It was another lovely day and we headed off in to the Sunshine Coast hinterland. It was a 40 minute drive and took us up in to the magnificent hills that are commonplace along the Queensland coast.
Our first stop was the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. It is a magnificent place to stroll and listen and smell. Unfortunately it was school holidays and the main sounds came from small children.
My first photo before entering the excellent new visitors centre was of the nearby Glass House Mountains - so name by Lieutenant James Cook.
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| Glass House Mountains |
We saw a couple of trees with plenty of flying fox. A visitor clapped her hands and I caught a couple in flight (see inserts to the right).
We left the reserve and had a short stroll to Gardner's Falls.
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| Gardner's Falls |
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| The View from our Lunch Table at the Mapleton Hotel |
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| (Small/upper) Kondalilla Falls |
The car then found its way to the Maleny Cheese Factory where we sampled cheese and each bought a mango smoothie.
We got home after 4pm - quite weary - three excellent walks.
Day 21 - Tuesday 10th July
Our caravan has a table with (what is called) a wine-glass leg. This is the main reason that we bought the caravan (just joking). Anyway the wine glass stem is connected to the floor of the caravan by a wide (wine-glass shape) base plate.
We discovered last week that the wine-glass leg base was cracked - and hence the reason for the rocky table - and me spilling my wine.
We found and bought a new leg base and on commencing installation this morning realised that the bolt that holds the base plate to the floor is too short as the new base plate is taller.
So my morning was consumed by looking for bolt specialists, talking to people about local welding people and (finally) going to Bunnings to buy a new bolt.
The table rectification was completed soon after lunch, with a table that is now 25 mm higher. We are yet to decide if this is good or bad. Maybe not good for short people.
The afternoon was a combination of rest, rest, walking, window shopping and resting.
Day 22 - Wednesday 11th July
The start of our fourth week away started miserable (weather wise) and went downhill from there. We gave in very early and went for a drive, to do some research for possible future caravan parks.
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| Barra n Chips |
About 50% of the parks were easily discounted. By the time we got to Mooloolaba it was lunch time so we indulged in some barramundi an chips. There were excellent.
We hugged the coast all the way from Caloundra to Maroochydore. It is a lovely part of the world.
On arrival back at Maroochydore we headed straight to the supermarket for the big weekly shop. We arrived back at camp around 2:30.
I soon headed to the beach to get a photo of the "angry" surf. There was one surfer and no people on the beach.
We baked a lovely piece of spicy marinated pork in the BBQ - as the rain started to fall heavily.
Day 23 - Thursday 12th July
For the third day in a row I woke after 8am. Very unusual.
We had heaps of rain overnight - most of it pretty heavy. Some guys in the amenities were debating whether it was 50 mm or 69 mm. We survived pretty well except for my mattress having a damp spot, thanks to an open window and a slight leak. It was going to be sheet-change day anyway so that all worked well.
We had heaps of rain overnight - most of it pretty heavy. Some guys in the amenities were debating whether it was 50 mm or 69 mm. We survived pretty well except for my mattress having a damp spot, thanks to an open window and a slight leak. It was going to be sheet-change day anyway so that all worked well.
Around mid-morning it was breezy and sunny – good drying weather.
After lunch we went researching caravan parks north of us. We were impressed with two. Mudjimba Holiday Park for its pretty and peaceful location, and Coolum Beach for its proximity to shops and coffee outlets. Both are candidates for some later time.
It was time for more reading and sudoku before the spaghetti hit the pot.
It had been a very pleasant sunny day.
Day 24 - Friday 13th July
The sunshine coast lived up to its reputation with a lovely sunny start to the day.
Around 10 am we walked the 250 metres to the bus stop and caught the bus to Maroochydore Plaza. The same service goes north as far as Noosa Heads and south as far as Caboolture. We wandered around the plaza for a while then walked home - a total stroll exceeding 4.5 km.
On the way home I took a photo of a mural in the park.
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| "One Earth, One Spirit" |
It was time to relax - again.
We headed back to the "Plaza" for a "Grill'd" burger for dinner.
Day 25 - Saturday 14th July
It was a slow and enjoyable to start to the day. The sun was out and getting better by the minute. So a good walk on the beach was in order. Some yachts were enjoying the sunshine.
Soon after 5pm we headed over to the "party" and found out that our $30 included a three course meal (pumpkin soup, roast and dessert) and drinks. The reds included an excellent Wolf Blass shiraz.
The photos tell the story.
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| L to R - Shirley, Chris, Annette, Jeff (with holiday beard) |
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| Love those Hats |
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| It's all there - roast beef, red wine, raffle tickets, stubby holder |
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| Jeff in white hat in middle of photo |
Day 26 - Sunday 15th July
A great way to start Sunday. Clothes in to washing machine at 6:30 am, beach and sunrise photos at 6:35, shower at 6:50, hang clothes out at 7:10 and breakfast at 7:20 am.
The sun was shining. All good.
It was a quiet day apart from a walk to the Cotton Tree market and a long walk on the beach.
This positing is complete.
Click here to return to the Introduction.
Click here to return to Chapter 1
Click here to return to Chapter 2
Click here to return to Chapter 3
Click here to return to Chapter 4
Click here to return to Chapter 5
Click here to go to Chapter 7
This post was last updated around 8:20 pm on Sunday 15th July.
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