Wednesday...8 June 2011

Wow what a massive day for us.
We got up while it was still dark to prepare and be ready on time to go with friends to Brisbane to the Caravan and Camping show. Only ten minutes late picking up the friends. Good run down to Brisbane, the traffic was not too bad, only one or two patches of roadworks that held us up but nothing to be a serious bother.
Good organisation at the parking end of proceedings. We were parked on the oval over the road from the caravan show. I believe it was the showgrounds oval. They even provided stop and go people to help us cross the road against the traffic! Brilliant. Parking to admission gate queue, 2 minutes.
Now one small bitch here people. Why oh why do people try to pay with their bankcard after having gone past not one but five signs saying that only cash will be accepted at this gate and that if you wish to use your bankcard please proceed further down the fence to a gate some 50mtrs away that does have an eftpos machine???  Many tried, many held the queue up, many said that all gates should have these facilities, I felt like hissing and booing at them and I think others would have joined me.
Now we got lucky and entered the exhibition via the gate right next to the fifth wheeler display. Instant gratification! Love the new models.
Then it was on and on and on. We walked miles, through this building and around that one and up the stairs to the top of the next one. We looked in countless caravans, all with their own special appeal and features. We got good ideas, we oohhed and aahhed. We ate, we drank, we walked again......ALL DAY! Everytime we turned a corner there was more 'must see' stuff.  Really it is a show that requires at least two days to see it all. The boys did the technical stuff, the girls did coffee and cake!
At the end of the day we were loaded down with pamphlets and information and ideas. Some money also changed hands and a few bits and pieces made their way into the ute for the homeward trip (80kms).......which took 3 HOURS!!!!!!!!
Initially the hold up was standard peak hour Brisbane in the outbound lanes. Then it came to a complete standstill several times. We passed a sign saying the right lane should merge into the centre one as there was an accident ahead. We saw no sign of any accidents but eventually after Caboolture the flow improved. Wooopee.
Then we came to the trimming of trees beside the road, being done in the dark in three separate places, causing yet more traffic stoppages. Why in heavens name would you tree trim in the dark beside a busy highway when all the animals are asleep in the tree?????? Perhaps the good, kind, council workers were rehousing all the animals before trimming their tree.......... then putting back into their beds before moving on to the next tree!!!!!!!!!!!.
Did hear some seriously funny stuff on the UHF radio as the truckies let off a bit of steam during the delays.
Got a lovely warm welcome from the little Jack Russell called Mea when we got back. She was very pleased to see her owners, mostly because they were late serving her tea! And me because I give such good scratches now I have these fancy new nails...
Our thanks to her owners for suggesting we go to the show together and for being such good company all day, certainly made a big day more interesting. Four pairs of eyes are definately better than two. Very nice people and we hope they keep in touch and that we run into them again somewhere in the big paddock, not too far down the track.
Now it is time for a belated happy hour then bed to rest the weary weary bones, feet and legs.
Night all! Alligators........