It’s August and as the temperature rises in the West, it drops in the evenings here in the south east as its the middle of winter! However, don’t be sad for us as its 20-25 degrees in the day and mostly sunny haha. Some people have said, “oh no how terrible for you to be stuck in Australia” – NO its not, its great. We have the company of the Aussie family and up until now, the freedom to go out and about without wearing a mask at all times as we have no Covid cases in Queensland, so we feel very lucky to be “stuck” here. However, as its nearly the end of August as I start to write, there have been outbreaks in Melbourne in the south and the virus cases are creeping up and coming north through Sydney. It has touched Queensland this week as the fall out from 3 very stupid women who went on a jolly to Melbourne in July, came back to Brisbane, lied to Police about their trip and didn’t isolate themselves. They had picked up the virus and happily spread it around our shopping malls, restaurants and its also in a Youth Detention Centre not far from us too now. So panic stations and some of us are wearing a mask to go out.
Anyway back to August 1st, we were invited to one of TJ’s friends houses for brunch. Sam has become a good friend of mine too as we both have a love of anything crafty and particularly sewing. Sam and her husband Ollie put on a magnificent bbq breakfast with pancakes and hot turkish garlic toast and sausage and bacon butties etc. Our girls and their 2 children Nico and Lucy played together happily while the adults chilled and chatted in the garden. Its an amazing way to start the weekend. In the evening TJ hosted a family quiz night with Adam as marker. Bob, I and Sara were in Team A and Lucy and family in team B. Scores were very close with each team nudging to the front all the way through but with a fail on the last round of Music (which Bob and I are miserably poor at) Lucy’s team won. Bring on the next one !
Sunday was delegated to changing doors. Adam and TJ had gone to Bunnings (the equivalent of B & Q) last week and spotted a new solid wood door to replace the flimsy one from the Rumpus room into the garage, and at a bargain price so they “bagged it” and then decided to also replace the back door from the Rumpus room to the outside deck. So guess what Bob and Adam were doing Sunday ? Yep hanging the new doors that Bob had been painting all week.
Bob has a dentist appointment ! He is in pain so finally he decided to take the plunge and go, they put this clear thing in his mouth to keep it open and he looked so funny. Sorry Bob, this is the start of a journey to get his new dentures. I have restarted Zumba with Tj, its for seniors but the pace is good for both of us and now we are getting used to the routine moves we are getting better. We received good news from Lucy this week too, they have been granted planning permission for the changes to their house extension plans, looking forward to seeing some bricks laid after nearly 4 years!
At the weekend it was Adam and TJs 12th wedding anniversary so we celebrated by driving up to Bribie Island (about 1hr 15mins ) and staying overnight in an AIRBNB.
It was really funny, the house we stayed at was clean but oh so dated, going back to the 70’s I think. We had 3 bedrooms on one side of their bungalow which was cut in half by an opaque wall in the hall. We had the use of the back garden and a patio area with a sofa and table and a kitchenette. It was ok, cheap and cheerful but as soon as we had unpacked we went out to explore and take the kids to the beach. Dinner was fish and chips after a good long walk along the waters edge, watching the bats coming out for the night and then a pelican hung around the cafe hoping for scraps but we didn’t have anything left, it was so scrummy. The whole weekend was lovely and relaxing, Bob and I did some shopping and Adam and TJ took the kids to see a film at the cinema on Sunday. Before lunch we stopped off at the island Museum where the girls did a quiz searching for items and their reward was a bag of goodies. We had a lovely Sunday lunch at the Sandstone Hotel which stands on the edge of the water before the bridge across to the island. We took a walk along the pier to work off lunch before we set off for home.
Mia protecting Zoe from the waves 
Sunset 
Pelican hoping for scraps from our fish and chip dinner – no chance ! 
Grandads little darling 
Island Museum 
Sunday lunch at the Sandstone Hotel 
The Anniversary couple
The next week was usual stuff, Zumba on Monday, Golf for Bob Tuesday, Wednesday Mia has gone off to school looking pretty for school photos and Sam came over for a sewing day and we made purses, Mia Scouts Wednesday evening and Thursday I went to Golf with Bob and beat him hands down ! haha Celebrated on the way back by popping into my favourite material shop and stocking up while their sale is on.
Week 3 was busier, both Bob and I had dental appointments at the beginning of the week, his for some fillings and first lot of impressions for his new dentures and mine to have my denture fitted. They were made very quickly, only 2 and a bit weeks so I am pleased to be able to fill the gap, but it feels like a brick in my mouth when he put it in as its twice the size of my last 1 tooth denture – just have to get used to it ! Afterwards Bob took me to a golf discount shop as he wanted a new club – heheh he should never take me too as I found a new skirt and top at a bargain price and he had to buy them for me ! Then I made him book a tee time for Thursday at Ipswich Golf so I could try them out – I think it was all too much for him as he felt ill by the weekend and developed a cough and had to get Covid tested. All good though, test was negative .
On Saturday we went to Ipswich for the day, none of us had visited this place before so we just went on an exploration. We started off at the City park mini zoo. Because of Covid we had to queue for quite sometime to get in, although it was free there was a limit of the the amount of people allowed and everyone seemed to have decided to visit today ! However, it was a lovely setting and the girls enjoyed looking at the animals. We found more things to climb on and pose on and we explored the science museum and shops. We had a burger lunch in an “American diner” which was extremely tacky when we got inside but we laughed and made the most of it. On the way home we stopped at an outdoor swim pool and the girls enjoyed an hours water play with Daddy – everyone else decided it was too cold to go in !
girls posing 
The outdoor pool
Adam bought electric gubbins for the garage doors and they spent most of Sunday getting them fitted right. So glad they are done though as its so easy to go out and forget to lock the garage doors, whereas now they lock automatically. To finish off the week The Block starts Sunday night (a 12 week show about 5 couples competing to renovating 5 houses and make the most profit).
The last week of August I got my haircut, the hairdressers have moved into smaller premises so its a bit cramped and with Covid restrictions its very quiet. We go to a Hair Academy and let the students cut our hair for a very small price but we are very happy with the cuts as they are supervised and do it right. Bob wasn’t going to have his cut but the Teacher, Caron, persuaded him to have a tidy up as she had a male barber there training to be a stylist for ladies who didn’t have anything to do ! Bob isnt really well enough to golf on Tuesday so he stays at home. However Thursday he feels fit to play so off he went. I have been playing with some Acrylic Paint pouring stuff so while he was away I had a play – no pictures yet until I am happy with the results. Friday I needed to return something to Sam so Bob said I had to drive ! I did drive all the way there and back – scarey because I just don’t drive these days.
Fridays have become busy, this week Mia had a pyjama day at school, Zoe goes to Superstars dance class in the morning, Mia has drama after school and then they both go swimming lessons so dinner is always later on a Friday but this week we went to the Leagues Club across the road and treated ourselves to dinner out – yummy. Afterwards we have games night so the girls can choose what board games they want to play until bedtime. So far their favourite is Sequence for kids or Uno card game that Mia is really good at and usually beats us all.
Top Golf Crew 
Finishing off this last week of August Adam and TJ hired a babysitter and we went to TopGolf with 2 of their friends Rita and Ben who hadn’t tried this place. Its a very large driving range on 3 floors and you hit your golf ball out into a field of targets. Scores are made for hitting the ball further away and nearer the centre of each target. We have some drinks and snack food and enjoyed a laugh for a couple of hours.
Sunday is Mias school class get together at Bulimba, a bouncy castle for the kids and time for the parents to catch up and chat as Covid restrictions have made that difficult. Bob and I went to join them but couldn’t get a coffee as they had turned the machines off ?? We wandered into the village and found our own coffee shop and had a coffee and read the paper in peace, 20 kids screaming wasn’t our cup of tea anyway ! Bob is trying not to think about tomorrow as his dentures have arrived and he has to have 4 teeth out. Oh and Zoe has a joke – question What are you doing under there? Reply Under where ? Zoe – AHHH you said Underwear !!! she thinks its hilarious.
Sunday night as Mia was getting into bed she asked about Grandads teeth he was having out – what would happen to them? she asked. I replied that they would be thrown away so she asked if she could have them?? Why?? Well apparently the fairies give you money for teeth, so she might make something on them?? lol what an entrepreneur ! Monday morning went better than expected. I dropped Bob off at the dentist, told Dr Andy to be gentle with him and left to go for my walk. Everytime Bob goes to the dentist its usually an hour at least and this time the dentist has allowed 2 hrs so I walk a couple of kms into the centre of the village and back, pick up a coffee and sit in the car until he is ready. About 1.5 hrs after leaving him I get a call to say they are nearly finished with him so I went in. We can’t believe the difference in his face and his smile now. It was worth all the money to get this … Bob relaxed for the rest of the day and sipped liquids and popped the paracetamols when the pain started.
September
Tuesday morning and we are back at the Dentist, Dr Andy wants to check everything is ok. Bob hasn’t slept well, the front of his mouth is very sore where they took out 4 teeth and he is struggling to put in and take out the denture. He is assured that all is well and to just keep taking the tablets and only eat soft food for a few days. To take his mind off it we go for a drive to the coast at Manly and had a walk in the sea breeze then a coffee and ginger beer in our favourite place in the Marina.
A bit blustery on the coast but a nice morning coffee at Manly Marina 
Towards the end of the week, school has a teacher training day so Adam, TJ and the girls go down to the Gold Coast for a few days away and to celebrate Fathers Day. Friends of Adam and TJ and their children go too and Bob and I get some quiet time to ourselves and the chance to wash the dining chair covers. We drive down Saturday morning to join them for breakfast croissants and then drive to Sams holiday apartment to spend the day with them in their pool and have a bbq. Bob and I babysat the girls in the evening to give Adam and TJ some free time. The apartment in the Hotel is beautiful, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a full kitchen and we have a very comfy sofa bed in the lounge. From the balcony we can see the sea and next to the hotel is a hotel where they are putting people who are in isolation for COVID, very interesting watching the goings on there, police in and out all day and night. Sunday after the excited girls had given daddy their box of presents they had made and Adam had given Bob a lovely new polo shirt, the girls spent the morning in the hotel pool. Tj packed up our things and we checked out at 12 noon and drove 300 yds to the restaurant TJ had booked for lunch. Edgewater was what it said it was, on the edge of the water and the food was lovely. On the way home we stopped off at the Outlet Shopping Centre but the girls had fallen asleep in the car so we left TJ with them and had a quick look round. Adam need to take back a pair of trainers he had bought there that had come apart. Luckily they were very helpful, said it was a known problem and promptly replaced them with a new pair of a more expensive different model – lucky Adam.
The apartment 
The day view 
The night View 
Miss Zoe posing 
The kids all in the pool 
Lunch at Edgewater Restaurant 
Happy Fathers
Back to work, school, day care Monday morning for some, after a nice weekend away. Bob had a check up at the dentist, then the garden to do and the cars needed the sand hoovering out from the beach and I had a pile of washing and ironing. Tj and I braved Zumba again as we had missed 3 weeks with dental appointments and colds. Monday night Zoe came home with a picture she had done, I looked at it and said “ooo thats ….. mmmm…” ARTISTIC Zoe interjected ! laugh haha where does she hear these words? This week we received news that our visa application to extend our time here had been granted, a huge relief for us as our current visa was going to run out next week! Now we can relax again without the worry of having to travel half way round the world in the current climate. I got some sewing done this week, a dress for Zoe and a wizard outfit for Halloween (the pattern and material I bought 4 years ago here and never got round to finishing it so I added a bit to the length and the sides and now it fits Zoe. ) Here is a picture of Zoe wearing a red cape that I made for Mia 4 years ago too! Mia also wanted a scout camp blanket so I have been sewing on all her badges ready for the next camp- I still have Zoe’s badges to sew on hers too.
Zoe’s new dress 
Mia wearing Zoe’s Wizard outfit 
Little Red Riding Hood outfit for daycare today 
Joey Scout Camp Blanket finished 
Bob and I played golf together again Thursday and this time he beat me – but not by much, however the kangaroos thought I deserved to win, really – they told me so
During Saturday night, someone tried to break into the next door neighbours house and also a house down the road. We didn’t know anything about it until I saw the police there Sunday morning. Adam went round to find out what was happening as Merle the neighbour, is in her 80s and lives alone. Apparently it was kids, about 7pm who broke a window but couldn’t open the grill behind so gave up. Adam checked his CCTV and saw them walking past our house but the garden camera just didn’t come round quite far enough to see them on her property. Saturday evening was the Scout Gang Show, Tj and Adam took the girls, I said I would go when Mia or Zoe was in it.
On Sunday Zoe had a birthday party to go to in Bulimba so we joined Adam and TJ afterwards and took the girls to NOM NOM’s icecream parlour for a treat – they loooove this icecream, especially the chocolate flavour – can you guess ? lol .
Scramble for the sweeties at the party 
Little miss Chocolate face 
Week 3 of September I am waiting for the results of the WASPI case in court for us 50’s women to get our pension at 60 and not have to wait until we are 66 or 67 – sad news that it wasn’t to be and I still have to wait – such a travesty – Bob you still have a kept woman !! Mia loves drama group at school but wants to do more so she has a trial with another group this week, it went well but the cost is very high and the times don’t suit at the moment. Tj talked to the school and they are going to increase what they do next term so we are going to wait and see what they offer. Now we have a new visa we have to renew our Medicare (reciprocal medical with UK) which involves another long form, and I have a drs appointment to get more prescription tablets.
The boys have organised a Dads night out, so TJ and I plan on a face pack, indian head massage and a good chic flic movie – no it wasn’t a scary one …
Every year Toowoomba put on a flower carnival, its apparently beautiful but with Covid, not sure what will happen this year but we decide to spend Saturday in Toowoomba and booked a table for dinner in a restaurant in the city centre. We pack a picnic lunch and leave early to get there as its nearly 2 hrs drive and we want to fit in so much. The parks are magnificent, we watch a chalk artist, visit a museum and a craft fair and a market. In the afternoon we went to a lookout point with views to die for and we eat ice cream, we missed a parade in the city but the girls had a great time in a park playground for an hour wearing themselves out. We also spent some time in the Japanese Garden with its fountains, ducks, beautiful blossom trees and bridges over little brooks. We had dinner and headed for home with the girls fast asleep in the car in 2 mins.
On our day trip 
View at the Lookout 
Projected onto the side of a building 
In the park 
Japanese Garden 
Japanese Lake with huge ducks 
chalk artist
On Sunday Adam and TJ went to a camping exhibition, they are toying with buying a trailer tent. They like camping but the idea of sleeping off the ground is appealing. We had the girls and we made birthday cards for Bob, had our nails painted then they helped make a batch of tomato ketchup and some jelly sweets. Zoe insisted on wearing her gum boots and Grandad had to build a tower with magnetic triangles so that Zoe could smash it down – apparently its really funny to do that lol. When mummy and daddy returned they had lots of information and started looking at hiring a camp trailer for a trip to test out the campers they like.
Mia is on holiday from school for 2 weeks now but Zoe still goes to daycare. Monday and Thursday she goes to Vacation Club at the school because she likes the things they are doing. Tuesday Bob is golfing so I have Mia to myself and we do some baking today, making anzac biscuits and some colouring in. Wednesday we take Mia to the outdoor swimming pool, the water is still very cold but its ok after a few minutes. After she had exhausted both of us, chasing her and throwing her around in the pool we all had a rest and took in the warm sunshine.
Friday morning the family go off for a long weekend in a hired camper trailer, they are going north to Noosa on the coast and the whole idea is to try out using two or three models that they like the look of, to see if its worth the money to spend on buying one maybe next year. Bob and I are happy to stay in the house and have a quiet weekend- really we don’t feel left out ! Its Bobs birthday on Monday so we have a nice quiet weekend, pottering and enjoying the weather and time together. Monday morning we go off to the Glen Hotel for breakfast at 8.30am and are immediately disappointed because we were expecting a huge buffet breakfast where you just eat what you want for a set price – NO its all cancelled due to COVID so we have a cooked breakfast outside under a canopy from a pop up shed – not the most romantic of breakfasts !
Afterwards we went for a walk and did some shopping where I got my anniversary presents and back home for the afternoon to put our feet up and have a read – ah bliss. The evening we walked to a restaurant with the intention of having a pizza but when we got there – no Pizzas on Mondays – of course ! The kids are back Tuesday from their adventures, full of all the likes and dislikes of camper trailer camping but mostly good. We have a big discussion about their trip over a nice evening dinner with them and TJ has bought a cake for Bob so we all have a big slice for dessert.
Mummy and Daddy wanted a bigger piece !!
September is coming to an end and with it the Spring weather is in full swing here, hitting high 20’s during the day and still mid teens in the evening. The Covid cases are peaking in the South of Australia but we still haven’t had more than a handful of cases in Brisbane so thinking ourselves very lucky to be here with the love and support of the Aussie family. I hope that everyone of our friends and family are keeping safe and well, especially those I don’t get the time to talk to much. Big hugs everyone and hope to see you in 2021.
Lovely to catch up with you all 😘X*
Hi Lyn and Bob,
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog this morning. So glad you have your visas extended and are having such a happy time in Australia 😎
Your owl is looking a little lonely and sends you a twit twoo 🦉!
All best wishes, Carol and Jon x 😎
You are certainly making the most of your extra time in Oz. Pleased to hear you’re doing zumba. I’m struggling at the moment with hip pain and apparently I’ve got to have a hip replacement!!! Such a nuisance. All my camino walks are on hold anyway due to Covid. Apart from that all is good in the Zanchi families and our other families. The kids are growing fast. Ethan is doing well at school and never ceases to amaze me. Your granddaughters are lovely.
Thanks for the posts. I really enjoy reading them and it’s almost like you are talking. Keep them coming. Love to you and your family. Xx