Caloundra part two

 Besides being a nice day for a drive, we went to check out the war memorials.

One each on Kings and  Shelley beach and then Military jetty on Golden beach. Golden beach brings back memories. Some Chinese students came to Brisbane and they were taken shopping, one young guy stayed back bargaining in a store to get the best price and missed the group leaving. When he made his purchase, they and the bus were nowhere to be seen. He knew they were going to the Gold Coast so he hailed a taxi and asked for Golden beach, his English version of Gold Coast, not realising the Golden beach was in the opposite direction and a couple of hours away.

One of the organisers when they realised they were a student short, went through names and phone numbers, kids were from different schools so not all known to each other it took a bit of time. Rang and ended up speaking with the cabbie, who had to turn back, still cost the student $70. 

After Golden beach we then went to an airforce museum and found a Huey helicopter.

Doesn't look that scary now but I have flown in one of these with the sliding door open. I was hanging on for grim death and the crewie was walking around and told that I couldn't fall out as the air force keeps that from happening. I noticed he was strapped to the frame, I continued to do a white knuckle hold. It was an Army exercise so probably only up a couple of hundred feet.

Caloundra

 Friday was a cooler day so I suggested we drive to Caloundra. Following the GPS we went merrily along.

We were headed for a particular beach either Kings or Shelly, they were alongside of each other.

The GPS took us up a road, it was quite steep with a stop sign right on the top. Thank goodness for auto cars and the fact that I was not driving. A couple of cars drove across the top road, when it was clear we drove on Seeley into nothing as we couldn't see any road. Across the road and down about 60 metres before we saw road.

Round abouts, pedestrian crossings, road closures and traffic, what a nightmare.

Took a couple of shorts walks then Coffee! We felt we had earned it.

Maccas

 Used to be a treat/cheap takeaway meal for the kids. We have stopped at Maccas for a rest break and meal while travelling, their toilets are always clean.

We were out this morning and had coffee at the beach.

Couple of the headlands that we walked up and along.

Lucy enjoying the beach, not hesitation these days about the waves and water.

We also went for a couple of short walks, it was an hours drive home. I suggested to Warren that we grab Maccas for lunch, it was already 12.30. 

Probably not noticed that much before but two meal deals, so burger, chips and a drink was $15plus each. Going back in time now but I remember getting a Hawaiian pack for each of us, five for just under $20. Hawaiian pack was quarter of a chicken, chips and a pineapple fritter.

Panna cotta

 One of the homesteads where we stayed on our trip to Cape York, served Panna Cotta with berries for dessert. There was no choice at this meal we all got crumbled veal cutlets and hot vegetables except Warren and Kerry, their meals were special. Warren got his cutlets plain and no gravy because of gluten. Not sure what Kerry got, sometimes she was served fried rice or an omelette.

The bowl we were given for dessert was massive, a full bowl then berries on top, I assume they were frozen. 

Warren was almost sick after the meal but only because there was so much, he said that he should have stopped eating about half way though. 

Panna cotta was a dessert that I have made before, years ago and then it seems to go out of fashion.

This was my version a few days after we got home.

Sauce, nuts and sprinkles were left over from the banana splits that I made a few weeks ago. So easy to make, half a cup of cream, cup of milk, spoonful of sugar, gelatin and vanilla. This made four small ramikins.

Lota parkrun

 What a name for a suburb. I had never heard of it but it's south of us and on the coast.

We were up at five and left home at 5.40am to get there. It's didn't take as long as we though mainly due to what other silky people are up and going at that hour of the day on a weekend.

They are trying to fulfill the alfabet and or their names so an L was good as that was what it was called. Some parkruns are named after the suburb, some the area or sports ground.

Warren followed closely by Aidan

Sheri, Jordan had been walking with her but had got in front and I couldn't get my phone out quick enough. Off to the right is the beach.

Last day

 We had a balcony at the Hilton and we had an early morning coffee out there.

We could just see the pool and lounges from our room, we were on the fifth floor

I had a window seat back to home

Our breakfast at the airport

Looking out to sea, we were wondering what would be put on the vacant block of land.

We decided to forgo breakfast, it opened at 7am and our flight was at 9.20am.

At checkout, there was a buzzer for a taxi, promised to there in five minutes, I always take that with a grain of salt but we pressed it and it gave us a number. Grabbed and bags and headed out the door. Four or five steps to the footpath and we were debating on staying by the door which had a much bigger area or going down the steps to wait, when a taxi turned in.  There was a circular drive in front of hotel. Good grief, it was our taxi.

Delivered our bags, we were early but they took them.

Cairns

 Smallish plane from Horne island to Cairns, holding about a hundred passengers. We were met by the tour company and delivered back to the Hilton. Dinner was not included that night but breakfast the following was the final of our trip.

We had had a recommendation of a Thai cafe not far from the hotel so after we booked in, we set out to find it. Not far away and we saw a lineup yep, it was for the cafe that we were wanting. All tables were full and about thirty people waiting, we moved on and discovered the night market.

Clothes and souvenirs one end but food the other, cheap and cheerful and we shared a plate of Thai food there. We had seen an ice-cream place on the way so didn't want to indulge too much. 

Many of the trees had little lights on them

Kids in school uniform even though it was 6.30pm, school had returned that day. Very holiday/festival mood for a weeknight in October.