The Travels of Mouse: Retrospective

Hello people, Mouse here.

Well, we’re on our way home, and Mum and Dad are missing Nambucca Heads already.

The mouth of the Nambucca River from the Shelly Beach Lookout

The weather was really good the whole time, the caravan air conditioning behaved itself, there were no incidents, accidents or mishaps, the wildlife was… interesting (you’ve seen the goanna, meet the magpie who insisted on sharing breakfast), and catching up with distant and greatly missed friends was memorable.

Last night the Staff did lots of very unsettling packing up and putting away, leaving only the bare minimum for My comfort. This morning it was even worse, so shortly after 7am I demanded to get into the car and away from all that nonsense. I must say, they do have the process down pat by now, but it sets my teeth on edge and ruffles my fur to see things being disarranged. Tonight, we’re staying over in Landsborough Pines on the Sunshine Coast again, and tomorrow at Tannum Sands near Gladstone.

The plotters, planning next year

Anyhow… It has been a fun getaway for Me too. I really did enjoy Swimming Creek Beach. All sorts of doggos, but well managed by their Staffs, and I particularly liked meeting all the whippets, my small cousins. And of course I did get several good runs in when the place was empty, so I could get a good workout and stretch my legs.

I know the Staffs had a good time too. To such an extent, mind you, that they are already plotting the next one. Not that I object… It appears that Mum and Aunty Chippy are agreed that the second week of February next year will be spent at the same place, and Aunty Dale has it pencilled in too.

Same time next year

Mum and Aunty Chippy have already booked their spot: Mum and Dad on the shady caravan site and Aunty Chippy and Uncle Jonathan in the cabin directly behind it, beside the beach access. Mum is compiling a list of things to do and places to visit. All the Aunties agree that we will get together again for a reunion meal on Sunday 11th. Fine by me, especially if Diesel and Dolly are there too.

So that’s it for this year. Just two more days of lounging in the back of the car, a night at Tannum, and then we’re home and I can do the sniffspection of the house and back yard to make sure all is well. I hope the chickens have been behaving themselves and that the rude cat from across the back fence has stayed away from My Yard, or I will be giving it another earful next time I see it. Not chasing it, you understand, that would be much too undignified, I’ll just give it a bit of a barking at to let it know the Boss is Back.

I believe there is a roast chicken lurking in the caravan for tonight’s dinner. I shall be insisting on doing Quality Control to ensure the Staff are eating correctly and that I also get my fair (largest) share.

Meanwhile, I shall snooze on my floof after all this hard work dictating the post to Mum.

Mouse, out.

🐾

 

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The Travels of Mouse: a new one and a good one!

Hello people, Mouse here.

Sorry about the radio silence, but the Staff have been pretty tired and I wanted them to focus their energies on walkies and food for Me rather than posting. Still, it means this will be a fairly big post. Also, I will put links (who exactly will put links, again? – Mum) to all the dog-friendly caravan parks where we stayed in case it’s useful for another doggo and their Staff.

The Staff say that for a long trip south again they won’t repeat staying at the Coolwaters Discovery Park in Kinka Beach, Yeppoon, as it’s just not far enough for the first leg of a 1,400km trip. It’s very nice, but better for just a long weekend visit, perhaps even a forthcoming shakedown trip, of which more later. I’m a bit sorry, because it’s a lovely park, the area is very pretty, the beach is handy and I went for a nice paddle (I prefer quiet waves, less chance of wet fur).

Soooo, anyway, the plan was to stay the next two nights at the NRMA Treasure Island on the Gold Coast. Didn’t happen. By lunchtime it was clear that the almost incessant roadwork and speed reductions down to 60kmph from the usual 100kmph meant we wouldn’t make it. So Mum made an executive decision and we broke the trip at Ingenia Landsborough Pines instead of staying two nights at the Gold Coast. It was a good decision. We were all tired by that point, and I like Landsborough Pines, it’s very pretty and there are ducks and wildfowl and geese to look at in a meaningful but totally, totally non-threatening way….

Anyway, onwards and southwards and we just spent the night at the NRMA Treasure Island. We haven’t stayed here before, but it’s lovely. Generally, they prefer doggos of lesser stature for the convenience of other park residents, but made an exception in My case because I am Beautiful and Quiet and Polite. The ensuite bathrooms in NRMA parks are always really beautiful and well-kept, the sites are level and generously sized and here, there’s an onsite café where doggos are welcome on the deck, which is most enlightened. It also has an off-leash doggo area within the park itself, which was much appreciated after a few days of comfortably lounging being confined to the back seat of the ute. Mum and Dad say they would 100% recommend over the other place we’ve stayed nearby, which was the BIG4 Gold Coast, which is squishier, more crowded, less easy to get to and has a very confusing layout.

On the way here we crossed the Gateway Bridge which I always find a bit unsettling for several reasons. Firstly, all the lamp posts are wonky and it looks as if the place has been hit by an earthquake. Secondly, the bridge is very, very high and very, very steep. Coming up to it, it looks like you’re going to drive up a ramp and off the end into nothingness. See what I mean?

Mum wants to point out that I have missed out a Very Important Point. We put down a deposit on a new-to-us caravan! Miz Lizzie is comfy and familiar and homey, but a bit more floor space for Me to stretch out would be a great advantage and VanEssa offers that. Mum says she also offers one or two other significant advantages, such as a much larger fridge for My meals, quieter and more efficient air conditioning, etc. Apparently Van Essa arrives in Mackay on 13th February, so it won’t be long to wait. As soon as we can after that, we will take her out for a bit of a trial run to work out what she’s like to tow, sleep in, etc.

Also, we popped into see Dad’s brother Uncle Kev and Aunty Chrissy in their new home and had coffee and cake on account of Mum’s birthday, and I met their two doggos, who were polite but rather small and fluffy. I like Aunty Chrissy, she knows ezackly where to scratch. Also, they have horses, the big ones as opposed to noodle horses like me. Mum is allergic, so we stayed clear. Wouldn’t want the level of service to drop because the Staff can’t stop wheezing and sneezing…

Today we head out on our final leg, Gold Coast to Nambucca Heads. We actually cross a time zone, which means the journey appears to take an hour longer than it should and that has to be factored into arrival times, etc. But it’s all good. We’ll be staying at the Tasman Holidays Nambucca Heads, which is right on the beach but protected behind a wooded dune. I’m looking forward to a good run on the beach, as it’s doggo friendly. Also, Aunty Chippy and Uncle Jonathan will be there for a bit which will be great fun, even if it means the Staff will be doing a Lot of talking and perhaps not quite enough Looking After Me…

But most of all, I’m looking forward to not packing up and moving on for a few days. (You and me both, Mouse. You and me both – Mum).

Mouse, out.

🐾

The Travels of Mouse: the farewell tour

Hello people, Mouse here.

No, not MY farewell tour, I’m not retiring, or at least, not any more retired than I already am. Apparently Miz Lizzie is moving on to new career opportunities and a quieter life. Sounds OK to me, but meanwhile she’s taking us on her final trip south. The Staff and I are going on holiday! First night is at Kinka Beach, near Yeppoon, second and third nights are on the Gold Coast (during which time we inspect VanEssa, the new caravan), and finally we arrive at Nambucca Heads, where we’ll spend a week, have lots of fun and then repeat the whole thing in reverse.

Personally, so long as the Staff do all the work and I don’t have to lift a paw or even raise my head off my floof, I’m all good with that. I enjoy travelling, especially the bits where I can stand on the back seat with my head out of the window and take in the Sniffs. Mum says she’s glad I’m not one of Those Dogs whose faces go all flappy and tongues and ears trail in the breeze. I pointed out that I’m built for speed and my bits stay tidy, even when I have a smile on my face. The Staff appear to have packed my newest (and least ‘aromatic’ – Mum) floof and Squeaky Pig and my second bowl, so all should be well. Dad says my private enclosure is stacked up on the back of the ute. Mum says the food is under control and she has my papers, lead and (whisper it quietly) vet bag.

We haven’t been south of the border (QLD-NSW) for about 3 years, so everyone’s looking forward to it, especially as we’re also seen Aunty Chippy and Uncle Jonathan and Aunty Dale and Uncle Wayne – and most importantly, My Mate Diesel-Dog. Mum says there are also other friends to see and of course her sister and BIL, so it’s going to be a busy time. There will apparently be a Birthday Party on the first weekend we’re all together, so I sincerely hope she’s arranged for suitable edibles for me; I can’t be doing with all that “No, Mouse, that’s not safe for doggos” nonsense. And anyway, I’m a bit puzzled because My birthday isn’t until July. It must be a Staff thing….

Meanwhile, back at home, neighbouring aunties are keeping an eye on the house, the chooks and other Important Stuff. I shall miss Lotti and Aunty Lyn, but I’ll definitely have lots to tell them when we get back. I’ll post as we go to let you know my thoughts on each place.

Take-off is in about an hour and a half. Time to digest my breakfast and watch the Staff bustle…

Mouse, out 🐾