Our Sunshine Coast Adventure pt1

You may have noticed there have been no entries in the family blog for the past 3 weeks. If not then you do know now. :) But we have travelled up to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and spent 2 weeks and a bit up there.

We left very very early on Sunday morning at 3am. We did think of either taking 3 days travel up there or try and get it over quickly and do it over 2. Can you imagine the end outcome of a 3 year old and a 22 month old after sitting in a car for 3 days. Not sure who would look worse the kids or Nige and myself.

Sunday the 17th August

As we said we were up nice and early and left at 3am. We got the kids up and into the car. Nathan was already waiting for us in his bed with a BIG smile on his face. We had not mentioned that we were going away that day but l think the packing and the mad rush to clean the house so Mim could look after it while we were away.. may have given it away.

Tahlia all ready to start her adventure.

But rugged them up in their pj's, dressing gown and their beanies and off we went. It was cold and the car's temperature gauge told us it was about 5 or so degrees.

Nate all ready for his big adventure.

Off we go, you did have me wondering where we were mad to drive 993kms to Coonabarabran or 12 hours and 23mins (according in google maps).

At one point ( l think it was near Flowerdale) the car temperature gauge told us it was -3 degrees outside. I think that is the lowest we have seen the Prado's temp gauge ever go.

Nate and Tahlia were chatting and finally went back to sleep about an hour or so into the trip. We reached Albury at 6am, and filled the car "Beastette" up with gas. It was still cold at this time of morning so we took the kids to maccas to get dressed and have some warm food and then a play in the playground there.

Next it was my time to drive so Nige could have a sleep. So off we go with us singing along to a much loved CD of the kids "sing along with Playschool". So here l am singing the song " we're going on a bear hunt".

Lunch was in a park in Parkes. I think the kids were glad to get outside and have a run around where it was not too cold or wet.

They were having a ball finding sticks and leaves and digging up the dirt and grass, more then eating their lunch.

The kids at work &Tahlia and her "tools"

Nige and myself were just happy to sit and soak up the sun. We had not seen much of the sun for some time in Melbourne. I had a headache as l had been driving and the sun had been flickering through the trees as it came up. My new sunglasses helped somewhat, but l was glad to have a rest and lucky to have a nap in the car where l felt a lot better after that. I kept forgetting l had been up since 3am.

Tahlia enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.

After lunch and a play it was time to go, we still had a few hours ahead of us. We did stop at the Parkes telescope, just to take a photo as we had planned to go back there on our way home but we went a different way home.

The Parkes Telescope.

Back on the road again and the kids were entertained with one of the many DVD"s we had brought along. We got to Coonabarabran just as the sun was slowly setting and soon it was time for tea and into bed which we were all looking forward to.... and to catch up on some much needed sleep. It was to be another cold night.

The Prado and our wonderful trailer.

Monday 18th August

We were right with it being another cold night. It got down to about -1 degrees. The kids were not too happy with the cold and were rather miserable until they were in the warm car and all rugged up.

The water was frozen in the car so we were not even able to wash the window to clear off the ice. And we even used some water from the cabin but the ice did not want to budge. It was so cold. But it was to be another nice and sunny day. A great start to our holiday.

We had to travel 769km's or 9 hours and 40mins, so another big day on the road. Lunch was in Goondiwindi, where we sat by a big tree by the river. We were finally in Queensland!!

Nate and the big tree
Tahlia and mummy by the tree.

It was a little cool as it was quite windy. So it was a quick lunch, some photos of the big tree and then we took the kids to the park in town so they could use some energy which they had been storing up in the car.

Tahlia and daddy with lunch.



The Murden Clan.

I had to add this one as it is too cute. We had turned our back to pack up the lunch and l could hear Tahlia saying "cheese", and we turn around to see her sitting by the tree with a BIG grin and saying "Cheese". So we had to take another photo.

We arrived in Caboolture around 6pm as it was just getting dark. Drove over the bridge in Brisbane and saw all the city lights. We were staying in a cabin for the night before we headed to our home for the next 2 weeks in Forest Glen.

This had to be one of the worst parks. It was right beside the motorway and they were doing roadworks there. We nearly missed the turn for the park. But all night we heard was generators running and machinery.

But we were too tired to even worry about it, just happy to sleep.

Tuesday 19th August.

Another morning up early and headed to Forest Glen which is on the Sunshine Coast and about 10mins from Maroochydore.

We got to Forest Glen at 8:30am but it was too early to sign in so we took this time to check out our new home for the 2 weeks. It was set in the rainforest, and had a Giant Jumping pillow, mini golf, swimming pool with a water slide,Movie room, even a outdoor cinema (only runs in holidays and summer) tennis, games room to name a few things.

We were on a camping site that had an ensuite which comes in very handy when you had little ones. The site was lovely and our backdrop was the rainforest and a HUGE area for the kids to explore. We were also right near the Outdoor cinema but as it wasn't school holidays it wasn't being used.

Took a few hours to set up camp and had lunch then it was time to sit down and relax and let the kids enjoy the sunshine and run around.

Our set up for the 2 weeks.

Wed 20th August

We knew Nana and Popa were staying in nearby Bribie Island so we spent the morning up there with them. We walked down the park so the kids and bigger kids could have a play.

Kids at play

We had a lovely morning with nana and popa and left after lunch as the kids were getting tired.

Nathan learnt a lesson and one he will not try again (well we hope not). But we had to call into the shops to get some items. As Tahlia was asleep we stayed in the car while the boys went in.

Apparently Nathan wanted to help carry things and was holding some dish washing liquid. So he just had to taste test it. He brought it up right away (yep in the middle of the store) and everyone came running and could not believe he had drank it. A very very small amount. Nige thinks it was on the lid as Nate had not opened it at all.

But they soon we able to get out of the store quickly with everyone letting them in front of them. Nate's way of saying thanks was grinning at everyone and pulling faces. Will he ever learn.