Peregian Springs, Sunshine Coast

Billie, Westie Heaven!

Gerry:

When we arrived at Peregian Springs on the Sunshine Coast, I had a bit of a preconceived idea of what it was going to be like. Wow, was I wrong and this should be a reminder to myself to take each place we come to as a totally unique experience.

I felt like this house sit had all the elements for 5 stars. The house and surrounding area was exquisite. No clutter, everything had its place, plenty of spaciousness (we hardly ever used the upstairs area). Billie, the West Highland Terrier was a treat, from affectionate to determined, she played the full range of emotions. We got to meet lots of new friends and dogs through the local doggie park, although we didn’t partake they had Friday afternoon drinks and nibbles at the dog park. We made a good friendship with Billie’s breeders, Tony and Tina, who lived just around the corner and gladly filled in as a pet sitter if we needed a break. We had dinner with them a couple of times and generously they offered to put us up any time we needed a place to stay. We have met so many people who have responded so warmly to us, it has made our adventure all the more special.

A couple of special occasions happened during our two months stay. One was my best friend Ray’s birthday and Jacky shouted us a game at the golf course where we looked over the first tee and a really special moment was Jacky caddying for me as well. The course was a bit soggy from all the rain we had had and the humidity was pretty sapping, but that made the beer at the end of the round taste that much better!

The other special occasion was Jacky’s 60th birthday. Jacky wanted a nautical fantasy theme for the party. Well, I had never been to a fancy dress party let alone try and help organise one. Jacky helped me out by picking out a King Neptune outfit from the local costume hire store. Jacky appeared as Queen Salacia (very salaciously I might add). I would be remiss if I said all aspects of the party organising went smoothly but with Jacky’s daughters Amanda and Danielle helping out, it all turned out perfectly on the evening.

Jacky:

Everything we do and everywhere we go is a huge learning experience if we allow it to be.  As I was turning Sixty in Peregian, I wanted to have the big 60th party with all my friends attending, balloons, party games, the lot.  Considering I was three hours, at least, from all my friends this was not an easy task.  Most people did not want to travel that far and we were unable to put everyone up so it would make for an expensive weekend.  Manda and Dani, my girls have exceptionally busy lives so they were limited to how they could help from a distance. Poor Amanda was sick and just wanted to be in bed and Dani was caretaking Dave, my ex-husband.  I had to invite him as 25 years of the music and the memories we shared together.  He was gracious around meeting Gerry and I felt like I could close the door on that chapter of my life and feel happy that we could attend events altogether and feel relatively at ease.

And this party was a whole new experience for Gerry.  My expectation far exceeded what was possible and who could attend.  But in the end, my very special family and friends made the effort and attended and a few locals added to the small but so enjoyable evening! Being in the moment is not about expectations and since then I am living in the present moment more and more.

Gerry:

Places we went to

Palmwoods – a historic little town with an old version of a petrol station from days gone by which is now a popular spot for bikers to have a coffee or lunch

Maleny and Montville – We visited one of the pubs on a Sunday afternoon where the young man playing the guitar started off playing one of the covers from Busby Marou, our favourite band whom we had recently seen on the Central Coast. A bit of a walk around the touristy shops and then a walk to Kondalilla Falls. It was just after big rain depression had moved through so we got some great shots and one where Jacky looks like she is shrouded within a bending beam of light.

Another area close to Maleny, Gardners Falls that we had visited earlier was quite special as well in a different way as you can see from the photos.

We climbed Emu Mountain near Coolum. Walked to the top of the headland at Coolum Beach where we saw a sea eagle. J: It always seemed to be windy and stormy when we walked up there!

The day after Jacky’s birthday we took Billie for a walk at Noosa Beach but the midges forced us to abandon so we ended up at Castaways Beach where we caught one of the most amazing rainbows I have ever seen and when we turned in the opposite direction to see the most beautiful sunset. It was all gone within 10 minutes. This is just what has been happening to us as we let go of our limited beliefs and thinking patterns. (J: More living in the moment as mentioned above!)

Lastly one of my favourite excursions was to Lake Weyba for a Champagne Picnic. (J: Gerry has not done much intrepid adventuring and I like to take him out of his comfort zone.  It usually leads to lots of laughter. Particularly this time as my foot submerged in the mud up to my knee and I managed to clamber out minus my thong!) We trudged through the woods and muddy paths until we came upon the edge of the lake where we could see all the way across to Noosa National Park and no one else on our side of the lake except for an elderly gentleman who appeared on a trail bike traversing through the foreshore. We settled down to a mouth-watering picnic which Jacky had prepared while Billie played on the water’s edge and in the water, quite contently. The most amazing part was that we found our way back to the car after a bottle of champagne and did not get eaten alive by mozzies!

Jacky:

Gerry was Uberring quite a lot while we were here and I was doing some Numerology/Tarot readings and working on promotions for the business.  I was official dog walker so rain or shine (and boy we got some rain in the first few weeks!) we went to the beach each day and a long walk around Perigian for the second walk.  We discovered the pool which was just across the road from our complex and the beach was Stumers Creek – where a TeaTree river flows into the sea, sometimes turning the waves red.  Always there were dozens and dozens of dogs.  All living in that beautiful present moment which so eludes us humans.  This little Westie was a great teacher!