Agnes Waters.....Surf's Up!!!

This trip heading south to Sunny Coast has ended up being a blessing in disguise as we have been able to head to some spots we had missed on our way up all those years ago when we started this trip back in 2011....oh wow, how time flies!! We left Yepoon bound for Agnes Waters which was only a a 3 hour drive, pretty short in our books.  We got to Rockhampton by morning smoko so decided to visit the free zoo in town whilst there again, last time we were here Marty sat in the car and didn't experience it.  The girls were probably too young to remember being here so was good to check it out again.   I think l said it before, last time we were here, this zoo is such a great place.  For one its free and two it is not too big to mosey around whilst calling through the town. As we made our way around the zoo, l was left disappointed in not being able to get a good view of the cassowary, l swear there make believe!!!! After visiting the kangaroos and emu's we were making our way to the croc enclosure when we heard Meg scream at the top of her lungs and stood frozen.  She saw the croc statue and thought it was real, totally crapped her dacks the poor thing.  We, as good parents, couldn't hold in the laughter, which proceeded in getting Meg more upset.  She thought we were telling her lies about it being fake, took a bit to get her to pose on top of it for a pic!!!

Poor Meg still a little stunned in this pic!!! Boo has the croc hunter pose down pat!!

Sleepy koala....

Boo loved leading the way instructing us where to go...

The 'real' croc, safely away from Meg!

Look at those fingers!!!

Feel a tad sorry for these buddies being behind these fences....

What can you do in the zoo????

After stretching our legs for a bit in the Rocky Zoo we made our way through to Gladstone were we took a long time to find a park that was big enough to pull up with the van for lunch.  In Marty's stress he even nearly took out a bloke on a bicycle, very close call!!! You could imagine his mood after that, so lunch was spent by a brown colored water view in silence.   After lunch we headed off, with our last stop for the day to be Agnes Water. 

Girls loved the fatigue trivia questions along the way....

Arriving in Agnes Water, we had decided to check out a cheap camp just on the outskirts of town in the bush.  Upon arriving we found that a lot of the big camp spots had been taken, but we did find one.  Marty and l were still undecided, but like always we both didn't voice what we wanted, so we parked and unhooked.  I was totally unimpressed, and all l saw was work trying to keep the van clean with all the black sand around.  We had just finished levelling the van when l came across all this used toilet paper around our site.  That was the last straw and l voiced very quickly that l didn't want to camp here.  So we re hooked up, finding a nice little caravan park on the other side of town, a 10 minute drive from town centre, called "The Reef Caravan Park".  It was only $35 per night and was in the most glorious bush setting.  The park was virtually empty, other than a huge Kiwi family tenting and another young couple in a van with small children.  After setting up we sat under the awning just loving the sounds of birds and listening to the leaves rustle from the small wind.  The girls took no time in whinging for a swim, so we headed over to the pool to cool off.  Not the best looking pool, but did the job!

Glorious bush camp setting....

The following day we took to heading out and exploring 1770 and Agnes Water.  It took no thought to understand how the town 1770 got its name.  You guessed it, it was named after the the year it was founded by James Cook.  The town has a lot of nautical history scattered around.  We came across an anchor from a ship wreck that had been recovered and restored after a cyclone.  We had to go to the James Cook monument again, last time we were in 1770 we drove in and pulled up for lunch, back in 2011, were Marty and l had an argument, so we then drove out.  That was all we saw in 1770, the monument.  So it was great to be back under better circumstances and actually take in some history of the area too.  Meg was just fascinated that 1770 was founded on the 24th May, only 4 days after her birthday!!! Lol...

James Cook monument....

Great seeing Meg starting to take in some history,
boy has she grown up!!

Back in Agnes Water we couldn't not go check out the beach.  Even though the skies were blue, the wind was pretty cool, so not really time for a swim.  After checking out the beach, the girls came across a playground to blow some steam off and gave me time to sniff out the closest ice cream shop!!  Whilst gorging on the ice cream l came across a Surf Lesson flier so we decided to book the girls in for a lesson the next day.....they were so excited. 

Girls still love playing in the park...

Cemetry in the middle of the town....

Just hanging around!!

Getting her balance...

Love this quote....miss our mates but always linked!

Girls loving the icecream...

In the afternoon, back at the park, l headed out for a walk to explore.  Ended up gone for an hour, really loving the quiet and bush setting. Came across this sign, Bootmaker Drive, which in typical country humor, had a few pairs of boots hanging off it....When l came back from my walk l found the girls "playing" imaginary games in the beautiful bush garden....

Good old country humour!

All Marty and l could thing about when we saw the resident dog
was Coojo!!

Girls amusing themselves with make believe games in the garden...

The girls were eager for there new experience awaiting them today.  We made our way into "Aggy", as the locals refer to the town, for the girls surf lesson.  We were greeted at the local surf shop by some middle aged surfer dudes, totally still thinking they were in their 20's by the way they talk and interact.  Anyway, they were nice enough and were so nice to the girls, which is the main thing.  I did learn by the end of the lesson not to judge a book by its cover as they were amazing with the girls out in the surf, totally making it a positive experience for them with encouragement all the way.  I thought the group would have been a bit intimate than what it was, probably about 25 people in total, a lot of them back packers.  We had our safety instructions given then it was time to head to the beach, stopping at a house nearby to get their boards.  On the beach, the crew gave them a demo of correct surf procedure including paddling and getting up on the board the right way.  I was very nervous for the girls, wanting them to not be left disappointed in not getting up on the board.  The surf looked a little flat, yes l know, l'm not the expert, but at least there was a few waves about.  After all the instructions, the kids had a dry run on the sand, then it was time to head into the water....

Sussing out the waves, or the lack of them!!!

Quick demo on the beach!

Surfs up....

Cowabunga dude....

The mass group made their way to the water, with trusty mum given the job to help Meg.  It was all fun and games, the girls getting up on their boards on their knees with ease, riding the waves in.  The water was pretty crowded and we found it a bit frustrating having to avoid the rest of the group, not wanting the girls to crash into someone.  Was also a little annoyed that the instructors seemed to give most of their time to the back packers or catch a wave for themselves, rather than helping the girls.  Maybe they just thought a parent was in with them so there was no need, but l paid for them to instruct, not me.  I have no clue on surfing!!! Half way thru the lesson l ended up subtly calling one of them over to aid Boo.  Both the girls ended up getting up on their feet, quickly coming off, but still, the got upright!!! They were getting upset with themselves, which caused me to get cranky, not making it a good experience for them.  Think Boo cried at one stage.....so it was time to tag team and get Marty in the water.  My arm was killing anyway, which was adding to my mood, due to it getting caught on the leg rope while pushing the girls off on the wave.  Was looking pretty red and raw!!!

Time to hit the water....

Mum to the rescue for water support...

...and to help Meg carry her board!

Look at that concentration!

Go Boo!

Yay, up she goes...

...and quickly down!!!

Waiting around for the girls to return...

Nearly up....

Awesome job Meg!!!!

Does this suit me???

Graceful exit Boo!!

Waiting for these waves....

Two feet on the board for Boo!!!

Meg getting the hang of it....

Boo never gives up, such determination!!! Love this about her...

Race is on.....

With their daddy in the water with them, the mood seemed to improve, and the fun came back.  The girls had a great time and found out that surfing may look easy, but it takes a lot of strength and hard work.  Overall, was a great experience for the cost of $70 each.  

Got distracted.....what a view from the sand.....

Think Meg has some tongue action going, must be concentrating hard!! lol

What a stunner!

Finished for the day, not bad for their first time on a board, so proud of our girls!!!
Give anything a go....

The whole group......

The following day we had to catch up on some school work seeing we had taken a few days off exploring the area.  So with lack of internet left on our wifi we took the opportunity to take advantage of the free wifi at the local library.  The only frustrating part of our trip is the lack of data we can get on our wifi without paying ludicrous amounts to the company to get anything decent.  So we are always on the eye out for free wifi, and surprisingly it was really quick this time.  The only way to bribe the girls to do some school work was that after they were finished they could have a play and read some books in the library.  Seeing they don't have much exposure to a library, doing their schooling on the road, they actually love hanging out at any library and explore the books.  Funny the life of a travelling kid and what excites them.  It's like when we go to put them in "mainstream" school on long work stops, we use it to our advantage and to discipline the girls, we tell them they wont be able to go if they keep misbehaving.  They get so upset they turn their behaviours around so quickly.  Any other kid would be happy not to have to go to school, not ours, they love the idea!!

This sticker was on a ute in the library car park....my sentiments exactly!!

After returning home, l got a quick bike ride in and on returning to the park, a storm was brewing.  We were all so excited as we hadn't seen a big storm forever.  When the waters broke from the built up clouds and the thunder started, the girls got so scared.  Forgot they hadn't heard thunder or seen lightening much....they did enjoy playing in the rain!!!

What was that??

Did you feel that?? Its starting to rain!

I think the rains here.....

Oh yeah....do you recall the surf lesson the day before, below is the result of the leg rope getting caught on my arm.  No wonder l was getting grumpy and it was hurting!!!

Ouch.....

We have definitely enjoyed our few days in "Aggy" and so glad we called in again, this time lasting longer than a lunch stop.  Next adventure is to call into Bundaberg, only a short 1.5 hour drive down the road.  Thought we might surprise the girls with an amazing experience....stay tuned!!!

Bell  Xxx