COOL - Off to OOL for a party and a wander down memory lane.

[Flyfrequently]

It has been decades since we last went to the Gold Coast but those trips hold many wonderful family memories and many "firsts".

My first plane trip aged 7 was to Brisbane, then the bus to Surfers Paradise staying at Bernie Elsey's "Beachcomber" on Cavill Avenue. (Dad took three of us under 10 while Mum stayed home with the newborn baby!)

Many more trips followed over the years, especially after Mum & Dad bought a Unit at Budd's Beach.

When Mr Flyfrequently and I started dating, our first trip away was to Surfers staying at "Pacific Towers" - remember the date well as it was the weekend Elvis "left the building "!

A few years later, married with 2 young girls, their first trip and subsequent holidays were to Surfers.

Fast forward 40+ years and three generations of Flyfrequently's are heading to The Goldie for a family 50th.

With our last three big get-togethers having been for funerals, this is great to be catching up with 30 family from all parts of our eastern seaboard.
Roll on the weekend!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Day of departure :
Overnight at Sebel as we normally do.

Quick 15 minute run to the airport this morning and through bag drop, oversize drop (@Denali will understand ) and of course a few minutes in security holding up the line, as aerosol deo  had to be in the bottom of my bag.

Now relaxing in QP, continually doing the count of bags as what was to be " just one small carry-on - it's only 5 days" has me with granddaughter's clothes and niece's fragile present, of course!

At this point, all aircraft are on time, Brother en route from MKY on Bonza, Offspring Flyfrequently Jet* and Surfer Flyfrequently on Virgin from MEL.

It has a sense of The Amazing Race!

 

[Ade]

Loving this TR already!

 

[Denali]

Day of departure :
Overnight at Sebel as we normally do.

Quick 15 minute run to the airport this morning and through bag drop, oversize drop (@Denali will understand ) and of course a few minutes in security holding up the line, as aerosol deo  had to be in the bottom of my bag.

Now relaxing in QP, continually doing the count of bags as what was to be " just one small carry-on - it's only 5 days" has me with granddaughter's clothes and niece's fragile present, of course!

At this point, all aircraft are on time, Brother en route from MKY on Bonza, Offspring Flyfrequently Jet* and Surfer Flyfrequently on Virgin from MEL.

It has a sense of The Amazing Race!

Interesting. Mr Denali usually has his guitar tagged at check in but then takes it to the gate and its handed over with the baby strollers at the gate for loading.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Interesting. Mr Denali usually has his guitar tagged at check in but then takes it to the gate and its handed over with the baby strollers at the gate for loading.

Maybe Melbourne is different, this is the way we always do it but might suss that out for next trip @Denali .
Airtag had it in the hold before departure so that's a start

 

[Flyfrequently]

As far as our Amazing Race went, JQ departed 1st with a 5 minute headstart, with flights both departing 15 minutes late.
QF was only a minute behind in landing, QF gate 6, JQ gate 7. We made it to the terminal first as we had the luxury of disembarking via the ramp
Good thing too as my track record with steps at airports is sub par

 

[Flyfrequently]

Friday:
Well, today was all about the teenager and what she wanted to do, let's call her Missy.
Her first and last visit to the Gold Coast was nearly 10 years ago and she remembers pretty much nothing apart from a massive ice-cream dessert at Hog's Breath Cafe.
With help from Google and much chatter with her school mates, a ride on the Aquaduck, a visit to Q1 for the Skypoint Observation Deck, shopping and of course the "Boss Hog" Ice-cream were on the list!

Mr Flyfrequently graciously played chauffeur and off we went up the Gold Coast Highway with my commentary as I went down memory lane. Missy remembers my Dad so she could put some context to the stories of "when I was your age"!

First a stroll along Cavill Avenue, it's a mall now and has been apparently for decades.
On to the Aquaduck, Missy really enjoyed it! Of course she didn't want to "drive" it on the water but once she saw how much fun the little kids had, she gave it a go. "Captain Chris" and Margie his mate were terrific and we all had an enjoyable hour.

Time to head to Hog's Breath for the Boss Hog Rocky Road Sundae and it did not disappoint!

Next stop, Skypoint.
We left this to her Mum who loves heights as much as I do - never hurts to challenge yourself eh? (chanelling @Captain Halliday and that rope bridge!)

Being 30° and humid, the Pacific Fair shopping trip has been relegated to Sunday, and a swim was more in order.
Needless to say Surfer Flyfrequently didn't join us, she was off to Snapper Rocks with her cousin and a longboard!

Back to our digs for us and a quiet night before the Big 50 birthday party tomorrow

 

[Flyfrequently]

Party Time :
Woke to a beautiful sunny Saturday and humid - though not according to the locals.
A late scratching with FIFO nephew but the rest of the gang from Colac arrived at 7.30 am and Pilot nephew "flew" in just as the party started.

The birthday girl used to be in Event Management and she put on a fantastic day with delicious food (who would have thought you put potato chips into a prawn slider - it's the Qld thing to do I'm told) good wine, decorations and entertainment.
Tales told, then embellished with much laughter and more wine.

With ages from 11 to 80, all enjoyed the day, kids swimming whilst the adults had a crack at pool - turns out I'm a bit of a pool shark!
We piked early compared to Party Aunty who invited an Uber load of inebriated nephews back to her digs for a nightcap.

In these busy times with family scattered around the country, it was a lovely day of celebration, my Mum and Dad would have loved it and been so proud

 

[Flyfrequently]

There's Got To Be A Morning After :
The Party Aunty and the hungover nephews were slow starters this morning, not a surprise there.
We were up early, somehow my brother conned us into giving him a lift to the airport for his 6.20 am Bonza flight.
It did give us the opportunity to be up at the crack of dawn and take advantage of a peaceful, calm walk at Snapper Rocks and Point Danger.

Next outing as promised, we took Missy and her Mum to Pacific Fair at 9am.
I say "took" as we deposited them so Missy could embrace the shopping Mecca at her pace - not ours.

I had the opportunity to catch up with an old Nursing buddy and off to Tallabudgera Valley we went. It's never too early with an old dear mate to share a celebratory .
Lots of chatter and lots to celebrate it seems as she survived a heart attack last Sunday and stent inserted Monday! (before the medicos here chastise, she did seek clearance for a tipple)

Headed back down to Tallabudgera Creek to continue a "very pleasant Sunday" and watch the Party Aunty, now semi sober nephews and Surfer Flyfrequently have a crack at Skurfing - hilarious!

Back in the '70's, we called it aquaplaneing.

Up the GC highway again, collected Missy and her Mum and good on Mr Flyfrequently for driving pretty much everyone, everywhere.

And we weren't going to hire a car for this trip.....

 

[Seat0B]

Party Time :


View attachment 373203In these busy times with family scattered around the country, it was a lovely day of celebration, my Mum and Dad would have loved it and been so proud

That cake is magnificent!!!!

 

[Flyfrequently]

That cake is magnificent!!!

Not normally a fan of Red Velvet cake @Seat0B but it was absolutely delicious!

 

[Flyfrequently]

By Sunday afternoon our numbers were dwindling. Pilot nephew caught the last plane out but Party Aunty had a bit more left in her - of course! I really think she is making up for the time in 1962 when she was left at home with Mum.....
Settled on the Rainbow Bay SLSC for an early dinner with 8 of the Melbourne contingent left. Great fun, live music, cheap wine and food was ok.

It started raining, then thunder and a spectacular lightning show followed.


Back to our respective apartments for a few early bird departures in the morning.

Alarm set, Mr Flyfrequently back on duty

 

[Flyfrequently]

OTP Monday morning :

Snoozing when Surfer Flyfrequently knocks on our door.
She says "Ready Dad?"
He says "It's only 6 am"
She says "It's 7 am and I'm ready"
He says "6 am in Qld, 7 am in NSW"
Her phone alarm had pinged from the Tweed Heads tower
Never one to miss an opportunity, she went over the road, found a friend and had a surf!

An hour later, off to the airport with Surfer Flyfrequently, whilst Missy and her Mum got ready for our day trip over the border.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Day trip over the border:

Missy and her Mum's idea of a day in Byron was a bit different to ours, so we knocked over the common interests of the Lighthouse and a frolic on the beach then went our separate ways.

They did the shops and bought ridiculously expensive souvenirs.
We went to the pub to catch up with dear friends who have been grey nomading around Australia for the past 2 years.
In summary, a very pleasant afternoon.
Byron has changed dramatically since I was last there nearly 53 years ago, glad we went but would not have it on my list of places to holiday.

August1971


March 2024
Back to Queensland in the late afternoon and the clouds had returned. The vote was for a nice relaxing spa after our brief lighthouse trek and Byron beach walking.
Time to start packing for our homeward journey and early dinner at a nice pizza joint chosen by Missy.


Perhaps a "travel mistake" - Did not research parking and as we drove up the road to the Lighthouse, we pulled into the 2nd carpark, paid $10 in a machine with a big sign saying valid only for this carpark.
Started walking, though it was only a 10 minute (less than a km) walk. For Missy in her inappropriate footwear and my shabby ankle, it was a steep trek

Back to the car and drove up to the next carpark, very limited spaces but "happily" forked out another $8.

 

[Seat0B]

Love the ‘historical’ photo of Byron! I’m currently helping my mum to digitise a bunch of family photos which might have similar shots of my sister and me on the Gold Coast in 1970-72. If I ever get it all done I might post some for a laugh.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Love the ‘historical’ photo of Byron! I’m currently helping my mum to digitise a bunch of family photos which might have similar shots of my sister and me on the Gold Coast in 1970-72. If I ever get it all done I might post some for a laugh.

Might make a good thread @Seat0B !
Have 2 more photos to post in my final instalment!

 

[Flyfrequently]

All good things must come to an end :

Before this holiday was over, I was determined to have one last walk on our beach across the road, naturally the heavens opened. Mantra Coolangatta Beach kindly lent me an umbrella.


All packed and ready to go to the airport. It is easier to leave a holiday when the weather is slightly inclement and homebase is a sunny 28°.
Quick stop in the QP and despite all the negative reviews it gets, it really is only a scaled down version of Melbourne and dare I say better than Hobart (apologies @RooFlyer )
At least Missy was happy with her toastie.

Missy and her Mum were on Jet* and we were on QF. Flights left within 5 minutes of other. Great cabin crew on QF879, we were well looked after and new snacks with plenty of "sustainable" wrapping!


Reflecting on this trip, it was great to catch up with family all together for a happy occasion. Really enjoyed having 3 generations of Flyfrequently's holiday together even though Mr Flyfrequently was outnumbered 4 to 1!

Many places have gone but the memories remain.
The Beachcomber, Cavill Ave 1962

Aquaplaneing Stradbroke Island 1965

Byron Bay 1971

Thanks for coming down memory lane with me.

 

[RooFlyer]

and dare I say better than Hobart (apologies @RooFlyer )

No apology needed! Any lounge is better then the HBA QP . Lovely report - very enjoyable, thanks.

 

[OZDUCK]

Looks to have been a lovely nostalgic trip. Thanks fro sharing.

 

[VPS]

Thanks for sharing - sounds like fun except for that damned phone tower