Wed, 30th Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Overcast  with a nice cool breeze. I keep forgetting to check the temperature but I think it has been 29 and 20 overnight.

Erica rang so put her on loud speaker so Mum and Dad could chat too. All well down there but they are desperate for rain. Maybe I should visit and take the rain with me.

Met Yanneke at Earlville for a cuppa. She has 3 grandchildren now that she loves to bits.

Sandra met me there for lunch so we had a great time catching up too.

Louis rang to see if I was free so I met him for a cuppa at the Pier as he was doing a big job at the Convention Centre. Busy day chatting but it is great to be able to catch up with everyone.

More rain fell just before we left so it was dark and misty as I headed to Whitfield to visit Maralyn. She is nearly finished her radiation treatment for breast cancer and is upbeat about the outcome which is great. Marijke and Bart arrived back after their push-bike ride so we had a quick chat before I headed home for dinner.

Greg arrived so I whizzed down to the Chinese store and picked up Mum’s order – easy cooking night tonight. Played a couple of games of Skipbo, though Dad really struggles but it is nice to have him at the table with us even though Greg is playing his hand for him. Reminds us of all the games of Beanie and May I that we played every Sunday for many years.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Tues, 29th Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

 Overcast, cool morning again. No sunny days but at least it has been a pleasant temperature and not too humid.

Ducked down to School to see the girls in the Tuckshop and say a quick hello to Dot. She had a terrible car accident earlier in the year and is still having a few problems but she loves to come in and chat with the girls and help out where she can. Amazing as I think she is 83 years old now. She will be back in next Wednesday so I will make a day of it and help the girls out in Tuckshop too. Told them I might be looking for a job when we come back next year. 

Picked up Mum and took her for a massage.

Margit arrived with a lovely orchid for Mum and Dad and a cute teatowel with “kettle on” on it – she knows me well. We had a lovely time chatting over lunch.

While Mum and Dad had a rest I popped over for a cuppa with Jess. She is changing jobs which will fit in better with her Uni studies. Jon came home for work so we had a chat about houses etc. He has been doing some more renovating to make their little place nicer. Popped next door and saw Daniel and Fran. Daniel has been renovating too – both keeping the cost to a minimum as these houses are more investment rather than ‘homes’. He and Fran are also looking to buying a home in the near future too.

Home for dinner with Mum and Dad then Valerie picked me up for a cuppa and chat with Susan at Cazalys. Had a play on the pokies but this week they were not very nice.

As we walked out to the car the rain started to fall again – that happened to us last week too.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Mon, 28th Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Another cool morning, cloudy but no more rain.

Picked up Rebecca and headed for the shops. Had a great time chatting and shopping all day. Got some blouses for Mum and tank tops for Dad for summer.

Down to Brothers for dinner with Mum and Dad. Ray and Marian came this time so had a fun hearing their stories etc.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sun, 27th Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Cloudy – lovely temperature. I was expecting it to be quite humid but it has been great.

Got a text from Steve as he doesn’t have enough signal for a phone call. Doing ok. Mickey had texted him so I rang her to check on what she wanted. She just wanted to tell Steve about Scott McLaughlin’s huge crash in qualifying in the Supercars at the Gold Coast this morning. She has Foxtel where as we only have it on Channel 10 so our broadcast doesn’t start til 11am so will have a look at today’s later. I had taped yesterday’s broadcast so turned it on while I had breakfast.   

Took Mum for a drive along the Esplanade to check out the new buildings etc. Should have brought my camera. Dad gets confused about where he is but when you show him something from the past he has great stories about it. Mum is getting weaker with her heart so we didn’t get out for a walk, just cruised about.

Had lunch and watched the qualifying session of the Supercars that I taped. Saw Scotty’s huge crash – luckily he wasn’t seriously hurt.

Drove over to Brian’s to watch the main Supercars race with him and Ian. Triple 8 won.

Cooked dinner. Daniel and Fran arrived and Greg so we all had a great time chatting. Rang Jon to see if he was coming as he had been playing golf in a Pennant’s competition in Innisfail. Jess’ friend had an emergency so Jon got a lift with someone else as he had few drinks on the bus back from Innisfail. Will catch up with Jess later in the week. We had a great night chatting. So great to see our boys again. They are looking forward to having Dad back in Cairns for a while next year.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sat, 26th Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Cloudy – lovely temperature for a sleep-in, though the noise of the birds wakes me up early. There is a bush chook (bush turkey) scratching and calling out near my window (the house is beside scrub and a hill) and the kookaburras have been laughing with all the recent rain. They have a nest across the road (have used it for years) and Mum has enjoyed watching them over the years going back and forward to a big gum tree. They must get grubs or sap from it as they visit it regularly.

I went to Deanne and Greg’s for a cuppa and chat. Steve rang while I was there. Doing well and finding a few bits of gold to pay for my flight home – he is missing me.

Had lunch with Mum and Dad then picked up Wendy so we could go shopping for a dress for Melbourne Cup. I got one and Wendy bought one too. We drove out to Andrea’s for a cuppa. Alan was home too which was great. Caught up on what’s been happening and heard more about Wendy’s trip. Wendy and I chose a fascinator to match our dresses from Andrea’s collection. Alan had hired Daniel to make a table for the deck out of stainless and he was very impressed with Dan’s workmanship. That made me very proud.

Home for dinner and movies with Mum and Dad.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Fri, 25th Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Rain again overnight. Up early for a walk with Kaylene at Redlynch. As we headed further up the valley the misty rain started again. Luckily I brought an umbrella.

Back to Kaylene’s for a cuppa and breakfast with Rick, Shane and Doreen who had arrived yesterday. Unfortunately they had to head off at 10 to meet Shane’s brother so I will pop in this afternoon to chat more.

Home for lunch with Mum and Dad. I did some cleaning and sorting out for Mum.

Mickey rang – change in plans so I will need another night in Perth. Will have to ring Tom otherwise I can go back to Margaret in Mandurah.

Rang Margaret about her crustless quiche recipe. She had her other cataract done and she doesn’t need to wear any glasses now. They will head up to Steve on Monday which will be great.

Went back to Kaylene’s for the afternoon to chat with them and Shane and Doreen. Rick baked me a cake – it was very nice too. Shane and Doreen are planning an overseas trip next year so we had a great time chatting about their plans. I am starting to think we should do our overseas travels in the next 5 years too.

Continued on to Yorkey’s Knob where Suzanne has bought a unit. Very nice and very close to the beach. Tenille was there too. She has a full-time position as a paramedic at Edmonton Ambulance Centre so she has found a place to rent out there. Kayleigh, Mark and their girls, Isabel and Lucy arrived too so we all had a wonderful time chatting and laughing. Alexander has completed his Chief Engineer certificates and has a permanent position on one of the big ‘white’ boats travelling the world – well done. Libby and her man are in Rockhampton where he was posted with the Police Service.

The sky is clearing as I head back home.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Thurs, 24th Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Cool overcast morning.

Called in on Pinks for a cuppa. Grant is away fishing so Tracy was running the shop. George is moving out of home into the house next to the workshop. There will probably be a gate put in the fence so he can go across into Dan and Jon’s places which are behind the house and workshop.

Home for lunch with Mum and Dad then I headed off again while they had their rest. Caught up with Michelle and Steve – been doing to landscaping renovations at their place.

Got a lot of little jobs done in town for Mum then home for drinks then I cooked dinner.

More rain started to fall in the evening.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Wed, 23rd Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Nice cool morning for a sleep in – still haven’t adjusted to the change in time zone.

18ml in the rain gauge from last night.

Quiet morning pottering about. Steve rang from Cue. He found some more bits of gold – feeling ok though still a bit stiff. He is heading to another detecting area where Bob and Margaret will meet up with him next week.

Kaylene and Rick picked me up to join them for a cuppa then lunch. Great to catch up with them again.

Helped Mum with a few bits and pieces she wanted done.

Greg joined us for dinner. Katie will be graduating high school soon – the last of the Brotherton grandchildren.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Tues, 22nd Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

More rain during the night and again this morning.

Drove to Wendy’s and over a cuppa caught up on her and Dave’s trip to Canada to see Sarah. She gave me a moose keyring and a calendar that Sarah was in (fundraiser by the cheerleading squad she was in). They had a great time and loved all the sightseeing.

Home for lunch – the sky is clearing and it is very windy.

Around to Clive and Rebecca’s for a cuppa and catch-up in the afternoon.

As I was about to leave the heavens opened again with a heavy downpour for about 5 minutes. 32ml today according to the weather bureau.

Paul rang for a chat which was great.

Cooked dinner then Valerie picked me up and we caught up with Susan and Christine at Cazaly’s for a cuppa and catch-up. Susan just became a grandma for the 2^nd time and now her other daughter is expecting in November. She and Ross have just bought a caravan and Toyota Landcruiser but won’t get it til May next year. Valerie and Russell are still enjoying their beach house at Mission Beach. Their daughter Kirsten got married in Perth in April so they are hoping for more grandchildren in the near future. Christine hasn’t had any more grandchildren.

We had a play on the pokies and I even had a couple of little wins so it didn’t cost me anything to play.

We were heading out to the cars when the heavens opened up, so we quickly yelled goodbyes and bolted for the cars as it got heavier.

Saw a few cane toads on the road and the frogs were croaking loudly when I went to bed.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Mon, 21st Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Had a good trip and arrived on time at 6.15am (4.15am WA time). Managed to get some sleep.

Jon picked me up and dropped me at Mum and Dad’s. They were still snoozing so I just crept in and went to my bed to catch up on some sleep.

Had a lovely breakfast chatting.

The Rose of Sharon has bloomed again for some reason – must have known I was coming home. It usually only blooms in April. It has a lovely white bloom.

After smoko went shopping then did some cleaning and washed the car. Cloudy day, 32 degrees so put the fans on.

The Rose of Sharon flower only lasts the day and by this afternoon it has already gone pink.

I washed and vacuumed Mum’s car.

Sent of texts to everyone to sort out my social life for the next 3 weeks. Arranged dinner for Sunday night with Dan, Fran, Jon and Jess.

6pm down comes the rain. The pilot said the forecast was for a shower of rain. It is a lovely heavy downpour. So much for me cleaning the car!

Dinner at Brothers with Mum and. I feel like I haven’t been away.

More rain after we got home. Such a lovely sound to go to sleep by.

Sun, 20th Oct, 2019 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, near Mandurah, WA to Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Warmer evening. Bleak looking sky this morning, like a fog has rolled in from the sea.

Quiet morning reading etc. Packed my bag for my trip home tonight.

After lunch we drove into the Mandurah train station and caught the train into Perth. We got off at Elizabeth Quay. The sky is clearer up here but there is a band of clouds to the south-west of us.

We walked across to where the ferries depart from. The water park donated by BHP is working now. It was under construction the first time we came here and had water problems on the next visit.

Headed to the bridge. Bob and Margaret haven't been in here since they did all the changes to Elizabeth Quay. They only knew it as the Esplanade.

Lots of interesting information around the boardwalk. Great aerial photo taken in 2011 when they had a Big Aussie BBQ for the Queen. Certainly has changed with all the buildings built up around the bell tower which is in the centre.

I took this photo from the bridge – the bell tower is hidden behind a new high-rise on the right.

This old photo is looking down the Swan River across the Narrows (which now has a bridge over it) with Kings Park on the hill to the right and the Swan Brewery the big building further along on the right hand side.

Nice mural of the famous black swans.

We continued around to a café in front of the bell tower. A black swan came by.

We walked around to the Supreme Court Gardens spotting some black cockatoos nibbling on the tree’s nuts.

Across the road a new hotel is under construction with a lovely flower bed out front.

We walked up through the garden and around the Supreme Courthouse to some kangaroos.

Across the road the bells were ringing in the old church. Next door was another lovely old building. Such a contrast to the ultra-modern building behind it.

The jacaranda trees are in bloom.

Continued along the road to London Court. Unfortunately Zena’s shop was closed as it would have been good to see how they went with their hire car after they stayed with us at Sandstone.

Bob said how he loved to come as a kid and what the knights joust when the clock chimed. We were 10 minutes too late.

Great verse underneath the clock.

We walked back to the waterfront. The clouds have come over making it dark and cooler. The carousel looks lovely – only $6 a ride.

We bought a yummy burger for early dinner as kids played in the water squirting up in the BHP water park.

Walked back to the railway station and said farewell to Bob and Margaret. Will see them again one day somewhere. They will head up and spend some time with Steve at the end of next week.

I walked around to the bus station and had a 20 minute wait for the bus to the airport. Rang Mum to say I am on my way home.

Got to the airport at 7pm – only 5 hours to wait for the flight home. Got a cuppa and wrote up my blog to pass the time before I can check in at 9pm.

Jetstar are cracking down on carry-on luggage. I thought I was ok with my backpack and laptop but I did an early check and realised I was 4kg over my 7kg allowance. Last time I travelled it was fine so continued to the boarding area.

A flight to Sydney was getting ready to board and the staff brought out scales and started weighing everyone’s hand luggage – oops. I decided to off load some ‘extra’ stuff I brought. I got the chap to check mine bags early and I was still 7.8kg but he said I was ok and gave me my sticker. Won’t be doing any shopping in Cairns now!!

At last the called us to board at 11.30pm. I got an aisle seat in Row 5 which was great. Now for the 4 hour flight home.

Sat, 19th Oct, 2019 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, near Mandurah, WA

Warmer morning. Margaret and I headed off to check out some of the garage sales in the area which are part of a huge Garage Sale Trail. It reminded me of all the garage sales we went to with Erica when she visited – the kids being the winners with all the ‘treasurers’ they would find. Also you get to explore the sub-divisions etc.

We went back for a cuppa with Bob then we all headed off to check out more garage sales around Falcon. I found some more books for Steve since he has started enjoying reading a novel. Margaret and Bob will go up and join him when I fly home so they can take the books up for me.

Jon rang, he was with Benjie getting ready for his wedding today – Jon is best man. I spoke to Benjie and wished him and his new wife all the best. The photographer had arrived and it sounded like they were having a good time.

Steve rang as he noticed he had phone reception again. He is feeling better but isn’t pushing himself too hard. He went detecting and was rewarded with a few little bits of gold. He will move camp to be closer to where he found the gold but probably won’t have phone reception there. He will ring again on Wednesday when he goes into Cue to move camp to Webb’s Patch.

Back home for a late lunch. Relaxed reading our books for the afternoon.

After a cuppa Margaret and I went for our daily walk on the path by the beach. No wind today so we didn’t need a jumper. Nice view across the golf course which runs alongside Florida Beach. Lots of people on the beach trying to catch a fish. Much nicer since the other days the wind was howling and we had our jumpers zipped up against the cold.

There are heaps of kangaroos around, just like Woodgate. This poor girl has a heavy load.

Margaret’s lovely flowers.

I tried ringing my cousin, Judy but no answer so sent her a text. Her husband, Richard’s, father hasn’t been well so just wanted to pass on my wishes. She texted back later on that it has been a very tiring time for them all.

Malcolm rang – he was at his beach house enjoying the lovely weather, ha ha 12 degrees. He said they have only had a couple of spring days of over 20 degrees so the crops aren’t growing well.

I walked back to the beach to watch my last south WA sunset. Still didn’t need a jumper. Nice frame around the sun.

There was a little line of cloud on the horizon but it still was a lovely sunset.

Margaret cooked steak for dinner – nice and tender and a lot cheaper that the $110/kg Wagu beef fillets we saw at the Farmer’s Market. Fancy paying that much.

Fri, 18th Oct, 2019 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, near Mandurah, WA

Quiet morning relaxing.

Next door neighbour called in with some fresh vegies for Margaret so he joined us for a cuppa. He was a vet who worked overseas and he had so many interesting stories to listen too.

After lunch we went into Mandurah and checked out the local museum. A lot of local oral stories and displays in what was the original Dalrymple school house which then became the police station (1947) and courthouse.

There have been three bridges now over the estuary. The first was built in 1894 and demolished in 1953.The newest one was just being completed when we were here in Christmas 2017. It replaced the second one – part of which is now been made into a fishing platform.

I tried to lock Bob in the prison cells (built 1960) while Margaret was in the exercise ground (now a library room).

This huge Megamouth Shark stranded itself on the beach on Steve’s birthday in 1988.

This is Mandurah’s oldest one-owner car – 1927 Essex ‘Super-Six’.

Bob is watching a video of what life was like in the school room here when it was open from 1900 to 1939. The Dalrymple School was named after the first headmaster, Robert Dalrymple. Students though had been educated earlier by local families. There were also a good collection of old bits and pieces.

The oldest building in Mandurah is Hall’s Cottage. We visited it when we first came to Mandurah in Christmas 2016.

The next display room was the old courtroom. There was a map of the area painted on the floor and lots of information.

Outside was a fabulous mural. Unfortunately there was no information about who this was.

We walked down to where the last two bridges were. The original one was just left of my photo.

Looking back up the estuary towards to the Bypass Road bridge that takes us south, across the ‘Cut’ which is a man-made opening in the Peel Estuary then on to Bob & Margaret’s place.

We walked under the road around to the site of Tuckey’s residence.

Across the road from the old residence (which then became a shop) was the old Brighton Hotel, built by Tuckey’s as a home but in 1895 it was the first hotel in Mandurah and traded for 108 years with the newer version a bit further down the road.

We walked around to the foreshore precinct and found the old ‘fisherman’ which is on the site of the Tuckey Cannery (est 1870s).

Margaret pointed out the floating box which is home to a ‘hermit’.

We walked the length of the foreshore to Simmo’s Icecream Shop and had a yummy treat.

As we headed back to the car I spotted this great mural which had a seat for photographs.

We checked out a florist who had heaps of fabulous ornaments and so much stuff in their shop that we could hardly move. There were seats made from 44 gallon drums and replica fuel pumps and old cars. Wasn’t game to take any photos in case the shop owners got upset.

Back home for drinks and yummy fish and chips for dinner. Margaret and I finished off the delicious dessert we bought yesterday at the Farmer’s Market in Bunbury. Bob is being good since he has lost some weight.