Wed, 6th Nov, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld (Terry’s birthday)

Nice cool morning with a few clouds still hanging around.

Rang Terry for his birthday but no answer so left a message and will try again later.

Drove down to Tuckshop and had a lovely day chatting and helping the ‘ladies’. Dot was in for an hour too which was lovely to spend time with her again. Dropped a hint that I might need a job next year when we return to build our new tow truck/camper or update the van.

Rang Terry again and woke him up from his afternoon snooze – oops. He is well. He had a text from Steve too. Chatted with Erica as well.

Met Gavin for a cuppa and catch-up. He is slowly recovering from knee surgery.

Had a call from Les Prince, one of the distant relatives on the Fogg family line (our only convict). He had found my letter from 2009 asking for updates on the family for the book Toni and I were trying to put together. Unfortunately time has gotten away from us and the book hasn’t been finished.

Greg came over for dinner – our local chinese shop cooked tonight. Played a few games of Skipbo with Mum – let Dad watch a war movie as cards is just too confusing for him now.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Tues, 5th Nov, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

A bit more sunshine this morning.

Headed to the Dept of Transport early to see about changing Dad’s licence to an Adult Identity Card. Unfortunately I was too early so I went for a walk along Trinity Wharf area. Very peaceful overlooking the inlet.

Got the paperwork for Dad then headed home for a cuppa with Mum and Dad.

Found some makeup and did my hair into a bun with Andrea’s fascinator to finish off my outfit for Melbourne Cup lunch with the ‘ladies’. It has been 5 years since we were together in Melbourne having a ball over Cup week.

Met them at Cazaly’s. Bought our sweepstake tickets and I caught up with heaps of people. There was a photographer there so we had a group photo then Wendy and I had one together. The photographer snapped our photo in the middle of making us laugh. Well we were having a good time – so glad it was a small photo, I didn’t realise how many wrinkles I had until I saw my picture on the TV screen he had there!!

A Queensland horse won which was very exciting, though I didn’t have it in the sweepstake. Wendy and I both had the 3^rd placed horse so she went off to get our winnings. She came back with an envelope which said 2^nd place and explained that there was a protest due to some pushing and shoving just as the horses passed the finish line and the 2^nd placed horse was put back to forth so our horse moved up. I got $14 for my $2 bet and as I only spent $15 on my tickets I thought that was a pretty good day, only lost $1. Glad I didn’t have the 2^nd placed horse!

Steve texted to see if I had a win on the horses. Getting hot there and no gold unfortunately.

Walked back to Wendy’s (across the road) and Dave drove me home. Cooked dinner then Valerie picked me up and we went to Susan and Ross’ for a cuppa. Not much cross-stitching happens any more. Chatted the evening away and Ross joined us to chat about caravans as they have ordered one.

Mon, 4th Nov, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Cloudy morning with a nice breeze.

Sent my cousin Peter a happy birthday message and also one to Paul who like all the ‘boys’ turns 60 today.

Joined Tracy, Grant and gang for a cuppa at their work. George has moved into the house next to the work shop – all neat and tidy, well for the moment at least.

Lunch at home with Mum and Dad then a nice quiet afternoon. Finished off a great book.

Cooked dinner and watched movies with Mum and Dad.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sun, 3rd Nov, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Sunny with some clouds and a nice breeze.

Quiet morning. Helped Mum with her Christmas presents.

Afternoon cuppa with Greg and Kristine. New grandchild arriving soon.

Greg came over and we all drove out to Trinity Beach Club for a lovely roast dinner.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Sat, 2nd Nov, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Cloudy again. Joined Kaylene for a walk up Redlynch Valley from Rock Pool. I laughed when we had to step over horse pool splattered on the concrete path – won’t be long and there will have to be bags for horse owners to pick up their horse poo. They could walk on the gravel rather than the concrete path at least.

Quiet morning pottering about tidying up things and cleaning a few cupboards.

Pete had given me a huge pumpkin so I chopped it up and cooked pumpkin soup for lunch. I ducked down the shop to buy a crunchy cob loaf to go with it and Pete’s daughter was working at the bakers – it was her first day. I froze the rest in portions so that will keep Mum and Dad happy for a while.

Called into Jon and Jess to collect some mail. Jon was out getting some more screws. He has been hard at work sheeting two walls in the lounge room ready to paint.

Drove out to Jodie and Bryan’s place at Mt Peter and caught up with them and Stephanie. We all had a great time laughing and chatting about their plans etc.

Back along the highway with its 6 lanes and loads of vehicles. We just accept change but sometimes you think back to how it was in Cairns when I was learning to drive and it really is amazing at how much it has all changed.

Had the rest of the fish for dinner.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Fri, 1st Nov, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Blue sky and puffy clouds.

Jill (daughter of Mum’ friend Peg who recently passed away aged 98) and John called in for a cuppa and chat. They love travelling too and have a detector like mine and are planning a trip to WA so I was able to fill them in on rules and places to go etc.

Dark clouds are building up again as I joined Wendy, Rebecca, Kaylene and Andrea for lunch at a new café. Very nice lunch with lots of chatting of course.

Grabbed a few groceries and a new laundry trolley for Mum on the way home. Then I had to assemble it and hammer on the clip to keep the wheels on – hope they stay on.

Cooked half of the fish (I got off Andrea the other day) for dinner which Mum and Dad enjoyed. They miss their fish dinners from when Steve and I would go fishing when we lived here. Jon gave them some recently from a fishing trip which was great.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.

Thurs, 31st Oct, 2019 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

Another cool overcast morning.

Saw our accountant and signed the tax returns. Another shower of rain fell on my way home.

Helped Mum shorten some pants into shorts and fix a couple of blouses.

Pete had emailed me Uncle Wally’s eulogy so I will get that printed for Mum. She read it off my computer. He and his three children all spoke so it would have been very moving.

I cleaned a few cupboards in the kitchen then caught up on my blog. Steve texted to say Bob and Margaret had arrived but they hadn’t found any gold yet.

Quiet afternoon reading while Mum and Dad snoozed. So many birds around here you would think you were in the middle of the bush except for the road noise coming up from the main road a few blocks away.

Drove to Pete and Marree’s place. First I drove down the close to check out our old house – doesn’t look any different other than the fence around the back. The garden needs work too.

Had a nice afternoon chatting. Pete gave me a huge pumpkin for Mum so I will make some yummy soup for them from it. Hayley and Jade had fun braiding my hair. Shame they are in school they could do my hair for Melbourne Cup. They are both growing into lovely young ladies.

Home for dinner and movies with Mum and Dad. It is lovely to be able to be with them both.

NO PHOTOS TODAY.