We have had really strong winds (>30Knots) and large seas offshore every day now since our arrival in Mackay and have spent the time doing schooling, reading, washing etc. We also went to see a movie on 7th May at a local cinema (travel by bus and taxi home). Jasmine and Daddy saw "Boss Baby", and Mummy and Nicholas saw the "Lego Batman Movie" which we all enjoyed.
Mackay has had a major impact following the large drop in coal prices (which more recently have bounced back slightly). Apparently many of the homes and units are vacant. According to people we have spoken to, the town had close to 160,000 people in the boom, yet 30,000 have now left. One cab driver said he was taking people to the airport who had simply got up and left everything, cars, houses, boats, and simply taken a bag on a plane. Many over extended. Property prices have dropped considerably since the peak, some said 30%. Living in Sydney, it is difficult to understand the impacts of the resource boom and downturn given the size of Sydney, but the impacts on Mackay have been significant. Hopefully, for Mackay and the residents, things improve as it was a lovely city (large town?) to visit.
We have decided to wait it out until the conditions improve. Weather is expected to be better tomorrow Monday 8th May (at least relatively). Weather forecast is for seas and swell of 2m and wind up to 25knots. That is not ideal but we can't keep waiting, things should be better in the Whitsunday Islands where there is more protection, and at least we can enjoy a swim in the sheltered bays if the conditions are not ideal. In any case, we don't really need to keep travelling once we are there.
As Nicholas' Naplan school tests (3 days worth) start on Tuesday 9th May, Mummy and Nicholas will jump on a bus for Proserpine tomorrow morning the 8th May and fly out from there to Sydney. Nicholas will stay in school those four days and play soccer with his club on Saturday. Jasmine and Daddy will leave for the Whitsunday Islands on Monday and meet them on Mother's Day 14th May at Airlie Beach.