LetteroftheWeek

Have strong opinions, write in an engaging way? You could win our Letter of the Week, and with it a book from our friends and sponsors, the publishers HarperCollins. This month’s book prize is Those Other Women by Nicola Moriarty. Rivalries and resentments between mums and child-free women spiral wildly out of control in this compelling new book by the bestselling author of The Fifth Letter.

JUST like to say a big thank you to the Bulletin for the piece about “Federal to Falls” in this weekend’s Gold Coast Eye magazine.

As much as I’ve been loving GC2018 I had to get away for a few days. My partner and I took ourselves off to Brunswick Heads caravan park – it’s so chilled, quiet and tranquil.

Bought the weekend Bulletin and it was a really interesting read from cover to cover about the Commonwealth Games and getting on board to support our locals in Broadbeach, Surfers, Southport etc. As a past small business owner I really feel for small businesses doing it tough – I have told everyone that will listen to get out there and support our local community. We are excited to be going to the athletics finals on Saturday and will be sure to venture into Broadbeach afterwards for a feed and entertainment.

But the real reason for writing is to say thank you ?? or your piece about taking a trip to Minyon Falls.

I can honestly say it was one of the best days ever – one of those days when it goes way beyond your expectations.

I’m so pumped I’m still reflecting at night some five hours later – complete with jelly legs from the epic walk.

Arrived at Minyon Falls lookout at 1.30pm – what an amazing lookout. Was an amazing walk down through epic rainforest, amazing huge gum trees, birds tweeting, full on rain forest and that smell of rainforest dampness and nature.

Crossing the rocks and the river was precarious but so much fun. It took me back to my childhood climbing over rocks at “High Force” in Yorkshire, England – happy memories of family, childhood hikes with aunties, uncles, cousins, Mam, dad, brothers and sisters and picnics.

Talking to the odd person there and connecting with them about the awesomeness of the walk down and the end view was lovely, reconnecting on a simple human level appreciating nature at its absolute best. The climb back up was fab. Marching like I was on a military exercise but determined to make it back up in good time.

It felt so great to push myself in such an amazing environment. By the end the sense of accomplishment was just the best.

Smiles all around, feeling great physically, mentally, emotionally. And to top it all off we were rewarded on the way home by stopping at grassy picnic area with the best view of Minyon Falls from afar. A really superb day that far surpassed our expectations. Thank you so much for giving us the idea to get out and explore it.

ALI AND LEE

THE inclusion of para events with other events has made the Gold Coast Games a Games to remember.

These competitors think and breathe as others do and are to be admired for their courage. Their “heroics” outshine those of ablebodied athletes but, in most cases, they prefer humility.

Some absolutely mind blowing performances have been witnessed, performances which should make the couch potatoes of this world sit up and take notice.

We can at times be a lazy mob for no reason other than a lack of will power. Exercising is free and it’s time people realised that and put it to good use. Increasing fitness levels should be a common goal for all Aussies.

KEN JOHNSTON, ROCHEDALE SOUTH

PRIME Minister Turnbull – why spend $1 billion of federal money with an equal amount from Queensland to upgrade M1 with

two more lanes. With the increase in population and the usual squabbling between the Queensland and Federal governments it will be in gridlock before it is finished.

Why not spend the money on more reliable and price affordable electricity as Australian industries are uncompetitive with the world market?

You say people will be able to spend more time with their families with less travelling by widening the M1.

Well, people will have plenty of time with their families as they will have no jobs when the factories relocate overseas.

But on a lighter note, why not learn from GOLDOC head honcho Peter Beattie on how to solve the traffic problem – he has managed to stop the M1 gridlock and the Gold Coast streets are so quiet and serene, families can enjoy a game of cricket in the street.

ANGELO, BIGGERA WATERS

FOUR hours travel by car, train and bus, return, and $120, all for 1 hour 10 minutes of Commonwealth Games swimming on Saturday morning. Program was advertised as being from 10.30 am till 1 pm. Not even half the advertised time. Sure feel duded.

PETER PEIFFER, CURRIMUNDI

THERE is no room in our jails, that is fact. When people complain about early release or people on parole after breaking parole conditions, that is the reason. The fact is we need more jails and to build them in areas that need employment.

Surely this is obvious to even our present government. Please get these thugs off our streets.

ROD WATSON, SURFERS PARADISE