We’re still having a great time here at Cotton Tree, Maroochydore and it’s time for another quick update.
Firstly, to those non-believers, here’s a picture to prove that bushy turkeys certainly do inhabit cotton trees. As commented in a previous post, we certainly wouldn’t want to be parked under this tree – things could get a bit messy!
Bush turkeys in a cotton tree
On most days we go for a walk somewhere – Sunshine Plaza being a favourite. Sometimes we need to do a bit of shopping, sometimes we enjoy a cup of coffee or a meal, and sometimes we just go for a walk because the weather is so good. Sunshine Plaza is a bit different in that the shopping centre is largely over water, and it’s a bit strange seeing peddle boats around the shops, and not at the beach.
Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore
Fishing is a popular pass-time in this neck of the woods and there are plenty of shops selling fishing gear. Even the office at our caravan park sells bait. If you can’t find fresh bait you can always buy it from a vending machine!
Vending Machine for Bait!
Most of our walks take us along the Maroochy River and the views are just magnificent and very hard to ignore.
Can’t go past these views at Cotton Tree, Maroochydore
From time to time something different catches our eye and on one day there was a monster crane servicing one of the buildings along the river. It caused quite a bit of disruption in the immediate vicinity but it was only there for one day.
Monster crane at Maroochydore
Last Sunday, after a stroll around Cotton Tree market, we went over to a nearby park where there was a large festival as part of NAIDOC week. There was aboriginal and islander dancing, and plenty of merchandise stalls, food stalls, rides and activities for the kids, and generally a lot to see and do. The overall theme was inclusiveness, and it was obvious that everyone there was having a great time.
NAIDOC festival at Cotton Tree
Sometimes, though, we don’t have to go anywhere to feel happy and content.
Happy and content
One of the “highlights” of this week was the arrival of the front and back end shade-walls for our awning. We brought the side shade-wall with us but hadn’t had a chance to set up properly and measure the end walls. Julie from Camp Shades did a great job (she made the shade-walls for the Trailblazer as well). This time we were inspired by Sue and Glenn here at the caravan park who had a zippered door included in their end walls and it is a great success. We think that having the shade-walls and ends is better than having a full canvas annex as they provide good protection from the sun and weather in general, yet still let breezes and light in.
New shade-wall front with zippered doorway!
Another sight along the walk into Maroochydore the other day was the start of some reclamation works at the Black Swan Beach. There has been some obvious damage along the river bank so this work was clearly necessary. Apparently it will take 4 weeks, and they have been making good progress to date.
Reclamation Works at Black Swan Beach, Cotton Tree, Maroochydore
The weather for the last few days has unfortunately been a bit ordinary, although not as bad as the weather forecasts led us to believe. Last night however, the storms arrived with quite heavy winds and rain. It was pretty miserable first thing this morning and there was water everywhere but our little enclosed area stood up well and remained quite dry. It’s forecast to rain most of the day (it’s raining as I write this) so today will be an indoors day! There’s a great second hand book-shop in Ocean Street, Maroochydore and I have an unread book just waiting to be started!
It’s been raining at Cotton Tree
The weather is forecast to improve from now on so hopefully we’ll soon be able to get back to “normal” Cotton Tree weather and activities.
Meanwhile, we’re still living the dream.
Shorty's RV Adventures 