THE NEWSPAPER HEADLINES SAY IT ALL!!!

And it has, and it DID! Unbelievable rain, Melbourne would have loved it. It was cloudy last Wednesday so we took the chance to zip up to Eumundi Markets (best ones in Oz I reckon, not that I've seen them all!). Had a lovely time, and were really pleased we had chosen that day to go, as next day - mmmm, the showers started, and then the wind started to blow, and we looked at each other, knowing we were leaving for Alexandra Headland on Friday, and said let's pack up everything today while it's not raining. Good idea number 402! Because that night the storm came through, and rain - I haven't seen anything like it for years, it poured and poured. We were pretty lucky, and also extremely organised. The moment the rain eased off Friday morning, we hitched up the van and set out to Alex Beach. It was a slow trip as the weather was just atrocious, but we managed to get everything done without getting drowned. Warren's old RACV raincoat came in extremely handy! So nice of them to donate it to him, ha ha. We got to Alex Beach half an hour later, and had such a great level site that Warren was able to back the van in without me getting out of the car, a huge bonus for me! Again, the rain eased just enough for us to unhitch the car, and it bucketed down just as Warren finished. Someone was looking after us! And then it rained, and rained, and rained .............just unbelievable. We didn't bother putting up the awning, and guess what, it's still not up! It's just too windy, hence too dangerous. So we have played lots of cards, read lots, had quick walks when the rain stops, plenty of retail therapy ............. so much for swimming and fishing! The beaches are all closed, they are covered in gunky foamy stuff so you wouldn't want to swim anyway, but the waves are just ferocious, the para-surfers ( I think that's what they are called) are loving it! Guys on a surfboard with a parachute thingy??? With the winds as wild as they are, they are just skimming over the waves. good luck to 'em, I say! I'll keep my feet firmly on firm ground thanks! The joys of caravanning! and it wasn't even worth us moving on, as this weather apparently starts around the Gold Coast and extends up to Mackay, so we'll just ride this out, supposed to clear around Tuesday/Wednesday. This is such a beautiful region usually, but hey! can't do a thing about the weather. We will just appreciate the sun more when it comes out. Love to all!