Lucky Last Day

My friend Jan collects ducks. Not real ones. It's a long story. Anyway, Boonah has a shop called Duck Junction. She screeched to a halt in front of the window, mesmerised by the wonders within. Five minutes later, she had a fine wooden duck to add to her collection.

There are three op shops in Boonah. Vinnies is in the main street and is neat and tidy. Not much for me there, though.  Lifeline is around the corner and is bigger with an upstairs and downstairs. Next door is a camping equipment store, where I found a wonderful folding solar light which is just what we needed for over the sink in our camper.  I sent a photo of it to Michael, but he didn't respond, so I didn't buy it. At $31.95 it was expensive. Back home I found one for a lot less at Brendale. Sorry, Boonah economy.

The Salvos store is over the other side of the highway, and opens later than the other two.  We had a chat to the pedestrian crossing supervisor, then wandered through the impressive war memorial park, until nine o'clock.  Well this shop is a treasure.  Packed with wonderful goodies and oh, so cheap.  Jan had been looking for a putter for John for the whole trip, without success. In their big section out the back, she found three! She bought the wackiest looking one.

I found a fabulous 3D English thatched cottage scene, all made of plant materials, and was soooo tempted. But where would I put it?  Then I uttered my third YES! shout for the journey. Jo said she heard me out the back.  I already own a pair of Tardis earrings but these were way better. And all earrings were $2!  This was definitely the winning shop of the day.

We headed back over the pedestrian crossing, this time forcing the lollipop lady to pose for a photo, which she only did on condition it never appear on social media.  She was delightful, and I wish I could use her photo in this blog.

I had promised the girls an op shop in Kalbar, so we headed there next, only to discover my memories were wrong. And the fabulous Emporium has closed. But there is a lovely coffee shop on the corner, so we consoled ourselves there with morning tea.  The cactus growing out of a coffee mug on the wall of the Ladies there is memorable too.

We had only one oppy to go. Jan had decided we should explore Springfield, which none of us had ever done. The last time I was there, it was bushland where my son went for his Scout jamboree. We managed to wind our way through narrow streets and roadworks and ended up at a lovely Vinnies.  It was a little expensive but had great stuff, although I was fairly stunned that they were trying to sell mismatched cup, saucer and plate trios for $8.  I bought a pair of prints of Brisbane's sadly demolished Bellevue Hotel and St Martin's Hospital.  These now hang in the hall. 

The trip was now over except for the judging of the 'quirky objet dárt' competition.  Once again, Michael was the lucky judge, once we reached my home, and he was presented with an impressive eight choices, without knowing who had bought what, of course. I am pleased to report that my penguin in boots from Capalaba won the day!  He was worth the $10. Jo took him with her to give to her sister who appreciates such things.  The seashell map of Australia went to my friend Emma, who squealed with delight!

A quick cuppa and the girls headed back to the Sunshine Coast, with plans for next year already swirling around in Jo's head.  Op Shop Road Trip No 6 was over.