FOUR ISLANDS RIDE

KARRAGARRA, MACLEAY, LAMB, RUSSELL

26/27 APRIL 2012

Present:

Peter (leader) and Ute Crawford

Harry Fielding

Bob and Joyce Newell

Laurel and Keith Tucker

Mary and Tom Fryer

Tommy Tomiyama

Dave Judd and a friend joined us for Thursday

Posted by Joyce Newell

The ferry was Bay Islands Transit (www.transitsystems.com.au) (passenger ferry, not the barge) and the fare for five trips over two days is the Island Hopper Fare for $23 (or $11.50 if you have a seniors card).  Car parking was available at the commuter car park, alternative parking is the police station at Hamilton Street. The ferry terminal is in the Weinam Creek Marina, BANANA STREET, Redland Bay. UBD ref Map 226 P17. (1 ½ hours from Bribie).

The weather was perfect Thursday – sunny, calm and warm. We took the 10.30 am ferry (it runs about hourly clockwise around the islands, and counterclockwise half an hour after, so you have to be careful to get the ferry going in the right direction). We spent an hour on Karragarra Island in which we easily cycled to both ends of the island, then caught the ferry for the 3 min ride to Macleay Island where Tommy's daughter Midori lives with her family. We rented two houses at the north end of the island, about 4 km ride with moderate hills. The Boathouse at 39 Attunga Street has four bedrooms with en suites (set up as bed and breakfast) and Sirenia Retreat about 1 km further north at 51 Coondooroolpa Drive also has 4 bedrooms, 2 with double beds and 2 with single beds, and a larger kitchen and living area. Linen was included.

For meals, we bought bread and toppings for lunch and bacon and eggs for breakfast from the local supermarket and ate together at The Boathouse (Adele was chief cook for breakfast, assisted by Keith).

In the afternoon most people enjoyed the sun, went for walks, cycled the kilometer or so to the very north of the island to consider a swim (the tide was too far out, and the water too cold) – Joyce took advantage of the kayaks available at the Boathouse and kayaked around the northern end of the Island – you need shoes that can get wet for this, as the bottom is often rocky, and you may have to drag the boat some distance over the mudflats/seagrass if the tide is out. We saw a few mosquitoes, but not enough to be annoying - fortunately, as at times they can be a real problem on the islands.

In the evening we took the Bowls Club courtesy bus to the Bowls Club for a very pleasant dinner, followed by Trivia - which overwhelmed the non-Australians in the group and only partly overwhelmed the others, except for the questions on German and Japanese words. Despite Peter’s desire that return to Sirena Retreat to party on, we returned to our houses for a (not all that) early night.

On Friday 27 April, we woke to a overcast morning, and had some very light rain at times. We had breakfast at the Boathouse from about 7 to 8 am, then caught the ferry to Lamb Island about 9am and then to Russell about 10am. We easily cycled to the NE end of Lamb Island in that time – it was not as hilly as Macleay. On Russell Island we had coffee near the ferry, then cycled to the NE point of, and stopped at the Yacht Club (since Peter is a member of the Bribie Club) and talked to the friendly caretaker on this attractive spot overlooking North Stradbroke Island. Again, there were some hills, but nothing too challenging. We returned by 12 pm, lunched at the bakery or a café on Russell and most left on the 1 pm ferry to be back at Redland Bay about 1.30pm, and Bribie before 3:30.

A great weekend, with a chance to explore some very interesting islands, cycle some mostly gentle hills, and enjoy being together. Total cost was $380 for the houses, plus the food bought for the group – we all contributed $60 for couples and $40 for singles, plus our boat fares, and the BUG covered the extra amount. We didn't have any problem getting our 12 bicycles on one ferry, though there might be a problem with such a large group at busier times - the ferry has the right to limit the number of bikes per ferry if necessary.

Posted by Laurel Tucker

I would like to add that everything ran like clockwork. Thanks to all the organising done by Peter.

As the newspaper article reported, we were also warned by the locals about Angina Hill (a steep hill) we encountered as we left the ferry on Macleay Island. We marvelled at the large number of curlews feeding on the ground as we rode around sightseeing.

Posted by Tommy Tomiyama (Our Visitor from Penang)

I wish to express our thanks to Peter who arranged this fantastic trip

and Laurel who picked up the article of this trip in the newspaper. In addition, thanks to Adele and Keith who arranged a beautiful and delicious breakfast "Hole in Toast" which impressed me a lot with its taste.

We all enjoyed the ride and this trip.

ANZAC DAY - 25^th APRIL

Present:

Joyce Newell

Fiona Cayford
Bob Stutter
Kerry Drury
Selwyn Nalder
Adele Fielding
Sandra Allan
Tommy

The regular Wednesday morning cyclists met at the Information Centre at 6.30 a.m as usual.  We rode our usual Wednesday route of the back road at Woolies, through the streets of Pacific Harbour, over the bridge at White Patch and along the esplanade at Banksia Beach, down along Sunderland Parade, through Pacific Harbour, along Sylvan Beach Esplanade finishing at the Big Bun at Bellara for coffee and some of us 'a big bun'.

 Today is Anzac Day and some of us decided to ride to the area of the RSL to watch the parade go by at 8.30 a.m.  We especially wanted our overseas visitor, Tommy, from Penang to watch the ceremony and learn a little about the tradition of Anzac Day.

Crowds lined the street as Bribie Island paid tribute to its war veterans and current forces personnel as they marched along Toorbul Street to the grounds of the RSL waiting in anticipation for the sound of the big brass drum that would herald the fact that the parade approached.  All services were well represented bolstered by the local schools who joined the march and provided lots of colour and support some carrying wreaths to lay at the service that would follow in the grounds of the RSL.

Included in the march was the lovely gelding with the Army Reserve Captain in the saddle; the captivating little Scottie dog wearing his tartan coat, the old vintage cars and the lone Wirraway aircraft that appeared above making several low-level sweeps of the parade.

As the crowd dissipated we walked our bikes through to the foreshore and rode on home.  A ride with an interesting finish.  We hope it passed muster, Tommy!!

24^th April 2012

Away Ride to Glasshouse Mountains

Bob Stutter   Leader

Tami Telford Leader
Fiona Cayford
Isabelle Cooper
Sandra Allan
Peter Crawford
Tommy
Joie Sumby
Mike Warner

The Glasshouse Mountains Shopping Centre was the meeting venue for this ride aptly named The Pineapple Fields Ride (for obvious reasons) by Tami and Bob.

Our route for this ride began at Railway Parade and then turning left into Pikes Road.  Most of us ventured on along Gympie Road and back for a further 6 kilometres returning to Pikes Road, onto Coonowrin Road and eventually arriving back at the Glasshouse Mountains township for coffee at the bakery/coffee shop there.

Although this ride was only 22 kilometres in length, the hilly terrain made it quite challenging.  We passed many pineapple fields with the produce in various stages of growth, orchards of macadamia nut trees and the peaks and crags of the glasshouse mountains rising before us.

There are 12 mountains in the glasshouse region, they are as follows:

Mount Beerburrum - 276 m

Mount Beerwah - 555 m
Mount Coochin - 235 m
Mount Coonowrin or Crookneck - 377 m
Mount Elimbah or The Saddleback - 129 m
Mount Miketeebumulgrai - 199 m
Mount Ngungun - 253 m
Round Mountain
Mount Tibberoowuccum - 220 m
Mount Tibrogargan - 364 m
Mount Tunbubudla or the Twins - 312 and 293 m
Wild Horse Mountain - 123 m

This group of mountains were named by Captain James Cook as he sailed north up the coast of what is now Queensland in 1770 as part of his epic voyage aboard his ship H.M. Bark Endeavour. They were so named as the shape of the mountains reminded him of the huge glass furnaces (glasshouses) back in his native Yorkshire.

 Before this time though the Glasshouse Mountains were seen by the Aboriginal people as a mysterious place of spiritual significance and the names of the mountains were so named by the Kabi Kabi people of the Sunshine Coast.

There is an Aboriginal legend regarding the montains that goes something like this:

'Now Tibrogargan was the father of all the tribes and Beerwah was his wife and they had many children.

Coonowrin, the eldest; the twins, Tunbubudla; Miketeebumulgrai; Elimbah whose shoulders were bent because she carried many cares, the little one called Round because she was so fat and small, and the one called Wild Horse since he always strayed away from the others to paddle out to sea. (Ngungun, Beerburrum and Coochin do not seem to be mentioned in the legend).

One day when Tibrogargan was gazing out to sea, he perceived a great rising of the waters. He knew then that there was to be a very great flood and he became worried for Beerwah who had borne him many children and was again pregnant and would not be able to reach the safety of the mountains in the west without assistance.

So he called to his eldest son, Coonowrin, and told him of the flood which was coming and said, 'Take your mother, Beerwah, to the safety of the mountains while I gather your brothers and sisters who are at play and I will bring them along.'

When Tibrogargan looked back to see how Coonowrin was tending to his mother he was dismayed to see him running off alone. Now this was a spiritless thing for Coonowrin to do and as he had shown himself to be a coward he was to be despised.

Tibrogargan became very angry and he picked up his nulla nulla (a club) and chased Coonowrin and cracked him over the head with a mighty blow with such force that it dislocated Coonowrin's neck. He has never been able to straighten it since.

 By and by, the floods subsided and when the plains dried out the family was able to return to the place where they lived before. Then when the other children saw Coonowrin they teased him and called, 'How did you get your wry neck - How did you get your wry neck?' This made Coonowrin feel ashamed.

So Coonowrin went to Tibrogargan and asked for forgiveness but the law of the tribe would not permit this. He wept for his son had disgraced him. Now the shame of this was very great and Tibrogargan's tears were many and as they trickled down they formed a stream which wended its way to the sea.

So Coonowrin went then to his mother, Beerwah but she also cried and her tears became a stream and flowed away to the sea. One by one, he went to his brothers and sisters, but they all cried at their brother's shame.

Then Tibrogargan called to Coonowrin and asked why he had deserted his mother and Coonowrin replied, 'She is the biggest of us all and should be able to take care of herself. Coonowrin did not know that his mother was again with child and that that was the reason for her grossness. Then Tibrogargan put his son behind him and vowed he would never look at him again.

Even to this day Tibrogargan gazes far, far out to sea and never looks at Coonowrin. Coonowrin hangs his head in shame and cries, and his tears run off to the sea, and his mother, Beerwah, is still pregnant, for, you see, it takes many years to give birth to a mountain."

A  very pleasant morning with good company and comradeship.

Official Photographer:  Tommy (with thanks).

3^rd April 2012

Away Ride from Clontarf to Boondall Wetlands

Present:           Richard Allan (Leader)

                        Sandra Allan
                        Bob Stutter
                        Isabel Cooper
                        Laurel Tucker
                        Fiona Cayford
                        Tommy and Yoshiko
                        Ted Butler
                        David Judd

Although officially into autumn, today was a beautiful summer's day with a temperature of around 30/31C.    Certainly a more pleasant day than the previously allocated date for this ride that was  cancelled because of the extremely inclement weather.

We assembled at Pelican Park at Clontarf, a good meeting spot with plenty of car parking, information centre and under cover picnic tables with ocean view for lunch after the ride.

 A good group as above, eight riders and two socialites, Ted and Yoshiko, who came along for the ride - although they didn't ride. 

 We set off and rode over the new Ted Smout Bridge that lies adjacent to the Hornibrook Highway.  Great bike track with divided lanes for walkers and cyclists - a model we would like to see adopted for the Bribie Bridge.  Once over the bridge we followed the track along through Sandgate stopping at the cafe up on the hill opposite the Shorncliffe Pier (about a 40 minute ride).  The hill is extremely steep. Richard offered to shout anyone a coffee who stayed on their bike to the top of the hill.  Only one person was able to claim the prize – well done Tommy!  We were hoping that Ted and Yoshiko would join us for coffee here.  Alas, they didn't show.  But apparently Yoshiko enjoyed a sight seeing tour of Brisbane via North Lakes.

 The riders continued  along past the Shorncliffe Boat Harbour, through some well signposted streets that led to the Boondall cycling/walking track.   Tommy and Isabel rode on to Nudgee Beach while the rest of us made our way back stopping at the lookout until Tommy and Isabel caught up with us.  We made our way back to Clontarf, most of us being rather pleased to be out of the saddle after a round trip of 44 kms for a rest over lunch.  Much to everyone's surprise Ted and Yoshiko were waiting to greet us after their adventures.

28^th February 2012

Away Bike Ride: Bulcock Beach to Wurtilla

Present:          Sandra Allan (Leader)

                        Richard Allan
                        Bob Stutter
                        Tami Telford
                        Sophia Korst
                        Lauren Tucker
                        Kerrie Weston

A pleasant sunny day enhanced today's ride which started at the Happy Valley Park at Bulcock Beach.  Good meeting point as there is plenty of car parking and undercover bbq tables for lunch after the ride.

 We rode along the coastal walkway/bikeway, beautiful views over the ocean, passing the memorial to the HMS Centaur, Kings Beach, Shelly Beach, Moffat Beach, Dickie Beach and along to Currumundi Lakes.  A few of us ventured on further to Wurtulla Beach.

The Headland Walkway/Cycle Path is part of the coastal pathway and from Shelly Beach to Kings Beach it shows, through a series of plinths, part of the history of Caloundra. Some highlight the story of the original inhabitants and others highlight the involvement of Caloundra during the War. Plaques set into the concrete show the names of people who lost their lives in the service of their Country.

Anzac Park has a special memorial to the Anzacs and is the venue for the dawn service conducted each Anzac day.

The Centaur Memorial was erected as a permanent memorial to those who lost their lives when the hospital ship AHS Centaur was sunk by a Japanese submarine on the 14th of May 1943. The location of the wreck was discovered late in 2009 and thus the annual memorial service held in 2010 was a particularly poignant occasion.

 On the 4th of February 1893 the S.S Dicky was deliberately grounded on the beach during a cyclone to avoid being washed onto the headland rocks. In spite of many attempts to free it the ship proved to be immovable and parts still remain on the beach today. Dicky Beach takes its name after the ship and is the only recreational beach in the world named after a ship wreck.

 There are good tracks all the way along including some quite steep hills in places, a good workout after the flat terrain of Bribie.    There are a couple of areas where we go onto the road briefly until we join up with the track again e.g. Two Way Bridge.  Some of the track areas are a little away from the ocean views but travels through shady bushland, very peaceful, with just the sound of birdsong and some heavy breathing from the cyclists!  A welcomed cup of coffee went down very well at Cocos at Currumundi Lakes opposite the beach, a pleasant outlook.   Refreshed, we went on our way back to Bulcock Beach for lunch.   An easy 25 km ride stopping here and there to take in the views and to keep together as a group.   A very pleasant day.   Photograph taken at Currimundi Lakes.