Day 216 - Tuesday 1 August - Seaside charm

Day 216

Tuesday

1 August 2017 –

Bargara – Baffle Creek – 1770

We were both awake early this morning probably because we knew we were on the move even if it was to another site. I got up to go to the loo and the golden orb of the sun rose over the water pasting everything in an orange hue. It was beautiful and I automatically figured I would be up at some early hour tomorrow to take photos.

I returned to bed and we both read our books. Paul didn’t stay as long as I did, taking himself off for a shower just after 7.30am. I finished off the chapters I wanted to read and then got up and into breakfast. I could see Paul out by the ocean talking, just his silhouette visible. He was there for ages and came back cursing the oldies for their constant yacking.

We ate breakfast and I began putting things away before I too went for my shower. By the time I came back the site was bare and Paul was just bringing the van back into the park. I walked to our new site, an upgrade as far as I am concerned, and parked up, we then went about setting up the van once more.

I took in the lovely ocean views we had from our windows and the door and breathed in the fresh, sea air. Serenity.  The only downside was the lack of internet at this end.

After moving into our spot so easily, we were ready to get on the road. Paul had organised to visit Baffle Creek Brewery about an hour and a half north. He had told the owner, Bea that we would be there by 11am so we needed to get moving.

The drive wasn’t too taxing and we made better time than we expected, arriving at the farm by 10.45am. With no signage anywhere, we made our way on to the property and poked around. I managed to get one bar of phone reception and Paul was able to let Bea know we had arrived and she materialised 5min later with her four year old in tow.

I entertained the young one as Paul talked beer. Bea and her husband Bert emigrated from Germany 3 years ago, bringing all their German beer knowledge with them. We were able to talk about our visit to Germany and the famous Bier halls and tours we had been on. Paul was given a six-pack to sample and then we were on our way.

We stopped in at the Zincalumbar, were the Baffle Beers were stocked, hoping to have lunch, but there was very little on offer. Paul of course had a beer and then we drove on a further 50km to the town of 1770, so named for Captain Cook’s initial voyage. The town is a small, picturesque, seaside, tourist hot spot.

We parked near a full caravan park and walked the beachfront before taking a seat at the 1770 Hotel and ordering lunch. The hotel stocked the Baffle Creek beers, so Paul could sample another as we enjoyed the sun and the view over the water.

Lunch did its job of filling us up and we were happy to get up and moving. We returned to the beachfront and watched dolphins swimming just off shore. It was such a peaceful and idyllic location, it is a shame we didn’t get the time to stay longer.

Once back at the car, we made the two hour trek home to Bargara. We stopped in town so Paul could see a chiropractor, but we had a wait, so we picked up some groceries and put fuel in the car before returning to the practice.  He had his back cracked, which gave him some relief and then it was finally back to the van to enjoy our view.

As it was already nudging 5pm, the sun was on its way out and the sky was beginning to pick up the pinks and yellows of dusk. Paul brought out his fishing rod and happily threw a line catching a small fish and what he thought was a juvenile barracuda with menacing teeth. Nothing he caught was worth keeping though.

Jaden rang to say the car had been fixed, an electrical problem and would cost $380. Paul was not impressed that the job wasn’t done right the first time and didn’t think we should have to pay. Then Jaden rang back to say it had broken down again when the mechanic took it for a test run. Ahhhh! Back to drawing board.

We came in once the sky was black and had our dinner. I text talked to an old friend who now lives near the Gold Coast, he told me we can call his place home when we are in the area, yay.

We went for our usual evening walk to settle the stomachs making it to Kellys Beach before returning. It was then the usual quiet time before heading to bed to getting our nose stuck in the books.