I slept like a log last night, not waking until 6am. Unreal for me, while Marg tossed and turned.
As we had nothing planned, I did a load of washing then I decided to go on my first ride this sojourn. I headed upto Labrador, down to Surfers, out to The Spit, over to Cafe Rockpool for a coffee and a chat with a Grandma, who also cycles and then back to camp.
My riding stats: Today's ride of 37kms gives me a total of 93kms for May and my 1st ride at Southport for a total of 37kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 37kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

After riding, I had a beautiful shower, the water pressure here is very good. We had lunch at camp and then drove to Southport Sharks to renew our membership, then over to South Park (aka Southport Park shopping centre) for a coffee at Michels. We checked out Target and The Reject Shop, but bought nothing. Filled up the mighty Navara and headed back to camp.
Make mental note: Never goes shopping around school knockoff time, the traffic was bloody awful.
Back at camp, finally got around to lowering the tyre pressures and packing away the various bits and pieces in Marg's Naughty room under the bedroom. I walked over to our beach and took a few photos.

Dinner was chicken kiev and vegies cooked beautifully by Marg. It was YUMMA.

Tomorrow it is Bingo day. Wish us luck.

Again, I slept like a log last night, not waking until 5:30am, couldn't find my radio, so I got up at 6am. Marg slept better but can still improve.
I was on the Internet and we planned to leave about 8:30am and drive to the Sharks for Bingo, BUT Lukey rang and was catching the train to Helensvale and needed us to pick him up, as he had just heard that Jo's uncle had passed away and was heading home to comfort her.
As Lukey and family had just moved into their house, his internet hasn't been re-connected and we lent him one of our Telstra modems (Model MF60 Elite). This is where the fun started, after dropping Luke at home, Marg and I drove back to The Telstra shop at Helensvale and bought a 5Gb data for $50. There were a comedy of errors and Lukey finally was able to log on about 5pm tonight. Telstra stuffed it up. Anyway, it is now working correctly, so Lukey can work from home tomorrow as he now has internet connection.

After we left Lukey's this morning, we drove to Cafe Rockpool for a coffee and cake and I re-introduced Marg to Kamal the manager. Back at camp, we had lunch and just after 1pm, I went riding and visited Charis Seafood, as they feed the Georges at 1:30pm each day, so I was there to take photos. I got up close and personal with the Georges.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 37kms gives me a total of 130kms for May and my 2nd ride at Southport for a total of 74kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 74kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Dinner was egg and bacon sangas, they were better than Wills at Station Pier. They were yumma.

Tomorrow nothing is planned except I will go for a ride.

Marg and I both slept well. I got up at 6am and changed into 'cycleman' and headed off, leaving Marg to lay in bed watching Kochie on ch7.
As I left early, I wanted to ride further than my usual 35kms, SO I decided to ride to Miami. I left camp, headed north to Lands End which is my northernly turnaround point, before heading towards Surfers. At Laycock Ave, I continued south along the road until I reached Broadbeach and then along the shared path until I encountered the big hill at Miami Beach. Today, I turned around and headed back to Surfers, retracing my route and then headed out to The Spit and then stopped at cafe Rockpool for a choccy muffin and a coffee.

Back at camp, I showered and Marg was dressed, SO we headed to Helensvale shops, via Bunnings, where we bought a packet of 10 solar lights. At Helensvale, we visited Woollies and had a coffee at Michels. Back at camp, we had lunch and during the arvo, we both managed a nanna nap.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 52kms gives me a total of 182kms for May and my 3rd ride at Southport for a total of 126kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 126kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Dinner was Marg's famous spagetti. It was yumma.

Tomorrow, I will go for a ride and about 4pm we will head to our club (CSI Southport) for pokies, chilled refreshers and dinner.

Marg and I both slept well. I am waking just before 6am, without the aim of an alarm clock, so I get up, have cereal and fruit and change into 'cycleman' and headed off, leaving Marg in her slumber.
Yesterday I rode to Miami about 52kms return trip, so today, I wanted to ride further and made it to Burleigh (57kms), before heading homeward.
I rode the same route as yesterday and when I hit the hill at Miami, I asked some locals how to get to Burleigh, they were very helpful. Today's brief summary of my ride was, headed north to Lands End which is my northernly turnaround point, before heading towards Surfers, continued south along the road until I reached Broadbeach and then along the shared path until I encountered the big hill at Miami Beach, continued along the path beside the Gold Coast hwy and stopped at the Burleigh SLSC, before retracing my route and then headed out to The Spit and then stopped at Cafe Rockpool for coffee, no muffin today.

Back at camp, I showered and Marg was dressed, SO we headed to Bunnings to buy a trigger hose nossle and then to South Park for a coffee and to buy some wire coathangers. Back at camp again, we had lunch and during the arvo, we both managed a quick nanna nap, before getting ourselves organised for our club (CSI Southport).
We arrived just on 4pm, spoke to Sandy on reception, our life membership cards all worked. Marg headed off to the pokies, I sat at a table that had a powerpoint very close by, connected my modem and laptop, all working, just needed a chilled refresher. Walked to the bar, bought a lemon squash and a schooner of XXXX Gold, took Marg her squash, she was happy, so I am happy. She found me about 5:30pm and we walked over to the food area, I ordered garlic prawns and a mixed grill.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 57kms gives me a total of 239kms for May and my 4th ride at Southport for a total of 183kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 183kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Dinner at the CSI was garlic prawns for Marg and a mixed grill for me. It was yumma.

Tomorrow, we are off to our other club (Southport Sharks).

We slept very well until 6:30am, when I got up and went on the internet, while Marg watched 'Sunrise'. We had brekky and got ourselves organised for Bingo and left at 8:30am. Arrived at the Sharks about 10 minutes later, there was an abnormal amount of traffic, but we still were one of the first to arrive. As it was our first BINGO this sojourn, Wendy the co-ordinator remembered us and welcomed us back. We felt needed. No one was sitting at our table, so we sat there. It was great to see Jenny, who has lost 40.6kgs since we last saw her. I paid Wendy $47 for 2 FULL sets and Marg and I marked the various games, we were ready for the 9:30am eyes down with heaps of time to spare, so Marg went and ordered coffee and cake. Marg started well with a $5 win in the second game, that was it, we were close but no cigar.
Our Bingo summary after our 1st week, paid $47 won $5 currently losing $42. Off to a great start. I let the team down big time, there is always next week.

Back at camp at lunchtime, I went riding while Marg did her thing in my absence. My usual short ride. Headed to Lands End, then into a strong headwind, the whole way to Laycock Ave, Surfers. Turned around and had a beautiful tail breeze the whole way to The Spit, Sat at the Spit and ate my 2 bananas and watched the waves break over the seawall. It was gusting to 50kph from the South. Headed homeward, stopping at Cafe Rockpool for a coffee.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 36kms gives me a total of 275kms for May and my 5th ride at Southport for a total of 219kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 219kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Marg managed a nanna nap while I was away.

Dinner was spagetti on toast, cooked beautifully by Marg.It was yumma.

Tomorrow, we have nothing planned, I hope to ride but they forecast some rain.

We slept very well until 6:30am, when I got up and went on the internet, while at 7am Marg watched 'Weekend Sunrise'. I was having brekky, when Lukey rang me, he was going for a ride on his motorbike and wanted to meet me somewhere. We agreed to meet at the carpark at The Spit. I left Marg laying in bed watching Tv and headed off on my normal route. (Labrador, Surfers, The Spit and back to camp). I met Luke at the Spit and photographed him as he arrived. We chatted for a few minutes before I headed off into a bloody strong headwind along Seaworld Drive when this bikie (Lukey) pulled up beside me and offered a tow. I kindly declinced his offer and we met back at camp. He stayed for awhile chatting, before he headed home.

While I showered, Marg got dressed and we walked about a kilometer down to Cafe Rockpool for a coffee and then out onto the Southport Pier and took some photos. We were lucky to miss the showers that came over. Back at camp, we had lunch and relaxed in the fiver, we both laid on the bed and read. I am reading the Lee Child's Jack Reacher series, they have sucked me in. For the rest of the arvo, I watched Lowndesy at Winton, this is not his weekend.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 31kms gives me a total of 306kms for May and my 6th ride at Southport for a total of 250kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 250kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Dinner will be omelettes and they will be yumma.

Tomorrow, we have lunch with our boys and their families.

As we plan to have lunch with our boys and their families, I wasn't riding and we could sleep in until late. Well, we slept in until 8:30am and then did a load of washing and just buggered about until we left at 11:40am. Lunch was at Pac Pines Tavern, we arrived 2 minutes late and Lukey arrived 5 miunutes late, but he had an excuse, our little man Mason) wasn't ready. The boys ordered parmas and the girls had other stuff. Lunch was yumma and we will return, although the boys are thinking about Emerald Lakes Golf Club for the next family luncheon.

After lunch, everyone visited Woollies next door for some shopping and then we went our separate ways. I sat at the computer and watched the V8s, while Marg had a nanna nap. I decided to twist the TV around and I laid on the bed watching the V8s. bad mistake, I fell asleep, at least, I was recording it, so I managed to watch the recording. Lowndesy was 3rd.

Dinner will be a scratch meal, as we had a decent lunch. Marg had toast and I had cereal.

Tomorrow, nothing is planned, I hope to ride.

It fell out of the sky, overnight, dropping 13mm between 4:30am and 7:00am and gusted upto 54kph. Consequently, we were woken a number of times due to the wind and rain.
I did plan to ride but it was bucketing down when I awoke, so I decided against it, BUT about 8am it had stopped raining and the clouds parted, SO I changed into 'cycleman' and headed off on my ride. As I arrived at Surfers, Lukey rang me to say that Jodi and our little man were stuck at school and that their car wouldn't start. End of my ride, I headed straight back to camp, changed without showering and drove the might Navara to school, where jodi was breastfeeding 'my little man' and talking to a friend. I checked the battery terminal, the +ve moved slightly, I tried to start the engine and it fired up. In the meantime, Lukey had called RACQ, who arrived at the same time, he gave a quick once over and left. I followed Jodi home, no probs. I asked her to start the car about 1:45pm and if it didn't start, to ring me, so we could pick up Mont from school, BUT no need, as the car is going. Lukey has booked it in at his mechanic on Wednesday.

Back at camp, I showered, Marg got dressed and we drove over to Australia Fair for a coffee, as you may remember my ride was cut short and I didn't stop for my cafeine fix.
During the arvo, we both managed a nanna nap, as the weather wasn't flash and we caught up on some of our recorded TV shows.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 22kms gives me a total of 328kms for May and my 7th ride at Southport for a total of 272kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 272kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Dinner was soup that Marg made during the day. It was YUMMA.

Tomorrow, we are back to normal with BINGO at the Sharks and I hope to ride in the arvo.

We slept very well until 6:30am, when I got up and went on the internet, while Marg watched 'Sunrise'. We had brekky and got ourselves organised for Bingo and left at 8:20am. Arrived at the Sharks about 10 minutes later, but the place was jumping. I brought 2 full sets plus 2 lucky numbers for $46 and then sat at 'our' table, as it was free. Marg and I marked the various games and were ready for the 9:30am eyes down with heaps of time to spare, so Marg went and ordered coffee and cake. We both didn't get a look in, not winning anything, we were close but no cigar.
Our Bingo summary after our 2nd week, paid $46 won ZERO currently losing $88. Off to a great start. We both let the team down big time, there is always next week.

Back at camp at lunchtime, I went riding while Marg did her thing in my absence. I rode to Tallebudgera Creek (61kms), had coffee at Robbie McEwen's cafe in Miami, rode out to The Spit, then upto Lands End and back to camp.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 61kms gives me a total of 389kms for May and my 8th ride at Southport for a total of 333kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 333kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Marg managed a nanna nap while I was away.

Dinner was steak, and vegies. Absolutely YUMMA.

Tomorrow, I am Lukey's chauffeur as his car is in for a service and checkup.

We slept very well until 6:30am, when I got up and went on the internet, while Marg watched 'Sunrise'. I had brekky and left Marg in bed as I had to meet Lukey at his mechanics at 8:00am. I met him at 8am and drove him home, where we picked up Mont and drove her to school. I dropped Lukey at home and went back to camp and changed into 'cycleman' and headed off to Robbie McEwen's cafe, hoping to catch Robbie and get a photo with him. I haved been to his cafe twice, brought 2 coffees and Robbie hasn't been there YET. Maybe tomorrow.

While I was riding back to camp, Lukey rang me to say that his car was ready. We agreed to pick him up about 1pm and drove him to get his car. From there, Marg and I went to Helensvale shops to buy some wool and had lunch at Donut King, then drove to Paradise Country to see what we will be doing, when we take Mont and her friend there on Sunday.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 41kms gives me a total of 430kms for May and my 9th ride at Southport for a total of 374kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 374kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Dinner was Marg's homemade soup. It was absolutely YUMMA.

Tomorrow, I will go looking for Robbie McEwen again.

We slept very well until 6:30am, when I got up and went on the internet, while Marg watched 'Sunrise'. I had brekky and left Marg in bed as I changed into 'cycleman' and headed off to Robbie McEwen's cafe, hoping to catch Robbie and get a photo with him, for the third time. I arrived at his cafe about 8:30am and Sherry told me that he was taking his kids to school and should be at the cafe in about 1 hour. "No Drama" I said. I would ride further south. Rode out to the mouth of the Tallebudgera Creek and then about another kilometer south, beofre heading back to Robbie's cafe. I arrived about 9:30am and ordered a coffee and waited and waited by about 10:00am, Sherry told me that Robbie was 10 minutes away, he was at home packing a suitcase. He lives just around the corner. Anyway, he arrived, rode up on his bike and left it on the rack out the front. I introduced myself to him and Sherry took our photo, we chatted for at least 15 minutes, before I let him go.

He is a very nice guy. I am rapt that I met him.

Even though, I waited for nearly an hour, it was great meeting him.
I rode back through Surfers to my 'rock' at the end of The Spit before heading back to camp.


At camp, we had lunch and buggered about until getting changed and heading off to our club CSI Southport for pokies, updating this website with a chilled refresher or two and having dinner. We arrived just on 4pm, spoke to Sandy on reception, our life membership cards all worked. Marg headed off to the pokies, I sat at a table that had a powerpoint very close by, connected my modem and laptop, all working, just needed a chilled refresher. Walked to the bar, bought a schooner of XXXX Gold, Marg had her bottle of water. She found me about 5:30pm and we walked over to the food area, I ordered Marg garlic prawns, while I had the mixed grill.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 55kms gives me a total of 485kms for May and my 10th ride at Southport for a total of 429kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 429kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Update: While having dinner, it pissed down 5.4mm in 30 minutes. I hoped that I closed the fiver's hatches, so naturally, I worried during dinner. Now back at camp, the fiver is dry.

Tomorrow, nothing is planned, hope to ride.

We slept well until 7:00am. I got up and went on the internet, while Marg watched 'Sunrise'. Do you see a pattern developing here? I had brekky and left Marg in bed as I changed into 'cycleman' and wanting to ride to the Currumbin Creek at Palm Beach. SO I headed off southward, stopping at Surfers, on orders from Marg and take some photos of the Ch7 Sunrise being televised from the Surfers Esplanade. After a few photos, I continued to Robbie's cafe, it was half full or half empty, BUT I continued onto Burleigh Heads and then the whole way to the mouth of the Currumbin creek. This was my turnaround point and I headed back to Robbie's cafe BUT it was nearly full, so I decided to have my coffee at Cafe Rockpool. I continued through Broadbeach, through Surfers onto the Spit where I ate my 2 bananas and then rode over to cafe Rockpool, where I had a coffee and a choccy muffin (it was YUMMA). I forgot my iphone cable and my iphone was nearly flat, SO I called into camp and picked up the cable and plugged my iphone into my battery pack and continued passed George and his mates and turned around at Lands End. Marg thought I was mad, calling in and continuing on my ride BUT I wanted to ride from camp to Currumbin Ck to The Spit and to Lands End and back to camp. A total of 68.9kms.

After showering and having lunch, Marg and I drove to Helensvale shops. We tried to visit the "Pirates of the Caribbean" site but they have now closed the complete road. Coles has a promotion of a $30 starter sim card for $1 if you spend over $30 in Coles. We did try this earlier in the week, BUT the staff knew nothing about it, today we had proof, an advert from the Courier Mail. Anyway, we managed to buy 2 sim cards.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 68kms gives me a total of 553kms for May and my 11th ride at Southport for a total of 497kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 497kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

We didn't feel like anything flash, so we had a scratch meal, we had cereal.

Tomorrow, I plan to meet Lukey at The Spit at 8:30am and tomorrow night - Jay, Bec and Lukey are going to a fancy dress and I am their chauffeur.

We slept well until 6:45am. I got up and went on the internet, while Marg watched 'Weekend Sunrise'. I had brekky and left Marg in bed as I changed into 'cycleman' and wanted a short ride, just my normal Surfers, The Spit to Lands End and back to camp about 34kms. The wind was howling from the South, so I left camp and headed south to Surfers into the breeze, turned around at Laycock Ave and headed along the shared path to the Spit. Rode out to the end of The Spit in between the wave sets coming through. Due to the waves and amount of spray, I couldn't sit on 'my rock' and eat my bananas, SO I didn't. I managed to take a few photos by standing in the lee of the beacon. It did protect me slightly from the spray. After leaving the Spit, I saw that the Jetman was 'playing' out on the Broadwater near the Nerang river bridge. To finish this ride, I headed past the camp upto my Lands End turnaround and then finished with a 4km ride into the gale back to camp. A total of approx 34kms.

After showering, Marg and I drove over to Cafe Rockpool for a coffee and muffin and then Marg felt like a drive out to The Spit, SO I suggested that I show her my route that I rode yesterday to Currumbin Ck. She was impressed with the various views, Robbie's cafe and other places that I passed.
Back at camp for lunch and a relaxing arvo with the wind still blowing. Marg had a nanna nap until Jay rang us to remind me that I was chauffeuring them to a fancy dress party tonight. Luke rang later to inquire about nail polish remover, something about he is wearing nail polish. Interesting. My big macho boys are currently a bit suss. I will have to take photos of them.

I managed to lay on the bed and read my book without falling asleep, which was a first.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 34kms gives me a total of 587kms for May and my 12th ride at Southport for a total of 531kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 531kms since leaving home back on 3rd May.

Dinner was Angus beef pies. They were yumma.

Tonight at 8pm, I have to pick my boys and Bec up and drop them at a party in Ashmore and then LATER they will ring me, to come and take them home. Tomorrow, Marg and I are taking Mont and her friend to Paradise Country.