A week in Anglesey, Wales

The Sheffield crew (Frank's sister and her husband and kids, and their kids) left 10 days ago for a week in Anglesey Wales, 11 of them staying in a great house up there.  Kevin sent many great photos - and the coastline scenery looks very dramatic indeed.

The first few days were quite windy and a little overcast

Above is Margaret and Kevin's eldest son, Dan and his 2 children Emily and Jack, and partner Leanne - braced for the weather.

So is their middle son Nick with his wife Clare

and their new little man - Oliver.

The sun did shine half way through, and they hit the beach - above is Matt, the youngest son with his partner Abi and their little man, Chester!

Matt and Nick of course played golf

And the 2012 Faulkner family photo in Anglesey, Wales,

 and a lovely week together.

Our weekend

We started Saturday very early, up before 6 am to watch the Opening of the Olympic Games, thoroughly enjoyed the whole event, 'specially the lighting of the Cauldron.  This time I thought the Aussie uniforms were very tasteful, even if worn by a most casual and happy lot.  Lovely event all around.

We then took our walk - and at 12 noon gathered around at Kumi and Bob's place for what was a very very long lunch.  There were 11 of us, all neighbours, catching up after being away - or going away.  The Barrys leave for a month to Honolulu, Philadelphia, Boston, Nova Scotia and Canada to Singapore this coming Saturday, Suman has just been to India, Jag was back from Minnesota, we have been gone for 3 months, and of course Kumi and Bob have only just arrived home from a 6 week singing tour of Japan.  Kumi put on another really great lunch, and there was quite a lot of singing around their baby Grande later on - mainly Frank and Bob.  It's a really good group here, and we did have a super time.

Below is one of Kumi and Bob's posters from their recent trip - and these two are forever smiling.

Sunday, was another lovely sunny day - caught up on a lot of things around the house, photos from the last week, and Frank went to the Resident's Meeting at the Golf Club.

*****

                                                                           

This morning we woke to yet another glorious Gold Coast winter's day, a little nippy, but that sun was out and the sky ever so blue - so we took off to Burleigh Heads Beach for a walk.

She looked so different to when we were here last Thursday

with Sarah, Ian and kids

The scarping from the high seas last week was still evident

but the sea and surf was calm again

in fact there were very few board riders today

more waders and wanderers

People were sitting reading their books, laying under this winter sun

the tide was way out also

the flags for swimming were up

and I always enjoy our time on the Burleigh beach deck

just a perfect day.

Day 9 - last day on the Gold Coast

Friday morning, we picked up Immy and Ethan to go back to Sea World and catch up on a few things they may not have seen.  Sarah, Ian and Dan stayed home to sort out the packing, have a swim and hopefully relax.

We were met by these characters above - I think they are part of the "Sponge Bob" crew.

Our first stop was into the Dinosaur Experience Exhibition

They loved it

and Ethan is quite knowledgable about them now.

Then we passed the dophin pools

definitely had to have a stop here.

Some people training going on in this pool

Next, back through Dinosaur Island

they roar at you as you walk past

Found this ride below

(l to r) first and fourth

Back to the Helicopter

Immy is not tall enough yet to ride this by herself - so Grandpa accompanied her.

and up high they went.

Immy went riding again

And Grandpa joined them again

on these petite trucks

Next - the Polar Bears

the only ones within Australia

Immy and I were hoping this one would go for a swim

but as Ethan and Grandpa had already left for Shark Bay

we needed to catch up with them

They then spent half an hour or so on this massive exercise marathon climbing, tumbling thing.

A change into their swimmers

for that pirate ride - again

I didn't take too many photos, as you get very wet, and I had decided against that venture today

We caught the Gondola again back to the entrance/exit

The kids tried out the "Foot Massage"

Then we headed to the fishing trawlers

to buy very fresh prawns

which were caught overnight

to take back to the cabin for a very late lunch, and a bottle of white wine to farewell the Kiwi Wroes

They left very early on Saturday morning, and have arrived back in Auckland safely.

They really enjoyed their stay, lovely mid winter weather, loads to do, and also they had plenty of family time with each other.