Island in the Sun - Part 1

We’ve just arrived safely back from North Stradbroke Island (“Straddie” to the locals – of which we virtually are now on the basis that we’ve seen more of Queensland than the natives – Hayley!!)

We hired a beach house with Brad and Salini which overlooked Deadman’s Beach (personally one of my fave beaches on the island – aptly named because they found a skeleton on it in the 1950’s that they believe was the victim of a shipwreck at the turn of the century!)

As most of you that have been to Australia know, it is a very different beach experience here to when you go to Sardinia – no gentle paddling in the total wave free Med whilst showing off your latest sparkly bikini – going to the beach here basically involves getting totally soaked and usually dumped at least a couple of times by the huge waves, whilst manfully trying to maintain your dignity – let alone your bikini – whilst avoiding being hit by surfers, pulled out to sea by a strong rip or stung, bitten, maimed by one of the many animals that seem to inhabit the ocean!!

Seeing as Kz doesn’t really like to go in when it’s as flat as a mill pond with no discernable creatures present you can imagine her delight when she had lots of warning signs awaiting her as she stepped on to the beach! However, when you get used to the waves, they provide so much more entertainment on the beach and the beautiful beaches are totally worth it!

Brad and Salini also wanted to show us that Straddie isn’t all about the beaches but has some lovely lakes too – as long as you are prepared to 4WD to get there! So we ventured off on our first morning to Brown Lake, so called because of the tea tree oil in it, not a nice colour but makes your skin very soft!

Unfortunately as we arrived I was convinced it was starting to spit with rain, only for my concerns to be brushed aside so we went for a swim – just as a monsoon started!! Still, not many people that have been to Straddie can say that they swam in the lake in the pouring rain!

We indulged in a number of 4WD expeditions whilst on the island, with Salini and I both taking turns, (to the fright of the other passengers!). Apparently the key to it is to let your tires down so that you don’t get stuck in the sand – I had a go along Main Beach which was fun – before handing back to Brad, the expert, with some interesting results!!

A local speciality, seafood wise, are Moreton Bay Bugs – vile looking things that were put at the bottom of the sea for a reason, however we were assured they were lovely so one night we bought some and cooked some up! And yes, even I tried some – I think I can probably live without repeating the experience although to be honest, all I could taste was garlic!