How to cool your pool

Next day Ross took us, along with Harry and his friend Lachlan (it was school holidays), to Mt Mee on the D'Aguilar Range. After stunning views along the drive we ravenously consumed a hearty morning tea of the sweet and savoury breads Ross had bought at the local bakery, before embarking on a short forest walk.

Morning tea at the Gantry

Palm groves are often a feature along creeks within Queensland rainforests

There were FOUR kookaburras at this table clearing up after some messy eaters (not us!); I had frightened away three by the time I got this close

We briefly admired the dimensions of the gantry, which had seen so many majestic local trees, especially highly prized red cedars, passing under its roof and hauled by bullock teams. Keen to investigate the lookout for Bulls Falls we easily convinced Ross it was worth the short detour; recent experience had taught us not to expect to see much water falling, and that was again the case. Rain was now desperately needed, and much of Queensland had been declared drought stricken. Sections of the eucalypt forest near the entrance to this National Park were showing signs of having been ravaged by fire.

We spent some of the afternoon appreciating the swimming pool; the water is warmed by day or cooled by night by being pumped through a mat on the roof.

Bathing beauties enjoy the pool with a view

 Sunset from 'home'