AUSTRALIA DAY!!

Today was AUSTRALIA DAY, recognising the day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip, Commander of the First Fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain and the first Governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove and raised the Union Jack to signal the beginning of the colony.

We decided to spend it in Cascade Gardens, joining members of the Australian-American Club - Gold Coast, for a barbeque lunch. Arrived early so we could take a walk around the gardens prior to meeting up with the other members, and decided to take the "Kokoda Track" walk through the rainforest - this is a special memorial commemorating those brave men during the War in the Pacific who had to take on the Kokoda Track in New Guinea. Unfortunately we didn't take the full walk, mainly because the rainforest presently has attracted many bats whom randomly attack from above with their "droppings", so we stayed clear of the trees they were hanging around in!!!

The trees in the park 'sans' bats were delightful

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wide array of species

There were many groups celebrating - below are some european/australians playing boules, prior to their barbie!.

The Brig fancied this "Hat" wandering around.

A fisherman dressed for Australia Day

His wife suggested I see his frontal view - I did, better her than me!

Back to meet up with the others, we have joined the club for this year, they celebrate and commemorate all things Australian and American, even a little Irish is thrown in.

Had a great barbeque lunch, lots of social chat and plenty of travel discussions.

A most enjoyable "AUSTRALIA DAY"

Miami to Nobby beach!

Yesterday early we set out to explore and walk along the paths of yet a different beach. This time we drove to Miami Beach and parked, then walked the pathway along Miami Beach to Nobby Beach and back again. Each beach seems to have its own personality - and followers, Miami is extremely active on the beach, in the cafes and along the walkways. Nobbys is quieter, have enjoyed a meal at their Surf Club awhile back.

The Surf Club, and the obviously popular "Piccolos" cafe were buzzing with people at 7.30am

And Miami was already full of the early risers!

Some young ones checking where they might surf this morning (as we near Nobbys)

The Brig along the walkway.

Nobbys Beach looking back to Miami Beach

Back at Miami - this little fella was quiet content tied to a fence in the shade with water, while his owners were either swimming in the surf, or having breakfast at the Surf Club or Cafe.

Not far from the pooch, at the end of Miami before the headland, is a small park - loved this little statue in it. People and kids were picnicing there for breakfast on the lawns.

Looking north along Miami Beach

Miami's small headland at the south end!

AND TOMORROW IS "AUSTRALIA DAY"

A 2 year old fairy!

Grand daughter, Immy turned 2 years old today, and celebrated the big day with a party in their garden with friends in Auckland - dressed as a little fairy, courtesy of her maternal grandmother in Ireland!!.

The food was "finger lickin good"! As was the birthday "choccie" cake.

Ethan stayed in his new "irish" fireman's outfit all day to celebrate with the little fairy!

And early morning - Immy opening her present from her paternal grandfather and moi in OZ!

Outpacing Dad!

I think this is a great shot for grandson Ethan (age 4) to keep till his 21st Birthday Party, where it is obvious he is outpacing his dad, Ian - (whose age also starts with a 4) , along a beach on the Whangaparoa Peninsular, north of Auckland over New Year.

Apparently there are a couple of other achievements happening with bike riding and swimming for Ethan as well in 2010.

We continue to still find work to finish around the house, that is early morning after walks and also late afternoon - bit too warm outside in the middle of the day right now. The cyclone talk is starting up north, sooh we will keep a watch on these reports.

Had another lovely family afternoon yesterday, cousin Stephen and his wife Glenda were up from Sydney staying with his Mum, Auntie Nalda, so they all came over for a few hours yesterday afternoon - great catching up. Steve and Glenda are about to take off for 17 days in Egypt, a cruise around the Grecian Isles then finalise with a couple of weeks in England.

Broadbeach capers!

On Saturday morning we decided to spend some time at Broadbeach, after a short wander we went into the Kurrawa Surf Club for an orange juice, ended up joining it for all of $5 (a special rate for those born before 1955), gives us access to all other Queensland Surf Clubs with their great views and RSL's. Sat on the balcony with a long cold OJ and watched the preparations for the first and second of five Australian Ironman and Ironwoman competitions (the third and fourth are on the Sunshine Coast, and the last at Cronulla in Sydney). The top twenty in the country start off, 3 legs of activity - swim, long board and surf ski, with runs in between each leg, then the top 15 repeat it again, and then the top ten do it all again and the winner of this group is the series leader till tomorrow, when they do it all again - unbelievable stamina!!!!

Taken from the balcony of the Kurrawa Surf Club! Start of the men's leg.

Lookin' good!.

Ky Hurst has just come back into the ironmen series, he came 2nd this time, he has also been swimming in the 10klms open water races for Oz at the Olympic Games, and the like.

Ironwoman at work

Sunday morning early we went back to Broadbeach for a longer walk - they were preparing for the second ironman and ironwoman races today.

7 a.m. in the morning we chose to walk from Broadbeach to Mermaid beach, via the walkers path

Took time out to check out the beach along the way.

Mermaid Beach was also really active for early morning.

With the "Nippers" sausage sizzle awning being constructed to assist with the funding of these little guys and their training.

There is a great deal of sand dune revegetation taking place, nice to see a few beach flowers budding!.

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Now when we got back to Broadbeach their Market was under way, so yes, another stroll around many great stalls.

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Today is the hottest day we have had here so far - 38 degrees, yet a week ago we were fine (30), and southern Australia was in the 40's with catastrophic bushfire danger - but today it snowed in some of those same areas in Tasmania, Victoria and NSW - snow in mid summer here - unbelievable!!!!!.

Holy Cow - the Wolverines

This last weekend was a very "horsey" one on the Gold Coast, with both the MAGIC MILLIONS thoroughbred auction and races, loads of money and high fashion here, and then there was the NATIONAL RODEO FINALS , being held at the Convention Centre - sawdust, sand, cowboys, cowgirls, horses and cattle everywhere. The latter got my attention, have always enjoyed Rodeos and the country enthusiasm and spirit that accompanies it- though I think they are all completely mad at times.!! Anyway apart from all the activities in the Rodeo ring - THE WOLVERINES, a country/rock/western trio were the entertainment in the Jack Daniel's Cowboy Bar at the Convention Centre. This trio also do a lot of sailing, much of it in aid of different kid's charities. The drummer, John Clinton and his wife own THE HOLY COW yacht, and below is a cartoon (yep, drawn by a Kiwi) of the HOLY COW after a race to Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays - note the words 'SAIL FOR KIDS" on the side of the hull.

Below, the Holy Cow just before she took part in the Sydney - Hobart Race on Boxing Day - and they finished well!, They did have the pleasure of sailing with 100's of dolphins just off the Bass Strait.!

John and his wife Kim inside their pride and joy!

The Wolverines on board!

Start of a race

John in full swing entertaining other sailors after the race!

The Wolverines latest CD - their music and lyrics are themed towards the sea and sailors!

Then there are the crazy ones below - this Rodeo was in full swing for 4 days.

Nippers hailed for daring surf rescue.

This coast is just full of little "nippers" training to be lifesavers one day. When we go to the different beaches at weekends early morning there are these petite nippers (girls and boys) everywhere - training and having a lot of fun. Well a couple of days ago these two 8 year olds noticed a middle-aged man struggling in a rip off the Gold Coast's Northcliffe beach - the pint sized pair, who both live on the Gold Coast, together pulled the man, who was swimming "outside the flags", onto their board. They saw this man put his hand up and say "help, help - so we paddled over to him so he could hold onto our board until an adult lifesaver leapt into action to complete the final part of the rescue".

These two (Spencer and Jake) are still not at the age in nippers for the "rescue training" portion, that is still a couple of years away. Great little kids, they were absolutely "wags" when interviewed on TV.

And the Todd is flowing!

These photos were emailed to me from our friends at Alice Springs - they have just arrived back to the Alice after some weeks in Queensland. They managed to get through the floods in Longreach and other places back to the Alice, only to find that the usually totally dry Todd River was in full flow, in fact flooding in some areas. The GHAN train line has been washed away north of the Alice, so right now supplies and passengers are not getting up north via the railroad.

In the meantime Victoria and parts of New South Wales are on "catastrophic" bush fire alert today - 40 degrees plus with high winds.

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And it's still super frigid in the Northern Hemisphere

Kid's and icicles

Have just received some photos from the freezing Northern Hemisphere - still so cold - icicles everywhere in Sheffield.

However, grand nephew and neice (Jack and Emily) are enjoying their pick of the long icicles.