Month: Jun 2017

From Mission beach we rode up the gradual incline through sugarcane fields and banana plantations to the mountainous, hilly Tablelands. Our destination, a farm in Ravenshoe that we had organised to house sit for a month. 

We ride down the long driveway observing a shipping container and 2 sheds on the right and a processing area for the cows on the left as well as a chooks coup. Further on the left were bright green paddocks with 40-50 cattle and huge white wind turbines on the top of the hill.

Over the phone they informed us that the house is an old dairy they have transformed into a home yet they had no photos on the website.We pull up on the side of there caravan and are greeted by an old dog called Josh who waddled over to see what the noise was. Next we were greeted by Barb. Barb was a stong, straight to the point woman with no time for nonsense but always free for chat.

Rob then came out, a sweet man, always ready for a laugh. We chatted for a while and head inside the home we would call ours for one month. When we walked in there were things everywhere as they had just finished relocating. The 3 cats and dogs were allowed inside so there was lots of hair and dirt on the floor. As the owner Rob stated, we arnt house proud people but you can change anything you want to make yourselves feel more comfortable. We would definitely be giving it a good scrub once they left thats for sure.

Over the next 2 days we were introduced to the 40-50 cows, 30 sheep, 5 chooks, 1 rooster, 3 cats, 5 local birdly visitors and Josh and Molly, the dogs. We were shown feed and medication measurements, told timings, taught how to cut sheep’s nails, assisted in injecting a cow with an anti inflammatory, and told animal sleeping arrangements. One thing i loved was the fact that all the sheep and cows wear a name tag on there ear so the interaction feels personal. We were taught about the water tanks and what to do when they are overflowing, shown how to fix fences, drive tractors, using the 4 wheeler. I wrote everything down and was ready to be Queen of the Farm!

Barb said she used to ride some of the cattle like horses with her son and the cows allowed it as they had such a good relationship with them.

The morning they were leaving we were up and about early, well early for us. All their friends and family who they were searching for sapphires and quartz with had arrived to start there drive together. 

Unfortunity Rob and Barb still had a few things to pack into there caravan and hadnt tested there indicators. One of the back ones wasnt working so Roberto got in there with his magical fingers and fixed the light so they were good to go. As soon as they left we vacumed, vacumed and vacumed, so much we blew up the vaccume cleaner. Oopps. Haha not to worry we bought a new one specifically for pets with the money they left us for any extra food for the animals. They said if anything breaks it was going to anyways. It took us a whole day but the house was spotless by the time we were done.

We fed the animals and attempted to give the fluffy white cat Sam medicine out of the syringe into his little mouth. I had no idea cats mouths and teeth were so small! We got it in but it was an effort and we vowed from that point on we would just put it straight into his food and make sure he ate it.We fed the other animals and we were ready for bed. A full day on the farm and we were knackered.

The next day we ventured into the small town of Ravenshoe consisting of about 15 shops and 2 big pubs. 

We did some grocery shopping  and stopped at the wind turbines on the way. There was about 20 of them accross the tops of the hills. They were the first wind turbines in Queensland and beautifully majestic, moving in the wind.We arrived back at the farm and i cooked my little heart out that night and for the remainder of the month. How nice it was to be able to use a kitchen, oven, stove tops and pans again.I baked scones. Unsuccessfully.I tried.

Rob and Barb have left us with a hard drive full of movies so for the first week we worked and relaxed about the farm and watched movies. Riding most days for the last 5 months and constantly setting up and packing up a campsight had taken its toll and we needed to regain some energy. We did break the movie cycle to catch up with our Israeli friend Zohar once more. We met up at the local car racing event which Rob manged to discover. It was a bunch of beaten up cars driving around a dirty racetrack. Rob loved it. We met a couple at the raceway which seemed nice. They invited us all back to there place in the middle of nowhere, to show Rob their racetrack(dirt road) and a drink. Being at there house i felt uneasy, there large dog was so timid and scared of us she wet herself and was shaking when we went to pat her. The other dog was so aggressive we couldnt pat it and the baby cows were very skinny. What i saw didnt dictate the uneasiness i felt that was just icing on the cake. I mentioned my uneasiness to Rob and Zohar separately and they both agreed that there place didnt have a good energy at all. We could have come accross the Tablelands Ted Bundy and not even realised.

After that we went to visit Jodie and Paul who are two of Zohars friends. They have built there own house (not builders) and have a huge sectioned 12 piece rotational garden for the seasons. They were very inspirational, they were living off there land. Completly off the grid. I want a veggie garden!
The next day we all went to the Innot hot springs which was pools heated from a naturally occuring hot spring. We jumped from the hot pool where it feels like you skin is on the edge of burning and your sweating to the fresh cold pool so many times.
We then rode Zohar to her final Queensland destination. Luckily, her bike just made it there as her rear spokets teeth broke one at a time driving home. Thank goodness Rob tensioned the chain twice as it wouldnt have made it there otherwise. We say our goodbyes to our Israeli Princess, and have our final break up.

By the time we had breakfast, packed up, got to the ferry and accross to the camping store it was late afternoon. We rode to Paluma Park in the dark and i was done by the time we arrived. Riding already forces you to be so much more consciously aware on the road but when you ride in the dark your senses are on overdrive and by the time i got there i was absolutley buggered and covered in 1000 bugs. Rob started talking to a lovely Swedish couple in the park and i felt so rude but i just wanted to go to the tent and sleep.

The next morning we had a look around the area and came accross some beautiful lagoons. The water was cool and fresh, just the way Rob likes it. I said my goodbyes and headed back to Townsville to stay with my cousin Brook for an overdue girly catch up.
We talked and talked and talked until about 2am.
My cousin from fathers side and i have always had very simular personalities and we look simular too. Same height, body size, skin and hair colour. Whilst on the visit we were mistaken for sisters.
Anyways it turns out Brooks son was diagnosed with aspergers. I knew nothing about aspergers but had previously assumed it was a disability. So i asked Brook what the traits are. As Brook described all the traits and characteristics i said to her ‘it sounds like my Dad’ she said that she agrees and thinks my Dad has aspergers. I said ‘they are all traits i have too’ and jokingly said ‘maybe i have it.’  Brook smiled and said ‘theres a high chance you do, im pretty sure ive got it.’
I smiled and brushed it aside until i went to bed. That night i googled the shit out of aspergers. I researched anything i could find until my eye lids closed themselves.

I said my final goodbyes to my amazing cousin and rode back to Rob awaiting me in Paluma. As soon as i arrived Rob took me to some lagoons that he had discovered in the morning. They had waterfalls running over them and parts Rob slid down like a child down a waterslide.
It was beautiful and romantic, hes a catch.

We went back to the tent and i told him about my stay and about aspergers. I felt emotional and unsettled and it was all i was thinking about, constantly. We left big crystal creek and rode to Wallaman falls, Australias tallest waterfall. It was a fantastic ride up the windy roads through the misty rainforest. We camped nearby and met two diving instructors, one from Liverpool and the other from Thaiwan. Also another couple Dave and April who were bravely camping with there 4 month old baby. Amazing! We didnt here a peep from the little one all night. Apparently only wakes up once for a feed and heads back to sleep.

The next day we packed up and had breakfast next to the falls before we planned our journey to the bottom. A 4km round trip, straight down and straight back up. It took us 2 hours and it was definitly worth it. Sitting on the rocks as the base of the waterfall was magical. The light mist constantly floating above us as the never remorseful water continues to fall.
We ride back to camp and and make use of the access to the cold shower whilst we have it. As it begins to spit we get back on the bikes and ride through the rain forest, past the sugar cane to Mission beach all the time im trying not to think about Aspergers.
On the way we stop in a pub in the middle of nowhere. I read a report on females with Aspergers the night before and by this time id had a few days of reading up my sleeve. I had spoken to my sister about it and she said that its easy to find similarities in things we read about without to much bother so i decided to ask Rob. ‘Please read this list of characteristics and tell me if you think i have aspergers.’  As i sat there sipping on my lemonade waiting in anticipation, wondering if it was just me who thought the characteristics seemed like an autobiography of me. He said ‘i think you have it, if you dont your high up there’
Its far from a diagnosis, but i felt a sigh of relief, i wasnt going crazy.

On the way there was a a fancy estate Hitchinbrook Harbour in Cardwell. Amazing mansions with yatchs galour. It reminded me of some of the beautiful housing estates in Dubai thats usually surrounding a golf course but in this case its surrounding a harbour.

We finally arrive in the cute little coastal town of Mission beach. We set up the tent next to the beach in a caravan park and i jump inside still reading about Aspergers whilst pumping up the sleeping mattress. I cant remember exactly what i read but it hit home hard and i felt a profound rush of emotions.  Acceptance, happiness, sadness, relief, curiosity, confusion. I started to cry like a fast flowing river strangly with a smile on my face. Rob saw me and asked if i was ok?
I said ‘i really have it, i have aspergers’ Rob nodded and wrapped me in his arms.
I cried some more whilst realising the most powerful emotion i had was relief. For all the instances in my life i didnt understand, for the sensitivity of emotions i couldnt justify, for my willingness to relentlessly source out knowledge over obsessive topics, for the inappropriate or blunt  things ive said or my desire to have hermit time after social events. Aspergers.
Thats not even the tip of the iceberg.

I slept heavy and well waking up to a green tea outside my tent door on a stool as Rob was already up. What a guy!

We went for a nice walk around the area in the morning and i felt light like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I have aspergers.

When riding onto Magnetic Island there was a  magical breeze in the air, the sun was setting and the birds chirping. We rode along the coastal road to the coolest hostel/caravan park i have ever seen. As we drove into the driveway, we spotted a large amount of peering eyes from over many bean bags amongst the communal sitting area staring at the loud machines disturbing there tranquil googling experience. We park, organise a camping spot with reception and ride around to it. 

We were exhausted and i couldnt wait for a hot shower as all the showers were ice cold at Alligator creek. We set up the tent, blew up our mattress and head to the shower block.  Excitedly i hung up all my toiletries and turned on the water waiting for it to go hot. It didnt. I checked the taps, turning each off and on, nothing.
I grabbed my toiletries and ventured to the front counter to check out the problem catching an unexpected glance at my resting bitch face in the mirror on the way out.
As kindly as i could disguise my dissapointment i informed her the showers werent working and didnt have hot water. She let me know they broke the previous day and as it was a long weekend they were having trouble getting someone to fix them. I replied ‘That would have been nice to know before we set up the tent as we wouldnt have stayed here, ill come and check in the morning for an update.’
She didnt mind, or really care ‘ok’
I wouldnt usually mind but when your camping for a year and usually camping for free, all they need to provide are hot showers and a toilet. I have a cold shower most other days, thats the point of staying somewhere. Unlimited, unessisary, steaming hot shower time. Definitely a favourite past time.

The next morning Rob went and spoke to the girls and the front counter where he managed to get us upgraded to a backpackers hut with its own shower. Yayyy!! Hot shower!! That was magnificent. We were housed with 4 other young woman travelling Australia from Germany, Belgium, Denmark and Spain. Lucky Roberto!!

All showered and ready to hike we walked the world war 2 reuins treck. It was amazing to imagine and see the history of the rooms, and areas that lay in ruins before us. The amount of effort that would have been made to build the bunkers, stone walkways and cannon blocks would have been incredible.

 We were lucky enough to see a koala on the trek that was unfortunatly being disturbed by 3 loud English lads. They complained it was grumpy and aggressive but too be honest i felt a little grumpy in the presence of there super loud echoing voices in the calm environment. Maybe i would have got aggressive too if they put a camera in my face like they had been with the koala.

After a big hike and some breathtaking views we made our way back to the caravan park where the kitchen was closing early due to the fact it was a public holiday. There were a few stranded backpackers with no way to cook there food and no transport to resturants so we got out our cooking gear and before we knew it we were cooking up some 2 minute noodles for a couple of hungry travellers and giving some salad to a few hungry possums.
No Gordan Ramsey but food all the same.

The next morning we walked to the beach and ate breakfast in nourish food bar. We had a delicious acai bowl which was a great alternative to the usual eggs.
We planned to go for a ride around the island for the day. As we started to ride out of the park i pulled down my visor and was quickly mortified to realise there was a spider on it. As i tried to wipe it off from the outside with my hand my heart nearly popped out of its chest as i realised it was on the inside.
I stopped as fast as i could and got that helmet off. Ekkkk That got the blood pumping!

We ride around the amazing island surrounded by vines and volcanic rock. I managed to drop the bike again whilst going 5km over some thick sand only to be helped by 2 aussie females in a mini topless jeep as Rob had sped off.
Once he returned we parked on the side of the road and ventured out to the gorgeous beach to be greated by a random blue healer cross dingo.

We come accross two chairs that look like they had been waiting for us. As we look out at the horizon and pondered life we just sat and soaked up our surroundings. How lucky are we to be from this beautiful country.