Mooloolaba and surrounds

Mon 6 to Wed 8 Sept 2010

Cool Annie

Not up at 0500 today instead a lay in until 0700 what luxury! Monday was still a little overcast from the day before but the rain had stopped so after breakfast we wandered into town along the beach amongst the fitness aficionados, never before have we seen so many runners, canoe paddlers and speed walkers in one place, (perhaps there is a fitness fetish in Mooloolaba).

Young Endeavour

Anne gained her Sydney Morning Herald fix after we found the last copy in the 3rd newsagents we went to.

Twilight Young Endeavour

Sunset over Mooloolaba Bay

After a quick shop we sauntered back to the marina and noticed that the sail training ship 'Young  Endeavour' was anchored in the bay rolling from side to side as it was beam on to the light swell. Most uncomfortable for those on board no doubt.' Young Endeavour' was a Bicentennial gift from the British Government, as we recall.

Harbour entrance

On a visit to the local chandlery to buy a clip to stow the anchor more securely Michael discovered a set of dinghy wheels for sale (these would have been very useful over the past few weeks, however??) and promptly snaffled them up, at $150 a bit 'spensive for Mr tightwad Michael but no doubt good for the back and hence cheap at the price. Annie received the wheels as another romantic, but late birthday present.

Paddlers

The sun came out and shone by mid afternoon and our wet weather gear was now drying out, the boat washed clean after the downpour and all was looking lovely again. A walk up to the breakwater saw lots of people around unlike 24 hours earlier when we saw nobody as we entered the harbour.

Not a Ferrari

On Tuesday we hired a car, 1000 cc of pure power in the form of a Daihatsu Sirion (bit tinny but it went OK) and charged off to the hinterland. Its an amazing feeling this travelling at 45 knots with no sails.

Renovations invited

The towns of Maleny and Montville are quite pretty although the English Pub, the Connemara Irish (and for some unknown reason also Scottish) shop, plus the Clock Shop are all a bit twee.

The drive along the ridge with views to Mooloolaba and Moreton Island is spectacular. Several wineries exist in the area however we did not find one open, probably just as well!

Lunch for Los Saaremaates

We stopped at Flaxton Gardens an ex winery in Flaxton for an excellent lunch with spectacular views out over the 6 rows of vines left over from earlier days to the coast. At $26 for a set 2 course lunch with 3 choices of entree and main it was good value and "Very tasty my dear" as says Mr Titmus in 'Paradise Lost'.

A view and a half

Noosa Heads

We returned to Mooloolaba via Noosa and then wondered why we bothered apart from the Heads at Noosa proper. We are sure its a lovely place if you like canal estates and shopping, enough said.

Tina Turtle the new crew

The newest member of our crew is Tina Turtle who joins us as the only non tacky thing we could find in the Steve Irwin shop. That is if a cuddly furry turtle is non tacky??? She just hangs around the saloon in Saaremaa.

Wednesday was a washing and lazy day with dinner at the Surf Club an excellent roast carvery deal, we're stuffed full.



Thursday is looking good for an overnighter to the Gold Coast outside of Moreton & North Stradbroke Islands leaving at 1300 with ETA o6oo Friday we'll see.