Where we live.

I swear we live in one of the most beautiful parts of South East Queensland. The above photo is looking from the Redcliffe Jetty over to the Port of Brisbane.



Looking from Scarborough north to the Glasshouse Mountains at sunset.




A blustery day looking out over Moreton Bay to Moreton Island from Scarbough.

Looking east over Moreton Bay towards Moreton Island from the Redcliffe Jetty at sunrise.

One of the boats moored at the end of the Redcliffe Jetty.

Tasmania

We lived in Tasmania for 2 1/2 years. We didn't get a chance to explore as much as I would have liked and unfortunately I lost many photos from the adventures we did have. However these are a couple of my favourites.

Snowing at our house on the Eastern Shore. It was September if I recall and by mid-morning was a beautiful sunny day.

View of Mt Wellington from Kangaroo Bay at Bellerive.

Kangaroo Bay at Bellerive with the Bellerive Marina and Mt Wellington in the background.

Looking towards the Eastern Shore over the Derwant from the hill in the Botanic Gardens in Hobart. The fog on the river is the Bridgewater Jerry.

Mt Tamborine.

Mt Tamborine was lovely. We did a short walk that was what seemed like 1000 steps down....oh man I struggled! But it was still lovely. I wish I remembered the name of the falls there.

We stopped on the side of the road and just took in the views west. It was truly spectacular.

Springbrook National Park

On the drive up to Springbrook National Park we stopped at a small picnic area just to have a look. We noticed a little path so we walked down and checked it out and came across this magnificant swimming hole. It has a rocky stream leading to it and then there is the swimming hole and then it leads off again to a stream. I can['t wait to take the kids there so we can all go for a swim.

At Springbrook we went for a walk to Natural Bridge. It is about a 2km circuit. It was amazing. Going under the 'bridge' and seeing where the waterfall goes into is dark and so loud. It roars. Being there is exhilarating. I wish I had better photos....I need a better camera.

Lamington National Park

I love Lamington National Park. I don't love the drive there so much with all the twists and bends and being on the side of the mountains. But the views are stunning....breathtaking. And driving through the rainforest is quite exhilatrating.

We did a short walk from the Green Mountains section. It was just inder 2kms I believe and took us past the treetops walk. I am terrified of heights and the thought of walking on the wobbly chain and wood plank bridge was scary but I overcame those fears and just did it. I am glad I did as well....it literally took my breath away being up that high and looking down. In some parts you couldn't even see the ground for the trees.

Walking on the track made me realise that I want to get fit and do these types of things more....by myself and with the kids. It just felt so good. It made me feel alive.

The Green Mountains section is well known because of O'Reilly's and the story of the Stinson. It is one of my favourite Aussie hero stories. I would love to do the walk to the crash site but that requires a high fitness level. But it will happen.

Australia Zoo!

For 6 months I had been putting all the change that I cam across into a money tin with the idea of using the money for a big outing. And on 6 May 2010 the day had come! We had $220 saved and we headed off early to Australia Zoo. The kids were excited and I was excited for them. I was a bit hesitant tho and didn't believe it could be that great.

We arrived just on opening and walked in....at first I was even less impressed however we found our way through the alligator enclosures to the kangaroo area. The kids have seen kangaroos on dozens of occasions but they still love them. The kangaroos are so docile and sweet.





After the kangaroos we made our way through the enclosure with the koalas and spied quite a few. Olivia had a pat and was quite impressed.



We also had the good luck to see the 3 elephants being walked down to where the shows are held. We were so close and I think I was more excited than the kids were. On our way back down to check out the Croc show we ran into a worker there who told us if we hung around for a few minutes we would see the Cheetahs going on their morning walk. So we did! They were absolutely gorgeous!! They were eyeing Noah off though....not sure why as there is not much meat on him! We were told not to run as it is in the cheetah nature to chase!



During the rest of the day we wandered around and checked out the shows...the birds of prey show was fantastic and looked at all the animals. We saw the tiger show which was amazing however because of the glass and the position of the sun it was impossible to get pics. At one stage one of the tigers came right up to where one of the boys was standing behind the glass. I think I was again more excited than the kids.

Next up was the elephant feeding! Again I was more excited than the kids. Zac did not even want to do it but being the bad mumma that I am I forced him to do it the first time but the 2nd time he was ready to go!







After a long day we left at about 4:30pm and I had to admit it was a fantastic day, enjoyed by all 4 of us.

Oh dear! I have been a tad lax!

Perhaps a fresh start is in order? I was going to be weak and just start a new blog....but figured I had to accept the fact I have been lazy and not achieved what I wanted with this blog....so here I am. I wasn't sure how to intergrate and share life before blog with the present but I guess I am just going to have to dive in and do it!

I am currently in the midst of completing my so called 'bucket list'. I have had the list half finished for years but am detirmined to finish it because I so love plans and lists!

Ohhhhhh scary!!! ~ 25-08-09 (More 2009 adventures)

The junior school had a dress up concert and did dances for us parents..... apparently very similar dances to last years dress up concert....thankfully Jo and Donna helped entertain me and I them!

Kids were cute of course!

It was the cat apparently! (Part of our 2009 adventures)

On Monday the 31st of August Noah decided that playing with my 3kg handweights would be a fantastic idea. Unfortunately for him apparently Lily decided that she would like to help. The ensuing panic involved lots of screaming and crying (not just from Noah) and a trip up to the hospital.

We were lucky enough to be seen almost straight away and Noah was very brave when he got his x-rays taken. After a short wait and having 2 doctors view the x-rays we were given the all clear to go home with the advice of applying ice packs and getting him using it soon. He didn't go to school that week but I did make him do swimming lessons.

On the Friday afternoon I received a call from a doctor at the hospital asking me to bring Noah back as after a review of his x-rays 2 fractures were found in 2 bones. The first cast that was put on was so heavy that he was unable to walk or lift it. He was a very unhappy chappy.








The following Tuesday we went to the fracture clinic where the smaller cast was put on. There was some confusion amongst the doctors about the suitability of a waterproof cast because the kids were due to fly to Melbourne only 10 days later! So a waterproof one was decided against. Noah got to choose is cast colour and although he started counting down the days till it's removal almost immediately he was able to return to school and get around fairly well, even engaging in a spot of soccer.





The first Saturday after the kids returned from Melbourne they had a swimming carnival to participate in, so Noah missed out. But while we were there I noticed black water leaking out of the cast.....and as the day continued the smell got worse and I did the mumma panic thing.....so we ended up back at the hospital. Fortunately we didn't have to wait long and the decision was made to remove the cast a few days earlier than planned. When the cast came off some of Noahs skin peeled off and the inside of the cast was in pretty bad condition. Thankfully within a couple of weeks the skin had heeled and Noah was walking properly.

Zac turns 7!

While it is the begining of a new year, with lots of hope, wishes and dreams firmly being planted in my mind, it is also my sweet things birthday!

It started last night with a mad dash to Scarborough to catch the early fireworks. I had no idea where they were happening so just followed all the other cars. O thought I was very silly....and yet we got there, managed to get a good park and got there just as it was starting. Zac decided he was pretty lucky to get fireworks as an introduction to his birthday. I realised sadly that my either my camera sucks....or I am going to have to actually read the instruction manual.



This morning I was woken by a very eager 7 year old and his faithful side kicks for present opening. He got an animal encyclopedia, a microscope, a big lego set and a mecano set. The lego was built with help from his little brother straight away and then we had cake! His choice of chocolate with smarties.



Yes I broke the candle....and yes someone nicked a smartie from the side when I wasn't looking!




One big puff and they all start to go out.....



Except I forgot that one of the candles was one of those trick ones that keeps relighting itself. I think that was the highlight of the morning the way all 3 kids were giggling.

After cake and checking out what blood and hair looked like under the microscope Zac and I got stuck into the Mecano.

It even has a battery so the rotor thing turns! And I followed pictorial directions!

Unfortunately we missed out on our planned trip to the Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens as Zac wanted to play with all of his new toys before he went to Melbourne, however that will be on the agenda when the kids get back in 13 days.