Noosa

The Noosa Council is very accessible aware which means most newer premises are accessible etc.  But some things don’t quite ‘right’, like the lack of footpaths, the lack of accessible accommodation. 

The accommodation issue is possibly due to a lot of the apartments and units are privately owned so there is no requirement to have a percentage of accessible rooms.  And like NZ accommodation providers don’t always advertise their accessible rooms.

In 2005 we stayed at Tingirana http://ebility.com/accessnoosa/tingirana.php  or http://www.tingirana.com.au/ .  They are located on Hastings Street, the up-market strip of accommodation, shops and restaurants.   We stayed in a Street frontage Studio which was like a large hotel room fully accessible.  It was very nice and a reasonable price back then AUD $140 per night. To have a beachfront apartment was considerably more, even for a couple.  To have a two bedroom apartment (the Street Front apartments are duel key) is around the $400 plus per night.  It is worthwhile if you want to splurge.

My cousin Meg and husband Paul has a little trouble finding accessible accommodation and have booked at Breakfree South Pacific, where my sister Gillian and husband Brian are staying when they arrive on Wednesday.

Covered carparks

Most shops and restaurants are accessible if they are relatively new.  Some older places do have steps.   Shopping centre’s such as Noosa Civic Centre and the local supermarket have shading over a number of the car parks, which includes the accessible parks.  Great in the rain and sun.  

There are roundabouts at every turn which takes a bit getting use to and the signage is a bit different.    You expect something to be either left, straight through or right, when in reality you need to look for the first, second or third exit.    One observation is that there is much more greenery around the intersections and roundabout which makes getting your bearings a bit more difficult.

Sunday 9th October

Brilliant sleep - Pete had taken the bed covers off and put on a lighter blanket plus we left the air con on in the living area to keep the temperature cool.   Managed to sleep until we heard the birds about 4.30am but did go back to sleep, waking at 6.15am - an improvement.

The coverage of Bathurst started at 6am so Pete had the TV on right away!   We are an hour behind the other eastern states and the coverage started with Classics racing in the fog up the mountain.

After breakfast I carried on writing this Blog while Pete kicked back.  Then suddenly Pete realized the mobile phone was ringing in my handbag, in the safe cupboard.  Bob and Janet from Taupo.  Last time we were in Noosa they were the first to call….. They rang with exciting news - Bob had proposed to Janet on Saturday via a big sign on the shed!  Romantic old boy.  (They live on a lifestyle block out of Taupo)    We are so excited for them.    We met them in 2006 on a Team Kiwi Racing trip to Adelaide and Melbourne for the racing.   They were dubbed ‘The Boss & his secretary’ on the trip, but that is another story….   And Bob was stoked Greg Murphy was on pole.

Today is devoted to sitting in front of the TV all day!!!  It’s an annual ritual.   And as in previous years there is a lot of strategy and planning around Safety Car events and after 5 odd hours the last few laps are exciting.    This year a record finish, with 0.29 seconds between first and second!  And Greg Murphy came third, which we were pleased about.

A pity in some ways as it was such a nice day outside.  We had all the windows and ranch sliders open with the screens across to keep out any bugs.  It was most pleasant.  

Actually one benefit of the apartment is that it is east facing so we get the morning sun and sheltered from the hot afternoon heat.   In the full heat of summer the outside BBQ area would be most pleasant particularly if there is a gentle breeze.   I am sure we will have a nightly pre-dinner drink out there when Julie and Dave arrive even though it is not summer really!!

The third quarter final of the Rugby World Cup between Australia and South Africa was half way through when we switched over from ‘The Great Race’.   

We decided to find a local pub to watch the fourth quarter final between New Zealand and Wales.   We found the pub - Villa Noosa eventually - it was next to Dan Murphy’s a liquor store (we thought it was the pub by the name!).  As Pete had had a couple of beers during the motor racing we walked and wheeled down the road.   Sunday afternoon 5pm and the roads seemed deserted, which was just as well and not all the local streets have footpaths, so I had to use the roadway.  Quite strange there are areas where there are footpaths and then areas with no footpaths… couldn’t work that out at all.  

Villa Noosa was very accessible, ramp outside and inside.    We had an early dinner while the game started in the restaurant - the prices were very reasonable and the food was nice.   I had an eye fillet steak which was superb and Pete the beef pie with mashed potato and mushy peas.   We then went into the public bar to watch the remainder.  The place was deserted???   Still we enjoyed watching the game.

Once back at the apartment we watched TV - found a “Grand Designs -Revisited” on one of the channels.  For a change something actually worth watching.   So many channels had very old movies and repeats it is dreadful.  I think we are a bit spoilt in New Zealand, expect for Prime, which is owned by Sky TV and very commercial.

Once again we were dead on our feet (so to speak) by 9pm.

Saturday 8th October

Having gone to bed so early we woke at this morning at 4.30am and finally just after 5am we got up!

So we showered and had breakfast - and that was over and done by 6.30am!!!  Wonder how we will ever cope with a real long haul flight and destination?

Cue to starting the Blog writing.   TV is bad here.  Even with numerous analogue and digital channels finding something worth watching is hard.  We did however work out what channel Bathurst and the Rugby was to be shown.

The weather forecast was for rain and thunderstorms.

We decided to head south about 9am to Sunshine Plaza at Maroochydore.  As we got in the car there was a few drops of rain.    On the way out we did a quick reckie to Jack and Anita’s to refresh Pete’s memory of the route.     We noticed the paper on the driveway, so Pete retrieved that and put by the front door in the shelter.  The rain drop were big and far apart, but by the time we got to Sunshine Beach shops it was pouring and the trip down the coast was in torrential rain!    Then there was lightening, and it just kept raining.  

Of course when we got to the Plaza the place was swarming with people, being Saturday and wet.   Once we sorted out how to get in we scored a disabled car park on the ground floor right by Myers, first pop. 

Tip - Bring your NZ Mobility Card - they are accepted here.   Actually you will find in general where ever you travel they are recognized.    The disabled parks have a white wheelchair symbol on a blue background in the centre of the park.  There seems to be plenty everywhere.  Down the coast from Noosa they have Red or Blue disability parks, but we have never found out what the difference is.

It was actually quite cold out of the car and windy.   We headed into Myers straight into the lingerie department, perfect as I wanted two camisoles.  The Staff were all over us - completely different to our previous experiences in Myers, where we couldn’t get help!     With that sorted we headed into the main Plaza to find shoe shops as Pete needed sandals.  First shop we found a pair of Colorado sandals on sale for $49 - perfect.  We did a quick wonder around and decided we were over the crowd and went back to the car after ¾ hr!   It was still raining so went back to Noosa.

The return trip was on the Sunshine Coast Motorway, as the coast road down was very slow.  We decided to call into Noosa Civic Centre - the largest shopping complex in Noosa to go to Woolworths for some lunch supplies.  Much nicer and although busy it wasn’t manic.    Might go there with Julie and Dave rather than going down to Maroochydore as it is more pleasant.

Back to the unit for lunch and for Pete to put his feet up to watch the Saturday coverage of Bathurst and the Top 10 Shootout.   It was great - Murph ended up on Pole!  What a great result.  I won’t go into the details as it will all be history by the time this is published.

With the racing coverage over we watched the Ireland V Wales quarter final of the Rugby World Cup.   Wales were so strong and Ireland could not get through their defense which we were disappointed with, as we hoped they would meet the winner of the France V England clash.   

By this time the rain had gone and the sun was out, and of course with the recent rain it became a bit humid.   Not too uncomfortable thank goodness, more tolerable than what we get in Auckland mid summer.

When the game was over we headed to Jack and Anita’s to see if they had returned from Yeppoon where they had been for four days with Bill and Gwen.    They were home, so Pete hid around the corner to put All Black flags on the car as a wind up for the Uncles!!!!    We spent about 1½ hours having a quick catch up only as they had been up since 5am also, to get the train back from up the coast.

We called into Bertoni’s Pizza & Pasta in

Thomas Street

to get takeaway Pizza for dinner.   By the time we did eat we only managed a couple of slices each as we were once again pooped!!!   After eating we tried to stay up a bit later, but by 8.30pm we were dead on our feet so headed for bed!    

Accommodation

We booked into Regatta Apartments http://www.regattaapartments.com.au/  in the accessible unit - Unit #2, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, where we stayed in July 2007.   The rates very reasonable - $128 per night for up to four people. ($64 per couple is cheap really!)  I booked online.    There is a swimming pool, but that is not accessible at all - pity.

As we were early the unit was still being cleaned, so we went off to the small shopping centre and supermarket, which is two streets over at Noosa Village Shopping Centre, to kill an hour while the floors etc dried.       As with our last visit we were staggered at the price of fresh vegetables and fruit!  $11 per kg for bananas, just for starters.    We bought the necessary breakfast supplies, and most food was more expensive than at home, dollar for dollar.  I don’t remember that being the case previously.

The apartment is good size with a full kitchen, in an open plan living area, laundry in main bathroom which has a walk-in shower and high toilet (complete with a cushioned toilet seat!).  The master bedroom has an ensuite with walk in shower, but no hand rails, and the second bedroom has twin beds.   We took the twin room so Julie and Dave can have the master with ensuite when they arrive on Tuesday.

So we settled in and watched a bit of TV as we were a bit popped.  By 4pm we were ready for dinner!!!  The three hour difference was really taking its toll for some reason.  We went for a walk to see what takeaways we could get, but at that time nothing was really available, so we came back to the unit and Pete had a beer and I a wine, and about 5pm Pete headed back down the road to get fish and chips.  

By 6.30 we were had it and headed for bed!!!

Our Courtyard - note ramped access.  Plenty of chairs.  East facing, so gets the morning sun.

The access gate - note the toggle on the left of the opening, so someone in a chair can open.  That is our car in the carport.

Yours truly working on my Blog!!   Dining area.

Fully equipped kitchen.

Lounge area.

Our twin bedroom - there is also a master bedroom with ensuite, which Pete forgot to photograph.

The bathroom.   To the left of the handbasin is a laundry with washer and dryer.

Shower area with the support bar down.

Escape to Noosa

Friday 7^th October 2011

A 5am rise for today’s flight as it takes me a while to get through the bathroom and get dressed.   The aim was to leave the house by 6am.    We have done enough 3am starts to get the early bird flights, and it is just too hard.  We always found with those flights sleep was not great as you tend to worry about sleeping through the alarm!

This morning there was no chance of that happening as dear Abbie (our old deaf cat) knew exactly what was going on and woke us at 4.30 am demanding a finally ‘love’ and cuddle before we got up!  We know Kate will ensure Abbie will get lots of attention while we are away.  Including the compulsory brushing which Abbie demands.

Packing

We are not the most organized packers, as we don’t do lists - we should really as I am always paranoid we will leave something behind.  Although I have decided as long as we have all our medications, mobile phone charger, and power chair charger, we can buy anything we leave behind within reason.

We had purchased an Eagle Creek ‘Packing Folders’ http://www.eaglecreek.com/ from Bivouac at Sylvia Park.  Interestingly the New Zealand price was cheaper then the American website on the current exchange rate.   We purchased an 18” folder and a pack with a 15” folder, a cube and small toilet bag. 

Interesting the two folders took all our shirts and Pete’s good trousers, and the cube we fitted in all our socks (I wear socks daily due to having KAFO’s which means always wearing shoes) and underwear for 9 days.   Our large suitcase looked empty! (We travel with just one large case between the two of us because we take the power chair and walker so a second case would be a pain)  Even with the toilet bags, boots and all our electrical cords etc for the power chair, camera and laptop we had spare room!  As we were concerned about the weight we decided to take our carry on bag, which we would check in.  So, on the plane all we had was a satchel with the Netbook, camera and our Camelbak drink bottles.   The ‘folders’ were a great investment as the clothes don’t move around and stopped them creasing badly. 

Auckland International Airport

We got away on time, and had a quick trip to the airport.    We had booked the car into the Auckland Airport long term uncovered parking at the International Terminal http://www.aucklandairport.co.nz/ and the price was very reasonable $70 for ten days.   Easier and more convenient than one of the private off site parking companies, and the price of a one way taxi ride to the airport from home.   Access to the park is via your credit card that you used to pay online with, you park the car, and take your keys with you, which means no-one is driving your car while you are away.    We managed to get a park close to the trolley park and close to the walkway to the terminal.   At least the car will be easy to fine when we get back as it is parked under a light stand!

Checking in was easy.  As we require ‘assistance’ we cannot use the Air NZ ‘self check-in’ pods, but that’s fine.   The large case weighed in at 21.5kgs, so we would have been slightly over of we hadn’t used the carry-on case.  

Plenty of time to have breakfast before we head through to the departure lounges.  Once again there have been changes to the terminal, and for the better.   The café we have usually ended up having a coffee at now offers full meals, so we were able to have a nice cooked breakfast rather than having something like McDonalds.  A big improvement on the food and the atmosphere.

Going through the Departure point was easy being ushered to the express lane.  Duty free shopping was confusing as usual.   Why do they make the shops, stands etc so hard to negotiate!   Of course it is a marketing ploy…. 

Off to Gate 8.… On the way were stopped at one of the water stations and filled one of the Camelbak bottles.   

I was surprised we were not the first to the gate as we thought we were early.   It seemed no time before we were boarded.  Of course we were the first.

Flight Air NZ 135 to Brisbane departing 9.30 am arriving 10.10am

We were allocated Row 47 seats B and C with the window seat blocked - that sounded fine, but it sounded a long way back.  What I had forgotten was we were on a 777-200, and our seats were in the last row the first cabin.  Down side - we heard every toilet flush!

Our seat allocation was fine, and for once I had the window seat so Pete could get in and out easily, and we didn’t have to worry about a third person.  Boarding went very smoothly, even with a nearly full flight we pushed back 15 minutes ahead of time.  That doesn’t happen often!!!

TIP - Don’t open and pull the cover off the Camelbak once the air - use it in the correct manner and suck the water.  I opened and pulled the top off and gave poor Pete a shower!!!!   Very dumb of me, not being a sports person I had no idea how to use a Camelbak correctly - I do now!!!.    I was staggered how much water came flowing out….   We did have a good laugh.

We had booked ‘The Work’s tickets - seat, 23 kg luggage, meal and entertainment.  The savings to fly seat and carry on only or seat and 23 kg luggage, to me seems pointless, we are on holiday.   The meal served was lunch which was weird, we were expecting breakfast.  The meals were nice; I had the beef casserole and Pete the Cajun chicken.  Coffee was as usual awful and luke warm. But there was Hokey Pokey Ice Cream!    There was wine etc but they hardly bothered to offer that but I guess it was because it was a full flight.  I have to say the personal entertainment screen offer so much to choose from I struggled to find something to watch.   I ended up watching a couple of episodes of ‘Big Fat Gypsy Weddings’ and ‘What is really in our food’, then listened to music (the selection was endless) while  reading the in-flight magazine.

The flight went really quickly and with the help of tail winds we were another 15 minutes ahead of schedule.   In the end we landed 25 minutes early, but that advantage was washed away when we got to Customs and there was a huge queue due to a Singapore Airline flight just in front of us.   It is the first time we had had to wait in a queue in the express line behind crew etc.   Bonus was the airport staff assigned to us stayed around as they did not have another assignment to go on to   In baggage claim one stayed with me and retrieved the bags while Pete and another went off to locate the power chair and walker.  From there we saw one MAF person and walked out.

In the Arrivals Hall I turned the mobile on and called Brisbane Bargain Car Rental http://www.bargaincars.com.au/  used the 1300 number - naughty but it was on the confirmation.  Easy instructions go out to the bus park and wait on Lane 3.   We only had to wait about 5 minutes as the van was at the Domestic Terminal.   Nice old chap duly arrived in a sign written van which was easy to spot.    A short drive to the depot with another family on board to sign up and collect the car.   We had booked a Camry wagon but we should have gone for a Ford wagon, but as all their cars were fully booked there was no chance of upgrading.  We were impressed with the owner who was friendly and efficient.  We had not used this company before I was not sure what to expect, particularly as the price was very reasonable.  $350 for 9 days, half what the mainstream rental companies wanted.  The car has done over 120,000 km’s but it is a Toyota and it’s hard to kill them!  Petrol is $1.48 per litre which is an all time high.   At home petrol is way over $2.00.

By 11.15am we were heading north to Noosa.  We decided to stop at the first roadside service centre to get water and a snack.    As with the last Aussie trip Pete spotted a car of interest at the pumps!   This time a beautiful Mk1 Escort 2 door in red.  Of course he had to go and have a look and then a chat to the very proud owner.

The trip to Noosa was uneventful and quick 1.5 hours to the unit.  Having been there three times before we had a pretty good knowledge of the route, but still used the map book to ‘check’.