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……….

One day merges into another.

Coolum

“Without TV, you would have no idea when one day ends and another begins” – Homer

Well let me tell you, if old Homer took the family on a road trip, it would only take a few days without TV and you get the same result.

What has the weather been like? Rain every day, usually ok in the morning, but it clouds over in the afternoon and down it comes.

On Monday, we received a call about 11 o’clock from North Coast Campers, to say the van would be ready at 2. Like true pensioners, we were on the door-step at one minute to 2.

We had an awesome hand-over; by Jeff, who took us through every little feature of the van. We left there around 5:30 and headed to the caravan park, at Dicky Beach, where we propped for 3 days.

 

All bright and shiny. A few tracks will fix that.

First day set-up

Messy inside, still unpacking

NCC  recommend you stay in the area for 2 or 3 nights to get used to the van, it also gives them the opportunity to rectify anything that does not work, and to be close at hand to assist.

We had a great few days at Dicky Beach. We even joined the surf club! Why? Well for annual membership of $5, you get a card that gives you $1 off drinks and around 10% off meals. Paid for the card on one night.

On Wednesday, we returned to the factory before heading north. We had a list of “fixes” and questions for them.

We left the van there and went food shopping, about 1½ later we receive a call, “all ready to go”. We collected the van and headed north to Coolum, only a short trip, but we had old friends staying there.

Arrived at Coolum, and set up. After showing Steve and Kaye over the new van, we headed to theirs as it has a bit more room for 4 people to sit, a few beers and wine later, back to the van to cook up the steaks we won in the Surf Club meat raffle. Magnifycent!!

So here we are at day whatever. Had dinner at the Coolum surf Club, and yes, joined yet another one. Need to buy another wallet to keep all of the cards in.

The meals are fantastic at these clubs, and so much cheaper than pubs.

We will stick around here until Tuesday, as I have had to book into an auto sparky. My brake controller keeps blowing a fuse. After talking to Guru Rick at home, came to the conclusion that when the original controller was fitted, they did not fit a self-setting circuit breaker. I will have a crack at fitting it over the weekend, “mmmmmmm” says Carolyn.

Well I’ll prove her wrong.

All for now – cheers Follower (note singular :) )

Caloundra

Not a great deal to report since the last Blog.

Well it is now Monday and fingers crossed we will receive a call today and head over to the factory (10 minutes away) for hand-over, however after visiting the factory on Friday and seeing 4 guys, crawling over, under and in, cutting holes, banging, and screwing we are not 100% confident. Ah well it doesn’t matter, as long as we have somewhere to stay, this is not a bad place to spend a few quiet days.

Yesterday we drove out into the Hinterland and visited a botanical gardens. About 10 years ago, a guy purchased 100 acres of scrub on the side of a mountain and is turning it into the most magnificent gardens, with terraces, dams and plants. We wandered around for a couple of hours, including a tour through the bird sanctuary.

Most of the exotic birds he has, have been rescued from people who were not looking after them. I’ll post some photos later as I have left the camera in the car.

Cheers for now and if you got this far, thanks for reading.

Day Whatever, lost track

A massive days driving yesterday. Not so much the distance (575klm), but the conditions were pretty bad. From thick fog, to torrential rain.

Day 3 & 4

We stayed in a “cheap” motel in Forbes, where road-trains went past 2 metres from our front door. As I always say, you always get what you pay for!  

Day 2 and on our way.

Thursday night, we planned on an early, quiet evening. At around 3pm the first of family and good friends arrived to say farewell, and after a few beers and more than a few bottles of wine later, the last departed well after 9.