Getting around

We've had two days of getting around other beaches in the region - to familiar territory yesterday, at Burleigh Beach, and then turning southward today to Kingscliff Beach.

We left early (ish) yesterday morning, travelling north 13klms or so until we hit the heavy traffic of Burleigh Beach. Pete was able to sign up to a random "Lime Bike" and we were soon on our way, completing the 2 and a half kilometre walk along the coast to Miami Beach.

It was hot work in the muggy conditions so we were grateful for our stopover on the return journey at the oh so pretty (and shady) Paddock Bakery in its unlikely setting in a backstreet of North Burleigh.

Back at our starting point at Burleigh's main beach we cooled off with a welcome swim after heating ourselves up so thoroughly on the walk.

Our choice of lunch spot was a hit too - the Red Hot Cod - one of our great finds from last year's visit - a touch of Bali fusion in Burleigh!

Most evenings, if we've done a serious lunch we'll just do drinks and nibbles together - on our respective balconies. Last night it was Ros and Pete's turn to host - on the second floor - on their HUGE balcony.

It's a beautiful time of the day - enjoying each other's company with a nice glass of wine (or two), experiencing a magical sunset reflected in the sky and ocean beyond - with the background cacophony of the mobs of shrieking lorikeets in the Norfolk Island pine trees lining the beach.

This morning after our walk and coffee we headed south towards Kingscliff so Pete could visit with an elderly relative living close by while we enjoyed a bit of chill out time at the beach.

It was very sobering to drive into Kingscliff however, through Chinderah on the Tweed River - one of the areas inundated with flood waters last week. In the low lying streets, now the floods had cleared, people had piled all their ruined water and mud soaked possessions along the road waiting for pick up. The houses cars and gardens looked soaked and festooned with debris - a shocking sight.

We saw army trucks and members of the defence force out in force too, obviously mobilised to help out in these dire times.

Once at Kingscliff we walked out to the mouth of the Cudgen Creek at the southern end of the beach to get a good view of how the waves were breaking along this part of the coast. It looked rough, turbulent and not a great colour either, no wonder after all the rain and the flooding.... so not the best day for us to take a swim.

We found Kingscliff a bit sad looking today but at least Pete had a rewarding catch up with his elderly aunt (who is doing very well indeed!) and we enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Salt Bar on Salt Beach just south of Kingscliff... a highlight of the day.

I scored some great prawns with my dish, and a very fragrant (local) Balter beer!

It was our turn to host drinks tonight on the 10th floor. Once again we were treated to another fabulous sound and light show, thanks to the surrounding thunderstorms (hitting everywhere else but not directly here)!