8-16 Jan, 2026 Geck Family beach house, Woodgate, Qld

Thurs, 8^th

3am - heavy rain for half hour. Definitely more than the 0-1mm on the BOM forecast. More rain for the next week.

The sun was peeking out between the clouds when we went for our walk. Still very windy.

Steve continued with his truck work and I worked on NZ planning.

Sophia is doing well - no problems which is wonderful.

Steve mowed the lawn so all neat again.

I had an early dinner then joined Jenny and her granddaughter Reighan for Musical Bingo at the Bowls Club. We had 2 cards for $4 - one Abba songs and one Beatles. The chap played a bit of the song and we all guessed the name but he told us any case. I took a long time to mark one song off on my sheet. Maurice got the first line and won $20 so that was exciting. We did a lot of singing and laughing. No more wins for our table unfortunately. There were a lot of songs we haven’t heard before. It certainly was good fun.

 

Fri, 9^th

Overcast with scuds of rain passing over us. Still very windy so the sea isn’t inviting for swims.

Paul got started on the welding with Steve assisting. Big job and not very comfortable being under the truck!

I continued with NZ planning with a break to read my book now and then.

 

Sat, 10^th

Overcast then the sun breaks through so very humid for our walk. There is a strong wind from the east so that is cooling.

A good shower of rain hit in a rush at morning tea but didn’t last long and made it more humid.

Steve putting the truck back together. I uploaded blog and wrote the Jan ones up then back to NZ planning.

More rain showers then it settled in about 2pm.

Wet dreary afternoon with more rain showers. A cyclone had come near the coast creating rain for the east coast.

Messaged Ingrid in Christchurch and arranged to visit when we get there in early March. Will be great to see her and meet her two children. Unfortunately her husband will be working away at that time.

 

Sun, 11^th

More rain through the night so everything feels moist. No walk this morning so straight onto my NZ planning again. Steve repainted the scrub rails on the truck.

Fran posted a lovely photo of Sophia on our family page. She has had no adverse reactions to the eye surgery - wonderful.

Mon, 12^th

More rain again - everything has the wet touch to it now!

Slowly getting NZ sorted.

Rang Malcolm for his birthday. We will catch up with them in Auckland as they leave the same day as us.

Lovely video chat with Jon, Annalise, Beau and Cooper. It feels like I haven’t seen them for months!

Wonderful video chat with Dan, Fran and Sophia after her eye check-up today.

 

 

Tues, 13^th

Into Bundy. Morning tea with Terry. He said it rained all day yesterday.

Organised a CBA travel card at the branch. They really don’t have enough staff to help people who still want to talk to a human. The lady we got was very helpful though.

More rain after lunch and all the way back to Woodgate.

Rang Bob for his birthday when we got back. All good there but the heat is back.

 

 

Wed, 14^th

Bit of blue sky between the clouds this morning so we went for our walk along the foreshore path. Very humid.

Steve put the new fan belts on that we picked up yesterday and the scrub bars back on after he had painted them. Now to just give the truck a polish.

I continued with my NZ itinerary.

 

 

Thurs, 15^th

Another sticky morning walk. The sea is calm but it is overcast so doesn’t look very inviting.

Nearly finished my NZ itinerary. Set the date to book the ferry from Sth to Nth Island.

Truck is a bit shinier with the polish. The clear coat has started to come off the paint - poor truck does live in the weather all the time.

Phil and Brenda called in - down for the night so Brenda can go to Bingo at the Bowls Club tomorrow. Heard all their stories about their illnesses and trip to Adelaide to see their son.

 

 

Fri, 16^th

Another sticky humid morning walk. Last sit on Granma’s chair for a while. She has the best view.

Misty rain started but we managed to get everything cleaned and packed away in the camper and truck again.

Cleaned under the house ready to head off for our little jaunt south to visit friends and family.

Said bye to Paul - will see him again in a month.

Lovely sunset colours out the back to finish off a wonderful time at the beach house.