Watch out Surfers, I'm on my way!!

Morning faithful followers and I hope today finds you well! Be assured that I am forever grateful for your following so with that in mind here is the next day’s instalment….

Up early to say goodbye to Pops, Fred, Cath and the dogs and it was off to the airport for my trip to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast.

Now this is about the only large section of Oz that I haven’t yet been to, so I was quite looking forward to it.  And to celebrate my arrival, my face broke out into another lovely cold sore.  Cheers, forever to be single…

The plane took off and landed with no drama and as we descended into the airport the view was spectacular.  Miles and miles of golden sandy beaches and, surprisingly, waterways.  I didn’t realise that the Gold Coast has so many rivers and canals.  Something else to explore.

Jumped on the airport shuttle and as the rather grumpy driver negotiated the weekend streets, something struck me.  There were lots of railings and concrete barriers and what appeared to be, general chaos.  Still, I sat back and as always was last to be dropped off.  Took over and hour, which was longer than the flight out here but it gave me a chance to get my bearings and enjoy the view.  GORGEOUS.

Then my accommodation.  I had plumped for an apartment in a complex called Narrowneck.  And as we approached the ‘building’ work appeared to be getting more intense, and when I was finally dropped off I was initially a little crestfallen.  It appears the apartment is in a residential block, not a problem, but not what I was expecting.  But believe me when the lovely Ben showed me to the 11^th floor, I was blown away.

Panoramic views of the Ocean and the waterways with the skyline in the background.  Stunning views from every window and a bed and bathroom to die for.  Thank you very much. 

So after getting unpacked it was off for a wander down the famous surfer’s beach which really did love up to expectations.  The city was high rise and bustling and there appeared to be a lot of people standing behind barriers, clapping and a man on a PA system rabbiting on about something.  Then, I understood.  Apparently I had arrived in the build-up to the Gold Coast Grand Prix type thing and the entire city is being turned into a race track, a la Monaco!!  Shut up!! I always seem to miss big events wherever I go but thankfully if I had come this time next week, my little pad would have cost over $4500!!!  But I can watch it on TV and spot it as it is in a critical spot on the track (apparently).

A good old wander ensued and as my feet began to hurt and I started to flag a little I decided to get some shopping and head back, ready to pop out a little later for the Surfers Paradise Night Market.  Sounded right up my street.  Unfortunately the Woolworths I found to buy my supplies in wasn’t and I stupidly bought my own body weight in yogurt, OJ and other assorted snacks and was a little astounded as to how far I had actually walked, when not laded like a pack horse.

Needless to say I was cursing when I finally got back.  A good long shower and a drink helped, so did soaking up the rays on my balcony.  Then I had a brain wave.  It’s all flat here.  They have excellent cycle ways on the esplanade (doesn’t seem right to call it a seafront, it’s too marvellous).  I have Dorothy at home and Hythe to Folkestone is about the same distance as the other beaches I could explore.  That is when I was introduced to Dora.

Dora (the explorer) was hired to me that evening (5.25 to be precise, just before they closed and just after I had managed to drag my arse back down the front before it shut) by a lovely young man who not only supplied me with Dora, the bright orange beach cruiser, but also a lock and a helmet (yeah right I thought).  As I was asking him about the laws surrounding said helmet he uttered the magic words ‘do you want a basket for the bike’  Did I want a basket?? Too bloody right and it was at that moment Dora was born.

So we ambled out way back down the cycleway that hugged the coastline, digging my bell to announce my arrival, occasionally getting a bit of a wobble on (it has been noted that I am not a natural cyclist) and realising to my peril that there was not rear break as it comes on when you push backwards on the pedals (that gave the kids on skateboards a laugh).

Then after finding somewhere in the basement to put Dora to bed, it was time to chill,  catch up on the blog (which unfortunately means sitting in the foyer as it is the only place with wifi and sharing it with all the teenagers in the building who are flirting and giggling with each other, but who were polite and didn’t look at me too strangely as I was, after all, in my pyjamas) then watch some TV and go to bed with the roar of the ocean to lull me to sleep.  Had to shut the door eventually, too bloody loud……!!

So that was my first day on the Gold Coast and I am very much looking forward to tomorrow.  I hope you are too and on that note I shall say night night.

TTFN….xx