Day Twenty One - July 27th, 2013
Noosa
We woke to the sound of the bell from the croissant van - a lovely treat for our Saturday morning breakfast! I dashed out to buy a pain au raisin (Elly's favourite) and a pain au chocolate (I love anything where chocolate is a main component). We ate them on the beach area in the sun - bliss.
Seeing as we were still car-less, we decided to be constructive with our morning on the campsite as get our laundry done. This is an arduous task as it means literally sorting your dirty laundry in public, securing enough machines (we required 3) hanging around until the cycle is done and then finding space on the communal lines. However, it was a nice sunny day and we passed the time reading and lounging around. Once everything was hung up, we had a spot of lunch (left over spaghetti) and were deciding what to do with our afternoon. Just then, the phone rang letting us know the car was ready! As its Saturday, and the garage closes at lunch time, they were keen for us to come in and pick it up. Elly explained he'd be there ASAP on his bike, but being unaware of the speed Elliot can cycle at, they mechanic offered to send someone to pick him up from the campsite. I'd barely finished the washing up before I saw Elliot driving back in the Landy, complete with new radiator; the old one had completely corroded away at the bottom, and couldn't be saved. We are back in business people! (Touch wood).
With the car now at our disposal, we went into Noosa Junction to have a look at a bike shop Elly had spotted on one of his rides. We are essentially looking for bags to use on the plane, but would like something for when we head in land, as we don't want the bikes getting dusty on the car rack (they are expensive toys, and not something we want to damage). After looking in the shop for a substantial amount of time, pining after most of the selection on offer, the helpful man behind the counter told us they stock Evoc bags (the ones Elly would like) but at over $500 each, we know we can I'd them cheaper elsewhere. However, he did give us 2 cardboard boxes for transporting the bikes for free, and Elliot picked up a small saddle bag while we were there. With the boxes in the car, we drove to my aunts and uncle's favourite place up here in Queensland, Sunshine Beach. It was beyond beautiful, and the houses were incredible. We saw one for sale; 9 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, tennis court and 'self contained caretaker's bungalow'. MUST. HAVE. NOW.
There wasn't much surf there, so we drove back to the Noosa Heads National Park, eventually found a parking space on the busy Saturday afternoon, and walked to Tea Tree Bay Beach. I settled down with my book for a sunbathe (back in a bikini for the first time this 'winter') and had a happy hour or two on the sand while Elly surfed.
He came back a little disgruntled at the lack of waves, but happy to have been in the water. He told me some dolphins had been out close to the surfers, and we watched a couple of them swimming the bay. Heaven.
I managed to fit in a quick run once we were back the the campsite, and took the boardwalk by Pelican Beach in Noosaville. It was alive with families having early picnics and BBQs; all in all a lovely atmosphere. I saw the sun set, and got back to the tent just as it dipped out of view. Elly was tinkering with the bike boxes, cutting them down and so on, with the offending Stanley knife he cut his finger on just before we left Manly. I hate that knife! I wish he would leave it in the box!
We decided to drive to the shops to get some dinner instead of walking and thank goodness we did - everywhere was closed! We forgot it was Saturday and that shops close at 5.30pm. We were forced to stop at a BP garage to pick up some tinned tomatoes ($3.99 for ONE tin - daylight robbery!) and make the most of the ingredients we already had.
Sophie and Dorian (our tent neighbours) both work at the markets on weekends; Dorian on the German bread stall (from the bakery he works at) and Sophie on a German sausage stall. They had left us four sausages with a note saying they were from the market, and warning us about leaving branded clothes on the washing line. Sophie had some Nike running gear stolen a few weeks ago, and since half our wardrobe is pretty expensive work out stuff, we hurried to check it was all there. Thankfully it was, and we thanked S&D for the sausages and the tip! My supper consisted of couscous, tinned tomatoes and lettuce. Not the best meal I've ever had, but edible! At least we had plenty of chocolate! We also bought some (home brand) custard creams, 75% of which were missing the custard. We fed the biscuits to the ducks. They really like us now.
Ben and Megan were cooking fajitas at the same time, so we sat together and had a couple of games of cards when we were done eating. They are headed to Hervey Bay tomorrow, so perhaps we will join them at their campsite on Monday night.
Hopefully we will make it to Australia Zoo tomorrow! Keep your fingers crossed.