On to Airlie from Rockhampton, about 5 hours drive I think. Pretty cruisy, drizzling rain but warm. Cute little spot where the Bruce Highway meets the ocean called Clairview, where they have painted truck tyres white and planted a massive row of bouganvillea, all different colours, all along the wire fence separating the strip of houses from the highway. Stunning! I can just imagine it in years to come when the bouganvillea has climbed all over the fence.
Driving into Airlie was interesting. It has been 13 years since I was last up here playing music. Canonvale has grown and there are some shopping villages but it is still pretty quaint. Driving into Airlie, and rounding the headland, looking out over the bay with all the boats and the marina and mountains in the background was just a deja vu experience. Still the same, still so beautiful and scenic – takes your breath away!
We’re set up in the caravan park – pet friendly of course. Walk across the road to school (I’ve had a few teaching days!) and the boardwalk and parks running along beside the water.
Next door virtually to the shops! Very convenient and comfortable. We’ve had a few gigs, got a few more booked and doing plenty of practice. The music scene is a bit tragic – 80s retro solo guitar strummers with computer bands, we see this everywhere we travel really. I found it a bit depressing at first but we’ve met a few muso’s since to restore our faith. Peter’s been in the weekly sailing races, he has also drafted a hexagonal house (made of steel of course). We’re doing lots of walking the dogs exercise and soaking up the warm winter weather. Working on the Kelly Country Pick, program complete, website up to date, planning coming along nicely…..never a dull moment in the lives of the ‘fools’.