One of the worst nights ever in the fiver. The noise from the wind and rain made sleeping bloody hard, we dozed then were woken, as the fiver rocked. Today, we spent all day in the fiver. As it has continually rained since 4pm yesterday. We laid on the bed and 'tried' to sleep, 'tried' to read, and watched recorded TV shows but we were trapped inside. Occasionally, the rain did stop for brief periods and I would walk over to the grassed area, then it started to rain again and back inside again.
Due to the strength of the wind and rain, we didn't want to leave the fiver alone.

Dinner was tomato soup. It was yumma.

Tomorrow: Hopefully, the weather improves as in the clouds disappear and the sun reappears.

What a difference a day makes.
I slept like a log, went to sleep at 8:30pm and slept non stop until 4am, then a pitstop and slept until 7am. I looked out the window to see blue sky with no clouds and when I walked outside, no breeze either. SO I decided to go riding, Marg awoke long enough for me to tell her that I was going riding, then she was back asleep.

I left at 7:50am and headed to Surfers, being the weekend, I rode most of today on the roads, as there were pedestrians everywhere. As I rode through The Narrownecks I got my first glimpse of the waves. They were HUGE and beautiful. I rode through Surfers, through Broadbeach, through Miami Beach down to Burleigh Heads. The storm did most damage at Oskars. At the Burleigh Heads lookout, my usual turnaround point, it was packed with people taking photos of the big waves. I headed back to The Spit, passing Robbie McEwen's cafe at Miami Beach, then along the Federation Walk starting at the Southport SLSC. There were 3 trees blown down that blocked the path, I had to carry my 'trusted treadley' over them and about 300 meters from the end of the Walk, I came across the flooded sections. As I know this track very well, I knew that the water can't be deeper than 1 foot, SO worst case scenario is to walk the bike through the water, BUT I rode through it and my shoes and socks were drenched. AS I arrived at The Spit, there were people everywhere taking photographs. I didn't get to the end, as the BIG sets of waves covered the Spit. Some of the people played 'russian roulette' with the waves. The seaway was extremely dangerous, as the tide was going out at a great rate of knots and meeting the BIG waves coming in. Where they met was just AWESOME. I left The Spit, then headed along Seaworld Drive to Southport Yacht Club, then along the shared path, stopping at Cafe Rockpool for only a coffee, then up through Labrador and Biggera Waters and then back to camp, about 58kms.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 58kms gives me a total of 172kms for June and 369kms for May and my 7th ride at Southport for a total of 380kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 690kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

After showering and having lunch, we drove over to Lukeys, so Mase can get used to us, as we are babysitting him and his BIG sis on Saturday, well that's Marg excuse. I think that she just wants to play with Mase and Mont. I got a cuddle from Mase, which was quite unexpected.

It appears that Marg is coming down with a cold. So Dinner was Mr Mc Cains pizza. It was nice.

Tomorrow: Marg is resting and I plan to ride first thing.

I slept like a log, and got up about 6;30am. Marg was feeling second rate and went back to sleep, SO I went riding.


The beaches were still closed today.
I left at 7:06am and headed to Surfers, it was sunny, with a nice tailwind. Being a weekday, I rode mainly on the shared paths, as there is a marked decrease in the number of pedestrians. I stopped in Surfers and took the weather photos in beautiful sunshine with bugger all cloud about. The waves were still BIG. I rode through Broadbeach, through Miami Beach down to Burleigh Heads. Oskars is not looking real flash. At the Burleigh Heads lookout, there were about 10 surfers braving the big swell but they spent most of their time, diving under the swell. They only caught an odd wave while I was there, BUT it kept all the spectators interested. I headed back to The Spit, by this time, the clouds had arrived and it was BLOODY cool, so I put on my wet weather jacket, I was warm again. I stopped at Robbie's cafe for a coffee, then headed to the Federation Walk just past the Southport SLSC. The 3 trees were still blocking the track. The water was still over the track and I didn't want to get my shoes and socks wet and cold, SO I did a U turn and rode to the road and continued to the Spit along the bitumen. The seaway was a lot smoother than yesterday BUT the Bombora that is about a kilometer north of the Spit was working beautifully. I rode to the end of the Spit, in each set, there was usually a larger wave and this would 'crash' into the end of the Spit and send spray everywhere. It looked very good, but was a bit difficult to catch on film.
I left The Spit, then headed along Seaworld Drive to Southport Yacht Club, then along the shared path, stopping at Cafe Rockpool for another coffee and my 1st muffin, then up through Labrador and Biggera Waters and then back to camp, about 58kms.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 58kms gives me a total of 230kms for June and 369kms for May and my 8th ride at Southport for a total of 438kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 748kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

After showering and the wind had died down a bit, I put up the awning and its sides again, I needed Marg to assist me, which she did. During the arvo, Marg had a sleep and she is still feeling a tad shabby with a cold.

Dinner was homemade soup that I warmed up. God, I am a great help in the kitchen. It was yumma.

Tomorrow: Marg doesn't feel like going to Bingo, SO we aren't. I may ride, while she relaxs.

I slept like a log until 3am, when I was cold, so I had to get up and get my sleepingbag out and used that as a blanket, after that, I was warm as and slept until 7am. Marg woke shortly after and even though she was feeling better, she didn't think that she could do Bingo, SO we didn't. I suggested that she relaxs in bed, which she agreed too, SO I went riding. Such a caring hubby.

The beaches were still closed today, but the surfers were out along the various breaks.
I left at 7:58am and headed to Surfers, it was sunny, with a gentle, building tailwind. The waves were getting back to normal size. I rode through Surfers, Broadbeach, through Miami Beach down to Burleigh Heads. Oskars is now boarded up. At the Burleigh Heads lookout, there were more surfers out than yesterday and catching waves. I headed back to The Spit, didn't stop at Robbie's cafe and continued to Surfers, where I took my normal, daily, weather photos, then headed to the Federation Walk. The 3 trees had been removed by the GCCC, thanks guys. The water was still over the track in one spot, SO I risked it and sure enough, the shoes and socks were drenched again. The seaway is back to its normal state. I rode to the end of the Spit, and everything is back to normal, the fishos were there, the waves were no longer breaking along the Spit. After leaving the Spit, I saw Ted and Sue(our neighbours) out riding, SO we stopped and chatted then continued on our separate rides. At the Fishos Co Op on Seaworld drive, I rode in and saw the capsized fishing trawler (kimberley rose 2). It was about 300 meters offshore. After a few photos, I stopped at Cafe Rockpool for a coffee and muffin. While sitting there, I noticed a guy sitting at a nearby table, I looked at him and said "peter" rather tenatively and sure enough it was one of my mates, who had just arrived at our CP, and had walked down to cafe Rockpool for a coffee with his partner. After another chat, I was finally able to finish my ride, off to Labrador and Biggera Waters and then back to camp, about 58kms.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 58kms gives me a total of 288kms for June and 369kms for May and my 9th ride at Southport for a total of 496kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 806kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

I got back to camp just on midday, Marg was dressed and feeling better than yesterday, so after I showered, we drove over to Helensvale.
First stop was at Helensvale's rail station to check that my 'Go Card' was a goer, because tomorrow, I turn into 'Super Talker' on the Trailblazers stand at the Brissy Caravan show. I can't catch up with Phil until we met at the show, SO I have to catch and paid for a train ticket. My 'Go Card' had a balance of $5, but tomorrow morning's trip costs $5.37. Last night I tried to top up with a $1, you guessed it, minimum amount is $20. So my balalnce is now $25, at least I have 9 years to use it. We had lunch at DonutKing, we must have shares in this company. Did some food shopping and headed back to camp for a quiet arvo.

Marg was well enough to cook her 'world famous' lasagna AND it was YUMMA.

Tomorrow: Marg has the next 6 days to do anything that she wants too, while I talk to anyone who visits our stand.

I slept fair last night, waking a few times and finally getting up at 5:45am, walked over to the amenities, shaved and showered. Had brekky got dressed and left before Marg even stirred. I left at 6:15am, started up the mighty Navara and quietly left the caravan park and headed to Helensvale station. I caught the 6:39am 'flyer' to Bowen Hills. After walking the kilometer from the train station, I arrived at Direct Hotel on the corner of Gregory Terrace and Brookes Rd, where I thought that Phil was staying, so I walked into reception, dropped my luggage which was a backpack, my camp chair, my posters and hat, and told the guy that I needed to ring Phil, which I did. Phil answered and after giving me directions, it appears that he is not stopping where I thought he was. Bummer.

I then tried to get into the show without a ticket, this was going to be interesting. It wasn't, I just walked in, no one queried me.
I found our stand which is in the same location as last year. I unpacked my chair and waited for Phil and Chris to arrive. They did after 15 minutes. We setup the stand and waited for the people to arrive. At 9:30am the gates were opened and they were in. Our stand consisted of a 27ft fiver, a dual cab truck with a large slideon including a motorbike and a normal slideon. I blutacked my posters to the slideout on the fiver. We were quite busy and Bevin and his wife came and saw me, so we chatted for awhile. I couldn't convince Bevin to buy the truck, it was a cool $200k. I had lunch in the shade and checked out the show. On the Queensland stand, I saw Shane the manager of the Birdsville CP and told him how much we loved our 2 days with him.

I left the show just on 4pm and walked back to Bowen Hills, just missing the 4:09pm by a bees dick, so I caught the 4:23pm 'flyer' to Helensvale, arriving back at camp 6pm.

Marg is still feeling shabby and I may be coming down with a cold.

We both didn't feel like cooking dinner, SO we had party pies.

Tomorrow: Marg has the next 5 days to do anything that she wants too, while I talk to anyone who visits our stand.

I was knackered after the 1st day at the Brissy Caravan show, SO I was in bed by 7:30pm and slept nonstop until 3:30am, then slept off and on until 6am, then I got up and walked over to the amenities, shaved and showered. Had brekky got dressed and as Marg was awake after sleeping so much yesterday, I turned on Kockie and left Marg watching Sunrise. I left at 6:50am, started up the mighty Navara and quietly left the caravan park and headed to Helensvale station. I just missed the 7:09 and caught the 7:24am 'flyer' to Bowen Hills. After walking the kilometer from the train station, I arrived at our stand at 8:50am. Phil had just arrived, SO we setup the stand and were easily ready when the gates opened.

I met another of our website readers BUT I forgot their names, they are farmers. We had large numbers of people through our stand, with plenty of interest. I left the show just on 4pm and walked back to Bowen Hills, and caught the 4:09pm 'flyer' to Helensvale, arriving back at camp 5:45pm.

Marg is slowly feeling better and I am not used to standing all day talking to people.

Marg made her 'world famous' curried sausages with rice. It was YUMMA.

Tomorrow: Marg has the next 4 days to do anything that she wants too, while I talk to anyone who visits our stand.

I am still knackered after the 2nd day at the Brissy Caravan show, SO I was in bed by 7:45pm and slept nonstop until 2:30am, then slept off and on until 6am, then I got up and walked over to the amenities, shaved and showered. Had brekky got dressed and Marg was asleep, when I left at 6:45am, started up the mighty Navara and quietly left the caravan park and headed to Helensvale station. I caught the 7:09 'flyer' to Bowen Hills. After walking the kilometer from the train station, I arrived at our stand at 8:35am and had the stand setup before Phil and Chris arrived.

David and Di popped in to say "Hi". We had large numbers of people through our stand, with plenty of interest. I left the show about 3:45pm and walked back to Bowen Hills, and caught the 4:00pm 'flyer' to Helensvale, arriving back at camp 5:30pm.

Marg is slowly feeling better and I am not used to standing all day talking to people.

Marg made her 'world famous' omelette. It was YUMMA.

Tomorrow: Marg has the next 3 days to do anything that she wants too, while I talk to anyone who visits our stand.

I haven't recovered after 3 days at the Brissy Caravan show, SO I was in bed by 7:30pm and slept nonstop until 3:30am, then slept off and on until 6am, then I got up and walked over to the amenities, shaved and showered. Had brekky, got dressed while Marg slept, and left at 7:00am, started up the mighty Navara and quietly left the caravan park and headed to Helensvale station. My 7:09am 'flyer' doesn't run on the weekend, SO I caught the 7:24 'flyer' to Bowen Hills. After walking the kilometer from the train station, I arrived at our stand at 8:50am and had the stand setup before Phil and Chris arrived. It doesn't take long. I took photos today, but I can't upload them until Tuesday, when I have some time.

Another busy day of talking, with lots of interest. I am feeling lousy with a cold, but I will 'soldier on'. What a martyr.
It was great to catch up with Arthur and Ann, it is their fiver that is on our stand and I am looking after it for them. Arthur, you have a long way to catch us with kilometers travelled BUT you will have an absolute ball doing it.
I left the show about 3:30pm and stopped at Subways for a foot long, then walked to Bowen Hills, and caught the 3:53pm 'flyer' to Helensvale, arriving back at Lukeys about 5:15am.
Marg and I are minding Mont and Mase tonight, as Lukey and Jodi have a 21st at Broadbeach and I offered to drive and pick them up, so I told Phil and Chris that I may be a little late in the morning. We will see.

Marg is slowly feeling better and I appear to have a cold with the runny nose. Not happy, Jan.

Dinner was Maccas. Quite nice.

Tomorrow: Marg has only 2 days left to enjoy herself, before I am back to annoy her.

Last night, I drove Lukey and Jo to the 21st in Broadbeach leaving Lukeys at 7:30pm and then pick them up at 10:30pm. I was knackered by the time I got to bed at 11:15pm. Marg and I 'kicked' Mont out of her bed and she slept on the couch. Marg and I slept well until little Mase woke us at 5:40am, as Jo was competing in a fun run, they had to leave about 6:30am, SO I got up, had brekky, made my lunch and then drove to Helensvale station, leaving Marg asleep. Lukey drove her back to our camp about mid morning. Jo completed her fun run and loved it, while Lukey took the kids with him and took photos of Jo.
My 7:09am 'flyer' doesn't run on the weekend, SO I caught the 7:24 'flyer' to Bowen Hills. After walking the kilometer from the train station, I arrived at our stand at 8:50am and had the stand setup before Phil and Chris arrived. It doesn't take long.

Another busy day of talking, with lots of interest. I still feel 'ratshit' BUT I only have ONE day to go and hopefully, will 'soldier on'. I left the show about 4:00pm and walked to Bowen Hills, and caught the 4:23pm 'flyer' to Helensvale, arriving back at camp just on 6pm.


Marg is slowly feeling better and I am showing all signs of having a cold.

Dinner was maccas at Lukey. Quite nice.

Tomorrow: Marg has only 1 day left to enjoy herself, before I am back to annoy her. I can't wait to finish, I am buggered.

Yippee, it is my last day of work until October, when I do this all again at the Sandown Leisurefest. This working twice a year is pretty tiring.
As usual, I was buggered after another day of talking and went to bed at 8pm last night and slept like a log. I awoke at 6am and got up, shaved and showered, had brekky and left my little petal snoring like a trooper. As I drove to Helensvale, I could see the rain clouds building over the hills where our little boys live. I parked the mighty Navara in the same spot for the past 6 days and walked across the carpark in very light misty rains (that american swimmer) and caught the 7:24am flyer.

What I am about to say may prove that I am mad or just a typical old fart. Picture this, I am sitting in a window seat facing the front of the train and looking out to the East. As you gaze out the window, you gaze at everything and anything. I noticed on the poles that hold the overhead wires that there are 2 sets of numbers, one above the other. As I headed towards Brissy they change. After studying the changes, I came to the conclusion that the top number was kilometers and the bottom number was meters. It became very obvious that the numbers related to the distance from Brissy but exactly where in Brissy that is the question. As the numbers decreased, I got closer to Brissy but do the numbers start from the Brissy river or somewhere else. You will have to catch the train to Brissy to find out. Ahh, the mysteries of life.
During the train trip, apart from watching the numbers decrease, which in itself is pretty riverting (it's on a par with watching the grass grow), I also recorded my route using my cycling app on my iPhone. I held my phone up against the window for the whole trip, so I got an occasional strange look or two. I also had a couple of rain showers come though. At least it was dry for my walk from Bowen Hills station to the showgrounds.

Being the last day, the crowds are always down, but over the 6 days the crowds were good. I managed to talk to various people, including a lady who teaches on the Cape York peninsula and she said that she and her family had driven various sections of Cape York over 122 times. That's a very exact number, I didn't ask her why she was so precise, but she was an interesting person to talk too.

During lunchtime, it rained and I was the only person walking down Gregory Terrace in the show, everyone was under cover, sheltering from the rain. When doing these shows, I always bring my raincoat and brolly with me, you never know when you will need them.
About 2pm the crowds were non existent and everyone wanted to start packing up, but we really aren't allowed too, until 4pm when the show officially closes, but a lot do some packing up. At 4pm, I helped Phil and Chris pack up, we had to pick up the trailer to load the slideon onto and roll up the artifical grass. After packing everything that we could, the rest can't be done until tomorrow, BUT I wont be there, I said goodbye to Chris and Phil and wished them a safe trip home and will see them in October, as they are taking my posters home with them. I will have to update my data with this trips info and have them ready for the Sandown Leisurefest in October.

I walked to Bowen Hills station, there were 4 cops talking to a 'gentleman', I just walked past and caught the 5:08pm flyer to Helensvale, arriving back at camp at approx 6:45pm after 6 great days of enjoyment. In the 6 days of train travelling, I was inspected 4 times during the trip for a ticket.

I was buggered and couldn't be stuffed to update this site, that's why it was a day late being updated. Sorry, I am only human... and a tired human at that.

Marg is slowly feeling better and I am a few days behind Marg in my recovery. Probably got 'man flu'.


Dinner was finishing off the homemade soup. It was yumma.

Tomorrow, we are back to normality, it is bingo. Wish us luck. I need it. I haven't been close to a win yet.