The Big Wet

There has not been a lot of action out of this house for awhile, in fact not much going on anywhere - why, well in 29 days we have endured 25 INCHES of that wet stuff, over most of Queensland and well down into New South Wales. Unfortunately there is some flooding occurring in some places, one has to really check what roads they are taking, quite a few are under water etc. etc. Fortunately for us, the Cricket was on - with a mighty win for Australia against India, then there was the tennis - the mens final being outstanding, would've like to have seen Rafa Nadal actually win though, and I have returned to the geneology research, and of course the Brig is wading through many books. Unfortunately no walks have taken place, and that's "showing", however we have no leaks or drips, so we are okay. I do really feel for those who rely on reasonable weather to work, this has been going on for so long, and all the holiday makers who have paid good money out for accommodation and they have been rained out, the Theme Parks must be really suffering, along with many many "al fresco" restaurants on the Gold Coast. Then of course the worst of all are those who are being flooded again, feel just so sorry for them. As I say we are okay, but this dull wet sky is becoming a tad monotonous.

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So looking forward to the sunny Gold Coast again.

Immy's 4th Birthday

Young Immy has just celebrated her 4th birthday in Auckland, a pancake breakfast first, then a "fairies party" after kindy with some of her friends.

What a delightful cake!

Bet that didn't last long!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IMMY.

Australia Day

Today is Australia Day, probably about my favourite day back home, bit like the 4th July in the USA. Great celebrations are planned, many people take out citizenship, barbeques flow, country western (Oz style) cries out and so it goes on. This year up in Queensland loads of the celebrations have been washed out - so much rain again - 300 mls in 2 days, but still those who survived the rain celebrated this day.

Most of the other states were dry, except for northern NSW and they partied on.

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY

Northern Lights

Well those wonderful Northern Lights - the Aurora Borealis created a dancing curtain of shimmering lights not only around the Arctic Circle, but this photo below was taken far south in Gairlock, Scotland, a couple of nights ago. Apparently people across the length and breadth of Scotland have been enjoying the breathtaking beauty of the Northern Lights.

Tourists pay thousands to trek to the Arctic tundra for a glimpse of one of the most spectacular displays on earth - but this week I think it also stretched down to the Yorkshire area in England.

Ice Hockey

In St Paul, Minnesota, eldest grandson, Jack and his team have just won their groups Ice Hockey award.

Below is Jack in his hockey garb, with that trophy!

Congratulations Jack

How big is she?

I received this today, thought it was an interesting introduction to the actual size of our huge island continent - it stretches about 3700 kilometres from north to south and 4000 kilometres from east to west. She is the Earth's largest island, but smallest continent, and the lowest-lying human-inhabited continent on earth - highest point being Mt. Kosciuszko at only 2228 metres.

In area - Australia is the 6th largest nation after Russia, Canada, China, the United States and Brazil. It is about twice the size of the European Union or the ten nations that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Its ocean territory - the third largest in the world - spans three oceans and covers around 12 million square miles.

The outline below shows her size compared to the USA, without Hawaii or Alaska, but Oz only has less than 10% of the USA population.

I was talking to Col in New Zealand last night, and they are contemplating an "around Australia" cruise this year - which would be great. We have done from Broome to Darwin, and Cairns to the top of Cape York, but right around would be superb.

Mangawhai

The Kiwi Wroes went camping for a few days to Mangawhai north of Auckland - they did the whole thing - no facilities, no electricity - the kids loved it.

How lovely does Mangawhai look They set up tent back away from the beach - 6 minute drive

And with luck there was an Animal Rescue Centre not far from them, so the 3 kids had a great time with a load of different breeds of animals - including one of those large Emus.

Daniel Frank happy with his bath up high on the hill.

Mountain Gorillas in Uganda

This past August/September some close friends of ours did the trip of a lifetime into Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda - and loved every second of it. They took time out to visit 2 different troops of Gorillas in Rwanda - and have wonderful photos of both these occasions. The only other places these Gorillas inhabit now are special Parks in Uganda, and I believe one in the Congo.

To see a wonderful sight when a troop of gorillas visit a camp in Uganda on 4th December 2011 - hit the website below.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=69c_1324490734

This old man looks at peace or in deep thought!

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These two friends take off every 2 years to some interesting place in the world, but I have a feeling this last one was the most exciting, if not a tad exhausting - they just fitted so much in.

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In August 2000, we joined Gilly and Geoff on a wonderful trip - a 10 day cruise on a Catamaran from Broome to Darwin - 4o passengers total. This trip around the Kimberley on the Coral Princess was absolutely fabulous, we manoevred around parts of North West Australia (called the Kimberley), that you just can't get to or even land in, by flight or vehicle.

Our home for 10 nights

she had a large flat bottomed tender and 2 zodiacs as well to take us to where the big girl could not go.

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One of our many exciting experiences

was taking a zodiac through the Horizontal Falls (caused by 30 metre tides)

Frank and Geoff suited up and ready to go

So much fun for Gilly and I.

The 4 of us on Naturaliste Island after losing badly with our slow "crabs" in the crab race - happy hour now.

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Four years later (2004) when the Brig and I did a 7 month trip with caravan through South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory - we decided to do the Horizontal Falls again from Derby, only this time by air.

Our transport was a little 6 seater 30 year old Beaver sea/float plane

We actually landed right near the falls

such incredible wild beauty

and by coincidence we saw that the Coral Princess was also there in one of the outer bays - minus her tender and zodiacs.

Our pilot (and trainee pilot) then took off and landed at one of the Buccaneer Archipeligo Islands so we could have a walk around

And a drink.

And again we were with some great mates - Lois and Col, who we had met back in Kalbarri, and had made a point of meeting up with them along the way - had loads of fun with them on this trip.

They have just moved back to Auckland, so we will see them when we go over.

Cape Byron's visitors

Yesterday down at Cape Byron Lighthouse, the Lighthouse visitors had something to see below. A pod of around 50 dolphins performed and cavorted below the steep cliffs for a few hours of delight. Cape Byron is the most easterly Lighthouse in Australia, built in 1901. It is a much visited and extremely beautiful area - Byron Bay - just over an hour south of the Gold Coast.

Don't they love to play Glorious creatures

What a magic sight.

A curry happy hour

Why are we embarking on another diet - one night at Suman's "curry happy hour" assisted with the movement upwards of those kilos. She had a young friend (below), who she is sort've mothering in to help, and the food was superb - basically vegetarian, all kinds of vegies deep fried in a tempura type of batter with different sauces, then a wonderful potato curry with a mint (from my garden) yoghurt sauce.

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Cricket was not discussed at all - Australia was basically wiping out India at the Sydney Cricket Ground this week.

Just a few of the local guys (l to r) Dieter (german), Frank (aussie sometimes, english others - depends whose winning a particular sport), and our next door neighbour Howard (full aussie) and our hostess Suman, again sans sari.

Well, I can see out of that left eye very well now, shall see on Monday when they can do the right eye, then hopefully no glasses, except for maybe reading and of course that sun.

Our New Year

Our venue for New Years Eve, was a walk around the corner to Kumi and Bob's, though we had told them we would be leaving around 9pm for an early night this year. As usual a delightful evening, Kumi's array of asian and european food was just stunning, with so much seafood.

Some beautiful jazz was played by a great pianist, and Kumi and Bob sang a couple of lovely jazz numbers as well.

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It was a delighful night, usual mix of nationalities, below we have from the left, Kumi (japanese), an Aussie, a Swiss and an Indian (Suman is sans sari tonight)

and below Bob was right in the middle of things, and he tells us they partied on till 1 a.m. on 1st January, 2012.

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We left the party just as Auckland was lighting up for their New Year

and 2 hours later Sydney did her magnificent thing

1 hour after Sydney, the Gold Coast lit up (during summer Queensland is an hour behind our other eastern states - no daylight saving in Queensland).

Ten hours after the Gold Coast, Big Ben did it's great show (Christmas's advent calendar was set in London, so I thought I would definitely add this lovely photo.)

And 5 hours after Big Ben, Boston lit up, and our friend Henry was celebrating his birthday just north in New Hampshire.

Delightful celebrations around the world

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HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2012 TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

Sydney to Hobart on Boxing Day

The Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is 628 nautical miles in length, through many treacherous conditions, down the east coast of New South Wales, Victoria, across the Bass Strait to Hobart in southern Tasmania.

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Some 87 yachts of varying sizes, nationalities and crew numbers, rallied in Sydney Harbour ready to cross that starting line.

It was not a clear or smooth day to say the least.

The starting gun fires and they are off

A very tight start

The spinnakers go up as they head out through the Harbour's heads to the South Pacific Ocean and the threatened southerly waiting for them.

This year my concentration is on the 18 yr old Jessica Watson, who sailed around the world at the age of 16, how serious does she look skippering this yacht - The Ella Bache - in this incredible race.

One has to be 18 years old to sail this race, and Jessica's crew were the youngest ever to partake in the Sydney to Hobart marathon - their average age was 19!!!

She and her crew had been in training for over 3 months, including a trial trip on the Ella Bache, Sydney to Hobart and return in November.

Jessica wasn't fazed about what was ahead of her, with the exception that this was a "Race" with a team she was in charge of for 4 days,

where in contrast "sailing around the world is slow and steady and sticking it out, hanging out by myself for 210 days.

There were 8 "Sydney 38" class of Yacht in this year's race, so she was also in her race against them.

Well she, her crew and the pink Ella Bache sailed into Hobart

2nd in the "Sydney 38" class and 37th out of 87 competing yachts - some of them huge Maxis. Jessica's reward was to be thrown into the drink by her very happy crew The actual winner was a huge Maxi - the Investec Loyal, who beat the winner of the last 6 years - Wild Oats (NZ) by 2 minutes - what an incredible finish. And of course they all celebrated at Constitution Dock, Hobart, for a wonderful New Year - everyone safe, and just a few battered yachts.

We spent 10 days in Hobart staying right opposite Constitution Dock in February 2007, the wonderful Timber Boat Festival was on, and we spent much time sailing on the Tall ships, the Enterprise and the replica of Captain Cook's, the Endeavour. Also took time out to really check out Hobart, it's wonderful markets and historic pubs, and who can forget those special "scallop" pies. Just a great place in our books.