flashman181

The big day arrived under cloudy skies as predicted. First up time for a hearty breakfast of frozen veggie fritters washed down with red wine as you do. It was an interesting mix to say the least

The hosts are old hands at this caper now so there was a clear plan of what had to be done and when. The cooking side required 4 Webers on the go – what is known locally as a Warble of Webers actually. With so much juicy meat around it seemed smart to post a guard but maybe not all that smart for it to be a dog. Of course with a name like Flash what could go wrong?

Naturally the success of the whole day depended on the Antipasto starter plates so of course I was put in charge. One has to consider both the nutritional appeal along with the asthetic look. Going with two different lettuces was probably the decision that generated most positive feedback. Its tough work and certainly had to wash my hands afterwards. Next time must remember to wash before too methinks. The tables were all set up which just left the wine to choose and to ensure my seat was closest to said table

Weather was a bit hit and miss by now but of course can always guarantee rain will be heaviest when people have to get from car to cover. There has not been a family gathering for some months so was great to see everyone again. Of course the two girls, especially Ruby, have changed and grown a lot in recent months. Eloise quickly gravitated towards Nonna which left me holding the baby. Literally 🙂

It was also Claudes 90th this year and wonderful to see 4 generations all together. Time then to get down to lunch and before you know it 3 hours have gone and two buttons have popped! TB have really sorted this one out with the arrangement of the 3 tables all leading into the very lazy Susan – as in it doesnt move at all. If we can get more people next year we can finally get that Pentagram set up

Our guests staggered out at staggered times for a staggered departure with the only sad faces being those of the designated drivers……CLP and I stayed the night and helped TB knock off another 10% of the food left over which means they could start running out next Thursday at this rate. Of course the really heavy rain waited until this morning when we needed to leave and it was a bit hairy first up. The closer we got to Flashman INC Sunshine Coast the better the weather looked and in the distance could see a rainbow with not so much a pot of gold at the end but almost the same – Maryhole. So it was a lot of driving for one day but some of us have to work ya know. Back on the Golf Course tomorrow to kick the ducks out of the temporary ponds left in the bunkers after the rain.

It was a great short holiday with many wonderful memories and photos to match but this one could be the winner for moi. Bye for now

The rain has started as predicted. Amazing how accurate the weather clowns are when you want them to be wrong as usual 😏 It’s a matter of filling in the morning as best we can before decamping at the Mcleod Spread after lunch. Avocado Sunset is fully booked so does need us to vacate on time at 10 am. Working backwards from a midday lunch we have 2 wet hours to fill in. The eternal question may be asked – how long can you sit on one beer for ?

As we were leaving I had my usual cheery face on which prompted Clive to ask what we were doing now and when I said standing in the rain for 2 hours he kindly offered to let me sit in the communal room for as long as I like . I said ok but only if you let me go tell CLP she doesn’t have to stand out in the rain anymore. You know in about 10 mins…..

One probably shouldn’t start the blog too early. After just settling in said communal room our next hosts contacted to say the previous guests had been evicted early and our room was ready now . Their Trip Advisor review will reflect this kindness . I almost smiled but it was one of those inward ones I prefer.

Duly rocked up and shown to our quarters which was a recent addition to the complex. I called shotgun on the top bunk STAT

The only question then really was when is beer o’clock ? As one does get older one on occasion shows a glimmer of wisdom and thought probably best wait until the sun went down. Looking outside for guidance it was raining so could only assume the sun probably does go down around 2 pm in the country ? Sweet

This could get ugly , better sign off now and get ready for Santa coming tonight 🙏🏻 Could be a bit late too. With social distancing he has had to drop 5 reindeer from the lineup

We started up the fire last night for no other reason than CLP is a bit of a pyromaniac 😏 Great way to warm up the pillows too. It has not been very cold this stay but certainly pleasant days under cloudy skies with no rain. Yet…

Relaxed plan today after another very filling breakfast. Only issue with this wonderful room is it is adjacent to the communal living area and there were a couple of sheilas in there last night talking until all hours. You know 8 pm! A polite request and they left back to their rooms no problem. We will head off to Gallery Walk around 10 am to fill in a couple of hours before it is socially acceptable to knock on Fortitude Brewery door! Ok….. they don’t open until midday , ya got me .

After the stunning success of our African Attire last night CLP thought she would keep the African theme going today but I suggested perhaps a quick wax first ?

When I got back up off the floor we headed out. We had a perfectly good coffee to start with as most shops don’t open until 10 am. Clearly there is a theme here and it is basically hippie new age and no vaccinations required 😏 CLP still found some stuff of interest apparently but really the plan was to get to the end of the street quickly

At the end of the street and just around the corner of course was the first alcohol inspired venue on list – Tambourine Mountain Distillery . Luckily it was quiet when we were there and really excellent value tasting paddle for $5. These babes start at 20% ABV and don’t stop there so the 4 samples were perfect and we bought a couple of bottles just to be sociable honest. As we were leaving a bus of hen party sheilas arrived so we really dodged a bullet there

We then retraced our steps but on the other side of the street for variety. Sadly the shops were mostly the same. As the big hand and the little hand were were getting cosy it was time to head to Fortitude Brewing just in case the sheilas followed me after a skin full. Once again suitably quiet and we had been there before we passed on the tasting paddle and went straight to the 8.8% Slipstream IPA. In this weather it would certainly be a slipstream again rather quickly. Ordered another excellent pizza as well

By now the alcohol level was just under appropriate levels for still driving so time to head back for a break and a bath and test out some of that sweet smelling stuff La Lady had bought . It was very pleasant indeed and quite romantic so may just sign off for the day with one last selfie. They say the longer you stay together the more you start to look alike but I reckon I am still the stunner in the group

Tomorrow we head down the mountain to the McLeod Spread for a couple more days of eating and drinking but in the warm embrace of family . Luckily with this social distancing in place I don’t actually have to hug anyone 🕺🏻

A good nights sleep in the Safari room had us all snuggled up as if in a tent on the edge of Victoria Falls. Here is one I prepared earlier

Our host Clive the South African maybe thought we were sneaky Victorians who had invaded up north given the sign near our door. Naturally as true blue Qlders we were up for all and any breakfast we don’t have to cook. As expected it was a delicious and filling spread

Plans today revolved being Canungra Winery adjacent at midday for our pre ordered picnic hamper. As we were heading in general direction we decided to continue on to O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat first for the morning. We knew it was a windy road but what a nightmare drive. Luckily we saw about one car coming the other way on the 45 min 20 Kim ascent. Give Way signs for a 100 m one lane stretch with actual visibility of about 25 m! Surprisingly it was quite crowded up top with many foreign backpackers looking to settle in. Lovely views even on a cloudy day but it was plane to see there wasn’t much to enthrall non trekkers

As always the trip down seemed quicker and we were at winery nice and early for some tastings . Ah no, we can’t do tastings at present. Odd as many wineries are 😏 So, we took our hamper and set up in the rotunda near the vines for a very pleasant lunch. Perfect amount of food and good range if not necessarily great value for money. It did come with a free choice of a wine so with no tasting we chose the Sangiovese and it was perfectly acceptable

Next to the winery was an Alpaca Gathering and Shop. For $25 you could walk one. For free you could smell 30 and feel like you were at the Ekka again . Cute little buggers indeed and come in all shapes and colours. Could make a beautiful bedspread out of them

As we are out and about in Tourist Ville there certainly are plenty of “ restrictions “ around and sensible limits in shops etc. A sense of humour always helps of course

Meandered back to our abode with plans to visit the Distillery just 100 m down the road to round out the day nicely in the eating/drinking stakes. Sadly the distillery has shifted to Gallery Walk so we will chase that down tomorrow. That just means then time for a relaxing couple of hours and then we are getting dressed up in our finery and hitting the town . I think we will fit right in no worries

In an effort to avoid every bloody sporting team in Australia being in Qld now we decided to spend a few days at Mount Tamborine before decamping at Canungra for the annual Della Xmas in July this weekend. Of course because of la pesky bug 2020 we will also be celebrating Claude’s 90th Birthday , Easter , and Bruce’s confirmation. Yes we can confirm he likes a drink

Speaking of the elderly first up we dropped into the Twilight Home to see Ferguson Matriach and a belated 94th birthday. It’s a strict protocol to get in but kudos to the place for keeping all the oldies safe and healthy. Mum is not travelling real well these days in the memory stakes so luckily we were able to convince her we gave her a birthday present last week. Look ya make the most of a bad situation 🕺🏻

Then it was off to said Mountain for a quick lunch hook up with our hosts for the weekend and a quick tally of alcohol, food and alcohol supplies needed. You know, in case they all turn up 🤔 We met at Clancy’s Irish Bar and Restaurant as you do and was able to even sneak in the requisite black stuff before our guests arrived. It was an excellent meal and even finished off with one of the better Irish Coffees we have had outside Ireland and even within the majority of their counties come to think of it 😏

We quickly checked out Main Street and then it was onto our very pleasant lodgings for the next 3 nights – Avocado Sunset B&B. Looks a lovely setup in a quiet area with magnificent views. Sadly the weather has turned cloudy and likely to remain so all week so photos can’t really do justice. We have the Safari room and the host is South African so it’s almost like being in South Africa without the wild animals – at least until the weekend. Oops there are a couple lurking now….

As it approaches 5 pm maybe time for a quick drink and nibble but will be a quiet night now as rather full as a goog from lunch and do have full cooked English breakfast to deal with tomorrow as well . Later dudes