Polar goes to the Beach @ Bribie Island

While many club members were out to assist some crazy guzzlers through the night, a few decided a more relaxed day was in order…

It was Polar’s first attempt at a trip leading for the club with Andy behind the wheel. Michelle also brought a friend along for the ride. It was an early departure from the Bayside as ‘someone’ miscalculated the time it was going to take for us to get to twin servos. They ‘might’ have had to avoid tolls selected in the GPS! At least we got to watch the sun rise heading up…

It was just going to be a 5-car trip. It turned out we were all new in some way, shape or form. All fuelled up with coffee & brekkie we then found out 1 in our group was allergic to coffee, as the circle all took a step back for the driver briefing.

It was still a little fresh with some of the group regretting their thong choice, others all rugged up, but that would soon change.

Polar led the way & Evan took TEC duties with Jackson, his son, on UHF duties for the day. He did a cracking job keeping the lead  up to date.

An easy convoy drive from the BP Twin servos to Bribie headed through Woorim & to the Ocean Beach access car park to air down. We had a round of ‘fun facts about ourselves’ over the UHF to help us get to know each other.

We knew we were due to hit the beach just after high tide, but after keeping an eye on tide heights it was a low high & I had my fingers crossed we’d be fine & that others might be put off meaning it shouldn’t be busy.

Tyres down, it was time to hit the beach. The short access track wasn’t too choppy & no one had any traction challenges getting to the beach. The tide had turned, but if you wanted the firmer sand, then you dealt with the whoop de doo’s or the slightly softer but smoother ride.

After a few ks on the beach, the sea had receded enough for a very pleasant drive with the windows down listening to the gentle lapping of the waves, the sun was up & it was shaping to be a great day. 

A stop at camping area ‘P’ for a pee break for some before heading up to the end of permitted driving just before the forts. Quick photo opportunity before choosing our own part of the beach to lay our claim for the day. 

Awnings & walls went up to give us a big enough area for all of us, Then the ocean called. Well, it called 2 of us anyway. Apparently the rest of the group said it was too cold…

The sea was refreshing but not too cold & crystal clear as where we were there weren’t any rolling or breaking waves.

Snacks were laid out & consumed before most felt like a walk to & around the forts.  I gave a very poor insight into their history but never let the truth get in the way of a good story!

Returning to our set-up, it was time for lunch, some cooked-up sausages, some pre-made theirs & some had a bag of crisps!

After some more unwinding and relaxing, it was time to pack up & head home.  We’d chosen the inland track to add a bit of variety & recent weather conditions meant it shouldn’t provide any challenges with soft sand.  Don & Gail had their camper on the back of the Ranger, so they said they wouldn’t be too quick, although they were actually the ones in front of our group making it a very slow journey back to Whitepatch.

Airing up at the car park at the end, we let everyone know we were going to use the under-body wash to get a big chunk of the day off our chassis etc, so the job at home wouldn’t be as bad. Everyone decided to come with us too. So we had round 2 of fun facts, this time-sharing something you learnt about someone else.

I had a great day, hopefully everyone else did too.

Until next time….

Polar, Andy & Michelle