The slogan for this small island off the mainland from Townsville is "320 days of sunshine". Well, we've landed in the 32 days ....grey skies, wind and rain ! Not quite our idea of tropical paradise.....although it really has all the ingredients for it. From our cottage we look out onto a palm-fringed beach with balmy water. The only thing missing is the sun ! Magnetic Island is a 40 minute ferry-ride from Townsville. It is mainly National Park. ...both on land ...

Airlie Beach really is a tropical paradise. Yesterday we walked along the 5km walkway along the palm-lined beachfront, sheltering from intermittent showers and then swimming in the man-made lagoon in the rain. As the water is warm, it is warmer in the water than standing in the rain. Once the shower is past, the clouds open and the sun is again very potent. The bays filled with yachts are an azure blue, when the sun is out. Not much swimming in the sea, as is it ...

Off the air for a while ....been on the move ! After the Geldenhuys' left us at the Gold Coast we went for a drive to the southern part of the Gold Coast. More great beaches, holiday areas and beachfront park and restaurant areas ....all really user-friendly and inviting. On 2 April we headed north to Brisbane, driving as close to the coast as we could to enjoy the coastal scenery. We stumbled across Paradise Point, the northern tip of the Gold Coast. Wow ....wh...

Easter Sunday - Gold Coast - Surfers Paradise Easter without our children and my parents ....strange feeling. The Easter Bunny found us though...thanks to Judy ! Someone said that the Gold Coast was like Durban on steroids , what a good description. Miles of swimming beaches with life guards bordered by blocks and blocks of high rise buildings, huge shopping centres and restaurants and the very special feature of Gold Coast Meter Maids dressed in seriously shor...