Sun, sea, sand, and surfing (sort of)

By 10am - the crack of dawn by our standards - we were already on the beach. After the fun of yesterday's beach time, we were determined to do more today, and lunchtime/ early afternoon is just too hot, so an early (for us) start was needed. It was great, again - lots more splashing about in the sea; lots more beach games; just brilliant beach fun, really. We had the umbrella out, and by 11.30 we were sheltering in its shade - it was hot. So by 12.30 we had stopped for the morning, and were on our way back for a de-sanding shower then lunch.

We found a little Thai cafe on what we later called "the healthy street", and had a good lunch - Jemima is definitely keen on chicken satay and rice, and on practising her Thai. Then back to the motorhome for a European siesta (or rather I dozed, Jemima watched some Peppa, and Kevin went for a lovely walk along the beach). 

The heat of the day gone, it was back to the beach. Jemima chummed up with various children as they came and went, and even managed to blag a ride on a boogie board from Lara (6 tomorrow)'s father. But she seemed almost as happy on her own - running to make seagulls fly (just like Rocky), or jumping into puddles in the sand. (We kept having conversations with Mooloolaba residents about how lucky they were to live here, and in a parallel life you could see what Jemima could grow up with - it would be an amazing childhood. But it's just too far away.) 

And then it was over. Yet another de-sanding shower; and back to "the healthy street" for dinner at the whole foods cafe (we've reached our limit of big restaurant meals). It was very tasty paleo Hemsley + Hemsley style food (they did bone broth...); and it had the best kids menu yet: grilled salmon and sweet potato fries, which Jemima devoured (we've had both kids menu pizza and spaghetti bolognese come with chips before; steak and chips, fish and chips - fine; spaghetti and chips - ridiculous). And that was it - a great beach day. Once again, hurrah for Mooloolaba.

 

Fun in the sea (I stayed between Jemima and the deep, ready to field her as she sloshed about...):

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin's walk:

 

 

 

First go on a boogie board!:

 

"Once you're here, you don't leave"

So said Lee from the UK when he checked us into our beachfront campsite at Mooloolaba (pronounced Moo-LOO-laba) this afternoon. He'd been here 9 years. And we could see why.

After a three hour potter down the ever-continuing Bruce Highway (me reading Jemima 3 Mogs and 8 Paddingtons), plus a little cafe lunch stop, we had arrived in what is known to be a family beach resort on the wonderfully named Sunshine Coast. We are noticeably progressing south - the landscape has stayed fairly similar over the last few days: dryer, yellowy-brown earth, with lots of slender, elegant eucalyptus and not much grass anymore; but the climate has definitely changed: no longer humid at all, and noticeably less hot (high 20s rather than mid 30s). And in Mooloolaba, it was definitely, gloriously sunshine-y.

Kevin had chosen the campsite because of its location; and after we'd parked up, we tested it out: through the campsite gate, down the steps and... straight onto the beach. A huge beach, with enough other people to mean Jemima might find someone to play with, but still acres of space; and a lifeguard station with a supervised swimming area (no jellyfish!); plus a playground; and behind that, a brilliant Esplanade with lovely cafes and shops - a bit more chi chi than Hervey Bay, and just very, very appealing. This was exactly what we'd been looking for. We hurried back, suncreamed up, and hit the beach.

The sand was light yellow, fine, and squeaked when you walked on it; the water was warm with small waves (big enough to be exciting, but not threatening). Jemima and Kevin played her current favourite sand-drawing game while I lay on a towel finishing my book. Kevin even went in for a swim. Proper beach time. Then we went back to the motorhome, sandy but happy, to get ready to explore the town and find dinner.

Just along from the campsite, the Esplanade started. We wandered among the evening joggers past benches made of surfboards; beach showers shaped like ship funnels; busy public BBQ areas (people having parties with balloons and beer); and shaded gazebos looking out to sea - the public architecture was amazing, Australians do outdoor living so well. (And beach clothing - I'm finding it very difficult walking past all the lovely shops, but I have no room in my suitcase...)

At the end of the strip we found Spice Bar, a Japanese restaurant with good reviews, so wandered in. And it was great. Lovely service (from a Parisian! Jemima voluntarily practiced her few words of French); a good-looking room; and wonderful food: scallops then duck for Kevin, beef tataki then fish for me, rich, sweet, sticky and delicious; and Jemima was kept very busy and very quiet demolishing some fantastic chicken wings in panko breadcrumbs. Up there with our best meals so far. Then a stop for a gelato on the way home along the Esplanade. Well done Mooloolaba (and Kevin for finding it) - campsite, beach, Esplanade, restaurants, all great. We may stay a while.

Jemima with a drawing of herself:

 

Fun on the beach:

 

 

 

Evening views from the Esplanade:

 

 

A slightly blurry photo of Jemima tucking into her chicken wings:

 

Hervey Bay to Mooloolaba: