We are feeling the withdrawals of life without ready access to the internet. How did we survive B4? While we may lack technological access the area offers us opportunities for driving adventures & helpful neighbours! We’ve had a busy 4 days thus completing our first full week here on the Sunshine Coast. Let me bring you up-to-date with a ‘Coles notes’ version.
Friday after our usual morning of enjoying a relaxing “brekky” over a long-black or flat-white coffee (yes John & Meg own an espresso/cappuccino machine) we drove north (M1) to Bribie Island (pronounced like bribery only change ‘bery’ to bee). The promotional brochures describe Bribie Island as a treasure trove of plants & animals. An island fringed by white, sandy beaches where thousands of shorebirds feed & roost; 360+ species of birds feast on the sand flats & live by this coastal heath land; an Eco lovers delight! We crossed the 1K bridge to urban sprawl, traffic congestion & confusing R’Abouts. We were tempted to reverse! However, after visiting the Info-Site for directions to the beach & best sunset spots; we decided to stay. Our next stop was Red Beach, the most easterly point of the island. There are many homes for sale in this highly developed beach front (now blocked entirely by trees & shrubs) but the beach was amazing! The sand was fine & white, the beach uncluttered, wide & great for shell-combing. We walked with the feel of sand through our toes & gentle wave action around our ankles; then sat to watch the surf. BTW – Red Beach was the code given the beach during WWII.
Before leaving Bridie Island, we drove west to Bellara to glimpse the sunset views over the Glass Mtns. Instead we found ourselves on Banksia Beach, with multi-million $ homes and yachts moored at their private marina, next to the Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club! It wasn’t a bad outing. We watched a remarkable sunset with a couple in their 80s, who had parked their electric scooters on the point to drink a bottle of vino (apparently a regular routine). We walked the beach & collected a few ‘special’ shells to remind us. BTW, over 80% of the island is an inaccessible nature reserve, hence undeveloped!
Saturday, the approach of Cyclone Ului brought rain! It was a great day to check out the largest mall in the area, which covers acres of stores including Dan Murphy’s, a shop known for inexpensive wines. Elsa & I covered only one section of the mall in 2-hours (we’ll go back) while Lewis & Tom spent most of that time at Dan’s, purchasing 9 bottles of wine for $25 AUD (6 of those skinless bottles (no label) $11)! Now that was a bargain; more so since it is quite drinkable! Saturday night we visited with neighbours Fiona & Aiden (the family from Dublin) & Helena & Derrick! A great night!
After a slow start Sunday morning, we drove north to the Glass House Mountains, while keeping an eye on Cyclone Ului. The Glass House Mtns were named by Captain Cook in 1770. The ‘Glass Houses’ are volcanic plugs rising abruptly from a patchwork of farms & forests. On a clear day you can see Bridie Island but with Cyclone Ului covering the north we saw only marvellous clouds! Disappointed, we drove along Steve Irwin Way to Maleny (MA-Lainy); a plateau overlooking the Glass House Mtns. We drove through rainforests with elevated views of the valleys. The occasional break in the clouds provided us noteworthy vistas; a great day of exploring another piece of our backyard.
Monday, yesterday, we drove west to Toowoomba (Too-Woom-BA); a 2-hour ride inland to the escarpment tabletop (300 metres high). We ate lunch at Picnic Point on the top of the escarpment with panoramic views of the Lockyer Valley and Tabletop Mtns. Already 2pm, we did a quick tour through the town (girls bought laundries) while the guys shopped at a military surplus/outback clothing store and fed coins to the parking meter! On route we passed through the town of Minden, fertile farmland & fresh produce markets (harvest time). New potatoes .49 cents/Kilo, squash .39 cents/kilo, pineapples, limes, lemons, cabbage, oranges, bananas, avocado and custard apples; driving away with a trunk full of fruit and veggies for just $36; just like the old days of shopping at Holland Landing. Did you pick up on the Custard Apples? We were introduced to this ugly looking fruit by 2 local shoppers at the Windmill Market who gave it a ringing endorsement. Sceptical, I bought 2 ripe custard apples. Well, unbelievably delicious! It is like eating creamy custard with a mango flavour! Wow, we’ll look for them again! (picture attached)
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