Noosa Noosa Noosa!! Beautiful Noosa, it was described as the Chelsea of Australia and it really was. Jack picked us up in his dads rather flash Mercedes, it was an insight to what the next few days was going to be like! It was so nice to have another reunion with a fellow LOCOG'er (just like when Anita came), we loaded up the car with our ridiculous amount of bags (now averaging on carrying three bags each, hello broken back), Jack took us on a little drive around tour of the town, showed us the gorgeous beach, little coffee shops, one off boutiques and loads of amazing houses. We pulled up in the driveway of a sweet white house with a little front garden, soon to be greeted by little Billy dog and Jacks lovely dad (Pete) and brother (Jim), walking into the house, there was tall ceilings, white rooms (reminded me of home in a way) and big open French doors looking out onto the river with their little speed boat tied up to the jetty, so cute, so peaceful. We were shown to our room, yes, our own room with a lovely bed and huge in-wall wardrobes, mmmm bed, but no time to nap. Pete offered to take us out on the boat and give us a river tour of the town. It turns out were staying in a very luxury exclusive part of Noosa and you have to have a swipe card to enter that part of the river by the Boat Lock. We had a speed around gaping at all the huge houses, the jetties and their boats. Couldn't believe a few of them, some were modern with glass fronts and some were traditional little things. Back at the house later, Jack whipped us up a gorgeous stir fry dinner, with actual vegetables! It was delish and easily washing down with a glass or 5 of red wine. We bought the Merrell's a nice bottle of red wine to say thank you for letting us stay (we didn't think a box of goon would have the same thanking effect). I was falling asleep sitting up because I was so shattered but it was nice to reminisce about work, LOCOG life and the joys of funemployment. Bed time and I nominated myself to take the floor, alot easier as I don't sleep with pillows and means I can starfish!! Next day we were treated to a yummy breakfast spread of cereal, fruit, yogurt, toast, juice. Wow, pretty sure we each had about 3 servings, now we were all lightly plump, off we river cruise to the beach, boogie boards and towels in hand. We each had our turn on the board and messed around in the water. Liv and I were innocently swimming around when my leg started to feel a bit funny, I didn't think much of it but then it started to ache so I got out to have a lay down, it quickly got worse and yep, I got stung, attacked by a god dam jellyfish on the east coast of Australia. A blue bottle jellyfish in fact. There were around 5 tentacle marks on my knee and up and down my leg, looked like he had wrapped himself around me. Kate walked me to the life guard, who was pretty unhelpful, he sat me down and gave me some ice, it definitely didn't help so guessed I had to ride out the stinger storm alone. We left to beach in search of a cheer up coffee shop but kinda ended up window shopping with a fresh Boost Juice in hand instead. Stomachs starting to rumble, we headed back to the Merrell's pad for another lush meal, we all tried Vegemite for the first time and it really wasn't bad, makes me think I'd like Marmite back at home. See travelling is opening my eyes to so much, history, food, the world, marmite haha.. That afternoon we drove (in the Mercedes this time) to a different beach, we saw loads of blue bottle stingers washed up on the shore, their tentacles were so so long, they could be as long as me, I've put a photo on here of them so you can see what I mean. We wondered down the beach, and walked up the cliff edge, hiking through the grass looking down at the water washing into the rocks and caves below, we snapped a few photos and made our way back. En route we stopped at the supermarket as Livy was going to teach Kate and I how to make a summer fruits desert, we thought making desert was another easy but sweet way to say thank you to the Merrell's. Tonight was Australian BBQ night, whoop whoop, Liv helped make the Zucchini burgers while Kate and I prepped the fruit for pudding. Both meals went down a treat, all sitting there rubbing our round bellies, sitting around the table on the patio outside, suddenly there was a flash of lightening and a clap of thunder in the sky, the storm kicked in but it was amazing to watch the lightening strike down and light up the sky. The next morning and it was our final day in Noosa, we went out on the boats to try water sports, on the way there we drove past a congregation of floating houses on the river, they looked like sheds plonked on the water with little speed boats next to them, very weird but Pete said its a cheap way to live, Liv commented that it would hard to insure it haha. Jack was the first to try wake boarding, he gave us the "I'm not very good" chat beforehand but as soon as he set off we knew that was bullcrap, he was amazing, gliding over the waves, going side to side and holding on with one hand - that's pretty dam good if you ask me!! You'll hear why when I had a go.. Kate was first up and after about 3 tries, she's up, and gets better each time. Next was me, you can probably guess how it's going to go so I'll save you the boring description. I couldn't and didn't do it. Story over. Liv was up, she managed to stand but fell in as soon as she tried to turn the board, at least we've all tried it now though! Pete then pulled out the blow up ring, yes, the doughnut, I love this one, easy as, just need to sit and hold on. It was so much fun, Kate's camera has some very close up shots of each of our facial expressions. Hilarious. It was time to get back home and shower up ready for the bus journey later that afternoon. We said our goodbyes to Jim, Pete and Billy dog. Jack drove us into town with our stuff but we stopped off for a quick alfresco lunch and I had the nicest Aubergine and Zucchini burger, you might think it sounds rank but I loved it. Time to say thank you and goodbye to our dear friend Jack and this gorgeous quaint place. We were treated like princesses and fed like kings. Off we trot to Brisbane.