12 September - Day 18 - Maroochydore

Big trip today! From Noosa to Maroochydore - total distance 34 km. We're staying at the Maroochydore Palms caravan park, one of our favourites. I think this is our fifth visit. We have a week here before we move further south, probably to the Gold Coast.

10 September - Day 16 - Noosa

A beautiful day again today, and a great day for one of our favorite activities here in Noosa - walking the Tanglewood Track in Noosa National Park. This hilly, 5 km walk offers a great variety from dark mysterious forests to fabulous ocean views. We've walked it many times and each time it is an exhilarating experience. After the walk we had quite an appetite which was easily fixed at a gourmet hamburger bar in Noosaville.

9 September - Day 15 - Noosa

As forecast, today was the first real wet day we've experienced so far. It was forecast a while ago and our plan was to go to the movies. After a nice lunch in Hastings St in Noosa we caught the 1:20 showing of Red Dog. We really enjoyed it and the fact that it is based on a real story made it all the more enjoyable. The story is set in Dampier in the 1970's and the feel, the people and the music of that mining town took me straight back to the atmosphere of Bougainville. The weather has already settled down and the forecast for the next week is fine and warm. We may go for our usual treck through the Noosa National Park tomorrow, and on Sunday we expect a visit from Peter and Saskia.

7 September - Day 13 - Noosa

Woke to a beautiful, sunny day this morning. After a leisurely breakfast of bacon and eggs, we headed off to the Eumundi market which is held every Wed and Sat. This market which covers many acres in the center of town is one of our favorite outings on the Sunshine Coast. We had German hotdogs and sauerkraut for lunch with blackberry crumble and coffees to follow. Got back to our van around 1:15 to settle in for some serious relaxing.

6 September - Day 12 - Noosa

Our second day on the Sunshine Coast started with rain. By mid morning this had cleared, and a pleasant day followed. We drove to Noosa Heads for lunch and some quick shopping in Tewantin. As you can see above the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing.

5 September - Day 11 - Noosa

Spent four wonderful days with Peter and Saskia and Lexi in Gympie.
We mostly sat around and talked and drank on the beautiful new deck they have built on the back of their house. We had some great meals and a few bottles of special wines. Altogether a fine time together as it always is when we pass through Gympie. Left there about noon for the 60 km drive to our next caravan park in Tewantin which is part of Noosa. We'll be here for a week.

2 September - Day 8 - Gympie

Drove from Toowoomba to Gympie yesterday (275 km) and arrived early in the afternoon. It was great to catch up with Peter and Lexi and then later in the afternoon with Saskia. The new outdoor area extension at Peter and Sas's place is spectacular and we sat out there and squeezed every last bit of sunshine out of the day. Went for a drive to Tewantin today and stocked up on curry powder from the Indian supermarket there and had lunch in a nice cafe on the foreshore. The Pajero had its 150,000 km service today and was declared to be in excellent condition. More sunshine this afternoon and after a few beers and G&T's we'll think about BBQing some excellent fillet and rib eye steaks. No idea what's planned for tomorrow - isn't it great.