2023 - CQ Winter Escape

Mon 31 Jul 23 - Mackay  Weather: 12 Deg and clear with the slightest SW breeze, reaching 23 Deg and remaining clear all day - a beautiful sunny day with, at times, a sneaky breeze.    Another latish night, so the blog had to wait until this morning. Once completed, I did a few chores around the van and called Uncle to check on him. He answered the phone like any other time - happy and cheerful. He said he was feeling better than yesterday, but he did sound a bit more croaky.  He did make a point that staff hadn't brought him his breakfast yet. I told him he may need to be a little patient as there are severe staff shortages due to the current outbreak.  At about 10am, I got changed and ready to go for a ride when cousin Fay's husband Phill called and said he was on his way with a hydraulic trolley jack and some car stands to help me lift the van and rotate the wheels. The front wheels are wearing on the outside edge so I decided to rotate the front and back whee...

Sun 30 Jul 23 - Mackay Weather:   14 Deg, a light SW breeze, sunny reaching 22 Deg with a stronger SW wind, becoming overcast and cool in the afternoon and evening. Another late start, and we are sleeping well, but a couple of later nights than usual is responsible for that.  We got up, had coffee and breakfast, then while catching up on the blog from yesterday, I received a call that I had been hoping not to receive.  Capricorn Gardens  called to advise that Uncle had tested positive to Covid this morning. They said he was OK and would call to provide further updates if there was any change. I called him to to see for myself, and he sounded as upbeat and jovial as ever, and apart from a bit of a rough voice, I couldn’t tell that he was unwell. I visited him three times after the Covid outbreak at Capricorn Gardens (dressed in full PPE including a mask), so I’ve been doing daily RATs, sometimes twice daily, and thankfully so far all clear.  After eventually gett...

Sat 29 Jul 23 - Mackay Weather: 16 Deg, sunny, clear with a slight SE breeze in the morning, reaching a very pleasant 21 Deg and remaining sunny and clear all day - a beautiful turn of weather.  After a slow start and a bit of a sleep in we got ourselves organised, Noel did some washing, then we drove into Mackay city centre for morning coffee at a popular cafe - 9th Lane Grind. The coffee was good, but the food being served looked exceptional, but only coffee for us today. Afterwards, Noel walked down to Caneland Central shopping centre to buy a new pair of shoes, while I wandered around the city centre just looking and taking photos. At 11.30am, Lyndi drove in and joined me for a walk  along the riverfront, and at 1pm, we stopped  to rehydrate with a nice tasting craft beer at the new Red Dog Brewery  in the Waterfront Precinct .  It was so nice sitting in the warm sun   catching up in a great relaxing atmosphere. Meanwhile, Noel made her way back and jo...