Waking up this morning was tough, yesterday had been a long and tiring day. Doug had been up a while before me this morning, watching the other campers leave. Before long, we were on the road and I was thank full to be back in civilisation as it meant McDonald's couldn't be far away and armed with a teabag I was able to get my morning brain juice fix.
The plan for today was to head down, past Brisbane (no point in stopping, both times I'd been before I had been significantly underwhelmed by it and we didn't have time) and along the Gold Coast. Doug had the helm, and we were making good time along the motorways.
Following the Gold Coast highway brought us in to Surfers Paradise, and being 11.00 it was a good time to stop and stretch for a while. We managed to find some free parking near the beach, and wandered along the waterline. The scenery was great, and the cool water splashing over our feet certainly felt refreshing as we meandered down towards the centre. It was so nice to be walking on the beach, we carried on down past the centre of Surfers Paradise. As we walked along, ankle deep in water, we spotted that there were small pools of deeper water between us and the beach, At times, the waves came crashing in from the ocean and a small wave came crashing out from the shore, meeting in the middle high point where we were walking. This continued, and eventually there were more than just pools of deeper water next to us, there was a full on channel and we were stuck on a finger of high ground between 2 seas. Looking ahead, the finger of land went further and further out from the beach, and the water got deeper and deeper between us and the beach. I decided that having my phone and wallet in my boardies pocket may not be the best place, and removed it. Just in time, as a large wave hit and soaked me up to the groin. Doug took heed and also removed his phone and wallet - but having been stood further away he hadn't been splashed nearly so bad.
We followed a small spur heading in the direction of the beach, hoping it would take us all the way ashore. When it didn't - I gave up and just waded the final few meters. The water wasn't as deep as it looked, but still came above the knee. Coming out of the water, we climbed the beach and walked back towards town on the shore footpath. Much drier. We had a couple of things to do in town - I needed to get cash out, still inconvenienced by a broken card and Doug wanted to get some new boardies as his were too small for him. He blames my "tumble dry everything" approach to washing clothes, but I think it is more likely that he has put on a little bit of weight while out here.....
Relying on my memory again, despite Doug's reservations I navigated us to the NAB branch. While Doug waited in the shade, I chatted to the cute girl behind the desk. Getting the cash was no problem, but she wanted to help speed up getting a card so helped me work out a suitable branch in Sydney and ordered a new card to be delivered there. This would save a heap of time when I arrived in Sydney. Unable to linger any longer, but flashing my most charming smile as I left we headed off. Walking along the road, we spotted an Irish pub, and Doug jokingly suggested we stop for a pint. I considered, and 5 minutes later we were sat in their beer garden, Guinness in hand. Good thing I was still working on VIC/NSW time, as for me it was 12.40pm and a perfectly acceptable time to be drinking. For everyone else around us, it was 11.40am and perhaps not so acceptable. We still had to find boardies for Doug, not the most challenging task given this was Surfers Paradise, and I also thought it would be a good idea to put up an advert about the car as we would be arriving in Sydney soon and it would be good to get it sold ASAP. I remembered a small Internet cafe from the last time I was here and we were able to put the advert on gumtree, not expecting to hear anything back too soon.
Heading into the main shopping street, I left Doug to shop while i went to use the public toilets. Now - I wouldn't normally talk about toilet visits but this one was so out there I feel I have to. The public toilets on Surfers Paradise main strip were fully automated. I'm standing outside, and there is a button to press to open the door. I press the button and nothing happens. The lights definitely show it as vacant, rather than occupied, so I try again. I give up on single button presses after a few attempts and start mashing it - eventually the door swooshes open. I step inside, and the instructions on the door state that you can lock the door with a button push, but that it will automatically open after 10 minutes for 'safety reasons' - I don't anticipate being in here that long so I'm good with that. I stand and press the lock button - nothing happens. Having now experienced the outer button dramas - i mash it a few hundred times, all the while standing like a lemon in an open toilet in the middle of the high street. I give up, and turn to the toilet, as I do this the door closes. Thankfully, as I didn't much fancy being arrested for indecent exposure! Just as I think everything is going to be ok, a voice pipes up - obviously recorded. Its the voice of Spock - Leonod Nemoy. I've never before had to be explained how to use a public toilet, but that's exactly what Spock does. Soon as he is finished, some incidental lift/hold music is then piped out. Its the most bizarre experience in the world. I finish up, and spot there is no flush, instead - Spock pipes up and says the toilet will flush when the sink is used or the door opens. Its almost as if I'm being watched, but he is right. Soon as I wash my hands, the toilet flushes. Thankfully the door opens first time, its just closing that it struggles with.
Toilet incident over, I head back to find Doug. In typical man style he has walked into the first shop, picked up the first pair of boardies, and found the right size. Job done! We head off, exploring the centre a little more and then head for the road again. Despite the fact that Doug has been driving all morning, we decided he needs to drive the next small section. Within 20 minutes, we'll be crossing the border to NSW. Doug has so far managed to drive us across every border, VIC - SA was delayed because we stopped 50m short, SA - NT he had just taken over the driving for the day, NT - QLD he was just finishing a driving stint. It's only fair he gets the whole collection possible under his belt, so he drives us down past the airport, which marks the border better than the tiny sign they have up welcoming us to NSW.
The rest of the afternoons driving is uneventful, and after last night debacle we decided we need to stop earlier and find a proper camp site tonight. When 6pm rolls round, we follow the next Campsite sign, not trusting our map to show them correctly. As we follow the road the campsite is marked on, we pull into the first place we find and find a good spot after paying. Doug walks off to look at the facilities and I'm answering emails about the car, which surprisingly has had a number of responses already. Getting out the car to look at the rego on the front, i hear someone call hello, but looking around cant see anyone. There are a bunch more talking but I ignore it as it cant possibly be directed at me. Doug comes back and we start to set up camp for the night. As we are starting to get everything out the car, someone pops around the back door and starts talking at us. This woman, probably about 38, is drunk as a skunk and babbling incoherently. She keeps apologising, and we're a bit bemused. She offers us beer, but we have things to do and decline. As we get on with pitching the tent she just stands there and watches us - the awkward silence is palpable, broken only when she mumbles something to her self then apologises. We finish pitching everything, getting a little worried about this psycho - she has already looked at the sleeping arrangements and offered us her bed for the night as it would be more comfortable then the floor, then when we turn her down she giggles and starts muttering to her self about 3 in the bed and the little one saying something. we get back into the car, we need to go buy some food for dinner now the bedding is sorted (hopefully it will still be there when we get back!), and she comes up to the drivers window. After trying to dissuade us from leaving, arguing that we don't need food she has plenty of beers (a strong argument normally), she then wants to come along for the ride. The car is packed out, and there are no spare seats but she insists she can sit in he middle. There's no seat belt there I tell her, thinking I've managed to get out of this one. Her reply worries us, but shows she at least is honest about what she wants. She tells us she doesn't need a seat belt, " All I need is that and that" with each 'that' she points at our groins. Oh dear. Laughing it off, we tell her no - and drive off. We're a little disturbed and Doug is almost tempted to move to a different campsite. But we're set up now and we've paid. It will be fine, she's drunk enough she's probably on her way to pass out. We follow googles directions to get to a shop, its a lovely drive down through a forested road, passing caravan park after caravan park. We did have to pick the wrong one ey.
When we arrive at the shop, it looks closed. Its 7.03 and the sign says it closes at 7pm. As we sit there trying to work out what to do, another car comes screaming up, and ewithout even shutting off the ignition, the driver rushes inside. It must still be open. Taking the opportunity, I send doug in ahead to check it out, and he waves for me to follow. We're able to grab chicken, rice and sauce and think that it will make a good dinner for a change. They really are locking up and they chase us out the store, we made it in the nick of time.
The drive back to the campsite is a little strained as we're not sure what to expect from the evening. But the views around are good enough to take our minds of it, and we enjoy the sunset through the trees. Arriving back at the campsite, the tent is still there and the crazy woman is nowhere to be seen. Phew. We manage showers and on returning to the car, she pops up again. NOOOOO.
We decide that ignoring her is best, half the time she is talking to herself anyway and we head for the kitchen with our food. Hoping to have escaped her, as there is a code for the kitchen and there is no way she will be able to remember that herself in her state, im sure she must be on drugs or something, there is no way alcohol alone could make her like this. As I start cutting the chicken, Doug returns to the car to get some canned vegtables we have sitting around. The door must have been left open, and just like a predator seeking its prey she circles the kitchen then finds the door and enters. She sits in the corner, giggleing, cackling, and talking to her self. The chicken we bought looks very funny, almost brown. There is no dodgy smell to it, and so I cook it up anyway. Once its cooked, i taste a bit and spit it out instatly - its no good. With no other meat to join it, we have a nother sloppy meal - rice, tinned peas, tinned sweetcorn, and chicken tonight sauce.... yum yum. Slopping it onto a plate, the crazy woman still blabbering, we turn on the tv to drown her out. Halfway through dinner she comes to join us, throwing a chair around the room and making a nuisance of herself. Doug is getting wound up by it, massivley so, especially when she starts stroking his arm. From what she's saying she is very attracted to him and wants him to know that. She is told in no uncertain terms, very bluntly, she needs to leave as we are not interested. Despite being repeatedly told this, she doesnt leave, but does manage to just sit there. Eventually Doug has had enough and with dinner over and washed up, he retreats to his tent. I get a text message a short while later to say the car is locked and so is his tent so that the crazy woman cant get him. I stay and watch TV for a while, finishing off my beers and replying to emails about the car. Unable to get rid of her, I just ignore the crazy woman and watch tv. When I'm done, I turn off the tv and tell her im turning the lights off. There is no reply, so I flick the fuse switch, killing all electricity to the room exactly as we'd found it. I go to bed, hoping the crazy lady will find the door, which I've also closed to keep bugs out. About 20 minutes later, she comes up to where we are sleeping and starts yabbering. In not the politest terms, i tell her to go away - to which she replies she has lost her key and her top and needs help. Im feeling guilty now for turning off the lights on her, and so I get up reluctantly to turn them back on for her. She definitely has her top on, so I have no idea how she has lost that. We walk down to the kitchen, and she still hasnt changed her tactics. Turning the lights on, she opens her hand and drops her key on the floor. She spots it, picks it up and is happy to leave. What a waste of my time. I make sure she hasn't lost anything else and close up the kitchen again. She offers her bed again for the night and I tell her where to shove it. Im off to bed, ready for what tomorrow brings!
The plan for today was to head down, past Brisbane (no point in stopping, both times I'd been before I had been significantly underwhelmed by it and we didn't have time) and along the Gold Coast. Doug had the helm, and we were making good time along the motorways.
Following the Gold Coast highway brought us in to Surfers Paradise, and being 11.00 it was a good time to stop and stretch for a while. We managed to find some free parking near the beach, and wandered along the waterline. The scenery was great, and the cool water splashing over our feet certainly felt refreshing as we meandered down towards the centre. It was so nice to be walking on the beach, we carried on down past the centre of Surfers Paradise. As we walked along, ankle deep in water, we spotted that there were small pools of deeper water between us and the beach, At times, the waves came crashing in from the ocean and a small wave came crashing out from the shore, meeting in the middle high point where we were walking. This continued, and eventually there were more than just pools of deeper water next to us, there was a full on channel and we were stuck on a finger of high ground between 2 seas. Looking ahead, the finger of land went further and further out from the beach, and the water got deeper and deeper between us and the beach. I decided that having my phone and wallet in my boardies pocket may not be the best place, and removed it. Just in time, as a large wave hit and soaked me up to the groin. Doug took heed and also removed his phone and wallet - but having been stood further away he hadn't been splashed nearly so bad.
We followed a small spur heading in the direction of the beach, hoping it would take us all the way ashore. When it didn't - I gave up and just waded the final few meters. The water wasn't as deep as it looked, but still came above the knee. Coming out of the water, we climbed the beach and walked back towards town on the shore footpath. Much drier. We had a couple of things to do in town - I needed to get cash out, still inconvenienced by a broken card and Doug wanted to get some new boardies as his were too small for him. He blames my "tumble dry everything" approach to washing clothes, but I think it is more likely that he has put on a little bit of weight while out here.....
Relying on my memory again, despite Doug's reservations I navigated us to the NAB branch. While Doug waited in the shade, I chatted to the cute girl behind the desk. Getting the cash was no problem, but she wanted to help speed up getting a card so helped me work out a suitable branch in Sydney and ordered a new card to be delivered there. This would save a heap of time when I arrived in Sydney. Unable to linger any longer, but flashing my most charming smile as I left we headed off. Walking along the road, we spotted an Irish pub, and Doug jokingly suggested we stop for a pint. I considered, and 5 minutes later we were sat in their beer garden, Guinness in hand. Good thing I was still working on VIC/NSW time, as for me it was 12.40pm and a perfectly acceptable time to be drinking. For everyone else around us, it was 11.40am and perhaps not so acceptable. We still had to find boardies for Doug, not the most challenging task given this was Surfers Paradise, and I also thought it would be a good idea to put up an advert about the car as we would be arriving in Sydney soon and it would be good to get it sold ASAP. I remembered a small Internet cafe from the last time I was here and we were able to put the advert on gumtree, not expecting to hear anything back too soon.
Heading into the main shopping street, I left Doug to shop while i went to use the public toilets. Now - I wouldn't normally talk about toilet visits but this one was so out there I feel I have to. The public toilets on Surfers Paradise main strip were fully automated. I'm standing outside, and there is a button to press to open the door. I press the button and nothing happens. The lights definitely show it as vacant, rather than occupied, so I try again. I give up on single button presses after a few attempts and start mashing it - eventually the door swooshes open. I step inside, and the instructions on the door state that you can lock the door with a button push, but that it will automatically open after 10 minutes for 'safety reasons' - I don't anticipate being in here that long so I'm good with that. I stand and press the lock button - nothing happens. Having now experienced the outer button dramas - i mash it a few hundred times, all the while standing like a lemon in an open toilet in the middle of the high street. I give up, and turn to the toilet, as I do this the door closes. Thankfully, as I didn't much fancy being arrested for indecent exposure! Just as I think everything is going to be ok, a voice pipes up - obviously recorded. Its the voice of Spock - Leonod Nemoy. I've never before had to be explained how to use a public toilet, but that's exactly what Spock does. Soon as he is finished, some incidental lift/hold music is then piped out. Its the most bizarre experience in the world. I finish up, and spot there is no flush, instead - Spock pipes up and says the toilet will flush when the sink is used or the door opens. Its almost as if I'm being watched, but he is right. Soon as I wash my hands, the toilet flushes. Thankfully the door opens first time, its just closing that it struggles with.
Toilet incident over, I head back to find Doug. In typical man style he has walked into the first shop, picked up the first pair of boardies, and found the right size. Job done! We head off, exploring the centre a little more and then head for the road again. Despite the fact that Doug has been driving all morning, we decided he needs to drive the next small section. Within 20 minutes, we'll be crossing the border to NSW. Doug has so far managed to drive us across every border, VIC - SA was delayed because we stopped 50m short, SA - NT he had just taken over the driving for the day, NT - QLD he was just finishing a driving stint. It's only fair he gets the whole collection possible under his belt, so he drives us down past the airport, which marks the border better than the tiny sign they have up welcoming us to NSW.
The rest of the afternoons driving is uneventful, and after last night debacle we decided we need to stop earlier and find a proper camp site tonight. When 6pm rolls round, we follow the next Campsite sign, not trusting our map to show them correctly. As we follow the road the campsite is marked on, we pull into the first place we find and find a good spot after paying. Doug walks off to look at the facilities and I'm answering emails about the car, which surprisingly has had a number of responses already. Getting out the car to look at the rego on the front, i hear someone call hello, but looking around cant see anyone. There are a bunch more talking but I ignore it as it cant possibly be directed at me. Doug comes back and we start to set up camp for the night. As we are starting to get everything out the car, someone pops around the back door and starts talking at us. This woman, probably about 38, is drunk as a skunk and babbling incoherently. She keeps apologising, and we're a bit bemused. She offers us beer, but we have things to do and decline. As we get on with pitching the tent she just stands there and watches us - the awkward silence is palpable, broken only when she mumbles something to her self then apologises. We finish pitching everything, getting a little worried about this psycho - she has already looked at the sleeping arrangements and offered us her bed for the night as it would be more comfortable then the floor, then when we turn her down she giggles and starts muttering to her self about 3 in the bed and the little one saying something. we get back into the car, we need to go buy some food for dinner now the bedding is sorted (hopefully it will still be there when we get back!), and she comes up to the drivers window. After trying to dissuade us from leaving, arguing that we don't need food she has plenty of beers (a strong argument normally), she then wants to come along for the ride. The car is packed out, and there are no spare seats but she insists she can sit in he middle. There's no seat belt there I tell her, thinking I've managed to get out of this one. Her reply worries us, but shows she at least is honest about what she wants. She tells us she doesn't need a seat belt, " All I need is that and that" with each 'that' she points at our groins. Oh dear. Laughing it off, we tell her no - and drive off. We're a little disturbed and Doug is almost tempted to move to a different campsite. But we're set up now and we've paid. It will be fine, she's drunk enough she's probably on her way to pass out. We follow googles directions to get to a shop, its a lovely drive down through a forested road, passing caravan park after caravan park. We did have to pick the wrong one ey.
When we arrive at the shop, it looks closed. Its 7.03 and the sign says it closes at 7pm. As we sit there trying to work out what to do, another car comes screaming up, and ewithout even shutting off the ignition, the driver rushes inside. It must still be open. Taking the opportunity, I send doug in ahead to check it out, and he waves for me to follow. We're able to grab chicken, rice and sauce and think that it will make a good dinner for a change. They really are locking up and they chase us out the store, we made it in the nick of time.
The drive back to the campsite is a little strained as we're not sure what to expect from the evening. But the views around are good enough to take our minds of it, and we enjoy the sunset through the trees. Arriving back at the campsite, the tent is still there and the crazy woman is nowhere to be seen. Phew. We manage showers and on returning to the car, she pops up again. NOOOOO.
We decide that ignoring her is best, half the time she is talking to herself anyway and we head for the kitchen with our food. Hoping to have escaped her, as there is a code for the kitchen and there is no way she will be able to remember that herself in her state, im sure she must be on drugs or something, there is no way alcohol alone could make her like this. As I start cutting the chicken, Doug returns to the car to get some canned vegtables we have sitting around. The door must have been left open, and just like a predator seeking its prey she circles the kitchen then finds the door and enters. She sits in the corner, giggleing, cackling, and talking to her self. The chicken we bought looks very funny, almost brown. There is no dodgy smell to it, and so I cook it up anyway. Once its cooked, i taste a bit and spit it out instatly - its no good. With no other meat to join it, we have a nother sloppy meal - rice, tinned peas, tinned sweetcorn, and chicken tonight sauce.... yum yum. Slopping it onto a plate, the crazy woman still blabbering, we turn on the tv to drown her out. Halfway through dinner she comes to join us, throwing a chair around the room and making a nuisance of herself. Doug is getting wound up by it, massivley so, especially when she starts stroking his arm. From what she's saying she is very attracted to him and wants him to know that. She is told in no uncertain terms, very bluntly, she needs to leave as we are not interested. Despite being repeatedly told this, she doesnt leave, but does manage to just sit there. Eventually Doug has had enough and with dinner over and washed up, he retreats to his tent. I get a text message a short while later to say the car is locked and so is his tent so that the crazy woman cant get him. I stay and watch TV for a while, finishing off my beers and replying to emails about the car. Unable to get rid of her, I just ignore the crazy woman and watch tv. When I'm done, I turn off the tv and tell her im turning the lights off. There is no reply, so I flick the fuse switch, killing all electricity to the room exactly as we'd found it. I go to bed, hoping the crazy lady will find the door, which I've also closed to keep bugs out. About 20 minutes later, she comes up to where we are sleeping and starts yabbering. In not the politest terms, i tell her to go away - to which she replies she has lost her key and her top and needs help. Im feeling guilty now for turning off the lights on her, and so I get up reluctantly to turn them back on for her. She definitely has her top on, so I have no idea how she has lost that. We walk down to the kitchen, and she still hasnt changed her tactics. Turning the lights on, she opens her hand and drops her key on the floor. She spots it, picks it up and is happy to leave. What a waste of my time. I make sure she hasn't lost anything else and close up the kitchen again. She offers her bed again for the night and I tell her where to shove it. Im off to bed, ready for what tomorrow brings!
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