Happy Aussie Day! That’s what a sign outside a shop in Caboolture said last week. When I suggested that I should greet my husband on waking with that, he said that was too stupid, however given that the cheapie shops are full of flag themed undies, bras, hats and all manner of items you might be able to attach to either your body or your car, it would not surprise me that it was de rigeur in some patriotic bedrooms about the country this morning.
Here on the Sunshine Coast, the official forecast
suggests occasional showers and that is what we had yesterday, or at least, the
skies spent yesterday trying to rain, a few spits here and there, with little
more until last night when there was success. Last night brought real rain; how
lovely is the sound of the rain on the roof when one is tucked up safe from
floods, in the middle of bird-filled bushy gardens. The amenities block is home
to dozens of geckos as they so often are; the night before I spied a small
domestic cat attempting to catch some of these agile critters in the neglected
playground. Despite the fact that little has been done to improve this caravan
park since we last stayed, it has a charm here beside the South Maroochy River.
The camp is full, visitors flowing in and out, and
here on our site we have been busy spring clearing; yes, clearing not cleaning
yet. I am sure we have removed at least one tonne of “stuff” out of the
caravan, some into the back of the landcruiser for transport to the Op Shop in
Nambour; we did the first of several drop offs yesterday morning. The reduction
of the caravan’s weight has been mainly due to the precious paper souvenirs,
maps, booklets and books, maps, fact sheets, maps, bird leaflets, maps, discarded
with great reluctance.
Jess turned up yesterday morning with a bundle of
cash in hand, representing a rather paltry but well-meant deposit for the
purchase of the caravan. She brought along yet another relative to see what
“Mum” and “Dad” were buying, this time Auntie Donna. “Auntie” who is not the
partner of the “Uncle” we met on the initial viewing, also has caravanning
experience and they all reckon they will have “Mum” and “Dad” sorted out
without our instruction. In theory final payment will arrive on Tuesday but we
will not hand the caravan over for at least another week. These folk are most
trusting, non-business like, and dismissive of the formal agreement we had
drafted out in preparation for yesterday’s visit; Auntie told Jess the van
looked brand new and everyone is happy to deal with us, who, in theory, could scarper
with the money and the caravan. However while we have booked to fly Emirates
who allow a greater luggage weight, a two and a half tonne caravan might be
rather excessive! And of course, we would have all of you to answer to.
Yesterday morning Chris asked if I had heard the gunshots
during the night; I had not, but it did remind us that Yandina has been in the
news recently concerning types who might try a pot shot or two on their enemies
if they had a mind to. I have already mentioned the legislative change to sweep
up the bikie riff-raff and how it has not gone down well with law abiding
citizens who like to ride motorbikes. Well, it was here at the local pub that
the Yandina Five gathered to pass the
time of day; two were members of the Rebels
gang and the other three, sundry associates. One of the latter was simply
delivering a pizza to his mates who happened to be together in public, so he
said, and there were great public cries from his wife who lamented her husband
could not share the joys of Christmas with his young family while he whiled
away his days in jail. Family snaps suggested the perfect family, not unlike
any of ours, but when the truth came out, he had a list of crimes, drug related
and the like, to keep him locked up for life. It seems that this new law, when
used with discretion, is indeed netting the targeted fish. Anyway, that is
Yandina’s latest claim to fame and it’s where we too are hanging about.
Today we have seen the end of the Santos Tour
DownUnder, the last of the Aussie-Pommie cricket is being played out, dozens of
well-deserving folk have been awarded Australia Day gongs, not least the latest
Australian of the Year, Adam Goodes, the women’s Australian Open has been won
by the first Chinese, Li Na and tonight, we will no doubt see Raphael Nadal twitch
and twirl and win his way through to yet another Grand Slam title. And then it
will be over, for sport at last, and life in our little world will return to
normal, or at least as much as it can in this crazy whirl of The Leaving.
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