CYCLONIC CONDITIONS

In my last blog I mentioned we were in for “cyclonic conditions”. Well we now know what they are and how! The weather in Cotton Tree deteriorated and then the storm struck. We had 5 metre swells on the beach and very heavy rain for 3 days. The photo of the trawler was taken 3 days after the height of the storm. This boat was washed up on the beach at Mooloolaba on the Tuesday night and it couldn’t be removed till the following Sunday due to the high seas. It was an amazing sight and all within walking distance of the main street. It had grounded in the storm and one of the crewmen was washed overboard. He is still missing. Erica & Bill didn’t see the Sunshine Coast at its best at all. It was great catching up with them though and we shared many laughs and bottles of wine. We were sorry to move on from Cotton Tree because it is such a lovely area and the weather didn’t do it justice during our stay.

Our next stop was Noosa. There are only 3 camps in the Noosa /Tewantin area so sites are at a premium. We had booked ahead for this one but we were quite disappointed when we arrived as the camp was quite run down but beggars can’t be choosers so we made the most of it. We had considered staying in Noosa for two weeks but we were unable to get an extension. It was raining when we arrived so that probably didn’t help matters but it is amazing how much better things look in the sunshine. We have met some really nice people here and Noosa is such a lovely place. Most days we sit down by the river and “people watch” or go to the yacht club for a drink and a little flutter on the pokies. The yacht club is situated on the river with the most amazing views. One day we climbed up Mt. Timbeerwah which is in a national park and has a lookout over the whole area. On Wednesday we went over on the car ferry to Noosa North Shore and there we let down the pressure on the tyres of the 4WD and drove 44 kms. along the beach toward Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island. It was magical day and the weather was magical also. This was the first time we had driven in fourwheel drive so it was quite an adventure for us. There were lots of 4WDs on the beach and a couple of them were even towing caravans. I don’t think I would like to tow my van through all that sand and salt water.

I don’t know if this got coverage in NZ or not but a 66 year old lady was attacked on the walk way in Noosa National Park on Tuesday. Her attacker was a 22 year old who was either drunk or high on drugs. She is still in an induced coma. We went for a walk along there and it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful place. The blue sea on one side and the forest on the other. We saw a koala having a sleep in a tree right beside the pathway. There were lots of people taking photos and talking but he just ignored them all and carried on sleeping. He was nearly close enough to touch. We were told there are tree snakes and brown snakes in this park but luckily we didn’t see them.

We went up to Eumundi to the markets yesterday. They are huge and are open every Wed. and Saturday. They are very much like the Martinborough Fair. Hundreds of people there and loads of food stalls. We had garlic prawns on skewers. Yummy!!

I’m writing this on Sunday afternoon and we have just come back from having lunch at an old hotel at a lovely spot called Boreen Point by Lake Cootharaba. A very peaceful spot. The lunch was a spit roast of pork and beef with salads and vegetables. We sat outside on a huge verandah with lovely lawns in front of us and just enjoyed the surroundings. A bottle of wine helped of course.

We are moving on tomorrow to Hervey Bay. We are unable to get wireless internet in this area so my blog may be a bit late next time. If the weather stays fine and we like the spot we hope to stay there for 2 weeks. We won’t make Rockhampton but we have decided to just go on north until we have run out of time. We are booked to fly home to NZ on 9th October.