MAAD Road Trip 2022. We go North

Fri 23rd sept Day 27 It was moving day. After 6 wonderful nights in Atherton, it was time to be in Tolga as Maerey and Kai were set to host more family for the weekend. With the newlywed couple arriving that afternoon, and the Main house already full, we’d arranged to stay 15 minutes out of town.  There was a lot shuffling and shimmying, and, as is usual between a full bump-in and bump-out, Papa’s precariously configured packing required defragging and tuning.  Our new digs was an under house apartment. Sasha would be in a room with 2 sets of bunks, and, though he was used to being confined to the bottom one, still climbed the ladder hopefully before being rebuffed. The bunk room had an ample library of kids books, and the apartment overall had a feel of a comfortable poolside villa (mostly because there had been a pool until very recently). Again the cousins came together later in the day to run with sticks and trampoline. Coming out of the covid period it's easy to forget wh...

The day of Mourning for Queen Elizabeth II, bright and sunny.  The family managed to settle on a decision of a trip to lake Tinaroo, where there is a decent playground and ample grass for picnicking. The area between the road and the water was dotted with groups doing just that. The Lake is a reservoir for much of the area, including where Papa grew up.  During the wet season, it was the water released from this dam that determined localised flooding at many low bridges along the Barron river, including the one near the end of Oakforest rd, forcing sensible people to drive the ‘back way’, taking up to three hours in poor conditions. Others would cross in a tinnie if it looked safe. Many people would just cross in a beat up 4WD if the bridge could be seen and only the causeway was under. No one had heard of the phrase “if it's flooded, forget it” and with the knowledge we have now, it's a wonder people did not die.  Before lake Tinaroo was built in 1958, the Barron river w...

  Wed 21st sept Day 25 Today is about more cousin time for Sasha and Nastya.  A backyard with Sandpit and climbing frames awaited, so we got out of the house before midday to make the most of it. The oldest cousin in the group took eager delight in guiding Sasha and their sibling in the yard play. A hole was quickly dug in the sandpit, and the younger pair would stare in wonder while senior child controlled the water rights for the hose, filling the ‘lake’, directing the others to make design improvements, anxiously chiding them when the instructions weren’t followed. The two younger ones floating between eager compliance and high pitch squeals of glee. Mama went with Papa’s sister to fetch the makings for lunch. And now a word from our sponsors - or rather who id like our sponsors to be. Rather excited to find these in Woolies. 4 layers of corn! Four! and Papa oversaw the water play from the grass with a guitar while Nastya napped inside.  From somewhere inside, an infla...

  After a relaxed morning we dropped into the Slotted Spoon Cafe for lunch, which included giant iced coffee and a turmeric Latte.  Then a visit to Grandma and Grandpa. At the nursing home there was a Covid test and temperature check for all, and masks for the public areas. Through the foyer, there is a central area for dining and activities, flanked by the two main wings. Entrances to resident’s rooms open to the internal courtyard from both sides, a strip of garden beds separates the building. The open plan and close proximity means there’s a community feel, rather than separated layouts at some aged care facilities. We collect Grandpa, he’s surprised to have visitors but reflexively prepared to launch his walker for the short journey to Grandma’s. Grandpa offers Sasha a ride on the seat part of his walking frame, however, a passing staff member gently chides him, warning us off trying with a look.  Grandma's room has a similar view of a garden, though with the addition...