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Sunshine Coast
  • Troys Travels
November 2023

Sunshine Coast

A Mid November ๐Ÿ“… Pre Silly ๐Ÿ™ƒ Season ๐ŸŽ„escape ๐ŸŒŠ to consistent weather โ˜€๏ธ & kindred spirits ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿคโค๏ธ Read more
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  • Trip start
    November 17, 2023
    Troys TravelsSunshine CoastTraveler

    Magical Montville โ˜€๏ธ

    November 17, 2023 in Australia โ‹… โ˜๏ธ 22 ยฐC

    It is always such a buzz at the airport! โœˆ๏ธ๐Ÿ•บ๐Ÿผ…Seriously, no other place gives me such a sense of freedom and adventure… it is exceptionally atmospheric at the moment due to the Christmas ๐ŸŽ„ vibe! I can only imagine the exhilarating feeling of travelling ๐Ÿงญ overseas (…to London perhaps ๐Ÿ˜‰) for the festive season.

    It is so nice to know I am heading out of Melbourne‘s unpredictable weather to, what I hope ๐Ÿคž will be plenty of sunshine โ˜€๏ธ and consistent temperatures! Melbourne weather has been exasperating lately. The wind ๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ was freezing ๐Ÿฅถ on the tarmac! ๐Ÿ˜ณ

    Arrived at the ‘International’ terminal of Maroochydore Airport to be greeted by cloudy skies, and 73% humidity and Robyn and Mike greeted me & we headed to the Surf ๐Ÿ„‍โ™‚๏ธ club at Bob Downe’s old stomping ground: Mooloolaba for a refreshing XXXX ๐Ÿบ then continued on to the hills to Montville, where they are now residing. It’s a great little village with a Dandenong Ranges Sassafras-type feel & vibe. Their apartment sits atop a coffee shop and a bakery; both owned by a friendly local who greeted us on arrival. Robyn has the fairy lights twinkling โœจ on a balcony overlooking the village with the Italian ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น bunting flapping in the breeze ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿคโค๏ธ

    Robyn prepared a delicious spread of typical Italian meats, cheeses ๐Ÿง€ olives ๐Ÿซ’ and scrumptious pickled cauliflower with olive bread ๐Ÿฅ– Such a great treat which inevitably led to much talk about Italy & sharing photos of past trips.

    We walked along the main street of Montville as the wind ๐ŸŒฌ๏ธ rustled through the trees ๐ŸŒณ and Christmas ๐ŸŽ„ lights adorned the buildings. We even saw a kookaburra sitting quietly on an art installation looking a bit lost…

    Back at the apartment we had some delicious poached pears that tasted of red wine, cloves, cinnamon and sugar with marscapone cheese. A perfect way to finish a delightful day ๐Ÿฅฐ    Read more

  • Troys TravelsSunshine CoastTraveler
    Garlic, Cheese & Cream Hungarian Street foodReady for Stevie Twirls ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐ŸผYummy Gnocchi ๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿคค๐Ÿคค๐ŸคคIt was HUGE! ๐Ÿ™ˆ๐Ÿ™ˆ๐Ÿ™ˆ

    Eumundi Market

    November 18, 2023 in Australia โ‹… โ˜๏ธ 24 ยฐC

    One of the best markets that I have ever been to! It is full of delicious food and amazing handicrafts and unique and quality. One off treasures! I have been here before and Amaze me, how extensive and interesting it is…

    Robyn and I enjoyed some delicious street food from Hungary ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡บ and Italy ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น (Wow ๐Ÿคฉ…just realised their flags are the same colours, but just different direction of stripes!) We had the best tiramisu from the sexy Venezuelan, who features in the photos ๐Ÿ˜‰๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜˜

    I was drawn to a hand painted stone necklace with a Koi fish on it and was tempted to buy it but left it there. As we were driving out of the town we took a wrong turn and ended up back there. I told Robyn it was obviously destiny to go back and buy the necklace. The Koi fish represents prosperity and good fortune and perseverance in the face of adversity! Very apt! Seems like fate drew me back into the town so I could have it! ๐Ÿ 

    Six years ago today Leanne and I were at Stevie Nicks’ concert out at Rochford Winery and today at the market a pink Kimono ๐Ÿ‘˜ with ‘Stevie sleeves’ with a ripper quote on the back: “Don’t be a lady…Be a legend” …knew I had to let LT know and, sure enough, she wanted it and has even given me permission to do some ‘Stevie twirls’ later today after a few vinos ๐Ÿท if I feel like it ๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ˜œ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ’ƒ๐Ÿผ

    Great part of a relaxing ๐ŸŒ
    short break is just to drop anchor โš“๏ธ lay down, turn the fan on for a cool, refreshing breeze while the birds ๐Ÿฆ chirp in the trees ๐ŸŒณ and have a nap ๐Ÿ˜ด for an hour before surfacing and enjoying some adult libations before dinner ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ ๐ŸŒ

    Speaking of dinner: take a look at the ribs!
    …Flintstones, meet the Flintstones!
    ๐Ÿ˜ณ๐Ÿคฆ๐Ÿป‍โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ•บ๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ™ˆ    Read more

  • Troys TravelsSunshine CoastTraveler
    Had to do it!

    Lilianas Italian ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น Lunch

    November 19, 2023 in Australia โ‹… โ˜๏ธ 26 ยฐC

    A very leisurely morning strolling around the local Montville shops and then dropped by the Big Pineapple ๐Ÿ for the obligatory photo (…reminded me of day We stopped in Pisa, just to take a photo with the leaning tower… then continued on…) then we went into Maroochydore to Liliana’s Italian Trattoria ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

    We shared a delicious platter of fresh soft cheese ๐Ÿง€ prosciutto which had been aged for 12 months, grilled tomatoes ๐Ÿ… bursting with flavour, herbed olives ๐Ÿซ’ Nonna’s delectable meatballs and zesty balsamic vinegar served on rocket salad with an Italian oil dressing. It was served with a warm home-made focaccia ๐Ÿคค
    We also had Sicilian cheesy arancini balls served with a rich meat Bolognese sauce. They were delicious ๐Ÿ˜‹

    Main course: Linguine with seafood ๐Ÿฆ with a zingy lemon ๐Ÿ‹ flavour. This was washed down with a crisp Pinot Grigio with faint notes of citrus fruit, apples and a hint of spice.

    After lunch, we dropped in on Robyn‘s Mum Dallas to say hello. We were all so full we just wanted to get back to the apartment and have a lie down… That satisfied feeling when you know you have had sufficient food for the rest of the day!

    Mike has been really getting into The Crown ๐Ÿ‘‘ and in down time I’m also enjoying becoming reacquainted with its’ brilliant acting ๐ŸŽญ style & attention to detail…    Read more

  • Troys TravelsSunshine CoastTraveler
    Gingerbread Men
    Misty MountainRick's Diner ๐Ÿ”Wet but wonderfulClock ๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ shopStill warm โœจMarie Antoinette dress in denim

    Misty Montville ๐ŸŒง๏ธ

    November 20, 2023 in Australia โ‹… ๐ŸŒง 22 ยฐC

    Birds ๐Ÿฆ chirping in the trees ๐ŸŒฒ which are covered with thick, mysterious and mystifying fog… Rain ๐ŸŒง๏ธ lightly falling through the pale purple jacaranda trees. Christmas ๐ŸŽ„ lights twinkling โœจ on shopfronts in the misty mountain air…

    Temperatures still at 21° so shorts are still appropriate. Umbrella ๐ŸŒ‚ in hand, I meandered along the historic and atmospheric Montville shopping strip. There are many antique, unique gift, cafes, restaurants & even a small clock ๐Ÿ•ฐ๏ธ shop… it was actually very pleasant wandering around with few people to contend with.

    Settlers arrived to 'Razorback'in 1887, the town was later named 'Montville' by Henry Smith after his childhood memories of Montville in the USA. Montville was predominantly a logging then farming community until a tourism boom which commenced during the 1970s.

    We also went to the Buderim Ginger factory and to Ricks diner where we had American diner style burgers ๐Ÿ” and fries ๐ŸŸ

    A very welcome and enjoyable, leisurely day ๐Ÿฅฐ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿป๐Ÿšถ๐Ÿป‍โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿฆ‍โฌ›๐ŸŒง๏ธโ˜”๏ธโœจ    Read more

  • Troys TravelsSunshine CoastTraveler

    Home Again!

    November 21, 2023 in Australia โ‹… ๐ŸŒง 23 ยฐC

    Robyn and I ventured back into Maroochydore this morning and after some shopping ๐Ÿ›๏ธ we went to a local hotel ๐Ÿจ and had a delicious roast ๐Ÿ‘ lunch.

    The flight home was seamless after a delay of an hour. Travelling is always tiring so I’m looking forward to a good nights’ sleep ๐Ÿ˜ด

    It has been lovely to catch up with Robyn & Mike in their cute apartment overlooking the quaint village of Montville.    Read more

    Trip end
    November 21, 2023
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