'Oh, what a night!'

8.00 pm.We were in bed but the temperature was still 27 degrees with a 'real feel' of 31 degrees. It was hot and sticky and uncomfortable....plus a couple nearby with a big motor home had their generator going to power their air conditioning.....it was noisy and very inconsiderate. We killed a mosquito that had got in.10.00 pm.Will was asleep.....I had very little battery left on my mobile phone from passing the time using it to surf the internet because I couldn't sleep. I thought the generator had stopped at one point but it started up again about 15 minutes later.......a cycle of 15 minutes off, 15 minutes on started.11.00 pm.I noticed a huge storm way out over the lake and got up to go and watch it. Worried that it might rain I tidied up our camp but could not put stuff into the car because I did not know where the  key was. I had to wake  Will."Will" I hissed.....nothing. "Will"....a bit louder......nothing. "WILL!"........still nothing. I had to shake him awake."Do you want to see this storm?" We both went and watched it on the beach. The mosquitoes swarmed around us in a feeding frenzy. We couldn't stand it. I put all the stuff that we didn't want wet in the car and we went back to bed. We killed two more mosquitoes that had followed us in.12.00 am.The generator and air conditioning whine finally stopped. The temperature was now about 26 degrees and there was a slight breeze blowing. I could hear the mosquitoes whining outside.1.00 am.The wind arrived! It blew the mosquitoes away. It said on my dying phone that gusts up to 60 km were expected. I got up and put everything that could blow away into the car and got back in bed. Not long after the fly sheet half blew off and I dashed up to find the peg and re fix it. I must have slept then for awhile.3.00 am.I woke. Will was asleep. The wind was worse and we were camped right under huge trees.3.30 am.I got dressed. Will woke up. "Will you come and sleep in the car with me?" I was worried about falling branches.He thought I was mad but came with me. We had to rearrange the contents in the back so we could recline the front seats.4.00 am.I was still awake and saw a car slowly creep past.....someone had packed up and was leaving. I think there was a mosquito in the car that had escaped the wind like us7.00 am.I awoke. It was light. Will was asleep. The tent was still there and there was no branch crushing it...but we were still alive.

Coochin and Cootharaba

So.....after we picked up Roxy yesterday at 5.00 we went home and packed up straight away and set off about 6.30 ish on our long weekend away.We stopped for some tea north of Brisbane and then headed on up the Bruce Highway. Will had booked a camping spot at Coochin Creek.We found our spot in the dark and started to set up camp. A group of three lads nearby were caterwauling to the moon and singing to a guitar. It was dreadful.I didn't hear them stop but the next minute they were near us saying "Do you want some help?""No, thanks," we said."Well, you are welcome to share our fire." They said.They went back to their 'wailing'.Our tent was up and we were getting eaten alive by mosquitoes and so as soon as we could we disappeared into our tent to escape.The camp was supposed to be quiet after 9 but they wailed on until 10 but carried on chatting loudly until midnight.All night I could hear the mosquitoes trying to get in and make babies with my blood.I was awakened at first light by the loudest Kookaburra in the World and a whole gathering of chattering Noisy Mynahs.We were up by 8 and had a quick look at the creek. The wailing boys were still asleep.....if only I had had a bugle!

Pillion.

Preparations are under way for our 'Great Escape' for a few days up north.........but first we had to tend to Roxy.She needs a service and a year ago we were warned to get the timing belt changed as well. So we tried to book her in last week but Udi Schwaben in Underwood could only fit her in today.This morning I drove her over and Will followed behind on Jaxy. We dropped Roxy off with Udi and after we managed to escape his German accented chatter and opinions on the Bali Nine we headed for home.I have never been on the back of a bike or scooter......ever!I was glad I remembered to take my blood pressure pill before hand.I did feel very vulnerable sat behind Will in just my shorts and t-shirt and no outer metal casing. I particularly disliked going around corners where Will said we had to lean into the turn. I would whimper and I could feel Will shaking with laughter.I was very aware of trying to keep my mouth closed because here it might not only be a fly that hits your 'uvuluvouluvula'......it could be a locust or at worst a kookaburra!We still have to make the return journey to collect Roxy when we get the call from Udi......if it is this afternoon we might head off on our trip tonight but if not we will set off tomorrow.We are going to Boreen Point up near Noosa to a lakeside campsite until Sunday and we will explore the Sunshine Coast a little more over the next few days. 

Thank you!

Just a quick 'Thank you' to everyone who has sent messages and emails in the last week. I am very grateful for your thoughts and good wishes and I will reply properly soon.We are intending to go away on Thursday for a few days but I will catch up with correspondence after that.N xxx

The First Best Exotic Pensioner Discount.

What could only be the best way to use your Pensioner Concession card for the first time........but to go and see'The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.' for $4.40 or just over £2?!It was the best $4.50 I have ever spent. It was fantastic!Very often follow up films are never as good as the original but this one was just as good as the first.If you don't want to go to India after seeing it.....then you are probably already dead.The soundtrack is wonderful....but then it is Thomas Newman.....and he can do no wrong in my eyes.You will not be disappointed if you go see it as soon as you can!

My first 'Pensioner' ticket!