Bundy to Bullyard

From Apple Tree Creek, it wasn't far to Bundaberg, where we tried to avoid covering too much old ground.  The big Vinnies in a new industrial area was one we definitely hadn't seen before and it was beautifully organised, to the point where Jo declared it "sterile".  I was tempted by some interesting granddaughter-friendly fabric there but then realised I might have to actually sew it, so left it where it was.  The girls complained that it was freezing inside, but since my red, white and blue outfit had long sleeves, I had no problem.  Jo was dressed for Noosa in February.

Next was Lifeline, which I also didn't recognise.  It was good, but I didn't find any egg beaters to buy.  The little Salvos we had visited before turned out not to open on Tuesdays, and the nearby Endeavour, where Jan had found her R M Williams jeans a few years ago, was closed for good.  As most Endeavour oppies now seem to be.  However, the RSPCA was open and close to our lunch venue.   Once again I lucked out but burnt onto my retinas is the image of the vision who arrived just as we left. Dressed head to toe in purple, she is obviously a well-known local eccentric.  Sadly, I didn't get to my camera before she disappeared inside.

I should perhaps explain about the egg beater.  A few weeks ago, my egg beater broke on a Saturday, and my whisk broke on the Sunday. No problems: I would go op-shopping on Monday.  I picked up a whisk at the first shop at Geebung, and a beater at the third. It was one of those irritating ones with the handle at the side but I thought, not to worry, I'll pick one up on the Op Shop Road Trip.  By this stage, I was somewhat surprised not to have seen any egg beaters at all.  By the end of day two, I think we had been to about thirteen oppies.  If you want a whisk, however, I reckon every op shop has at least one.

Our last port of call was also new to us, the little Dorcas Anglican shop and I loved this one.  The little round cakes of soap I had paid 20c for in Childers were free here. Ripped off!  I took five.  All clothing was $1...AND the dressing room was open!  I thought I had my outfit ready for the next day, but found something even better here for my dollar investment.  I also wish to apologise to the woman behind me for the fart I left behind in the book nook.  We left, just as they were about to close at 4.30. 

I was now getting excited as we were about to cross the Burnett River.  When I am travelling long distance, I like to collect rivers.  Every river I cross is counted, and multiple crossings of the same river are noted, but only if via a different bridge. Yes, I am a geography nerd. The Burnett was river number 9 and we needed to cross it to get to our overnighter at Bullyard.  

Where the bloody hell is Bullyard?  It is a fly-speck on the map between Bundaberg and Gin Gin.  The nearest pub might be at South Kolan.  What Bullyard does have is Bungadoo Country Cottage, where we were greeted by Sharon.  It may not have had a river, but it did have a pool (not that we used it).  When we told Sharon about our road trip, she confessed that a lot of stuff inside the cottage had come from op shops. She has done well. Some of the decor was quite - dare I say it - quirky.

It was my turn to cook dinner so pasta and mushrooms was the order of the day.  After dinner, I nibbled on a leftover cracker and broke off a hunk of one of my front teeth.  Sigh...  We watched some quiz programmes on the telly and turned in early, Jan wearing her new Harry Potter nightie.

I was up at dawn stalking the sunrise, as usual.  I used the loo in the laundry so I wouldn't disturb the girls, and when I removed the plug in the tub after washing my hands I found I had a tiny frog for a friend.  Now we understood why all the plugs were in the plugholes when we arrived.  I then found jigsaws in the laundry cupboard and wondered how far I could get with a 500-piece puzzle before it was time to leave.  I learned that a tablecloth covered in roosters is not the ideal surface on which to create.  I guess I managed about a third of it.

It was then time to go, as it was nearly oppy opening time in Gin Gin.