The weather forecast is for an “extreme event”, torrential rain and flooding. Sounds perfect for a test drive through rain and wet roads

We took the back roads Cooroy to Rainbow Beach via Cooloola Way.

Sloppy mud and potholes all the way - a good shake down.

Noted a couple of things to tighten and rattles to find !

The low tide is 10am so the first  night was at Inskip Point  just a few metres before the barge to Fraser Island tomorrow.

The rain was torrential, so pleased we were not like the family behind  with tents and trailers.

A little bit of blue sky as we passed the coloured sands on this 75 mile ( 120Km ) beach,  then over Indian Head to our camp another 40kms up the beach to Ocean Lakes

A couple of lazy days, Lyn read whilst I caught up on some computer work.

Wednesday 7th April 2021

12.30 am we awoke to a crashing noise ??

Everything seems OK.

On inspection in the morning we find a tree branch crashed onto the roof - no damage.

Out with the battery operated chain saw.

This is a new addition to our travel kit and for the first time a very handy addition.

Used in moderate anger successfully !

Our obligatory afternoon walk required the comfort of carrying a stick.

A pack of 4 wild dingoes were also close by, and the stick made us feel a little more in control.

Back at camp the other obligatory item - afternoon wine.

Thursday /Friday 8/9th April 2021

Crossed the Ngkala Rocks just up from camp - easy - and continued up the beach to Sandy Cape.

Nice to have Blue Sky again

Set camp in a slightly different place, and just as we were settling down to that afternoon drink, a guy pulled up on the beach in front yelling out that there was a roll over in Ngkala Rocks and they needed a truck with a winch.

To the rescue...

A 5 minute pack up and we were mobile.

The Landcruiser had gone too high and rolled onto its side.

Nobody hurt, just the pride.

We backed another vehicle into the bank and set up a snatch block off that and back to the chassis of the Landcruiser.

All was good but the vehicle with the snatch block still moved towards me, despite drilling the rear wheels into the soft sand.

So it was then a matter of calling in the numerous onlookers to lend a hand pushing the truck upright as I took up the strain on the winch.

The vehicle is a non starter as oil would have gone into the top of the engine.

Bit of a challenge in reverse, but not one mistake !!

Saturday 10th April 2021

We decided to head home today so I have a full day to wash all the sand and salt off the vehicle.

For the last few days we have been watching the schools of bait fish being attached by bigger fish, sharks and birds. Occasionally we have seen a puff of air, and thinking Dolphins.

Today we confirm they are whales - 3 in one pod circling the bait fish and feeding, just 200m off shore.

Our return journey was via rainbow beach.