Q Resorts Coolum @ The Beach Coolum Beach

... what turned into quite the walk, probably traversing 10km in all, and on a hot day. It was nice as I really enjoy walking through the woods. I really wouldn't have recognized myself if I met this gal I am 2 years ago!
After the beach and walk I enjoyed a very nice lunch in town of duck pizza and my favorite Aussie beer, James Squire Golden Ale.
Then it was time to hop on the bus to Hervery Bay, the gateway to Fraser Island, and my Birthday!

... to contemplate, to consider. Did we arrange all we need? Is everything switched off, Have we packed appropriately? To be honest, I think we're just ready to leave and start doing it? Enough talk! Let's GO!

But alas a few minor things... Giz has to finish another of her childrens books. Animals saving people is the theme of the latest edition. I've been charged with spreading gravel around Sally & Campbell's ...

... forever. Sunshine Beach is also a pretty spot, which is just further north of Peregian Beach.

We settled in, made our first cuppa and were sitting outside when we spotted a couple we know from Figtree - Peter & Sue Chandler. Funnily enough, last year we ran into them at Port Macquarie. You always have to behave yourself - you never know who's watching.

The reason for this stop was because Geoff & Adele were ...

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As a planter arrive ready to start work at 6:30am (rain, hail or shine), take a pair of ordinary kitchen gloves and assemble in field where tractor is. If requested to spade – grab a hand shovel, find a row, bend back horizontal to ground and continue along creating holes in the dirt where the holed plastic already appears. If requested to drop – grab a bunch of watered plants, in one hand (expect mud and water to run all down your front), walk ...

... isn't enough as there is so much to see. We crammed in almost everything. We, of course, had a good old look at the Crocs, Alligators, Goannas and Kommodo Dragons. We also had a talk on the Koalas and Camel, and Foxes and Giant Tortoises at feeding time. Also we had a glimpse at the elephants who work daily to raise money for their kind by being fed by people. As do the Sumatran Tigers who work for their species. On our way to ...

Tuesday 20th: Once again MrJ and I are ready to head out, across the Wide Bay Bar and south to Brissie. Before getting away there is the little matter of getting some more diesel for AR's two fuel tanks. The usual trick is to take your boat alongside the fuel dock and fill from the marina bowsers. The lady at the chandlers office, the chandlers have the rights to the fuel dock, informs MrJ that they may not have enough fuel in their tanks and no one has dipped the tank as ...

... you see them at the zoo, so it was great to see them so active. One Tiger climbed right up to the top of a tree to get it's prey which was an awesome sight. Next one leapt through the sky to get it. This was incredible as this Tiger was huge and leapt as high as a double decker bus. It was amazing to see. Then one leapt into the water to get it's food - this looked absolutely majestic to see. Images we didn't get on camera, but one's that will stay in ...

... holes in the floor that we started checking our bags and shoes for various creatures. Steve Irwins zoo was great. It was Max's birthday as well. Loads to see, and shed loads of crocodiles as expected ! We fed some elephants (Samba and Sian)...Max fed them loads of times and thought it was great, just holding some fruit out while the trunk swung down and whisked it out of his hand. He also stroked a small crocodile !. The only near hospital incident we had at the zoo was when Max ...

... a bit of a nightmare because if India win their next match at Brisbane they do not play the third match at Adelaide - so they have to hve two reservations and then confirm at the end of the Brisbane match (I think that the Aussies won that one so they are going to Adelaide). The surprising thing for me is that I always think that all sportmen are super rich and that money is no object, but the team travelled in economy..... The transfer was as quick as possible but we ...

... but didn't find much of interest there. It was nice to see the river, though. A side note: For some reason Queensland doesn't have daylight savings time as the other Australian states do, so light starts pouring into our windows at five in the morning - it's a little wierd - so we're on a very early schedule.