Trip to Burleigh Heads

 We finally made it to Burleigh Heads to choose the colours of the new van. Had to leave at 6.15am for the 3 1/2 hrs. it took which was a bit of a shock to get up at 5, but managed to pack morning tea and lunch in time. What a beautiful day it was also, coolish in the morning but the day was lovely. We had morning tea at New Italy sitting on a log in the sun and arrived in time to the Caravan place for our 10am appointment.

Entrance area

 

The office was at the end of an entrance of caravans, and a fairly large back area.

Workshop are as they do repairs as well.

Walking back down a hill to the office.

The service was great tea first when we arrived and cappucino when we finished.

We checked out the van that was at the show as I liked the colours in that. We also had a 2nd look at the outside swirls and lines as we had to choose that as well. In the end chose aqua plain stripe with the Hinterland icon which had a sun and what represented leaves and again chose aqua, with silver/grey above the black metal around the bottom, and silver wheels.

This is a red version, but painted wheels was not our thing.

 The interior is white gloss cupboards around the top, and what I thought was grey is actually a bronze colour on the leather seats and cupboard doors, and a motley bronze/grey bench, and brown grain floor. 

Extras John added were a camera for backing and seeing cars behind as we drive, a heavy duty wire to hook up the big fridge separately to an anderson plug as we drive along, and a electronic stability control system so the van doesn't accidently sway and fishtail from the car in case of some accident, this makes the insurance cheaper as well. My thing to add was two 12 volt fans in the bedroom area one on either side as it is 2 single beds.

As it was nearly lunch time we headed down to the beach area. What a wonderful area Burleigh Heads has. Fabulous board walk and the beach was very clean. Loved the seat made to look like surfboards. 

Park seemed very busy for a Friday morning.

Gold Coast high rise in the distance.

Life saving area we overlooked.

On the way home we called in at Woodburn and had a coffee at the oldest cafe. There was a huge cup and saucer and next door John took a couple of photos at a gift shop while I waited. Luckily didn't go in looked really good, but we are saving hard at the moment. 

I would have bought a little dog if I had seen them.

So true.

As we were sitting there a huge flock of  Blue Eyed Cockatoos flew and landed in all the trees on the opposite side of the road and went to sleep. Amazing to watch. 

 

 It was a great day overall and lovely to get away from the house. Now we wait till maybe late August, as there is a bit of a backlog after the caravan show. Suits us as we can save more.

Till Next Time. 

Lunch at Clog Barn, Hot Weather Gardening.

 It has been a hot week and I am so tired from it, no energy at all. Today is a bit cooler and hopefully it will rain, but I suspect it will miss us. I am not sure what to do about the garden at the moment.

Latest carrot bed still 3 others to pick from though.

   Lots of carrots and beans to pick, zuchinni  coming along nicely as well. 

Beans outdoing us so getting too big in some cases.

Silver beet is on its way out, and new ones coming on.

The cucumber has been hit with powdery mildew, so I need to plant another one. They are quick to grow in this weather. The trouble is we are going to Sydney for Christmas for a week, which is enough to have most green leafy things die, then I might be back again to mind the children 2 weeks before school starts.

The new lot of tomatoes have been difficult to grow this time. I blame the weather it hasn't been consistent, either full on rain in the beginning, a couple of nice weeks,then super winds, now super heat.

Mr Stripey large cherry tomatoes.

A new lot of plantings.

The soil we used to top the beds with is horrible, it drys out very quickly and sets hard. Our favourite landscaper closed down so we were trying a new one. It needs more water holding stuff so when I am able will have to dig in a heap of finely chopped hay and what ever natural compost I have ready.

The general rule is to not garden in sub tropical from November to March just use up what you have and start again so I am thinking this is the best thing for now, considering everything. 

This week was our embroidery ladies Christmas Lunch. We exchanged home made biscuits or slice and I got a nice chocolate slice, and ended up giving jam drops. They turned out so well will make some more.

We went to the Clog Barn. This has a shop set on a Dutch theme and the restaurant next door, with some dutch food. I had a Thai Chicken Crepe but it came literally  floating in a runny sauce and tasted all right but the presentation was horrible, so very disapointing

Both Shops together.

 It wasn't air conditioned either and the day was 32C, other than that it was a day out and enjoyable.

Not long now till the end of the year, and only 19 days till Christmas. Hope you are ready!

Till Next Time.

Sydney Family Visit.

 Well it is school holiday time and the Sydney Family and my 3 gorgeous grandchildren have come for a visit, and staying at a time share and enjoying the facilities it offers. Miss J who received the quillo a few weeks ago has grown so much. She started high school this year and seems to have doubled in height. Officially past me now, but only just lol. Confirmation that I am shrinking. 

Miss P  my little apprentice and Miss V from the local family arrived on Saturday for the helping grandma session and this time I chose to start organizing the craft rooms.

This is where I work for my sewing.

 I am getting bogged down with everything and need a major tidy up. 

So we took everything off the shelves and Miss V who is 7, sprayed everything and wiped it all clean. 

Area behind the sewing table. with Mum's lovely tapestry.

More bits and pieces

Separating it all out.

We got going really well for an hour or so, then the Sydney kids turned up so I offered to mind them while the parents went and shopped for food, and had lunch out. So all this was stopped and we did some cake baking, 3 in all which mean 3 groups. One banana cake, a batch of chocolate balls and a choc chip coconut slice, and toasted cheese sandwiches for lunch as it was all I had. Luckily!!!

Then they went off and ran up and down the hill till mum and dad arrived. I think this project will be a slow one.

 Today though I got picked up for Brunch at a local cafe, via the garden where John was packing up the market tables. 

                                                       The flowers are looking lovely.

I actually had a bunch to bring home as they didn't sell. So a nice change from my sweet peas.

The garden is really impressive, just as you would  think for Spring. 

Taken through the hanging baskets.

One of us got roped into help pack up.

Brunch was very nice, and I was surprised they found a table for all 7 of us. The street seemed to be full of diners along the sidewalk.

 

 

 We then went off to the Headland but it was super windy. Caught a couple of whales also in the water,  and again seemed like everyone was out for a Sunday stroll even if they got blown away on the hill.

Overlooking the Rock Pool where there was a group thing.

My family

There is a few things planned getting both families together, so fingers crossed the weather stays nice, at least for the wind to stop blowing.

Hope everyone is also having a good weekend 

Till Next Time. 

ABC - Arthritis, Lunch Break, Choir

Finally got to see my Dr. this week, she took one look at me barely walking in and promptly gave me a prescription for Prednisone, bone density tests, blood tests and a new appointment tomorrow. Prednisone thins the bones which as I was on it fairly long term before I have to be very careful having a fall, as I am sure to break something. Anyway after much protesting she let me be on it just 10 days, as it is one of those drugs you have to scale back on. It certainly stopped the pain but noticing again today it is coming back, as I downsize the dosage, so hopefully will start something better tomorrow.

Dec 11th.2017

This didn't stop me going out although I have been driven everywhere not trusting myself and Jan and I did a weekly visit to  Mum's, again who is looking very frail.

Alzheimers is such a sad disease, when the person you love remembers nothing or can't speak.

Nov. 28th. 2019

  I missed my embroidery class Monday but we had our Christmas Luncheon at a cafe set in a garden.

There is a great shop attached as well. We exchanged home made goodies which was great as none of us need anymore things.

The chicken collector in me loved this stand.

The Sawtello Choir is being asked to do a few "gigs" and yesterday we sang at a fund raising for the Bush Fire Brigades, which was an all day thing. We sang at about 5.30 at the Coramba Pub, and it was the noisiest crowd. Lots of rock bands  had been playing and raffles, and auctions being held so we were quite a change. After our Choir Leader explained we were a Gospel Choir as he turned around and got us organized, someone yelled "Hurry up Pastor" which made our Alto group who was nearest laugh, as Andrew  is just a choir leader, and not many of us go to church anyway. I think the nickname will stick.

Inside the pub

Part of the donated Auctions and Raffle Prizes.

We sang our way through noise, laughter, chatter, waitresses and watching a  drunk  fello trying to join in, one bizarre moment after the other. I think we sounded all right we got lots of claps, funniest gig ever I think.

We sang where the Firies are in yellow, up close and personal.

Triple the amount of  people behind this table as in front. It was a large crowd.

To end this week today we attended the Christmas Break up party, of the Choir, down at the river. Although there is a BBQ end of  every term, first one we have attended. Everyone brings their instruments for a singalong, so lots of laughter and fun.

It is nice to see also the cooler weather as well, as it has rained a little also this week. At least the smoke has settled some what. I must say another busy and interesting week, despite Dr. visits.

 Till next time.