Around Bargara

Last night, we had a lovely chat on Skype with our Dutch friend, Margriet. She sadly informed us of a lot of serious illness in her family, involving her youngest son and his wife. We really hope their issues are resolved quickly.

Something I worked out last night, I calculated the fuel consumption on the Mazda BT50. It is considerably better than the old Mazda Bravo that I had up until earlier this year to tow the Kimberley Karavan. The result is 13.44 litres per 100 kilometres and at about 6 km/hr faster. The old Bravo used to average around 16.7 l/100 kms. Time will tell by the time we get home.

This morning we started off slowly. It was not quite so cool early as we had experienced. Hopefully the weather is on the turn. We shall see.

After a leisurely breakfast, I went off for a bike ride around Bargara. Unfortunately, the wind was a southerly and it was strong as well as quite cool. It was good exercise anyway. Downwind was fast. Prue did the washing of sheets and some clothes in the Park laundry.

After a shower, Prue and I then walked the 1.9km to the village centre for a cappuccino and raison toast for me. It was slow service but when the coffee arrived it was very nice and that made up for the time it took.

After coffee, we walked around to the Post Office to drop some card in to be sent. We noticed an unusual building that we think may have been a coffee shop but is up for sale.

Something that is evident around Bargara is the very large number of beach side apartments that are not used. There is an apartment block of 43 and not one has been used. The whole complex has been for sale since last year. There are many others the same. In another area, there is a development that has not sold a block and now it is over grown with weeds, Maybe this is a sign of the times.

By the time we walked back from thevillage, it was time for lunch. We had a simple lunch of fish and some salad items.

Following lunch, we drove into Bundaberg and visited the Hinkler Aviation Museum. I visited this last year and wanted Prue to see it. It was nice to go through it again. Bert Hinkler was an amazing aviator who captured the hearts of a lot of the Australian population. He was a favourite of the Italians where his life ended in the 1930s while trying to establish another record.  They gave him a state funeral which indicated the respect they had for him. He is buried there.

Then we returned to Bargara to Woolworths to get a couple of items we discovered we were missing. While there I had a cappuccino and Prue a soy chai latte at a chain coffee shop.

Then back to the Karavan and started to prepare for the evening. While doing a few things out side I spoke with a fellow from Kandos in NSW. He did not think I would know where it was but when I mentioned a neighbouring village, Clandulla, he knew I had been around.

By now it was the end of the day.

Pandanus

Looking north to the Surf Club

Bargara coastline