Coronavirus impacts our travels

We left Wayne and Susan's and as planned headed to the Sunshine coast to visit friends we hadn't seen for a while. There was a lot of talk about Coronavirus (COVD-19) which had originated in China and now starting to spread to other countries around the world.  The virus was spreading quickly and warnings were being issued on avoiding contact with other people and in particular the elderly.

We stayed with John and Heather at Bribie Island the first night and had a great catch up.  John had arranged for us to go to dinner at the local RSL club.  The Courtesy bus picked us up and took us to the club.  The numbers dining that night was down considerably, already the virus was having an impact and people were starting to stay home.  The bar staff had hand sanitiser which they regularly used plus patrons encouraged to use also.   The next morning after a great cooked breakfast plus a bag with a few rolls of toilet paper (thanks John and Heather) we travelled to Landsborough to catch up with Harley and Faye.  They had had a lot of rain in the previous few days so decided to stay in the Beerwah Caravan Park to avoid any damage to Harley's lawn. Driving into the park we encountered a sign saying 'Closed due to function'.  Apparently the Harvey Bay Caravan Club had booked park out.  Drove onto Landsborough Pines Holiday Park where we booked in for 2 nights (had to stay two nights so that we could go to the pub for the 2 for 1 meal deal on the Wednesday!!). Went to the shops in the morning to see what was left after panic buying - managed to get what we needed however toilet paper, paper towels, pasta, rice, flour shelves were empty - thank goodness for our toilet paper gift from Heather and John as that will come to good use until we find a shop with toilet paper supplies! Went to the Pub for tea and had a great meal however the number of people dining was down dramatically, probably only 5% of the normal number. As always we had a great catch up with Harley and Faye.

As COVID-19 was starting to spread in Australia and there was a lot of talk about what Australians had to do to protect the population, we decided not to continue our visits up the Sunshine Coast. One of our friends, who we had planned to visit, recently had an operation and we wanted to avoid passing on the risk of infection.

Sunset at Murwillumbah Showgrounds.

So it was back to Murwillumbah Show grounds where we booked in for 6 days.  Some people were not adhering to self isolation as a group still had their Happy Hour gatherings. Had a day with Todd helping pour concrete for his new shed.  Briony popped in to help Helen babysit Dudley!!  She has now lost her two casual jobs and the Uni will shut down so students will have to access their lectures on line.  Very upsetting for her as she is such a social butterfly.  Good news is that after 3 days of searching I was able to buy a packet of toilet paper although felt very guilty walking out the shop as people were staring at me! Was waiting for a gang tackle to steal my precious purchase!

Morning walk along Brunswick Head beach.

Was suffering cabin fever so I went to Brunswick Heads for a beach walk and swim. Latest news is that AFL will only play round 1 with no spectators then will not play again until COVID-19 is over. NT has closed it's Borders followed by WA, Tasmania & SA.  No more football to watch whatever will we do!!  Helen and I drove to Brunswick Heads for a lovely walk along the beach and swim then stocked up at IGA Murwillumbah - Sanitiser and paper towel supplied to wipe down trolley handles.

Email advising who can stay in the caravan parks, essential travellers only.

More shut downs as Stage 2 Restrictions are in place.  Only essential services are now operating - pubs, cafe's restaurants etc are all shut with thousands of people lining up at Centrelink to register for financial assistance.  Qld border to shut tomorrow at 12 midnight which has upset Briony even more as she will not be able to see Todd and Tenelle or her friends in Qld as she lives in NSW.

Northern Territory imposes travel restrictions

We left Murwillumbah and settled into Kirra Beach Tourist Park before the Queensland border closure.  Briony came around to see us which was good as she could chat about what is happening around us.  Understandably she is feeling very alone and isolated.  The car had been booked in for service in NSW so was not sure if I would get back into Qld with border closed.  Invoice received from Service Centre stated that it was essential travel so could show at check point if stopped. Had breakfast with Briony at her home (no seating at cafe as take away only), then crossed back into Qld.  Barriers at Coolangatta had been taken down as too difficult to police the twin towns (NSW/Qld border) area at the moment.

Finally finished erecting the new shed.

Spent a long day at Todd's helping him put up his new shed but was worth the effort as Tenelle made a great pastie for lunch.  Kirra Beach Park will only accept 'essential travellers' from 1/4/2020 so vans are leaving each day and only a handfull of essential travellers remained around the park and people are keeping their distance from one another.  The people next to us are from Tasmania and intend to sit it out here until the all clear to travel.  My dentist called to say my appointment is cancelled as they are only doing emergency work.  We decided to leave on the 1st April and head to Whiptail a friends property near Beaudesert away from the multitude of people on the coast.  Walked along Kirra Beach, called into say goodbye to Todd and Tenelle (with no hugs much to Helens disappointment).

Tenelle, Todd and Dudley.