Coolum to Seventeen Seventy to Dicky Beach

We spend a fantastic few days with Steve and Kaye, and had a few good meals, drinks and laughs reminiscing over “old” times..

Tuesday had the Auto Elec (Steve) look at our electric brakes, man did he find a few issues! I think due to some of the extreme tracks the old girl has covered over the past 5 years or so.

First, a power lead which was running between the fuel tank and the chassis had worn through 

– completely, then an earth wire much the same. He replaced these and guess what, the brakes were perfect!!  It did take him 1½ hours to Fault check and locate the offending wire. Steve was a really nice guy, who persisted as it was really getting to him. He charges us for an hours work which was nice, another person I can highly recommend and will place his details on our web site.

At 10, we headed north leaving the Sunshine Coast behind, or so we thought. What is that saying about plans are meant to be blah, blah blah?

Looking at the map, we thought we could make 1770 (actual name = Seventeen Seventy), about 420klm away for Tuesday night. Carolyn rang to book into a camp ground Kaye recommended, DAMN! Booked out. However, we were able to book one night on Wednesday, so did. Oh well there’s anotherie in the Camps Book, we did get in but on a cancellation and the last one available for one night. 

We left the cool, wet weather, and approached warm clear skies, sugar cane and pineapple- field territory.

We arrived at our park, that turned out to be very packed, as it is school hols here.

On opening the van, we were greeted with a few drawer issues, after a call to Jeff at North Coast Campers, we decided the best plan would be to return to have the problems rectified. 

Particularly as we are planning to do some pretty rough and isolated country? This is a bit of an inconvenience, but just need to think of it as part of the overall adventure. NCC have been really good, and have offered to cover all costs to return to have fixed.

 We thought the first camp we went to was not bad, but after arriving at the 1770 camp the next day, we sure changed our mind. This place is like a little bit of lost Paradise, complete with a white sandy beach and palm trees.

We would like to have spent a week there, but could only get in for 1 night. The manager said after the school hol’s, we could get a site on the beach, we are pretty tempted to return. A word of advice, only come here out of school hols, book a few days prior to arriving, and bring a boat, a small tinny would be quite adequate (I think I have a birthday coming up soon Family!!!)

After a wander along the beach, a beer in a magnificent bar, onto the local boat ramp, I felt I could meld in with the locals, all scruffy hair, beards, beads, bright clothes and a fishing rod under the arm. 

Carolyn just proof read this and said, “You’re describing yourself Dick Head, less the hair”.

We left this morning to drive the 420 klm back to Caloundra and vowed to return. It always amazes me when things seem to go wrong, there are positive outcomes.  On the way back, we stopped at a road-side stop for a break, and parked behind an old couple with a pop-up van, and as you do, had a chat, they ended up giving us a whole lot of free sites to stay at on the way north.

Arriving back at Dickie beach, I was tired and emotiona,l and totally stuffed up backing the van into a tight spot, normally I could do it with my eyes closed, but tonight was a different story. 

Anyway, we are here safe and sound, plans are to drop the van off in the morning, go for a shop/browse, not bloody likely for me? Sit in a Wi-Fi coffee shop of course sounds better.

Saturday we will head off, where to? Who knows, north I guess, but then again……….