Conquering Norman.

So... today we all went and climbed Mt Norman. The last time Will and I went to Mt Norman we just explored around it and did not climb up to the summit which is a arather tricky scramble, but today we all made it to the summit. I would have been able to say it was 'hair-raising' if I had hair but there were a few times when I doubted my ability to go any further...but I did. It was scary going up and doubly scary coming back down but the view from the top was worth it...and we had it all to ourselves!

 

Frogknot Frolics.

So...yesterday we nipped into Stanthorpe for a quick shop and then went for a bush walk around Frogknot before ending the day with a BBQ with our neighbours over at their house.

Bringing the boys to Frogknot.

Kangaroos, Koalas, Turtles and Bats.

So...day two on Stradbroke has been both wonderful and dramatic...in a Nick kind of way.We did the Gorge walk this morning and Lewis spotted Kangaroos and then we did the Whale Walk, but saw no whales. We came back via Deadman's beach and Frenchman's Beach where we were caught in a rain shower.Driving back Lewis spotted a Flying Fox colony so we stopped to look at that. We set off again and Lewis spotted a Koala in a tree, right by the road, so we stopped to look at that and found two of them.We then drove to Amity Point, about 20 kms away and there I discovered I could not find my phone!...Yes, here we go again....so we raced back the way we had come. Nathan was ringing the phone and it was still working as it had my answer phone message. He texted it saying 'If you find this phone please ring....(his number). Just as we got back to where the koalas were we saw a couple by the road looking intently at something. Then Nathan's phone rang and it was the couple by the road who had just found my phone. Oh, I was so relieved. I had taken so many pictures on it today as my third new camera is playing up again. ( I am taking it back tomorrow before we head to Frogknot).We went back to the campsite to recover from the trauma and then had a swim in the sea. There was a very strong rip tide and so we did not go out too far.After showers we drove to Point Lookout and had a fish and chip feast overlooking the sea and then did the Gorge Walk again to look for dolphins and turtles. We didn't see dolphins but we saw a turtle. We drove back to Amity Point and walked along the beach and back as the sunset over Moreton Bay. We got back to Point Lookout just in time to see the bats leave their roost and head off for the night.Highlights of the day:Mine: Getting my phone back!Lewis: Seeing the bats flying off at dusk.Nathan: Salt and pepper Calamari by the sea.

   

Castaways.

So...tonight we are in tent on Stradbroke Island.The day started with a rainbow and breakfast on the balcony overlooking the Brisbane River. We caught the 1.00 PM ferry to Stradbroke and have set up camp at Adder Rocks.We had a wander along the beach this afternoon.Nathan said " OK. Stop it Australia! Stop being so good!"We have encountered Stone Curlews and the boys saw and heard their first Kookaburra. After dinner tonight we had another trip to the beach to look at the stars... but they are much better at Frogknot.I will try and post some pictures here tomorrow... signal permitting.