Dave is 64!

Dave is looking pretty happy despite not wanting to celebrate his birthday.  He was more than content to have a meal of oysters and a carton of Crownies so he is pretty easy to please these days.

Happy birthday Dave and may there be many more to follow.

"Two Sheds on a Hill"

It's the periodic photographic update of the property

Our abode, house and shed located on at the top of a "little hill" ,  Both structures are of zincalume so the locals referred to the buildings as a couple of sheds up on the hill.

 

 

The front view from the road - note the green pristine lawn

The backyard displaying the lovely green lawn again ... great for practising golf chips!

 

The driveway.

 

 

The bamboo patch, well and truly recovered from the drought 3 months previous.

 

 Some of the front gardens ... not as thick as before the drought but growth is bouncing back.

 

Fishing trip ... finally! March 25-27

Some fish for the freezer at last! Snapper, Squire, Tusk fish and a cod.    The weather and fish gods smiled on the fishing club and a charter left from Tin Can Bay, and the anglers got a good haul.

Dave, the unwilling subject

 

 

The booty!  The esky is huge.

It will be a treat to have some fresh fish on the table, and maybe a couple of smoked fish as well.

Brother Harry's unveiling

My brother Harry passed away in December 2011,  In Maori culture the grave is veilled (without a headstone) and left for 12 months until the headstone is mounted.  I was unable to attend the unveilling ceremony so Jovy (sister-in-law) and Lorna-Jen (my niece) kindly sent me these photos.

Family members unveiling the plaque

L-R Lorna-Jen, Jane (back to camera), Barbara, Jack and Jovy

70 white flowers on Harry's grave to represent his 70th birthday

Jovy, Harry's widow and daughter Lorna-Jen

 

 

Apparently it was a lovely but of course sad occasion with many of Harry's family in attendance.

Fraser Island Retreat

Fraser Island Stay 9 - 11 March 2013

Kingfisher Bay Resort

View of the resort taken from the Jetty - nestled well into the bush

A couple of very relaxing days were enjoyed at the eco-friendly Kingfisher Bay Resort on Fraser Island. (World Heritage-Listed) We lounged by day and indulged in fine dining in the evenings. It was a grand birthday celebration, Darby and Joan swanning around the bush, lakes lagoons, beaches and flopping in the evening in some lovely luxury surroundings.

 

View of the accommodation areas, photo taken from the jetty

Our lagoon from the deck

relaxing, sipping, munchies - a la David

We've visited the island on several occasions and Dave particularly enjoys all the sand tracking and 4 Wheel Driving, it was no different on the weekend - he had fun playing with his truck..

Xmas in Western Australia 2012

Xmas in 2012 was celebrated in Dawesville, Western Australia. Dave and I travelled from Gympie over to Western Australia by road, camping along the way, to meet with family members for Xmas. We rented a holiday house about 60 kms south of Perth and based ourselves there for a week. We had a lovely time relaxing at the house after a long trip on the camper.

On Xmas day lunchtime we hosted some of Dave's family for a meal and get together – Mother Peters, Myv (sister-in-law) and two of her kids Jennifer and Michael and their partners, Matt and Danielle.

In the afternoon, Darryn and his extended family arrived – Tuyen (daughter-in-law), Angel (grand daughter), Kyle and Marc (step grandsons), and Ma and Pa (parent-in-laws).

Jennifer, Matt, Myv and Dave

Danielle, Michael, Myv and Mother

Myv and Jen (mother and daughter)

Myv, Mother and Dave (Sister, mother and brother)

Melrose Beach was 500 metres down the road from the holiday house - a lovely spot

Angel, Darryn, Marc, Tuyen, Jean, Kyle and Candy

 Angel eventually befriended the dog!

Angel and Lizzi

 

 

 

 

 

Eating prawns and sand crabs

 It was a great occasion, an enjoyable gathering and an ideal place for it all to take place.

Whittakers in Kambalda, WA

Kevin is scowling at his brother-in-law for manhandling his lovely slim wife!

It was great to catch up with Val and Kevin who are now living and working in Kambalda, WA.  On our trip over to Perth we went via the gold mining region and stayed at their place for a couple of days.  Kevin was working day shift so we spent time with him in the evenings and Val was able to show me around her work place in between her work shifts.

Gold mine site entrance to Kevin's work

The sort of country where they live and work ... Red Hill

Jean playing the golf hole at Kambalda "Silver lake" on the Nullabor links golf course

 Note the lack of grass on the fairway and this course was one of the better ones along the NGC Links