Clare writes:

After a couple of nice days 'the Sunshine Coast' North of Brisbane is not living up to its name - yes - it's raining again!!
We had one nice day on the beach at Dickie Beach (UV danger - extreme, burn time - 6mins) but the next day the weather cracked and all we saw of the Glasshouse Mountains were wierd, spooky grey shapes rising out of wet grey forests and garlanded in whisps of cloud and the next rainstorm.
We stayed last night with my old kibbutz buddy, Ramona, who's 'minding' her boss's spare waterfront home in Mooloolaba - fab place with huge living space overlooking their deck, their pool, their jetty and the marina. Great to see her and meet her gorgeous (and very bright) 5 year old, Fletcher.
Anyway, two great pieces of news - (1) we have finally worn down Traveller's Autobarn (the company we're hiring the dodgy campervan from) with the list of things wrong with the vehicle!! Having said there were no other vans available and trying to fix all the broken bits (death by a thousand cuts, he said) - he surrendered and suddenly he DID have another available - which is clean and dry and everything works!! Cheered us up no end!!