GOODBYE TO ROSE AND FRANK

After three days and a lot of fun we said goodbye to The Fillary's as they caught the 7am bus for The Gold Coast. An excellent time was had by all.

NOOSA SPIT: ANOTHER TREASURE

On Friday Sept 28th we explored more of the greater Noosa area and discovered another gem; NOOSA SPIT. Just off Hastings Street this wonderful sandy spit has fantastic views, great swimming spots and interesting beach walks.

A DAY IN NOOSA

Thursday Sept 27 lunch at SEASONS, one of Noosa's best restaurants and excellent it was. Frank had lamb, Rose chicken caesar salad, John snapper and Jt Duck curry. We were forced to have dessert - Frank a trio of sorbet; John, macadamia caramel slice with honey ice cream, Jt, ice cream with Kahlua sauce, Rose declined. Yummmm. After lunch we walked off our new gained kilos with a brisk hike along the Noosa headland bush track.

Needless to say the evening meal was late, lite and less expensive; that is if you discount the three bottles of wine that Frank and John managed to get rid of before taking their turn with couch naps.

FUN WITH THE FILLARY'S

Rose and Frank Fillary are our latest guests; coming over to see us from Napier before travelling down to The Gold Coast to see daughter Inga and grandchildren.

We spent our first morning together visiting the Eumundi markets. We found the market a disappointment with not a lot of fresh food stalls and a lot of fast food outlets, fringe therapy outlets and general rubbish. Worth a look but not somewhere we would go to again.

JT, Frank and Rose

Rose enjoys an art stall.

JT and Frank (and the Aussie hat)

Frank and Rose
Dinner at The Coffee Club (Coolum Beach)

THE ART AUCTION

For some time we have been searching for some Australian art for our Coolum Beach apartment. We have visited many galleries and whilst we have seen a lot we like, most of it has been priced beyond what we want to pay. We particularly wanted to find some beach and bush scenes, having fallen in love with both in the area. On Sunday we attended an art auction at Twin Waters and were fortunate to pick up some excellent oils at very reasonable prices.

Two artists caught our eye; Colin Parker (work below) and Nick Petali (work above). We successfully bid for eleven works from these two at various sizes.

We spent this morning hanging the work in the apartment and are delighted with the visual excitement they have given our Australian home.

There were some wonderful bargains at the auction, especially a wide range of bronze sculptures and aboriginal art. Now that we have given the apartment a new "life" next time we attend such an auction we will try to buy one "investment" piece; hopefully by an aboriginal artist as some of their work is both terrific and complex.

HOLIDAYING WITH THE HEATHCOTES

Our daughter Leigh, husband Greg and our three delightful grandchildren, Ben (6), Jamie (5 in Oct) and Andy (2) arrived to stay on Friday Sept 21. They are having an extended holiday travelling from the Gold Coast to Cairns and are with us for three days. Their visit co-incided with the annual Coolum Kite Festival, which attracts over 40,000 visitors to Coolum Beach over the weekend.

The Heathcotes and JT at the Kite Festival

Dad and Andy share a quiet moment after a busy day.

Andy

Jamie at the Beach

Ben starts a sand castle.

JT and daughter Leigh

Greg looking cool on Coolum Beach

look Mom!
Kite Day
John, JT, Greg and the energetic three.

PLAYING WITH THE KINGS

Keen golfers Andrew and Megan King visited and stayed with us on September 13th and 14th Sept. We had two most enjoyable rounds at The Hyatt Coolum. On day one Megan and JT each hit a 35 stableford with Megan getting 2nd in the days club competition on a count back from JT. On day two JT had a great round with a 36 stableford getting 2nd in the days combined male-female event (losing to a 12 year old boy Sam). John really struggled on day 2 as Andrew started to get it together and hit those long straight drives of his. Megan had some great highs but like John the occasional "wipe".

Our guests left to continue their break in Brisbane. John went out on Saturday and had a blinder getting 39 points and 2nd in the men's event. First again was 12 year old Sam with 42 points after shooting par on the 1st 9.
Megan hits a stunning tee shot to the par 3, 11th.

Andrew hits a monster over the green on the par 3, 11th.

JT on the tee at the par 4, 9th.

John on the tee at the par 5, 8th.

Megan and JT with the 18th fairway in the background.
Andrew on the 18th.

After an enjoyable dinner at the surf club a compulsory stop at Gelato Mio on the way home.

A friendly visitor near the 9th tee.

COOLUM BEACH

COOLUM BEACH (NEAR SURF CLUB)

COOLUM BEACH TO SUNSHINE BEACH (NOOSA)

THE BAYS (COOLUM BEACH-PT PERRY)

POINT PERRY

HOME AT COOLUM BEACH
HOME AT COOLUM BEACH

MAIN STREET-COOLUM BEACH


ANOTHER DAY ENDS (STILL 20 DEGREES)
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EATING OUT AT COOLUM BEACH
Because Coolum Beach is a tourist town we are blessed with over 20 good restaurants and coffee bars within less than 10 minutes walk of our apartment. In our view the best are;

THE COFFEE CLUB
Within 50 metres from our apartment-excellent for both snacks and full dinner.

THE COOLUM BEACH SLSC
About 3 minutes walk-fantastic views of beach and excellent for both lunch and dinner. Sports bar with multi-tv screens for all the golf, union, league and AFL action. Pokies galore and regular live bands.

GELATO MIO
50 METRES FROM OUR APARTMENT-HOME MADE ITALIAN ICE CREAM TO DIE FOR!!!
HARVEST
Probably the best food on the coast. This up-market fine dining restaurant is excellent; and again just 50 metres from our apartment.