Ultimate is sort of cross between American football and netball. It’s played on sand or grass with a Frisbee. Jack plays this with the grown ups. He can throw the disc as far as the big people (and just as accurately), he can move around quickly and catches well. His only handicap in relation to the others is his size – but then he can throw between their legs and around their ankles!
Here he is playing at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) in front of a full house of spectators…
Never mind Husqvarna battery powered automatic lawn mowers – these boys are on hand 24/7 to keep the grass in check. They have obviously been trained to crop the grass shorter on the actual pitches than on the surrounding areas!
After our successful mission to get Medicare numbers, we headed to the surf beach at Cottontree. Almost deserted even though it is within 5-10 minutes walk of a large centre of population (Maroochydore). There were a few brave surfers risking it with the sharks and a few near-naked bodies risking it with the UV rays. But, by and large, people don’t move too far from the carparks!
Later that afternoon before we took Jack to school for tennis coaching, we discovered Sammy the Carpet Python wrapped around the rafters outside our bedroom window!
Glenda is NOT a happy bunny!
Jack’s tennis lesson was compulsorily cut short by a massive electrical storm. We know it rains a lot in Queensland – and we have been warned that this year is already a spectacularly wet season. Heavy showers come and go with impressive speed – often with very little warning (unless you check the weather forecasts). Later that evening, after the storm had passed, Sammy was spotted leaving cover and heading back into the trees.
(This explains how we know he was over two metres long!) Actually, he might have been heading to the nearest gender reassignment clinic to declare himself a girl. We have no idea whether it is a Samuel or a Samantha!
Spooky behaviour. Next time we see Sammy nestling in the rafters we will expect thunder and lightening! But can snakes really forecast electrical storms? Maybe, maybe not. But evidence on this trip gives them a 100% success rate so far!
Talking of weather, it’s pretty warm here in the middle of the day. High twenties, low thirties. But just after dawn it can be a smidgeon cool on the deck. Really pleasant!
At the other end of the day, the sunsets can be superb!
And they happen so fast here. You can be walking around in daylight one minute and 20 minutes later it’s gone though twilight, sunset, after-glow to full darkness!
Robin and Linda’s house is in rural Kiels Mountain – and that’s a bit of a joke, located as it is about 10 metres above the projected 100 year flood level! OK, so there is a bit of a hill behind their property and Kiels Hillock wouldn’t sound so impressive. It’s about 10 km from the nearest beach – and we do really miss our early morning walks on the coast.
We tried Robin’s road which degenerates into a grassy track less than two kms to the West. Actually, we were informed by an ex-resident that the track used to be the main road from Maroochydore to Nambour. Long since replaced by the Maroochydore Road and then again by the New Maroochydore highway. It does (allegedly) eventually lead out to the highway. However, the undergrowth is taking over and the track parallels the Eudlo Creek at this point. Lots of bugs and mozzies. Time to retreat!
Revisiting some of our old haunts we had a late coffee and half a cake each at the Glasshouse Mountain Lookout Cafe. A lot busier than it used to be, and no kangaroos on view. But the Glasshouse Mountains are still there!
That’s Mt Coonowrin (AKA Crookneck) in the background. We were going to climb it this afternoon, but it sits in the middle of a Restricted Access Area under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. This effectively closes the area to public access in the interests of public safety. Oh well, we’ll have to skip that part of the plan! Let’s have another coffee instead!
Late this afternoon there’s another run to school for Phroggy’s swimming lesson…
… and home to pack for our trip to Mt Cotton and Stanthorpe.
But that’s another story for another day.
Every country residence should have a carpet snake to keep away the rodents. Shame you couldn’t climb that Glasshouse Mountain. Never mind.
Look forward to catching up later in your travels.
Steve and Marie Ricketts.
Looks like you are having a tough time of settling into the down under routine. We look forward to hearing of your adventures.
Sybil and Barry