Wednesday Walkies - Mapleton Falls

Mapleton Falls - Beauty in the Mountains

This walk is not too long or onerous and parking is still fairly civilised (can't vouch for school holidays, though). You do see a fair bit of wildlife which is great, but you have to be really looking out for in, or you won't even know it's there!

Image Courtesy Of Weekend Notes

Check out the official site for the Circuit!

Image Courtesy Of Trip Advisor

Mystery Monday - C'Mon Feel The Noise....How Do You Deal With It?

Naughty Noise Makers And What Should I Do?

Well, we all have those scenarios with anything from the irritating idiot with the leaf blower that seems to go for 8 hours on a Sunday to the neighbors who wanna Rock And Roll all Night and Party Every Day, as Kiss would say.

We even used to have neighbours who's fights used to comprise of him ripping the security gate from the front of his property with his bare hands when locked out by the wife, and starting up a chainsaw at 2 am to gain access - no joke, and it wasn't "Spittle County" either - affluent neighbourhood....bags not confronting HIM!

Bearing in mind that once you start something with a neighbour (work or home) it can get really unattractive very fast, so think long and hard about how to complain about dear little "Precious" who barks from the second Mummy leaves for work to the second she gets home and then dons his halo....who knows, maybe our own pets do the same thing when we are out? Eek!

Sometimes the direct approach works and other times it becomes WW III and you live in horror until someone sells....the mere thought of Precious wearing one of those citronella collars, you philistines!

Pre-Barking Nap

The link below at least gives you a place to start, so have a hunt around and then make your decision - should we speak, forever hold our peace, or dob anonymously....neither feels great, but at least you can make the decision with as much information at your finger tips as possible!

Noise Pollution

Serenity Sundays - Buderim Falls

Sneaky Piece Of Paradise In Buderim

Unbeknownst to many, there is a beautiful little slice of heaven in the middle of Buderim, known as Buderim Forest Waterfall.
 
It sits within a 45 hectare park, and the boardwalk is wheelchair friendly (about 600m), if you have someone who would like a mini-fix of tranquility?

Click the image below to check out full details and directions!

Image courtesy of Visit Sunshine Coast

Foodie Friday - Juan Fifty

Mexican In Our Hood!

From the crew who brought us the Good Bar at Mooloolaba, we have a cool Mexican hangout at our fingertips!

Now this is no formal, stuffy restaurant where you sit around waiting to catch the waiters eye for a drink or to order, rather you can go up and order as you go.....this is a good idea for when you are not sure how full you will get (food or drinks ha), so you can sample, experiment etc. 

Image From Juan Fifty Facebook Page

The most wonderful part is that when you go up to order, rather than the face like a dropped pie (or punched pillow) that we see far too much of these days, it seems to be the order of the day to give the customer a big smile, and make whatever cocktail or drink they order to perfection! Who'd a thunk that service and smiles might make a comeback??? Wow!

Evidence of smiling team from their Facebook page :)

The food is closer to traditional Mexican and pretty healthy frankly (not drowned in cheese and sour cream), although they make a subtle appearance. The ingredients are all freshly chopped, and seem to suit all levels of endurance when it comes to chilli or hot food.

 

The reason for this is their secret weapon - the wall of sauces! Make sure when you order that you do a 180 and check it out on the case behind you......this is serious chilli/sauce heaven, so you can add your own (or not if you can't hack it).

Wall Of Sauces - Image from Juan Fifty Facebook Page

The beer drinkers will also be pleasantly surprised by the prices - similar to surf/bowls club prices, which include some basic Aussie and also some great craft beers - hard to find both in the same spot for some reason - this way EVERYONE can enjoy a cold beer at the same place!

Get behind this one crew, we don't want to lose them and have to listen to ourselves whining about "where did it go"! Bel x

Thirsty Thursdays - 313 Social Mooloolaba

One Of Mooloolaba's Best Kept Secrets

313 Social

In a special little lane far, far away, on the dark side of the moon.....lies a very cool little bar that only a few select locals know about....if you are reading this, that means you are probably a local, too!

Image From 313 Social  Facebook Page

If you like your atmosphere less sterile, more dog friendly, and with a hip combo of craft beer on tap, a "get it yourself" beer fridge (hope they still have that - so damned cool), a non-uptight pool table, lounges, cool vibes (I think they try to match the music to the audience on the day from the trips I've had there), so just chat to them - maybe we were just lucky!

Image From 313 Social Facebook Page

The team offer 5 star service but love a chat and a laugh - make sure you check out the warning sign beside the pool table - total giggle. Don't be put off by the hipster high-pony pics on the site, they make everyone feel welcome....even middle aged fools who forgot to grow up (AKA me)! Love your work guys - get behind it locals!

Wednesday Walkies - Mount Coolum

Mount Coolum Walking Track

I've been avoiding this one, as much as I can say I have been avoiding all exercise at this level....this is an 800m track but feels like 8ks (to an asthmatic dumpling). I have friends who do this regularly, who will probably tell me I'm a sook, but the view is worth it, I know that much!

 
Catch your breath and take in the stunning 360 degree views stretching from Point Cartwright and the Glass House Mountains in the south, to the Blackhall Range in the west and Noosa Heads to the north. South and west from the summit, the park extends across flat lowlands cloaked in wallum, paperbark wetlands, eucalypt forests and rainforest remnants. This is one of the only places to see these plant communities on the Sunshine Coast.

Image Courtesy Of Aussie Bush Walking

Monday Mystery - What Became Of The Dump???

The Local Dump - An Ancient Tradition Lost

Remember when you were a kid, and no weekend was complete without a trip to the dump - even the dog was invited....

Many a trip ended up ensuring that you had yet another tetanus booster shot after you ignored your parents and scampered barefoot straight onto a rusty nail or some piece of galvo...

Frankly I miss every stinky little bit of it, and the TREASURES! Oh, and it was FREE!!!!!

In today's world of control, greed and fake recycling, I thought it might be nice to provide the link below so that you don't get your hopes up next trip....they even have a carefully hand selected shop on the side so that we can go in and buy other people's rubbish (I will be checking this out regardless of my bitterness - always the hypocrite ha)!

God knows better that the council makes a buck selling it back than the little guy sells it on Gumtree and makes a profit towards his ever-swelling electricity bill!

Anyhow, at least the site below takes you through locations, rules, regulations, times, "markets", appropriate footwear (we fooled the gestapo a couple of weeks ago and daringly wore thongs to drop of something in the "cardboard" bin)....probably captured on camera with court-case pending.

Sunshine Coast Council Rubbish Tips - Living The Dream!

Gympie and District Rubbish Dumps (Thrill Hills)... 

Noosa - No Dump, but they have a Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre ( still love you guys even after the divorce) :)



Hope you enjoy the photo below - I would be taking that TV home for sure to convert into a fish tank if it wasn't going to end up selling for $1 mil at the local tip shop! Here's to having a giggle even if it's a load of rubbish!

Image courtesy of Video Blocks

Serenity Sundays - The Mary Valley Scenic Drive And The Seven Steps To Serenity

Sunday Drivers Rejoice!

The details are on the link attached to the photos, but this is the most wonderful way to feel alive and a great reminder of what we have at our fingertips!

Image Courtesy of the Australian (This would have been gone if the Traveston Dam had not been stopped)

My recipe for happiness on this adventure is:

1. Duck out and fill up the car using one of the petrol finder apps (otherwise there will be less serenity ha) - then "let it go"......

2. Pack up a picnic - folding chairs or a blanket are fine, but a marquis is handy depending on what you find. For the budget-minded make sure you pack a thermos or cold drinks, too. Towels and togs maybe? There are lots of creeks on this drive if you are fearless.

3. Put the starting point in your Bluetooth, or just wing it (more fun)

Image Courtesy Of Stayz

4. Pack puppy too, if you have one, along with the lead and a water bowl, and treats for being good.

5. Commence drive at the top point (or bottom point if coming from the North), and then work your way back to home, ensuring you stop at every gorgeous spot until one just sucks you in for your picnic.


6. Remember to check out the produce stands when you come across them. Often organic and usually inexpensive - you may even encounter one of the old "honesty" boxes....

7. Wind the windows down and inhale the bush smell!

Sleep like a baby tonight - why? Because these sort of activities always get you thinking about what matters in life and what changes you need to make to become much happier - take the time on this trip to either chat with your other half about what matters, or give yourself the time to really focus.

Surfari Saturday - Peregian Beach

Surf Peregian

Now obviously I am no surfing expert, unlike most of the blokes we hang out with, but still had to mention Peregian Beach for its beautiful surf on the right day.....make sure you google a surfcam before committing to the drive.

Having said that, if you get there and it's all over, there are miles of cool shops and cafes to eat, drink and be merry - make sure you take the coastal road back and explore!

Image courtesy of Commercialview.com.au