Update

What a strange journey the last two weeks have been (in both the literal and figurative sense!)  When I heard that Dad had passed away, I immediately pictured him in heaven, so happy to be where he had always longed to be.  That was very real to me from the start, but everything else seemed dream-like and unreal!
It took us two days to travel from Camooweal to Townsville, where we had booked a flight to Melbourne on the Monday. 

Most of the trip took us over the Barkley Tableland- grazing land as far as the horizon.

The skies on Saturday.

We arrived at Townsville at lunchtime on Saturday- a day earlier than we'd originally calculated.  Rather than sitting around waiting for time to pass, we took the kids to Reef IQ to see the coral reef aquarium. 

The following day- Sunday 9th October- was Arthur's fifth birthday. I was glad we had a whole day to concetrate on making it a specail occasion for him.  Before breakfast he opened his presents and then we visited the Billabong Animal Sanctuary, were they got to pat a koala and a wombat, feed the kangaroos and hold some reptiles.  After lunch they spent some time in the caravan park swimming pool, while I baked a cake for his "party". 

From Oom Theo!

We flew to Melbourne on the Monday and spent a special week there.  It was really good to have the tiime together with the family, and to sense the support and love from so many friends. I am feeling the loss of my dear Dad deeply, but am so thankful for his life and the legacy of love and faithfulness he has left us!  I have also become even more thankful than before for my very precious Mum.
Today (Monday 17th October) we flew back to Townsville, where we had left the car and the caravan.  It was pouring with rain when we arrived, but the temperature was warm.

We had caught an early flight, so while the kids and I had a quick swim, Philip hitched up the van and we were on the road again by mid morning. 
We headed north through Tully and Innisfail, passing sugar cane fields and banana plantations and winding our way through stretches of rainforest  and cattle farms, finally arriving at Ravenshoe, the highest town in the "Misty Mountains" south of the Atherton Tablelands. 

Arthur singing "Tie me Kangaroo Down"

The weather- reflecting my own mood- had been trying to decide between sunshine and rain all day.  As we drove the last stretch of road, the late afternoon sun was lighting up the hills dramatically against a background of dark, stormy clouds.  This is another truly beautiful part of this wonderful country of ours and I keep thinking "Dad would love this view"... I will miss his comments here.