Jemma goes to the beach

Today Jemmas day started at 4am in Stanthorpe when she (I assume) was either
a) gently woken by Paul
b) picked up and carried by Paul to the car
c) Awoken with a bucket of cold water.
They then drove toward Brisbane stopping for pancakes at MacDonald's along the way.

Paul called me and dropped Jemma at home and I came home from work and picked her up.  We packed our togs in the car.

It was hot.  Dam hot.

I had a few meetings at work so she was stuck colouring in and making paper planes.  Finally we managed to leave.  Opened the street directory and ascertained that caloundra appeared to be a nice ocean beach near Elimbah and so set a course for there.  We stopped at Maccas for lunch.  She told me that she had had pancakes for breakfast.  Further interrogation revealed that she was unaware of the location of that particular Maccas.  Ahh preparation for teenhood -  Waking up at an unknown MacDonalds with a policeman. 

As we drove to Caloundra, I suggested that Jemma had a sleep.  She lay down across the back seat and went to sleep and only awoke when we went across some speed bumps at Caloundra.Given the 4am start this was probably a good thing.
We arrived at Caloundra at 3:00pm
We changed into our togs and took boogie boards and towels onto the beach.  3:30pm

The water was beautiful. We would bob about holding onto our boogie boards waiting for "the right one".  A fair number of false starts then we along with half the crowd would be away.  We soon learned to weave between the people closer to the shore.  Riding the white water until our tummies dragged on the ground ensured that Jemma got longer rides than me.  Then we started the walk back.  The fun not yet over as getting out had its own challenges.  Standing knee deep in white water that contained a previously un identified hazard.  Fearless four year olds torpedoing through the water and bouncing off your legs.



Deft 8 year olds who would come hurtling toward you and lean and steer past you.  A little deeper and we would use our boogie boards to shield us from the on coming waves.  Passed mum and two 13yo? daughters in matching Australia day bikinis.  So patriotic.  Being taller gave me an advantage and I would pull ahead as we walked, swam and used our boards to ride over the incoming waves.  Turned to see how Jemma was fairing in time to be distracted by all three said patriotic Australians emerging from the white water with one white pointer each on display.  I guess a design flaw or patriotic feature.  Quickly averted my eyes for fear of being arrested or accused of something by the moral police. Found Jemma who had been washed away by the same wave making her way back out again.

5:00 came and I was ready for some afternoon tea.  Suggested this to Jemma who decided that more surfing was in order.
Finally at 5:20 we emerged from the water and made our way via the out door showers.  Actually when you think about it why would you ever need a roof on showers at the beach.

Dumped our stuff at the car.  Walked across the road.  Bought Ice creams and I added a coffee.

 7yo pole dancing ?

Then onto Ian and Fay's for a beautiful dinner of Rissoles and Potato bake and salad.

I then drove home.  Arriving home 9:30ish (I think)