Day one of the drive we decided to travel about 500km and were booked into a nice camp ground in Nambucca Heads (50km south of Coffs Harbour) called The White Albatross - leaving Sydney so early we arrived there at around 11:30am so had the rest of the day to relax and enjoy the place:
It was a fantastic little park with great facilities, Elke had forgotten about the drive that morning, which was good because we had another 400 kms to do the next day to Tina and Aaron's place on the Gold Coast. It was also Karen's 35th Birthday so when we arrived we found out that they had arranged a little party at there place. We had a great evening in Narrang and although we woke a little too early, with a few sore heads, it was time to move on up to the final destination for our Christmas break. Chris and Robbie's house in Buderim
The next few days were spent with early morning runs and swims for Robbie and G on Mooloolaba beach, dog walking afternoons on another beach and visiting some of the attractions on the Sunshine coast (such as Under Water World, Eumundi Markets and Buderim Ginger factory). Plus there was the odd last minute shopping and socialising to be done.
Chris and Robbie's house is beautiful and big! So they hosted a lavish Christmas party for 11 kids and 10 adults. There was apparently 16 bubbly corks that flew off the balcony, according to Robbie the following day :)
We also managed to get the old FaceTime working with the likes of Don and Matt back home, not that I remember much of the conversations had on our Christmas night mind, as it's unlikely that they remember the ones on our Boxing day morning!
As is always the case with Christmas, the days just flew by and although we had a few showery days leading up to Christmas, on the whole it was very nice weather for our 10 nights with Chris Robbie and the girls.
Elke had an absolute ball with her three cousins, Keira, Ava and Olivia. On the morning of the 28th December 2011 it was time to embark on the journey home. We left Buderim at 5:30am QLD time and were back home in Five Dock by 8pm that night. We had intended on making a one night stop but as Elke was travelling so well and we were making good progress (despite my slight indiscretion with the cops at going a little over the limit on a duel carriageway, but we won't go into that) we decided just to blitz it straight through.
New Years was held at our place with some of our local friends. It was a lovely Christmas break and start to 2012! Happy New Year.
Foamy beach dog walking arvo with the kids after the Christmas king tides and swell had slightly subsided.
Some pics of out and about on the Sunshine Coast (Aussie World, Under Water World, Noosa and Mooloolaba Beaches)
