Cyclones or depression - who cares - not impressed!

Today has been interesting, unbelievable winds over night - little bit on the hairy side, what am I saying very scary stuff. We tried to make the most of the day by doing "drive bys" of some addresses I had picked off the real estate web - certainly seeing everything at its worst - the driving was not for the faint hearted. We keep going back to one particular area, but of course with the cyclonic conditions we haven't really been able to have a good look around. We came back to the van around 2pm, and things got really bad, so much so we decided to evacuate the van to the car and drive to somewhere in the park where we felt safer. I took a few videos, the first one of these is short and was taken while I could stand up in the wind (4 seconds).

The second was once we were in the car looking at our van, it had quietened just a bit then, but not for long.

As we were driving around the park, we saw awnings and annexes just rip off and up ---- including the sails over the kids jumping "thingo" and swimming pool .

We then find somewhere to park, away from huge trees, stayed there and just watched as things got worse, the boom gate on the Park just ripped off!! People running everywhere trying to save their awnings and annexes and the things underneath them. We wisely took our awning down yesterday morning after hearing the weather forecast.

(After listening to those slow ole dulcet tones - think I will give video commentary a miss from now on!!!) Eventually things died down - only slightly, and we drove back to the van, well I walked some of the way so I could take some video (Kev you will regret the day you passed on this knowledge to me) , I found at least 3 boats had broken their moorings, don't know where they were moored originally, not in front of us that's for sure.

This one ends up right in front of the vans. You can hear "the stays and halyards" whistling in the wind! There was a trimaran which started somewhere south of us (I assume on a mooring) and was last seen floating past us up the broadwater.

Plenty of emergency activity on the broadwater as well, with boats being collected by the Coast Patrol and SES. Hate to think what it was like actually on the Coast - we had a long peninsular between us and the sea!!.

This area - including Brisbane has received one third of its annual rainfall in the past 36 hours. Worst in 25 years - they are saying!! There are many road closures, flooded streams and rivers, and huge pot holes in some of the road. There is more forecast (40% chance), here's hoping the 60% wins out. I'm all out of enthusiasm for cyclones/depressions right now 'specially while living in the van. The good news is the van does not leak and the sun will shine again - AFTER ALL IT'S QUEENSLAND!!.

New Hampshire's in the pink!

Received these photos from Lois a couple of days ago - their garden in Bedford, New Hampshire, USA - it is a palette of colour right now - late spring, they have just finished cleaning up after the severe ice storms last winter. Now to keep those pesky chipmunks, squirrels, deer and the odd black bear "at bay" during summer.

We do miss our friends in New England, and the "distinct" seasons there!

Now we are in the middle of a small Queensland cyclone, which has also crossed the border into NSW, on it's way (the rain) to Sydney!!! We will survive, and get through the househunting thing - just have to remember we are downsizing!!!!!

Little busy bees across the Tasman!

I borrowed these photos from Sarah's blog, young Imogen (Immy) is getting more sassy and cuter each day! This past weekend she chose her hat and boots to match her pinafore (which we picked up at a market in the Bay) to spend a couple of hours assisting her very busy parents and brother in their garden in Auckland.

I love this one - Immy is showing as much interest in mowing the lawn as her step-grandmama!!

Ethan, what do you mean you have to push this thing and wear all that gear on your face??

I think she's got it!!!

Byron Bay's inhabitants

Well, it's Sunday morning, approx 9.30 am and we are driving through the main street of Byron Bay on the most glorious day; Byron never fails to surprise or confuse me, and this morning was no exception. It's beauty, the beaches and the surrounding fertile hinterland, it's incredible headland and much photographed lighthouse attract the rich and famous, and then also the opposite, fondly known as Oz's "feral" species (many who appear allergic to H2O)!! So many of them out and about this morning! Off to the beach!

Looking north to Byron Bay (above) and south to the headland (below).

Thought we would come back and do this trip one day, just think dolphins - Liz, and forget about sharks!!!

Ready for the dolphin (non shark) kayak tour.

Driving through this incredibly beautiful area to the Queensland border is an absolute pleasure, as we truck on to our new life.

Photo below - taken from our home for the next 2 weeks.

We are on the peninsular of the broadwater at Southport on the Gold Coast, (right opposite Sea World) and despite the waters at Lake Eyre, there are still a few pelicans hanging around the weekend fishing boats, and their kids!!!.

The Brig takes a well deserved break, so much to do tomorrow!!!

Lennox Head

Yesterday was another beautiful day to head north and walk the beaches. Emerald Beach to Lennox Head just north of Ballina (about 220 klms) was the goal for the day. First stop was at Woolgoolga Headland to look for migrating whales - they have just started moving north, with sightings from the headland the day before - but not when we were there.

The scenery was changing again, we were now into sugar cane country alongside very wide rivers. stopped for coffee at Ferry Park, just south of Ballina, this is where we farewelled Susan, she was heading straight to Byron Bay to stay with friends. We will catch up with her again on the Gold Coast.

After setting up at Lake Ainsworth at Lennox Head, we opted for another walk along a great surfing and walking beach -7 Mile Beach, just across the road from the park we were in.

At the south end of the beach we came upon a very frustrated Osprey, he had his talons caught in a large fish he had caught, and was trying to fly off with it, but it was too heavy. ! It eventually released the fish and flew off, at which time a couple of sea gulls tentatively approached the fish watching the Osprey which kept circling and swooping, he was not game to land as there was just too much activity on the beach at that time.

We finished our walk up the beach, had a coffee at a bar in the village (Lennox Head is a vibrant village with loads of restaurants) then started our walk back, this is when I looked up and noticed the Osprey was sitting on a light pole right above where he had dropped the fish - guess he was determined to get back to his meal when the offending humans left the beach.

Back at the Park - Lake Ainsworth and its reflections at sunset.

Today, we cross the Queensland border to Southport on the Gold Coast, in our quest to find somewhere to live - exciting!!.

Emerald Beach

On the next stage of our trip north we drove from Hawks Nest to Emerald Beach - just north of Coffs Harbour (370 klms) travelling through banana plantation country arriving mid afternoon. Both cars are travelling really well, and we are thrilled with the gas consumption figures for both of them. Susan booked into a cabin and we set up the van, nice park for the night, after that a quick trip to check out the beach - more late afternoon shadows, followed by happy hour and another good dinner - Susan's recipe this time.

This little guy was guarding the van when we got back!

Emerald Beach is not the best for swimming - quite treacherous, but great for an early morning walk which we did this morning before setting off north again. Guess this one is a permanent resident at the park, found him relaxing under the tree behind our van after we got back from the beach.

Travellin' well

It took us 3 hours from Berry to Berowra - skimming the outskirts of Sydney, arrived at Berowra in time to fill both wagons with diesel and petrol, Frank headed off to a truck parking area to wait for us with his newspaper, and I met Susan at the Railway station right on 11 am - worked out really well considering none of us really knew the area. Apparently the train trip through the northern suburbs up into the Hawksebury was very pleasant.

First stop - Brooklyn/Moonee Moonee on the Hawkesbury River

for a cuppa

We then travelled on to Hawks Nest - near Tea Gardens above Port Stephens - decided to stay here for the night, Susan checked into a motel, and we set up the van.

Before Happy Hour and dinner, we went for a walk to Bennetts Beach, and around the village, pretty little place. the 3 travellers'

Headin' north

7 a.m. - confirmed that all the house proceeds were in the bank; 8 a.m. we left the Bay playing follow the leader (the Brig being in front towing the van) up the Princes Highway to Berry Showground. We are the only people here for the night so far. Did some food shopping in Berry to cover our lunches, happy hours and dinners with Susan as we travel north, then back to the van to make a date loaf for our morning teas. Will pick her up from the Berowra Railway station (just north of Sydney) tomorrow.

Berry Courthouse

Last couple of days at the Bay

The Closing took place midday on Monday, and since then we have spent our time closing out on things in the Bay, catching up with people, the weather has been lovely, and the actual trip north starts tomorrow morning, first stop Berry.

Mrs. King Parrot came to say good bye - shall miss our birds, but won't be missing their habitat - the huge gum trees at the back of our house (ex house).

'specially the spotted gums and their precarious swaying and bending in high winds - scary stuff - Frank just missed getting whacked by a large branch falling on his last "rake" of the offending gum leaves!

We will really miss popping back and forth to Ross and Nalda's through the back garden though - that will be the greatest loss.

Looking over our ex-back garden from Ross and Nal's deck. Celebrated the closing with some seafood and a pizza at the Starfish Deli at the Bay's boardwalk on Monday!

Back at our campsite at Batehaven. WE'RE OFF FIRST THING IN THE MORNING!!

Mothers Day - 2009

Happy Mother's Day to all our lady friends with kids, and relatives with kids in the USA, NZ and Oz, and belated wishes to Helen, Sally, Marg Wroe and Marg Faulkner in the UK (for Mothering Sunday in March). It is my first year without Mum in 63 years, but I feel at peace with the fact that we made the most of our time with her every Mothers Day that we were in Australia. In my sort out for our move I found a photo of Mum in her "pre-kid" years - love it, she did have a special spirit, that I will always remember - as cousin Susan said at Mum's funeral, she just loved Auntie Dot's "spark". I saw many different sparks over the years, could just have inherited a little bit of that myself. Oh well!.

This photo was taken exactly 63 years ago - I was 7 months old, bonnets galore. Also found a fun one of Frank's Mum prior to kids - unfortunately it is a scan of a scan, so not as clear, but it looks like Mum Wroe had plenty of spark as well!! .

1985 or maybe 1986 - the Wroe progeny and their Mum.

On the move - and into storage!

Friday 5 a.m. we rise, and pack and tape the last boxes, we are ready at 7 a.m. for the arrival of the truck with attached containers to store our belongings. 7 a.m. comes and goes, the phone rings - England calling, so we had a great half hour or so (your bill Kev) catching up with Margaret and Kevin - at this stage we were feeling quite relaxed.. Truck with 2 containers arrived just after 8 a.m. - had to park on the road and our "steep" lawn, as our driveway is not "big truck friendly"

This is the 4th time we have used Bay Removals, Mittagong to the Bay, Longbeach to Surfbeach, Mum's move from Vaucluse in Sydney to the retirement village down here, and now for our move to "who knows where"!

Bruce thinks to himself, not another damn print; Liz says to Bruce, this is the 4th time you have packed and shipped my Indian Princess, didn't seem to impress him, as since the last move we now have a few of Mum's which I just couldn't part with.

Sooh many boxes - 132 I am told!

Right in the middle of this, two dear "old" volunteers for the Salvation Army turn up to pick up their stuff - fortunately the guys from Bay Removals helped them up and down the driveway with the bed, bookshelves, washing machine etc. etc.

The 2 containers eventually left (avec truck) at 2.30 p.m. We vacuumed (Nal's machine) and did some other stuff - still in good spirits, but physically stuffed - back to the van, oh no says the Brigadier, I have left our drugs (the ones that keep our blood pressure in tact) at the house, so off he goes, picking up a chinese takeaway on the way back - a glass or two of wine, a few phone calls, a bit of T.V. (David Attenborough on Australia) and then we hit the sack - and slept like logs. Life is good!!