Brisbane, QLD


Monday, February 24, 2014

A CRUISE IN THE SUNSHINE

It was our last day on the central coast of Queensland. Since we were here celebrating George's birthday, he was asked to choose what activity to do on the last day. He chose to go on a river cruise on the Burnett River which flows through the town of Bundaberg.
 We arrived at the mini dock at 9:00am where the "Bundy Belle" was waiting for us and a few others too. It was already a hot sunny day.

 The captain of the boat was also a local school music teacher but he gave us a running commentary on places and their history as we lazily motored along the river. We couldn't go any further up stream than this because the huge floods last year filled the river with silt and sand. The water came up to the top of the bridges and did a lot of damage in the city.

 So we headed towards the mouth of the river. George, in the checked shirt, chose to sit in the hot sun on the top deck.

 Paul, Helen and the rest of us sat inside and collected a cool breeze through the windows. We admire Paul so much as he is having treatment for cancer and he is in quite a lot of pain but he keeps fighting it and joining in with us whenever he can. We hope this new treatment will give him some relief and more time with us all.
We passed the rowing club and.....

 the sailing club. Behind the yachts is a huge sugar storage shed and the wharf where ships come to fill their holds with bulk sugar. Bundaberg is famous for its sugar, rum and ginger beer.

 We passed miles of marinas crammed full of million dollar yachts shimmering in the sun.

After three hours we had returned back to the little wharf and a huge seafood restaurant. We didn't take long to decide this is where we'll have lunch and.....

it was delicious!

21 comments:

  1. a lovely birthday celebration. I know where Paul is at with his treatment; it's a hard road and I hope all good things for him too. Lovely series Dianne

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  2. George had a wonderful birthday! The cruise looks like fun! I do wish him well, he is a real trooper. The seafood looks yummy! Have a happy day!

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  3. Well what a wonderful birthday treat.I would love to be a member of your birthday club as you always hold such interesting parties and visit such special places together.

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  4. Oh, what a lovely day you all had.
    Great lunch too.

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  5. a great way to enjoy the sun.. I do hope Paul's treatment will work for him.. and the restaurant looks perfect, food and view

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  6. Looks like it was a lovely cruise Diane, shared with really good mates..perfect !

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  7. looks like a great outing! and a great reward at the end of it! yum!

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  8. Oh my goodness this looks like a great day out

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  9. Sending lots of good thoughts to Paul for his treatment and I hope it will go well for him. So nice to give the birthday boy his choice of things to do on your last day. The birthday tradition sounds better and better. You're a great group of friends. Enjoyed the photos of the river trip. My kind of day. And that food? Oh my, those prawns are huge!

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  10. One of my brothers lives in Bundaberg but I had no idea there was a river cruise. Must do that when I'm home in August. Looks like a perfect outing for George's birthday.

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  11. The river looks a little choppy and silted. Your BB organisation continues to amaze.

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  12. I enjoyed the trip down the river with you. Or maybe it was up the river? Your lunch looks so amazing. I hope you had a glass of that ginger beer with it!

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  13. Great way to celebrate a birthday with good friends and great looking seafood. Like the others who commented, I also hope that Paul gets some measure of relief with the new treatment.

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  14. What a wonderful birthday celebration ! I admire people who fight against cancer with a lot of courage !

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  15. Looks like you had a great day out. Take care Diane

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  16. Looks like beautiful weather for a cruise - and great food too!

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  17. This looked like a wonderful birthday outing for George! The lunch looked scrumptious--I love scampi! Wishing Paul well--I will say a prayer for him.

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  18. it's always such a delight to visit you, diane!

    thanks for sharing another amazing post.
    oh, looks like you had a great day out.

    big hugs~

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  19. Looks like a perfect day too for your lovely boat ride. George certainly had a birthday to remember. Good on Paul, what a wonderful man.
    That seafood feast - wow! :D)

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  20. What a delightful way to tour the town! Your lunch looks amazing!

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  21. Diane, I do so enjoy your photos and comments. You really are the best communicator in the whole family!

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