NOOSA

 Thursday August 10 2010. It was a lovely sunny day a we drove up from Maroochydore airport to Noosa where Jess and Angela live. But, like a summer’s day in Sweden, it was quite cold in the shade or in the wind. A light jacket was still required.

The drive up the coast – about 45 minutes – was interesting. There were some lovely vistas and snatches of views of beaches, but the main item of interest  was the development all along the coast and especially as we neared Noosa. We’d all read about how the wealthy city folk from Mexico (Queenslanders tend to contemptuously refer to anyone from South of their Border as Mexicans) had poured into Noosa, each outspending the other in an astonishing show of affluence. There were enormous holiday homes everywhere, but especially on the waterways or any rise that gave a better view.

Jesse and Angela live in an gated community - Noosa Springs, a golfing estate, and a grand one at that. Driving in past the security guard – surely not REALLY necessary in this essentially country town?? – past the manicured hedges, the tennis courts, the gym and swimming pools – one warm water; one cold water with glimpses of the golf course through the trees, it was difficult to estimate the worth of residents and the complex. Jesse was pointing out the really expensive properties that had changed hands for three or four million dollars at the height of the spending frenzy (prices off by the odd million now that times were hard). But it wasn’t only the buildings themselves that I was thinking about but the cars – Mercedes, BMW, Porsches and hulking great four wheel drive vehicles were the order of the day -  and simple things like the golf carts. There were almost 100 of them at the club – that’s a cool million dollars for starters. Assuredly these villas would also contain jewellery, works of art, good furniture and all the trappings of the wealthy. Maybe the security guards were necessary after all?

Angela gave us a very warm welcome – and some deliciously warm homemade bread for lunch with delicious ham and cheese – just what we wanted. It was great sitting on their veranda chatting about the old days, although it was a bit nippy in the shade.

We unpacked in our very comfortable guest room and were amused to spot an African version of the Musicians of Bremen. In place of the donkey, dog, cat and rooster, Angela had found one that featured a buffalo, zebra, leopard and guinea fowl. That would have been an interesting musical group.

We went  for a spin in the afternoon, parking in Hastings Street where, in season all the beautiful elite (or at least the ones who still have their money) meet and greet and eat in the plethora of cafes and restaurants when they are not shopping in the trendy boutiques, some of which, alas! seemed to be battling somewhat. But it was mid-winter and no doubt the proprietors were hoping for a good summer.

We strolled around town down to the beach – a lovely bay of white sand with small waves breaking, but very few people in the water. Back to the car to drive out to the Spit to get another view of the bay. There was a deal of activity as water craft sped in and out of the Heads while others anchored with a lazy line in the water. It was possible to cross the river and drive up the beach for the best part of 100 km to the ferry to Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, where light aircraft land on the beach and large four wheel drives hurtled around. Jesse said it was a great experience but not one we had time for. We were surprised to see so many bush turkey pecking away on the grassy areas or where the bush was thin, with their distinctive yellow wattles. Talking of which, the wattle trees were out in bloom everywhere with their bright  golden flowers lightening up the bush.

Driving back to the opposite arm of the bay, we were in the National Park which has preserved hundreds of acres of bush from the developers. Jesse and Angela do a fair bit cycling and walking in the area and say there are stunning views. There were  dozens of people walking about, and one man providing us with some gently strummed music as he sat under a gum tree watching the sun set. Jesse said that there were some koalas in the area which were often spotted sleeping in the trees, but they weren’t visible for us – just the omnipresent bush turkeys and some birds belting it out in the trees.

It was a lovely welcome to Noosa and Angela had prepared a delicious sea food curry which we ate with a couple of beers while catching up with years of news and views.

And so to bed to sleep soundly in a very comfortable bed .