Kerry and Peter's Blog

Driving to Pennefather along the Mapoon Rd we passed a few big toys making dust – WOW they are big.

Continued on to Pennefather & found a delightful camp spot, we set the boat up ready to launch the next morning. We tried a bit of beach fishing as the sun was setting but no joy, it was still enjoyable. We didn’t have any luck this trip with fishing but most enjoyable being out on the water, it go quite windy after lunch so no more boating for us, we packed up ready to leave next morning.

Imogen – my main job in Weipa (loooking after her 4 days a week while Mum worked), how lucky am I, she was such a joy I am so happy I had this opportunity.

We camped out on the Wenlock River not far from Stones Crossing, a great camping spot – we put the cherabin pots in & ended up catching 3 sleepy cod – very yummy, we took them back to Weipa. We will try & come back here again & put the little boat in next time.

massive machines

no a bad view from camp

Tried to look like fisher people……

Sunsets are amazing here at Pennefather

lotz of these majestic birds around

What can I say – Imogen is amazing & so much fun.

our camp overlooking the Wenlock River

Life is difficult some days

Lilies are in abundance & beautiful.

Crabs & fish from May 2024, I have never seen a crab with eggs before & Mum was not very big, we did get to keep 2 boys. A Blue nosed salmon I actually snared this fellow not far from where the ferry drops the workers off for Amron(the main mining area in Weipa at the moment), they have 2 ferries running most days – the workers do 7 days on & 7 off.

On 1 of my walks around Weipa I came across Albatross Bay, quite a lovely spot & popular with the Jabiru’s, the pub overlooks the bay.

We took a drive up to Pennyfather beach which is just south of Pennyfather River(a very popular spot for locals & tourists), Mike, Jenna & kids followed in their vehicle. We found a nice shady tree, checked out the beach for treasures, had a cold drink and some snacks then the kids drove home, Peter & I checked out the river then drove home, we called into ‘Little 6 Tunnels’ which is not far from the beach, a fresh water creek that dries up eventually – it was quite lovely for a quick cooling off.

The following week on my 2 days off Peter & I drove back to Pennyfather beach & camped for a couple of nights, we put the little boat in & had a bit of fun. The fishing wasn’t the best but it was really quite lovely just to relax & ‘veg’ out. We did get quite a few sharks but didn’t keep any, the colours at sunset were beautiful. We will be back.

Quite amazing -a crab with eggs

These 2 boys not so lucky but tasted good.

Blue nosed Salmon

Albatross Bay, the Jabiru’s love this area.

Harry & Mike collecting sea treasures

Imogen & Jenna in relax mode.

Little Six Tunnels

Isn’t mother nature amazing!

The main track to the beach.

Peter getting ready to launch the vessel

No keepers………hahaha

the view from our camp

we did try, but the beauty was enough

WOW!

Well, its been a while, mainly due to laptop issues but you get that.

This blog & next will probably have lotz of photos from over the last few months

Imogen

Batfish, Peter only caught one but we saw lotz.

Tusk fish – so yummmm.

Here comes the sun.

Daily flight from Cairns arriving – 0900hrs.

Set-up, not far from ferry entrance to Amrun (mining area)

? do know what this fellow is

Harry – growing up so quickly

Fungi

Flowering croton.

Pink trumpet tree flower

Frangipanni

Imogen -growing so quickly

What an amazing way to start a new year, had great mates Shell, Ric & Mason over for New Years Eve – awesome time spent with great friends.

Imogen Lee Parker, born on the 2nd January 2024. WOW!

Ben & Erin stayed with us a couple of nights on their drive back to Kununurra from Sydney, they got to meet Imogen & say ‘hi’ to Harry – it was so good to have them with us, they weren’t able to drive all the way home to Kununurra due to the flooding on the Victoria Hwy(NT), so they flew back to Kununurra from Darwin & picked their vehicle up at a later date.

Park run at Greenbank didn’t happen in January due to flooding & track condition but Archie & I still managed to do parts of it & then did some road walking(bike & people paths next to the roads), managed to get hot & sweaty then jumped into the pool – a perfect way to start the day.

I went up to Scarborough a few times & spent the night, thanks Ross & Robyn, always a pleasure spending time with you both. We went out for a lovely dinner at the Brewery at Scarborough, walking distance from the unit. Harry, Jenna, Imogen & I did some treasure seeking & found some interesting things, it is a very beautiful place here in Scarborough.

The pool at ‘Greenbank’

Outdoor gazebo – pizza making place

Home made delights!

Shell & Mason

Shell chatting to ‘mr google’ re: music selection….

Peter & Ric having fun times on the pin ball machines

great times with great friends.

Lotz of fun in the pool.

Welcome to Imogen Lee Parker born 2nd January 2024 – 3.9kgs.

Mum & bub.

Ben & Erin called for a visit, they came up from Sydney on their way back to Kununurra, WA.

Harry, Uncle Ben & Peter.

Ben meeting Imogen with Dad (Mike).

even the road to the park was flooded…hahaha

The park run was cancelled all January due to flooding.

Found little fellow on the concrete path after some of the water had receded, not a good outcome for him.

Archie loved the flooded water

Brewery at Scarborough for an early dinner, very nice.

Hunting for treasures amongst the rocks at Scarborough.

Imogen 2 weeks old

Harry with his bubble maker on the beach at Scarborough.

On our(Archie & me) 2nd last walk, we wrote a message to welcome home the ‘holiday makers’.

Arrived in Greenbank (south of Brisbane) to house & dog sit at Amy, Pat, Abby, Tommy * Archie’s place – a beautiful home nestled amongst gardens, outdoor area & swimming pool. WOW! Here til end of January 2024 so hope the traffic doesn’t drive us nuts. Got to spend wonderful moments with family & friends which was awesome.

Archie was great, Peter managed one lap of park run track with him so it was just Archie & me most of the time….haha. The park run park has a great set-up with lotz of wildlife especially early in the mornings,which Archie & I visited almost everyday except for flooded days.

Jenna, Mike, Harry, Catherine & Georgia, Peter, Archie & I had a wonderful afternoon in the pool, this was one of many afternoons shared with Catherine, Georgia & Greg. Archie always joining in with the fun. Amy’s garden gave us many meals of asparagus which was very yum. We went up to Scarborough (near Redcliffe, QLD), Jenna, Mike & Harry were staying with Mike’s parents(Ross & Robyn), they have a beautiful unit across the road from the beach – very nice, also have lotz of awesome park grounds in close proximity. Archie’s hairdressing session gave him lotz of joy & he scrubbed up well.

Xmas eve found Peter & I at Casino, attending the Lamond Family Challenge- an event held every 2yrs. We had an awesome time & stayed the night with Margaret (Peter’s Mum) then drove back to Greenbank.

lotz of rain happening with local flooding, Archie & I loved it. 🙂

Lotz of babies.

Beautiful park – park run is held here every Saturday 0700hrs.

A weekly jaunt for Archie & I.

Archie in action.

Fun times in the pool with Jenna, Mike, Harry, Georgia, Catherine & Archie.

Cute little fairy wren checking himself out in the revision mirror.

Morning coffee & snack at Scarborough

Jenna, Peter & Harry enjoying sometime on the bouncing pillow at Scarborough.

Archie posing after his trip to the ‘hairdresser’.

Lamond -Xmas Challenge, Kerry’s team

Lamond Challenge – Peter’s team.

Lamond Xmas Challenge, lunch afterwards.

Park run cancelled due to flooding, but Archie & I still had some fun……

Most Saturday mornings Jenna & I try to participate in the local park run, we make sure that we carry our ‘fly swats’, I have missed the last couple as I have been working but hopefully will get back into it next year after we return from Brisbane (fly out 17/11/23 7 return to Weipa 28/01/2024). We launch the boat at Evans Landing – its has a great jetty setup, launching area & 2 wash bays. We have managed to bring back a feed of mud crabs each time we go out, we only bring back 3 crabs (thats enough for us) & throw any others back for next time. We actually managed to get some fish on our last venture, the keepers we brought back were fingermark, tuskfish & a cod: all were quite yum & plenty for 2 feeds.

Peter has joined the golf club & plays 2 x 9 hole social competitions a week plus whatever the weekend competition(18 holes) is, we bought a 2nd hand pair of clubs which he seems to be quite happy with & has been able to use a pull buggy borrowed from the club, we will invest in a buggy during our Brisbane trip – he is doing lotz of walking & enjoying the golf which is great.

A few weekends ago we drove out to a part of the Wenlock River which is located on the old Billy’s Lagoon Station, this is a very popular spot withthe Weipa locals. Peter & I camped the night while Jenna, Mike & Harry came out for a picnic lunch – WOW, it is such a beautiful spot, we did spend a lot of time in the water which was knee deep but always croc wary. Peter & I actually stopped at this spot in October when we were out driving & it was awesome to return & spend some time here. We tried our luck with fishing but didn’t raise any interest & we put in a couple of red claw pots overnight & managed to catch 6 cherabin & 1 redclaw, we kept them for bait when we went out fishing. The track down to the river was sandy with one rather large hole but quite manageable.

Finishing off another ‘park run’ (walk)…

The boat ramp where we put the boat in Evan’s Landing, jetty in background.

Out in Striker.

Yummo, snacks tonight.

Peter made the news…….

Harry & Jenna having fun in the teepee

the view from our camp

the view of our camp from the river

the river downstream & around the corner

Bit of a ditch to drive out through

no probs…

On one of our drives we went up to Mapoon & checked out the camping area & boat ramp, its looks interesting & could be a good fishing option, Mapoon is approximately 60klms north of Weipa you drive on a very well maintained gravel road that crosses a haulout road for the mines. On our return trip we found Clough Landing, a sort of boat ramp into the Wenlock River, it looks well used & people camp here.

Another stop on the Wenlock River was at Stones Crossing, once you drive over this crossing you pass through parts of Rio Tinto land, then Bertie Hagh which is the Steve Irwin conservation property & arrive at Bramwell Junction, we haven’t done this drive yet but its on our list to do. We drove to Billys Lagoon Station approximately 65klms east of Weipa on the Weipa Rd, which is now owned by the Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council & is full of abandoned buildings, there is a large lagoon not far from where the homestead was located – its really quite beautiful, I have heard they catch barramundi & cherabin here but I am also certain there would be some crocodiles there also. From here we drove down to another section of the Wenlock River, it was a nice spot, we then drove back past the homestead & took another track which brought us to yet another section of the mighty Wenlock River, this particular section is very popular with Weipa people for camping, swimming, fishing & picnic’s as its quite shallow & a large sand area – It was really lovely.

We went out in the boat (Striker) & went to Roberts Creek, put 6 crab pots in then did some fishing, I managed to catch a pan size bream (legal) & a very small bream & even smaller cod…..haha. We then went out through the ‘shipping’ channel & did some trolling, Peter actually caught a shark, never before have we caught a shark trolling, we released it & went back to collect the pots & go home. WOW! crabs galore, but we had 3 very good keepers, we released 8 jennies(females) & 2 just under sized bucks but were very happy with our keepers.

Went driving with Jenna, Mike & Harry to ‘Dead Dog Beach’ quite a long area of beach which can be reached from various tracks, of course the name has originated from the many small crosses of loved pets that are located here, but at low tide its a great play area for Harry & Dillan (tonka truck) – it was a lovely way to spend some time before the sun set.

boat ramp into the Wenlock River

Bit of sand to drive through to get to the crossing

The crossing at Stones Crossing

Wenlock River up from Stones Crossing

Billy’s Lagoon

Wenlock River down from Billys Lagoon

Wenlock River section very popular for picnic’s etc.

Obviously parked up for life.

These were the only keepers but oh so good.

Harry loves driving Dillon his truck

Locals out turtle hunting

Just watching the locals

WOW! really quite lovely.

Our new home town for the next ‘how many’ days/months…..

Since arriving in Weipa it has been a little windy, but we did get to take the boat (Striker) out for a run, did a little fishing but generally had a bit of a look around, no fish caught but we did see some amazing Jabiru’s.

I got to participate in my 1st ‘park run’ although I walked …..hahaha

Peter & I have been walking a bit & enjoying the local sites, walked around Kerr Point & found some great vegetation flowering, always a bonus.

Took ‘Slick’ out for a spin

No fish but saw these beautiful critters – Jabiru

Got back safely.

Went to my first even Park Run

Buds of the Sea hibiscus

Looking out from Kerr Point, tide very low.

Ipomoea pes-caprae – with a bumble bee raiding it

Talipariti tiliaceum – Sea Hibiscus

Syzygium samarangense – Wax Apple (bottlebrush family)

After leaving Cairns we drove up the Kuranda Range & headed to Mareeba, we delivered a boat propeller for Danny & Julie to a friend & received some chokos in return – good deal hey!

Kept heading north, corrugation’s were interesting at times but the majority of the dirt road was pretty good & there was quite a bit of bitumen. We found a place to camp just off the PDR(Peninusula Development Road), a nice pond /dam & far enough off the road so no-one could see us. It was quite a pretty spot, lotz of galahs, crows, ducks, parrots & honey-eaters, we put in 2 redclaw pots & enjoyed chops & veg for dinner while watching the sun go to bed.

Woke up to see the sun starting to climb, it was a beautiful morning, the mist was rising off the pond, we collected the 2 redclaw pots & caught 2 critters (1 really nice size). Just as we were packing up the KK we spotted a family of pigs at the opposite end of the pond feasting in the shallow water amongst the reeds, they were being watched by quite a few ducks, they flew off not long after.

Weipa here we come….

looks like a good place to camp

our camp site, not bad.

so many galahs

bit of a walk around the dam, putting 2 redclaw pots in

Couldn’t find this critter in my bird book.

sunset

sun about to rise

light mist on the water in the early morning

2 cherabin but not a bad size

ducks & pigs

ducks took flight

Coelospermum decipiens Baill previously known as Morinda reticulata.

September 12, 2023 found us at Machens Beach, north of Cairns City at our good friends place Peter & Pauline, it was great to spend a few days with these 2 amazing people. Pauline’s ‘happy plant’ was flowering, I have never seen them flower before, it was lovely. They took us for a drive to Copperlode Falls Dam also known as Lake Morris which is the fresh water reservoir dam that services Cairns & is located in the Lamb Range, it is approximately 11klms southwest of Cairns. It has great picnic/bbq areas which we utilised with a lunch of sausages, marinated prawns, avocado & coleslaw on fresh bread.

Next stop, Lake Placid located on the Barron River, a beautiful spot which once had a restaurant & outdoor entertainment area now closed due to flood damage, but is still a great place to visit & explore. As you go further into the Barron Gorge you end up at the Barron Gorge Hydroelectric Power Station, there is a bridge crossing the river with a backdrop of the Surprise Creek Falls & at the right time you might catch sight of the Kuranda train.

Thanks Pauline & Peter for a great time. 🙂

Corn plant – Dracaena fragrans – Happy plant

BBQ/picnic area

Pauline, Peter & the yellow ‘bug’

Was a tad fresh but lovely

This turtle was swimming around.

cooking snags & some prawns we marinated

Looking out from under cover picnic area

there was some rain about

fungi on the trees

Rose apple blossom

Lake Placid – part of the Baron River

Looking down at the Barron River from the bridge near the hydro station.