Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog -Part III

Big Adventures of a Little Muppet Dog

Part III

April 18th to May 13th

We drive through Nanango, fourth oldest town in Queensland, stop at Kilkivan which Ma raves about the antique shop here and I heard her say she'd buy heaps if they weren't living in the tin can. Along the way we witness a car/caravan accident. Looks nasty but not deadly. Lucky my folks drive safely.  Into Maryborough we land, I meet Aunty Gary and Aunty Sue and their pooch, Turbo. I like this dog and I hear he doesn't often like dogs but it's only natural he tolerates me as we have good chat and decide to be buddies. They leave us dogs at home and head out to an old mansion called Baddow House I believe and when they came back we were all spoilt, my favourite thing.

 

Here is a picture of me enjoying the sun whilst they're out!

 

 

 

 

After dinner and yakking, more planking ensued and the next day we decided to head into Hervey Bay for a peek. Walked along Urangan Pier and had fish and chips for lunch.

 

 

 

 

Smallish place, gorgeous beach, lots of beach type trees around. Turbo and I had a ball running in the water, I think this is his favourite thing. So many dogs smells here, this place is dog haven from what I'm smelling. We soon say ta-ta to our mates and head to Bundaberg where we stay with Aunty Evan and Aunty Kay for ten nights. I love it here, they let me on the couch, feed me treats and give me loads of cuddles. Their backyard is paradise, imagine big green Palm trees mixed in with ferns and other green specimens. They have a small fish pond out the back, this is where you'll find me a lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only time I shrieked was when I stood on this squishy thing one night, woof, it gave me a fright (Cane toad- EN) . Everyone laughed at me but I got cuddles so totes worth it. These creatures come out at night and just sit there, you can gently kick one and it barely moves. Weird things. It's great having this amount of time here, got to visit many places like the stunning beachy town called Bagara, Elliot Heads and 1770 - this is where Captain Cook first came to shore and anchored his ship. The monument below is dedicated to Cook and Co.

 

 

 

 

 

Nearby this town is Agnes Waters, we all had a fab outing here. Jolly stroll through the place but only a short walk as time to get home. 

Whilst in Bundaberg we caught up with many other family members throughout our time here and I had many cuddles and I managed to sneak a few licks in, especially toes, humans don't like that at times, bark! One day here they got up at the crack of dawn, (Anzac Day - EN) and left me planking but took me to the big March later on. So many people around, someone speaking on a microphone, planes going overhead and lots of different uniforms. I was on my best behaviour here as it felt important. 

 

 

 

 

One day Pa wasn't feeling well so Ma and I drove to the 'mystery craters' to check out the phenomenon in a town called South Kolan. I was taken to yet another cemetery on our trip back and then we headed home to check on Pa. He was feeling much better so I jumped on him, glad he was well enough to cuddle me again. 

The next day we left Bundaberg and headed further north through Gin Gin, Skeleton Creek and into Rockhampton where they'd planned to stay the night but even I thought the river free camp looked dodgy then the other place was closed! We continued onto a place called Yeppoon, yeah you try saying that, and after we unhitched and the chickens came out to greet me, yummy, I was harnessed up with the go pro and taken across the road to the beach. I let them put fancy shit on me as it makes them happy.

The beach was ominous as dark clouds slowly rolled above, the waves were crashing in and I was running flat out, the breeze circling through my ears and I was having a ball. It rained most of the night so we hung out in tin can and they watched some show about bikie gangs, I planked. 

The following day brought about sunshine, Ma was glad as this caravan park had a big pillow so she went for a play, I wish I could go on it. I just sniffed the grass as it smelt like those weird cane toad things. After this we walked around Yeppoon and driving out the folks pointed out the effects of a cyclone, I don't know what that means but sounds  ghastly. Tonight we made it to Ilbilbie, stayed overnight in a Truckee stop. I thought if grandma could see us now, she'd not like us staying here. On our left is a train line which had long trains coming through every hour until 8.30pm then thankfully nothing till early morning. On our right hand side is the roadhouse and ahead the truckies pulling in. I was most surprised we all slept here. See, can't judge a free spot by its scungy looks. 

As we travel further north there are more and more cane fields, Eagles, and I hear the folks yelling the word 'spotto ' less, not sure what it all means but I'll just raise my eyes and ignore their odd human ways. Into Mackay we go to visit Aunty Beth and then into Airlie Beach, what a tourist town it is. Reminiscent of a much smaller Queenstown I heard Ma say. I hear many strange accents from people's mouths and this place is surrounded by beaches, warm weather and adventure activities.

The caravan park here is divine, green grass which is nice for my paws, Palm trees, and a huge furrie living next door to me. I stay clear of big furries but he seems harmless enough and we come to a secret agreement not to growl at each other and this pleases both our folks. 

The next day was exciting as it was ma's birthday, they went off jet skiing in the morning and I planked in the tin can. I did think I could jet ski surely, I love water but when I heard about it afterwards, it sounded hairy and Ive got enough of that. They came back for me and we headed out to the markets, walked around town then into Shute Harbour which smells of rich people. That night they walked into town for Mexican birthday dinner. They smelled of alcohol when they returned which makes them talk to me even more than normal, one day they'll get it.

Picture of Ma and her birthday present from Pa!

 

On the road again we head past the Big Mango,

and eat lunch at Guthalungra, then back on road where I peaked and had to sit on ma's lap. The big Eagles were circling me, I just knew I am their favourite thing. We got to Aunty Lisa and Aunty Grumpys home and chilled here for two nights in Home Hill. For some reason Ma likes the birds here, whistling kites, ibis and her favourite, curlews which scream like banshees. Their three kids, Jemima, Zan and Matthew are awesome, I get cuddles here and try to avoid stalker lesbian furrie, Rosie. I remember Rosie from last year, it's as though she's never seen a dog before! I just let her sniff my butt and follow me around, I hear we are going back there so I'll have to have a good chat to her if the constant butt sniffing continues. 

 

We have fab two nights here a Home Hill, I got to boogie board, my new favourite thing, in their pool whilst about a dozen whistling kites soar above me - I keep one eye peeled on these birds, ibis are on their green lush grass and Rosie who wants to hop on my boogie board. What a relaxing day, ending with nice decent sleep, not in the tin can!
 

It took a while to leave the next day due to the tin can lights not working. Eventually got them working and off we went to free camp at Blue Water, bit of a bogan place. People come here in droves and the Europeans like to park right under our windows, the folks think it's for either safety or where they live it's so full of people that it's the norm! Not here maties, not too close I tell them.

Even though we're like sardines it's not noisy and the day day we are off through Ingam, Cardwell for lunch where I spot an 'actung ' warning sign for crocodiles. Didn't smell any of these oversized lizards but I whine anyway. The sign also states not to feed the crocs, I hope they don't mean feed me to them, I shut up for at least ten minutes. We continue on to Tully for two nights and free camp at the Showgrounds, on concrete, so hot! We spend one day checking out Mission beaches. Four beaches and I got to swim in all of them, yippeee.

 

 

 

Two beaches are netted due to marine stingers and I'm a bit dubious when the folks take me in for a swim, looks too deep for me and I paddle like there is no tomorrow. Three beaches are typical coast beaches, with the warm weather, golden sand, blue skies, waves and only a few people around. The last beach, Bingil Bay, is more rocky and smaller but picturesque. We could see across to Dunk Island from here. A quick walk past black cockatoos and then a brew at Shrubbery Tavern before leaving back to Tully for the night. Very quiet here, the sports ovals have heaps of locals playing various activities with balls and I restrain from running to play with them. 

Rained overnight as we leave for Murdering Point Winery, I must remain outside whilst they dabble.

Through Innisfail, where these big furry things, kangaroos, are just wandering around humans homes. I wouldn't mind a pet kangaroo, I must subtly ask th folks if we can take one home with us. Home, where is that....

We follow beautiful mountain ranges, cane fields and lush green colours everywhere till we get to Babinda. We end up staying here for three nights. Many funny speaking humans here yet again. The campground is set up with toilet block, shower block and trees all around. The folks leave me, yet again, not always my favourite thing, in the tin can and head to the boulders. It's very picturesque here and they plan to head back. Loads of trees and bush and at one end is a watering hole and the other has large rocks I'm told, forming smooth boulders where a river passes through them.     

We settle in for the night and chat to many humans. I meet a few furries who seem okay. Next day I am placed in the bike basket and we ride around the one street town. Little but adequate. Ma checks out what the locals call 'the best op shop in the northern atmosphere' and pa and I walk around. Soon enough we ride around and check out as much as possible, doesn't take long and woof, home we go! 

Ma and Pa head back to the boulders in the arvo and had a swim which I believe is cold and refreshing. Wish I could have gone with them, but adorable furries aren't allowed. 

Next day we head into Cairns for a few hours.

Too hot for me. We sit on the edge of the water and eat but not much else to do for a short time so we decide to head back to the boulders for a longer swim. The folks leave me in the car and take bread down to feed the turtles, sheesh, where's my bread? They swim with about twenty turtles, an eel and a yabbie I hear. Not impressed I had to miss out but I did catch up some sleep. The next day is our last and we ride the bikes through the cane fields where I'll swear a kite was eyeing me off for morning tea.

 

We had to go into the outskirts of Cairns again, past the big Captain Cook - that exploring dude, then into Kuranda for lunch. Lovely Rainforest neck of the woods here. We continue on and stay in Mareeba the night with Aunty Irwin and Aunty Karen, the humans we met at Maclean. They look after my folks and me. I smell those weird cane toads again and woof, there they are at night. I also smell green tree frogs near the tin can, funny things too.  In Mareeba the folks sort out the tin can for our next adventure I'm told, whatever that means. So hot here so I'm just planking away.  After a couple of nights here we leave the tin can with the humans and head away in the car, my favourite thing, with many other aunties - Cossie, Christine, Hauley, Phil, Gary and Jill. The 'wherethefuckarewe' gang head north and apparently the plan is to go until we can't head north anymore, sounds mad! 

Our three week trip to Cape York next......now is  my time to catch up on planking, my favourite thing.