We headed to Buderim on the Sunshine Coast to visit Peter and Gill, a lovely couple we met on a cruise earlier this year who had invited us to stay at their acreage on Buderim Mountain. They warmly welcomed us into their lovely home, plied us with food, drink and Peter’s barista coffee, and kept us entertained with their stories and anecdotes. We also learnt that Buderim actually has degrees of location – if you are on the mountain you live ‘on Buderim’ but once you are off the mountain you are only ‘in Buderim’!
Taking up Peter’s suggestion, our first full day in the Buderim locale saw us on a delightful drive along the Blackall Range tourist route. The Blackall Range is 550 metres above sea level at its highest point and the drive has spectacular views to Bribie and Moreton Islands, the Glass House Mountains and the lush valleys and townships on the Sunshine Coast. Along the way, we stopped in at the charming and quirky villages of Maleny and Montville with their many galleries, antique stores and vast array of eateries. We finished the drive at the Mapleton Tavern, enjoying a tasty slow cooked lamb lunch on the verandah looking over the hinterland to the ocean.
On Saturday, we ventured in the opposite direction towards the coast, driving through a number of small beachside suburbs which appeared to be in a time warp – with the main roads filled with 70’s style flats and apartments. The beaches were mostly hidden by vegetation, playgrounds and covered barbecue areas. Caloundra was more open with an expanse of white sand and beachside cafes. We were pretty underwhelmed by the whole coastal strip, perhaps because we are so spoilt in the West with our terrific coastline or perhaps because our previous drive through the ranges had been so impressive, the beaches near Caloundra were no contest.
We intended staying ‘on’ Buderim for only a couple of nights. As invited guests, I’m always mindful of outstaying our welcome. I recall a friend saying that guests are like takeaway fish and chips: great the first night, ok the next, but a bit on the nose after that. Unfortunately, over the weekend, I noticed Troy was sick (coolant problems… again!), so our stay was extended as Peter and Gill encouraged us to stay until we get him fixed.
Fortunately our visit coincided with Gill’s birthday and they invited us to join with their friends in a celebratory dinner party – a terrific night with great food and company. The extended stay also gave me an opportunity to help Peter with his car project. Peter is a remarkable individual with rare complementary gifts of creative flair along with skilled mechanical aptitude. Being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease has not slowed him down one iota, and he always has a few projects on the go. He is composing the musical score for the novel he is currently writing, as well as rebuilding his beloved Mini Cooper S from the ground up. I was lucky enough to help him (ever so slightly) in installing the Mini’s new engine in one of the best man-cave’s I have ever seen. I’m a little envious of that marvellous Mini with it’s terrific character, the magic man-cave with the best smell and sound system ever invented, but most of all, Peter’s substantial wit, talent and passion for life.
After a check-up at the Radiator Doctor, Troy was given some treatment to see him through to Perth, and we were on the road again.
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