We drove through the remnants of the cattle country down onto the coastal plain. Suddenly there was sugar cane absolutely everywhere. And fruit and vegetables and nuts and every other type of conceivable crop. We arrived in Sharon at Simon's home mid-afternoon. He was still at work doctoring. So we let ourselves into his glorious house overlooking the mighty Burnett River (another great grey-green Limpopo). The river was higher than our previous visit, testament to the rain the eastern seaboard has experienced all year, with devastating and sustained flooding in some parts.
We settled into his home as the day's warmth slowly ebbed. After our drive from Biloela, we were tired. Simon habitually retires early so we were all tucked in and sound asleep before nine o'clock.
Unlike Simon, we were not early to bed and early to rise. He had long left by the time we emerged from our very comfortable bed. We had arranged to meet friends Bev Franks (otherwise known as Bev Duck!) and her husband John who lived outside Gin Gin. We were fashionably late as ever and enjoyed a long and relaxed lunch on their back terrace, reminiscing about growing up during the 60s and 70s. Simpler times perhaps.
Stopping for more than a few days was just the medicine we required. We caught up with our divine niece, Sarah, who just manages the Optical Superstore on Bourbong Street (otherwise known as Bingbong Street, Bingbongbang Street or simply Bongbong Street). Traversing the centre of Bundy in our trusty Romeo was akin to travelling on the Boggabilla bus, only at a snail's pace most of the time. Bingbong Street has curbside front on parking along with a central strip, which frequently causes traffic chaos and the occasional bingle - there you go - another nickname for Bourbong Street!
However, Bingbong Street is actually very attractive, so being hemmed in by stationary traffic on more than one occasion was a chance to view the beautiful gardens and buildings. We also discovered the amazing Indulge Café, which served absolutely outstanding food. 2 Black Flamingos provided me with a frock to wear to brother David's 70th birthday extravaganza, so do drop in and say hello to Ann. Meanwhile Kingkong bargain store provided us with endless amusement and we stumbled across the incredible Kalki Moon Gin Distillery in the industrial area. What a find! In an attempt to soak up some alcohol, we supplemented our "paddle" of gin tastings, my cocktail and Michael's gin liqueur with a packet of salt and vinegar chips. They don't do meals...be warned.
We luxuriated around the open fire in Simon's backyard, which involved at least two BBQs and drinks around Tony and Karen's firepit. We went to dinner at Elsie's charming little cottage and met more of the memorable residents who call Woods Road home. I had been warned by Simon ahead of time that these companions were quiet and retiring types and that I should be on my best behaviour. Thankfully, his summation was completely wrong, so we were treated to a great evening of sensational food, marvellous conversation and much laughter.
The highlight of our visit to Simon's was, once more, his hilarious eccentricity. Simon is a genuinely free spirit, who delights in his own company, but is generous and affectionate with close family and friends. He still works as a doctor in general practice, assists in operations at the private hospital, drops off prescriptions and still performs the odd house call. He is empathetic and thorough, with little time for technology driven medicine. Upon giving me a cortisone injection into my troublesome knee, he declared that those who rely on ultrasound to carry out such procedures may actually miss the point of actual pain. He certainly didn't miss the point of my pain, which caused me to bellow like a bull, but did provide me with some immediate relief. Unfortunately, he agreed I was probably headed for another knee replacement, but I am hopeful of lasting until Michael's hip replacements are done and dusted!
His sustained attention during our stay was focused on a male bush turkey, who was intent on destroying Simon's garden in order to construct his humungous nest, vital for enticing the ladies to chose him as a mating partner. Hence, Simon's backyard was littered with ladders, pallets, wire, nets and upended pots in order to dissuade the lovesick menace from exposing shrub roots, pinching mulch, completely digging up vulnerable plantings and aerating his lawn rather too enthusiastically.
Other methods of distracting the persistent bird were shouting, chucking stones and baiting treats with every drug from Panadol to iron tablets. None of these techniques were working so with more research undertaken, Simon sent us to Kingkong to purchase a couple of mirrors. Apparently a mirror in a cage would attract our feathered hero to confront an imagined rival, thus triggering the flap to close. The idea was then to relocate him to a bush area away from town, where he could construct another love shack for the ladies...We left before we discovered the outcome of this experiment.
Upon searching Simon's kitchen cupboards, I came across a box of syringes and needles. I could only deduce that obviously, one never knows when one may need such devices...Other parts of Simon's kitchen resembled a laboratory and I was very pleased that he fed us fresh produce during the duration of our stay. He declared that he has never suffered from a dodgy tummy in all his travels. So much for the rest of us!
During the first evening in Sharon, I was badly bitten by sandflies, which naturally, I scratched until they formed big red spots, including one on my nose. So attractive. Upon complaining to Simon, he denounced my suppositions, and pronounced that I was being hysterical and that there were no sandflies anywhere near his residence.
Imagine my glee, when at Elsie's dinner party, she commented about the ferocity of sandflies in recent days. With my tongue firmly in my cheek, I replied that they must have been hysterical sandflies...Simon didn't utter a word!
Then of course, there is Simon's propensity to leave reading glasses, thongs and other forms of footwear all over his house and garden. Everywhere I looked, there would be a gaily coloured set of specs, one, two or multiple thongs along with rather a nice boat shoe. Who knows where its mate was.
We waved goodbye to head for Bribie Island and the spectacle that was David's three day long birthday celebrations. He promptly flew out to Whitehorse in Canada to spend a holiday with son Roger and Roger's wife Erin. I was mightily amused when he commented how cold the weather was in the Yukon's last gasp of their summer.
While staying in Sharon, I had commented on the chilly mornings. He always responded that heating was unnecessary and the forthcoming day would be beautiful. Which they usually were, but we would sneak the heating on for an hour after he'd gone to work...I was delighted to read his reaction to the temperatures in the wilds of northern Canada!
Must see him again soon. Maybe just not with all those pesky hysterical sandflies...
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