Day 9 - With the Frazers

Saturday, October 12th

                     Our hosts Dave and Lisa and their two girls, Chelsea and Leksie.

                                  

Lisa decided to adjust our itinerary for the day as we awoke to overcast skies and the threat of rain. Tina and I enjoyed watching the cockatiels and galahs feeding in the yard while we 
enjoyed morning coffee.

After breakfast, the 6 of us piled into the car for our day in the country. Our first stop was Cedar Creek and a short hike following a waterfall to its destination in a pool.

Then it was on to the Mount Tambourine Skywalk where we enjoyed a walk in the rainforest. This time we weren't on the rainforest floor, as we were in the army duck near Kuranda, or over the canopy as we're were on Skyrail a few days ago. This time we were about mid-way - looking both down and up as we sauntered over bridges and up and down paths, enjoying the lush growth, recalling the names of some plants and learning a few more along the way. Of particular interest were the strangling figs and vines and huge red cedar trees whose foliage is different from the red cedars of BC. We also enjoyed viewing and trying to photograph some of the colourful butterflies in the forest. 

                                                   

Our next stop was the Mount Tambourine Village where we had lunch and Dave happily followed 5 females from shop to shop as we browsed among arts, crafts, clothing, gifts and souvenirs. We ended our village visit at a brewery and cheese factory with live entertainment. Once I had a passionfruit ice cream cone in my hand (super yummy!) we all hopped back into the car to leave Mt. Tambourine.

Dave and Lisa planned the route home to include a late afternoon pass by the local winery where wallabies tend to hang out. We were fortunate to arrive at exactly the right time as wallabies, many with their joeys, were scattered throughout the vineyards. I'm sure we spotted well over 50 of them. Dave has a running mate, Mark, who works at the winery and lives with his lovely family on the property. We stopped for a brief hello and ended up enjoying their company and the company of other guests along with wine and appies until dark. What a fabulous day! The forecast rain never materialised and temperatures were perfect for us.

                                                                     

Once back at the Frazer's we were treated to 'kanga bangas' (kangaroo sausages) and another of Lisa's fabulous salads before engaging in a card game, 'President', that I hope I can remember. Dave has even modified it for 2-players so Tina and I may have to pick up a deck of cards and practice playing to help us retain the rules and strategies.

What fabulous hosts Lisa and Dave have been! I am regretting leaving before learning more snappy iPad shortcuts and tricks from Dave. This stop has been a most memorable experience thanks entirely to our generous hosts.

For any of you Kitimatians who are still reading this, Dave and Lisa extend an invitation for you to visit them. They plan to be back to visit Kitimat for Christmas 2014 so, if you don't get to Queensland before then, you may be able to see them next year.