Sk8 to cre8

Before leaving Mooloolaba we made ourselves known to the local Doctor and the Chemist. Both William and Gracie got antibiotics for various ailments. They like the taste and so they are very good at reminding us that it is time for their medicine. We only stayed one night in Mooloolaba. It was a great place but only an interim stop because there was no room for us at Coolum. Anyway, we set off on Tuesday morning for Coolum, via the Big Pineapple. We parked in the massive carpark (almost as big as the one at Wally World) and geared up for a great adventure. We were somewhat perplexed by the fact that nobody else seemed to be around. We made our way to the magnificent structure just to find that the entire complex was closed. So this adventure had more in common with Wally World than just the carpark. We still managed a photo, but the poor old Pineapple was looking a little sad and unloved. I'm not aware of any other major attractions in Nambour, so we set off for Coolum.

Not much happening at the Big Pineapple - It could use a coat of paint



In keeping with the theme of hoisting oversized fruit on to Bustin' Loose

The Coolum Beach Caravan Park is right on the beach. Unfortunately the weather was average and the surf was wild. It wasn't cold but it did rain a bit. This didn't stop the Simpsons. We swam each day and also used our body boards. It was almost too rough for the boards. Swimming there wasn't exactly relaxing. Gracie always needs to be in the action. It was quite difficult keeping track of who was doing what and where. I spent most of my time yelling at the kids and trying to ensure that they didn't fall off the continental shelf. Things usually calmed down a bit once Gracie went back to the Bus.

The Easter Egg hunt begins like the Boxing Day sales

The hunt continues

We managed an easter egg hunt on Wednesday which was lots of fun. We didn't get a chance to have one on Easter Sunday and so the kids had been eagerly awaiting this event. It was terrific fun although, despite instructions, I lost count of how many I had hidden. I found some tricky hiding spots and I suspect we missed a couple. They'll be found by some kid in the June holidays.

Hannah had quite a tidy haul of Easter Eggs

Competitors compare notes

When the kids aren't in the water, they are sniffing out the next skate park. They have gone skate park crazy. There is a good one in Coolum. It is, however, much bigger than any they had been on before. There was a massive drop-in that caused me some concern. Not because I was considering it, but because Charlie was. I have struggled with my need to encourage the kids to try new things and support them in their ventures on the one hand, and protect them and save them from possible injury on the other. When Charlie anounced that he wanted to try the massive drop-in, I was placed in a difficult position. What to do? Anyway, he tried it and he made it. He stacked on his second attempt but all good since then.  William, Hannah and Gracie are also working hard to hone their skills.

Gracie enjoyed climbing and sliding at Coolum

William is part Spider Man - Still in his PJ's

Dad generously shares his vast knowledge with the younger generation

This is much bigger than it looks

We wandered around the shops at Coolum and bought some bits and pieces. Hannah got a new rashie and Charlie got a jazzy new t-shirt. For some weeks now, Bustin Loose has been sounding like a WW2 fighter. A weld has come undone on the exhaust and the noise is quite unsettling. I tried three separate exhaust places in Coffs Harbour, but nobody was interested. I decided to bite the bullet. I ventured with Hannah and Charlie to Mitre 10 and bought some hose clamps. With the help of a hack saw I then set about fashioning a Nesquik tin into the right shape (where's Peter Starr when you need him!) It has solved the problem for the time being. I've done a couple of hundred km's and it has held up brilliantly. We'll wait and see.

The Alby Mangels style Nesquik repair on Bustin's exhaust

We left Coolum yesterday (Friday) after three nights there and started our trip further north. We went the coast road via Noosa to have a look at rich Victorians on holidays and then set out for Bargara. It was a slow day on the road. We didn't actually go all that far but it did seem to take a while.

In Cooroy for morning tea - Not far from Noosa

William on some military hardware in Cooroy



Looks like she's off to the Spring Carnival



Bargara is just out of Bundaberg. It is right on the beach and this is one of the prettiest places we have been so far. When we arrived last night we stood outside and looked at the sky. We managed to spot a shooting star or two. Lars was always looking in the wrong direction. It was a beautiful clear night and the stars were bright. It has been a magnificent day today. The caravan park is just accross a little access road from the surf beach. We managed to swim, and body board, we flew the kite, walked into town for an icy-pole and mucked around at the skate park. The skate park here is also very good. It has lots of good stuff for beginner and expert alike.

Hauling the boards at Bargara

Sitting under a Palm tree on the foreshore

A classic moment of sibling harmony

The kite flying elective

It is a funny feeling when your kids start getting better than you at something. I thought I would still have a few years of being "the man." Not so, when it comes to riding a scooter. The kids are doing things that I am terrified of. I still offer advice on how they should be doing things and give special comments on technique, but I would never attempt even the stuff that William is doing - let alone Charlie. I decided this morning that I could no longer sit on the side line. I borrowed one of the scooters and thought I would show the kids that I could back up my talk with action. It was very untidy. I just about dislocated my knee and I limped for the rest of the day. I will now just stick to special comments and technical advice.

We had a lovely tea of butter chicken (cooked on the barbie) and rice and the kids were early to bed.

We'll hang around here another couple of nights before heading to our ultimate destination of 1770. It is just over an hour north of here. Until then.

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