What did we do this week at Mission Beach……

Well, we have had a mixture of weather, ‘living’ on the beachfront certainly exposes us to a mixed bag – from still hot days with a flat blue sea to winds of 30 knots, and a very rough swollen sea. Most days it rains – either over night or in the early hours of the morning.

Fortunately we have had only 1 wet/dull day. Because we run on solar the sun hours are very important to us. We can last 2 days without sun, but no gennies are permissible here, although some campers with huge winnebagos do run them. It seems that although there is a ‘caretaker’ on duty – she has limited authority to regulate the camp ground. So, although fires are banned in the campground and on the beach – if you can get away with it – have a go.

Each day the police drive through the camping ground – remember this is the Mission Beach Council owned camp ground – right on the beach – not the flash camp ground across the road.

There are limited power sites – maybe 12, and about 20 unpowered sites. Also a limit on the time spent here-6-12 weeks, depending on who you talk to and I guess how long you can get away with it.

Certainly some campers look like they have been here for months – with long grass around their site, flower pots etc.

The market last Sunday was very good. We purchased homemade date/walnut loaf, anzac biscuits, home grown tomatoes, cauliflower and lettuce, along with a kiwi hot dog for Murray and reading material for me. Sunday afternoon we listened to a live singer on the grounds – a gold coin donation, singing all our old favourites….

Tuesday night we, along with some Kiwi friends – we had met Dan and Val at Paradise Beach and John, a Tasmanian, whom we met at Clem Walton formed a team and went to the Bingil Bay Café to play trivia. The pizza – we can recommend the spicy chicken, the company and the trivia – it was a fun enjoyable evening – not enough correct answers to win the $50 voucher, though.

Wednesday was a dull/wet day so we went for a drive to Tully. Tully and Mission Beach and the surrounding areas were badly damaged by cyclone Yasi last February and previously be cyclone Larry. There is still evidence of damage with the trees on the hills stripped of leaves, houses still without roofs and guttered homes. Generally though the towns have recovered and business as usual.

Tully is renowned for the sugar factory – the town smelt of burnt sugar. Most small towns have their iconic ‘biggest icon’ – Tully has the gumboot with a frog climbing up it. This is a lookout tower which you can climb up the inside and view the sugar works and part of the town.

On the way home we purchased bananas – rather cheap – and nice and large.

On Sunday I am going to a coiled rope basket workshop. The baskets are made from recycled rope and beachcombing bits and pieces. We walked the beach and found 2 crustated toothbrushes – left these on the beach, 3 jandals, plastic, rope, light switches, a louver window sash-left this behind and numerous pieces of rope etc. – some I should be able to use in the workshop.

We haven’t caught any fish, although sand whiting and sand sharks are caught. A stinger net runs along part of the beach – swimming is safe in this area. There are croc signs around, so we are very conscious of the danger these crocs pose, especially as they have been sighted not far from us in the waterways.