It's been a while

Two weeks to be exact and so much has happened it feels like two years.

First of all the trip to Hervey Bay was all that we hoped for in the first 4 days. Kingfisher Court was just what we wanted, plain straightforward, reasonably priced with nice managers, Kay and Graham. We had a view of the ocean from certain angles, and the ocean lay just across the road.

First day we walked along the esplanade to the Marina, about 6 kms. We arrived there just as one of the whale watching boats came in. The disembarking passengers raved about all the whales they saw so we decided to go on the afternoon run. We snatched a quick sandwich from one of the nearby cafes (mine a delicious prawn and avocado wrap) and boarded. We were not disappointed. Whales galore, many of them young bulls chasing females, something I hadn't seen before. The guide told us that in October, the big bulls come in and chase the females who have just given birth, sometimes tossing aside the baby whale that may be around. I wouldn't want to see that.

We docked just as it was getting dark, tired from our long walk in the evening and not looking forward to walking back. But we heard the magic words 'courtesy bus' and sure enough transportation was waiting outside. We were very grateful to have a lift back to our accommodation. We found out that most organisations have courtesy buses, very handy considering some of the distances involved. We had a hire car which we used thereafter.

Dinner at Pepper's Bistro that night.

The next day Kathie and Krista tried tandem bike riding. I have footage of the few seconds it took for them to realise it wouldn't work! They got singles instead and rode off.

We discovered the RSL that night. Cheap roast meals and tennis on the big screen. We went there every night of our stay after that.

Maxine and I had pedicures, so I now have red toe nails for the first time in two years. I lost major toe nails last year after competing in the City to Surf fun run and had only a few nails to paint, not a good look so I left them alone in 2008.

Kathie and I did a second day of whale watching. A mother brought her baby to the boat, showed him off for about half an hour, amazing. It made us late getting in to port but we didn't mind.

Then came day four: not a good day. Will write a second blog about this.