Day 47 - Level of frustration?

11.02.23

Since the sun sets an hour earlier, it logically rises an hour earlier in the morning. So it is already very bright at half past five and we wake up for the first time. We are still too lazy to get up, so we go back to sleep. But it's over at quarter past seven. We get up, explore the nearby Tedder Street and look out for the bike rental we found on our app. Today we want to explore the area by bike. Unfortunately, we can't find the rental (probably it doesn't exist anymore). So we turn back, have breakfast, and our beloved toaster gives up the ghost. Rest in peace...

We take the tram to the 'city center' and check out the rental shops we spotted on Google. Unfortunately, we are disappointed here too. The shops are there, but only scooters, tri-bikes and similar are rented. So we ask at an information point. There we are informed that we can only get normal bikes by phone. Marco calls and tries to rent two bikes for today. But that's not possible today. They don't have any bikes left for today, but for tomorrow. Therefore, we quickly change our plan from a bike exploration tour and surfing in Coolangatta.

Back on the tram, we quickly reach Vicky's and head straight off. In Coolangatta, we steer to the first surf shop we see and rent a board for the whole afternoon. On the beach, Marco grabs the board and tries his luck in the tumult of the rolling waves. He started with a lot of enthusiasm and returned from the water very frustrated. The waves are unpredictable and follow in rapid succession, so he neither catches a wave nor stands on one. Since the wave situation doesn't improve and the temperature is high, we need some cheering up. An apple crumble muffin with 2 cappuccinos does the trick.

We go back to the beach and aim for a different section of the sea. Maybe it works better there. Now it's Sarah's turn. She tries and tries, but nothing works either. She returns to the beach. Frustration is limited. It's just not meant to be. Marco starts attempt number 2. Marco fails miserably even on V2. That can't be right. Sarah starts her attempt number 2. Finally - well, the attempt is finally over - without a wave. Frustration level high - even with an inaudible, energetic exclamation at sea.

Today it's not meant to be. Well, it's still very beautiful here. But internally, it's annoying. At half past four, Marco takes the board one last time. The waves come and go. Marco comes and stands after several attempts. He quickly sprints out of the water (like many other surfers) and convinces Sarah to make one last attempt - even if motivation and strength are not quite as high anymore. Sarah also catches a few waves. Frustration low avoided. Finally, we look at the clock and see that we have to return the board in 10 minutes, as the shop closes at 5:30 p.m.

At the beach, we decide to eat out today. Somehow we deserve it. We change into dry clothes and end up in a pizzeria. But we don't have enough room for gelato anymore. The pizza was too big. We drive the 40 minutes back and safely arrive at our campsite.