TUESDAY AUGUST 13     FORREST BEACH

The weather was definitely getting hotter in the daytime. We had to set up the electric fan in Bus.

Before lunch, drove into Ingham.

Went out to the fruit stall first and bought some more pineapples, and some zucchini. At Target, John bought a pair of shorts, having decided that a couple of the pairs he bought from home are no longer comfortable – the wash must have shrunk them! I bought a couple more of the $8 T shirts. Did a quick food shop.

Called at the Post Office on the way back. The parcel with the throw blanket had finally arrived.

I booked us in here for another week. This only cost $75, because we’d now triggered the monthly rate eligibility. That was $600 and since we’d already paid $525 for the three weeks we’d been here, we only had to make up the difference, this week. Whilst the park had some issues, to be paying only $150 a week for a powered site with the outlook we had and the access to such a brilliant beach, was really unusual value.

Went to tea at the hotel again, since it was the two-for-one meal deal night. We’d been put at a table for six, rather than two, but the two couples from “over the road” were there too, so we asked them to join us. They were very entertaining company. John had mackerel in batter and I had the excellent salt and pepper squid again. Our meals were fine, but one of the others had barramundi that arrived still part frozen and cold in the centre. That had to be sent back to be cooked properly. Another had a steak that was very well done, but he’d ordered medium rare. We discovered later that the usual cook was on a week’s holiday.

It was really pleasing that Couey could be left in Bus, with no fuss, and we could do such things. I wasn’t sure, though, how she would be if we drove off, instead of quietly walking away.