7 – 11 July. 19720kms.
Turrbal & Yuggera Country.
Well, this was a complete vibe shift! And came with mixed emotions, the biggest chapters of our road trip complete. Now just the three gals, jumping on an airplane and travelling thousands of kilometres in mere hours. Arriving late and staying in a motel, to avoid a covid-struck Andy, at least for the first bit. The motel was a real hit – apparently the BEST hotel they’d ever slept in. Free tea, a BATH, and beds, indoors! Breakfast at a very cosmo Brisbane cafe, a quick outdoors hello with Andy, and a big thank you for the honour of lending us the now late Pammi’s little hatchback. Onto the Gold Coast freeway – eep, so many lanes! Quite daunting. A BIG surprise in store for the girls. They knew a reunion was in store with Poppy’s bestie Nicky (who’d left Sydney a while back), but where would we be meeting up? MOVIE WORLD! First ever big theme park experience was a blast, and big, big cuddles and catch ups with much missed friends most welcomed. The photos tell the tales of thrill-seeking kids and adults alike.
That evening saw our little troupe split down the middle again, with Poppy off to a sleepover with Nicky, and Talia and I braving Tambourine Mountain. A dark, winding road up an unfamiliar hillside with Talia asleep in the back had me feeling a little vulnerable, but we made it. Once cosy in our hotel room, we ordered room service, watched a movie and cuddled up in our big double bed with ensuite bathroom. A quick check in with Alex, still on our road trip, braving the long roads and cold, cold nights – suddenly worlds away in every regard! A new morning, another cosmo café, just Tals and I, exploring the very quaint Tambourine Mountain village. Apparently the BEST breakfast ever in her whole entire life – eggs and bacon, done… differently! The ensuing morning spent with Michelle, Nicky, Isabella exploring, chatting, munching on morning tea and park-playing. A good ol’ fashioned life catch up before heading back to Brisbane.
Andy now Covid-free, we could spend some nourishing time together, after Pammi’s passing, and at last seeing his Brisbane home. The girls and I hung out with him for a few hours before Alex and Chris at last arrived from the long haul drive. A little bedraggled but happy, we manoeuvred the Cub into a city park on Andy’s slopy street, opened her up and retrieved some comforts for the next few nights stay at Andy’s. We enjoyed spectacular sunsets from Andy’s balcony, cooked, caught up, played video games and watched My Neighbour Totoro. We took a river cat along the sparkling Brisbane river into the city, pleasantly surprised by a public art & science exhibition, a massive street market, beautifully designed playground and some delicious tacos and margheritas for lunch. All but Poppy, who unfortunately was a bit spewy, had a gorgeous day. Cups filled!
Farewelling Andy, it was time to reunite with the Cub and hit the road as a foursome again, for the final journey home. A pit stop back on the Gold Coast made for some hilarity, connecting with our mates-neighbours the Morony’s on their fancy holiday. Their campsite was 17 floors above ground! And southwards we went, the East Coast equals homeward bound!
Motel stay & an Andy cuddle
Movie World with Nicky & Michelle
Tambourine Mountain
Brisbane & Bro-time
Gold Coast Mates-Neighbours Meet Up
