26-28 Mar, 2025 Bob & Margaret’s place, Dawesville, Qld

Wed, 26^th

Had a good sleep. Rebecca’s birthday - sent her a message.

Margaret drove me to the shops to get a few things for lunch and dinner etc. After an early cuppa Bob & Steve headed up to Perth to pick up the automatic. Bob had a couple of things to pick up near there too so they were gone till late afternoon.

I did our washing and emptied the suitcases and did my baking. Much warmer here, 35 degrees and not much breeze.

Back home and they unloaded the gearbox and I got the bill!! Now the slow job of putting it back in for Steve.

Started on the new baby’s cross-stitch pillow.

Had drinks upstairs and then we provided BBQ dinner and Margaret did the dessert.

Watched 1% Club then headed down to bed.

 

Thurs, 27^th

Margaret and I walked to Coles as I had forgotten a couple of things - good exercise too.

Steve got to work on the automatic.

Annalise posted on our Geck FB page that they are expecting another son in October (of course we knew but she likes to wait till the 12 week scan to announce). I have booked my flight back for the month to help out and get lots of cuddles of both boys and Sophia again too.

Another hot 35 degree day in the camper.

Rang Kaylene to update here on our new grandson.

Lynda sent a video of Beau taking 5 steps to Annalise - won’t be long and he will be running!

 

Fri, 28^th

Another clear blue sky to start the day. Steve went back to putting the transmission together. Margaret and I headed down to the beach to fish. Lots of people here this morning so we had to go further along then our usual spot. Lots of herring about too. The beach has changed - no weed but high bank so our legs are getting a workout. One chap left so we went back to Margaret’s favourite spot and started catching more herring. I got Dubs (two at once) then lost 4 in a row at the edge of the water!! Got a nice whiting too and a couple of little ones for Meow. We ended up with 26 herring so fresh fish for Fish & Chips tonight.

Steve slowly progressing, making sure he is happy with everything as he goes.

Rang Terry to tell him he has another great grandson on the way. Jon & Annalise had told him they were expecting when he rang for Beau’s birthday. He is happy with his alert watch and hopes he won’t need to use it but it is good to have it for security.

Another hot day with only a light breeze.

Lovely fresh Fish & Chips by Margaret tonight, I supplied the ice cream dessert.

 

 

 

Tues 25th Mar, 2025 Jon & Annalise’s place, Kanimbla, Qld to Bob & Margaret’s place, Dawesville, WA

Up early, had breakfast then loaded the suitcases into Annalise’s car. Gave Beau a big hug before putting him into the car seat. He will be a big boy walking by the time we see him again.

Dropped Beau off to Daycare then Annalise dropped us at the airport. Jon had used his Virgin points up for the flight and to get us extra leg room which was wonderful of him. Gave the Annalise a hug and baby bump a rub then waved goodbye.

Into the terminal and put the suitcases through - we fly to Brisbane, have an hour there, then on to Perth, arriving 3.30pm WA time. Through security, no problems, then got a cuppa to wait for our ‘priority’ boarding as we are in Row 3.

On board, three seats in our row, plenty of leg room but just enough room for the ‘hips’! Nobody in the seat beside me. The first two rows pay even more and have two big seats and get ‘butler’ service with flash food, drinks etc. We get free coffee, tea and water! Major complaint though is the front toilet is only for the 8 front seats, from our row back we have to use the two toilets at the rear. Long walk back and if the drinks trolley is in the aisle you can’t get past.

It was a good flight - nice view over Green Island and Fitzroy and some of the reef as we took off then the cloud cover blocked the view. Bit of rain on the window as we headed down into Brisbane. Front people got off first - the attendant blocked the aisle till they were off then we were next. Got some lunch then boarded the same plane but different crew at 12.30pm. A lady beside us this time and she was a from NZ so we chatted about places to go etc. She is off to Perth to then take the Indian Pacific back to Perth. Read our books and time slowly ticked over. Into NT/SA - wish the pilot would tell us where we are, asked the attendants and they had no idea. Lots of sandridges etc.

Eventually we saw some salt lakes which I think is around Kambalda as we can see mining.

Crossed over into the wheat belt area. The tree lines show some rivers - I think maybe the Avon etc.

Guessing here but I think we went over Collie, saw lake that could be Wellington Dam then over the forest area and then the Darling Scarp and dropped into the airport. Clear sky here.

Got our bags and helped the other lady get the train to Perth Underground then she has a short walk to her hotel. She was very grateful for the help. We caught the train to Mandurah then Bob picked us up from the station. The sun was just setting as we cross The Cut to head home to our camper.

Opened up the camper and turned the fridge back on then upstairs for dinner. Meow is still with us but getting frailer. Margaret cooked us a lovely dinner and dessert then we headed back to the camper to bed.

It was a long day. It was nice doing a day trip to see the views but at least with the night one (as long as you have the extra leg room) the time goes quicker.

Mon, 24th Mar, 2025 Jon & Annalise’s place, Kanimbla, Qld

Rain again. Beau and Annalise headed off early - Daycare and Work.

We decided not to go up the Tablelands so I rang Grace & Fred instead and sent them some photos of our darlings. Will get up to see them in October. Rang Maralyn & Greg too. They are picking up a new van so might make their way to Woodgate around Christmas.

Sorted our our bags ready for the trip across Australia tomorrow by plane.

Dan sent through a close up of Sophia with wishes for our safe trip back to WA.

Annalise and Beau came home. Beau was feeling grumpy so she decided to stay home with him tonight as we were all going to Kaylene & Rick’s for dinner. We went and had a lovely evening eating and chatting.

 

 

Sun, 23rd Mar, 2025 Dan & Fran’s place, Gordonvale to Jon & Annalise’s place, Kanimbla, Qld

Packed up our gear and headed around to Freshwater where Dan was playing Disc Golf with his friends. Sophia and Fran are having a sleep-in.

It was interesting to watch and we chatted with him and the other two players as we walked from the start line to the ‘basket’. The discs have different weights etc. Lots of trees to dodge too.

Kookaburra was having a good laugh at us wandering around in the wet grass.

View back down the park from the top end. They set up the baskets each time and are mindful of other people using the park.

Found some history near on the of the ‘baskets’ near the car park.

Brendan bought our van - small world. He had a good game, Dan and Andrew’s wasn’t too good today. Dan hasn’t played for a month. Hopefully the weather will improve and he will get in more games.

We dropped off our gear at Annalise’s then Steve drove Jon’s ute and we headed back to Dan’s for lunch. Had our last cuddles with Sophia then headed back to Greg’s to drop off the I20. Caught Greg just before he headed to the airport to go to Brisbane for work conference tomorrow. Thanked him for the car and we headed back to Annalise’s.

Beau was down for a sleep so Annalise caught some Zs too so we relaxed for the afternoon.

Fun time playing with Beau. He found the vitamin bottles in the Just Right and had a great time shaking them about.

Steve’s time to play with Beau. He laughed at whatever Steve said or did.

Beau charged off pushing his ‘walker’ sideways. Won’t be too long before he is walking by himself.

After his dinner I played with Beau in the toy room - we had great fun.

The rain is back - misty drizzle blanking out the view. The creek is still roaring.

 

21-22 Mar, 2025 Dan & Fran’s place, Gordonvale, Qld

Fri, 21^st

Sunnier morning. Had fun playing with Sophia.

After lunch she played in her sprinkle pool then tried on her birthday towel I got her.

Quiet afternoon playing. She is such a happy soul.

 

 

Sat, 22^nd

A bit brighter this morning so sat on the patio and enjoyed the view.

Sophia, Dan & Fran went to her friend’s 1^st birthday party.

As there is more rain on the way we decided to whipper-snip and mow Dan’s lawn for him. We definitely like our ‘no yard’ lifestyle!! 

Sophia had fun at the birthday party so fell asleep on the way home.

Later on Dan blew up another water pool they had bought for Christmas and Sophia had another great time splashing about.

Steve was on bottle duty with Sophia.

Dan got a photo of Sophia with me too. We will miss her but there will be lots of photos and videos to watch as she grows.

Nice to have a day with no rain.

 

 

 

 

Thurs, 20th Mar, 2025 Jon & Annalise’s place, Kanimbla to Dan & Fran’s place, Gordonvale, Qld

The sun is peeking through the clouds again after that heavy rain last night.

I went into town to meet Kaylene for a cuppa while Annalise took Beau to the doctor to check his chest out as he is sounding congested.

Beau’s friend, Jim, and his mum came over and they had a lovely time playing.

Much nicer morning. I can see Green Island.

A few showers of rain after lunch.

Packed up our gear and headed to Dan, Fran and Sophia’s place for 3 days. Will come back to Annalise & Beau before we fly out on Tuesday.

Had a lovely afternoon playing with Sophia.

Very quiet here - no roaring waterfall. Lovely mountains to look at.

 

16-19 Mar, 2025 Jon & Annalise’s place, Kanimbla, Qld

Sun, 16^th

The rain is back so we were lucky to have a great afternoon yesterday.

Quiet day relaxing and playing with Beau.

Jon and Annalise went out for dinner with their friends so we were on ‘Beau Watch’. Gave him a bath and fed him his dinner then we played for a while. I gave him yoghurt for dessert - his tummy is very full. Into bed and after a short cry he went off to sleep. Perfect boy for Granny.

Still pouring with rain.

 

Mon, 17^th

Beau had a good night sleep and slept in to 7am after his early morning bottle. Would be great for Annalise if that continues but probably not, haha.

Still pouring with rain!!

Lunch with Rebecca in town. On the way home we called in to see Ian and Sandra at their work. Looking to retire at the end of the year. Sandra was in the hospital bed beside me with her daughter when I had Daniel.

In the afternoon I got the chills and ached all over so went to bed. Steve has a cough. We have had two good weeks but the bugs have caught up to us in the dreary wet weather.

I felt much better after a rest. Jon cooked dinner - steak, Morten Bay bugs and veggies. Very nice.

 

Tues, 18^th

Said goodbye to Jon as he headed to the airport to go back to work in SA. Beau off to Daycare.

Still pouring with rain - max of 29 degrees. Looked up the rain falls at the airport, 15^th 106mm, 16^th 90.2 and 17^th 63.4 so a normal monsoonal downpour. I reckon we have more here against the mountains. The waterfall is flowing well and the creek roaring so plenty of ‘white noise’ to sleep to here.

Cuppa with the girls at Tuckshop. Rick was visiting Steve so we chatted some more before lunch.

Quiet afternoon and evening.

 

Wed, 19^th

A bit of sunshine this morning, yeah. I could go outside to take photos - view from patio, creek beside house and a shot through the trees of the waterfall further up which is roaring - too muddy to walk to it.

Bandit & Stella enjoyed a play in the grass too.

I worked on my NZ itinerary as Annalise went to work and Beau went to Daycare as it is photo day today.

Put our washing on and then some of Jon’s wet yard clothes and the sun shone and got it all dry, yeah.

Beau and Annalise home and we had a wonderful laughing time as it took 4-5 steps between us. He loved it but laughed too much and then fell over. Won’t be long and he will be off - poor Mummy.

About 9pm we saw a huge flash of lightning then thunder rumbled. The rain slowly headed towards us - straight down and then it got so heavy I had to close the glass doors to hear the TV. Oh well at least we had a drier day.