The Big Day. 24th September 2022

 

This is in Jill and Rua's apartment - Claudia getting the beauty treatment!  Their place looked down more towards the swimmers area.

Nippers practice, then the older surf life savers.

The morning was fairly low key and we had to be at the Park where the wedding was by 3.

The one good thing about being 70 now, they usher you to the seats!!

Such a wonderful setting!

Both Robin and Chris walked Phoebe up the aisle. Her frock was a very rich lace, with a hemline which lifted in the front. 

With this ring....

The vows that they exchanged were exceptional - Phoebe's were so tender we were all in tears, and Shannon's - being an early child educator - had the flavour of Dr Suess and had us all in fits of laughter.

The Happy Couple

Otis got a bit niggly towards the end of the ceremony, but just was included  - Phoebe held him till he settled down.

We had a short while to fill in until the reception started at 4, but the setting was glorious, and a pod of whales just started blowing and leaping out to sea - hard to photograph.

Shannon is from a very musical family, and for their original wedding plans, the wedding was more like a music festival! 

It didn't take long for the music to start humming.

The guy in the turquoise shirt, playing the sax is Peter (aged 94)- Shannon's grand-dad. Frank - with Otis above and below in the band on guitar is Shannon's Dad. They riffed and jammed and did a bunch of old jazz classics - Take Five, Summertime - which for some reason I know all the words to, and could sing along.

There were platters on the tables, and hot finger food bought round by waitresses.

Cousin's catch-up

Chris's speech was very heartfelt.

Phoebe and Shannon's speech of Thanks - "Well" said Shannon, "I'm going to leave all this to Phoebe"

The band started to play again - A rocker from Frank's Band did a crashingly good version of Mustang Sally.  I just loved it. All to soon it was time for us to go home and relieve the babysitter - a friend of Jackie's, so she was able to catch up with her on the weekend too.

Just the best wedding.

Family Photos - Our Blended- for the weekend family, and the Bushies!

All together now! Friday 23rd September

 Jill and I go hat shopping as it looks like being a sunny Wedding  day. Unfortunately I left my wallet in the apartment so Jill has to pay!

She also has to pay for the gelato on the way home!

Duncan goes on a trip to the supermarket, then we go to the beach - there are quite strong rips, but I manage to catch 3 waves. Back to the apartment - the pool and spa are quite crowed so we only stay a short while.

Trying out the new togs with the hat elastic holding the legs in

Of course we have a nap after lunch, and then it is across the road to the Surf Life Saving Club (big building in the background of the above picture.) where there are pre-wedding drinks and dinner. We are only allowed the tables there until 6.30pm, so the drinking starts at 4.00pm!

Hannah, Robin and Chris

One of the drinks of choice is the alcoholic ginger beer. I had a sip and it seemed like a nice drink. The exchange rate did a sudden dive on the day we came over and so we were later shocked to see what we paid from house wine when it came through on our bank a/c. Just gaily Paywaved away!

Another family shot

Typical Pub Grub

Simon and the kids arrive about 6. Theo and Claudia are staying with Jill and Rua and Simon and Jackie have booked into a hotel just up the street. So as you can imagine, it was up early and down to the pool.

When you go to these sports clubs it is a whole different culture. When you ask for a glass of wine, they say "Small or Large" naturally I chose large but it is 250mls - about double what a standard glass is! Note the free bingo tickets on the table too.

Pre Wedding Parties begin - Thursday, 22nd Sept 2002

 The bed was a bit of a disappointment - too firm, so we've had some naps during the day.

We saw 4 whales spouting in the morning, but the sky is grey, the sea is grey and its a bit foggy. But the exhaling of breath sends water through the air like a geyser and as it lasts 15-20 seconds is long enough to point out to someone, but difficult to get a photo of. The weather is drizzly, but it doesn't stop the surfies who look like miniature whales in the sea.

I feel a bit upset in the abdomen, so I go for a walk, and just miss a visit from Robin, but later in the day Phoebe picks us up and takes us for a BBQ at Chris and Robin's (Like Jill and Rua, they have opted for an apartment in town, and a beach house) Chris has smoked chicken and lamb in his smoker, and Robin has done an egg and potato salad and a green salad. Shannon and Otis (groom and son), Michelle, Bonnie and Freya (Nick's family) are there too, as well as Michelle's sister Ann Marie, who I found very good company. Oh and there was this guy.....

The Australians just love them!!

Jill and Rua arrive that night. As it is an apartment not a hotel, reception closes at 6.00pm, so we have to go about 8 ish and let them in.

Loving Coolum Wed 21st September 2022

 Unfortunately the plane was absolutely chokka and we are in economy, with very little wiggle room. The plane arrives early and the airport is deserted, so we have a bit of a wait for our bus shuttle to Coolum.

Mural at Brisbane Airport.

Although fine when we landed, the skies looked thunderous by the time we joined our bus "connexxion". The journey is about 2 hours and we had some very heavy rain, but it was just fitful showers by the time we arrived in Coolum. We went and stocked up on breakfast essentials from a rather alternative store, and we are struggling to find products which aren't vegan or gluten free, and therefore hugely expensive.

The surfing end of the beach, outside our apartment.

 

Looking the other way, over the Surf Club.

We are very happy with our apartment.

We go to a Thai place for dinner - its a bit scruffy, but the food was good.

Still a few surfies out under floodlights!!

Ferris Wheel at the fun fair down the road.