Tuesday, 20th February 2018
Our stay at Burleigh Heads Municipal campsite was a pleasant one and after having our breakfast, showered and packed our stuff, we were ready to hit the road again. We’re on our way north through Brisbane to Brightwater where our friends, Angela and David live with their children Dylan and Olivia.
Our drive was not really a long one – so we put in a detour to Tamborine Mountain and ended up at Eagles Heights. Climbing up the mountain side of 550 meters, we constantly saw huge signposts saying that this was a very steep road and trucks, lorries and campers and trailers should not attempt to drive up! I was a bit in a panic mode thinking that half way up the road our camper van would succumb and we would be stuck half way. Actually, it wasn’t a bad climb and we’ve had higher climbs in Europe!! When we reached Eagles Heights, we had a great view – but it would have been more magnificent if had clear weather. We should have been able to see Surfers Paradise’s tall high rises from here but it was somewhat blurred. We used this stop as our coffee break and just enjoyed the luscious green surroundings.
After our coffee break we drove back down the mountain and were on our way to Brisbane – and the Sunshine Coast. When we were close to Brisbane and the City, I was able to take a couple of pictures before disappearing into the tunnel which took all the way under Brisbane and came out at the other end in one of the suburbs – hmm…. that was Brisbane for us!
Time for some lunch and a WIFI stop at Macdonalds! Gerry is getting addicted to Macdonald’s milk shakes!!
Finally on our way on the sunshine coast highway and when we saw the bill board welcoming us to the Sunshine Coast and……… it started raining! Oh no, our luck seemed to have run out – anyway we made our way to Brightwater – that’s where Angela and David live with their two kids Dylan and Olivia. We found our way quite easily and this is a new residential area – very similar to those in Almere – with lots of water canals and lakes as this area is actually on the estuary of the Mooloolah River . Actually well situated between the Glass Mountains and the coast.
As soon as arrived and parked in front of our friends’ house, I had a vision of the Griswolds family in the Christmas film: Christmas Vacation. Sister and Brother in law come and visit at Christmas time in their old and rusty RV and park it in front of the Griswolds’ home……..
When we met up with Angela and Dave, it was just like meeting old friends – now we know all the De Vries family spread over New Zealand and Australia and we were made welcome and enjoyed our time with the family. Angela prepared a lovely meal for all of us!
We did not make it a late night as tomorrow both Angela and Dave had taken the day off to do some sightseeing with us – let’s hope the weather will be better!!
