Bushfires already!

Bushfires have hit the south coast of New South Wales this weekend after a week of horrendous winds. The Princes Highway has been closed just south of Ulladulla at Lake Burrill, closing off traffic moving south to Batemans Bay. The weather all over the south of the country has been quite outrageous this week, windy and freezing in some parts, and really overwarm in many other areas, breaking all kinds of late winter records!. The fire below is the one presently at Lake Burrill.

The Gold Coast has been superb, but rain is being forecasted for the early part of this week.

Ethan also climbs high in Auckland

Grandson, Ethan enjoyed his high climb as well at a friends birthday party in Auckland a few weeks ago!!

Where do the grandsons go from here??

Jack climbs high on his birthday.

Grandson Jack and 13 of his friends had a great time climbing the wall on his 9th Birthday at "Vertical Endeavours" in Minnesota this week.

2 hours of fun, reaching for the sky The Birthday Boy takes a bow!

Narnia casts it's spell on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is hosting 600 crew members from the set of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Images of a strange other world have sprung up on the Spit. This week part of the Gold Coast Seaway was transformed into a medieval wharf. Photo belows shows the set being built on the Spit at Main Beach. Friday marked the crew's final cut of a three day shoot at the Seaway set that took 8 weeks to assemble.

The weather has been absolutely spectactular for filming

Young actor, Will Poulter in action

David Vallon who plays Gumpas

I am particularly excited about this event and movie, as good friend Sandy and her husband Tom (the mountain man) have been involved with the costume design for this film.

One could be forgiven for mistaking this actor for the Mountain Man!!

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Can't wait to see their designs, which will only happen after the film is released.

Meanwhile the building of the 35 meter Dawn Treader is near completion, and awaits the crew (85% Australian) at Cleveland Point, where they will resume filming.

Camped but not cramped!

A quick update on the house thing, we moved quite a few things out of the caravan into the new abode and put the van into storage on 7th August. Things are very basic, but I am lovin' the space. Tired as the house may look, it has a nice feeling to it, so hopefully once the "tarting" is complete and we have our furniture, it will have an even better feeling. This week has been filled with getting quotes for all the different jobs and trades, response has been excellent, and hopefully by the end of next week it will be a matter of sifting through the different quotes and making some decisions. The bright blue and mustard rooms are no more, and the neutralising of the lilac, olive green and oranges walls is scheduled for early next week!!. The Brig has his barbeque, I have my space, and the weather has been incredible. Have met a couple of the neighbours and have had time out with both Aunts and a couple of my cousins as well this week - things are truckin' well for us.

Sad news - Sam has died

This 4 year old koala became well known around the world after she accepted help and a drink from a country firemen during the terrible bushfires which devastated Victoria earlier this year. Sam was severely burned and has been recuperating at the Southern Ash Wildlife Centre for the last 6 months, along with many other severely affected wildlife. This morning she underwent an operation to remove cysts to try and save her from a disease "chlamydia" which has ravaged Victoria's female koala population, but unfortunately she did not make it through the operation.

Rest in Peace - Sam

Making the most of our last few days on the Broadwater

It seems our days on the Broadwater are coming to an end, with settlement on the house due for this coming Wednesday, then we will be straight into the painting and renovating!!!. So, this weekend we have done quite a bit of walking - yesterday we strolled north up Marine Parade on the west side of the Broadwater to the Cafe strip, lagoons, parks etc. Always so much activity on this part of the coast, certainly never boring.

We arrived in time to see the daily feeding of some 47 pelicans by a staff member from the Seafood Market (yep, the Brig counted them while I watched and took photos).

Such gentle souls, happy with one fish/skeleton each Those big eyes match those big beaks!

This morning we walked south down to the bridge, and were really impressed with the waterfront development the Gold Coast Council has near completed. Lovely boardwalks and walkways, urban wetlands, play and picnic areas for families, swimming pools, small beaches, a jetty, and large area for entertainment/concerts etc. The landscaping is actually complete, sooh many trees and gardens- it will be lovely when it is finished in a few weeks time.