It was sunny with no clouds and only got to 17.6 BUT it was absolutely beautiful. I still wore shorts and tee shirt and by 4pm, I was in trakky daks and top plus uggies. (a good look)

Last night between 9pm to 11pm, I tried to sleep BUT the wind was so strong gusting to 61kph, I couldn't sleep and worried about the awning, where as Marg was happily snoring away. I finally got to sleep and didn't wake until 7:15am. Marg woke about 7:30am. I went outside and was pleasantly surprised that the awning was as it should be, SO I was very happy. I changed into 'cycleman' and left Marg relaxing in bed, watching 'Weekend Sunrise'.

I was wearing long fingered gloves, tights and my wet weather jacket and I was warm as. I left at 8:10am and headed north to the Lands End bridge turnaround point and headed along the shared path to the Southport SLSC then along the road to Laycock Ave, Surfers. I turned around at Surfers and stopped for the daily weather photos, then along the shared path to The Spit. My ROCK was empty, so I sat there and ate my 2 bananas. The views today were sensational, it was still very cool. After a few photos at the end of The Spit, I rode back to Cafe Rockpool and had my coffee and triple choc muffin, then back to camp.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 36kms gives me a total of 501kms for June and 369kms for May and my 14th ride at Southport for a total of 709kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 1,019kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

As the wind was only light, I replaced the winch on awning winder, this was a bit fiddly but I got it done, it appears to work, as the awning is out with sides and walls, I didn't want to pull everything down to test it. We will know in 11 days when we pack up and go to Dicky Beach. After cleaning up my mess, I walked over to the showers. The showers at this park have incredible pressure, they are excellent.
We had lunch, then Marg thought it was time for a nanna nap and I walked over to the park's boat ramp where George and his mates hang out. I sat there for a good 30 minutes, but none of the guys flew in. I am trying to get a sharp photo of George landing on the water. I got one earlier this morning BUT it can be sharper, SO I will keep trying. About 4pm, as the sun went behind the trees the temperature dropped and you could feel that it was cooler, SO I layered up with trakky daks and top and uggies.

Dinner was the rest of the spag bol sauce that we had last night. It is very yumma.

Tomorrow, nothing is planned.

It was similar to yesterday except the sun didn't shine and consequently, it was cool. I rode and Lukey, Jodi and Mase popped in during the arvo.

We both sleep very well. I got up about 6:30am, while Marg woke just before 7am. Marg stayed in bed watching "Weekend Sunrise" and I changed into 'cycleman'.

Again I wore long fingered gloves, tights and my wet weather jacket and I was warm as. I left at 7:03am and headed north to the Lands End bridge turnaround point and headed along the shared path to the Southport SLSC then along the road to Laycock Ave, Surfers. I turned around at Surfers and stopped for the daily weather photos, then along the shared path to The Spit. My ROCK was empty, so I sat there and ate my 2 bananas. The views today were sensational, it was still very cool. After a few photos at the end of The Spit, I rode back to Cafe Rockpool and had my coffee and triple choc muffin, then back to camp.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 36kms gives me a total of 537kms for June and 369kms for May and my 15th ride at Southport for a total of 745kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 1,055kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

Back at camp, I showered and then buggered about on the internet, while Marg was doing her crocheting and her crosswords. Lukey, Jodi and Mase popped in mid arvo on their way to pick Mont up from Nanny, who was staying at Surfers for a few nights. While here, Mase played on the beach and we walked over to see George and his mates at the boat ramp. Unfortunately, they were more interested in the fishos on the other side of the creek and didn't visit us.
By 4pm, the chill had descended upon us again and we are expecting low single digit temperatures tonight.

Dinner was just a scratch meal.

Tomorrow, nothing is planned.

It was very similar to yesterday, except windier, it was cool.

We both slept very well. From 3am onwards at intermittent times, there was light rain falling on the roof. You could count the drops as they landed. We awoke after 7am and I turned on Kochie and we laid in bed and watched it. As the weather was 'pretty ordinary', I decided NOT to ride. We eventually got up, had brekky and got dressed.
On the awning I had attached a funnel with a plastic hose for the water to run off, BUT I have decided that it would be smarter having one at each end, SO Mr Bunnings, here we come. I gave Marg the decision do we go to South Park, Aus Fair or Helensvale for coffee as there is a Bunnings near each of these shopping centres. Marg decided on Helensvale.
About 10:30am, we drove off and stopped at Bunnings, I managed to find a funnel and 2m of vinyl hosing, then we stopped at Westfield Helensvale. Shock horror, our first stop was at Donut King for a coffee and 2 free (seniors discount) cinnamon donuts. I had forgotten that it is school holidays, BUT that became very apparent, very quickly. After reading our iPads and eating, we checked out a Book shop, where Marg bought a book for Mont, then off to Target, where we bought 2 smaller buckets for Mase when we build sandcastles etc. Last shop was for some food at Woollies. Marg suggested that she wanted to give Mont the book that we had just bought, SO we drove over to Lukey's place and gave Mont the book. She was very happy and then we headed back to camp.

We had lunch, Marg managed a nanna nap, while I watched a couple of episodes of 'The Americans' on my PC, before also having a nanna nap.
About 4:30pm, the sun disappears behind the hinterland hills and the temperature immediately drops. It is windy and bloody cold.

Dinner is another Marg's special (snags, eggs, spagetti, bacon, tomato and anything else she can throw in). It is YUMMA.

Tomorrow Tuesday is BINGO. We hope to break the Bank again. Marg needs to lift her game. Big Time.

It was sunny all day with a light to medium breeze, ranging from cold to warm.

We both slept well. I woke at 7am and got up, while Marg slept until 7;30am when I had to wake her to get ready for Bingo. We had brekky and got ourselves organised for Bingo and left at 8:20am. Arrived at the Sharks about 10 minutes later. The Uni exams are over and the carpark was near empty. I brought 2 full sets plus 2 lucky numbers plus 2 extra green jackpot tickets for $50 and we sat at 'our' table. While I bought the tickets, Marg went and ordered our coffees. Marg and I marked the various games and were ready for the 9:30am eyes down with heaps of time to spare, SO we read the Herald Sun on our iPads.

Marg won $20 in the 3rd game and just before half time break, I yelled out 'BINGO' and expecting to win $30 and allow us to break even BUT some other 'old lady' yelled BINGO and we split the $30, so $15 each. We didn't get a look in from then to the end.

Our Bingo summary after our 4th appearances, paid $50 won $35 currently winning $89. Still in front. bring on next week, we are feeling lucky.

After Bingo, we drove over to South Park for lunch at Michels, we had pies and coffee, then did a small food shop at Woollies.
Back at camp, as it was so sunny and NOT that cool, I decided to go for a short ride. I wore my short finger gloves and didn't need to wear my wet weather jacket. I left at 1:06pm and as I rode past Ernie's site in the park, he mentioned what was the latest with 'Big Boy the marine crane', it was up to me to find out what is happening.
I headed north to the Lands End bridge turnaround point and headed along the shared path to the Southport Yacht Club. I couldn't see 'Big Boy' at all, SO I thought: do I stop in at Gold Coast Water Authority and ask them. First, I had to be sure that 'Big Boy' was not to be seen, SO I rode along Seaworld Drive heading to The Spit and stopped at a few locations including Seaworld carpark (which just happened to be FULL - school holidays), I arrived at the Spit and the crane had disappeared. So I rode back towards Southport YC along the gravel Federation Walk. The Gold Coast Water Authority is in the building next door to Yacht Club. I went into reception and asked the lady what happened to 'Big Boy'. She looked at me blank and walked out the back, spoke to some guy, who came and talked to me.

This is roughly what happened.
I said to the guy, 'Picture this: A group of old farts sitting around at the Caravan Park looking out over the Broadwater at 'Big Boy' and wondering if it was here to raise Kimberley Rose 2 - the prawn trawler that sunk back on Saturday 4th June when we had the big storm. He said "sorry to disappoint you BUT it is here purely to lift up a 5 tonne mooring block, as none of the local cranes are strong enough".
I thanked him for that info and then asked what is happening with Kimberley Rose 2. he said "don't insure your boat with an overseas insurance company, the owners are having trouble getting their money". Well, that answered everything.
I continued riding back to Cafe Rockpool and ordered a coffee only then rode back to camp. I didn't take any photos, a bit slack.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 28kms gives me a total of 565kms for June and 369kms for May and my 16th ride at Southport for a total of 773kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 1,083kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

Back at camp, I stopped at Ernie's site and explained all my new found info on 'Big Boy'. Ernie was suitably impressed and thinks I am still mad. For the remainder of the arvo, I watched a couple more episodes of "The Americans", while Marg managed to have a nanna nap.

Marg cooked hot dogs for dinner. They were yumma.

Tomorrow nothing is currently planned, apart from me wanting to ride to Burleigh early in the morning.

This is becoming the 'norm' - It was sunny all day with a light to medium breeze, ranging from cold to warm.

We both slept well. I woke at 6:30am and got up, Marg woke and wanted 'Kochie' on, so I turn on telly. I had brekky and turned into 'cycleman' leaving Marg wrapped in blankets and warm as toast in bed, watching telly.
I left at 7:21am and headed to Surfers, it was sunny, cloudless sky, chilly but I was warm (wearing tights, wet weather jacket and long finger gloves) with a gentle, building headwind. I rode through Surfers, Broadbeach, through Miami Beach down to Burleigh Heads. Oskars appears to be repaired and opened for business. At the Burleigh Heads lookout, the surfers were enjoying themselves. 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. I rode to the end of the Spit, and sat on MY rock and ate my bananas and watched the sets of waves coming through and noticed that an odd large wave caused some 'good' spray. After leaving the Spit, I stopped at Cafe Rockpool for a coffee and muffin and then 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 623kms for June and 369kms for May and my 17th ride at Southport for a total of 831kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 1,141kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

Back at camp, Cheryl had rung Marg and told her that she had bought Mont a new bed and could I pick it up in the mighty Navara. Naturally, the Bed Delivery team jumped into action, SO Marg and I drove off to Super A Mart and picked it up, tied it down and drove back to Lukeys. He helped me unpack it and I left it for Lukey to assemble. We didn't stay long, as Lukey was working, so after a quick cuddle from Mont and Mase, we drove back to camp.
For the remainder of the arvo, I watched a couple more episodes of "The Americans", while Marg managed to have a nanna nap.

Marg cooked the remainder of the hot dogs for dinner. They were yumma.

Tomorrow Marg is going out with friends and I am catching up with a friend.

This is becoming the 'norm' - It was sunny all day with a light to medium breeze, ranging from cold to warm.

We both slept well. Marg actually woke up and GOT UP before me at 6:45am. I was in shock BUT she sit down and watched 'Kochie' on TV. I had brekky and turned into 'cycleman' leaving Marg with 'Kochie'.
I was meant to ride with a mate, but unfortunately, he had to cancel and so I left at 7:54am and headed to Surfers, it was sunny, cloudless sky, chilly but I was warm (wearing tights, wet weather jacket and long finger gloves) with a gentle, building headwind. I rode through Surfers, Broadbeach, through Miami Beach down to Burleigh Heads. At the Burleigh Heads lookout, the surfers were enjoying themselves. I headed back to The Spit, stopping at Robbie's cafe for a coffee and then continued to Surfers, where I took my normal, daily weather photos, then headed to the Federation Walk. I rode to the end of the Spit, and sat on MY rock and ate my bananas and watched the 'crowd'. Rode over to Cafe Rockpool for a coffee and muffin and then 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 681kms for June and 369kms for May and my 18th ride at Southport for a total of 889kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 1,199kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

Today's riding report that I posted on Bicycle Network.

While I was out riding, Marg had an enjoyable morning coffee with Jodi's mum and grandmother.
During the arvo, Marg managed a short nanna nap, while I buggered about on the internet. About 3:45pm, we got ready to head to OUR Club CSI Southport. I was absolutely as the ONLY table which has a powerpoint closeby was occupied by 3 ladies, SO I was stuffed. I walked around the Club but couldn't find another powerpoint. I ended up watching TV until 5:30pm when Marg came back from the pokies. She won. David and Di arrived and we chatted and had dinner.

Marg had flathead and salad, while Di, David and I had pizza. All meals were YUMMA.

Tomorrow, we are visting Marg's niece on the outskirts of Brisbane, who just had a baby this week.

This is becoming the 'norm' - It was sunny all day with a light to medium breeze, ranging from cold to warm.

We both slept well. I woke at 6:30am and turned on 'Kochie' for Marg. I had brekky turned into 'cycleman' leaving Marg with 'Kochie'.
It was only a short ride today as we were driving to Victoria Point on the south side of Brissy to visit Marg's new great niece. I left at 7:17am and headed to Surfers, it was sunny, cloudless sky, chilly but I was warm (wearing tights, wet weather jacket and long finger gloves) with a gentle, building headwind. I rode through Surfers, where I took my normal, daily weather photos, then headed to the Federation Walk. I rode to the end of the Spit, and sat on MY rock and ate my bananas and watched the 'crowd'. Rode over to Cafe Rockpool for a coffee and muffin and then off to Labrador and Biggera Waters and then back to camp, about 36kms.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 36kms gives me a total of 36kms for July and 681kms for June and 369kms for May and my 19th ride at Southport for a total of 925kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 1,235kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

After showering, we drove up to Brissy and visited Marg's 2 day old great niece. At Victoria Point, we stopped for lunch at the Noodle Bar. We found Em and Andy's place and sat around and chatted, it was great to catchup with them, as we haven't seen them for 2 years. We left around 2pm and arrived back at camp after 3pm. Marg managed a short nanna nap, while I buggered about on the internet.

Dinner was leftover noodles from lunch, it was very yumma.

Tomorrow is Day 1 of the Gold Coast marathon and most of our roads near us are closed. So we will be camp bound until about 11am.

This is becoming the 'norm' - It was sunny all day with a light to medium breeze, ranging from cold to warm.

We both slept well. I was woken by the GC Marathon PA, when it fired up at 6am for today's activities. BUT I dozed until 7:15am, when I got up. Marg was doing her best imitation of a sleeping person. She eventually woke to 'Weekend Sunrise'. About 8:45am, I was going stir crazy, as it was such a beautiful sunny morning, I had to go for a ride, so I changed into 'cycleman' and rode off, not knowing what lay ahead. As I rode through the GC marathon's staging and finishing area, the crowds weren't as large as I expected and managed to get through them without too much hassle.
I only planned to ride to Surfers and then head back to camp, BUT it was such a magic day, that I rang Marg and told her that I was continuing to Burleigh Heads. I rode through Surfers, Broadbeach, through Miami Beach down to Burleigh Heads. At the Burleigh Heads lookout, as there was NO SURF, consequently, there were NO SURFERS either. I headed back to The Spit, didn't stop at Robbie's cafe as it was chcokers. As I rode along Hedges Ave, a convertible Lambo (rego was 'A Spyder') was driving along and passed me BUT at each speed hump, he slowed to a near stop and I rode passed him. As we approached the end of Hedges Ave, I spoke to him about getting his car raised higher so he didn't have to slow. He gave me a very friendly comment. He was a nice guy. We were driving and riding within a meter between us, as that is the design of Hedges Ave. I continued to Surfers, where I took my normal, daily, weather photos, then headed to the Federation Walk. I rode to the end of the Spit, and sat on MY rock and ate my bananas and watched the crowds of people walk and ride out to the end. It was such a magic day. After leaving the Spit, I stopped at Cafe Rockpool, expecting it to be absolutely chockers as the Marathon and all its associated tents etc are erected very close to Cafe Rockwell. Lucky for me there were only a couple of customers there. The rush had subsided and I ordered a coffee and muffin and then 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 94kms for July and 681kms for June and 369kms for May and my 20th ride at Southport for a total of 983kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 1,293kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

After showering, Marg and I drove over to South Park for lunch and some food shopping. We didn't stop at Michels, we have tried another shop "Goldsteins Bakery". Their homemade pies were very yumma. After visiting Woollies for some food, we spent the rest of the arvo back at camp. Marg managed a nanna nap, while I buggered about on the internet.

Dinner was Marg's 'world famous' sagna. It was, needless to say, very yumma.

Tomorrow is Day 2 of the Gold Coast marathon and most of our roads near us are closed. So we will be camp bound until mid arvo.

This is becoming the 'norm' - It was sunny all day with a light to medium breeze, ranging from cold to warm.

We both slept well. Again, I was woken by the GC Marathon PA, when it fired up at 6am for today's activities. I managed to doze until 7:15am, when I got up. Marg was still in bed watching 'Weekend Sunrise'. About 8:30am, I took my camera and walked out to Marine Parade to watch the runners. The Half Marathon runners were running past me to the finish, which was less than a kilometer away. I really wanted to see Kurt Fearnley in his wheelchair, BUT unbeknown to me, he had already finished in a time of 1hr30min18sec, breaking the race record set in 2000 by 3mins 3secs. He is obviously a strong guy. As the runners were heading North opposite me, that was the 32kms mark with just over 10kms to go. In the meanwhile, the runners of all shapes and sizes were running, walking past me. Good on them. There is no way that I could run to save me. I will stick to my riding.
The leaders finally came past and they were so fit and strong. Our caravan park was closed until 2:30pm, when the police opened up the roads.

Late morning, Marg and I went for a walk along the beach and sat down and watched George and his mates at the boat ramp. After lunch, we both had a nanna nap and about 3pm, we drove off to buy food for dinner.

Dinner was Marg's 'world famous' omelette. It was very yumma.

Tomorrow, Marg is taking Mont to the flicks, while there I will go for my last ride before we leave on Wednesday.

Today Marg took Mont to the flicks and I rode.

We both slept well. I set the alarm for 7am and woke up just before it. At least the alarm woke Marg. We showered, dressed and had brekky and were heading to Lukeys by 8am. We had to pick up Mont before 8:30am, which we did and then drove back to camp for a short time, before I dropped Marg and Mont at Aus Fair. They watched 'The BFG' and after it, they were having Maccas and then ringing me to come and pick them up.
Now, I had 2 options:
1. join Marg and Mont at The BFG - that wasn't going to happen.
2. Go for a short ride.
I went with Option 2. After dropping them off at Aus Fair, I drove back to camp, changed into 'cycleman' and rode to Surfers, where I took my normal, daily, weather photos, then headed to the Federation Walk. I rode to the end of the Spit, and sat on MY rock and ate my bananas and watched the people walk out to the end. The ocean was a mill pond with absolutely no breeze, but by the time I left the Spit, the breeze was building. After leaving the Spit, I stopped at Cafe Rockpool, ordered a coffee and muffin and then back to camp, about 27kms.

My riding stats: Today's ride of 27kms gives me a total of 121kms for July and 681kms for June and 369kms for May and my 21st ride at Southport for a total of 1,010kms OR if you are really into figures, I have ridden 1,320kms since leaving home back on 9th April.

After showering, Marg rang me to say that they would be ready in about 30 minutes, SO I had time to make my egg sangas for lunch. I picked them up and brought them back to camp. Mont wanted to build sandcastles, SO who am I to say 'No'. We walked over to the beach and built a few sandcastles. We then dropped Mont back home and we came back to camp.
While Marg managed to grab a short nanna nap, I packed up my bike and loaded it on the bike rack at the front of the fiver.

Dinner was Mr Mc Cain's party pies. They were nice.

Tomorrow will be a VERY busy day, BINGO, Pack Up (in the rain).

It looked like it would rain and all through Bingo it drizzled.

We both slept well. I woke at 7am and got up, while Marg slept until 7;30am when I had to wake her to get ready for Bingo. We had brekky and got ourselves organised for Bingo and left at 8:20am. Arrived at the Sharks about 10 minutes later. I brought 2 full sets plus 2 lucky numbers plus 2 extra green jackpot tickets for $50 and we sat at 'our' table. While I bought the tickets, Marg went and ordered our coffees. Marg and I marked the various games and were ready for the 9:30am eyes down with heaps of time to spare, SO we read the Herald Sun on our iPads.

The first game was worth $100 and after 47 calls, I let rip with a monstrous "BINGO". I am good. Marg won $20 in the 2nd game, we are off to a magic start. Marg managed another $20 and that was it BUT I no complain. We won. A lot don't.

Our Bingo summary after our 5th appearances, paid $50 won $140 currently winning $179. Still in front. Next week, we are at Dicky Beach, ready to bankrupt them too.

After Bingo, we drove over to South Park for lunch at Michels, we had pies and coffee, then did a small food shop at Woollies.
Back at camp, there was intermittent drizzle and it would drizzle as I started packing up, SO I only wore shorts and a t shirt. I got wet but it was still warm. By 3pm, I had packed up everything I could and will finish off in the morning, as we are in no hurry to leave. We want to try and miss the 'peak hour' traffic, so we plan to leave camp about 9am. I went off and showered, then I suggested to Marg that as we have packed up "How about we go to our Club for pokies and dinner like we do on Thursdays". Strange but she agreed, SO at 4pm, we drove over to our Club (CSi Southport). Now if you remember, we normally go to the club on Thursdays, but last Thursday, you couldn't hear each other talk as the singer was so bloody loud. I mentioned this to Carmel on reception and she said that Thursdays will be loud BUT Tuesday will not.
We walked into the Club and MY table was free. It is the only table that has a powerpoint closeby. I bought myself a schooner of XXXX Gold and Marg walked off to the pokies. At 5:30pm, Marg came back and after taking my photo of me at MY table, we went into the Bistro and had dinner.

Marg had the lamb cutlets and I have a 10" pizza with the Lot. I finished off her cutlets. Both my pizza and cutlets were very yumma.

Tomorrow we drive to Dicky Beach for 28 nights.