THURSDAY 30 APRIL     TORQUAY

Today was pleasantly warm, but there was some cloud about.

In the morning, rode the bikes to the nearest supermarket shopping complex, where we bought a few groceries and a paper. That was a 5.5km ride.

After lunch, drove along the Esplanade that parallels the seafront right around the bay. It extends for 17kms. The inland side of it is lined with houses and shops, of course, but for much of its length the seaward side is parks and gardens.

John spied a fishing shop to investigate. He bought sinkers (more!) and hooks.

We found a disposals store and bought a waterproof bag for the carpet rolls John likes to carry to put inside the tent when we use that. The bag will stop nasties getting in when he stores them outside Truck – and also keep them dry. I hope to persuade John, sometime soon, to put the roll up on the roof rack, permanently. There is too much stuff inside Truck! I also bought a lidded bucket – for John’s use at night; much more discreet to take to the toilet in the morning – since it is mostly me who seems to get that job!

From a farmer parked in the Esplanade, with produce on a truck, bought pineapples (3 for $2), tomatoes, cucumber, bananas, potatoes – a lot of vegetable matter for only $7.50.

We walked out on the long Urangan Jetty. The last third of it is being renovated, and so is closed. It goes out over what is sand flats at low tide – these are very extensive. We could see across to Fraser Island in the distance. Saw a kid catch a very big flathead in the low tide channel. There was much evidence that this jetty is greatly used for fishing.

It is already evident that there are a lot of ferals around this area! Guess it is a pleasant climate and surrounds in which to live on the dole. Saw one such family on the jetty: the man was fishing, there were four very grubby and snotty kids aged under about five, mum was pregnant again.

At dusk, there was great light for photos off the jetty, across the sand flats.

Tea was rice and burghul patties – surprisingly good, with stir fried vegies.

John stayed up till about 2am, playing on the computer. I do manage to sleep, despite the background noise from his games.