Hervey Bay

We liked it so much we decided to stay, but sadly the forecast was rain and that’s what we woke up to.  So it was another late start which wasn’t so bad as the kids had time to do some puzzles and colouring in.  Its amazing how easily they seem to occupy themselves without TV and endless toys. Let’s hope it lasts.  Anyway we set off to the “Paddle for the Whale” festival in Torquay.  I was expecting something big given this town is famous for whale watching. But sadly it was not meant to be.  It was dismal and consisted of half a dozen stalls selling terrible wares.  But we did manage to pick up some Indian spices for vindaloo, korma and butter chicken.  Apparently they were holding some ceremony in honour of all those whales past, but we missed it and I couldn’t see any remnants on the beach.  The sausage sizzle was a hit particularly with the kids as they were giving out free soft footballs that Zachie wouldn’t put down.  Bored after all of 10 minutes, we headed off down the esplanade and came across another “Family Fun Day” with rides and more dodgy stalls. This one had a cover charge as they were raising money for the children’s ward at the local hospital….how could we say no.  The kids had a ball on the jumping castle and some pillow fighting thing. Kevie Harris had suggested we try the local go cart track, so Rick took the kids for some serious thrill seeking driving.  Again Miss Scarlett was in her element.  Rick was flooring it down the home straight and she was screaming at him to go faster.  Maxie wasn’t as eager but loved sliding around the corners by the end of it.  Apparently they were fighting about who was doing the biggest slides over dinner. As soon as we got in the car they badgered us to take them to the water park “Wet Side”, so despite the breeze and overcast weather, they stripped down and went water sliding.  Again Scarlett was first in.  It was pretty fresh and they were the only kids stupid enough to get in.  They had a ball.  It was fantastic.  It’s a free park with a few slides and loads of water jets that shoot up at different times.  There’s also a park for the littlies so Zachie got into it as well.  People walking by kept asking us if “they were ours” and we were “from the south” because they were crazy enough to get in. Ah yes we said, and yes we are from Sydney and this is balmy to us.  I guess kids just don’t seem to feel the cold like adults do.   Anyway we dried them off and whisked them back to the caravan for some hot showers and early pizzas.  I tried the oven tonight for the first time and am already thinking of my next creation.  It was great, as good as my oven at home. Gourmet prawn pizzas to die for.  Then we dashed off to the water park light show at Wet Side tonight which the kids loved.  It’s a half hour show set to music with lights and water sprays.  All in all a splendid day made even better by the snores coming from Maxie within 10 minutes of hitting the pillow.  Gotta love that.  One final thing, the grey nomads are partying tonight.  A lady, who looks Pilipino, is belting out some ABBA tunes in the BBQ area about four caravans down.  Its BYO your own sausages, booze and chairs and they are going off.  A few were up dancing and everyone’s socialising. Except us as Ricky boy was too cool for Celine Dions, “The Power of Love”.