Finding Nemo

Our stay at 1770 was a great success. It was everything I had hoped it would be and a little bit more. On Friday morning I took the boys up the beach and we played cops and robbers amongst the rocks. The boys bought themselves el-cheapo cap guns in Coolum and were keen to try them out. Rather than frighten the campers we found a quiet spot and had a fantastic time sneaking around behind the rocks and through the bushes. I felt like I was 10 years old all over again.

We then spent the arvo untangling the fishing rod, before finally getting it back in the water. It was a unique feeling to just sit in a chair and have the time to untangle fishing line. It must have taken over an hour. I certainly wouldn't have taken the time had I been going about my normal life. I have to say I found it very relaxing. Charlie found a new sinker on the beach. It turned out to be much more effective than the ones we were using. A fisherman with a large beard gave us his remaining prawns. These were just the tonic for catching fish. All the kids caught at least 1 fish each. We weren't concerned with size. The aim was just to pull one in. All of fish ended up back in the water. It was a terrific experience for the kids. The weather was quite cool and so not much swimming happened on Friday. We stayed on the beach with the fishing rod until nightfall.

Charlie assists Gracie with the casting process

Gracie bags her first fish - she caught it all by herself

This is William's offering - He was very pleased with himself

For a number of days we had been considering a trip to Lady Musgrave Island. It is the southern most coral cay of the Great Barrier Reef. It was quite an expensive proposition. But after a bit of haggling with the tour operator we crunched a deal. It turned out to be an excellent decision.

We got up early on Saturday morning, packed up Bustin' Loose and drove the short distance to the harbour. We then boarded the "Spirit of 1770" for our 75 minute trip to the Reef. The lady at the check-in said that there was a 2 metre swell. That didn't sound too bad to me. So off we went. Nothing could really have prepared us for what a 2 metre swell felt like on a smallish vessel. It was incredibly rough.  We were on the top deck of the boat and we were getting sprayed by the water. Lara pumped the kids (and herself) full of anti-spew tablets, and I'm pleased to say that they served their purpose. There were, however, some tense moments.

This was our trusty boat

Charlie maintained this look for much of the trip to the island

Mum is deep in concentration - Just trying to keep it together

We started off with a walking tour of Lady Musgrave Island before returning to the pontoon for lunch and then a snorkel. This whole experience was an absolute highlight for all of us.

Lady Musgrave Island

The kids enjoyed exploring the island - Gracie found some coral shaped like a gun!

Gracie enjoying her pontoon lunch before having a snorkel

Lady Musgrave boasts a huge protected coral lagoon with a smallish opening to the ocean. The water is crystal clear and a deep blue/green colour. The fish were amazing and they were everywhere - It was like swimming in a massive tropical fish tank. Hannah and I were fortunate enough to spot a massive turtle. It was swimming along very slowly just below us. We swam with it for a few minutes and it was something we won't forget. Later in the day, Lara also managed to spot a large turtle. It was a real treat. Charlie, William and Gracie spied a turtle and a stingray from a mini submarine type boat we went on.

All togged up and ready for action - A very James Bond moment

Lars and Hannah swimming with the fish

Dad and Hannah setting out for an expedition

Afternoon tea was served before we cruised back to harbour. The ride home was much more sedate. It was a very full day (8.30 am - 5.00 pm) and it was worth every cent.

After getting back to Bustin', we fed the kids and then started heading south. It was dark by this stage. The highway was not overly busy and consequently I didn't hold up too much traffic. I did, however, get some serious CB time with the interstate truck drivers. They nattered away to the "southbound bus" and provided me with condition reports as necessary. The only thing missing was Bandit and Snowman. It certainly kept me entertained and made the time pass quickly. We finally stopped 12 km's south of Gympie, out the back of a 24 hour truck stop. My major objective was to buy Lara a Mother's Day present. There aren't many options at 11.00 pm on Mother's Day Eve. The options are even more limited when the only retail outlet caters predominantly to truck drivers. I was pretty sure she didn't want a Ralph magazine (though it was an option at one point) or a Deals on Wheels.  She ended up with an  iced coffee, some Pineapple lumps, a Twirl and two Wagon wheels. Not exactly a scented candle, but my choices were limited.

We woke early on Mother's Day and presented our offerings to Mum. Lars made the appropriate noises and everyone seemed happy. She requested a Maccas breaky. Off to Gympie for breaky, (I think Charlie and I were the only ones not in our PJ's) followed by a quick muck around at the skate park.

Gympie Maccas - We only spilt one drink - It was full though

Mucking around in the park after breaky

Dad and William did their best to maintain the pace

This is Mum's scooter - She is a very good sharer

We then hit the road and reached the Gold Coast at around 12.30 pm. We did a spot of shopping before a Mother's Day lunch to remember. Sushi rolls on the nature strip outside the Helensvale Shopping Centre. It was a pleasant place to stop for lunch. At one point a long haired bloke wound his window down and yelled "go hippies." We took this as a compliment. At this point Gracie was standing in a shopping trolley (in her nightie), eating her lunch. I suppose I can see where he was coming from.

Helensvale Shopping Centre on the Gold Coast - A great place for Mother's Day lunch

Moments after being called hippies by a long haired lout

Mother's Day finished with tea in the eatery at our caravan park. It was very nice. The kids were reprimanded by management at one point for not wearing shoes. He was lucky they were wearing pants!

 We are now neck deep in the theme parks. More of that later.

Cheers for now

Phil, Lara, Hannah, Charlie, William and Gracie.