I've been for a brief wander up the coast with the boys. During the first 100km Ev and Em fought which ended when I kicked Ev out of the car and told him to hitch home. I got a kilometre down the road before my own guilt and Em's entreaties made me turn around and pick him up. They fought less after that.

The trip was a lot shorter than I wanted but it was Em's first big adventure away from C. We also spent a feral night just south of Casino at a roadside camping area. We read some of Treasure Island but Terry Pratchett soon won over our interest with Thud!.Not before I had to go and buy myself some rum and limes to test out the sailors favourite tipple. It helped keep me warm and I did not get scurvy.

We camped at Iron Pot Gully which is in the region of Afterlee and Toonumbar Dam - nr Kyogle. Next time I should borrow a satnav and add a map to Open Street Maps. The creek was icy cold for swimming in and the forest had some beautiful mangled old trees populated with bellbirds, lizards and glowing insects.

The boys were keen to get to Tupong so I took the scenic route and drove along Lions Road and then to Simes Road to the Border Ranges NP. Blackbutts lookout was fabulous it gave a wonderfully clear view of the whole Mt Warning volcano crater.

Tupong in Annerley is where Matt and Kath live. We spent a few days staying with them and it was great to catch up and explore some old haunts in Brisbane. I think however that I am well and truly over living in a city for the time being. Sunnybank was great I loved all the Asian restaurants. The food and talking to Kaths Ma, Ellen has made me really want to take a trip to Thailand. Ellen lives in Chang Mai.

Here is some waffle I wrote whilst there:

Friday 8am, Tupong

E&E both sleeping still. Yesterday was a long day especially for little Em. He asked me last night, "Has it been seven days yet?"
"Not quite" I answered, "only a few more to go"
"I think I'm a little homesick"
I gave him a hug.

We started the day on the bus into Brisbane. The boys both wincing at the loud traffic, Em sitting on my lap peering at the silent crowds on the buses. I was fascinated by how many people were tapping keypads on their phones and messaging. I thought about all these people travelling in huge amorphous groups carrying their own mental spheres with them.

ay Joe?

We got off outside the Museum at the Southbank. Explored the museum and toured old central Bris haunts. In the evening Matt showed us Sunnybank 'Chinatown'
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Friday 10pm Tupong

Shopping with Steven and Em back at Sunnybank our new favourite place. We drank cold milk tea sucking up pearls through fat straws. Ev stayed at Tupong watching teev. I'm guessing he needed some down time from the pressures of being a teenager. Poor fella has been a bit under the weather.

Well we are home now and once again it is raining!!!