We go to Eumundi, 20km from Noosa. The town is spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, with options ranging from relaxed cafes and iconic pubs right through to fine restaurant fare. Jeni and I spent a few hours in BerkelouW, on the main street, while Linda and Mary shop. I blog, and Jeni reads her book.
Eumundi Market is very well known and held twice a week.
How it all started... "It was 1979 when ceramic artist Christa Barton and her friend Gail Perry-Somers came up with the idea of holding a European style “artisans and farmers” market in Eumundi. What attracted people then, as now, was the town’s openness, sense of community, a retail base for local small crop growers and locally produced crafts, and the offer of a retail base for out-of-work young people – to develop their skills in handicrafts and food preparation.
On 24 March 1979 three marketeers gamely set up their stalls around the CWA Hall, with refreshments served inside. There was a grand total of eight visitors and a turnover of $30. The Original Eumundi Markets was up and running!
Eumundi Market, after a year gained a reputation as a source of energy, variety, freshness and friendliness, properties that still characterise it today. But it was the ‘locally made’ policy of its founders that has made the markets unique."
The market grows...
"By 1985, The Original Eumundi Markets had 97 stalls, with an estimated attendance of 143,000 people for the year. By 1990, it had grown to 203 stalls, with some 260,000 visitors for the year. By the early 90’s, Eumundi Markets had became a ‘must do’ – for interstate and overseas visitors holidaying in the region. It also proved the perfect distance for day trippers from Brisbane after some quality retail therapy. By the year 2000, the market had grown to 350 stalls, and in 2002, the Original Eumundi Markets expanded to include Wednesday as well."
Below is the first market.
And now.
Australia made.
And American made. A cronut is "a croissant-doughnut pastry invented by New York City pastry chef Dominique Ansel. The pastry resembles a doughnut and is made from croissant-like dough which is filled with flavored cream and fried in grapeseed oil."
Mary and Linda head off around the National Park coast to Sunshine Beach. Mary is one of these ultra athletes and is training at 60 for a run and cycle teams event. I say no to the walk as I have an almighty blister on my right heel. I swim instead.
I bumped into some friends at Noosa Beach yesterday and arranged to catch up with them this morning. They are Mark and Deb Thompson. They are regulars to Noosa and are now grandparents, and their adult children with family reunite in Noosa. On the far right is Mark's swim and coach buddy. Yes I only have one dress. It must have been the easiest to put on!
And then here are Sara and Kerry Hamilton, more Kiwi friends. These guys road cycle 50-100km a day when they are in Noosa. They are also grandparents. Gee, they look 20 too - it must be the Noosa lifestyle.
And their friends - Sue Dalzell and Paul Dempsey. I invited myself in. It was so great to catch up with old friends. We had so much fun in our 20's. Last year we just picked up where we left off which I loved, and now this year too. And I love meeting new people too.
Linda and Mary went looking for dolphins again, around the coast. They saw them and did not catch them surfing. I picked them up from Sunshine Coast. We did some shopping.
Cassie cuts my hair. Am I looking nearer her age? (No comment, Ed.)
Mum meanwhile is having her first swim in ages, with Mary. (Linda took the photo)
Then we have our nails done at Noosa Nails. A "bloke", as Jeni would say, does hers. It is the first time I have seen a "bloke" in a nail bar. He takes a shine to Jeni. I find out they are all from Vietnam and they all live together. I did notice the "fun" vibe in this place. A happy family causing painted nails! We get our fingers and toes painted.
Then we are at the local Rock Salt cafe just below Jeni's apartment.
Jeni has her traditional oysters (not so many as they are $5 per oyster). The ones in town, if you have been reading other days in Noosa, were $1 each.
And another for the blog of Mum and I. She really is so loveable. Tonight we play more 500, and Jeni is always the winner. It must be all those books she reads through the day.
