Goodbye Brisbane. Well, hello Noosa!

I meant to mention yesterday - but the champagne made me forget- in the shopping mall we heard lots of cheers and saw a big crowd. I thought it must be a sword swallower or man on a tall monocycle, but when we got near, there was just one young man talking into a microphone. 

Couldn't hear what he said, but when he came off, he was crying. The next person went up to the microphone. I realised what it was. They had just completed the McQuire Programme for stutterers, and this was the final test - public speaking. They all wore a belt around their chest to help them breathe. It was great to see them, and the huge crowd cheered and clapped and encouraged their efforts.

Listened to the exotic bird songs while browsing blipfoto in bed this morning, before blueberry pancakes for breakfast, then an hour and a half drive up to Noosa. 

Our friends T and S kindly brought us, and S even made quiche and brought salad for lunch when we arrived here. T popped half a dozen One Fifty Lashes light ale in the fridge for me to watch the tennis tonight with. One will do me!

B and S, our house swappers' neighbours, welcomed us and arranged to come back later and take us a walk to orientate ourselves. We've just come back and it's pitch dark (5.30pm!). 

Noosa is a fantastic place, everyone has access to water, either the sea or the waterways. Wonderful plants, exotic birds and not a scrap of litter! We had a walk down along the river, and it was lovely. Nice sunsets, though a bit cloudy tonight. Lots of covered public areas for barbecues - you just bring your own sausages and press the button. Imagine that happening in the Meadows!

On the other side of the road are the shops and cafes and restaurants. We shall explore!

The house is amazing. A fantastic big lounge looking out on to the pool and a covered barbecue area. My blip tonight is of a corner of the pool, showing the lovely plants around it. I don't think I'll be putting more than my toes in the pool, though.

The house is very modern- completely the opposite of our place in Edinburgh, but that's the beauty of house swapping. 

It's just taken absolutely ages to upload this. The broadband connection isn't as good as Edinburgh. But everything else is better!