The North Gorge

 We spent the day doing a detailed exploration of the Point Lookout area of Straddie in the North East of the island. The gorge walks are impressive. There are two gorges and the surf lifesaving club is huge and perched on a good location above main beach. We did not go down to main beach but there were many others like Cylinders (surfing), Deadman's (body), Frenchmans and our very own Flinders beach below the hotel.  I have read Matthew Flinders diaries but had forgotten that he was given water by the locals here on Straddie which saved his life.  The wind sprang up this afternoon but we still went down to swim in the lagoon. There was much entertainment with out of control kites, paddle boards, surf boards you name it.

Lagoon swim

Surf Club

North Gorge

Danger Surf

I forgot to mention the surfing antics.  The highest king tide of the year occurred earlier today and with the wind it was broiling.  We talked with one teenager who was having both his bloodied shins attended by the surf lifesaver but the kid in the above photo lost his board and could not retrieve it. He got it back briefly and thru it away when a wave got him on these rocks.

Stradebroke Beach Hotel

 We left Laura and Rick at 9:30 am in time for the 10:30 am ferry ride to Stradebroke Island.  The ferry had a cafe for coffee and was a reasonable size although our diesel guzzling hire car was a bit bigger than the subaru so fortunately they gave us the centre isle first cab off the rank position. We drove into Dunwich and grabbed some rolls for lunch and a few drinks. We had lunch at Amity point which seems to be set up for fisherman with boats.  The drive to the hotel was scenic stopping at some water holes and spying the straddie christmas tree. The hotel has a huge beach below with a 1km long lagoon that we swam in.  We got the last room in this hotel but it still has a deck with a koala right alongside.

Long Lagoon

Eucalyptus climb

Straddie style Christmas

Full Moon Hotel

Another wet day in Brisbane but not a cold day.  We  have been taking our time in the mornings and snoozing in the afternoon in time to go out for tea.  We drove to the Full Moon Hotel but the rain and clouds meant we did not see any Moon but there was a good view of the tidal flats below.  We walked in there and Tim & Julie were inside sitting down.  How did that happen?  Some sneaky goings on has arranged this gathering.  The food was good. I had the beef and pea pie. Very tasty. Earlier it was our turn for the dog walk during a break in the rain. So even Luna was happy.

Sunshine

Full Moon Hotel - Sandgate

Indoor Action

A leisurely day was spent not doing much. A bit of reading, a bit of shopping, a bit of lunch.  These were all indoor activities as the rain was pouring and kept going all day.  We ordered take away Thai as the restaurant was full but the taste was the same. Not as good as the home cooked roast the night before. We played adult mini golf also indoors. I have not heard of the adult version complete with bar and stands at each tee to place your drinks while you hit off.  We played 18 holes and Rick and Debbie shared the best scores.

the wait

Happy Parents

Stroke that

ET golf

Dog Park

 You may as well call the dog park the pregnancy park as half the women there were pregnant, not to mention the frisky  dogs.  There is a lot of energy expended and they are all fenced in.  Back at the airport this morning you can only sit in the lounge on every third seat but when you get on the plane every seat is in use. Go figure.  Laura and Rick are looking good and we are having an early Christmas Dinner complete with trifle.  Luna the dog has not got used to us but things will change in the  Lunaverse.

                                        

musical chairs

which one is Laura?

Strathmore Wine Bar

 After the drip system, the hanging baskets and the packing we made it to Grandma and Grandpa for some afternoon tea and a present pick up run. Then it was off to the Wine Bar  in Napier St for a day after Julie birthday drink.  Daniel, Bianca and Asher made it at short notice for our general entertainment.  The hotel here is still running on empty with a skeleton staff and skeleton service until ther covid thing blows over. We have wake up call at 5:00 am. Groan. There is a yet untried airport covid procedure that we are not sure how much time is involved.

Beach Repair

 There has been a lot of action on the beach at both ends.  The boardwalk excavation has finished so the mega digger has climbed up from below. In the meantime another tractor went down and has buried most of the  dried sea grass.   This was not as good a job as last time but is better than it was.  Someone will eventually work out that there is not enough sand to keep burying this stuff. We have also finished grappling with the decos and have finally got the colours in the right locations. Debbie is madly getting some drip water systems going before we head out so that hanging plants will get some moisture.

Clean beach

Red Door

Coloured deck