELLOW PICTURE BOOKS OF OUR TRAVELS....

WHAT A WONDERFUL DAY WE ALL HAD.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR FOLLOWING OUR TOUR, FOR YOUR FANTASTIC POEMS, YOUR WARM WELCOME, YOUR YELLOW SONGS, YOUR YELLOW DECORATIONS, ESPECIALLY WELL THOUGHT OUT YELLOW FOOD AND FOR MAKING US ALL FEEL SO HAPPY TO BE VISITING YOU ALL.

Skin says thank you for his warm scarf.....so do Lyn, Flyn and Banana Custard.

NOW WHERE IS THAT NAUGHTY LYN?

SHE HAS RUN AWAY AGAIN.....BAD CARROT!!!!!!!!

QUESTION TIME>>>>

CAN YOU FIT A WHOLE GRADE OF CHILDREN IN THE LUNASEA VAN?

YES!

HOME SAFE BUT NOT SOUND

2008-09-13T00:07:00.001-07:00

We have all been home now for 2 weeks, but I gave Skin a bad case of flue! I drove home the last day feeling very unwell and shaking so much that the van was wobbling side to side.

Skin caught the flue from me and has been in bed VERY, VERY, SICK unable to move FOR 14 DAYS!!!!!

At one stage I thought that I might have to take him to the Foster hospital.

Here he is in bed with a bandage over his eyes and sunglasses because the light hurts his eyes and gives him a splitting headache.

He FINALLY managed to get out of bed today on very wobbly legs and pose for a 'COMING HOME PICTURE!"

Here we all are....SKIN, BANANA CUSTARD, LYN AND FLYN CARROT AND ME. A BIT LATE, BUT AT LEAST WE ARE HOME!

We are all happy to be back in Venus Bay and have not stopped talking about our adventures. The carrot family seem to have moved into our house for a while and Banana Custard is enjoying a BREAK away from the HOT North. There were times on our trip when the temperature began to rise quite rapidly!

We are all looking forward to YELLOW DAY AT KONGWAK PRIMARY SCHOOL after the holidays. Skin will have fully recovered by then and will be in his usual HAPPY MOOD!

LOOK AT THE WEBLOG NEXT TERM, TERM 4..... FOR YELLOW DAY AT KONGWAK PRIMARY SCHOOL! Bye for now.........Jo, Skin, Lyn, Flyn and Banana Custard.

NEARLY HOME

2008-08-26T23:47:00.001-07:00

Yes......it is hard to believe but we are nearly home. This is our last night in a caravan park and we are having a celebration.

Skin and Banana Custard and me are all singing and dancing around the van remembering all the wonderful adventures we have had over the past five months.

Skin was a bit worried when we arrived at this park as when we pulled up he discovered that I had been driving the entire day with a pair of shorts on the front bumper bar.

I had hung them out to dry when I stopped for lunch and forgot to pack them in the van!

i WONDERED WHY PEOPLE WERE PASSING ME WAVING AND POINTING! I THOUGHT THAT THEY JUST LIKED THE THOUGHT OF A LUNASEA VAN.

WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING OUR ADVENTURES!

We are looking forward to YELLOW DAY at Kongwak Primary school and catching up with all our friends again. The time has just raced by........I wonder what Skin will do when he arrives home??????

COFFS HARBOUR TO NEWCASTLE

2008-08-24T00:42:00.001-07:00

Look at yesterdays blog to see Skin's welcome back from the Olympic games.

He has found a new friend, Banana Custard and she is travelling back home with us to Venus Bay.

Today was a HUGE DAY.....9 HOURS TRAVELLING from Coffs Harbour to Newcastle.

( Most travellers can do this distance in 4 or 5 hours!!!!)

Skin put on earmuffs so that he would not have to listen to my TUTTI FRUTTI tape again and again.

Finally Banana Custard put him back in a good mood.

She is much better for Skin than that Lyn Carrot.

She makes him laugh and sing silly songs. They get along very well together.

He finds her very APPEALING!!!!!!!!!!!

We will all be home in 6 sleeps..........

What a time we have had...

Keep watching our final days ON TOUR..........WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE NEXT 6 DAYS????????????

SKIN RETURNS FROM THE OLYMPICS

2008-08-23T01:07:00.001-07:00

I met Skin today at the Gold Coast Airport. He has been visiting the Olympics in Beijing, China. He was invited as an ambassador fruit of Australia and it was TOP SECRET!!!!!!

He has brought back a new friend he met on his travels. She is warm, sweet and very cuddly. He calls her 'BANANA CUSTARD' and she is the colour of honey.

I THINK SKIN IS IN LOVE!!!!!!

We all went to the Big Banana to celebrate a beautiful friendship.

Skin and Custard shared a HUGE BANANA SPLIT...

I chose a banana NUT MUFFIN!

My muffin had an extremely soft centre and crushed nuts to die for!!!!

It was so large that it took me hours to consume. But I savoured every bite!

We all went outside the cafe to look at the Big Banana model.

This picture looks as though Skin is balancing the banana on his head!

Here is a photo of Skin in a rubber circle. He wanted to show off his flair for modelling to Banana Custard.

Here he is with his hands around two peeled bananas.

They seem to be coming at him from all directions.

The whole place is filled with bananas in every shape and form.

I have never seen so many varieties of bananas in my entire life!

Skin bought some very special banana 'things' for all the children in grade 3/4 at Kongwak Primary School. We can't wait for 'YELLOW DAY" We will all be there.....Jo, Skin, Lyn, Flyn and Banana Custard.

Only one more week and we will all be home at Venus Bay....

What an amazing trip we have had....I wonder what will happen in the next week???????

AYR SICK

2008-08-05T16:56:00.001-07:00

Skin became very sick in Ayr, so did Lyn Carrot.

Skin ate some blended chocolate and Lyn scoffed down a whole packet of dark chocolate which gave her the worst heartburn she had ever experienced. I left her with her carrot family in the caravan park and then took Skin to the local market.

HE WAS NOT WELL!!!!!!!!!

First he sunk down into one chair...

THEN ANOTHER.........

OOOOOOHHHHH .....He felt as though he was hanging upside down....

His stomach CHURNED AND CHURNED.....

He closed his eyes and dreamed that he was trying to talk to three monkeys.

Then he dreamed he was dancing with a colourful woman on the top of a table. A lady was walking by looking a bit worried.

Then he dreamed that he was riding a surprised rooster....

WHAT FUN!!!!!!!!

STILL HIS STOMACH CHURNED AND CHURNED.....

Then he saw himself on the back of a confused snake.....GO SKIN!!!!

Finally he found a tiny foal and sat on her back stroking her neck...

HE FELT MUCH,MUCH BETTER!

When he woke up, I took him to meet a volunteer working at the Ayr Information centre.

He grabbed Skin a bit too tightly around his waist and .........

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED?

SKIN ON A MISSION

2008-07-28T21:49:00.001-07:00

We are at Mission Beach at a magnificent caravan park just a stones throw from the beach. We can see the sea from the van window just metres away. I have been busy swimming and enjoying the brilliant sunshine after four weeks of cloudy weather.

AND SKIN.......WELLLLLLLL.....LOOK WHO HE HAS FOUND...

Here are the happy couple looking out toward Dunk Island planning their boat trip, hang glide, sea biscuit adventure and jet ski.

Lyn is wearing her new hat, obviously still trying to make a fashion statement and get some free rides!

BUSH TUCKER AT PARONELLA

2008-07-27T22:20:00.001-07:00

While staying at Paronella Park ( LOOK AT THE BLOG BEFORE THIS ONE), we went on a bush tucker tour to find out what plants the aboriginal people made use of in the bush.

The first plant we saw was a ginger plant and the leaves are used in cooking. Skin didn't like the smell of this plant!

These flowers are crushed and rubbed on insect bites. I don't think bananas are bitten by insects.

Skin saw a painting on the end of a log. It was made by rubbing and

wetting different coloured rocks.

Here is Skin sitting outside an aboriginal shelter made of bent sticks

and leaves.

When we passed the wishing well in the park, we both made a wish.

I wonder what Skin wished for? What do YOU think?

PARONELLA PARK

2008-07-27T22:03:00.001-07:00

On Saturday, we had a wonderful visit to Paronella Park, not far from Mission Beach.

In 1929, Jose Paronella, a Spanish immigrant, bought 13 acres at Mena Creek and started to build his dream.....a castle. He not only built his castle by a spectacular waterfall but also a picnic area, tennis courts, a tunnel of Love, a house for his family, bridges, a hydro-electric plant , refreshment rooms, changing rooms, fountains, movie theatre, icecream parlour, a ballroom....the list goes on.

Now it is a place of fairytales mirroring a dream that came true.

Skin loved discovering the secret nooks and crannies of the buildings and looking at the waterfall.

What a fabulous day!

THE CRYSTAL CAVES OF ATHERTON

2008-07-23T21:09:00.001-07:00

Today we woke up early at Lake Tinaroo, not far from Atherton, and Skin said he could smell petrol.

I am so pleased he told me because I have no smell worth mentioning.

So we drove into the town of Atherton and left the van with a Holden mechanic while we visited....

THE CRYSTAL CAVES........

As you can see we are both wearing safety helmets in case of falling rocks. We were also wearing jackets because we knew that it would be cold and damp way down in the caves below.

The first crystal that took our eye was an ENORMOUS CRYSTAL BALL.

It was in fact, Australia's largest quartz crystal ball and we both tried to look into our futures.

I saw a wonderful celebration coming up for me. I wonder what it will be?

Skin saw himself sitting on a crystal that turned out to be the world.

How could a banana sit on top of the world?

These are Sonora Desert, Selenite crystals or Gypsum, from Mexico.

Skin was a bit worried having to have his picture taken beside dead fish. These are Spoonfish fossils from Brazil.

Then we spied ...THE EMPRESS OF URUGUAY, THE WORLDS BIGGEST AMETHYST GEODE.

It is 3.27 meters high and weighs 2.7 tonnes!A geode is formed when a volcano erupts and the lava makes dish like forms that crystallize in the 'curved shape' inside.

A CLOSE UP SHOT........ Look at the brilliant amethyst crystals.

This ammonite shell looks as though it should have Venus appearing from it.

Skin sat in a fairytale crystal, beautiful pink rose Quartz.

Hanging from the top of the cave were magical crystals, twirling in the light.

Skin knows that Chris and her grade 3/4 at Kongwak will love seeing the Crystal Caves visit, because they know a great deal about crystals themselves.

What an amazing diversity of crystals the owners, Rene and Nelleke Boissevain have collected for their caves over the years.

Just as well the van was out of action today or we may never have had this 'out of the world' experience.

We would like to congratulate Rene for his work and thank him for our tour and chocolates!

THE ROAD TO TINAROO

2008-07-22T20:56:00.001-07:00

Today we left Mareeba, 'Where the Rainforest Meets the Outback', and Australia's Coffee Capital, producing over 90% of Australia's total crop. Other crops grown in this area are 'Skin's relatives,' mangoes, lychees, paw paws, exotic tropical fruits,, watermelons and peanuts.

We stopped at a Distillery where they not only make liqueurs out of fruit and coffee, but also grow BIG BANANAS.

Here is a plantation full of Skin's relatives.

The bananas are picked when green and hung by their huge stalks on hooks and travel around on a circle to be picked by 'Skin pickers' at the end of the line.

Can you see Skin with his cousins?

HERE IS A CLOSER SHOT....

After they are picked, the bananas are washed...

And then put into boxes to be transported to shops just like this one....

The bananas turn yellow during their journey because they are so excited to be nomads!

This area also grows peanuts and there are hundreds to sit on, or try!

Skin met Paul Peanut at the Peanut Place.....

What a GREAT DAY WE HAD!!!!

Karnac Gallery

2008-07-21T00:17:00.001-07:00

While we were at Wonga Beach we went to the Karnac Art Gallery and amphitheatre where you can hear the music of inspiring singers and bands. It has been built so that the acoustics, or sound travel, is ideal for the audience.

This is the materialized dream of a woman called Diane Cilento, who

is a famous actor and singer herself.

Skin sat in the middle of the stage and pretended that he was a famous singer.

Can you see him?

Karnac has a gallery filled with beautiful things from Morocco and Egypt.

Allen and Skin had a rest in the colourful chairs.

The amphitheatre looks out over a lagoon with floating lotus plants.

We had a lovely visit while Ted took off to play golf.

Unfortunately we lost him for many hours and finally found him sitting in his chair back at the van having a refreshing drink.

This is the first time that Skin has not been the one in trouble!!!!

HA! HA! HA!...................

KURANDA AND MAREEBA

2008-07-21T00:11:00.001-07:00

We spent two nights at a bush park called...........

It was quiet and peaceful and Skin kept his eyes on a bush turkey

that he thought might gobble him up!

BUT............

We left the park today without a scratch.

Our first stop was at Jaques Coffee Plantation in Mareeba.

As we drove into the property, a whole line of termite mounds lined the driveway.

Skin tried to climb up one, but fell asleep before he could reach the top.

We began our tour on the bean machine bus.

The beans grow on bushes planted in rows.

A giant harvester picks the coffee berries when they are red.

This machine sorts the berries from the leaves . The silver prongs shake the berries off the branches.

Then the berries are washed and graded and the beans are released from inside the berry. These are the coffee beans which are then processed and roasted and packaged.

Here is Skin sitting in a collection of coffee packets...

AND.....drinking some coffee liquer......

Look at his HUGE smile. He told me that he liked coffee, but when he took a taste, he had to spit it out!

I had to drink the rest for him!

What a silly banana!

FAREWELL TO CAIRNS

2008-07-19T15:35:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we left Cool Waters caravan park and drove to the Cairns Botanical Gardens. I wanted to have a few long walks before we set off around the mountains.

The first trek was a walkers track that seemed to have at least a thousand steps. Skin found it hard to climb just one of them.

Look at his little hat appearing over the top.

He had to stop and have a rest after this supreme effort.

The next walk was along a boardwalk through a rainforest.

It is hard to believe that this vegetation is only a stones throw from the city.

We stopped beside a pond filled with lotus plants.

Skin decided to have another rest.

What a lazy banana!

Then it was time to hit the road and make our way up the mountain to Kuranda, then onto Mareeba, Atherton and Ravenshoe.

This week is our 'mountain climbing week'. I hope Skin has not lost his pick and climbing boots, not to mention his helmet!

COOL WATERS AND BABINDA

2008-07-15T01:10:00.001-07:00

We are staying at a caravan park called, 'Cool Waters'. It certainly is cool AND watery.......today the rain is pelting down.

Luckily the night we arrived it was fine. We all sat outside and listened to the strains of Keith Parker who serenaded us while we ate some rather cold pizza

Skin had an unusual glow about him......I think he is going to be a country and western STAR!!!!!!!

Today we drove to Babinda to visit St Rita's School.

As we drove into the town, a deluge of rain began to fall from the sky. As we both looked out the window of the van, we saw a sign, ' Umbrella Town.'

I was pleased I had brought my umbrella, but it was not a good choice to bring one in the shape of a cane toad!

The school umbrella looked much better than mine.

This is what it said on each corner.

Skin ran around in the rain and became very wet. He felt great comfort when I put him in the arms of a statue of Mary.

She watches over the school and gives out a calm, soothing feeling.

We had a lovely chat to the teachers at morning tea. Thank you everyone at St Rita's for a delightful morning.

Tomorrow is another school day, and Skin is practicing his spelling.

( I hope all the grade 3/4 Kongwak children are practising too!

We are looking forward to coming to visit you for YELLOW DAY when we return!!!!)

WONGA BEACH

2008-07-08T21:32:00.001-07:00

We have been at Wonga Beach for a week and Skin decided to have a holiday on his own with a family of Lady fingers who were travelling all over Australia .

Their caravan was camouflaged the colour of leaves to give them privacy from the other campers.

Skin tried to camouflage himself too in a colourful bush.

This is a glorious park with Guinea fowl and peacocks and bandicoots mingling with the guests.

I had a quiet week to myself while Skin played with his friends.

This is a picture of the palms above my van.

I met up with Skin at the craft club today. If you are crafty, you can take along your titbits for show and tell!

Skin liked the knotted dolls clothes, but they were too big for him.

He tried on some more BLING, but it was too heavy around his neck.

Finally he had a go at knitting a jumper for himself.

Then we both went for a walk along the glassy beach and caught up with the weeks news.

Skin said he will return on Sunday, when we leave for Cairns.

It's good to have a break when you are travelling together.

It will give me time to play with my two new friends, Alan and Ted.

CHEERIO FROM SKIN

2008-07-02T01:03:00.001-07:00

SKIN WOULD LIKE TO SEND A CHEERIO TO REMY AND MANUEL AND ZULU,

AND.......BOB AND CATHERINE .

Lovely to meet you all at Cape Tribulation.

* THANK YOU Zulu for saving my life and for giving me helpful hints about life in the bush.

(READ YOUR HEROIC STORY IN THE FOLLOWING BLOG)

TRIAL AND TRIBULATION IN THE DAINTREE

2008-07-02T00:54:00.001-07:00

A few days ago we went on a river cruise along the Daintree River.

Skin was terrified of the possibility of meeting a crocodile and hung onto the boat rail for dear life.

I told him that it would be unlikely that a crocodile would appear.

We floated past the twisted roots of the mangrove trees

warily watching for illusive crocodiles.

We saw a tiny blue Kingfisher hiding on a branch.

It had two white dots on the back of it's head so that predators coming from behind would think it was looking at them.

AND........THEN........

A HUGE crocodile appeared on the river bank and started swimming straight for the boat and....SKIN!

Skin immediately caught hold of an overhanging tree branch as the boat drifted slowly along, and swung himself onto shore.......

My friend Helen jumped off the boat and ran after him at the point where the river meets the sea.

WE SEARCHED HIGH.......

AND WE SEARCHED LOW.......

BUT WE COULD NOT FIND THE LOST SKIN!

Finally we found him lying in a HUGE fan palm looking quite pleased with himself.

These palms are like Japanese umbrella's and shade the plants growing underneath them.

We all walked back along the boardwalk....

When suddenly......

Skin jumped onto a log and looked into the water....

ALL OF A SUDDEN...PLOP!

Skin fell into the river!

THEN....From out of nowhere came...

ZULU THE ZEBRA in his I.R.B...( INFLATABLE RESCUE BOAT)

( The DAINTREE IS FULL OF ANIMALS YOU WOULD NEVER EXPECT TO SEE)

Zulu saved Skin and they sat chatting about their adventures in the Daintree.

Skin told him about Cassidy's meeting with a large cassowary at Mission Beach.

Later on that day, as Skin and Zulu swapped stories of adventure and escape, an inquisitive cassowary appeared in front of them.

She was amazed to see a banana and a zebra having a conversation in her back yard.

'Are you endangered species too?'

Skin never knows from day to day what close encounters will come his way.

What will Skin get up to next?

THE SUNLESS NORTH

2008-06-26T22:34:00.001-07:00

Thursday, 26th June was day 4 of Cassidy's sunless trip to the north.

Even though we have had days of fun, it has not been the bikini weather we envisaged in the sun.

After Cassady beach we drove in the rain to Mission beach searching for the illusive cassowaries.

On Wednesday we had to cancel our day trip to Dunk Island because it was covered in mist and could be barely seen from the shore.

NOT HAPPY JO, CASS AND SKIN!

Skin suggested we hit the road in hope of finding the sun in Cairns.

So we did..........................................

The cloud followed us.................................

We passed through Cairns and rolled on to Port Douglas.

After a cool, windy night, we woke up to witness a tiny section of blue sky the size of a stock cube appear amongst the clouds.

We all packed up the van and headed towards a few rays of sun which were shining over the Daintree Rainforest.

The vegetation was lush and green and dripping with moisture.

We crossed the Daintree river on a ferry with long lines of vehicles being drawn by a huge cable.

I was terrified. So was Skin!...

We were were first in line!

We all drove off when the ferry reached the other side.

On we wove around steep bends along a road covered by the overhanging flora of the amazing rainforest.

ooooohhhhhhh!!!!aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!

We followed the rays of filtered sun towards a sunny cove called Cow

Bay.

We put our towels on the sand and tried to enjoy the tepid rays.

It was not hot!

The sand was so wet that our towels were saturated and the clouds were quickly covering the patch of blue.

Back we meandered to the Tropic Breeze VAN VILLAGE....

our home for the night.

Skin missed the drive after the ferry crossing, because

he chose to hang around in the forest to watch for a cassowary.

He DID meet one, a very friendly one who told him the meaning of it's name.

The name cassowary comes from two Papuan words......

kasu meaning 'horned' and Weri meaning 'head.'

The cassowary is a horned headed bird.

Luckily cassowaries, even though they like fruit, don't like their bananas dressed!!!!!

CASSIDY AND THE CASSOWARY

2008-06-25T02:44:00.001-07:00

The three of us left Cassady Beach on Tuesday morning and headed to Mission Beach under a dark, grey, sky.

All along the road were signs warning drivers to be careful of the cassowaries crossing the road.

Cassowaries are large native birds that are protected and hard to find.

They are shy creatures that live in rainforest areas.

We looked and looked and drove very S-L-O-WWWWWLY........

BUT.......there were no cassowaries to be seen!

As we came towards the little township of Mission Beach,

SUDDENLY.....

A HUGE CASSOWARY STEPPED OUT OF THE BUSHES!

AND ....WHAT A COINCIDENCE....

THERE WERE TWO CASS'S WITH THE SAME COLOURS!

Skin jumped up onto a nearby rock and sulked, because his name only had ONE 'S'.

We found our caravan park and settled down for the night.

Skin dreamed he was being carried in the beak of a large bird who was running all the way home to Venus Bay.

When we look at the map of Australia we see just how far we have come!

CASSADY BEACH

2008-06-24T00:56:00.001-07:00

Twenty one years ago, I was on Cassady beach, about 20 kilometres from Ingham in North Queensland, three weeks before the birth of my gorgeous daughter Cassidy Ferguson Bourne.

YES! We named her after this beautiful beach and today she came back with Skin and her mother to celebrate her namesake.

We were all up early this morning, ready to walk from our caravan park at Forrest Beach, to the site of special memories.

The sun rose behind the tree lined beach.

Skin thought it looked spooky.

OOOOOOOOOO.............................

We set off along the sand.

We let Skin run off ahead.

He was feeling a little left out with all this fuss over Cassidy and her beach, so he crawled into a large pineapple shrub!

He only came out when a friendly fish called out from afar.

"S-K-I-I-I-I-I-NNNNNNNNNN!"

Skin fell out of the pineapple shrubbery and onto the sand.

She was ANNA LURRING fish and convinced Skin of the mysterious beauty and magic of Cassady Beach.

He felt much better and we all followed her to the AGED THONG TREE.

This tree has been covered in shoes and thongs for over 22 years. Some looked quite new and some were old and tattered and probably had been washed up on the beach.

The ANNA-LURRING couldn't remember the Thong Legend or how the thongs came to be hanging on the tree.

I remember them from my visit all those years ago.

We walked along the beach to try and find the old shack I had stayed in on our holidays.

We saw that it had been demolished, and there was only a circle of sand left.

We walked back to Forrest Beach and sat looking out to sea

waiting for Skin's return.

The ANNA LURRING had taken him for a ride over the waves to meet her family.

I WONDER WHEN HE WILL RETURN????????????????????

A BAD BURN

2008-06-21T23:34:00.001-07:00

It took several days for Skin's lips to go down after his strange allergic reaction, and when they finally reduced to their normal size, I took him to see a cane burn.

This is the process they use in the Burdekin area to begin the harvest.

We watched one man put fuel along the edge of the cane and another man used a torch like flame to light the fuel.

The man with the flame followed the man with the fuel along the edge of the plantation and the cane crackled into a huge, burning blaze.

Clouds of smoke billowed into the air and all the tiny charred pieces of 'cane trash' floated up and then down like black snow.

Within minutes the fire had swept through the plantation, leaving behind only the black cane stalks.

These stalks will be harvested, cut into small pieces and taken by little cane train carriages to the mill to be processed into sugar.

I explained to Skin the importance of being very careful as we stood beside the searing flames.

As we watched the fire burning, a HUGE, wild boar ran out of the cane towards us followed by two ENORMOUS rats AND THEN......

THE MOST FRIGHTENING THING OF ALL.....A DEADLY,BROWN SNAKE!

Skin nearly jumped out of his skin and ran the wrong way in fright....

INTO THE CANE..........

He was taken to hospital and treated for major burns.......and spent the whole week feeling very sorry for himself.

I saw him every day after my school visits.

What a great week I had in Ayr with the wonderful children and teachers and my two FABULOUS HOSTS!

Thank you Donna and Colin for making my stay in the Burdekin a delightful visit.

( IT'S A SHAME SKIN MISSED OUT ON ALL THE FUN!)

He did manage to drive over the longest bridge in Australia, the Burdekin bridge, on his way to hospital.

After a busy, happy week in Ayr, we set off for Townsville on Saturday 21st June.

Skin will have to stay out of the sun and heal his body. Maybe I will buy him a protective suit to wear in case we come across any more fires!

AMICABLE AYR

2008-06-16T01:19:00.001-07:00

We left Airlie Beach on Saturday 14th June and headed for 'The Burdekin', sugarcane country, to the friendly township of Ayr.

As we rolled along yet another endless highway, I looked out the side window and my eyes nearly popped out of my head.

There was my name on the Gumlu school noticeboard , way out in the middle of nowhere!

I nearly drove off the road!

Skin was very excited too and jumped up and down in his seat. He jumped so high that he fell out onto the floor.

I stopped the car and took a photo of the gorgeous little school.

All the children from Gumlu are coming into the Burdekin library in Ayr for a poetry session with me on Tuesday.

We arrived at the Silverlink caravan park in the early afternoon and set up camp.

At about 5 o'clock I stepped out of the van and saw thousands of tiny black snowflakes falling from the sky.

Every night here they burn the sugarcane and fragments of cane rain down on everyone and everything.

I looked around to tell Skin, but he had disappeared.

I looked for him everywhere in the park. I looked around the pool, the spa and around all the other caravans, but he was nowhere to be seen.

Eventually I found him in the playground.

He was on the climbing equipment with, none other than..........

Lyn carrot!

AND WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO HIS LIPS?

I think he must have an allergy to the cane burning!

He asked Lyn if she would like a slide and she shook her new hairdo ever so gently and said very sweetly,'Yes thank you Skin'.

( I must admit that she has lovely manners for a carrot.)

They both enjoyed their playground experience.

Then Lyn went off to find her family and her friend Flynn,

AND.................

I told Skin that he had to stay inside the van until his lips went down!

I WONDER HOW MANY DAYS THIS WILL TAKE?

A VOYAGE, A SNORKEL AND A DAYDREAM

2008-06-12T03:13:00.001-07:00

Today,Thursday 12th June, our 72nd day on the road, and halfway through our amazing journey, we sailed with the Voyager to some far away islands in the Whitsundays.

At first the weather was WILD.........and Skin felt a little seasick.

I stood at the bow of the boat and pretended to be the heroine in the film,'TITANIC!'

I must have had some cosmic effect on the weather, because very soon the sun came out and we all felt much better.

We walked to the far side of Hook Island and snorkelled around one of the crew who was in a boat feeding the fish with bread.

Here is a picture of me in a wet suit with my georgeous friend Jan just before we took the PLUNGE!

I didn't take any photos of the amazing fish we saw because I was in an underwater world where time stood still.

We touched schools of fish that swam around us like dropped confetti.

It was like being in a dream.

Skin was on the shore dreaming about floating in blue, blue water.

After Hook Island, the Voyager took us all to Whitehaven Beach where the sand is so pure, soft and incredibly white that you feel as though you are walking on soft carpet. Jan cleaned her gold necklace and bracelet by rubbing them in the tiny grains of sand.

Skin sat and watched the people climbing down the steps of the Voyager, into the water to get to the beach.

After a relaxing hour in the sun, off we sailed again to Daydream Island.

Skin dreamed he was being held in the fin of a large, orange fish.

Then he dreamed an enormous crocodile had picked him up in his claws...

AND........PUT HIM IN HIS MOUTH!

When he woke up he was shaking, so we calmed him down and told him that he could drive the boat home.

Clay showed him how to use the instruments and let him navigate the Voyager safely back to Abel Point.

We would like to thank all the crew , Clay, Nathan, Steve, Lem and Cassey for a spectacular day,

AND OUR WONDERFUL NEW FRIENDS, JAN AND RAY FOR 'LAUGHTER IN THE FAST LANE!"

GOODBYE AIRLIE BEACH.........

We have treasured memories of our week with you!

LOVE AT THE CORAL SEA RESORT

2008-06-09T23:35:00.001-07:00

I took Skin to the Coral Sea Resort on Sunday afternoon to hear a soul filling band play jazz. They are called the John Garland trio.

( I think John might have a sister called Judy!)

As we are both on a health kick, we walked to the resort through the little township of Airlie Beach and up an enormous hill.

We certainly deserved to sit in these comfy cane chairs when we arrived.

I looked out to sea and pretended that I was SHIRLEY VALENTINE!

Then I introduced Skin to the members of the band, John, John, Reg and Jennifer.

Skin was very confused to meet four people in the band when TRIO means THREE! He was also confused that two of the men had the same name.

( I told him that we can't be good at everything and that the music played by this trio certainly made up for the fact that they couldn't count.)

Skin agreed and immediately decided that he would become a musician too.

( PROBABLY TO COMPENSATE FOR HIS 'RUNNING AWAY PROBLEM!)

First he had a go on the drums....

Then the bass guitar.....

Then he tried the keyboard......

Then he decided he would be a conductor and tried to read the music......

I was beginning to feel so proud of Skin as I watched him develop his musical skills, WHEN.......

OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE.....WHO SHOULD I SPY BUT.....

LYN AND FLYNN CARROT!!!!!!

They were watching the band, AND SKIN from afar.

The next thing I saw was Skin strolling over to say hello.

He asked me to take a photo of them all relaxing on a COSY cane chair.

I turned away ,just for a second, to put my camera in my bag and when I looked up, this is what I saw.....

Skin and the girls were heading off along the jetty in a trolley.

Just then I heard some soft music coming from behind....

I turned around to see......

A line of chairs waiting for a BRIDE AND GROOM.

COULD THIS BE AN OMEN?

IT'S FUN TO BEAD

2008-06-09T23:31:00.001-07:00

Skin wanted to go skateboarding today, so I walked into Airlie Beach and Skin skated behind.

He only lasted a few minutes on his skateboard and complained that the road was too long, so I had to carry him in my back pack.

As I sauntered along the street I saw a sign that said,'Fun To Bead'.

I thought this might be a better way to spend the afternoon than sailing around the Whitsunday Islands or snorkelling off Hook Island or flying by helicopter over the sea.

I heard that two people had disappeared from a snorkelling trip in this area only a few years ago.

No one knows what happened to these tourists, except that the boat left without them and that their life jackets were found washed up on a beach days after their disappearance.

( After Skin's MANY disappearances over the last FEW MONTHS, I thought it would be a good idea to make some necklaces and earrings instead of tempting another disaster.)

The shop was like a smorgasbord of lollies! Thousands of colourful beads sat in little containers just waiting to be chosen to be threaded.

People were sitting at tables making beautiful necklaces, anklets and earrings.

I couldn't wait to choose some beads, because I had a very special person in mind for a 'fashion statement!'.

I was just getting engrossed in my work when I looked up and saw Skin skateboarding towards me amongst the beads!

OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Just before he tipped them all onto the floor he was caught by a georgeous girl from England who had never seen a skating banana before. She was travelling with her friends and trying to spend a quiet afternoon beading.

I apologized on Skin's behalf, for the interrupting of her work, but she didn't seem too upset and even posed for a photo with her friends and the the disruptive banana.

We wish all the girls a safe and happy trip wherever the wind may blow them.

I walked back to the caravan park, with some special treasures in my back pack. I wore my fluorescent parker and hood so that the cars would see me and so that the tropical rain would not dampen my happy spirit!

A SHOCK AT SIDEWALK CANTINA

2008-06-09T23:27:00.001-07:00

Today we had lunch with Ray and Jan at a charming little cafe called, 'Sidewalk Cantina' in Airlie Beach.

Skin was looking at the menu when all of a sudden he looked up and his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

Two parrots were helping themselves to someone's food at the table

nearby.

Skin went over and sat down and gave them a little talk on manners, honesty and theft.

I THINK HE IS TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF AND BECOMING QUITE A MATURE BANANA!

I was so pleased with him that I took him for a skateboard along the sidewalk past the Marina where all the exclusive boats are docked.

One particular diver was not impressed with a banana taking over his territory and scooped Skin up in his hand.

Skin was terrified and promised never again to skate within view of the water, Marina or divers.

We walked along the boardwalk all the way to Cannonvale, then caught the bus back to the caravan park.

We met some adventurous travellers on the bus who took an instant liking to Skin.

When we returned to the rig, Skin was in such high spirits that he did a Mexican Hat dance around the van.

He certainly is becoming a 'Banana Bender!"

TO CASSIDY...... DEJA VU....ISLAND GATEWAY

2008-06-09T01:39:00.001-07:00

In 1997, I stayed in The Island Gateway Caravan Park with Cassidy, on my first Queensland Poetry Tour.

Here I am, back again, ELEVEN YEARS LATER with a banana!

I was showing Skin around the park and telling him about the great time we had when we were here together.

He suggested that I write a little poem for Cass in memory of our past visit.

SO....HERE IT IS.........

THIS IS THE PARK WHERE YOU AND I STAYED.

THIS IS THE CABIN WHERE BOTH OUR HEADS LAID.

THIS IS THE POOL WHERE BOTH OF US PLAYED.

THESE ARE THE TREES THAT GAVE US BOTH SHADE.

THESE ARE THE PARROTS WITH A LOUD ACCOLADE.

THIS IS THE MARKET SPOT WHERE WE SOLD THINGS WE MADE.

THIS IS THE OFFICE WHERE I HOPE THAT I PAID!

HAPPY MEMORIES CASS....DEJA VU......LOVE MUM XOXOXOXOXO

FLOATING BOATS AT AIRLIE BEACH

2008-06-07T01:34:00.001-07:00

Today we arrived at Airlie Beach on a warm, humid day with the sun reflecting on the water making it glisten.

We met up with our friends, Jan and Ray and set off to enjoy the Boat Show at the marina at Abel Point.

The boats were fascinating!

Skin went on board a sleek vessel and started to talk to the captain.

The boat was rockin' and rollin' like some of the old cassettes I've been playing in the rig.

Skin started to look a little green, a bit like an like an unripe banana.

He hung over the side of the boat.......

Looking very unwell!

suddenly...........

HE FELL OVERBOARD, STRAIGHT INTO THE JAWS OF A SALT WATER.........

CROCODILE..........

You can see my fingers trying to grab him but I was not quick enough!

I leant over and gave the croc a little tap on the nose and pleaded with him to let my friend go.

He instantly spat him out into the sea.

( Fortunately for Skin,I don't think crocodiles like bananas.)

Skin sank down into the depths below.......

A school of fish came to have a look at this tiny, little sinking banana.

Just before one of them decided to take a bite,

two navy cadets threw him a lifeline and pulled him up to safety.

PHEWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After two near death experiences at the Boat Show, I thought it was time to go back to the caravan park.

To celebrate the SURVIVAL OF SKIN AGAIN! ( TWICE!), we called in at the Village Cafe in Airlie Beach and had a snack.

Thank you Jo, Rowena and Nicole for the best Rissotto I have ever tasted. We hope you remember us when you return to 'cold 'England!

We are staying in Airlie Beach for a week.......

What will happen tomorrow?

BUSY IN BOWEN

2008-06-05T00:07:00.001-07:00

We have been having a busy time this week in Bowen visiting schools and writing poetry with the children every day.

Here is Skin with some children from Bowen State School.

He is wearing his new star pants and French cap. He wanted to change his image for the week and thought a 'French Look' would be a different style to explore.

( I haven't told him yet that his outfit is actually a pair of Barbie doll pants and hat!)

He thinks I had a special mail delivery from France!

Here he is relaxing in a palm frond..........

While I work very hard with the children at Queen's Beach State School.

Maxine, our wonderful host, took us on a tour of Bowen after school and showed us the site where the movie, 'Australia ' was made. It was directed by Baz Luhmann, with Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman as two of the stars. Many of the children in Bowen were cast as extras in the movie and were put on the payroll with everyone else involved in the film. Some of the boys didn't like the fact they had to have their hair cut in the style of the period when the story took place.

It was an amazing experience for the whole town to see a film in the making over many weeks. Huge amounts of dirt were trucked in to cover the bitumen roads and an entire hotel was constructed for one of the scenes. They also ran herds of cattle down the main street, day after day until the director was happy with the result.

A picture of some of the local volunteers who helped out on the set.

This theatre was created from the existing police station

to resemble the original Pearl Theatre in Darwin.

This is an aerial view of the movie set beside the harbour in Bowen.

We would both like to thank Maxine for a wonderful week in the town of Bowen. She was our, 'HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS!'

Next week we are off to Airlie Beach for more adventures in

THE SUNNY STATE OF QUEENSLAND

WHERE THE BANANA BENDERS ABIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE BIG MANGO

2008-05-31T22:43:00.001-07:00

Today we left the wallabies and Skin's new friend, Bridget the Eastern Gray Kangaroo at Cape Hillsborough and set off again along the endless road towards Bowen. We travelled through sugar cane country and stopped to stare in wonder at a low floating cloud making it's way across a mountain.

As we approached Bowen, we spied an enormous,orange ball in the distance and realized that it was........

a A GIANT MANGO..................

Skin tried to read the inscription on the plaque.

But his new sun hat got in the way!

The lady at the Information Bureau told us that Bowen is actually more involved in the growing of tomatoes than mangoes. Maybe it was two difficult to design a BIG TOMATO or maybe they didn't have enough red paint!

I took a photo of the van beside the mango so you can see that it would take more children than everyone in grade 3/4 at Kongwak Primary School, and their teacher to eat IT ALL UP.

As we rolled into Bowen, I saw HUGE white letters spread across the side of a mountain.

I thought for one moment we had driven all the way to Hollywood!

I thought we both needed a walk, so drove down to the wharf and set off along the l-o-n-g, old, wooden jetty.

Skin ran on ahead and immediately fell down one of the wide cracks in the wood.

WHAT A FOOLISH BANANA!

We hope to have many more adventures here in Bowen during the next week.

KEEP WATCHING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!!!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WAYNE

2008-05-29T18:40:00.001-07:00

TODAY 30TH MAY IS WAYNE'S BIRTHDAY!

WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU A WONDERFUL DAY WAYNE, HERE, FAR AWAY, FROM WARM, SUNNY, CAPE HILLSBOROUGH.

Skin has written you a little poem that he thinks might add an extra ray of sunshine into your Very Special Day.

TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY, YOUNG WAYNE,

EVEN THOUGH IT IS COLD AND MIGHT RAIN.

JUST AIM TO HAVE FUN,

( YOU ARE JUST 21!)

AND CELEBEBRATE,'IN THE FAST LANE!

HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

LOVE FROM JO AND SKIN XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

SKIN'S NEW FRIEND

2008-05-28T18:28:00.001-07:00

Today we woke up to the sound of birds calling, scrub turkeys scratching, kangaroos lolloping and the waves washing onto the beach.

Yes, we were still at Cape Hillsborough.

After breakfast we set off at low tide to walk onto Wedge Island. If the tide is not low you can't cross from the mainland. If you don't return at low tide, then you are marooned on the island until the next turn of tide.

This is what the crossing looks like.....

We staggered across amongst all those rocks and found ourselves on a mangrove beach.

Look at all the new mangrove shoots spearing upwards through the sand.

This is how they grow.......

This is the view looking over to Orchid rock....

This is the view looking back to our glorious beach........

We made sure that we left the mangroves before the waves covered the crossing and returned for a walk along the beach.

I lay down on the sand and closed my eyes for a few minutes and when I woke up this is what I saw.......

WHERE WAS THE OWNER OF THESE THONGS?

I looked everywhere.......around the rocks, in the caves and I even glanced out to sea. Surely Skin would not have ventured into the water, knowing that the STINGERS might still be floating about.

THEN, I FOUND HIM......

He was having a little doze in a rock pool.

I helped him out, then off he ran, straight into a swirling sea spa pool.

As we walked back to the park we found an unusual clump of something ominous on the sand..........

WAS IT A POO?

Before we could find out the answer, we realized it was time for lunch.

We had lunch with a group of women who called themselves,

'The Older Women's Network'

There were over fifty women and the bus driver all cutting into their plates of fish and chips with great gusto. Some of them did look quite old.

Then off we hobbled to the laundry to do some washing, and it was here that Skin met a new friend.

This kangaroo took an instant liking to Skin. I don't think she had ever had a banana as a friend before.

I'm sure that Chris and all the children in grade 3/4 Kongwak Primary School will be happy to see that Skin has made such a good choice in a friend this time.

( I am secretly happy that those carrots he met in Mooloolaba seemed to have disappeared from his thoughts!)

MESSAGE TO ALL QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS

2008-05-27T19:49:00.001-07:00

A short break in our travels today to notify all GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY,

THAT......TO contact me by email you need to use a PERSONAL,

NON-EDUCATIONAL ACCOUNT.

The Queensland government has blocked my yahoo account on your school system. If you try to send one to me via school acc, you will also not receive a failure notice. The problem is that I will not receive it.

email: jo_hinchliffe_1999@yahoo.com

SCROLL DOWN AND SEE OUR LATEST ADVENTURES.........

WE ARE LOVING CAPE HILLSBOROUGH!!!!!!!!

DAY 3 CAPE HILLSBOROUGH

2008-05-26T18:24:00.001-07:00

We sauntered off to the Internet cafe this morning to go online.

SKIN PROMISED HE WOULD BE ON HIS BEST BEHAVIOUR!

On the way I spoke to a friendly kangaroo.

We arrived at the cafe before anyone else.

Skin sat beside me at the cafe with his hand in a bowl of interesting sea shells.

Because he had been so patient and was working hard on his cooperative skills, when my work was finished, I said he could go climbing again.

I didn't actually mean climbing up a Hills Hoist.....

Or an old cement mixer.........

So........

We spent a quiet afternoon reading by the glistening pool.

Skin even had a banana lounge all to HIMSELF!!!!!!!

While we were reading a strange creature came out of the pool....

Skin thought it must have been.......

the Cape Hillsborough ...........GIANT SEA SLUG!

CAPE HILLSBOROUGH

2008-05-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

Today, Sunday 25th May seemed like a good day to attempt a walk (for only fit people) to Andrews Point. It would be a five and a half kilometre trek involving a steep ascent up a mountain and back along a beach, at low tide.

Skin decided to hitch a ride in his backpack on my backpack because he woke up feeling a little unwell and definitely not fit.

I was taking some photos of the beautiful butterflies fluttering on a clump of colourful plants......

WHEN.............

ONE LANDED RIGHT ON SKIN'S HEAD!

We set off up the mountain that had steps that looked as though they would take us straight up to Heaven.

UP AND UP AND UP ....

We finally reached the summit and the view was spectacular.

This is the beach below. Can you spot the boat and trailer?

The mountain changed from damp, musty smelling rainforest and vine forest to an open eucalypt forest with a grassy understorey.

We reached the beach without seeing any snakes. I had been secretly fearing I would come across one, but didn't tell Skin in case he panicked!

As we strolled, and in Skin's case 'rode', along the edge of the water, we discovered that tiny sand bubbler crabs had left intricate patterns all over the sand.

Can you see a picture in this pattern?

Skin decided to try and write his name again as he has been practicing his spelling over the past few weeks.

WELL DONE SKIN!

Another adventure in a quiet, unobtrusive corner of Australia where luckily banana's are made to feel welcome as guests!

GOODBYE MACKAY

2008-05-24T21:33:00.001-07:00

FINALLY WE HAVE LEFT MACKAY!

Today, Saturday 24th May, after another two hours at THE TELSTRA SHOP I have finally got my new USB card up and running.

We left Mackay in a flood of rain, the first real downpour since we left home eight weeks ago. Skin threw a tantrum when I put on his raincoat and hat and threw himself on the ground in the mud.

Eventually he became a trifle tired of getting soaked and decided to climb into his car seat and wait for the van to start.

And start we did! Happily we both sang all the way to another Paradise.

As we approached Cape Hillsborough, a beautiful National Park on the coast, an hour north east of Mackay, we gasped at the magic of a mountain in front of us with wisps of cloud floating around the summit, like cotton balls stretched into strands.

Cape Hillsborough is a place to stay for more than a day. I am so pleased we are both going to be here for a week.

Just look at the beach..........

We went for a walk along the sand and found some very interesting rocks. One of them was looking out to sea in deep thought.

It was actually the face of Captain Cook who named Cape Hillsborough.

Skin wanted to dip his feet in a rock pool.

He told a little boy Michael that his feet were getting cold and that he needed some exercise to get the circulation going in his legs.

SO........

It was time for a rock climb.

He put on his little safety helmet in case of falling rocks and grabbed the little pick Sam had given him in Rosewood. He started to climb a very steep rock, making sure his feet dug into the crevices correctly.

THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN....OOOPS.....

Luckily Skin found a rock to hang onto, and made his way carefully DOWN, DOWN, onto the safety of the sand.

Enough excitement for one day!

We both relaxed in the thriving bush setting, alive with butterflies, lizards, kangaroos, a diversity of birds and poisonous snakes, not to mention the myriad of crawling, nipping and stinging insects.

It was time to celebrate our arrival with a special bottle of......

APPLE JUICE!

CHEERIO FROM SKINS

2008-05-22T22:14:00.001-07:00

While waiting at Andergrove Van Park this week for my Internet to be functional again, I met the delightful Anderson family. David and Kerry and their daughter Linda and grandchildren Jasmin, Joshua, Marcus and Tyler. They all wanted to hold Skin, so it looks like they are!!!!!!!!!

I AM BEGIINING TO THINK THAT I WILL NEVER LEAVE ANDERGROVE PARK AND MACKAY....IT IS 3 O'CLOCK ON FRIDAY 23RD MAY AND I AM BACK AT THE INTERNET CAFE. ..............................

MY USB CARD HAS BEEN LOST IN TRANSIT.......I AM GOING BACK TO THE PARK FOR THE WEEKEND......MAYBE IT WILL ARRIVE ON MONDAY??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

......MAYBE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH ALL THOSE BIRDSSSSSSSSSS................

THE ANDERGROVE BIRDS

2008-05-22T18:40:00.001-07:00

We are staying at the Andergrove Van Park a few kilometres out of the main town of Mackay.

We are STILL waiting for...

THE MOBILE BROADBAND CARD......where is it??????????

This morning we went into town to find an auto electrician as the fan and air conditioner in the rig fizzed out yesterday.

We found a clever auto electrician John, who fixed the problem with the blink of an eye and quite a bit of knowledge.

Then we went back to Andergrove to relax.

I was sitting in the sun by the pool when I heard a little banana voice say......

"The birds are coming!"...........

Skin was also sitting in the sun and a few little parrots were picking up bits and pieces of grubs and worms on the grass.

" Don't worry Skin", I called out. " They won't hurt you".

" But the birds are REALLY coming", ECHOED a tiny voice again.

I didn't reply because I was engrossed in my book.

Apparently Skin kept shouting out about the birds, but they were making so much noise that I didn't hear him.

A.J from the park came out and started to feed the screeching parrots and dawdling ducks.

He sat down with a piece of bread in his mouth with one parrot on his shoulder,

and two on his head.

his shoulder.

He became so cross with Skin shouting out, that he put him in the feed bin.

Did I come to his rescue before he was pecked to bits?

You will have to wait until tomorrow to find out....

THE CUTTING EDGE

2008-05-22T18:37:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday 21st May, we went to a marvellous hairdresser called, 'The Cutting Edge' in Mackay as I was still waiting for my broadband card to arrive and thought I would make an effort to look fantastic.

Skin came too and decided to try on a wig.

He looked a bit like an older version of our very own Prime Minister who had let himself go.

He was upset when I told him this fact and jumped in and out of the hair products for the entire two hours I was in the salon.

He even contemplated buying FRIZZ to make his wig a little less........................... 'WILD!'

I had a lovely time with Dawn, Rosie and Sue and was so thrilled with the effect Dawn created that I am thinking of making her my new hairdresser!

( DON'T PANIC MICHAEL, SHE LIVES THOUSANDS OF KILOMETRES AWAY IN MACKAY.....BUT I DO LOVE HER WORK!!!!! )

Well, that was the good part of the day....the not so good part was that even though my Broadband card arrived, it still didn't work. The slit where it is inserted is malfunctioning, (or in layman's terms, BROKEN! )

SO............

Now, my new friends Sam and Nina from the Internet cafe have ordered me a USB card to put into another part of my laptop.

AND............

To cut a long story short...I should be back to emailing on Friday 23rd, when we hope to roll the rig onwards to Cape Hillsborough.

GREETINGS FROM THE INTERNET CAFE MACKAY

2008-05-19T21:14:00.001-07:00

I have been without my laptop email facility now for almost a week. Skin has decided to visit his relatives who live on a banana plantation just south of Mackay. He is bored waiting for me each day at the internet cafe.

He is having fun with his aunts Alana banana and Montana banana and his cousins, Sultana and Fantana.

We don't know how long it will take before we can send you the next stories of our adventures, and quite frankly, the internet cafe is not much of an adventure.

I think I have published the last three stories in the wrong order...I am not the GREATEST BILL GATES SORT OF MICROCHICK!

Anyway, look at the latest three...they happened in the following order:

1. SKIN DISAPPEARS

2.SKIN RETURNS FOR MY BIRTHDAY

3.HOWDY FOLKS FROM ROCKHAMPTON

ENJOY ....UNTIL WE MOVE ALONG THE ENDLESS HIGHWAY FOR MORE ADVENTURES!

BYE FOR NOW......Jo and Skin

HOWDY FOLKS FROM ROCKHAMPTON

2008-05-19T21:03:00.001-07:00

Today we left glorious Elliot beach and made our way to cowboy country...the town of Rockhampton.

The endless road looked like this......

AND THIS.....

It is the country of the Brahman, the Braford, the Droughtmaster, the Santa Gertrudis, and the Romangola. These are all......

MASSIVE BULLS!!!!!!!!!

But they all seemed to be hiding, we couldn't see any of them.

As we rolled along the highway, long grasses swept past us.

On and on we rolled along, yet another endless highway.

At Miriam Vale we stopped to put some petrol in the tank and met

NONE OTHER THAN....

THE GLADSTONE HARLEY OWNERS GROUP!

or.... HOG ....as they like to call themselves.

Skin instantly wanted to ride one of their bikes.

He was so taken with the idea of motorbike riding that he wanted to RIDE WITH THE GROUP!

David, Peter, Sandra and Leonnie ( WHO REFUSED TO HAVE HER PHOTO TAKEN!)

ALL SAID, " YOU CAN RIDE WITH US SKIN, WE WILL SHOW YOU A GOOD TIME!"

Skin jumped into David's soft leather jacket and tried to hide from me.

I had to kindly remove him and put him QUICKLY back in his car seat, explaining that he would have to buy the correct gear before he could safely travel with the Harley Group and be a bit older as he was tooo ...young to be a GROUPIE!

On we rolled with only one sign appearing again and again, informing us that the ambulance was now 50 kilometres, then 20 kilometres then finally only 3 kilometres away.

(Skin thought they had put the sign there for him. )

(I think they should have put up a search party alert sign!)

Finally we reached Rockhampton and

Skin rode his first Braford bull EVER. ( ON HIS EAR!)

REMEMBER, HE HAD RIDDEN JAMBIRU THE DROUGHTMASTER BULL AT ROSEWOOD AT THE FARM OF THE FABULOUS BOWMAN'S!

Skin was now feeling so confident with beef cattle that he was considering riding one of them at the local rodeo.

He climbed up on the bull arena fence and waited for two hours, but no bulls came out.

Then, all of a sudden, he was surprised out of his skin by.....

AN ENORMOUS BRAHMAN BULL!

HE SCREAMED AT THE TOP OF HIS BANANA LUNGS AND RAN FOR HIS LIFE!

I said that I thought we should quit while we were ahead....

( OR TWO HEADS! )

So we nosied off to the GREAT WESTERN HOTEL and had a cold cordial with the locals.

When we arrived at the caravan park, Skin was convinced that he saw a real cowboy.....

BUT I WAS NOT TOO SURE!

SKIN RETURNS FOR MY BIRTHDAY

2008-05-19T20:58:00.001-07:00

I woke up on my birthday feeling happy that I had survived another year, but sad that my little yellow friend was still missing.

I drove into Bundaberg with a heavy heart and started to walk along the main street.

As I glanced towards the coloured Marigold flowers in the park, I suddenly heard a little voice singing,' HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!'

I knew that voice.......it was SKIN!

'WHERE ARE YOU?' I screamed at the top of my voice. Everyone walking along the street stopped and looked at me as I ran frantically round and round the Marigold flowers. ' COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE....PLEEEEEEASE!!!!!!!!'

BUT SKIN KEPT HIDING.......

Can you see him?

Luckily I did before anyone called the Bundaberg police again.

I ran over and picked him up and gave him a huge hug and then a little lecture on the dangers of running away. He said he would tell me what happened over a hot coffee.

We found a FUNKY FOOD cafe to celebrate my birthday and Skin's return.

I ordered a rich cheesecake for myself and a cake with yellow icing for Skin

I even put on a party hat because I was so pleased to be 56 and so pleased to have my banana back with me.

Stephanie from FUNKY FOODS made an excellent coffee for us to share and also arranged our cakes with great artistic flair on the black plate.

We then made our way to the Bundaberg tourist information centre where Michael told us about the special things we could see in the area. He placed Skin on a map so he wouldn't get lost again.

He said that the area was famous for Bundy Rum!

AND.... PIE FLOATERS WITH PEAS!

AND ....A ginger factory.

None of these foods appealed to either of us, especially grouped all together.

SO.......

Off we continued to Elliot Heads.

What a glorious place to celebrate the rest of my birthday.

YES....EVERYONE is friendly at Elliot Heads.

We headed straight for the beautiful beach for a swim.....

AND....A read..........

Then, as the sun set to close the day, we sat at a picnic table looking over the sea and toasted a HAPPY, HAPPY DAY FOR BOTH OF US!

OR I SHOULD SAY THE FIVE OF US!

FOUR SKINS AND ME!

SKIN DISAPPEARS

2008-05-19T20:54:00.001-07:00

On the way to Bundaberg, we passed acres and acres of sugar cane plantations.

Skin wanted to have a closer look so I helped him out of his car seat

and he ran onto the dense grasses.

By the time I had turned around to say, " TIME TO GO", he had disappeared.

I CALLED AND CALLED ........but there was no reply and no banana to be seen.

I waited until nightfall and then called the Bundaberg police. They organized a search party who immediately started to make their way through the cane stalks, beating the long grasses with huge sticks, calling out, 'SKIN! SKIN! SKIN!

AND.......THEY HAVE BEEN SEARCHING EVER SINCE......

There is not much else I can say or do at this stage, apart from hope and pray they find my dear little friend safe and well.

CHEERIO TIME FROM SKIN AT RAINBOW BEACH

2008-05-12T23:34:00.001-07:00

A HUGE CHEERIO TO GRADE 3/4 KONGWAK PRIMARY SCHOOL...

THANK YOU JACINTA AND EMMA FOR JO'S BIRTHDAY GREETINGS,

( She actually bought herself an early birthday present, her birthday is in two days time on May 16th)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS......FOR 'SOMETIME IN MAY TOO!'

* A HUGE CHEERIO TO MIKE ON A BIKE! GLAD YOU LIKE THE SHIRT...HOPE IT DOESN'T SHRINK IN THE WASH! (

(I will borrow it when I return in August)

*ANOTHER HUGE CHEERIO TO BENJAMIN, SHELLI AND SEBBY....GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD LAUGH AT R.V.....THIS IS VERY US!!!!!!!

* A GIANT CHEERIO TO HELEN, CARLA, TERRI AND BERIS AT MERRIMAC....AND MARGARET ( if you are watching!)

I MIGHT JUST MENTION THAT JO IS GIVING ME THE EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE...I AM THE MOST GRATEFUL BANANA ON THE COAST...SOON TO TRAVEL INLAND TO....NONE OTHER THAN...

MIDDLEMOUNT.........

THE QUESTION ON BOTH OUR LIPS IS.......

WILL WE GET RECEPTION ????????????????????????

Rainbow Beach

2008-05-12T23:18:00.001-07:00

Last night we arrived just on dark at Rainbow Beach, near Tin Can Bay.

This morning was overcast and grey and we decided to walk along the beach to see the coloured sands.

We heard about the aboriginal legend of these coloured sands.

A beautiful, black maiden named Murrawar fell in love with the Rainbow who visited her every evening. Burwilla, a bad man from a distant tribe,stole Murrawar for his slave wife.One day Murrawar ran away along the beach and Burwilla followed her with his terrible killing Boomerang. She called for help and her faithful Rainbow raced across the sea to her. The wicked Boomerang attacked the brave Rainbow and they met with a roar like thunder. The Boomerang was killed instantly while the Rainbow was shattered into tiny pieces and lay on the beach to die. It is still there, it's colours forming the hills along the beach. Aboriginal women of many tribes made long treks to obtain and carry or to place in their hair these sands in the belief that the brave Rainbow was their protection or good luck charm always.

We set off along the golden beach with a feeling of excitement and thrill of a new day.

Skin wore his new coat to keep out the fresh wind.

As we were walking......

He suddenly got a terrible fright when a dark shadow loomed over him and he tripped over a rock on the sand.

He thought it was the bad man Burwilla from the story!

BUT...........

It was only me taking the photo, (foolish banana!)

The sands were a subtle mix of soft ochres.....orange, browns, greys and milky white,

Skin threw a tantrum and dug his head in the sand when I wouldn't let him climb to the top.

He rebelled by writing his name in the sand, but obviously spelling is not one of his strong qualities.

I gave him the correct spelling so that he would be able to sign important documents in the future.

(That is, if he was to have a future.)

We started to climb some unusual looking rocks, but Skin had the wrong boots on for rock climbing and had also forgotten to bring the pick Sam and Jake had given him as a present in Rosewood.

So we wandered back along the beach, watching the sand flow endlessly onto more sand which made for a very sandy picture.

We came across some black, volcanic rocks and Skin climbed up one for a photo.

CAN YOU SEE HIM?

As usual, he slipped and fell......right down a deep crevice in the rock.

I ( as usual) saved him and we both made our way back to the caravan park to have a glass of cold cordial and a lie down.

I gave Skin a tiny glass medallion to go around his neck, filled with coloured sands.

I hope this will keep him safe and serve as a good

luck charm for future adventures.

He was very happy with his gift and very glad to be horizontal!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

2008-05-10T18:43:00.001-07:00

Today I set off with Skin early in the morning to find the best cup of coffee possible to celebrate Mothers Day.

We wandered past exclusive homes in Noosa River and Skin became quite excited and wanted to purchase one.

I told him that we needed to save our money for the coffee so he reluctantly gave up enquiring about the Real Estate market.

He soon cheered up when he met another one of his heroes, immortalized in fibreglass forever. It was non other than...ELVIS!!!!!!

What a treat for a banana....to be held by THE KING HIMSELF!

ALL SKIN COULD SAY WAS............

We had to find an ATM before we could have our coffee. Skin was fascinated to see how you can walk up to a machine and put in a card and have money drop out within seconds.

He started to mention the Property Market again, so I moved him quickly onwards.

Then, we found a floating boathouse. This MUST be the place for an excellent coffee.

Skin sat down on a chair on the deck and looked out over the river.

The waitress brought us our coffees AND.......

THEY WERE THE WORST COFFEES WE HAD EVER, EVER HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO DRINK!

Skin had one mouthful and was sick over the side of the boat.

Our mouths felt like the insides of out of date milk cartons as we trudged back along the river to the caravan park. We should have been suspicious when we saw that there was nobody else on the floating Boathouse drinking coffee, (especially as it was Mothers Day!)

Skin cheered up a little when he spied a bright yellow hire boat.

It is, as you all know, his favourite colour.

But we both felt too sick to even contemplate going out on the water.

When we arrived back at the park we saw a lonely looking woman sitting on her own with some cheery balloons on a table. She had been sitting there for several hours.

Maybe her family had forgotten to come.

So, it is always important to remember,

in the words of my grandmother,

'some days are like diamonds and some are like stones'.

EUMUNDI MARKET AND A NEAR DROWNING

2008-05-10T03:03:00.001-07:00

we began the day on a high note by visiting the best market in Australia....Eumundi, near Noosa.

Skin wanted another bag to add to his growing collection, so I bought him one full of worry dolls so he would have some friends to cheer up!

James held him up with his bag for a photo.....

And Skin gave the camera one of his crooked smiles.

I found a wonderful a drink bottle holder made from woven thread created by a weaving process used by a tribe in Thailand.

Peter and his wife and children have brought this process to Eumundi.

Thank you Pete,Ahlima,Ahmee and Ahlimee and Jasper ( TO BE ).

We met Warren in a coffee shop and sampled his aromatic brew.

Then we spied the sort of colours that make my heart beat faster than a rotary motor.

I didn't buy any garments because I had already bought myself an early birthday present ...a rainbow sarong.

We left Eumundi a trifle tired but happy with our purchases and eager to discover our next caravan park.

On the way to Noosaville we washed the van.

Skin helped with the HUGE SOAP BRUSH and wet himself all over!

When we arrived at Noosaville Caravan Park, right on the river, Skin decided to go for a dip.

He was trying hard to improve his breast stroke when he got into trouble and started sinking!

An expert fisherwoman, Kitty, immediately came to the rescue....

and threw in her line and hooked him instantly!

Skin felt himself being hoisted upwards

And......when he had recovered his breath, he decided to have a go at fishing himself.

Unfortunately the fish were frightened away by a boy and a dog on a long board.

And Skin began to feel very cold.

I wrapped him in a towel and took him back to the rig. He was so glad to be alive after his near drowning that he hung from the Ezylift bar waving his little thong in his hand and singing at the top of his little banana voice....

What would tomorrow bring for this adventurous banana?

Would he meet his new friends Ray and Jan again?

I sincerely hope he does, because luckily they are not vegetables like the carrots he met at Mooloolaba!

CHEERIO FROM BILL

2008-05-09T05:17:00.001-07:00

Bill the BIG BOSS OF MOOLOOLABA CARAVAN PARK

would like to send a hearty cheerio to DON AND PEG and would like to thank them for recommending his park to such an intriguing banana.

Bill loves the Lunasea van and has given it the lucky number 29 as it's 'berth' number.

MOOLOOLABA

2008-05-09T05:05:00.001-07:00

Skin has been confined to his seat in the rig for 24 hours after disappearing for a WHOLE DAY!

We arrived at the beautiful Mooloolaba Beach Caravan Park yesterday and Skin decided to chase the bush turkeys into the scrub and down onto the beach.

I searched for him high and low, in the water and out of the water.

( It's quite difficult swimming under water looking for a small banana.)

Anyway, to cut a long story short,I eventually found him on the Mooloolaba Lifesavers beach buggy with.........

TWO NEW FRIENDS, Lyn and Flyn who were both VEGETABLES.

Lyn Carrot seemed to like Skin quite a lot.

I was so angry with Skin for running away that I ignored the vegetables and gave him a short lecture on inappropriate behaviour and lack of consideration for others.

Then I took Skin and his vegetable friends Lyn and Flyn into the Lifesaving club for a quick cordial drink, as they all looked very dehydrated and slightly depressed.

This is the view from the inside of the club.

Then Skin said goodbye to his friends and I took him back to the rig where he is now sitting, having a little time out to rethink his movements over the past day.

How long will Skin sit and ponder?

Will he learn from his lack of consideration for others?

A SPECIAL CHEERIO FROM SKIN AT REECE CALOUNDRA

2008-05-06T00:37:00.001-07:00

Skin would like to send a special cheerio to ...CASSIDY BOURNE

from.....THE REECE SHOWROOM AT CALOUNDRA!!!!!!!

HELLO ALSO TO....

HELEN, CARLA AND TERRI AT 'MARVELLOUS MERRIMAC'....

AND.......

LOVELY LYNDA AT ' EXOTIC EAGLEBY'....

AND........

GEORGE AND WAYNE AT 'MAGICAL MANSFIELD'

AND.......

ALL THE GORGEOUS GRANDCHILDREN OF NANNA PEG....

BENJAMIN, LACHLAN, TYLER AND BRAND NEW RILEY

AND.......

EVERYONE WHO IS WATCHING THIS WEBLOG WHO HAS NOT LEFT A COMMENT!

A BANANA AT VERSACES

2008-05-06T00:20:00.001-07:00

On Saturday night we had a birthday bash night for Lynda, Jenny and myself.

Skin promised me he would behave himself and became the first banana on record to have a drink at the exclusive resort, Versaces.

He had a second drink at our dinner venue, and spent the entire time looking for his sunken straw.

A WONDERFUL EVENING was had by all.....

Especially Skin, who had never seen me dance and laugh loudly in public before!

We would soon be leaving our friends and the Gold Coast to roll onwards down the endless highway.

What would Skin encounter next?

CARRARA MARKET

2008-05-02T23:21:00.001-07:00

What a frightening time Skin had at Carrara Market today, back on the Gold Coast.

He met two lovely girls, Emma and Lana who escorted him to the market and introduced him to Ketut,the bongo player.

Skin tried to have a bang but his arms were too short and skinny to make any noise other than a slight scratching sound.

THEN...they introduced him to a.....

WIDE MOUTHED CROCODILE who took a large SNAP at the unfortunate banana.

Poor Skin was so terrified that one of his eyes rolled right back into his head!

He quickly leapt out of the slimy mouth, and fell straight down into the opening chasm of...........

A VERY LARGE WARRIOR!

( I think he must have been a cannibal.)

After these two horrifying experiences,

Skin put on his sunglasses and found comfort in the arms of a giant Buddha......

and felt himself slowly calming down

Then....to ease his shattered nerves (and eye ) even more, he jumped into a large, comfy bag and began swinging back and forth.

A friendly frog called out from below and offered him a ride in her large tricycle.

Skin was just beginning to enjoy the movement of the wheels turning strangely underneath him, when suddenly, he spied, right there in front of him, one of his SUPER HEROES!

(Being a foolish banana, this particular hero really appeals to Skin's sense of the ridiculous.)

He felt truly honoured to have his photograph taken sitting on his mentors' shoulder........

What other disasters would Skin avoid as he travelled the endless highway?

AN ELEPHANT ON THE ROAD.

2008-04-29T00:52:00.001-07:00

Today we set off for Toowoomba and I thought we would listen to a little light music on one of the many tape cassettes I have accumulated in the rig. Unfortunately my cassette player would not work...( I had spent several hours waiting for it to be fixed last week on the Coast ).

NOT HAPPY JO!

Skin was so sick of me trying to put one cassette in after the other that he made a little ear muff set (to ward off the repetitious sound )and sat in his car seat sulking.

As we grumpily rolled along the Highway I saw a sign saying,"LENNONS CIRCUS".

Just as I was about to tell Skin the exciting news, a HUGE elephant appeared on the side of the road.

Maybe it had escaped from the circus.

It was a strange pinkish colour, so maybe someone had painted it so that it would be disguised.

Skin insisted on hanging from it's tail while carrying his new tote bag.

What a great time he had!

Suddenly I saw a sign on the shop behind the elephant and realized that this elephant was called Jumbo and belonged to a fruit market.

We went inside and bought some delicious mangoes and oranges. Skin made friends with some of his distant relations.

We were feeling a little weary so we sat down and had a hot cup of tea and tasted some of Helen's moist banana cake that we had taken from her fridge!

We arrived at Toowoomba in the early afternoon and continued on our way to a tiny place called Oakey. I had to prepare us both for an exciting two days at St Monicas School.

We were back to caravan life again, a little bit like all those entertainers in Lennons Circus.

Skin decided to use his tote bag as a sleeping bag and was asleep

( with his hat and glasses still on ) by 6 o'clock.

Would he dream of Jumbo or Helen's moist banana cake?

MERMAID BEACH

2008-04-27T02:55:00.001-07:00

YES! the tyres held out ...JUST, and we spent the first day back on The Coast having six new tyres fitted on the rig. I told Skin that we would have to make our own fun for the next week and enjoy ourselves without spending ANY MORE MONEY.

Sooooooo................

Today we strolled to Mermaid Beach and Skin spied an adventurous

surfer steering his board skilfully through the waves.

Immediately Skin wanted to have a go, but ended up in exactly the same position as the surfer.

( AND HE WASN'T EVEN IN THE WATER!)

Deciding surfing was not for him, he wandered off along the beach and met two little children Damian and Jessica who buried him up to his neck in the sand.

He was so pleased to find his legs again that he ran off towards the water and hurled himself onto the front of an IRB. ( INFLATABLE RUBBER BOAT).

A courageous lifesaver, Grant from the Mermaid beach Lifesaving Club thought Skin was in distress and gave him the 'KISS OF LIFE".

Skin was obviously in shock and lay catching his breath in the sand for three minutes.

Finally he realized that Grant was only doing his job and they had a laugh about it together.

To top off yet another exciting day on the Coast, Skin sat on top of a tempting sandcastle and then......

remembering his HORRIFIC SUNBURN EXPERIENCE of the previous week, sensibly decided it was time to leave the beach before it happened again!

How would Skin spend a whole week without spending any money on the GOLD COAST?

CHEERIO TIME

2008-04-26T16:27:00.001-07:00

IT'S CHEERIO TIME FROM SKIN!

I would like to say a warm hello to Sam and Jake, Leesa, Justin, Jabiru, Missy and Buster and the two pups. Thank you for the memorable rides!

Hello to Nikki and Stu. Thank you Nikki for my cool 'ON TOUR TSHIRT!" I am so thrilled with it that I can now proudly smile and show my teeth. (I am looking forward to going out in it tomorrow.)

Hello to Cassidy. I am silently cheering for you in the IRB championships. Keep up the GREAT WORK!

Hello to grade3/4 at Kongwak P.S. Thank you for your comments on the blog. Make today, ' BE EXTRA FABULOUS TO OUR TEACHER' day.

Hello to Shelli and Benjamin and Nanna Peg. Lovely to hear from you...keep watching!!!

A SAD DAY

2008-04-26T16:07:00.001-07:00

It was a sad day when we left The Bowmans.

Skin didn't want to leave as he was hoping he would be able to ride their racehorse in The Melbourne Cup this year.

BUT....ALL GOOD THINGS DO COME TO AN END....SOOOOO.......

We hit the road again heading for The Coast.

The rig seemed to be slightly shaky at Redbank Plains.

Skin had fallen asleep and as we rocked and rolled our way along the road, he dreamt that he was riding, not the racehorse in the Melbourne Cup , BUT Jabiru the bull!

We reached a point in time when I felt a phone call to the RACQ

might be a good idea.

It was just as well I made that call, as when LAURIE THE REMARKABLE RACQ MAN saw the tyres, a look of horror appeared on his face. Two of them were totally wrecked and the other four would need to be replaced in a matter of

days!

Skin did his best to help change one of the tyres, but the nuts proved too stiff for him to handle.

What an experience!

We had been saved from disaster and possibly a fate worse than coming down Mt Tambourine Mountain!

BUT...........

WOULD THE TYRES HOLD OUT UNTIL WE REACHED THE COAST?

SKIN RIDES AGAIN

2008-04-24T19:37:00.000-07:00

After a good night's sleep, Skin was ready to 'RIDE AGAIN!'

This time he wanted to try bull riding, as he had heard that we might be going to a rodeo when we reach Rockhampton.

The bull he chose was a HUGE Droughtmaster who had never seen

a banana before.

But Skin put Jabiru's mind at ease by chatting to him softly, (hoping he would be able to muster the courage to climb up onto his ENORMOUS BACK!)

He decided to wear a safety helmet JUST IN CASE HE LANDED ON THE GROUND AGAIN!

The time came for mounting.

Skin swung his tiny leg over the massive mound and sat looking out over the endless paddocks around him.

He felt so relaxed that he closed his eyes and even had a tiny snooze on Jabiru's comfortable hump.

He became so relaxed that he started to slide down Jabiru's rump.

DOWN, DOWN, DOWN HE FELL ONTO THE GROUND.

Thank goodness he was wearing his crash helmet!

Jabiru sniffed at the tiny banana lying in the grass...

Would he find him to be a delicious morsel?

Would this be the end of Skin?

A WELL KNOWN FISH AND CHIP SHOP

2008-04-22T02:42:00.001-07:00

On Sunday afternoon after Skin survived the Poetry Feast in Ipswich

we nosied on out to a fish and chip shop previously owned by a feisty woman called Pauline.

We sat outside and waited for two hours, but it remained closed.

Skin put on his sad face and sulked in a Bird of Paradise plant refusing to go until the shop opened. He waved his flag furiously trying to attract the attention of the owner who may have been hiding in front of the deep flyer.

Finally, as the sun was setting we 'hit the road' to find a caravan park.

All the caravan parks were full, but luckily for us, the Bowman Family Park had a warm, welcoming, especially reserved spot right at the front of their house.

We even had a delicious dinner that was far better than Pauline's Fish and Chips!

Jake, a 'cowboy in training', introduced Skin to Emma the well-adjusted Shetland pony. Skin IMMEDIATELY wanted a ride. He fancied himself as 'HI HO SKIN', THE TROY DAN.............. OF BANANAS!'

So............

He threw his little leg over the saddle and grabbed the reins.

Emma didn't like the thought of a banana on her back and reared up suddenly!

Skin fell forward and found himself in the mane of a 'wild brumby!"

He cleverly manoeuvred himself back into the saddle and then Emma suddenly took off into the scrub!

I was in shock!

'SKIN', I screamed, and instantly climbed into my van and followed him in hot pursuit.

I drove and drove along the endless dirt road enthralled at the thickness of the grass growing down the middle.

Emma the well adjusted Shetland pony finally returned to her friends

Macca and Foxy, forgetting she had a banana on her back. She stopped so quickly,that Skin came a terrible cropper and fell straight onto the hard ground spraining his ankle so badly that he had to wear a cast and sleep with his leg raised in Sam's comfy bed.

He made such a fuss that Sam picked him up and said, 'Suck it in Skin.' 'There's no need to cry, you are safe with the Bowman's!'

That night Skin could not sleep. He slept with one eye open watching out for Emma, the ' WILD BRUMBY!'

I drove for three hours searching in the dark for the getaway horse and my dear little Skin.

But I should have known that Sam ALWAYS comes to the rescue!

IPSWICH POETRY FEAST LAUNCH

2008-04-21T00:49:00.001-07:00

We went to the launch of the Ipswich Poetry Feast last Sunday and I met the City of Ipswich Mayor .....AND....

SOME VERY FRIENDLY COUNCILLORS!

Meanwhile,Skin busied himself reading in the library and meeting some friends of his own, Sean and Kerry Kearns.

At one stage of the Brunch, when the fruit platter was empty, a company director, Ashleigh Mac grabbed Skin and was just about to take a huge bite ...WHEN.......

Skin slipped through his large fingers and ran and sat camouflaged beside a book.

Another day in the world's most LIVEABLE city!!!!!!!!

GEORGES PARAGON / GOLD COAST

2008-04-18T17:57:00.001-07:00

Last night we dined at a marvelous restaurant called Georges Paragon at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast.

Skin wore his new GOLD vest, his Aussi Ecubra hat and khaki pants.

The waiter Brett brought him a glass of red cordial with a long, black straw. Skin couldn't believe his banana eyes! He set about sucking the red liquid into his mouth.

He ordered fish and chips ,but unfortunately his plate came out piled

piled high with vegetables.

Skin refused to eat his meal and also displayed some VERY, VERY, BAD BEHAVIOUR.

He sat and sulked beside a candle for an hour, scowling at everyone who passed by.

When he took off his shorts and top and sat in his boxer shorts with a 'bad attitude' look on his face I had to give him a reminder badge to wear until he decided to snap out of his bad mood.

As he sat pondering a serene painting of a flying pelican, he slowly relaxed and realized that not only is it important to eat your vegetables, but it is just as important to voice your opinion calmly and look for a solution without screaming and banging your candle

with your fork.

BUT............ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL.............

Skin ended the night just as he had begun.....a happy, well-balanced banana, open to new adventures of all shapes and sizes.

Skin suffers

2008-04-17T20:53:00.001-07:00

Skin has been lying in bed in Merrimac for 2 days now with a TERRIBLE CASE OF SUNBURN.

YES! He is definitely suffering the consequences of not using sunscreen AND refusing to SLIP,SLOP, SLAP!

He lay out in the sun on the Burleigh Heads beach for FIVE HOURS burning badly under his BLING.

He is so sore that he has to keep his arms and legs up in the air so they don't touch anything. What a foolish banana!

He is so miserable that he just wants to be alone until the pain goes away.

I wonder how long it will take before he feels well enough to explore the delights of the GOLD COAST restaurants?

Hopefully he will be back to his usual banana skin yellow tomorrow and we can both dine out at Georges Paragon in Sanctuary Cove.

BLING ON THE GOLD COAST

2008-04-14T16:53:00.001-07:00

Skin has come to the conclusion that life is definitely a beach.

We are spending our days lying on the golden grains of sand that make the golden beaches of the very gold, Gold Coast.

Yesterday Skin spied some tourists lying casually on their towels at Burleigh Heads surf club and was fascinated with the gold chains and medallions hanging around their necks.

He insisted that we drove into Surfers Paradise after our swim to purchase some 'BLIING' for his neck.

We found an expensive jewellers shop with JUST the jewellery Skin wanted. He had to spend a whole years pocket money to buy his BLING.

Here is a picture of him trying to emulate the tourists by lying on a deck chair under a beach palm with his chains hanging nonchalantly on his banana chest and his arms behind his head.

He is now refusing to carry his sun umbrella, because he is now a 'COOL DUDE'.

I am worried that he will get burnt because he REFUSES to put sunburn cream on his face or body. He says it will tarnish his BLING.

Will he have to face the consequences of his decision?

RELAXING ON THE GOLDCOAST

2008-04-13T17:07:00.001-07:00

YES! We survived the descent down Mt Tambourine and are both now happily sitting beside a pool glistening with the sparkle of a million

diamonds...........................................................

I insisted Skin hold a sun umbrella as there is nothing worse than a burnt banana. I also bought him some new thongs. They are a bit big for him, but he will grow into them very soon......especially if he keeps eating watermelon. He likes having at least one piece every day so he can spit the pips and keep breaking his pip spitting record.

Yesterday he fell asleep under a large,tropical plant with sword sharp leaves.His sun umbrella fell on top of his face.

I woke him up and he looked at me with a startled expression on his face. He told me that he had been dreaming of sliding down the face of a cliff in a runaway billycart and it was one of the worst nightmares he had ever experienced.

I told him that I ALSO had the same vision ( BUT MY NIGHTMARE WAS A RIG PLUNGING DOWN A MOUNTAIN WITH A TERRIFIED WOMAN AT THE WHEEL AND A PETRIFIED BANANA WITH HIS HANDS OVER HIS EYES.)

I wonder what adventures tomorrow will bring?

Day 11:Warwick to the Gold Coast" A Horrific Experience

2008-04-12T19:14:00.001-07:00

Little did we know as we set out on our 'Last Day on the Road for a While', that we would be experiencing many moments of utter terror and bucketloads of perspiration and anxiety!

We began the day by rolling along the highway towards the mountain range containing Mt Tambourine. My GPS Navigator told us that this was the quickest route to our destination, Merrimac on the Gold Coast. I had been to parts of Mt Tambourine before and was looking forward to a pleasant meander through an idyllic rainforest type environment.

We passed a sign that read, 'Logan River' and another sign that said,' Bogun Bridge' . I wondered whether it was an unsafe construction, or whether particular groups met on it regularly, thus giving it the name' Bogun'.

We stopped at a town called Boonah , because Skin was so excited when he spied a huge Clydesdale horse on the side of the road

that he fell out of his car seat .

I told him that he could have a ride, but that it was a HUGE working horse and there was a chance that he might be bucked right off. Skin said I was silly to even suggest that this might happen, so over we ambled to the enormous beast. These horses were used to plough the paddocks and pull loads of heavy materials many years ago.

WELL....GUESS WHAT HAPPENED?

You would think that Skin would realize by now that he is not invincible or even slightly competent at riding things, whether it be a large cactus, a horse or a safflower.

He decided to take take time out in an old gum tree and think about his capabilities.

He cheered up when he met a dog who seemed to understand what a banana liked to do.

Our drive continued closer and closer to Mt Tambourine and before you could say, " OH NO!" we were winding up and down hills that gradually became ' 'Peaks of Panic!". The rig breathed and heaved hard as she struggled up the hills, but after carefully steering her around the sharp bends and also saying a few little prayers, we finally reached the summit. We were so grateful to have made it, that we decided to have a pie to celebrate. The two women in the pie shop looked very familiar. They both had short grey hair and one of them was wearing rose coloured glasses. (I guess you would have to if you worked in a pie shop! ) They both spoke in very strange accents. I think they said their names were Prude and Trude. Or was it Trude and Rude? Having the memory of a fish I can't quite remember!

Anyway, the pies were absolutely delicious. Skin sat on his pie container when he finished eating his Spinach and Fetta cheese pie peering into the shop with an aloof sort of look in his eyes.

i must tell him to pull his pants up when he is out in public!

The two women obviously felt a little uncomfortable being watched by a banana, so they busied themselves with pie shop duties at the back of the counter.

I was feeling in a more or less happy sort of mood and looking forward to the next part of the day travelling down the mountain and then arriving at Merrimac. I could see us both sitting by the pool at my friend's house, sipping cold lemonade and splashing about in the water when we felt our bodies roasting.

We climbed in the rig and set of ...D O..W..N..W..A..R..D..S.

Within one moment there was a sign saying, " Steep Descent, Trucks Use Low Gear'. Was a rig classified as a truck? Because Skin did not know, I thought It would be better to be safe and not sorry, so I slipped down a gear...then.....down we went...the drop became steeper and steeper and I sat clutching the steering wheel not believing a road encouraging tourists could be so deathly dangerous!

The rig groaned and squealed as I alternated between gear changes and brakes. How long can you keep your foot on a brake going down a road similar to a mineshaft? I had forgotten to ask for this information before I left home and I didn't have a spare hand to phone anyone or a place I could stop. Anyway, I didn't think I would be able to stop!

Down we went, an endless descent, heart stopping bend after heart stopping bend with a stream of traffic banked up behind us as far back as the Pie shop at the summit. Perspiration poured down our faces...we were experiencing PURE TERROR!!!!!!

Would this be the end of our trip, only 11 days after it had begun?

Moree to Warwick

2008-04-11T00:27:00.001-07:00

Today we spent one hour putting air in the tyres, filling up with petrol and pouring oil in the correct tank. Then....we were off again along the endless highway towards Warwick.

At Goondiwindi we crossed the border into Queensland and forged ahead closer and closer to our destination.

Skin couldn't believe his tiny eyes when he saw a sign saying,'Texas'. He thought we had driven all the way to America. He had dozed off because the landscape was a so monotonous and was shocked to think we had gone so far. He now thought that the rig was an amphibian vehicle!

He insisted on sitting in one of the huge cactus plants that were growing like weeds in a neglected garden throughout the countryside we passed.

He pretended that he was riding a bull in the Warwick rodeo that is being currently advertised on all the road signs.

He became so enthused with his riding that he fell off.

I spoke to him quite severely and told him he could have had quite a serious fall.

He sat in his car seat for the next two hours with his eyes glued on the endless road.

He didn't mention Texas or bulls or rodeos or cactus plants until we arrived in Warwick. Then he said,' Are we still in Australia?"

DAY 9: COONABARABRAN TO MOREE

2008-04-10T00:02:00.001-07:00

A sunny day and a new map, we are on the road again. Today the landscape changed from a monotonous yellow ochre to an endless Fred Williams painting of trillions of trees with thin trunks and a blue-green foliage. The Pilliga National forest swept on Kilometre after kilometre and finally broke out into paddocks growing crops of safflowers and cotton. Skin loved the yellow of the safflowers, but was a bit worried at the darkening sky and the huge transport trucks passing by at a great speed.

Eventually he went to sleep as he saw the endless road in front of us. When we arrived at Moree, we both relaxed at the artesian waters. I floated in the pool while Skin ate a piece of watermelon and an avocado on the edge.

One lady took him in for a quick dip, but he held tight to his fruit!

Skin would like to say hello to Benjamin and Nanna Peg AND also all the children in grade 3/4 at Konwak Primary School.

A Flying Rabbit

2008-04-07T20:46:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we spent our first night in a caravan park in Junee beside a small lake that was being emptied as we slept. Apparently there was a pipe problem, and the contents had to be removed by connecting sprinklers, washing cars, hosing gardens...... a myriad of means that seems criminal to people in areas desperate to save every drop.

so as we snored. the water sunk lower and lower.

We were on the road early this morning after washing the dead locusts of the front of the rig grill, bonnet, windscreen and top .

We had driven through, not another storm, but a plague of grasshoppers. Trillions of them zoomed straight into the front of the rig like fighter pilots on a death mission as we rolled towards Wagga Wagga, where not only apparently the crows fly backwards to keep the dust out of their eyes, but the insects suicide into travelling traffic.

Today we had a pleasant journey from Junee to Forbes, wandering leisurely along the Highway as HUGE transport trucks swept past us in roars of shining metal. During our wandering, Skin was delighted to see a flying rabbit in an old aircraft appear in the sky outside his window, and we talked again about the fighter pilots in World War 2.

The road we took to the Newell Highway was strewn with Bindi grasses, dancing across the road like dry, discoloured snowflakes. It was like driving through a summer blizzard.

For several hours we meandered through this 'Bindi country' and because the sight became a tad repetitious, I cleaned the dash board, then the front panels and even had a swipe at the glove box and side doors.

To my surprise, just as I finished my housework, a sign flashed past my window saying we were in the Shire of BLAND!!!!!

OF COURSE WE WERE!!!!!

The Ettamogah Pub

2008-04-07T00:24:00.001-07:00

Today is our sixth day on the road, and we rolled out of Wodonga at 10 o'clock in the morning and straight into the Ettamogah Pub a matter of minutes later.

Skin was confused when he saw a truck sitting on top of the building and asked if we would be driving our rig onto the roof of our pending caravan park.

What a foolish banana he is!!!!!!!

We wandered inside and asked for a lemon squash.While we waited, Skin sat on the bar and pretended he was grown up and picked up a bottle of wine.

He was still holding the bottle as we sat on the top deck of the pub and looked down at our rig below.

Notice that Skin is wearing his' truckin' clothes and I will share with you the fact that he keeps singing country and western songs as we meander along the highway. I hope he can cope with his first caravan park tonight!

KEEP WATCHING FOR MORE ON............

THE REALITY 'SKIN AND JO SHOW'.

We Depart

2008-04-03T17:54:00.001-07:00

Last Wednesday, 2nd April, the Lunasea flag was taken down and packed in my rig and the Australian flag was hoisted in it's place on the deck of 'The Good Ship Lunasea'.

Finally our day of departure had arrived.On this grey, wild morning we set off and drove the tightly packed van through a torrent of wind, rain, swirling dust and falling branches. We were travelling through the eye of a severe storm.

Skin was panic stricken for the first 3 hours!!!!

But our vehicle is sturdy and strong and withstood the hurricane-like conditions as we lumbered onwards with our hearts in our mouths.

( I'm not sure whether Skin has a heart, but I like to think that he does)

We are resting for a few days 'off road' as Skin needs time to recover from his ordeal of 'first day travelling nerves.'

Skin Waits Patiently

2008-03-17T20:58:00.001-07:00

Only 16 more sleeps to go and so much to do before we depart. Skin has decided to wait in the Rig and hopped into his car seat yesterday with his backpack beside him.

(I don't know how long it will take him to realize that 16 sleeps is quite a long time to be sitting in a seat. He has already spent one night in the van and refuses to budge.)

I am beginning to write my 'idiots guide to mechanics book' as well as my 'idiots guide to all things technological and metal' book. I have to pack everything in tiny proportions and in even tinier containers to not only fit in my van but to also be able to pull it northwards.

Time marches on as our preparations continue......

Only Three Weeks To Go

2008-03-11T22:37:00.001-07:00

I am starting to pack the Lunasea rig and Skin has chosen his travelling clothes already.

He became so excited last week that he woke up with a mouth and arms! Now I suppose I will have to feed him and put up with a noisy companion. Look at his thongs! He certainly looks ready for the Queensland weather. I have a re-occurring feeling that I should buy him an umbrella and possibly large gumboots as well.

Next Saturday we are both being interviewed by the editor of the CMCA. ( Caravan and Motorhome Club of Australia ). We will both feature in the CMCA magazine and be seen by hundreds of travelling Grey Nomads before we even set off. April 3rd is our day of departure. Only 22 sleeps to go!!!!

SKIN IN HIS TRAVELLING CAGE REARING TO GO!

An Unfortunate Accident

2008-02-16T16:52:00.000-08:00

I have now had all the signs adhered to my rig and a picture of myself painted onto my wheel cover. Unfortunately as I backed out of the auto electrician's narrow back alley last week, a truck inflicted a huge dent into the side of my van. The only positive aspect of this accident is the fact that it suits my blog title beautifully....lunaseaonthehighway!

I thought that I might add the following poem to the side of my rig with a large arrow pointing to the point of contact

A lunatic attacked my new rig

The bash that he made was quite big

He made this huge dent

But my money is spent

So I'll travel in a 'slightly bashed rig!'

I have also been working on my camera skills, which should shortly enable me to add some up to date photos of my tour preparations and rig 'improvements.'

I am a learner blogger ( WITH A BIG 'L' )

2008-01-18T20:54:00.001-08:00

My W.B Holden RIG ' SHE'LL BE ALL WRITE MATE '

My travelling companion, pet banana 'Skin'.

Men are from Mars and I, Jo Hinchliffe, am from Venus ( Bay ), a small coastal town in Victoria at the end of a highway that becomes a road that leads to the ocean that rolls to Tasmania.

I have just had a lesson in blogging from a very patient ' blogger trainer' who has deemed me the worst blogger student on record and has left my house a mere 'shaken shadow ' of his former self'.

He intuitively picked up on my desperate need to learn the craft of blogging as I am setting out on a writing tour in April this year as a 'blond' Nomad to work my way to Cairns hoping to complete not one, but three very different books on 'The Grey Nomads'.

I need a blog so that interested children, teachers, friends, family, nomads and anyone with the sense of the ridiculous can follow my travels.

I can cope with writing, travelling alone and happily working in schools as a poet along the way, but technology looms in front of me like a black hole in space, (which is probably the best description of the techno part of my brain. ) I appear to have a problem in processing instructional information so this first blog will be a miracle in itself if it becomes published and readable to the 'blog viewer'.

I hope to enthrall you all with my travelling experiences as I head North in my W.B Holden Mobile Home RIG with a cupboard full of costumes and my pet banana 'Skin." I will certainly be 'Lunaseaonthehighway' on my 'She'll Be All Write Mate ' writing tour, 2008.

If you want to learn a little more about me before I depart, log onto my website and find out about my work, books, costumes and trip schedule.

Lunasea on the Highway

six months later

STEW AND DAMPER

SKIN CAMPS AT HUGHENDEN

SKIN AT THE AUSSI LIFESAVING TITLES

SKIN JOINS A CATTLE RANCH

SKIN AND LYN BECOME WRITERS

LUNASEA TOUR 2009

YELLOW DAY AT KONGWAK PRIMARY SCHOOL

HOME SAFE BUT NOT SOUND

NEARLY HOME

COFFS HARBOUR TO NEWCASTLE

SKIN RETURNS FROM THE OLYMPICS

AYR SICK

SKIN ON A MISSION

BUSH TUCKER AT PARONELLA

PARONELLA PARK

THE CRYSTAL CAVES OF ATHERTON

THE ROAD TO TINAROO

Karnac Gallery

KURANDA AND MAREEBA

FAREWELL TO CAIRNS

COOL WATERS AND BABINDA

WONGA BEACH

CHEERIO FROM SKIN

TRIAL AND TRIBULATION IN THE DAINTREE

THE SUNLESS NORTH

CASSIDY AND THE CASSOWARY

CASSADY BEACH

A BAD BURN

AMICABLE AYR

A VOYAGE, A SNORKEL AND A DAYDREAM

LOVE AT THE CORAL SEA RESORT

IT'S FUN TO BEAD

A SHOCK AT SIDEWALK CANTINA

TO CASSIDY...... DEJA VU....ISLAND GATEWAY

FLOATING BOATS AT AIRLIE BEACH

BUSY IN BOWEN

THE BIG MANGO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WAYNE

LEAVE A COMMENT IN THE GUEST BOOK

SKIN'S NEW FRIEND

MESSAGE TO ALL QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS

DAY 3 CAPE HILLSBOROUGH

CAPE HILLSBOROUGH

GOODBYE MACKAY

CHEERIO FROM SKINS

THE ANDERGROVE BIRDS

THE CUTTING EDGE

GREETINGS FROM THE INTERNET CAFE MACKAY

HOWDY FOLKS FROM ROCKHAMPTON

SKIN RETURNS FOR MY BIRTHDAY

SKIN DISAPPEARS

CHEERIO TIME FROM SKIN AT RAINBOW BEACH

Rainbow Beach

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

EUMUNDI MARKET AND A NEAR DROWNING

CHEERIO FROM BILL

MOOLOOLABA

A SPECIAL CHEERIO FROM SKIN AT REECE CALOUNDRA

A BANANA AT VERSACES

CARRARA MARKET

AN ELEPHANT ON THE ROAD.

MERMAID BEACH

CHEERIO TIME

A SAD DAY

SKIN RIDES AGAIN

A WELL KNOWN FISH AND CHIP SHOP

IPSWICH POETRY FEAST LAUNCH

GEORGES PARAGON / GOLD COAST

Skin suffers

BLING ON THE GOLD COAST

RELAXING ON THE GOLDCOAST

Day 11:Warwick to the Gold Coast" A Horrific Experience

Moree to Warwick

DAY 9: COONABARABRAN TO MOREE

A Flying Rabbit

The Ettamogah Pub

We Depart

Skin Waits Patiently