It was the July school holidays, middle of winter, freezing cold and two little boys had been woken before dawn to begin the long drive north to their grandparents' place. The heater in the car wasn't working properly so old-fashioned remedies like doonas in the back seat were employed.
The boys survived and after four hours of driving were allowed out to play at this small but fun playground in Willow Tree.
Climbing was a good way to stretch the muscles after the cold drive.
Dad forgot to take pictures of the next stop in Gunnedah where another playground beside the highway is also pretty good for small kids. The stop after that was Moree. This rocket ship slide is in Kirkby Park close to the middle of town, away from the highway but very close to a motel the boys had stayed at last year.
The rocket is tall and has two long slides to choose from after the kids climb internal ladders.
After arriving at their motel in Goondiwindi the boys didn't want to go anywhere. It was too cold outside so they stayed in the motel room until it was time for dinner. Craig wasn't impressed with the crackers that landed on the table while he waited for dinner to arrive.
He brightened up when asked to take a picture of Graham and Dad. Graham was happy because he was going to have fish and chips!
After another early start the next day the car had to pull over to the side of the road at Condamine because a house was driving in the opposite direction. You don't see that every day, eh?
The last rest stop before getting to Grandad and Grandma's house was Bouldercombe. The boys have never seen this playground before. It was tiny but good for a few minutes out of the car.
Dinner the first night in Yeppoon was fish-n-chips. The boys liked it. The next day was too cool for the beach so the boys just hung out in playgrounds.
This warning was posted on the playground fence.
In a bedroom cupboard was a major find. Board games that had been kept since Dad was a boy! This was cool because the boys were already a little bored in the evenings.
Craig really took to playing Reversi/Othello against Dad.
The weather warmed up the next day so it was time for the beach.
The winter sun was warm without the bite of the other seasons when time in the sun has to be firmly rationed.
Later, in the afternoon the lawn at Grandad and Grandma's was mowed.
The lawnmower works really well for such an old machine.
Afternoons at this beachside climbing frame were a pleasant way for little boys to pass the time.
And the mornings continued to be perfect for the beach.
Craig employed himself in some major construction projects.
One afternoon some sightseeing was done in Emu Park. The Singing Ship was pretty quiet.
But the view of the Keppel Islands was as lovely as ever.
Little boys don't pay much attention to monuments and views.
The next day was very cold so the boys fired up this spelling game on Grandad's third TV.
At night the boys chatted online with Mum just before bedtime.
Not far up the street is a small park with huge mango trees for shade above this swing. Grandma's dog Buddy was being taken for a walk. He likes the park.
Buddy was very thirsty after the walk. He's a very friendly little feller but he could probably use more exercise.
Fortunately the weather improved and the boys went to Lammermoor Beach the next day.
There was no one else on the beach ...... no one on 2.5km of sandy beach.
Because this was the boy's last day in Yeppoon before another two days of driving they were allowed to have a special lunch. They chose fish and chips!
Very early the next day, the boys were bundled into the car to begin the long trek home. They got as far as the picnic area at Isla Gorge before getting out to have breakfast.
The scenery was quite nice.
But the westerly wind was chilly to the say the least.
The boys hid in the car while Dad took photos of the info board and map.
There's a playground at Taroom that the boys both like.
This tiny playground is at Wandoan.
Graham was fascinated by this windmill.
Next to the Condamine River is an unfinished playground. This flood marker attracted Dad's attention.
Next to the flood marker was a sign.
The fish ladder would look better with water running across it, I reckon.
A little later, they stopped at Goondiwindi for lunch. The boys ate at the same Chinese restaurant where they'd had dinner on the way north. This time they both had fish and chips.
