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With winter not far away – we’re noticing many more people are worried about how they’ll cope when they’re stuck at home with a fridge full of food and Uber deliveries only a phone call away. Kaye managed to momentarily put Caitlyn our resident APD… that’s short for Accredited Practising Dietition, Caitlyn Henderson from Healthy Lifestyles Australia in Toowomba Qld - on the spot recently with this question….

With plenty of families AND grey & blonde 'nomads' hitting the road these days there's been a marked increase in the number of caravans, campervans & motorhomes being stolen. Chains, tow-ball locks and wheels clamps might deter a few low-lifes but what about a GPS?... If your much loved (& very expensive) investment goes missing you'll know about it right away plus you;ll be able to notify the police exactly where it is in real time... We asked Tech expert Calum Sugden from OZ Smart Things to explain some of the benefits of using a GPS tracker. Learn more: www.ozsmartthings.com.au

There's caravan parks... and then there's the Secura Lifestyle Magnetic Gateway Townsville QLD in the suburb of Cluden! - We spent a couple of nights here on our way north and really enjoyed the 'community spirit' of the park especially @ 5pm 'drinkies'. We also managed to chat with the new managers of the park and had a lot of fun chatting with some of the 'residents'.

After a recent discussion on ABC Radio Pilbara about the huge number of caravans on the road and truckies being concerned about the safety of travellers as well as themselves, breakfast radio host Kelly Gudgeon interviewed Ken Wilson from the Truck Friendly program to find out more about what the program is doing about road safety generally and what it's aims and objectives are. Audio (c)ABC Radio Pilbara Aug 2021

As a kid did you ever want to just 'run away' and join the circus? - Well that's pretty much what Gai Weaber-Buchal did. But this was no ordinary circus. This was the famous 'Ashton's Circus' ! We met Gai in Hervey Bay QLD on one of her stopovers while she's travelling Australia by herself in a mobile home, Gai is not only funny, she has a unique way of telling her story we know you'll enjoy.

You’ve probably gathered by now we love people telling us their stories and while we were staying in Cairns FNQ, KB just happened to bump into a mum and her two kids soaking up the atmosphere beside the turtle sanctuary at the Cool Waters caravan park where we were staying at the time…Michelle is a natural story-teller -- but be prepared to learn there’s a scary side to in the paradise which is Cairns – don’t say you haven’t been warned!

"Follow your dreams!..." That's exactly what Dave Kirk reckons is the 'secret' to a happy life - and that's just what he's done too. We met Dave & his lovely wife Marie at the Cool Waters Caravan Park in Cairns FNQ. Kaye was out walking one afternoon and heard someone playing guitar - pretty well as it happens!... Given her curiosity and love of music she went and checked it out and the rest of the story is in this podcast with Dave. From 'hitting the road' at the tender age of 14 to writing and recording several CD's Dave has an awesome story to tell. You can check out his CD's here: https://davekirk.com.au/

Are you one of the many families, couples and singles currently enjoying a more mobile lifestyle? Congratulations – we love it it too – and like you we’re constantly learning – for example do you have a carbon monoxide alarm? We do – but didn’t realise how this invisible, odourless gas can have a delayed impact on a person causing them to crash after falling asleep while driving. The brave couple who survived the ordeal wanted their tale told in the hopes others would avoid making the same mistake.

*** HEY YOU!... WHY DONCHA JUST GO FISHIN' EH? *** Hmm... Go fishin'. Sounds like a fun idea right?... but could it hold a secret hidden message for the recipient? Graeme & Sue Morris have been on & off the road for the best part of 4 years now and have been updating us with some of their travels including the recent Shitbox Rally! But our question in this short podcast was "how do you get on living so close together on a daily basis for so long and remain 'a loving couple?' - Sue Morris reveals their secret!. Plus a few quick tips on downsizing!

Travel Writer Susan Elliott recently went on what she describes as "the most amazing journey at night you'll remember forever!" - plus she reckons the coldest thing you will experience is the glass of champagne in your hand while heading south towards Antarctica and the Aurora Australis 'Southern Lights'.

*** ON THE ROAD - A TRUCKIES PERSPECTIVE *** There's always plenty of 'chat' about truckies and caravaners sharing the road - or not! - but have you ever wondered what it looks like from a truckies perspective? We had the opportunity to see the view from an actual 'big rig' as well as have a chat with an experienced truckie Peter Waugh who explained some of the things truck drivers have to deal with on a daily basis. PLUS: - UHF Radios - do you have one... and do you actually use it?

There are big changes coming to the Fraser Coast’s hugely popular caravan parks – thanks to ‘people power’. In late 2020 the Hervey Bay Council asked locals to take part in an online survey to provide feedback on which of a number of proposed changes should get the green light and there was an unexpectedly large response giving councillors a very clear insight into what people view as priorities. To find out more we caught up with Jade Wellings - Councillor Division 5, Fraser Coast PREFER TO READ: Full transcript here... http://bit.ly/CaravanParkUpdate

In this week's show... 00'00" - Welcome with Brian & Kaye 01'53 - Bored? Try ‘Adventure Bike’ Riding! - Mike McKenzie Do you own a 4WD?... not everyone does, and while they’re fun sometimes having a big SUV doesn’t mean you can explore some of the more remote and ruggedly gorgeous regional areas of Australia where the tracks are barely wide enough for a motor bike. Some great safety info in thi chat a former TV colleague of Kaye's, Mike McKenzie, better known as 'Macca', who’s a fabulous cinematographer and these days a passionate Adventure Bike rider. 11'08" - Is 'Natural Pet Care' OK For Pets? - Dr Barbara Fougere Got a pet?... great!... so do you know what a ‘Holistic Veterinarian’ does and why they’re different from regular vets? In a nutshell, holistic or integrative vets are like their human GP counterparts who use additional or complementary therapies to treat the cause of the patient’s condition rather than simply dealing with the symptoms. Sounds mysterious – but only until you find out holistic practitioners have more tools in their tool bag, the best of western medical science and a whole bunch of complementary practices and medicines. 21'38" - Hotseat Practice Session - The Question Q: What was Vegemite invented from? A – Out of date Promite B – Dried prunes C - Leftover yeast used to make beer D – Bakers yeast used to make bread? The answer later in this show! 22'18" - Lee Kernaghan - Truck Friendly Promo! Well known country music legend Lee Kernaghan is a supporter of the Truck Friendly Program - this short 30" promo is simply to thank Ken & Jenny Wilson from Truck Friendly and Lee for all their support of what we do. 23'13" - What Does A Dietitian Actually Do? - Caitlyn Henderson Are you confused when it comes to planning meals? Waaay back humans were grateful to eat whatever they could catch or grow… then post-war when there was more food and food choices available eating started getting tricky. One person who can help us navigate the modern-day food maze is our resident accredited dietician and nutritionist Caitlyn Henderson from Healthy Lifestyles Australia – who was more than happy to explain what she and her fellow dieticians actually do. 30'36" - Mouse In The House (Caravan) Update - Brian & Kaye Recently we mentioned we accidentally allowed some little mice into the caravan. Well- it seems we’re not the only ones with mouse problems at the moment – and we're not even talking about the poor people in regional NSW suffering a mouse plague in the hundreds of thousands!! Nope – fellow traveller/lifestyle/storytellers Vantastic Aus have been doing a bit of farm-stay work – and got an interesting surprise while checking a bale of freshly shorn wool. Have a listen... :-) 36'05" - Hotseat Practice Session - The Answer! Q: What was Vegemite invented from? A – Out of date Promite B – Dried prunes C - Leftover yeast used to make beer D – Bakers yeast used to make bread? The answer in this show! :-)

Do you own a 4WD?... not everyone does, and while they’re fun sometimes having a big SUV doesn’t mean you can explore some of the more remote and ruggedly gorgeous regional areas of Australia where the tracks are barely wide enough for a motor bike. Sound tempting? It certainly does to us now, after catching up with a former colleague of Kaye's, Mike McKenzie, better known as 'Macca', who’s a fabulous cinematographer and these days a passionate Adventure Bike rider.

Got a pet?... great!... so do you know what a ‘Holistic Veterinarian’ does and why they’re different from regular vets? In a nutshell, holistic or integrative vets are like their human GP counterparts who use additional or complementary therapies to treat the cause of the patient’s condition rather than simply dealing with the symptoms. Sounds mysterious – but only until you find out holistic practitioners have more tools in their tool bag, the best of western medical science and a whole bunch of complementary practices and medicines.

Are you confused when it comes to planning meals? Waaay back humans were grateful to eat whatever they could catch or grow… then post-war when there was more food and food choices available eating started getting tricky. Don’t eat fat, fat’s bad, don’t eat eggs, it’s bad for cholesterol levels, eat more grains, save time and eat processed foods… no wonder we’re confused – especially when the experts revealed they’d gotten things wrong – we need healthy fats to process foods, eggs are great – although processed foods are still in the bad boy camp. One person who can help us navigate the modern-day food maze is our resident accredited dietician and nutritionist Caitlyn Henderson from Healthy Lifestyles Australia – who was more than happy to explain what she and her fellow dieticians actually do.

Recently we mentioned we accidentally allowed some little mice into the caravan. The little rotters must have thought they’d found nirvana when they were able to slip under the magnetic insect curtain we’d put across the door to enable our old doggy to go outside for a tinkle if she needed to, without us having to get up and open the door etc. Well- it seems we’re not the only ones with mouse problems at the moment – and we're not even talking about the poor people in regional NSW suffering a mouse plague in the hundreds of thousands!! Nope – fellow traveller/lifestyle/storytellers Vantastic Aus have been doing a bit of farm-stay work – and got an interesting surprise while checking a bale of freshly shorn wool. Have a listen... :-)

In this week's show... 00'00" - Welcome with Brian & Kaye 01'21" - Cardwell - FNQ's Best Kept Secret - Colin Oke Better known as the gateway to fabulous Hinchinbrook Island… Cardwell is back in business after a Category 5 cyclone called Yasi all but blew this beautiful town in far north QLD off the map in Feb 2011. We spent a great couple of nights at the Cardwell Caravan Park and couldn’t resist asking owner Colin Oke why he loves the place so much! :-) 08'46" - Easter Dangers For Our Pets - Nadia Crighton Each year, Pet Insurance Australia’s Nadia Crighton sees a dramatic jump in claims for pets requiring hospitalisation after their forbidden treat - chocolate has been imgested, plus she warns there’s another popular Easter gift of floral bouquets which can be just as deadly for our pets. 15'15" - Hotseat Practice Session - Question Q: What Australian animal did English scientists think was a prank? A - The Platypus B - The Kangaroo C - The Emu D - The Echidna The answer…later in the show. 15'46" - Why I Love Organic Food - Wendy We’re constantly amazed at the number of solo females travelling around Australia – most of them full-time. Like ‘Wendy’ – who, as it turns out loves food but her interest goes beyond what most people think about when it comes to food… 21'33" - Bloody Mice! - Our Story! - Brian & Kaye Yep - the title says it all... As Brian's mum used to say... BLOODY BUGS!! - but we're still learning so we'd love your tips 'n tricks to help some this very common problem whether travelling or not! 30'34" - Hotseat Practice Session Answer Q: What Australian animal did English scientists think was a prank? A - The Platypus B - The Kangaroo C - The Emu D - The Echidna The answer…in this show!.

Large parts of Australia are feeling the brunt of the strongest storms and torrential rain seen in almost 2 decades…and we hope you’ll all get through this weather system safely – but it was almost 20 years ago – back in Feb. 2011 that a Category 5 cyclone called Yasi all but blew the beautiful town of Cardwell in far north QLD off the map. Better known as the gateway to fabulous Hinchinbrook Island… Cardwell is back in business, but if you ask the locals it’s still a shadow of its more glamorous self and they’re desperate for more people to enjoy this peaceful spot. We spent a great couple of nights at the Cardwell Caravan Park and couldn’t resist asking owner Colin Oke to find out why he loves the place so much! :-)

They say a little bit of chocolate is good for our health – providing minerals, anti-oxidants and flavonoids – and frankly with the Easter bunny on his way – it doesn’t hurt to have another reason to gift friends and family and especially kids with choccy treats and rain-stuffed Hot Cross buns. While it might be just our waistlines that suffer – do please keep in mind out pets have a much better sense of smell than people… so if you’re hiding those goodies all around the garden or even just around the house – be warned – your dog or cat could win the game of hide and seek – but you could, potentially lose your pet. Each year, Pet Insurance Australia’s Nadia Crighton sees a dramatic jump in claims for pets requiring hospitalisation after their forbidden treat – plus she warns there’s another popular Easter gift of floral bouquets which can be just as deadly for our pets.