Back on the coast in SE Qld

Set up in Kirra Beach Caravan Park for the long weekend - Todd and Tenelle invited us for dinner where we surprised Briony (for a change), as she had no idea we were headed for the coast.  Great evening and very proud of the work they have done to set up their home.  Went back to Todd's home to watch the Grand Final and decorated the lounge room with Crows coloured streamers, even had some little frankferts and sauce, in readiness for the big game.  What an absolute disappointment - Richmond absolutely thrashed the Adelaide Crows and we were all very peeved off with our teams performance.  Oh well there is always next year!!

Helen so pleased to see Todd, and the new house, well into renos.

Waiting in anticipation for the game to start, key man on screen, the coach and Eddy.

Ready for the game, no photos after, only sad faces.

Had a lovely breakfast next day with Todd and Briony (Tennelle and friends joined us later after a Hens night!).  The next morning we were off early to avoid the long week end traffic and with forecast of thunderstorms thought we would cover some kms before the weather turned nasty.  Rain set in once we hit the M1 and traffic banked up around Bribie Island to Noosa, however traffic was banked up for kms driving the opposite way to us. Stopped in Maryborough for lunch where it was raining and arrived at friend's retreat at Susan River. Had to set up in the rain however timed it right as once we had done our set up it absolutely hammered down with rain.  Area needs rain as all the grass was looking very brown.  Caught up with Neville and Kathy again for a few days.  Had to go into Hervey Bay to buy a microwave as ours stopped working.  Had a great meal at the Maryborough Sportsman's Club - I had hot rock rib eye fillet steak and would have to be the best steak I have ever had. 

Set up in the rain and the ground was covered with 15mm of water. Hanging out the wet cloths

Just a sea of water as the water hose and ground sheet disappeared below the water.

Dinner at the Maryborough Sports Club, I had the most magnificent Rib-eye on a hot plate.

After spending a lovely week catching up with friends we drove to Woolooga and set up at Ray and Carols place for a couple of nights.  Always great to catch up with these guys.  From here we travelled to Noosa Caravan Park at Tewantin and had dinner at the Yacht Club with friend Shirley and partner Marinis. Next morning we were off travelling south towards Brisbane stopping the night at Beachmere Caravan Park, scoring the last available site for our Van.  Because we arrived early, was able to arrange lunch with Heather and John at the Beachmere Tavern where we had a great catch up which ended around 5pm!!

Next stop was at Chinderah Village where we stayed for a week - small park clean and tidy.  Caught up with friends we had met in Darwin (Trevor and Rosie) and Helen was able to get a much needed haircut from Rosie!  During our stay we supported Briony and Todd on an obstacle Challenge in Numinbah Valley - great effort to complete 8km track with 40 obstacles! They ended up very muddy but happy to complete the challenge.  Also visited Briony's home at Burleigh Heads which she shares with 2 others.  A lovely unit surrounded by lush tropical gardens although it poured with rain the whole time.  The remaining days consisted of Specialist visits, Car servicing, shopping etc including a nice lunch with Trevor and Rosie at the Kingscliffe Bowls Club.

Lots of mud to negotiate at times

One of the 40 or so obstacles they had to negotiate.  I thing they liked following the "hot dod" and "dogunut"
Briony developed her own technique for this water crossing.

What a team, made the finish together but not looking as clean as when they started.

Huge excitement with the arrival of Todd and Tennelle's new puppy Dudley, a Hungarian Vizsla. We departed Chinderah and called into meet the new arrival before heading to Beaudesert then onto Kooralbyn to stay with Leon and Sandy for 10 days.  Rained for the first couple of days but cleared up although days were cool.  I had to attend Santa Training at Broadbeach for a day as am booked into Tweed City from 15/11 to 24/12 as Santa. Quite chuffed as they seem happy with the beard I have been growing since June to pay the part.  Helen celebrated her birthday and just happened to be the day Leon fitted a 3 1/2 inch exhaust system on the car.  She keeps telling people she got an exhaust system for her birthday!  We did celebrate with lunch at the Bearded Dragon at Tambourine and was great Briony was able to join us.

Dudley, Todd and Tennelle's fur baby

Near the end of October we stored the van with Leon and drove down to Tugan staying with Todd and Tenelle for a couple of nights.  Attended Abraham's 1st Birthday and caught up with cousins from Adelaide up for the celebration.

Flew out of the Gold Coast Airport for Adelaide for our close friend's sons Wedding.  Decided to spend a week in Adelaide so hired a car and headed to Mt Compass for a couple of nights with Helen's sister, Glenda. Had a day driving around Victor Harbour, Pt Elliott, Middleton and onto Goolwa for nice lunch on the Wharf.  Called into Pt Elliott Bakery for a sugar fix of iconic SA sweets!  Had a great night staying with friends Ros and Phil before driving up to Tea Tree Gully and having a couple of nights with my brother Colin and Yolande.  Attended Adam and Emily's wedding where we celebrated with old friends and had a great time.

Adam and Emily's wedding

Saw these koala while visiting my sister near Mt Pleasant, SA

Sunrise as we wait to catch our flight from Adelaide back to the GC

Called into Vilis on our way to another old close friends Mike and Joy, for good old SA food - pie/pasty and vanilla slice plus a milkshake!!  After another great night with them, moved on to meet our Cactus Christmas mob for brunch at the Fethers Hotel - another wonderful time with great company.  Next day I had a specialist appointment before heading to Seacliff and spending a couple of nights with Helen's brother Robert & Rhonda.

Sincere thanks to all who looked after us - your wonderful hospitality is greatly appreciated.

Flew back from Adelaide to Gold Coast Airport where Tennelle picked us up before we drove back to pick up the van from Leon and Sandy's retreat.  Spent the night and then drove down to Boyd's Bay Caravan Park where we spent the next 6 weeks while I worked as Santa at Tweed City.

Had a few day's off now and then which entailed getting a new windscreen, food stock ups, cerebration of Todd's birthday, Helen having various visits to the Dentist which she enjoyed.....NOT!!  Celebrated our 43rd Wedding Anniversary with dinner at the Tweed Heads Bowls Club, and enjoyed calling into Todd and Tennelle's for drinks and dinner from time to time.  Nice to be close for a while. Went for a walk along Wommin Beach, Fingal Head which was very windy but a great walk especially as I needed relax time after many hours of playing Santa!  I noticed Helen read quite a few books while I was working hard!

Curlew family at Boyds Bay Tourist Park

Had to leave Boyd's Bay Caravan Park on 23/12 as no sites available due to Christmas bookings, so booked into Murwillumbah Showgrounds for 3 nights as I was still working up until 24/12.  Not a bad drive into Tweed Heads from Murwillumbah but was certainly glad when my shift finished on Christmas Eve.