Packing up, Beach, Beefy's and Vanwall

Sunday October 23

A first. I saw three Buff-banded Rails and, a Kookaburra digging for insects, whilst sitting up in bed. We woke early to a sunny/cloudy morning, we sleep with the curtains open. The sun hit the fantastic house high on the hill overlooking the forest and our garden first. There's a volcanic plug nearby, conical in shape. The Glass House Mountains, just a little south of here are all plugs.There are some spectacular houses all over Queensland  - and not expensive either by UK standards. This house is on 6 acres. The proper name is Kuri'bigil'ba, the Aborigine name for Cooroy Mountain, meaning 'The Place Where the Sun God Came Down to Earth'.

We were ready to leave at 9.50, Mike's satnav stopped working, we led the way to Marcus Beach when he overtook so that he could lead us to the parking place.

We parked easily and reached the beach via a boardwalk through the trees. An infinity stretch of golden sand, barely populated. 

A small section of Marcus Beach

Pam and I sat in the very pleasant temperature with a balmy breeze whilst the family walked to the sea. I soon joined them for a paddle. The sand was very firm where the sea had gone out, standing in the water was alarming in the rapidity with which you were sucked into the sand. 

Pam, Harry and I then sat watching the activity whilst first Sara and Mojo and then, Mike and Josh, set off, out of sight,  into the distance. I chatted to Harry and attempted to photograph the occasional bird flying by - they always appeared too suddenly for any preparation. Some were Gull-billed Terns but we are yet to identify the slender black-billed terns with any certainty. Maybe White-fronted.......
Two views of Gull-billed Tern



Is this a White-fronted Tern?

When the family returned with a very ratsy Mojo and samples of Bluebottles (Portuguese Man o War') jellyfish for us to see, I took some photos



Blue-bottle - the several feet long tentacles which hang down in the water, in a mass below

and we all departed for lunch at Marcus Beach. Mojo was washed under the shower first, wrapped in a towel and cuddled.

A mosey around some shops, lunch outdoors at a German cafe, another shop survey - Josh wanted me to see a clock which only showed the time when you clapped your hands. He was dying to buy it but it was A$40 and his parents didn't want him to spend that much. He bought a ball which changed colour according to the warmth of your hands instead, A$ 6.95. much better price.

I bought a pair of earrings, can't go home without ONE new pair, and Sara a candle stand for the table.

We left them to it and drove home via Beefy's. We tried an Aberdeen Steak Pie this time, very pleasant but no nicer than our usual 'Signature' which is a dollar cheaper. We didn't eat it until we got back to a good welcome from a vocal Zulu. The family were only half an hour after us, they didn't stop at Beefy's, ' wanted to get rid of the children as soon as possible!'

I set to on downloading photos whilst my laptop was charging and noticed that Pam was gardening already !! She has a list......

We're now watching the Rugby World Cup Final and keeping fingers crossed for Man U later. I fancy a draw I think but hope it's a win for us. It's a 6 pointer.
The Family at Marcus Beach

Pam took the photo