Special visitors -
Nana and Pops are really lucky to have Jodi and Vance and Kai stay with them for 5 weeks over the Xmas holidays. The high humidity in the tropics of Darwin at this time of year is pretty unbearable so the visit to Gympie is great for everyone.
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Vance, Mum and Kai out on Pops deck
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Amongst other things we've managed to get out on the golf course while Jodes and the boys are here.
Jodi had a very good first outing (beginner's luck), she hit some very good balls along the fairways and showed she has some potential as she consistently hit straight and usually with some good elevation. We carted the kids along in a buggy for them to see what is involved in trying to get around a golf course.
A couple of days later Vance was sufficiently enthused to try and have a go as well. He attended a junior coaching session for some very basic instruction in gripping a club and connecting the ball etc.
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Vance's golf lesson
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The family had some beaut times, both at home and around Gympie during the visit.
A bonfire and marshmallow toasting session in the backyard ...
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| Pops and crew, Kai and Vance |
The workers ...
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| Jodes, chief fire tender |
The entertainees ...
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| There were marshmallows before the sparklers came out |
An extraordinary model train display
At the local heritage railway station, there is an enormous model of a train community on display. It features the Rattler Steam train and other railcars' circuit covering a large room. It shows local sights of the region and showcases landmarks. The trains actually run around the tracks, it's an amazing display and it can keep one interested for ages.
Roundabout the yard at home there were a multitude of activities for the boys and other big kids ...
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| Learning to mow? |
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| Nana playing ball which was better than getting beaten at cards |
The 'kids' on my bike with Pops 'showing off'
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| taking Lizzi for a walk |
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| trampolining |
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| freshening up the garden furniture |
HOUSEBOATING
Dave treated us to some time lounging around on a houseboat just before Xmas. Friends, The Readers joined us for the 5 days on the Noosa river, It was a lovely stretch of water, starting from Tewantin up to Boreen Point. We fished, crabbed, swam, relaxed, ate and drank to excess.
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| Houseboat is behind, Reader and Van driving in our boat |
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| Skipper at wheel and First mate |
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| Chef Mary |
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| Motley crew |
Boys were amused for hours with their fishing
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| The fisherboys |
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| Van proudly displaying his first fish (catfish!) |
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| Nana and the boys swimming |
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| Kai and Van |
It was a great time, with good company in very pleasant surroundings.
XMAS TIME
With two kids in the house it was an exciting time - preparing for Santa and all the hype
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| Vance decorating the tree |
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| Boys helping Pops put up the Xmas lights |
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| Vance's creation - Door decoration is made from a garden rake head |
Of course the kids were mightily spoiled by Santa, Aunties, Grandies etc
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| Mum joining in the fun |
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| Jodes wearing a couple of her Xmas gifts |
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| Entree prawns |
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| Xmas meal - Dave smoked the ham |
AUSTRALIA ZOO
Another really enjoyable outing we made was to the Australia Zoo down at Beerwah, Sunshine Coast. Despite it drizzling for most of the day, it was more comfortable for the animals as the majority were moving about in the cooler temperatures
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| Kai and the koala |
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| Nana and Vance |
A new part of the zoo which opened the day we were there was Bindi's treehouse (from her TV show)
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| Bindi's treehouse |
Towards the end of the day, everyone was weary so we decided to travel by shuttle, we were waiting...
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