Sampling the Local Produce at Malanda Dairy Centre, Atherton Tablelands, North Queensland. 07/03/2010
 Fresh food platter for two served with French toast.  At Malanda Dairy Centre, you can sample delicious local produce when dining in the restaurant, which is open for breakfast and lunch. The dairy is located in the friendly township of Malanda. The drive from our base camp at Flying Fish Point, took us through beautiful scienery of rolling green hills, world-heritage listed rainforests and past numerous waterfalls. I was reading sensa reviews and I found it interesting that you can eat high fat cheese and still lose weight? The French appear to do it. The secret for the French is portion control and more exercise. They eat less and exercise, which is something that the average Australian and American citizen does not do and this is why we think of the occasional eating of higher fat food, as being 'bad'. No food is actually, fattening, it is when you eat and how much you eat that counts as regards our day's energy balance. What we eat, ultimately affects our health, but it is energy balance that affects our weight. The secret of weight control is in portion size. Those French who do worry about their weight can always go and see a nutritionist, courtesy of the French health service. It would be great if our Australian government had such a great program going to help Australians understand the concept that weight management is simple mathmatics of getting the energy in and the energy out, balance right and physical health is affected by what we eat and how we move. Nutritionist Dr Francoise L'Hermite says the French secret to staying slim is to - make sure you sit down with friends or family for a meal, eat three times a day at regular intervals, don't snack, don't eat in front of the television, and finally - eat slowly and savour both the food and the company.  With delicious local foods like this mixed platter to share between Reg and I, from the Malanda Dairy Centre for lunch and a light evening meal of Reg's Blue Spinner Crab and a green salad with lemon and white wine vinigar, and lots of bushwalking in between, it was a perfectly enjoyable day and our energy balance for weight management, remained on target. I enjoy using our tours as a means to keep fit, the walk around Malanda then to the Malanda waterfall, was a great day's exercise. This touring lifestyle and sampling of local produce life, is great 'Bon Appetite' and is keeping both Reg and I in fairly good shape for our senior years.  Light evening meal is ideal for seniors.     Josephine Falls After I came home from Zumba dance class at the Gym in Innisfail on Thursday, the sun was out, and the weather forecast was for a few days of tropical rain, so we decided to go sightseeing while it was fine. We headed north towards Cairns on the Bruce Highway and just south of Babinda we took the turn off to Mount Bartle Frere, the highest mountain in Queensland and followed this road into the National Park to Josephine Falls. Mt Bartle Frere had her head as usual, swathed in clouds, a very pretty sight. There were no signs in the car park that no dogs, were allowed, so it was OK to have her in the car there, just not on the walk. Reg and I took it in turns to walk in the 700-metres to the falls then return, while one of us stayed in the car with our dog, Indigo. Josephine falls is a popular swimming area, though there are no swimming signs at the start of the walk.  The path was well made and wide enough for wheel chair access though it was steep in parts and many areas were, only accessed via stairs. After our trip to Josephine falls which was one of the prettiest we have seen so far in Queensland, Reg and I went to the beach and I ran on the sand with Indigo. It was fun but Oh did the backs of my legs ache after this active but fun day, best weight loss pills out, lol J, all that activity, Reg’s freshly caught fish and locally grown Queensland organic farm vegetables we bought from a roadside stall.     Ellinjaa Falls easy to find, on the Waterfall Circuit in the Atherton Tablelands of Queensland. A short steep walk down well-formed stairs, leads to the bottom of the falls where you can get up close and personal with this 10-15m waterfall and its splash pool and the stream below. It is a very pretty spot. By gosh our Indigo would be off after those bush turkeys if we did not keep her firmly restrained. They would need more than to order Phentermine to be agile enough to keep out of the way of dogs. They don’t seem capable of much flight. The Waterfall Circuit is near Millaa millaa, which is the Southern Gateway to the Atherton Tablelands. It has a wealth of wildlife composed of interesting species of flowering trees, bushes, birds, and many other land and water animals including possums, water dragons and frogs.     Zillie Falls are spectacular falls located on the Waterfalls Circuit between Millaa Millaa and Ellinjaa Falls. There is a short walk from the roadside car park to viewing platform, where you get a great look at the side of the falls Did you know that aside from the health benefits of the exercise, spending time in mountain air, especially near running water, like waterfalls, can provided many health benefits, in addition to relaxing sounds. Water helps to improve the quality of the air and it affects the “ionic charge” in a healthy way, so much so, it can even be an affective headache treatment. There are more than 13 Waterfalls within a short drive from Millaa Millaa, most are readily accessible by, 2 wheel drive vehicles, the smaller roads that lead to the falls, off the main highway are not suitable for large caravans, this is why we are using Flying Fish Point as our base to explore the mountains. This area is made up of spectacular peaceful rainforests and panoramic views and we are loving our day tour adventures   Millaa Millaa Waterfall is in the Southern Gateway to the Atherton Tablelands, off the Palmerston Highway, 59 kilometres inland from Innisfail, North Queensland Australia, in the Cairns Highlands. I am wondering if I would be comfortable towing our caravan into the mountains via this highway there are a few steep sections. I have seen a few smaller caravan s being towed on this, road. I saw a firth wheeler in trouble trying to get around a corner, this morning. I hope he has 5th wheel insurance as it looked like he was going to need to call in experts to get his vehicle out of the twist he had gotten into. Not all roads that are too narrow for caravans are clearly marked as such so t pays to stick to the highways with a van in tow and check out side roads with your car in advance before attempting the trip towing a van. Five minutes west of Millaa Millaa on McHugh Road, is the Millaa Millaa (Gentle Annie) Lookout, it is possibly the most popular lookout on the Tablelands. You can photograph 180 degree views from the north west to the south east, including the distant coastal areas of Innisfail, and the volcanic peaks scattered across the Tableland, as well as Mount Bartle Frere, the highest mountain in Queensland. Gentle Annie is our next tour destination highlight.        Flying Fish Point Beachfront B & B At gym today I met up again with Mandy, who had helped me out at a previous gym class when I was struggling with a move, she showed me the ‘right way to do it’. I was very grateful as you can injure yourself doing exercises the wrong way. I was not surprised when I heard she owned and ran a bed and breakfast as she has a wonderful helpful, friendly personality, ideal for anyone in the hospitality industry. When I came back to the caravan after the gym class, I grabbed the camera and went around to photograph the, Flying Fish Point Beachfront B & B . Then I scurried back to my writer’s studio, caravan to blog about this lovely B& B. I have two laptop computers, plus laptop insurance, I have become so engrossed in writing about our tours I would hate to be without my computer for a moment. Reg and Indigo came with me and wondered around together enjoying the spectacular views over the Johnstone River and Coral Sea. Things I loved about this bed and breakfast. *Proximity to the ocean and river, you could fish or exercise from the beach out the front. *A dreamy, peaceful, landscaped, tropical, garden, complete with pavilion. Lots of flowering plants would mean birds and butterflies visiting. *The deck. Have breakfast in the morning enjoying a sunrise over the ocean then swim in a private swimming pool with coconut palms and ocean vista. Clear blinds were in place today to protect from a light tropical shower. *Dreamy, sun and sky, interior decoration creates an instant happy yet peaceful mood. I love this colour scheme. *Spotlessly, clean rooms, with beach cottage comforts, the kitchen was spacious and well appointed. Loved the homely touches like bookcase complete with books. Things Reg Loved Fish from the beach in front of the deck or launch a boat from 2 different boat ramps just 30 seconds and 3 minutes away. Barrumundi, mangrove jack, flathead, mackerell, whiting, queenfish, trevally are just some of the tropical species available. From the website:- LOCATION: At the mouth of the Johnstone River at Flying Fish Point, In the heart of the Great Green Way, Just 7kms from Innisfail and 90kms from Cairns ACCOMMODATION:
Your Hosts: Mandy and Pete 3 Alice Street Flying Fish Point North Queensland, Australia Ph: (07) 4061 8934 International Ph: 61 7 4061 8934        Innisfail, Johnson River. Original on location painting. 5' x 10'. Artist Kathy Shell. June 2010. Art work is for sale. POA. I am finding Flying Fish Point Caravan Park a great place to settle into for the season, and I am getting to know my way around the nearby town of Innisfail. I joined one of the three gyms, in Innisfail and I am attending it 6 mornings a week after Reg gets back from his fishing and is ready to sit and relax with a book. I am making the most of this free time and wishing we had good fishing, close to our summer home, in Northern Victoria so I could keep up this routine. If anyone knows of any good fishing spots close to Shepparton, Mooroopna, I would love to hear about them. You could add it as a comment here or even share the information in the gray nomad, forum attached to this blog. ThanksJ. Always keen to see your own travel stories and photos in the forum, it is there for you to use, just no advertising, thanks :-). After Gym, I drove to the shopping area and parked opposite Harvey Norman and went on a bit of a shopping explore while I did not have Reg and the dog with me, a sheer luxury for a lady who rarely gets to go out on my own. I wondered around looking at kitchen electrical ware and bought a light weight, electric, large flat, fat draining, non stick grill plate and a very small caravan kitchen sized, rice cooker, and remembered to ask for and get a seniors discount. It is always, worth remembering, to ask for a Seniors Discount. J. I always love looking at laptop computers, they had the Acer Aspire. I have had an Acer large screen monitor in the past and liked it and I used to travel with my big desk top computer and large screen. These days I only use lap tops for the convenience of size and weight, a big consideration when travelling.. Then off to the pet shop, I bought Indigo a pigs ear. When I gave it to her, she took it straight under the caravan, dug a big hole and buried it, lol J 'thanks Indigo’, talk about attracting ants to our caravan. There are several large supermarkets in Innisfail and prices are competitive, and I have been able to buy most things I have needed. Some specialty items you might need to drive to Cairns to get, but most things you will need on a regular basis are in the town of Innisfail and the needs of the angler, are well catered for. Innisfail is the main town for the lovely fishing areas of Etti Bay, Flying Fish Point, Ella Bay and Mourilyan Harbour.  Great sunrises, from the coastal fishing spots out from innisfail. East Johnson River Bush Walk. 06/20/2010
  Investment collectables. 06/19/2010
 I know that seniors and travellers are interested in money matters, investments and ways to safeguard their remaining retirement funds so I thought I would add some posts on investment collectables to this, mainly travel blog. I had always wondered why gold and solid material, investments increase in value when economic times get tough. It was explained to me recently that there is always a fear in economic circles, that unscrupulous governments could simply print, paper money and flood the markets, whereas there is a limited supply of certain items and this is why rare items hold value in the best of times and can increase in value fast, when cash currency, is fluctuating. OK, simple explanation in economics, but one I could understand. I invested in art and some Moorcroft Pottery and have this in professional storage area, complete with driveway alarm, we have to remember to turn off when we access the area ourselves. As nomads, we cannot keep these items with us, it is a shame not to have them on show. I want to try to sell these items when I feel the time is right. Moorcroft vases are no use to me now I am a gray nomad. If anyone is interested in the following two investment items, please contact me for a private sale, in Springtime, 2010, no 10% auction fee , 40% gallery fee or 100% mark up from a dealer to pay. I have seen this style, colour age and maker vase selling at $5,800. on EBay. Lower price smaller Moorcroft are about, pieces this size and vintage are very rare. I will not be accepting less than my asking price even to a dealer. Just thought I would add this to save answering many below asking price offers. The same applies to the antique watercolour, no offers below asking price will be replied to. Thanks for understanding :-). In Springtime, if I do not have private offers for these items I will actively place the Moorcroft vase into auction with the $2,000. as the low reserve price and kept the watercolour a couple more years. * 9” Tall Moorcroft green and pink, Hibiscus vase by Walter Moorcroft, signed W.Moorcroft $2,000. * Antique almost 100 year old, framed watercolour (Member of the London Academy of Fine Art) Letter from the front, by Rosetta Goodwyn $2,000. Both these item, would make excellent investments, guaranteed to increase in value due to their rarity. I had never thought of vintage and antique musical instruments as an investment before, but it s logical that they would be. I do not know enough about them to have considered collecting them. Do you own or know someone who owns, collects or deals as a buyer or seller or vintage and antique musical instruments? A senior magazine writer is seeking to interview people interested in and in possession of vintage musical instruments. The writer is putting together a feature article for the next edition on vintage and antique musical instruments as an investment. The deadline for the interviews is 30 June 2010 @ 5pm Eastern Daylight Saving Time. Contact Lifestyle Investor Magazine for more information.     The migration of gray nomads heading from colder winter climates towards the sunshine and warm winters of the tropics, happens around the globe and especially here in Australia. Some understanding of the roads and service available is needed before choosing your route. In Australian, it is common for the senior mobile, residents of Perth and southern WA to tour the north west coast to Broome, creating a congestion of tourists there and a serious shortage of accommodation for a short time, midyear. In Western Australia, once you leave the south of the state, there are good bases for automotive products and vehicle servicing at Karratha, Geraldton, Broome, Derby and Kununurra. There are long distances where no service is available and an accomodation and caravan park shortage, so it is important to tour the west with a vehicle in top condition and self sufficient. When touring north through the center of Australia, via the Stuart Highway, there are excellent service centres, for automotive products at Port Augusta, Coober Pedy, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine then Darwin in the North. Remember there can be distances of 800 kilometres between service centres on these trips. The safest trip if you are not confident of touring long distances away from mechanics, vehicle service centres for automotive products, is to stick to the heavily populated south east of Australia, you are very safe, touring the coast, from Adelaide all the way around to Port Douglas in the North, knowing roadside service is easily accessed. Reg and I love touring ‘outback’, well outside of the roadside service access area and we strive to stay on roads that are travelled daily by truck drivers, carry a lot of water, and have a powerful 4 wheel drive vehicle and some funds on us to ‘tip’, any truck driver who might have to assist us in an emergency. The photos are of Port Douglas, about as far north as the average gray nomad, tows their caravan on the east coast of Australia.    | Kathy Shell on Facebook  Advertisers, This 160 x 160 advertising space, could be yours. See our advertising page above then contact Kathy to arrange your advertising package. Kathy Shell,
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