April
Welcome back to those who survived my last epic blog, sorry once I am in the mood to write I just keep going. It’s April and the weather is still warm but there is a slight chill in the air in the mornings and the evenings sometimes require a long sleeve, so Winter is coming. April fools day and no one tricked me ! We are out of lockdown and all is well again. Friday 2nd is good Friday and as we have 4 days free of activities in the diary, we all start on Mia’s bedroom revamp. The wardrobe doors come off and the bed is dismantled for painting. Mia is moved into Zoe’s room while Bob gives the walls a rub down ready for a repaint. Lots of discussions on designs and colours and TJ is clearing out cupboards and drawers. A busy day but not much to show for it but we do have a plan!
Saturday it is necessary to visit Ikea for a mirror, a new desk top and a chair so I suggest we go early before the crowds and have breakfast there ? There was no rejection to that idea so off we went. We all had a lovely morning, choosing pieces for Mia’s room and the breakfast was fab.
We all worked, building, painting, sorting etc through a wet Easter Sunday and Monday (except I did sneak out for a coffee with the ladies on Sunday morning for a couple of hours as our usual coffee morning had been cancelled in the lockdown.) Before that though, we had to do the Easter Bunny Egg Hunt.
Tuesday and the girls are at vacation care so I have the day to sew the chair seat cushion and bed throw to match the curtains in Mia’s room. Adam and TJ are back to work so the bedroom reno is put on hold.
Wednesday the Nissan Pathfinder has a service booked at Wynnum which is by the sea so Bob and I take it to the garage, with the girls, as its our day with them. After we drop the car off we walk a klm and a bit to the sea and have some play time in the park. We have coffee, babyccino’s for the girls and because the car isn’t ready at 12 noon, we also have time for lunch of fish and chips too. On the way back its an uphill walk, Zoe is complaining she is tired so we have promised the girls a treat for being so good and we take them to our favourite village, Bulimba, to the cinema to watch the new Peter Rabbit 2. The film has been a long time coming as it was supposed to be released last November but it was well worth the wait.
Friday morning the girls have gone off to vacation care very excited as today they are being taken to Australia Zoo for the day. Mid morning, Adam gets a call from Channel 7 news asking about a comment on a forum about electricity problems. They ask if he would agree to talk about and be filmed for a news item going out that evening investigating the problem. Tj and I are out shopping when Adam calls to tell us so we hotfoot it home to be there. Its a very interesting couple of hours, they ask lots of questions and they video Adam talking and showing them the electricity box that is the root of their problems, then we wait patiently from 6pm until nearly 7pm when his item is broadcast. As you can see from the clip, it wasn’t very much for all that time it took to record but it was his 15 seconds of fame lol. * Adam TV
Saturday 10th April and we are going to Southbank in the city for a swim in the late afternoon. The beach is manmade and is free to all so its quite busy but the girls have a wonderful time even though the water is quite cold. After we are all showered and dressed we say bye to Adam and Bob who are going on a Dad’s night out to a putt putt course with some of the Dads of Mia’s class mates. Tj and I decide to stay in the city with the girls and have dinner. We choose an Italian restaurant called Papa Rossi as it has some good reviews. However, after giving our order we wait sometime and have to remind them we would like our drinks, after nearly 30 mins they bring a garlic bread to share as a starter but still no drinks? Finally we get them and the main course arrives soon after. I am so disappointed in my lasagne, it looks like someone slopped it in the dish and then served it? I asked if this was normal presentation and the young waitress just looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. Not wanting to make a fuss in front of the girls I ate it, it tasted ok but for $24 I thought it, and the service was very poor. I did email them later and complain but I got the usual standard reply. I emailed again and got no reply so I posted on Facebook. To cheer ourselves up, we went to Max Brenners for pudding – a chocolate dessert shop where we had chocolate soufflés with ice cream -mmmmmm… and a hot chocolate mmmm…. er I feel sick now lol.
Sunday Tj is up early and in the garage, she has decided to have an impromptu garage sale. I have to make the posters and I attached them to the lampposts on the main road. Tj sets everything up outside the garage and Adam and Bob sort through the rubbish and load up the car for a tip run. Tj sits outside until mid afternoon when we decide to pack away . The garage is much tidier, the “for Sale” pile is greatly reduced and they have made a few $’s, win win. Monday and everyone is working so as there is nothing more for me to do I start making Zoe’s glitter skirt she wanted. She loves these skirts but she is growing so tall that the ones she has are all too short now. She loves it but I hadn’t realised how much it sheds – all over the house ! Adam has banned her wearing it inside now .
Wednesday is my coffee day and Karyn has invited us all to her house for coffee and cake and then to her local RSL leagues club for lunch afterwards. Karyn lives on the north side of the city so its quite a trek for her to keep coming to us on the South side every week, so its nice to see her in her home and where she lives. We should have had the girls today but we change their vacation care day so I could go to Karyn’s. Thursday Bob is golfing in the morning so I get the girls all to myself, we have fun making Anzac biscuits and then we play some board games and do some reading. In the afternoon when Bob is back from golf I visit the doctor to ask about my hip pain and she sends me for an x-ray. Later it’s back to the Dentist for Mia’s second filling, she is very brave. On Friday Tj takes me to the x-ray clinic for my x-ray, its a very good system here, you just turn up give them your paperwork and you are in and done in 15 mins. Afterwards TJ and I, with the girls, go shopping for last minute stuff for Adams 40 + 1 Birthday Party tomorrow. While we are in the shopping centre we see a trampoline with bouncing harnesses, the girls want a go so we let them enjoy.
It took a couple of minutes but then she really enjoyed it.
Saturday April 17th and we spend the day preparing and getting everything together, we have a rest in the afternoon so that we can party all night ! The babysitter arrives at 5pm and takes over the girls, so that we can get ready ourselves and Tj and I go to the venue to set up all the balloons and decorations. People start to arrive at 6.30 pm and its a great atmosphere, everyone chats to each other, even though many of them don’t know each other. Many have made the effort to come in 80’s gear which helps the party spirit.
At the end of the evening, we had a huge pile of party accessories and presents, too much to put in a taxi so Bob and I walked the 10 mins home with all the “stuff” oh and we borrowed a mode of transport from the local supermarket – it started to rain on the way back so we did get a bit wet but we also got a few beeps from passing cars which made us laugh. We did give the trolley back later!
Tj has wanted to enrol the girls in a Taiwando or karate class for a while but we have tried a few places and not found any that were suitable. Today we are trying Focus MMA ( Mixed Martial Arts) . From the very moment we entered, we liked the vibe of the place, run by a family with several older teenagers who all participate as tutors. The girls had “Mia the instructor” run through some basics with them and assessed that although Zoe is young she was doing what she should so instead of the little Ninja class for her age, she could try out the beginners class with Mia. It all seems very flexible so Tj signs them up for a Monday and Thursday session to see how we go.
Don’t mess with the Gallard girls !
Time for another haircut, we still use the Hair Academy and the instructors all know us by name now. While we are there, Bob gets a message to say that our Doctors surgery has AZ Vaccine available and we should call if we want it. Wow surprised, as only a couple of weeks ago we asked if we were able to have it and was told yes but no idea when. So we stopped off on the way back from the hairdressers and Bob booked in for tomorrow and me for the following week as I have had a cold and I want it completely gone before I have the jab. Later in the day the Doctor calls me with results of my x-ray on my hips – sadly its not good – Arthritis in both hips but severe in the right !. I will probably need hip replacement surgery but I will need a scan to see the extent of what’s happening, I will have to organise this as soon as I get back to the UK. Oh well just have to keep taking the tablets.
Thursday morning and Bob had his jab yesterday, says he feels ok and has gone off to play golf! (I hasten to add that Tj and I suggested he give golf a miss). It’s the school cross country race this morning, both girls do not excel at this type of activity but they line up with their year and off they run. They both set off with gusto but half way round they begin to lag – however neither are last and Mia beat her placing from last year so all good.
Zoe runs for her life ! 
Bob reappears mid morning, only having played 9 holes, looking like death and feels terrible with a headache, hot and cold shivering and achy. Not good timing as we are going away camping with 2 other families at lunchtime. He puts himself to bed with a paracetamol for a couple of hours nap which picks him up enough to go with Adam to set the camp trailer up at the site.
As soon as the girls finish school TJ and I pick them up and drive the 2 hrs north to meet them. Its a lovely site and although the trailer tent seems to have a slight problem with the air filled poles in the awning, everything else is good. The kids are happy to see their friends and go off playing while we organise warming the pre-cooked dinner. We spend the evening exploring the site and then sitting with a few bottles of wine and chatting while the kids run wild wearing themselves out – perfect. Bob is feeling a bit better but he goes off to bed early.
Friday and Saturday the kids are up and out calling for their friends, scrounging breakfast food where ever they can. The site manager gave them all free use of the 2 seater bikes on site as there aren’t too many people there and we all make use of the heated pool and the slides. I find time to read my book, we play crazy golf and all the kids got a free ice cream from the site manager for taking part in a challenge. There are also crafting sessions which not only the little kids but the big kids enjoyed too and then a disco! James, one of the dads has brought a couple of fishing rods so Adam goes along for a bit of fishing on the river alongside the camp site, the weather is perfect and its so peaceful even though the campsite filled up considerably Saturday night.
James made Adam a friendship bracelet – ah 
Its this big ! 
Early Sunday morning 25th April, 6am,and its chilly, its Anzac Day and our Lucy’s birthday too. We drag the kids out of bed and they put their scout uniforms on, we have our own little ceremony, breaking the flag and then I play the last post on my phone, followed by a minutes silence – then back to bed having paid our respects to the fallen.
After breakfast later Bob and I escaped for a couple of hours as it’s such a beautiful day. We drive up the coast towards Coolum and stopping off at a reservoir. Walking down to the reservoir we disturbed a very large lizardy creature but I couldn’t get my phone out fast enough to take a photo but you can see his tail – just. As its a bank holiday, some places we wanted to stop at were closed so we drove to the beach and walked along the seafront until we found a nice café and sat and watched the world go by. In the early evening we all went to the restaurant on site for dinner, fabulous food and realistic prices and not far to stagger back to the campers so everyone was happy.
The Tail of a Monitor Lizard on our path 
The reservoir 
Coolum Beach
Monday was a bank holiday so we asked if we could stay longer than the 10am departure time to make the most of the day and they said yes. So we packed up the camper, had a leisurely lunch in the restaurant and then had a final play in the pool before leaving around 4pm for the 2hr journey home. Must say considering there were 6 kids between 5 and 8 years it was a most relaxing and enjoyable holiday, they all got along and wore themselves out playing together while the adults chatted and enjoyed the peace.
End of a great holiday meal
- waterslide family
Tuesday morning and the girls are back at school, I have a pile of washing and its raining. I do what is necessary and hang it to dry in the garage. I will have my Covid jab tomorrow so I have cleared my day so that I can rest. I think Bob had such a reaction because he didn’t relax -well that’s my excuse. The jab is fine, didn’t hurt hardly at all, I have my comfy joggers and my book and the TV remote for my day relaxing. I get through Thursday with just a sore arm so my theory worked. Friday I am well enough to join my ladies for lunch at EASTS League Club where I tell them all about my holiday.
May
Well we chose the best weekend to go away because this weekend it’s raining heavy and constant all along the coast. It’s so heavy in places that its flooding. Adam isn’t happy because he has a cold and TJ wants Zoe’s bedroom done this weekend! Bob starts by taking the wardrobe doors down and preparing for panelling and painting, the walls are rubbed down and repainted and her bed is taken to the garage for repainting. I am busy sewing a bed throw and making Zoe a hanging pocket for jewellery and bits and pieces. Adam and Bob do a quick trip to Ikea for a new desk top and a mirror while TJ and I set about make a lamp shade with the same material as the throw and curtains – I have never tried doing this before but it was so easy – loved it. Monday is another bank holiday (May Day) so we got loads done and the girls were good keeping themselves occupied while we worked but we didn’t quite finish. Never mind next weekend we will finish and Zoe is happy bunking up with Mia in her room.
Tuesday and girls are back to school, Adam & TJ go to work (upstairs in the office) again. Now I have time to finish the hanging pockets for Zoe’s jewellery and bits and pieces. Wednesday scouts is cancelled along with Mothers Day celebrations, as the flooding in the field around the hut is too deep – its still raining – never known it rain for so long.
Zoe’s hanging pockets
Thursday and while Bob is golfing I get to write some blog. Then I realise my car tax in Spain is due so I spend a couple of hours trying to get hold of a copy of the bill so that I can pay it online (they would have sent me the bill in the post but as I can’t get to it I have to surf the net to get it electronically – it was quite easy to do but time consuming to find the information. Eventually I manage to pay the bill online once I remember that Spain uses a comma between euros and cents and not a dot ! Some good news, I just received an email from the UK Police to say that our Police Check is on its way (we needed it for our visa which is on hold until we get it ). I understand that we have been here for over a year so the Australian Immigration want to check that we are good people but we are only here because we can’t get home !
Friday and I meet the ladies for coffee. One of the ladies, Rai, has to go to hospital to have a stress test on her heart , she has some pains but it turns out to be a muscle problem, thank goodness her heart is fine. In the afternoon I finished the Jan to March Blog and upload it- ah breath ….. and start April to June blog.
The weekend again and its the girl’s friend Lucy’s 5th birthday the party is in a warehouse with adventure climbing stuff. We all arrive and after chatting to other parents for a bit, Tj and I slide out to visit the Op shop next door (charity shop ). After the party the whole family goes in and we have a lot of fun, playing mannequins in the window and trying on stuff – crazy family!
What Dummies
On the way home, Tj got a message to say she had won $100 voucher to use for tourist entertainment. This is a program that Brisbane has to encourage people to go out and spend money at small businesses to help keep them going during the pandemic. The list of places you can use them are pretty extensive so during the afternoon we have a family meeting and decide to spend tomorrow at Whites Ridge Farm. In the meantime Adam & TJ take the opportunity of free babysitters to have an evening out with their friends at Puzzle, an Escape room and then dinner out with friends
Sunday 9th May and it’s Mothers day so Tj and I are happy to have the day out at White Ridge Farm. It’s not a big place and its a bit tired in some parts but there are a lot of improvements being made and the food and facilities are adequate. We really enjoyed the day, petting and feeding all the animals, especially Bobs kisses with a Camel!
come closer 
who loves you baby? 
Darling, where have you been?
The rest of the week was the usual, Martial Arts, Scouts, Drama and swimming for the girls, golf for Bob and he finished the doors on Zoe’s wardrobes, work for Adam and Tj. Washing, ironing, cleaning and some sewing for me and I finished the week with coffee with my Ladies at the Jam Pantry Friday morning. Its so nice to have that couple of hours to chat and laugh about anything and everything with ladies your same age .
The next weekend is Samford Scout Camp for Mia and Zoe. Tj and I aren’t keen on sleeping on the floor in a field in a tent so we elect to stay home at night and drive back and forth the 1hr 30mins each way, each day, to spend with them. Adam is working Friday and the girls are at school so Bob and Tj go to the site to set up camp and Adam and I pick the girls up from school later and collect fish and chips from the local village chip shop on our way there. With everyone fed and as it gets dark Tj and I turn for home. The next morning we are up early and drive up to Samford and spend the day helping with the activities the girls do. They had Zorb balls for adults and children which was so funny to watch. They cooked pancakes on an upside down tin with a candle inside, Zoe loved them and made several ! They did screen printing on t shirts and rafting in a pool with competitions and a water slide into the water. Flag down was Sunday morning about 11am, we arrived in time to help packed up the tent and left for home by 2.30pm.
Camp set up 
Pancakes 
Zorb Balls 
Rafting 
water slide 
Flag Down
*adam water slide
Bob and I have been offered the use of an apartment on the Gold Coast for a getaway. Sam and Ollie the owners, had been renting it out but as they are having it completely updated it was empty at the moment. The builder doing the reno can’t start for a couple of weeks so we took the opportunity to have some time on our own, to rest and read our books and swim in the lovely pool at the apartment. We set off Tuesday morning, calling at the supermarket on the way down to pick up food for the 4 days. We also stopped off at an outlet village and Bob bought some new shorts and a pair of golf shoes, as the soles had come apart on his pair here. After picking up the key we settled into the apartment, cooked dinner and chilled. Wednesday we went for a walk along the coast and stopped for coffee – we noticed there was an inordinate number of women with pushchairs and small babies, walking, running, chatting in groups and also having coffee. It occurred to us that these babies would have been conceived just over a year ago – at the start of the first Covid lockdown – these were Covid babies !! lol
The swimming pools at the apartment are beautiful as you can see, one is heated the other not. Obviously we only swam in the heated pool but it was very quiet there so we had it to ourselves most of the time. We relaxed, walked short distances, read our books, did some shopping and had lunch out and relaxed in the apartment in the evening with a meal at home. The last night we did venture out in the evening for a meal but walked around and couldn’t find a restaurant we fancied or one that was not full of people so we ended up with a fish and chips supper!
chillin 
The pool 
feet up and reading
We travelled home in time for dinner Friday and Saturday morning the girls went to their friends for the day while Adam, Tj, Bob and I went to the Pool Show. We are close to finding what we want, just need to talk to some professionals for info about pool cleaners, filters and covers. We spent the whole day there, stopping for a bit of lunch down the road at a restaurant as the show venue only had coffee and donuts on offer. While in the restaurant we noticed a long queue outside going round a building next door, we asked what they were queuing for and was told it was an art exhibition. Can’t remember the artist now but we looked it up on the internet and found it was one of those artists who put a pile of dirt on the floor or such like and call it art !. Back to the show and we gained an enormous amount of information about pools and their workings so a good day. In the evening Bob and I went out for dinner with friends we had met a few years ago here, due to Covid we haven’t seen them this time but with restrictions relaxed we managed to catch up.
The following week, Tj’s friend Clarisa (who she used to work with but hasn’t seen for sometime,) was visiting Brisbane. Tj invited her here for dinner and Bob cooked a lovely stir fry meal and we had a bottle of wine and a good chat. She lives out in the sticks in a remote place with her parents, sister and her son so it was nice for her to catch up too.
To have some semblance of organisation we have a rota for cooking duty, this Wednesday I messed up the system by misreading the rota and cooking dinner on Tj’s day oops.. should have gone to specsavers ! Thursday the girls went to Martial Arts and they both gained a “tip” for their belts – when they have all 7 “tips” they get to grade for the next belt. Friday morning we received our Visa Grant letters so we are now on a proper visa and the bridging visa is cancelled. We have until November before this one expires but we are hoping that we will be able to return to the UK in September. Our Emirates flights go via Dubai which is a red country at the moment so we are looking at maybe booking Singapore flights instead?
The last weekend of May, where does the time go? Tj and I are going out Saturday evening for dinner at a Mexican restaurant called California Natural with some of the mums of Mia’s class mates. The boys are left with the girls to get their own dinner — ah ha – caught them- they went to the local leagues club for dinner with the girls ! Sunday was a DIY day, a visit to the local Bunnings store (B & Q type shop), the girls homework is done and a bbq dinner cooked, then The Apprentice on TV in the evening, and that’s another weekend over.
June
I want to make quilts for the girls from their baby and toddler clothes as a keepsake, I do so miss my lovely sewing and embroidery machines ! Tj has gathered some items that have sentimental value and I have started to cut them up into squares. Its going to be a long job on a $99 Singer sewing machine, I may have to continue it next visit ! Wednesday morning Bob and I had volunteered to do reading group with Zoe’s class, we arrived ready to help but were told that as we don’t have a blue card we can’t do it. (A Blue card is like a Police Check for working with children) we were only going to be there 30 mins supervised by the teacher, but rules is rules. So we went off to have our haircuts at the Hair Academy and were told that we weren’t in the appointment book!! What, not going well today. Fortunately Caron the tutor, said she could fit us in, in about an hour so we went for coffee and returned later.
The girls school photos were this week – I took a photo before they went in as the price is really expensive and the photos aren’t always the best.
Saturday morning and TJ suddenly remembered at 9.55am that the girls had a catch up swim class at 10am – we were all still in our PJ’s and she thought she wouldn’t make it – but a crazy dash around and in 3 mins she was in the car with the girls in swimsuits and going ! They only missed 5 mins so not bad ! I have been asking Adam to take the mosquito blinds off the front windows so I can clean them, finally he took them off and I cleaned them until they shone then we applied a liquid that repels rain and dirt before replacing the blinds. Amazing stuff, so good that I used it on their shower screens too to make them easier to clean. We had “the Brennan family” with their 3 girls over for a BBQ Saturday afternoon and then Adam went out at 6pm for a dads night out too. So Sunday was a chilled day getting the girls to do their homework and watching some tv.
Monday 8th June and Adam isn’t feeling well, Mia has a chesty cough and Tj has kept her at home for the day so Bob and I looked after her. Tuesday with Tj busy with meetings, Adam not well and Bob golfing, I was left to drive Zoe to school on my own and then continued to my friend Rai’s house and on to the cafe where I met the other ladies for coffee. I showed them my casserole carrier I had quilted and Karyn was very impressed, saying that it was just what she needed, guess I will have to make another one now?
While I was out, Tj talked to Dean from Performance Pools who came to give her a quote, he had been recommended by other friends and she said she was very impressed with him – lets see what the quote is like ? Mia is still at home Wednesday and Thursday but she is feeling better, so Friday she goes back to school and when she walked into her classroom, all her classmates came and gave her a hug and said they had missed her – how cute was that. Adam had had a recall for the towbar on his Pathfinder car so after dropping the girls off at school , Bob and I took the car to the garage but after 30 mins they came back and said it wasn’t a factory fitted towbar so didn’t need anything doing ?? Surely they would have known that before they recalled it – however, since we are out, we went shopping at a local shopping plaza, had lunch and bob treated himself to a new pair of trousers and a jumper so not a complete waste of a morning.
Saturday morning and everyone was busy, the washing machine isn’t working, a blockage we think, so Adam and Bob pull it out and clean the pipes through. I am on sticker making for the herb garden labels, then with the washing machine fixed they start to move the trampoline and the steps up to the cubby house to make room for where the pool will be. We sprayed the lines of the pool on the grass and talked about sizes and placement of equipment. The quote is in and there are discussions and amendments but I think they are going to book Dean to build their pool?
Tj has an urge for Black Forest Gateaux so she made one, to buy one here is stupid expensive. It tasted amazing ! Then as a treat we all went out for dinner to La Marketa, a sort of “Eat Street” of stalls on a park area with every type of food you can think of.
Homemade Black Forest Gateaux 
La Marketa, Churros and Chocolate 
Ice cream treat
Sunday morning was the Brissie to the Bay Cycle. Adam was riding 100 kms. The route takes them past the end of our road so the girls spent an hour or so making posters and we stood and cheered the riders on as they passed. Some riders stopped and gave the girls a sweet and others thanked us for cheering them on, it was all for charity.
Ben, Phil and Adam set off 
Keep Going 
Go Daddy
Monday 14th and Adam had his Covid vaccine, Tj wanted hers too but for some reason she can’t get an appointment yet. I have coffee with the ladies on Tuesday and I drive there myself again and pick up Rai and Tess today, I am getting very brave at driving now, although I still prefer to be chauffeured. Wednesday and the girls school reports come out – Adam and Tj are really pleased that the reports are excellent and Zoe is a little star when it comes to reading – she is near the top of the class. Thursday I go to a sewing exhibition on the Gold Coast with my crafty friend Sam, we stop on the way at her holiday apartment (the one we stayed at last month) as the reno builder has started work and she wants to see how it is going – wow what a difference white paint makes ! However, new bathrooms and a kitchen have to be fitted so it will be a while before its done. The exhibition is disappointing, much smaller than we had anticipated and not many stalls, some were coming from Sydney and Melbourne but Covid put a stop to them travelling up. However, we had a good natter, some lunch and a laugh and we arrange to have a sewing day at Sam’s mums the next day. Its only a week until my birthday –
Saturday Tj and Bob go off to the shooting range for Bobs Christmas present – a clay pigeon shooting session – they had great fun but TJ’s rifle was too big for her and her shoulder was black and blue the next day where it had recoiled. The pool builders quote is agreed so its locked in to start in November, how exciting, now they are looking at pool tiles – do we go white or grey or cream ?? The KP children came for a play and stayed overnight so we had a games night in the evening before bed. They went up to bed at 7.30 and at 8pm they were all asleep ! Their Mum couldn’t believe it because when Mia and Zoe stay over at theirs its 10pm before they all go to sleep?
Sunday morning and Lucy called to say my mums flat had been flooded by a burst pipe in the hallway – it was so bad they can’t stay in the flat so they move to the guest suite down the hallway for 1 night and Lucy manages to get them into a hotel for a few days after that, hoping the insurance company will get it sorted soon. We spend the morning in the park with the girls and then we all go to Zara and Emma Tebble’s birthday party in the afternoon.
Jo Tebble is Mia’s teacher and her twins are in Zoe’s class. I chat to Jo’s mum who is watching from a distance, interestingly her grandparents came from Birmingham, UK and she had been there a couple of years ago to see where her grandparents came from.
Monday morning and Tj gets a call to let her know that Mia is going to get an award at Parade on Tuesday morning at school. Mia doesn’t know so when Mia’s name was called out, she didn’t get up, she didn’t think it was her? bless. She was very proud of her certificate. Rai was doing coffee at her house today so I drove there myself as Bob was golfing and Adam was busy.
Mia, so proud 
Wednesday Adam and Tj went to look at a new warehouse selling all sorts of things, recycled and new. They came back with 2 scooters! Their old scooters had recently been sold as they were too small. These needed some cleaning up but Bob spent a couple of hours taking them apart and cleaning them and the girls were so happy when they saw them.
Thursday is my Birthday Eve and I am all alone ! Bob is golfing, TJ and Adam have gone into work in the city and the girls are at school. I did some tidying, some housework and made myself a fruit cake for my birthday, then I settled down for Corrie catchup and I have started watching the series Queens Gambit. It was so peaceful.
Yeh I am 65years old and I still don’t have a pension ! I have another year to wait. However, the family make a lot of fuss over my birthday, the girls bring gifts and cards to my bed and once they are at school Bob takes the four of us out for breakfast at Ralph and Co, a lovely local cafe. Then Tj and I head for the city for a pamper day at the Sofitel Spa. We have a lovely relaxing time and during high tea on the patio I get another treat – the whole of the New South Wales Origin footballers are in town for the game this evening and are staying in this hotel and they all visit the swimming pool next to where we are sitting – phew what tiny budgie smugglers on muscled bodies !!! I am nearly as hot as I was in the steam room haha. Sorry, I was so busy looking I forgot to take a photo!
Breakfast 
Ready for treatment 
High tea 
View of the City from the Spa level 
In the evening we went to a local school quiz night. It was a charity night and we were part of a table of 10 and although we didn’t win the quiz, we did do very well in the raffle, Tj won a $75 Canvas Picture Voucher and Adam a free haircut. A memorable day, thank you Adam and Tj.
My Boxing day birthday – well that’s what I call it and Bob has an upset tummy. We go for a walk around the block but he still feels yukky so he goes off to bed. Adam and Tj have booked an ice skating session on the banks of the Brisbane river and then lunch in an igloo. We would have gone but due to Covid they are limiting each igloo to 5 people??? We live together what’s the difference but they wouldn’t have it so Bob and I stay home but as he doesn’t feel well it doesn’t matter.
Sunday morning and Adam is off early again on a cycle ride with his Carindale Cycle Club friends. Tj has booked the rest of us in on a plaster fun paint morning. Its all free, so long as we don’t mind them taking photos of us for their promotions- heck click away !. Our morning was very relaxing and our efforts amazing too.
In the afternoon we took the girls to the park on their new scooters.
Girls trying out the exercise equipment
Its School holidays again so we have the girls at home and spend the morning making a money box – they are saving for some pool toys for when it is built . We painted our nails, read stories, made some beaded book marks and then the girls had some quiet time in their bedrooms after lunch. I spoke to Lucy and she told me that the insurance company hadn’t sorted out my mums ruined carpets yet, so they are going to finish the guest bedroom and Adi is tiling the ensuite so that my mum and Len can stay with them, as hotel living for this length of time isn’t good for them.
Tuesday 29th and the girls go to vacation care in the school grounds, they are doing first aid today, I am prepared to be bandaged when they get home! I have the day to myself, Tj is out and Adam is working but its bad news on the tv, we are going into lockdown at 6pm for 3 days! We have the girls at home for the rest of the week, bob doing exercises and games in the garden between them making more beaded bookmarks, jigsaws, painting, drawing, cards, cooking etc… to keep them occupied and then the lockdown is extended to Saturday and there are 2 covid cases in Carindale where we are! yikkes.
July
Friday 2nd and Tj is at home so she makes play dough with the girls so I can catch up with washing and ironing. Good job because Saturday is wet and cool so we have a pj day watching films and playing with the girls until later when the lockdown is lifted and they go off to their friends for a sleepover. The gang show has come to town and Adam and TJ take the girls on Sunday to see it, Bob and I don’t feel safe going where there are crowds with the virus around so we stay home and we all have a nice BBQ in the garden when they return.
Monday 5th we have the girls again so we treat them to morning coffee and a cake at the café in the local Leagues Club, they feel so grown up going out for coffee. Then we all went swimming at Sleeman’s Pool where the Olympic and Commonwealth Games are held. The big pool is quite cold but their 25 metre pool is sooo warm. We finish the day with playing in the garden and then MMA their martial arts class. The girls (and us) are exhausted by bedtime. Lucy calls to say my Mum and Len have moved into the guest suite in their house.
Sassy girls out for coffee
Tuesday the girls are at vacation club but Wednesday we started the day with a visit to the library, I have challenged the girls to read 10 books for $10 pocket money. We did some shopping and bought the girls t shirts and a jumper as the weather is cool now (well cool for Brisbane, not the Uk ). We booked Jungle (an Adventure play area in a warehouse) for the afternoon where they spent from 1pm til 5pm having a great time and their friends the KP girls came too. We came home with two happy, red faced, sweat girls but they were soon fed and asking to go to bed! I think that all that energy exhausted me because Thursday I didn’t feel too good but I made a lasagne for tea, a shepherds pie for tomorrow and tomato soup for lunches and then an apple crumble for pudding. Then I went to bed and didn’t eat ! Think I must have eaten something that disagreed with me because I slept a lot of Friday and spent most of Saturday on the sofa. Luckily Tj was at home Friday so she took the girls out to the Townhall and a museum all day.
The Town Hall 
At the top of the Clock Tower 
Brisbane Museum with the KP girls 
Zoe excited that she has her own Go card for Brisbane Transport
We were babysitting the girls in the evening so Adam and Tj could go to a Dinner in the Dark event with friends, the girls went straight to bed and were good. The dinner in the dark was apparently weird as you couldn’t see what you were eating. The owner of the restaurant apparently had the idea because his sister was blind. Saturday Adam and Tj took the girls out to a birthday party in the park as I slobbed on the sofa, but it was a rubbish party so they came back and the KP girls came over for a sleepover in the evening. They all went to bed when asked and the adults watched the film Black Widow. Sunday we prepared the costumes and did a practice run for the Bastille day parade at the girls school, they have to dress in something “French”. This year Zoe is going as Coco Chanel and Mia as Marie Curie.
By Tuesday I was feeling much better, the girls went off to school in their costumes looking fabulous, then I ventured out for coffee with the ladies. I had made a casserole carrier for Karyn and when I gave it to her she was so surprised and she loved it. The family love my trifle but I restrict them to 1 a month as its not that healthy! However, Adam kept saying “is it Trifle for pudding?” When I said “I have the ingredients but I haven’t put it together yet, you will have to wait,” he said, ” I don’t mind a deconstructed trifle. ” So I thought well thats what he is going to get ! They all laughed when I dished up the secret pudding that evening!
My deconstructed Trifle 
Mia as Marie Curie 
Thursday is Sports Day at school, so Tj and I go to school and take our camp chairs as its going to be a while in the field. The girls run their heats, Zoe doesn’t come in the first 3 so she isn’t in the final but we were yelling at Mia to run as she was near the back. All of a sudden she clicked up a gear and she came in 3rd to gain a place in the final, she was so proud of herself. She didn’t win the final but for someone who doesn’t excel at running she amazed us all – well done Mia.
Friday morning Tj said she woke in the night with severe pain in her elbow and this morning she can’t move it at all. So we decide to take her to the A&E in the city as a doctor would only send her there for an x-ray. We can’t go in with her so we drop her at the door and Bob and I go to Southbank for a coffee and wait for a call to say she is sorted. The city is almost deserted, everyone is working from home I think but we find a café overlooking the City Beach and wait.
After about an hour TJ calls to say she is waiting for an x-ray and for us to go home and she will call when she is done as it could be a while. Eventually she called to say the doctor said she needed a scan. The following day she visited her own doctor who arranged for an MRI scan to confirm if it was excess calcium in her elbow that was pressing on the nerve. She prescribed some anti-inflammatory tablets that thankfully settled it down.
The weekend again, where does the time go? Quick tidy up in the morning as Zoe has a friend called Kiana at school and she has been asking for weeks if she can come for a playdate. Adam is doing a BBQ brunch for Kiana and her parents and we haven’t had them here before, hence the tidy up. They are very nice people and Zoe and Kiana play nicely together . The girls want a pamper evening, so TJ bought face masks and Mia and I cut some flowers and leaves from the garden and we had shoulder and foot massages by the girls. The girls painted my toenails and I painted theirs and we were all very relaxed by bedtime.
Head Massage by Zoe 
Mia’s Foot Spa 
Family Blackhead removal haha!
The next week was full of Doctor stuff, Adam had his 2nd Vaccine on Monday, Tuesday Tj went for her MRI scan, Wednesday I spoke to a Surgeon’s secretary in the UK and organised an appointment for later in September. When I had my 2nd Vaccine later that day I thought the nurse was a bit rough as it hurt a lot. The bruise the next day showed that she was rough! While at the doctors I asked for a copy of my hip x-ray and the report and I sent it to the Surgeon as requested . Bob could have had his vaccine with me Wednesday but he wanted to play golf on Thursday so he scheduled his for 2pm after golf!. Well at least he didn’t play golf after getting his vaccine last time. Then Friday TJ had her first vaccine. phew
Saturday is Christmas in July in Brisbane and we had been invited to Sam & Ollies house, (Sam is my crafting/sewing buddy). The KP family came too so we took the vegetables and the KPs brought dessert. Sam and Ollie cooked an amazing array of meats and we had a very pleasant afternoon playing games and exchanging a present each.
While at Sam’s Tj noticed a heat tray that Sam was using and was so impressed she said she wanted one. It was old and not made anymore but Tj was on the case and tracked down one in a village called Kooralbyn and beat them down to $30! The owner said we could pick it up on Monday anytime. Well, then we looked at the map and realised it was 1hr 30 mins away ! Oh well had nothing much planned for Monday so Bob and I offered to go on a road trip!. Once we turned off the motorway after about 40 mins we were driving into the wilderness, the road got narrower, the views were of nothing but flat land and big hills in the distance, then we spotted the wildlife – a kangaroo hopping long beside the road, some camels chasing each other, a herd of cows came close to the road to look at us and someone had hung a car from a tree?? When we arrived at the house to collect the plate heater the owner had a full size Tardis in the drive ? There are some strange people who live outside of the city! Once we had collected the heater we realised it was lunchtime and we were hungry so we stopped off at the next town which was Beaudesert, a pleasant little enclave where we found a quaint café where armchairs and coffee tables outside the front door on the pavement are the norm – the sun was shining and the armchairs looked inviting so we sat for half an hour and enjoyed.
Where is everyone? 
Kangaroo out for a hop 
The road becomes a track 
camels? 
nosy cows 
A hung car. Is this a pagan ritual? 
the Tardis
The rest of the week was a normal week until Friday, Tj went to the Brisbane Girls Grammar School to have a look round with Rosemaree KP as she is interested in her girls going there at 11 years old. It was packed apparently but they did the tour and were home by 8pm.
Tj had won another $100 voucher to use on tourism stuff so we decided to go to Currumbin Wildlife park on Saturday. We got up early and set off, aiming to arrive around 10am. It was a 1hr 30min journey and when we were almost there the news came on the radio to say there were Covid Cases in Brisbane and the whole of the city would go into lockdown at 4pm ! Darn it ! We decided that as we were nearly there we would continue to the Wildlife park and be extra careful but would leave by 2.30pm to be home by 4pm. We had a wonderful day, the girls enjoyed the play area, the animals and the shows and crashed out with Daddy on the sofa when we got home. Now we had 3 days at home and home schooling to look forward to again. However, the lockdown was extended to 7 days so everyone is at home until next Sunday.
On the train around the park 
Koala with a baby
Are they pretending to be asleep? haha
August
Well I hadn’t really meant to keep going into August with the Blog but I think this is going to be my last blog for a while as “we are coming home”! fingers crossed that nothing changes, we have been here 22 months and its been amazing spending the time with the family and watching the girls grow so much physically and mentally. It will be heart wrenching to go but we also miss Lucy and the boys and all our other family and friends. Lucy and Adi have been super stars, sorting out some problems at home and they have had my mum and step dad in their guest room for 8 weeks while the insurance prevaricate over the cost of a couple of carpets ! However, the new carpets are being laid on 31st August so they can return home and vacate the room for us !
On Sunday 1st August TJ got a message to say that she was a close contact with a tutor, who had since been tested positive, at the school she visited Friday and must quarantine with the whole household for 2 weeks !! Oh no, what a disaster, Adam and TJ had booked a 5 day trip away on their own for their wedding anniversary on August 8th revisiting the islands where they were married 13 years ago. They are very disappointed especially as their other trip to Vietnam was also cancelled due to covid last year in March for Adams 40th birthday. I feel so sad for them but life goes on. Anyway, Tj took her covid test and it was negative, Bob and I schooled the girls for the 2 weeks so that Adam and TJ could work, we ordered food for delivery online and some friends dropped red cross parcels at the door with wine, beer, chocolate and games for the girls so it wasn’t so bad, we had each other. Tj’s 8 day covid test was also negative so I think we are all ok.
Making spiral snakes 
Zoe’s is the longest 
Learning to use the Thermomix 
Cookies 
Morning yoga 
Zoe’s pic of a frog from her book 
A crocodile with things from the garden 
As the Olympics were still on Bob designed a challenge for the girls, an event every day for the first week, running, high jump, long jump, throwing and a golf ball game. The girls enjoyed the distraction from the school work that the the school were sending everyday and the whole family came out in the garden for a game of cricket etc or just to get some fresh air every now and again. The drama club and Martial Arts group had zoom lessons and we tried to yoga or exercises every day with them too. At the end of the week I made medals for them and we awarded them for the winners of each event and they each won 2 events and drew 1 event. The following week was much the same, Mia finally did a cartwheel properly and Zoe learnt to catch (she had been closing her eyes when the ball came towards her!). Adam started teaching Mia to play chess.
High Jump 
Spot the Ball, Zoe has a wicked throw 
Golf ball challenge 
The weeks score board
The girls asked me to help them make breakfast in bed for Adam and Tj on their anniversary, Mia picked flowers from the garden and they made toast and fruit with biscuits, chocolate and apple juice, we took it up to them, they were very excited. We had a lovely day, we played with the girls in the garden and ordered a Turkish Uber Eat dinner but it’s not quite as good as 5 days on Hamilton Island!
Friday 13th and we are freed, Adam and TJ have told us that they want to send us to Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast in a 5 star hotel for a few days to say thankyou for looking after the girls. Its not necessary as we enjoyed it, even though we are a bit tired so we said we would go only if they came with us on Sunday and had the day with us. The hotel and grounds are beautiful, the room overlooked the man made beach and lagoon which we all tried out after a walk round the marina and some lunch. However, it was very cold so we moved up to the heated pool and spent the rest of the afternoon with the children in there and the spa. After showers all round in our room we went out for dinner to a pizza restaurant, we sat outside next to a big fire and enjoyed our meal before waving the family off to go home.
Walking round the Marina Village 
Lunch on the terrace 
Ah relaxing by the pool 
Mia found a Kangaroo in the grounds 
End of a lovely day 
Bob happy 
Our golf chariot, very plush 
The Greek Restaurant 
On our way home watching the Pelicans
After the family left Bob played golf the next day at the Links Course on Hope Island as the hotel golf courses are either closed for maintenance or members only. On the Monday evening we walked to the Marine village and had a lovely meal in the Greek Restaurant and asked at reception if we could have a late checkout on Tuesday. On the way home Tuesday afternoon we stopped off to walk along the side of the river and watched the pelicans in the water.
The last week we have spent saying goodbye to so many friends. Sunday 22nd we went to Kangaroo Park with Zoe’s class friends and their parents for a playdate, lots of them came and said they were sad to see us go and to come back soon. In the afternoon Rita ans Ben Shields and family came over for a BBQ, on Tuesday 24th I went with Rai and Tess to the City Hall for a free concert and a coffee. On Wednesday 25th Bob and I went to have our last haircuts and the tutor at the academy asked for my email to keep in touch – aw. On Friday27th I met the ladies at the leagues club and we had coffee then we went in for a lunch and a glass of wine, Rai gave me a gift of a scarf and a card and said she would really miss me, then in the evening Laureen and Mike came over and we had pizzas and said goodbye and then on Saturday 28th we were invited to the “Brennans” for dinner on their terrace which is very high up and overlooks part of the city. There are still a few to say goodbye to, Sam is coming this week on Wednesday and the KPs will be round. Its so nice to have these people who have become our friends say they will miss us, we will miss them too.
We have booked our pre flight covid tests for Wednesday 1st sept and the day 2 and 8 tests in the Uk, we will have to quarantine for 14 days even though we have been fully vaccinated here. Wednesday we also have to check in and fill in the locator form on the government website. Lucy has been counting the days since about March so its strange to be on single figures now. However, for those of you who are interested in Lucy’s house reno here are a few more pictures of the almost finished home they have made for themselves, I for one am very excited to see it.
The kitchen/ living /dining 
The snug 
The snug 
back of the house 
The front door is now in 
The Hallway is painted 
Kitchen going in 
The fridge freezer arrives 
The guest bathroom 
The guest garden room 
a giraffe on the landing – don’t ask ? 
Lucy’s boys haven’t they grown!
This is a massive blog, I am sorry but I needed to finish it so I can go and pack, enjoy it if you wish, maybe you will need to read it in bite sizes a month at a time. Thank you for your comments on previous blogs and I hope this is as good.
Until we see you all, hopefully very soon. Much Love Lyn x
