Friday 14th October

After a leisurely rise and breakfast we planned our day.   Yesterday it was suggested we go somewhere with all the family for lunch, but as we had only two days left and trips we wanted to do we called and pulled out of that.

Instead we decided to head for Mooloolaba and then make our way back up the coast line.  Meg and Paul were keen to join us and follow in their car.   

Before meeting up we called into Harvey Normans to check out HD set top recording boxes as Jack and Anita had a new TV and couldn’t record any programmes.  We were lead through all the options by a rather loud but helpful salesperson - very different approach than we get back home.   All the info we needed without the big sell, although we did tell him we were researching for family.   He made a good dig about Aussie winning the Rugby World Cup on Sunday!!

Yesterday Gill had found a good dress shop behind Coles at Noosa Junction, so as we still had half an hour before meeting Meg and Paul we headed there so Julie could see if she could find anything.   Pete and I thought we knew where Coles was, but it was in fact the IGA, so we went behind the new bus depot, and there we found Coles and Noosa Fair - a small shopping centre we didn’t know existed!     Julie found the shop but as we didn’t have enough time.  Good find Gill.

We ‘picked up’ Meg and Paul at Breakfree South Pacific, and headed south on the Sunshine Motorway.

The weather looked nice again, blue skies with a few odd clouds which was very promising.  

Yesterday we were expecting thunderstorms, but that never happened, however Brisbane and south were really hammered.  Flash flooding, high winds, and huge hail storms.  The hail was so hard, intense and heavy that it even went through roofs.   Trees blew down, and in case a tree landed on a car killing the driver and causing traffic madness. 

Mooloolaba has grown a lot since we were last there in 1993!   We got caught out getting onto the beach front at the beginning of the ‘waterfront’ but we quickly sorted out where to go, and we once again found 2 disabled parks together!   We have managed that a few times, would never happen at home.   

We decided it was coffee time, so went along the waterfront and found a nice spot to have a coffee and kill time.   It was very busy but we did come to the conclusion that we may come here on a future blob out holiday.  We had a walk along the beach once watered and feed, and there are lots of sheltered areas to get out of the sun.  The beach was quite busy, a lot of nice tanned bodies. 

From Mooloolaba we drove north through Alexandra Heads, Maroochydore and on up towards Coolum.  To get from Maroochydore you have to go back the motorway to go north, and on the way I spotted some intriguing new buildings.   We turned off at “The Broadwalk” and found a new subdivision so very interesting homes and we slowly wound our way around the small streets, with Paul and Meg stopping frequently to take photos.   Paul and Meg have an architecture practice in Hobart, so of course they loved seeing great new ideas.  There was a new apartment block called “The Breeze” which was very creative. 

On to Coolum and we were there by 1.30pm and time for a lunch break.  Again no problem finding parking, and somewhere to eat.  An afternoon sea breeze had come up and it was nice and cooling.   I would guess the beach would not be quite so pleasant in the wind.    One thing we noticed at most townships was groups of school children on the beach, so water safety etc. 

Looking north from the lookout at Coolum Beach

The surfing class on the beach

Looking south

Back to Noosa via Sunrise Beach to show the others where Jack and Anita had their first apartment.  Nice spot right across from a good surf beach.  Back on ’93 when we stayed there on our honeymoon, it was a cul-de-sac, but no longer and the area is now built up. 

Our second visit to “Sketches” at Noosa Fair was very successful.    Both Julie and Meg found something suitable, Julie a lovely pink top with sequins and Meg a grey little jacket to go with a grey skirt she already has. 

There had been a plan to meet for dinner at the South Pacific but we pulled out as Julie and Dave only wanted a light dinner and we felt like a quiet night, as it had been quite a long day.  Pete’s back is also killing him.    He was really suffering from having to lift me so much.

After a rest at the apartment we decided to go for a wonder to select a restaurant.  Forgetting it was Friday night, we wondered why Gympie Terrace was so busy.   The couple of places we were keen to try were fully booked, so we ended up at Gracie’s Place – and Italian restaurant.   As it was close to the apartment Dave went back and got the bubbly which we still hadn’t got around to opening.

I would have to say the meal was the worst I have ever had!    Heaps of pasta and not much else – barely a spoonful of mince in my spaghetti bolognaise!  It was dreadful, and then we ordered dessert which was even worse.  Thank goodness we had a nice bottle of bubbly to compensate.   BUT then it was a really cheap meal.