I’m so far behind that it’s now 2023!
So, we wish everyone a Happy New Year.
… and I’ll get a bit out of sequence now …
While we were in Samford we came across the Ford Anglia from the Harry Potter book. It was resting peacefully underneath the Whomping Willow. I had no idea it had flown so far!
And on the subject of cars, Glenda has adopted a few unusual SUVs while we have been here…
A Lamborghini, an Aston Martin and my favourite …
… the Rolls Royce Cullinan with the numberplate “JG 4”! It should have been “4 JG” – but beggars can’t be choosers!
I suppose Knobby’s car would pull the caravan OK…
A bit too flamboyant for the British Caravan Club, maybe!
This trip has been very illuminating. First there was the Christmas boat parade in the Mooloolaba River and canals. Dozens of craft ranging from tinnies and jet skis right up to large yachts and fishing boats make their way around the waterways. Often accompanied by Christmas music.
Then, with brother John, we took to the water in Craig and Pauline’s (John’s tenants) boat to view the illuminated houses.
Some of them were excessively excessive!
In Brisbane, we visited the Enchanted Garden in Roma Street Park. Our timed entry was 8.45 pm – the earliest we could get tickets. And it was fully sold out. Another very impressive display. But before we even got to the park we passed city hall which is lit up with a six minute, animated display every quarter of an hour from dusk to midnight.
The plants in the park were colourfully lit. Animated dragons appeared, moved around then disappeared in clouds of colored smoke. Laser beams were everywhere. Truly Enchanting!
We even met Benji the blue-nosed reindeer!
Just before Christmas, Robin took us to Rainsford Place, a street of 32 houses in Buderim. Every year, every single house in the street (bar one!) installs Christmas light displays. Lights, music, snow. You name it the street does it! Sadly there was no charity collection, no traffic control and too much traffic. But the displays were brilliant!
There was even a caravan to make us feel at home!
And, true to form, one house had restricted it’s display to just two standard security lights!
Finally, while on the subject of illuminations, we had a terrific firework display the other evening. Well, it was New Year’s Eve! Some of the parents of Ben and Jack’s school friends arranged a party at Point Cartwright. And after a glass or two of Prosecco, a few beers and lots of nibbles we got a grandstand view of the fireworks set off from Mooloolaba Beach:
And there were thousands of environmentally unfriendly glow-sticks decorating the young ones and the not so young ones!
The Sydney fireworks were pretty fantastic too!
So, on that note, I’ll stop. I’ll leave accounts of our two brushes with the local constabulary for the next post!