Visiting the homestead

The homestead sits on the hill of the island and was a reasonable walk uphill. The girls had to be on leads part of the way due to the odd feral goat who calls Middle Percy home. We were offered a lift up in the island's ute but we get as much exercise as we can, when we can.

 

It was a picturesque excursion, slow due to AK's dodgy hip, which Jacki was glad of due to her dodgy hip!. Pockets of forest were interspersed with wondrous views and Andy's hand written signs (see the previous post for an explanation of "Andy's signs").

 

We walked through patches of forest that were buzzing with hundreds of the butterflies that are found in the Whitsunday area. A memorable sight.

 

We experienced a level of hospitality that Middle Percy is famous for over lunch. Cate regaled us with stories of Middle Percy and it's infamous history, chooks and dogs roamed the open verandah and friends were made.

Cate & Lucy (Bronte's mum)

AK and Marg in front of the homestead

Steve (who also lives on the Island) invited us over to his "many sided" dwelling (built by the Hicklings) after lunch, an invitation we were glad to accept before slithering down the short circuit back to the beach. Steve grew up on Pine Islet which is just west of Middle Percy as the son of the lighthouse keepers which was automated in the late '80's. The lighthouse is now at Mackay Marina. Steve and his small family of goats plus his dingo cross live a very peaceful life on Middle Percy working hard to keep the facilities maintained.

Jack & Bob goat were fascinated by the little creatures (Jacki & Ruby)

We managed to get back to Manatee before it got dark, all very tired and very happy.