We now start the next phase of our trip, heading to the Gold Coast where I had arranged to meet an old friend from high school days. We had taken our time as although the Queensland school holidays had finished, New South Wales goes a week longer so we didn't want to arrive at the Gold Coast too soon.

To that end we had picked out a few showgrounds on the way to stop at, the first being in Eumundi. We had never heard of this town and imagined it would be a tiny blimp on the map. Imagine our surprise when we pulled in and were told the Eumundi Market is on - every Wednesday (today) and Saturday. Apparently this is huge - claiming to be the biggest market in the Southern Hemisphere. (Probably a tad ambitious.)

But it was big, and busy, and full on,. It was a good thing it was walking distance from the showgrounds as parking is near impossible. My general impression was Byron Bay-esque, pretending to be hippy but at upmarket prices. Still, a vey unexpected bonus to a tiny town. And there were a few good finds, including the "Australian Bible Van", an old vintage car that had travelled the country distributing Bibles and Christian tracts for many years.

Next day we stayed at Caboulture showgrounds. After battling through the highway and going around in circles trying to find the entrance, we were exhausted and called it a day. Didn't even bother to look at Caboolture. (Apparently we didn't miss much from what people have told me.) Besides, we needed to catch up on some paperwork and do a few other things.

Next day we went on to the Gold Coast, taking the amazing Gateway Bridge, (so steep you felt like you are about to take off) to by-pass Brisbane altogether. My friend was living in a quiet suburb with a park at the back and a lake at the end of the road. She had also decorated the house beautifully. So we spent the next twenty four hours catching up on 40 years of life. Went out for dinner at a Japanese restaurant, and in the morning, we made pancakes! It was so good to reconnect.

Georgy's bit

Eumundi's market had a lot to offer. Surprisingly enough we picked up another timber cheese board for a bargain price, and despite being full managed to squeeze in a Japanese Okonomyaki - performed by a Japanese chef. Next morning we watched some dogs training for the canine Olympics. Some were distracted but the others were stupid. Brisbane/Gold coast traffic is designed to inflict as much pain as possible and is very effective in that way.