Thursday 13th October

A sleep in - woke after 6am!   Thanks again to someone slamming a door in the stairwell, which echoes.  Followed by a screaming kid!

After breakfast we decided to go for a short walk along the river, this time eastwards.  At 8.30 it was already warm.   Nice stroll not a lot of cars or people about apart from a few people running or enjoying breakfast out.    Once back Julie put the jug on for a nice coffee.    Just as we sat down Meg rang - they were parked outside.  So they came in and joined us.  It was great to see them again.   Meg has MD (as does Uncle Jack and myself) so it has become quite important to meet and see how things are progressing.  Meg, Jack and I do look similar with similar weakness; although I am the only one who’s walking is most affected.   Jack is still very active, even at 81 he is doing a couple of 9 hole games of golf a week - not bad.  Meg gets about reasonably well using a stick or a crutch.  Meg and Paul travel quite a bit, despite Paul being in a wheelchair, or using crutches.

We had all planned to meet at the Bensons at 10am to make a decision on a BBQ lunch on the riverside.  Meg and Paul followed us as they were a little unfamiliar with the route.   Gill and Brian were already there when we got there and we were quickly followed in by Heather, Jack and Anita’s daughter-in-law also joined us.  Organising 13 people was a bit of a mission, but we finally settled on a spot and some of us went via the supermarket.  

The spot we wanted was already taken but we still found a couple of shade stands and BBQ available close by on Gympie Terrace.   The council provides free BBQ’s which are kept in great condition.   All along Gympie Tce there is BBQ’s and shade stands with tables and benches - very well arranged, along with paved/concrete/wooden paths winding through the trees.  

Naturally there was food galore, wine, juice etc!!   No one went hungry. 

The BBQ and two pavillions we had on Gympie Tce - not far from the apartment

Uncle Bill on the left starting to put food on the BBQ with Uncle Jack, Brian, Gillian, and Dave in the background (hiding behind his shades and hat!)

Auntie Gwen with Me (in chair) Gillian and Paul (in his chair)

Heather (my cousins wife) giving instructions to Uncle Bill!

Thats the life  - the two wheelchair users just watching on from the shade of the pavillion. 

No work for us.  Note - drinks in hand!

The view of Noosa River.

Cooking in progress.  Dave couldn't escape the photo this time!

Cousin Meg taking photos for the record!

Noosa River

 Noosa River

The Pelican

The river side is well used by the locals and visitors - people everywhere enjoying the river and facilities.  The sun was pretty strong but by the time we had eaten the wind had got up.  We disbanded and headed back with the younger four couples agreeing to meet at Villa Noosa’s Steakhouse at 6.30 for dinner.    

After dropping the left over food back to the apartment we drove out to Noosa Heads.  Although it was very busy there, we found a disabled car park at the southern end and it was in the shade which was an added bonus.   The boys wanted to wander along the boardwalk on the beachfront but the wind made that option unpleasant.  Of course they were keen to do bikini spotting…   Instead we wandered down Hastings Stree to see if we could find anything suitable for Julie to wear at Dave’s nephews wedding next month.   The selection was disappointing, mostly expensive beach wear or so expensive and over the top.  Instead we opted for a New Zealand Ice Cream!  Well I am not a fan of gelato.   

As we walked back to the car the wind got up even more and when we got in to car there was the first spots of rain.   It had been getting blacker all afternoon on the horizon.  And that was it a few spots and then nothing.

Back at the apartment it was snooze / rest time.   The rain didn’t eventuate but the air become more humid, and then the sun is out again.

I am thankful we have an apartment which is east facing, no afternoon heat, as it was very hot in the sun - at a guess at least 28 degrees.  We can have all the windows open the ceiling fan on, and it is most pleasant.   You can hear the road noise - just, so it is quite peaceful except for the birds.

We had a couple of pre-dinner drinks then wandered down to Villa Noosa just after 6pm to met Gill, Brian Meg and Paul for dinner.  As it was just after dusk there was very little traffic around.   The Steakhouse was busy, but we were able to get a table for 8 without a problem.

TIP- Thursdays at The Steakhouse they have $10 off any steak meal!  Most of us had eye fillet steak, with Brian opting for the seafood platter and Gill the crumbed barramundi.  It was a most enjoyable evening chatting all round. 

When we wandered back to home it was still warm, definitely no need to cardigans at this time of year!