Bluewater Rest Area to Cardwell

We had a very good night's sleep last night as it was very dark and quiet, well away from the highway.  We were up about 8 am and we each had a shower in the van - everything worked well.

Packed up and on the road by 9.30 am,  the local ranger had arrived checking on those flaunting the law. At that rest area you were only allowed to stay 20 hours.

It started out as a pleasant drive,  quiet and a good road. Our first stop was at Crystal Brook to fuel up the car then back on the road headed to Cardwell. Everything was ticking along nicely , about 20km to go , when all of a sudden there was a severe vibration.  I thought initially it was rough road then it happened again and Evon said she saw something black fly through the air. I stopped on the side of the road to investigate.  I had shredded a tyre on the van,  the left hand rear tyre.  I wasn't happy with where we had stopped so moved slowly to a clearing off the road about 100 metres ahead. Another motorist who was following us saw the whole incident and stopped and offered most welcome help. As it turned out he had blown a tyre on his trailer yesterday.

A number of problems arose,  firstly the jack supplied with the van was difficult to operate. With the help of a bottle jack and the leg on the rear edge of the van we finally raised the van.  The next problem were the wheel nuts (put on by a "rattle" gun). After a lot of effort and a bit of language we finally got them loose.  The spare tyre was then fitted,  everything into the car, thanked our "good  samaritans" and we were on the way.

Arrived in Cardwell and found the caravan park that we had booked.  Set the van up then off to get the spare tyre replaced.  The RACQ agent was about 3km north of town,  dropped off the tyre and headed back to Caldwell. Found the info office (they had a very good interpretative centre) and took some more literature,  then across the road to a bakery where we had a late lunch.

We then returned to pick up the tyre and was pleasantly surprised with the cost. A quick trip to the butchers to buy a piece of beef to roast for tea tonight.  Back to the van and organize equipment after our tyre issue. Happy Hour then tea - a very nice roast cooked by the boss. She is back to normal if you know what I mean.  It was then telly and bed.