Day 15: Saturday 7 April (almost 9pm, Ayr)
The challenge was set (by Steve!) – leave Ayr to collect Shelley from Bowen; down to Airlie Beach, maybe Mackay and back home in time for dinner.
Breakfast in Ayr was within our control and brunch in Bowen was manageable – we stopped in at the 360 on Flagstaff café that Shelley has been working at this week. It meant that we got to see firsthand the work she’s been doing with the team there. Also meant we could take a few more photo’s from the top of the café as it was such a glorious view!
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| Beautiful Airlie Beach |
Off to Airlie and we arrived in time for a wander through the Saturday markets that were pretty typical – lots of jewellery, scarves, hats, crystals, coffee, etc. The beach was stunning and it was certainly hot enough to jump in, but we checked out the activities available in the main street first, to see what was on offer in the town. Lots of construction happening and if we’d wanted to stay, there would have been any number of beds available as there are so many rooms and resorts. Plenty of deals to take us over to the Whitsunday Islands too, so might come back next weekend for a girl’s weekend to Daydream. Other than that, it’s like Byron was 15 years ago - completely chillaxed.
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| Should have taken photo before starting to eat - sorry! |
We found a seafood restaurant that Shelley had read a great review of, so once we’d explored the streets and were satisfied that our next move should involve food, we climbed the stairs and sat ourselves down. It was a good excuse for a cocktail each, before we shared a plate of fresh oysters. My main was a mouth-watering tasting plate of barramundi, salt & pepper calamari, Singapore chilli prawns and poached seafood dumplings – so good!
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| I'm sure someone will know what these ancients are called ... |
A sun shower saw us seriously contemplating the trip to Mackay, so we wandered along the beach for a bit, then jumped in the car and set off to explore another large town. It took us a good couple of hours to get down there. But we managed to find our way through the main streets and make our way around to a park near the river for linner (Steve’s version of afternoon tea). Love those big, beautiful trees with what look like ancient root systems, suspended in the air – I’m sure one of you knows what they’re called and will fill me in before I get back!
A late afternoon drive back to Bowen gave us all plenty of time to talk and think about our experiences so far. More on that another day, so we farewelled Shelley until next weekend, then drove on to our temporary home in Ayr with a very bright, full moon rising in the sky behind us, seemingly watching us on our journey. We were way too tired to venture out for dinner or even make a cup of tea – Steve is already asleep! J
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