Chinderah

We moved to Royal Pacific Tourist Retreat on Friday, rather a grand name for a fairly modest park. Nothing flash about it but the area is great and we will soon have our expandava and a home for ar least 6 months as we have signed a lease to occupy the corner site (pictured) where our little van is parked.

Exploring the area, we have discovered that the river is a short walk from here. Steve is chuffed that oysters are on the rocks. He plans to get an oyster shucker. We visited the Birds Bay Oyster farm last Saturday and bought some Sydney Rock oysters ($16.00 a dozen). Today we noticed lovely fresh oysters ($13.00) at a beaut fish shop opposite the river. The shop also has a huge range of fresh prawns, crabs and various locally caught fish. Yes, I know, why not catch some ourselves! Steve plans to and is keeping an eye out for a little boat.

The local pub is situated opposite the river and a good spot to sit have a drink or meal and enjoy the view.

We are still doing the garage sale thing. Didn't pick up much today, just a plant and a boogie board in mint condition for the princley sum of $3.00.

We bid on a sofa on Ebay and were successful. Got a kick out of that, our first Ebay win.

The days are getting shorter here as winter approaches. After all those years in the tropics it's takes a bit of getting used to.

Discovering the Tweed

We had a great day discovering the Tweed.

Annie and I checked out a few garage sales, made easy with the Tom Tom, and bought a few bits and pieces.

The Tweed area is really great. Similar to the Gold Coast in that it gives off an air of prosperity and has a nice feel about it.

The river is big with lovely backwaters, can't wait to get a small boat and go discovering.

Annie and I had lunch at Twin Towns Club Benora - at Benora  Point - in the backwater.  

As a rule clubs don't do much for me, but this one is pretty good, not the usual drab club but more in the style of an up market resort.

We had lunch there an then a puff on the balcony where I took the photos of their beautiful golf course. We can't wait for someone to visit us so we can have a game of golf.

Chinderah would be just over the hill behind the golf course so we're pretty close to the action.

On the way home we bought a dozen Sydney Rock Oysters grown in the Tweed, at a farm we discovered on the way down.

On the whole we think the Tweed will be a good place to hang out. Good shopping, good locale, GOOD LIFE. 

 

 

Whacky Wax

Check out  Australia's - or probably the world's worst wax museum -  located at Surfers Paradise - or better still don't.

Annie went shopping while I went to check out this dud.

Fronted up to the counter where I was relieved of  $26.00 - which would have been $27.00 had I not flashed my coupon cut from a tourist brochure giving me an incredible $1.00 discount.

The reception area was dirty and in need of painting.

The guy behind the desk built me up to expect the greatest show on earth.

Going in through the leather padded door - probably bought at auction from the Pink Pussycat Club after it closed down in Sydney, felt like going into a grotty strip show, not that I'd know.

I don't think I've ever felt so ripped off.

The wax models were obviously superseded models from Madame Tussauds, some famous figures like Ghandi and Neil Armstrong and then other famous people like

Frank Whacker the inventor of the Whipper Snipper and Bill Cornstalk the inventor of the first electronic nose hair remover, and other people no one knows or have forgotten.

Picture taking is allowed in the celebrity section but not in the Chamber of Horrors as this is a guided tour - aw gee!

The guided tour turned out to be a real scream ( pun ) and certainly the highlight of the show.

I was part of a party? made up of me and a couple with three kids.

The guide was some sort of Dago with some weird accent, maybe from Latvia or somewhere. Anyway he did'nt have any sort of sense of humour.

The most amusing thing was I kept making what I thought were witty remarks regarding the displays and he just completely ignored me and talked right over me - God Bless I'm.

Anyhow had fun and got my money's worth. Exactly how I felt after visiting Windows of the World in Shenzen. 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrara Markets

Being Saturday morning we decided to do the garage sales circuit. Finding nothing of interest, we went to check out an auction house to view items to be auctioned on Sunday and Monday. A huge display of furniture and everything from boats to sinks on display. Rather daunting!

We did buy a washing machine (pre-loved) on Friday via the classifieds in the Gold Coast Bulletin, a compact 4.5 kg NEC fuzzy logic, which will fit in the expanda van comfortably.

Adjacent to the Auction house were the Carrara Markets, covering a vast area also. Our trip was not in vain! We came away with lots of locally grown produce including peas ( which Steve shelled and ate raw), spinach, butter beans, tomatoes, fruit etc. It is such a treat to have access to fresh produce!

 

Short Cuts and Simple Food

I thought I might share a few cooking tips. Having been on the road and cooking in a small van with limited equipment, I have developed a few shortcuts to provide simple but tasty meals.

Whilst I don't believe in processed or convenience food, some products are quite a boon.

You may like to try a quick sweetcorn and chicken soup!

Chop a small amount of chicken breast or thigh and place in pot with a packet of chicken noodle soup and a can of creamed corn. Season to taste and add chopped spring onions to serve.

Another quick meal is fish patties.

Boil a couple of potatoes, preferably desiree, mash in the pot and add a can of salmon or tuna, an egg, parsley and some grated lemon or lime zest. Mix all together, shape into patties, dip in flour or breadcrumbs and place in fridge to cool. Fry in oil. As fresh parsley may not be available, I have been using the Gourmet Garden herbs which come in a tube. ( a reasonable subsitute). 

Another convenience product I have found quite good is Praise spray on salad dressing.

You only need to spray on the salad on a plate. No more leftover soggy salad!

One pot meals are great!

Try browning steak or lamb chops with chopped onion and garlic. Add a dash of tomato sauce, worcestshire sauce, chilli sauce ( or whatever is on hand) and water and seasonings. Add chopped celery, parsley, basil, tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, pumpkin, peas or whatever is in the fridge. Simmer until meat is tender.

How about fried rice!

Take a packet of Continental Oriental Fried rice and cook in microwave. Set aside. Cook a cup of plain rice also. Place in fridge to cool and dry out.

Fry some chopped bacon, spring onions and a couple of eggs.

Chop eggs. Microwave some frozen peas.

Fry the rice and fried rice mix in a small amount of hot oil until hot. Add eggs, bacon, peas and onion. Stir through some cooked prawns just before serving and top with chopped green spring onion tops. Very tasty!

Another great convenience food item is the vacuum packed noodles which just need heating with hot water.

Enough of food for now. If all all fails, go out for dinner. 

Our Latest Non- Doings

Not much news on the home front.

We've cultivated some birdie friends though. This little topknot  pidgeon has become quit bold.

we bought a packet of '' Just Right''  which seemed just right for the birds and ''Just Crap'' for us.

When we return to the van during the day we always have a gathering of assorted birds waiting.

Annie is vigilant at the op shops, checking them out each day for furniture and nick-nack bargains.

It's amazing what you see when you don't want it - and when you do nothing's there.

We have decided to go all 2nd hand as there is so much really good 2nd hand stuff up for grabs.

We also enjoy garage sales and the fun that comes with sticking our nose in other peoples back yards.

We will hold on to the van and still use it for a couple of weeks while we furnish our new home

I am edgy to be back at work, and looking forward to it. I will try for a career change, or maybe I will fish. 

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Op Shops

A  favourite pastime, or time waster, is exploring op shops. Within a short walk from the Burleigh Beach Tourist park there are three of them. Surprising really, considering  that Burleigh appears to be an affluent area.

Saturday afternoon found us strolling around the shopping area to check out the bargains. First stop, Vinnies. Closed for good due to Lease expiry. Second stop, Lifeline. Closed due to fire at shop next door, an Indonesian takeaway. Fire brigade in attendance creating some interest. Third stop, the Salvos. Open for business. We checked out the books and picked up a couple and also a great wall clock for $2.50. We have been looking for a similar clock for quite awhile.

Lifeline will be open for business today (Sunday) another excuse for a walk. A great thing about the Gold Coast area is trading hours. Many of the places we have visited close down early on weekends including supermarkets.