Tamborine Mountains - inland return to Brisbane

Finally was time to leave Burleigh Heads so decided to take a detour inland  through Tamborine Mountain. It consisted of quite a few villages each with its own little tourist niche. We stopped for coffee midmorning and crossed the road to the German Cuckoo Clock Nest. It was walls and walls of cuckoo clocks and all the other types such as Grandfather clocks as well. It was a bit confusing as they all said different times so that there wasn't one huge cacophony every hour!

Then we went to the Tamborine Rainforest Skywalk.  This was an elevated canopy walk with a cantilevered platform out into the top of the canopy looking down. OK, so I didn't quite get these two lining up, but you can see the huge height of the trees. Basically I took one looking up and the other looking down.

We swapped camera with a British couple and posed for the "together" shot!

Next it was off to look at the wineries. The first one was disgusting. We spat out the wine and left pronto while the bar staff were attending to  - want can I say? - less knowledgeable patrons. We then went to Witches Falls winery and the wines were absolutely superb. We did a full wine tasting, poor Duncan had to spit as he was driving. However I did buy a $50 bottle to cellar so that he can taste it in  a few years time. It was Syrah - they even called it that not Shiraz. I then asked was there a place where we could have lunch where the meals didn't come with chips. She directed us to Delivino where we had a superb lunch and I managed another glass of Chardonnay from Witches Falls.
We made it back to the airport with enough time for me to package up the marigold seeds from the wedding "favours" and spend the last of those huge coins that Aussie keeps using.
We arrived back in Auckland after midnight and went to the Heartland Hotel which was absolutely grotty - opening the toilet door with a spoon wasn't what we paid for.

More on the Gold Coast.

After the wedding it was time to enjoy a day of activities at Dreamworld. The first ride we did was the barrel ride - we had to queue for about half an hour for this but time did seem to pass reasonably quickly as we all enjoyed this!

Then it was onto the flume ride and you can just see Rua, Jill and Alex as they splash down at the end. I was reasonably OK with this ride too.

 After lunch the boys went off to some laser tag thing while the girls had a suss out of the next rides. Here's Millie and I with the Shrek family. Not sure where she gets those long legs from, but Millie is certainly tall enough to eyeball me.

 They decided to go on a rollercoaster. Somebody had to mind the bags I guess,  so I didn't go on it although Duncan did.

 As you can see it was quite a pleasant day, but there was a cool breeze. I think this is them...

 I was then allowed to choose a ride so I picked the teacups. What fun, I thought.

 But what I didn't realise was that there was a spindle which spun the cup as well as you going around on the ride. Spinning in 2 different dimensions really did my stomach in. I had to get Alex to stop spinning the cup as I was about to throw up!

I felt quite green at the end. Perhaps I should have had my picture taken with the Shrek family now. I burped solidly for the next half hour! Then back to Burleigh Heads and a Thai meal.

The Wedding Weekend

We arrive in Brisbane mid morning and took the "scenic" route to get to Gold Coast. Very impressed with our accommodation

 Of course we have lots of lovely sunrise pictures.

and you can see how close to the sea we are. Apparently it was quite warm, but I only swam in the indoor pool. Everything was very centrally located and we were able to walk to dinners out, and to the wedding and reception. Here we are, ready for action!

 Hannah looked absolutely gorgeous, and in this shot you can see the flowers which Robin and Michelle put together - for the bouquets and also at the reception. The church was a Uniting Church so the ceremony was quite straightforward and conducted with humour. Jim's Mum had the choir that she sings with come along, and of course I sang lustily. It is so wonderful to be able to sing again after cancer.

 This is Chris's side of the family - of course I was in the one of the Bush side so I hope that we will get a copy of that soon.

 We walked downtown to the reception and had a while to kill while the other photos were taken. This is Emilia with Bonnie, Robin and Chris's first grandchild.

 The venue had spectacular views over the sea and a very good omen - a rainbow

 Me and my grandies - Millie in a sequinned shift dress that we bought at the Robina shopping centre, and Alex in some new clothes too. They both looked very smart.

 Here's the Men's contingent of our party 

 And the girls!

 Chris did the Thankyou's speech

 A mother is always pensive at her daughter's wedding. Rob looked gorgeous in a navy lace dress and matching jacket which was also beaded.

 Nick and Phoebe made a sibling's speech, and I was very pleased that they took an idea of mine and turned it into their own. It was very moving.

 Jim and Hannah seemed to enjoy the bridesmaid's speech - which was a little bit saucy!

 Jim spoke

 Hannah spoke.

 Chris and Robin started to relax.

 Hannah.... 

 Very pleased with the whole event.

Nearly time to go home. Just finish off that bit of cake...We did a bit of dancing before we went and then walked home along the promenade. Such a lovely family event. Weddings are great!

Precious Moments

Queen's Birthday weekend  - and we had a visit from Simon, Jackie and Theo. Just meant for relaxing. We enjoyed taking over the daily responsibilities from Jackie and Simon - and I think they enjoyed that too!
Duncan was in charge of breakfast and by the time I got up Theo had had several pieces of toast. He wrinkled his nose up at one and said "Too much Marmite" I was in charge of baths in the evening and had to deal with a poo at one stage. Theo came to inpsect - he crinkled his nose and said "Too much Marmite!"

 He really loved his bubbles but unfortunately a nice relaxing bath did not guarantee that he would have an early night - especially on Friday night as he had slept for quite a bit of the journey down.

 The weather was very wet over the weekend and in the excitement to go out side in his gumboots he announced that he was going to "put on his gumpoos and jump in the cuddles" But he also used both gumboots and puddles correctly as well.

 He really pulled his weight in the housework stakes. And Camille was very impressed when we went for coffee that he put all the toys away when I announced that it was time to go. Same thing with the toys when we went out for brunch the next day.

 Theo did enjoy the piano and often played with a very delicate touch. "Grandma, you stand there and crap" he instructed. Needless to say I clapped.

 At school we had had a Flea Market Day and I bought some home made playdough which kept him occupied.

 The hens were also a great hit and had breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner while Theo was here. I was disapppointed that they hadn't laid an egg. It should be in the next week or two that they start laying.

 We have a little run for them now, and they have occasionally got out but always want to go in at night.

 Simon and Jackie got to go out for a short while while Theo and I hung out together. What enjoyable company he was too!

He looked such a Theo in his handknit sweaters and vests!

A Weekend Away

Over the long weekend at Anzac Day we went up to Hamilton, and from there onto Wairakei with The Bushies to enjoy the golf weekend that Duncan won as a prize. Here Duncan and Theo feed the birds in Hamilton. Theo wasn't all that keen to share the bread. However it was not like that on our visit to Lyn's - a huge feast for lunch which we all tucked into with great gusto. Jackie was thrilled to inherit some Crown Lynn plates from my Mum's place (via Lyn) as she is going to collect Crown Lynn.

We had a long detour into Taupo with the journey taking 1hour 40 mins instead of 50mins. We wove our way through Waikite Valley, past the turnoff to Ngakuru, then onto gravel roads and finally back onto the main road.

 We had a few drinks in our room before going to dinner and Theo enjoyed the small capsules of milk.
Next day the boys went off for golf and Jackie, Theo and I went to Taupo. On the way we stopped at Huka Falls and Theo was transfixed by the gushing water and even a bit quiet when we rolled up at the playground in Taupo. However a few circuits on the small train and he seemed in a better frame of mind. The morning tea stop was enjoyed - this fluffy had Hundreds and Thousands  on it. The cafe was interesting with whole (dead) grapevines on the walls and a dispenser system for getting drinks.

The boys returned after a a very enjoyable - and not too bad score-wise -game of golf. We had a swim in the warm pool at the hotel and then went to Taco Taco for tea. The meal in the hotel the night before had been slightly disappointing, but this was superb with a great atmosphere. Next morning time to check out - but lets get a family photo to remember the weekend by.

Not quite ready

What about a smile??

Yay, we did it!
Duncan and I played the nine hole course before returning home on the Napier Taupo Rd