Sunshine Coast - Eumundi Markets

The Eumundi Markets, at Eumundi south of Noosa, have been operating since 1979 and now have 600 stalls for visitors to browse. The market is open on Wednesday 8.00 am to 1.30 pm and on Saturdays from 7.00 am to 2.00 pm. 

We visited the market on a Saturday arriving at around 9 o'clock. We had been warned that parking could be a problem but there is a large parking area with the parking fee going to community projects so this was not an issue. However people who arrived later in the morning would have had problems as the car park rapidly filled.

The market began as a craft market showcasing the work of local crafts-people and continues to do this but it also has a wide range of stalls (some were outlets for shops) selling clothing, food and other items as well as those offering massage, tarot card readings and other alternative lifestyle solutions.

It is a colourful and often noisy environment to explore. With so many stalls they are spread out on more than one location. Buskers entertain and at some points chairs were arranged for the public to listen to speakers or watch a demonstration.

The fruit and vegetable stalls had a good range of products but as we were returning home the next day we could only look. We did, however purchase T-shirts for the grandchildren, an over-shirt for me and some small wooden items including another turtle for our collection, plus a pelican. The stall holder gave us a toy turtle gratis. On the way back to the car we were looking for ice cream and saw a sign that Lief Chocolates sold honeycomb ice cream and Belgium chocolate ice cream, both of which were very good.

Website for Eumundi Market - http://www.eumundimarkets.com.au/

Lief Chocolates - http://www.liefchocolates.com.au

Sunshine Coast - Glass House Mountains

On the Friday we decided to explore the hinterland and first stop was the Glass House Mountains. The Glass House Mountains were always a feature of the journey from my grandparents' farm near Villeneuve to the Sunshine Coast each year. The distinct shapes of the mountains always stood out and it was a game to make the first sighting.

After visiting the Glass House Mountains Village we drove to the lookout to view mountains and surrounding scenery.

We then went for a walk on the circuit track.

We then drove through the Blackall Ranges stopping at Maleny to wander down part of the main street. The lady at the Information Centre recommended that we should visit Colin James Fine Foods for an ice cream, which we did. We then continued to the Maleny Cheese Factory where we had cheese pies for lunch while we watched workers in one of the processing rooms.

After lunch we took the road to Woodford and turned off on the Neurum Road just before we reached the town. We drove down Neurum Road to Doyles Road and continued towards Mount Archer, stopping before we reached private property. We then returned to the Neurum Road and continued past the Villenue turnoff until we reached the D'Aguilar Highway and returned to Mooloolaba. The area around Villenue is now flooded as part of the Somerset Dam. Dead trees stand surrounded by water. Images of Villeneuve

Other websites:

Glass House Mountains

Maleny Cheese Factory

Colin James Fine Foods

Sunshine Coast - Alexandra Headland

Tuesday was a rest day during the cricket carnival so in the morning we went for a walk along the coastal path from Mooloolaba to Alexandra Headland. The walk provided great views looking towards Alexandra Headland.

As can be seen from the above photograph the weather was cloudy and in some sections of the path we met a number of lizards keeping perfectly still, probably trying to soak up some warmth.

The buildings lining the road as we neared the headland were not as large as those lining the Esplanade in Mooloolaba.

As we approached the main Alexandra Headland beach we saw groups of surfers trying out the waves.

All along the coast there are warning signs for those proposing to enter the water.

We continued on to the patrolled area of the beach. Many, many years ago Dad and I used to swim here before breakfast with Dad teaching me to body-surf.

One of the features of Alexandra Headland when we holidayed there in the 1960s was the Boolarong restaurant. This was considered a very special place to visit as can be seen by this picture of inside the restaurant. I have special memories of eating fruit salad served in half a pineapple - that was style. We passed Boolarong Crescent named for the restaurant

and also the Grand Palais apartments built where the restaurant used to be located.

The walk brought back many happy memories.

Two websites providing information on the history of Alexandra Headland are:

Alex History - a history of Alexandra Headland

Alexandra Headland - part of Queensland Places (includes photographs of Alexandra Headland in the past including the Boolarong).

Sunshine Coast - Mooloolaba

We used to holiday at Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Visiting the area again in 2013 it is very different from the quiet seaside location of the past.

The beach is still the focal point but it is now bordered with large buildings overlooking the water.

 

The beach is not just sand but has a number of rocky areas and pools waiting to be explored at low tide.

Childhood memories include people camped above the foreshore. Today a caravan park is located between part of the Esplanade and the beach.

We used to have swimming lessons in the river. The area is now the home to marinas and boats.

Along the river and system of canals there are some small coves but they are not suitable for swimming.

Along the river towards the spit shipping boats are moored watched over by hopeful pelicans.

A reminder of the dangers of the sea can be found on the spit - a memorial to fishermen who lost their lives at sea.

The breakwater provides a view of modern Mooloolaba.

The changing weather conditions show the different character of the beach. The sea can be relatively calm one day or quite rough when it is windy.

 The Mooloolaba Surf Club is an impressive building and a community focal point on the foreshore.

Revisiting Mooloolaba after a long absence was an interesting experience. I rather miss the atmosphere of the old Mooloolaba, however times change and so do we. As a child a holiday on the beach was swimming three times a day. The beach is still there and obviously still popular and enjoyed by a new generation. Only the surroundings have changed.

It was interesting to go back and visit Mooloolaba again although there were no shops where we could buy a Paul's Have a Heart - a special ice cream treat that we were sometimes allowed to enjoy after a swim at Mooloolabs more than fifty years ago.

Website providing information on history of Moloolaba:

Mooloolaba - Queensland Places (includes postcards and postcard folders with images of Mooloolaba including one of camping sites along the foreshore around 1970.)
 Also
A time-line for  Pauls ice cream and other products

Sunshine Coast - National Over 60s/70s Cricket Championship

The 8th National Over 60s/70s Cricket Championships were held on the Sunshine Coast from 7-13 September 2013. Victoria sent six teams to participate in the competition - four over 60s teams (Vic 1, Vic Bushies, Vic Stormers and Vic Lightening) and two over 70s teams (Vic 070A and Vic 070B). Thirty-two teams took part in the carnival.There were four divisions with the first two Victorian teams playing in Division 1 together with Qld Maroons, ACT, SA, Tassie Tigers, NSW Waratahs and WA.

On 7 September we therefore headed to Maroochydore flying Jet Star from Melbourne arriving mid afternoon and went to check out our accommodation at the Nautilus Apartments, River Esplanade, Mooloolaba - http://www.nautilusmooloolaba.com/

After a walk to generally explore the area including locating a supermarket to purchase breakfast items we set off to find the Mooloolaba Bowls Club - http://mooloolababowlsclub.com.au/- to collect cricket shirts, jumper, cap and program. This was followed by the meet and greet for those participating in the carnival plus the official opening. 

 

Sunday September 8: The first match the Vic Bushies played was at the grounds of the Maroochydore Cricket Club - an incredible complex consisting of four grounds, all with turf wickets, with the club house in the middle.

The match was played on the Kev Hackney Oval.

Before the game the all important team photograph was taken.

Vic Bushies 2013 National Over 60s Cricket Championship

In this match Vic Bushies defeated the Tassie Tigers in a close game. In the evening we all met up for the team dinner at Bellissimo restaurant.

Monday 9 September: We travelled to Coloundra to play a match against Queensland at the Caloundra Cricket Club

Geoff Dymock was one of the bowlers for Queensland (Vic 1 had Graham Yallop in their team). Vic Bushies lost the toss and batting first did not make enough runs in this game.

One of the spectators was a sea eagle viewing the game from a light pole.

Wednesday 11 September: After a rest day the Vic Bushies returned to Maroochydore to play against the ACT on the John Blanck Oval.

Victoria won the match in a close game - winning in the final over.

Celebrations after the game

At the end of the round robin three teams in Pool B, Vic Bushies, Queensland Maroons and Tassie Tigers had all won two out of three games.

Thursday 12 September: The play-off for fifth and sixth spot for Division 1 was held at Nambour where the cricket ground is in the middle of the Nambour Showgrounds.

Although the ground had an attractive back drop of mountains and forests it was not the same standard as the grounds at Maroochydore and Caloundra.

Vic Bushies defeated Western Australia in this game finishing the carnival as one of four teams in Division 1winning three out of four games - the others being the eventual winners Queensland Matoons (the team that defeated Vic Bushies), NSW the runners up and Vic 1. Needless to say the players were pleased with their achievement.

Later that evening we travelled back to Coloundra to attend the end of carnival dinner at the Caloundra Events Centre where Ian Healy was the guest speaker. Approximately 600 players and partners attended this event.

All in all it was a great carnival. The weather was supurb. The facilities were generally good but the grounds and hospitality at Maroochydore Cricket Club were a highlight. As the carnival progressed the camaraderie between the players grew and the players also had good support from the WAGS. 

The 9th National Over 60s/70s Cricket Championships will be held in November 2014 in Melbourne.