Boulders, beaches, and Rex the Welcoming Dog

We've just spent a few days at beautiful Boulder Creek, about 15k inland from Calen, between Mackay and Bowen.  It's a magic spot, with crystal clear water, a little park with tables, chairs and BBQs (BYO firewood)- and Rex, the Welcoming Dog.  Rex is a funny little character, who is on hand to welcome every visitor who arrives.  He doesn't impose, politely waits till you indicate a desire to speak to him before he comes over, but he's ready with a tail wag whenever you look at him.  He'll approach for more attention if you want, or go to the next person.  He'll accompany you on a short walk, as long as you don't wander too far- he might miss out on a newcomer!  He belongs to the local farmer, and goes home each day- no trouble at all, just a friendly little face and waggy tail. A happy little chap who thinks everyone's his friend.

                                          This lovely creek is right next to the campsite

                                                            Rex the Welcoming Dog
The men put the traps out in the creek and caught some freshwater prawns, if that's what they're called.  When they went to check the traps again later that day, they got several surprises:  four baby tortoises, and a carpet snake!  The tortoises were actually in the traps (and were of course released) but the snake was sitting almost on one of the ropes so it was decided to leave that trap unchecked overnight.  Next morning the snake, though still in the vicinity, had moved away a bit so they were able to check the trap and found some more prawns.

                                         One of the tiny tortoises that crawled into our net

                                                    Inland Carpet Python- note our orange and blue ropes

We drove up the coast a little from Calen to Midge Point- save your petrol, it's awful.  The wind was howling, the trees bend so far it seems that that is the normal weather here.  The "beach" is flat and brown, the "surf" non-existent, and there's not even a corner shop, just holiday homes and fairly ordinary ones at that. We couldn't work out what you would do here- you can't swim or surf, or even fish apparently. And the name suggests that the ubiquitous midges are very prevalent here, no doubt when the wind drops because they'd be blown to billyo when it's blowing!

                                                          Midge Point tree

Heading south, we visited Halliday and Ball Beaches and Seaforth.  Halliday Beach wasn't much better than Midge Point, though without the wind.  Ball Beach has a campsite right next to the beach, with a charge of $21 per night for toilets and outdoor cold shower, one power point for the whole place.  Beach is flat but good for launching a boat, and turtle come up to lay their eggs on it October- February.

Halliday's Beach (or was it Ball Beach???)

Seaforth was much nicer and we thought a stay there could be quite nice. Unfortunately no photos from there.

We had a little bit of rain yesterday and it's overcast today.  We've moved on to Bowen where the vans are parked next to Kim and Debbie's motel.  They are very generous and are providing power and water, food and drink.  Kim just told me to borrow money from the staff to use the washing machine- they get the coins back, of course.  "Whatever you do, please don't use your own money for your washing," he said.  He's so generous it's almost embarrassing.  We'll try to take them out for a meal to thank them- if they let us, that is.