Sunday March 27th
It was our first morning in Burleigh Heads and our 41st wedding anniversary and so mark joined me on a morning walk. The forecast had been for rain but we luckily just had a bit of cloud. The high humidity meant for a rather clammy walk though and so I headed home afterwards for a swim whilst Mark headed out for a bike ride. I was still poolside by the end of his ride though and so mark joined me for a dip before Ali and Brett were due to arrive.
It was lunch time by the time Ali and Brett had settled in and we had our first meal out on the balcony. We were lucky there was no wind and plenty to watch from the huge balcony.
Our first activity for the day was a visit to Black Hops Brewery which is just a 15 min walk up the road and across the highway. We were lucky to get a table here and the boys enjoyed a paddle and another beer before we drifted home. Even with overcast weather it was still very warm and so I jumped in the pool after the walk back home.
Our initial dinner plan had been to wander down to Burleigh Pavilion and have dinner there but, after our experience from yesterday when the placed was packed to capacity, we had booked the venue right next door, The Tropic. This proved to be a great decision as the venue was not quite as night-club loud and we were given a great table right at the very front of the restaurant with views directly over the beach. They also had a great Limoncello cocktail, Lemon Bluh, that was similar to the great cocktail I’d had in Noosa. The menu is not extensive but each of the meals we ordered were absolutely delicious; Ali and I opted for the prawn pasta and I can safely say this was the nicest rendition of this dish that I’ve ever had. Added to this, the staff were friendly and attentive and, as with the Pavilion next door, the venue offers endless people watching opportunity! I would highly recommend The Tropic if you ever find yourself in Burleigh Heads! We thought we’d stop by Ben and Jerry’s on the beach on the way home but, sadly, they were closed so it was straight home after that. It was a great first full day in Burleigh, despite the overcast weather.
Monday March 28th
It was a drizzly start to the day so that meant our morning walk was a simple on that took us straight to the cafe. We checked out James street after that and pointed out shops we’d come back to when the rain cleared.
The rain looked to be quite set-in though and so we headed to pacific fair to pick up a few items and to show Ali and Brett the interesting architecture for this modern shopping complex. It is a very beautiful space and channels Hawaii’s Ala Moana Center but I think it does so better!
After that it was home for lunch and, because it was still raining, the others then all watched The Power of The Dog to fill in the afternoon.
Dinner tonight was up the road at the Miami Tavern and we decided to drive because of the rain. This was another beach front venue but up the north end of the beach from our apartment and just at the start of the next beach, Miami.
Tuesday March 29th
There had been a lot of rain overnight but it cleared a bit in the early morning to allow a bit of a walk before the skies opened again. We all met at 8 am at Quest for a coffee before heading home to decide how to spend Ali and Brett’s last full day in Burleigh, given the limited options due to the weather. The sun actually appeared as we mulling over options and so we decided to head back to Burleigh village to stroll the shops and to have brunch. The sun didn’t last too long though and we were all glad we had chosen to wear thongs and take our umbrellas.
Our afternoon was spent finishing off a movie and resting before heading out to Rick Shore’s for dinner. It was such a pity the weather was so miserable for this evening as the restaurant is one that makes much of its open location right above the breaking waves of Burleigh; a wet night with the large windows and doors closed would not do the place justice.
Last few days: Wed March 30th – Sat April 2nd
Wednesday
Ali and Brett were to leave on Wednesday morning and we’d hoped to get a walk in before their long drive. Unfortunately, the rain put an end to those plans and so they packed up and we went down to the Village for a last coffee with them before they set off.
The heavy rain eventually cleared enough for Mark to get a ride in and for me to have a swim. I felt a bit lost after Brett and Ali’s departure and the apartment felt rather empty. Mark and had sushi for lunch and bought some supplies to have a night dining in, the first night doing so for weeks!
Thursday
It was a clear and sunny morning, following a few days of rain, and so Mark set out for a bike ride and I went for a walk. We met for coffee at Quest afterwords and then to The Lakes Brewhouse, at Varsity Lakes near Bond University, for lunch. It was another fairly quiet evening of dining in.
Friday
It was a beautiful sunrise for our last full day in Burleigh Heads. Mark set off on a bike ride whilst I went for a walk and we met up at Quest, again, for coffee. There was little on the plan for today other than buying Mark a new pair of sand shoes and heading to The Tropic for our last Burleigh meal. The in between was spent by the pool and enjoying the spectacular view from this lovely apartment. We will be setting off tomorrow to make our way home via South West Rocks.
