23rd to 31st Dec, 2022 Erica & Terry’s place, Woodgate, Qld

23^rd

Went for our morning walk along the foreshore. The beach and sea look so tranquil this morning we should be having a swim. The beach is lined with these Norfolk Pines, planted many years ago.

Jodie & Bryon have brought a few cards games so we all had fun learning them. Taught the kids how to play Skipbo. They loved it.

Dan and Fran arrived in the late afternoon then Brian and Stephanie arrived after dinner.

 

 

24^th

Overcast morning then some drizzle started. No walk this morning. Annalise jumped into bed with Steve for a photo!

Time to put up the tree. My cross-stitched decorations are still here from last year so they were added to the decorations - an initial for each family member.

Erica presented Sam with his 21^st ‘Memories from Granma’ book.

Amanda & Bradley arrived. Amanda and David are on dinner duty tonight - Curry Chicken.

Great to hear all the laughter as the kids play a Monopoly card game.

Santa came by in the Rural Fire Brigade truck so the ‘kids’ lined up for lollies - he was a good Santa too and gave them some. Jenny arrived just in time with her two grandkids for a couple of bags too.

Had a game of the Dice Game I learnt at Barn Hill and it was a huge success. Everyone loved it but we didn’t play for the money. I found an old trophy Erica had wrote the first winner on it which was Bradley.

Ella and Ben arrived after dinner as Ella had to work. We got out the mud cake and sang happy birthday to Ben and Sam as they both turned 21 this year, Ben in Oct and Sam in early Dec. Erica gave Ben his book too.

25^th Christmas Day

Walked down to the beach for a selfie with Stephen. Overcast but hopefully no rain. 

Everyone started emerging for breakfast then I got Erica sorted and we started Christmas morning with family photos. Erica and Terry handed out their gifts then David and Amanda distributed the presents under the tree. Amanda had organised ‘Secret Santa’ for everyone and Amanda was Annalise’s. She painted her a beautiful portrait of Stella and Bandit. Steve gave me a lovely gecko bracelet.

Brian had made a Pass the Parcel which Steve one in the end - gift card for BWS. I had made my Parcel game and handed out the 17 presents then everyone threw the dice to determine what happened to the presents. Lots of laughter as they all tried to guess the presents. After the dice had been around once they opened the present they had then we did another round with the dice. So funny watching them covet over their neighbours’ presents (cheap ones and bits and pieces from Erica). Great fun.

Had a cuppa then started getting the tables set up and food sorted. Uncle Ronnie arrived and lunch was served. So much food but we put a good dent in it with the 19 of us.

Lots of games after lunch and so much laughter. It was a great afternoon. Other family members who also have houses here called in to say Merry Christmas.

 

26^th

Dan, Fran, Jon & Annalise headed off at 4am for their drive back to Cairns. It was so lovely to spend Christmas with them.

Clearer sky but gusty wind which made the shade shelters flap. Cousin Rodney & Marion called in for a chat then their daughter Suzanne, Renton and their kids Katelyn and Matthew. Adding all the ‘family’ kids to the height chart though some of the big kids have lined up for their heights to be recorded too. Another cousin Charlie, Carla & Coen arrived with their van which was set up in the back yard.

After lunch Amanda’s parents, Rod and Jan arrived so more chatting with them. The young ones enjoyed the beach though the wind has whipped up the sea.

Boche games in the afternoon. Getting very windy.

More card games and pool after dinner.

 

 

27^th

Another cousin, Callum arrived with his 3 children so more marks on the height chart. Lots of chatting and laughter. It has been a great holiday for catching up with all the relatives. All these have been on Erica’s side of the family (Miller).

The kids had a fabulous time playing pool then a swim before lunch.

In the late afternoon the bigger kids played cricket on the beach but it was very windy. Steve and I wandered down for a look. The beach has certainly changed with a big drop off at the high tide mark. Lots of others enjoying the beach too.

Kelly pool competition after dinner. Sam got out the half-yard glass he got from Granma and poured in his beer - bit fast as it went very frothy. He took it slowly. Bryon put his beer in and downed it in one gulp!

 

28^th

Jodie, Bryon and Sam headed for Cairns at 3.30am. They will catch up with family and friends there before heading back to their homes - Jodie & Bryon in Orange and Sam in Mt Isa.

Another Miller cousin, Dael & Neil and their son Jordan and wife Rachel popped in for a visit.

Another clear blue sky day but still windy. Jon texted that it is raining at home in Cairns.

After lunch Amanda and Ben headed back to Maryborough.

Another Kelly Pool comp but this time Erica joined us with me moving her around on her walker.

29^th

Charlie, Carla and Coen left. It was great spending time with them again.

Uncle Ronnie, Callum and kids arrived again for another visit with Erica and Terry. Lots of chatting.

Quiet evening as we are all ‘visitor’ worn out.

 

 

30^th

A shower of rain this morning - very light. Dulcie came over with a box of chocolates to say thanks to Stephen for helping her when she fell the other day. So nice of her.

Put on the photos David had put on the usb for the TV. I added some more of Woodgate etc so we had a wonderful checking out all the old photos.

Another shower of rain but enough to wet the grass this time.

After lunch David headed home. Now just the 4 of us. More chatting with neighbours etc. I went for a walk along the beach while the others were chatting. Lots of people out enjoying themselves.

 

 

31^st

Cleaned up and packed up everything ready to head back to Bundaberg. Steve whipper-snipped then mowed so it all looks neat and tidy.

My uncle John rang from Melbourne which was lovely. He is doing well and had a wonderful Christmas with his family.

Another of Steve’s cousins, Daniel, popped in with his son, Oscar, to get his height on the family wall. Michael and Erin and kids then Paul and Jenny popped in to say goodbye. Brenda and Phil from down the road stopped by on their way back to their home in Bundaberg. Ted and Dulcie popped in from next door. They used to rent this house from Erica & Terry then loved the area so much they bought the house next door. Another neighbour (across the road) who used to rent this house called in and said happy new year. Busy morning.

We put the old photos of Woodgate on for them all to have a look at. When Erica & Terry bought their block in 1967 it was covered in trees which they had to clear before their could build. The next photo was after a fire went through in 1968, luckily their house didn’t get burnt. There were 3 swimming enclosures along the beach. Steve driving the tractor with Brian’s kids in the boat. Ready to head out for a fish. We drive the tractor around the block then back it down on the beach and launch it there - when it was calm weather of course. I had wonderful times with Steve’s Dad, Terry, out fishing for whiting over a few Easters. Erica would mind the kids and we would bring home the dinner. Many great memories.

Rang Margaret as she sent a photo of a new mat she got for Christmas for her caravan. Our camper and truck are fine there.

Had lunch then Erica had a rest while we finished packing. Back to Bundy and unloaded everything. Quiet evening finishing off the year watching the fireworks etc on Sydney Harbour and the Bridge.

 

15th to 22nd Dec, 2022 Erica & Terry’s place, Bundaberg to Erica & Terry’s place, Woodgate, Qld

Helping Erica get things ready for Christmas etc. Steve and Terry pottering about then got the van out ready to take everything down to Woodgate.

Nice days, breezy and sunny with a few clouds.

Loaded everything up in the van and Terry’s ute for Christmas at Woodgate. David is already there so Steve and Terry will help him set everything up.

A couple of doctor visits for Erica then down to Woodgate for Christmas with all her children and grandchildren. She has been improving with all the care she has been getting. We are glad to be here to help and enjoy Christmas with all the family. Thankfully Margaret and Bob are wonderful and said our truck and camper are no bother in their yard.

The boys had two days of very windy weather and quite cool at night. They had put Terry & Erica’s van at the front so Erica didn’t have far to walk. We got down in time for afternoon tea and the cool wind was blowing. Jenny (cousin) came over for a visit.

Steve and I got up early and went our morning walk. The tide was in. We couldn’t believe how much the vegetation has taken over now as there is no one using the beach access here any more with their tractors or cars to launch their boats like we did when the kids were younger.

Jon and Annalise left Cairns in the early hours and sent texts as they progressed. Jodie, Bryon and Sam flew into Brisbane and are driving up. The others arrived tomorrow so it will be a full house.

Jodie, Bryon and Sam arrived at 6.30pm in time for BBQ dinner Stephen cooked. Jon and Annalise arrived at 9pm. All safe and well. So lovely to see them all.

8th to 14th Dec, 2022 Erica & Terry’s place, Bundaberg, Qld

Another month has passed since Dad left this life.

Dark clouds greeted us for our walk this morning and a few drops of rain. Forecast for 35 today.

Erica back home after 9 days in hospital with a blood infection. Clouds had built up and thunder rumbled as we drove home.

The storm hit - lightning, thunder and rain but it was hail that David & Amanda were getting in Maryborough.

The storm only last half hour then the sun was back out.

Having a wonderful recording family stories for Erica and Terry.

Terry said the Fire Ball Lillies had come out with the storm. I said Mum had them along the driveway and Erica said Mum had given these ones to her. Dark clouds hanging around all day but no rain.

 

Warming up, 31 degree days with light breeze.

Fabulous storm at midnight. The lightning just kept flashing and the thunder rumbles were amazing. We didn’t get much rain but Hervey Bay got 5 inches in an hour.

Uncle Ronnie, Erica's brother, came up from Hervey Bay. He just bought a Revitive circulation booster so brought it so Terry and Erica can have a try. Steve helped him fix a broken light bulb on his car. he is coming to Woodgate for Christmas Day lunch which is wonderful.

Steve and I went to the op shop to try and get a couple more shirts etc as we only brought 4 sets with us. Found a nice Xmas one for him and a dress for Erica. I got two tops too.

 

1st to 7th Dec, 2022 Erica & Terry’s place, Bundaberg, Qld

A couple of wet days so we relaxed with our books - a bit cool too. Finding all kinds of treasures while helping Terry clean out the shed. Dave & Amanda came up for a visit.

Brian sent photos as he and Ian are in Adelaide for the last race of the Supercars for 2022.

We enjoyed the two races with Terry over the weekend.

The Butcher birds are getting very friendly. Mum came in for some breakfast to share with the baby who waited at the door.

Then the magpies joined us for happy hour.

5^th - Sam’s 21^st birthday today. He will be coming down to Woodgate for Christmas so the family will celebrate it then.

Took Terry for a drive to find a Geocache. Was an easy one in a pipe on the side of a shed near a shopping centre. There was lots of info about the 2013 flood on the app but only a piece of paper in the bag for us to add our name.

Jon sent a photo of the Loch Ness Monster that he found in a lake north of Adelaide while driving gear back from where he was working.

Having a couple of hot days now, 32 and 33 degrees and lovely clear sky.