Thurs, 30th Oct, 2025 Jon & Annalise’s place, Cairns, Qld to Perth Airport, Perth, WA (Cooper 1 month old)

Lovely morning with Beau before Daycare. Cooper is one month old today though officially not until 11.59pm tonight. He is feeding well and is a cubby bonny baby.

Helped Annalise by doing all the washing and cleaning the floor etc while Jon cleaned the air conditioner. We have had a few hot days and a storm making noises but no rain like the storm when we first arrived. The tablelands got some hail from the last storm.

Kaylene called in for a cuppa while she was in town. Pete popped over too for a cuppa bringing watermelon for Beau, chilli sauce for me and drinks for Jon. Had a lovely time chatting.

After lunch we went over to Kaylene & Ricks to clean their bedroom air con too. Picked up Beau then went home for more cuddles with Cooper. Played with Beau outside then I got ready to fly back to WA.

Said bye to Annalise and Cooper then Jon and Beau took me to the airport. Not so sad this time as we will be seeing them all in 6 weeks for Christmas.

My flight was delayed half hour.

Smooth quiet flight so I got some sleep. We flew over Mt Isa, Alice Springs, Ayres Rock (that’s what the pilot said), Kalgoorlie (waved to Steve) then into Perth. The sky was clear so I could see the lights of Kalgoorlie then the twinkling of all the lights of Perth area.

Wound the clock back 2 hours to 11pm. Found a coffee shop open in the international airport then settled in for the night. The massage chairs are already taken by other ‘overnight’ travellers. Cold wind blowing in when the big doors open - what a change from the hotter humid Cairns.

 

27-29 Oct, 2025 Jon & Annalise’s place, Cairns, Qld

Jon has been busy getting all the jobs down around the house. Cooper keeps Annalise busy - hungry boy and Beau is Daddy's little helper so I try and help out by keeping him busy to let Jon get his jobs done.

It has been great fun playing and watching busy Beau and of course lots of cuddles with Cooper. 

Caught up with a few friends for cuppa and lunches. Susan and Ross are in Cairns too so caught up with Susan with Valerie on Tuesday night.

Spoke to Steve - he is back near Kalgoorlie waiting for me to come back.

 

23-26 Oct, 2025 Dan & Fran’s place, Gordonvale, Qld

On Thursday I headed south. Stopped to check on Mum & Dad's plaques at the Crematorium. The water feature was working and it was very peaceful there.

Up the Gillies Range to Yungaburra. It is a lovely drive and there wasn't a lot of traffic so I could enjoy looking at the views as I wound my way up. the Jacarandas are in bloom.

Into Yungaburra and around to Kaylene & Rick’s new block. Rick has started on the shed and retaining wall. We will see the completed home when we come back next year.

Down the road to Tinaburra on one part of Lake Tinaroo. We have lots of memories of camping and water skiing here with Mum and Dad and then the boys as we got older.

Around to Steve’s Aunt Maralyn & Uncle Greg’s place for a cuppa and lunch. 

After lunch I visited Mum & Dad’s friends, Grace and Fred in Tolga. They are both doing well as the years tick on.

Nice view of the Seven Sisters as I head back to Yungaburra.

Back down the range to Dan’s place for the weekend. Fun reading and playing with Sophia. She is such a cute little girl and loves music and doing all the actions to the songs.

 

I bought her a new water toy and she loved it.

Fran’s parents came over so we got to catch up. Kaylene called in too.

We went across to the park and Mum & Dad had fun giving Sophia rides on the swings.

On Saturday we went to the Duck Pond - there were lots of ducks. Then we played on the playground.

On Sunday we went to Palm Cove. The sea was flat and Sophia loved the beach and water. Fran did too and got in with her. Dan and I watched.

It has been lovely time with them all. Looking forward to Christmas at Woodgate.

13-22 Oct, 2025 Jon & Annalise’s place, Cairns, Qld

Steve sent a photo of Kev with a lovely golden surprise. He is very happy. 

I called in and had a cuppa with Pinkies - they have completed their ‘homes’ on their block so we can go up and stay with them next year.

Cuppa with the Tuckshop girls so I could show off my darling grandchildren. Rochelle as a darling grandson too so we compared photos.

Lots of fun with Beau and cuddles with Cooper during the week.

 

Lunch with the line dancing ladies. Great to see them all again though Sandra couldn’t make it so hopefully catch up with her next week.

Rick’s sister Donna and husband Gavin who came to WA with Rick are visiting so I joined them for dinner and caught up on their travel news.

Steve left Kev and friend at Leonora and headed back up to Meekatharra as he wasn’t have much luck. Very hot 42 degree days at the moment but he is drinking lots of water.

On Friday I had fun at Kinda Gym with Beau, Annalise & Cooper and her friend Maddie and her two little girls.

After lunch I went line dancing with Wendy - still remember the steps.

On Saturday we had a visit from Dan, Fran and Sophia and also our niece Stephanie. She and Jodie are planning to come for Christmas at Woodgate too with young Arthur so more great grandchildren fun for Terry. Beau and Sophia played nicely which was lovely.

Sophia meeting her cousin Cooper.

After lunch Wendy and Sarah called in to meet Cooper. Sarah and her husband Ben have bought a house at the end of Cicero Close which is where they lived and we did too, 2 houses down. Going back to her birth street.

On Sunday I visited Lou and Narelle in their new home - beautiful. Lou’s son John was there too - grown into a handsome man.

Lovely chat with Steve as he had better phone reception. Finding little bits. It has been very hot, 42 degrees and only down to 30 at night but next week it drops back to 32 max so that will be better.

20^th - Dan and Fran’s second wedding anniversary.

Sorted out our NZ flights and accommodation in Brisbane etc - that does my head in. I just prefer to meander. Now to plan where we go and what to see. I can do that later on.

Sewed Cooper’s birth cross-stitch into a pillow at Kaylene’s then presented it to him - haha.

Picked up Wendy to check out the Art thing on the Esplanade. Very pretty.

We went for a long walk as well around the marina - someone rich is in town.