Escape in the Van

Tuesday 2 February

It was well over 12 months since Ellie Eagle had been camping. I spotted a window of opportunity on the calendar, checked the weather forecast for the following week and asked two friends to join me.

When I woke, the day was overcast.  I wasn't concerned until Joc and Jan text me to say they were held up in traffic, because of a heavy downpour, as they made their way to join me.  Looking at the radar, I still thought the cloud mass wasn't a threat.

As we departed at 9.30am, the first sprinkles were falling at Mt Warren Park. We checked google maps to find the quickest, if not most direct route, and waved goodbye to my husband.   

Our normal 1 1/2 hour journey slowed to well over 2 hours and the closer we got to our destination Coolum, the more apprehensive we became about having to set the van up in the heavy rain.

The rain Gods were wonderful. Just 10 km from Coolum we drove out of the rain and except for a few night showers, it left us alone. However we did set up the van in rivulets of sweat because of the high temperature and humidity after the rain. We were not complaining. Yes we were, but it was the better alternative.

Almost done, but a cuppa was desperately needed.

Van in order, time to hit the beach for a refreshing swim. Well for me. My friends thought the water was too cold! I was dumbfounded.

 

A relaxing afternoon ensued and wine o'clock soon arrived. Our plan to continue relaxing on the beach was scarpered because the sea breeze had become a gale. This sheltered picnic area was perfect. 

As daylight waned, the surf club turned on their surf spotlights and we were able to continue watching the waves roll in. 

 

It was overcast as we set off on our early morning walk on Wednesday. The air was crisp and cool, even if the views were hazy from sea spray. 

Our walk was quite slow, as we were mesmerised by the sounds of the waves ebbing and flowing and watched the myriad of patterns made by them, as they slowly caressed the shoreline. The clouds were also having a lovely time chasing one another to the horizon.

A kilometre along the beach, Summer Creek entered the sea, brackish brown from the melaleuca and tea-tree bushland it passes through. On this morning the tide level convinced us not to try and cross. 

My pic.

 I love this one. Joc's pic.

Retracing our steps, the morning light changed.

Mt Coolum, 208m, is an impressive volcanic dome dominating the coastal landscape. I had first climbed it on a very rough track in 1972, and then several times more recently. The one time Joc went to hike it, it was closed for maintenance. 

Today was it was our destination. Just a steep kilometre to the top.

The views were specatacular. South to the Glasshouse Mts and east to the coastline.

15 kilometres of beach stretching from Coolum, north to Noosa.

Looking south west, Buderim and the Maleny Hinterland, were still receiving heavy downpours.

Descent

Someone managed to be a little quicker than us, spotted as we recovered in the surf.

Not too cold for Joc and Jan today.

Feeling good after our morning's exertions.

The afternoon breeze was still too strong for wine o'clock on the beach near our campsite. We found this sheltered cove, and as we set up, the rainbow appeared.

We may have found the pot of gold, but a shower of rain also found us, so we retreated to the previous evening's venue.

I think I may have mentioned before that I don't miss the sea when I am away from it, but it is most certainly incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating when one visits.

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Looking for Sunflowers

 Wednesday, 27 January

Three years ago, the Hungry Hikers made a plan to visit the sunflower fields of the Darling Downs. [a two hour drive from here]  A phone call was made to the local tourist information centre for advice on the best locations to visit. The result being that the excursion was cancelled, as the existing drought conditions had prevented any plantings. Finally, late last year rain fell, and on making the call this year, we were given directions to find the golden fields.

The number of fields was still limited, so we looked for somewhere to hike nearby. Some googling took place, with Goomburra and Main Range National Park becoming our destination.

A 6am start was made on what was to be a perfect summer's day. Clear blue skies, green fields and a car filled with the laughter of good friends, made for a great day.

Goomburra and Main Range National Park was our first destination. The countryside was awash with colour. The ploughed fields  and crops of maize, sorghum and legumes made a patchwork of browns and greens. Livestock were looking stunning with their glistening hides. Foals and calves were innumerable.

 

Nearing the National Park we came across Gumtree Gully, a property strewn with creative sculptures utilizing recycling materials. Their captions had us laughing.

Further along, the road ran parrallel to Dalrymple Creek. Here we discovered camping, glamping, cabins and caravan stays, spread out along the creek for quite some distance. It looked so peaceful with the cattle wandering through, a wallaby or two and the galahs calling loudly.

Low level creek crossings were numerous.

We then entered the Heritage listed Main Range National Park and completed the short Dalrymple Creek trail through lush rainforest.

Soaring eucalpyts against blue skies were spectacular!

Time for morning tea!

We all wore pink to support our absent friend and fellow hiker, Jenny.  For Jenny, it was day one of 16 days of radium treatment for breast cancer.  Thankfully Jenny's cancer was caught very early and her prognosis,  is excellent.

A sculpture of Fleay's Barred Frog. Sadly, this little fellow's existance is now endangered.

Our plan to take two further hikes was brought to an abrupt halt. Joc's car was too low to safely make the creek crossing. Hiking wasn't the aim of the day, so we reversed and went on our very successful sunflower hunt.

A beer and lunch at Rudds Pub, before happily making our journey home.

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