Tuesday 27 March 2012

Flash floods on the Sunshine Coast

Last Thursday 400mm of rain pounded the Sunshine Coast with Kawana, Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore the worst hit. The video below shows the areas around where we live!

James' 20 minute commute home took over 2 hours and he ended up having to leave the car somewhere high and wade home through the water.

The flood water on our road was up to my waist at the peak and then a few hours later it was all gone... But thank goodness we don't have a ground floor unit!







Tuesday 20 March 2012

Sailing in the Whitsundays

We all went on a sailing trip around the Whitsunday Islands for two nights. I was a bit dubious about it at first after being seasick once in Egypt, but as it turned out we had perfect sailing conditions. The boat slept eight people and two crew. Most of the other people were great, but we did have the pleasure of sailing with a very annoying couple, Helen and Ray. Even before we got on the boat we all realised that they were going to be really pedantic, annoying people.We decided that Ray was probably ok once upon a time but any fun in him had been removed by boring Helen.

The first night us four all went to sleep up on the deck, under the stars. When I woke up in the morning it was just me and James left, we later found that Anu had snuck into our unused bed! I don't blame him really, I'm not sure him and Hurrel would have fit into one of those tiny beds. Waking up was really surreal, in the middle of the Islands, the sun rising, it was gorgeous. Oh I should mention what it was that woke me in the morning; it was Helen in the water exclaiming 'Oh the water's salty!' What an idiot. The next morning Hurrell was asleep up on deck and she woke him saying: 'Oh, someone is asleep up here!' Our Skipper Matt did tell her off on the second morning, he said you should never wake a sleeping sailor. She just loved to state the obvious. Other classics included: Helen: 'What happens when two boats are coming towards each other, does one go right and one go left?' Skipper: 'No, because they would crash!' [Stupid bitch]; when dubstep was playing, Helen: 'Is this music, it just sounds like noise. I think it's time for something else'; Helen: 'Beer, no that's bad for you. I'll have a cup of tea'... As I said a real fun sponge. 

We got dropped off at Whitehaven Beach for a morning, which is where the famous silica sand is found. Unfortunately to go into the water you have to wear stinger suits as there are jellyfish everywhere, including the Irukandji jellyfish which is smaller than half a finger nail and deadly. There are plenty of the huge jelly fish around too... swimming around/with them took some getting used to!

We did get to do some snorkeling with tropical fish/mixed in with jellyfish which was really good. Although not as good as the snorkeling with big turtles, that was simply amazing! We had a brilliant trip, I hope I get to go back again, although it wouldn't be the same without the boys!





Stereotypical show off traveller picture


Hamilton Island


We all ate the green bottom on one of these ants... it used to be used in cocktails?!


Reading with Anu and Hurrell

About to see some colourful fish!




Hurrell's perch


Anu sleeping in our cabin!

The three musketeers



So beautiful

Captain Anu

3 men and a Miranda



At the start of March two of James BFFs, Hurrell and Anu came to stay for two weeks. Two weeks isn't really much time when you come all the way to Australia, so James took the same time off and planned a non-stop itinerary for them. They managed to pack in Australia Zoo, kayaking in Mooloolaba, a skydive at Rainbow Beach, camping on Frasier Island, a Queensland Reds Rugby game, sailing in the Whitsunday Islands and a few nights in Sydney. Oh, and Anu also did some diving! I have no idea how they had the energy to keep going! I left them to it for the most part as I had work, plus I had already enjoyed a four hour kayak with James previously... and I'm a bit dubious about camping on Frasier with the Dingos. Anu did say it was one of the worst sleeps of his life. However it turns out Dingos aren't too much of a problem, you need to be more careful of waking up to find drunk half naked (bottom half uncovered...)Frenchmen in your 4x4... (he went for a swim, in the shark infested waters, and lost his way...).

I did join them in the Whitsunday's which was amazing, I'll blog about that separately. I loved having Anu and Hurrell to stay, they are both such great guys and I know James loved having them here. It was very quiet and lonely when they left me to go down to Sydney! Apart from a bit of sun stroke for poor Hurrell, I'm pretty sure they had a good two weeks exploring together. I stole some of James' photos to share...

   
Hello Anu!

Glasshouse Mountains



I loved playing cards with Anu, he gets so angry if he doesn't win!
Sky diving

James landing

Attractive harnesses

I like Anu's socks


BBQing at Frasier

Sydney 


Anu and a Wombat