The weekend in sunny Queensland

Hi,

Thank you so much to Vivienne for looking after wee Smudge for our weekend away.  She looked very well when we got home at 1am last night!

Turns out I would much rather still be in Queensland this morning.  Although the locals think it is warm (I saw people in short sleeves walking to work this morning) I had the heater on in the car!  Hahah.

Anyhow, we left early - early! - Friday morning to go to the Sunshine Coast to collect Toby.  We caught up with Jo in the departure lounge as she had a long weekend to Melbourne.  Woot!  Flight was fine (I watched Tarzan, with the chap from True Blood in it - which was average, then You Before Me, which made me cry!).  We uneventfully cleared customs and collected our rental Corolla, and 8am local time saw us heading north on the M1.

I navigated us without incident to the Sunshine Motorway (I often miss the turn off for that motorway from the main Bruce Highway) and then as we approached Peregian Springs, we noticed there had been a fire through recently.  As we commented on that, we also noticed that it was actually still smoldering.  Yep - a fire was through there as recently as...  Now!

We got to my parents' place and dropped off our stuff, got changed into shorts and then headed out to explore Noosa.  This was the first time Mike had been up here.  We drove to Tewantin and found the ferry terminal and bought the tickets.  Oddly they needed cash and it was $130 for all of us.  We had to scrounge around for the money, but managed to do it.

The ferry ride was fun - down the river to Noosa Heads and a lunch in Hastings Street.  The place was pumping and we had a great lunch.  Then Karen and I had a quick look at the shops while everyone went for a swim.  And then Karen and I joined them!  The water was so warm and lovely.

Selfie time

More selfies

Abby looking relaxed

Tyler enjoying the ferry

After a good swim we ate Ben and Jerrys ice cream and caught the ferry back.  Waiting for the ferry was fun - the water had all sorts of fish in it by the wharf.  We saw trumpet fish and angel fish and just big schools of decent sized fish.  And crabs.

Iced coffee goodness

The feet meet Ben and Jerrys Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz

Kids swimming in the rain

Back to relax at home.  Saturday saw Brent come up with the boys (Jack 7 and Harry 5) to have a BBQ with us and swim in the pool.  The weather decided to play up a little with rain as we got lunch ready.  But it was so warm the kids loved swimming in the heavy rain.  And the rain also dealt to the fire that was still burning not too far away.

We caught up with Brent back at the house and chatted away for ages before he had to get them home for their movie.  It was such fun to see them all.  The boys are very sociable and Harry took a shine to Abby.

Next morning we had brunch booked close to the ferry terminal.  Lovely morning there before we all got lost trying to find the jet ski hire place on the Noosa River.

Photo bomb!

Hahah!

We found the jet ski place and we hired 3 jet skis.  I had Abby behind me, Toby and Mike shared one, and Scott and Tyler were on the other one.  We had the circuit to ourselves and we all had such a good time.  Abby and Tyler enjoyed their turns at driving.  Toby was traumatised by almost falling off from behind Mike and didn't pluck up enough courage to try driving.  But he also enjoyed the fun!  One of his highlights from his month away in Australia.

We did that for 30 mins and it cost $80 per jet ski.  Marvellous fun!

We then split up and Mum, Karen, Scott, Abby and I went to Sunshine Plaza to do some shopping and Gramps took the others for Maccas and then home.

Dad got some bad news really late Sunday - his mother was taken to hospital to intensive care and needed some exploratory surgery.  But late Monday morning we heard she was responding to treatment and although it is still serious, things might be improving.  We hope she recovers well.

We swam in the pool and just packed up before heading away from Peregian Springs at 1.45pm.  Stopped off at Coles and left there at 2pm.  Got to the airport at 3.30pm and checked in and had an uneventful flight home.

Toby was so happy to see Smudge.  And she slept on his bed, so I think the feeling was mutual.  Getting up this morning after 4 hours sleep was not easy!

Toby enjoyed his month away.  Karen said he was well mannered and lovely - that made me proud of him.  Apparently at Nandos on the road trip up from Sydney, he ordered his food and the woman behind the counter jumped and said "You have such a deep voice!".  I am sure he has other adventures to relate too!

Last drive in the MX 5

Mike and I drove in as we're handing the MX5 over to the new owner today.  So sad!  Like - really sad!

Time to try and get my head in the game! I miss everyone already.  I hope there is nothing tricky to deal with today.

Have a great day!

Love,
Angela