3 December 2013 - Alex Beach Cabins & Tourist Park, Alexandra Headland, Queensland

Even Chris said the sun came out too early this morning, but that was probably because we had left the roof vents open, however we will just have to get used to it for now; the days will be longer for as long as we stay on in Queensland.

This morning after wandering over to the campground proper and checking out the amenities, we decided that this was not such a bad place after all, and may well suit us to stay longer if we have to  hang about Brisbane. Fortunately for all parties concerned, the office was manned as we departed and we were able to pay our dues.

Our parting was not altogether without event; you would think that after nearly three years of breaking camp we would have a flawless routine, and so we have, generally. This morning we became distracted, obviously, because Chris failed to raise the front right drop-down-leg and I failed to notice he had. As we pulled out off the grassy site onto the sealed roadway, there was an almighty graunching and groaning and it occurred to me that we had become somehow hooked up into the rows of metal seating that were being shifted about the grounds with a tractor, although I had seen no such movement immediately near to us. Naturally we stopped, and soon found the damage, thankfully only the stabilising leg itself jammed and the working parts screwed up inside. Our mobility was soon restored by unbolting the leg from the caravan and we were pleased to find that there was no peripheral damage. However we needed to have it fixed, quickly because it was unlikely we would be able to stay hitched in our next campsite.

We were directed to a caravan manufacturer, Sunland Caravans, just up the road and there for a sum just short of $100 were provided with a new leg. We drove back into Caboolture, filled with diesel and parked up in the corner of a shopping centre to make the repair, and to stock up on items one needs to spend two days catching up with old friends, mostly of the liquid variety. (The provisions that is, not the friends.)

Always good to catch up with Neil and Pauline

So after such an eventful morning, we returned to the Bruce Highway and headed north, pausing at the rest area at the White Horse Mountain turnoff for lunch and then travelled via Coloundra to refill with gas at the BCF there, our preferred gas supplier, then on here to Alexandra Headland. This is about half way between Maroochydore and Mooloolaba, but really just part of the whole Sunshine coastline that blends seamlessly from one end to the other.

Our friends Neil and Pauline were out when we arrived and set up two sites above them, which meant that we were well organised by the time they arrived and party time began and carried on through to the evening. We who are such quiet tenants of camping grounds may have spoiled our copybook; however it was still before 9 pm that we were safely back in our own little caravan to check out the stores of paracetamol for the morning.