Monday 26 August 2013 – Maryborough

The weather has been really good again today, though it did cloud up mid afternoon, but cleared again without rain.  Had a latish breakfast this morning and were just enjoying a second cuppa when Linda rang to see if we wanted to meet for a cuppa with the cousins at the kiosk on the foreshore at Torquay – only about a kilometre down the road.  We made a time and met them there at 10.30, sat out on the deck overlooking the water and yacked for a while as we enjoyed our cuppas and cappuccinos. 

From there we made our way to Maryborough, which is only 32 km inland from here.  First settled in 1847, Maryborough has a large number of historic buildings and sites and was a most interesting place to see.  Many of the old buildings are now used as museums, pubs, heritage centres and the like.

The Maryborough Heritage Centre

 It is also the birthplace of P.L.Travers, the author of Mary Poppins, and a life sized statue of Mary Poppins as described in the book stands on the footpath outside the building the author was born in.

Mary Poppins

Lots of large sugarcane trucks drove through town to the local sugar cane factory, the cane cut to lengths of about 15cm.  There were a lot of these trucks parked in the grounds of the factory, which looked pretty old and run down, but it was still working away.  And there was a strong smell (not unpleasant) of I guess the sugar going through the processes.

We visited the wharf on the Mary River, lots of boats and a decent sized houseboat were moored there.  It’s hard to imagine that this port – about 30km from the coast, was in 1905 Queensland’s largest port, a reception area for such things as wool, meat, timber and other agricultural products.

We had our lunch in Queens Park, and as we drove around the streets of Maryborough, saw lots of traditional Queenslander houses, ranging from really lovely to pretty decrepit.  But when they are in good nick they are really striking and remind me of what I imagine some of the homes in the southern states of the US may look like.

Once back in Hervey Bay we again went for a drive to Vernon Point where we had been told there is a pair of eagles and their babies nesting in a man-made eyrie right at the point.  And there was!  We pulled into a parking area there and sure enough, way up high on a pole there is a platform, and standing there, keeping guard over the chicks was one sea eagle (not sure if it was Mum or Dad as I didn’t have my sea eagle sexing manual ready at hand), and every so often a wing would flip up behind it from one of the babies.  As we watched, a second one arrived, and the squawking from the chicks increased tenfold.  But the two adults just perched together and kept watch.

Back at camp it was time for the ever welcome cuppa and a read before getting the evening meal ready – tonight sweet and sour chicken with rice.

We’ve been listening to the wireless waiting for the outcome of the Essendon drug cheat saga, and I am quite bewildered.  Apparently there has been no decision on the penalty yet as agreement hasn’t been reached between the club and the AFL!  Since when does the guilty party have any say in the penalty they will incur? 

At the moment we’re being entertained by a couple of singers performing at the bowling club next door.  The sound is carrying quite well, and there are two singers – a man and a woman, mostly each doing their own thing, but right now doing a duet ‘Peggy Sue’.

So that’s about it for today, and I’m getting cold (it’s 8.30pm) so I’ll have to put the heater on!!