Day 36 Sunday 27th July

Eurimbula NP to Novotel Twin Waters (400km)

I managed to capture a beautiful sunrise this morning, which was a great way to start the day. This was such a nice camp site, that it was a shame we had only booked one night. However, if we HAD booked for two nights, we might not have enjoyed the extra night as much, because a large school group are coming in today! One of the teachers, (who had come in early, ahead of the group, spoke to us. He was wandering around the campground asking people if they were leaving because he was trying to 'reserve' 10 sites close together!!!). Our drive out was fine, although we were pleased not to have met any oncoming vehicles on the single lane track! Only a couple of kangaroos, who fortunately got out of the way pretty quickly! Last night we decided that we would 'treat' ourselves to a hotel for tonight, and wash off the dust and dirt from the last 3 nights bush camping! Dave gets good deals in the Novotel chain, and we knew that there was a Novotel Resort on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane. So we booked in there! The first part of our journey took us on some quiet 'back' roads, past more sugar cane and also tea plantations, Macadamia orchards and avocado farms. Once back on the Bruce Highway we passed through the town of Childers. Well, we actually had to detour through the town because the Childers Show was on and the main street, (the highway!) was blocked off!!! We were very fortunate because we were not really held up at all; however as we drove out of town, there was a very, very long queue of traffic trying to access the town from the south. There were lots of caravans on the road today....maybe they all like to travel on Sundays!......and we passed two groups of three, who were obviously travelling together. Fortunately one group was stationary at the time, because it is very difficult to overtake three caravans in a row!! Impossible with six!! Further on we stopped at a rest area for lunch. We parked right next to a picnic table. (There was more than just this one table available). While we were getting our lunch fixings out of the vehicle, six caravans came in to the rest area and practically surrounded us! Then one lady got out, marched straight over to 'our' table and sat down! Dave politely said "we were just about to use that table, that's why we are parked here!" It didn't make any difference. She stayed where she was and soon all the group joined her. So, we ate our lunch standing up......which I suppose we often do anyway, because of sitting in the car for so long!!! Then when we were finished we had to reverse, (not always easy with the trailer on), so that we could extricate ourselves from the 'pack' !!! Quite unbelievable. I wish I had taken a photo. The rest of the trip was eventful and we arrived at the hotel a short time later. Our room was ready and we enjoyed having non-communal bathroom to wash off the dust! It wasn't really warm enough for swimming in the pool, but late in the afternoon we enjoyed a 'Happy Hour' drink at the bar, and then had an early dinner in the restaurant. Later in our room, were able to watch TV for the first time in 5 weeks.....it's amazing how little we miss it....and how much we watch it when it's there!!!