Leaving Vietnam, we had to overnight in Hong Kong – at the Regal Hotel. This is conveniently situated a five minute walk from one end of the arrivals hall. Mind you, it can take fully ten minutes to walk from one end of arrivals to the other! We got up from our comfy bed shortly before midnight in order to meet Glenda’s brother. Another John! The next morning, he ended up getting the last seat in business class on our plane. I think the last time we flew on the same plane was about a hundred years ago, when we travelled to New York on Concorde. Or was it to The Seychelles and Mauritius? I really can’t remember!!
Our first view of Robin and Linda’s front garden (note the neat laser straight lines where the high-definition-GPS-controlled robot has been at work) …
… and the pool area that is just about to be totally re-landscaped.
First, the fence has to go, as does the brick paving …
The play houses are next to go. I don’t remember the boys ever playing in them!
I discover that using four-way controls in both hands is not as easy as it looks with no practice!
Meanwhile, the family of four Forest Kingfishers watch on from various favourite perches in the trees and on the pool pump house.
We used our non-membership cards at the Noosa Springs Golf Club. Lovely garden-scaping. The food was pretty darn good too. We were introduced to green papaya salad here. Now we’ve been researching suppliers of un-ripe (???) papaya in Paignton. You never know. There is an Asian food shop next to a Thai restaurant in Preston not far from home.
The water features and garden planting around the golf club are stunning.
At the mouth of the Noosa River, while Glenda was checking out the shops on Hastings Street, I had a peaceful hour watching swimmers leave this quiet pool and enter the tide race in front of the rocks to my right. From static to 5 knots in seconds, they were swept away towards the river mouth and into calmer waters from where they emerged to walk back and start again. This is all very well for strong swimmers, but the narrow channel past the rocks is also shared by jet-skiers. It looked a tad dangerous for some of the tiny tots doing this in rubber rings.
While this was going on, I got into conversation with an American guy sitting at the same table. Let’s call him Troy for the sake of anonymity. I use the term “conversation”, loosely. It transpired he was a psychiatrist. Probably “resting” between jobs. Waiting to write his book! He had very strong views on many things and a way of expressing these in a way that was “difficult” for a mere marine biologist to follow – or even understand. Had my memory been better, I might have learned a whole new dictionary – although I might have had difficulty in bringing this “new” language into play in any constructive conversation that I’m likely to have. I knew there was a reason why I didn’t take up psychiatry as a profession. Troy, if you are ever unfortunate enough to read this, please don’t be offended. It was a very “interesting” half hour – although I don’t think I could ever agree with any one of your views about President Trump. Probably!
Later, on a whole lower level of “brain involvement”, we went for a calmly, serene river-side walk further upstream.
The river at Noosaville, especially in the late afternoon as the heat starts going out of the sun, really is one of our all-time favourite places for a quiet amble. Even better a place to pitch Robin’s camping chairs in the shade and gently sip a glass or two of rosé. However, Australia has relatively strict drink-driving limits, and the traffic police have a great enthusiasm for random breath tests or RBTs. So, with about 50 kms motoring to get home, it’s really only the passenger who can imbibe more than one glass! Sadly!
During our time here we have done this riverside perambulation several times. On one such outing we came face to face with a snake. Black and menacing … but tiny. As bold as you like squiggling through the grass beside the path.
Most likely a non-venemous tree snake. But with the adjacent river for transport, it could be anything visiting from the wilds of the forested hinterland. We are not waiting to find out!
Back at home, Mark the window painter was busy … painting windows to match the recently added extension. There are twelve windows and a sliding door.
Each one has to be taken out, cleaned, masked with miles of yellow tape and plastic sheets, then spray-painted. Three or four times. Primer, top coat (×2) and finally laquered for protection. Then the frames get the same treatment in situ. All up, it’s a good three weeks work. Apparently, Mark, is the only person currently doing this kind of work on the coast! His waiting list is “extensive” and he’s planning to retire soon!
Wayne, the director of landscaping activity, deals with a bit of drainage pipe-work conflict … a new right angle bends and some glue, and the pool water circulation is circulating again!
And, talking of conflict … There was an altercation between a bridge over the Bruce Highway a few kms south of Robin’s house and a flatbed truck. More specifically, with the load onboard the truck! Someone had loaded an excavator on board but, cunningly, had failed to lower the arm – at least failed to do so adequately!
Some lucky travellers had a narrow escape! (Lucky, not taking their hours-long delay into account!)
When the dust settled, the culprit could be seen dragged off the flatbed and through the armco barrier. I suppose I could have claimed to have witnessed this first-hand, but you probably wouldn’t have believed me! The bridge has since been surveyed and “bandaged” awaiting a proper repair.
A bit like me! Did I mention slippery steps in a Vietnam water park. Might have to come clean on that soon. But not now!
What exciting times you have, (not the bridge….. but the wildlife adventures)