MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Nov 28th 2006, 5:40 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 25,277
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Originally Posted by Mrs JFW
i'm wondering if maybe this would have been better as a blog....hope i don't get into any trouble with the mods!
anyway here goes the saga again....
Day 3
Oliver was up again first at 4.30 am. little sod! so the rest of us got up at 5am.
We decided to take a trip to the Alma Park Zoo which is in the Northern suburbs. We found our way quite easily and arrived about 10am. It was a gorgeous day again. The kids loved seeing all the animals and especially enjoyed the kangaroo enclosure where they went in and fed the kangaroos! Its quite a small zoo but made a good few hours out and was reasonably priced for the 5 of us.
About lunchtime we left the zoo and headed over to Redcliffe to have a look around. It appeared from first impressions to be quiet and serene. We headed to one of the beaches which was full of lovely blue jellyfish....not sure if they were dangerous in anyway but didn't take a chance anyhow.
We found a lovely fish and chip shop, along the seafront...can't remember the name of it but it had an array of choice when it comes to fish and chips!
We were offered fat chips thin chips curly chips, battered fish, crumbed fish, skinned fish......OMG! what a choice! It was here that we were introduced to chicken salt! and we love it!
We left Redcliffe after a couple of hours and headed back to the Gateway Village. As we had no shopping in we went off to the local supermarket (Super IGA) not sure what thats the equivalent of, but I'm thinking perhaps I would compare it to say our co-ops or maybe morrisons.
We had to buy everything from breakfast cereals to sun scream and stocked up with about a weeks worth of shopping. It came to $200 so I thought that was comparable maybe a bit cheaper to what I would pay at home for a weeks shop with added extras like washing powder etc.. in morrisons. Jon also joined the local video shop. If you stay at the Gateway Village and show your cabin key you can join instantly you just need to give a $20 deposit. The kids took some of their own DVDs with them but unfortunately they didn't play on the player in our cabin.
Still jet lagged and knackered we were all ready for bed by 6pm.
anyway here goes the saga again....
Day 3
Oliver was up again first at 4.30 am. little sod! so the rest of us got up at 5am.
We decided to take a trip to the Alma Park Zoo which is in the Northern suburbs. We found our way quite easily and arrived about 10am. It was a gorgeous day again. The kids loved seeing all the animals and especially enjoyed the kangaroo enclosure where they went in and fed the kangaroos! Its quite a small zoo but made a good few hours out and was reasonably priced for the 5 of us.
About lunchtime we left the zoo and headed over to Redcliffe to have a look around. It appeared from first impressions to be quiet and serene. We headed to one of the beaches which was full of lovely blue jellyfish....not sure if they were dangerous in anyway but didn't take a chance anyhow.
We found a lovely fish and chip shop, along the seafront...can't remember the name of it but it had an array of choice when it comes to fish and chips!
We were offered fat chips thin chips curly chips, battered fish, crumbed fish, skinned fish......OMG! what a choice! It was here that we were introduced to chicken salt! and we love it!
We left Redcliffe after a couple of hours and headed back to the Gateway Village. As we had no shopping in we went off to the local supermarket (Super IGA) not sure what thats the equivalent of, but I'm thinking perhaps I would compare it to say our co-ops or maybe morrisons.
We had to buy everything from breakfast cereals to sun scream and stocked up with about a weeks worth of shopping. It came to $200 so I thought that was comparable maybe a bit cheaper to what I would pay at home for a weeks shop with added extras like washing powder etc.. in morrisons. Jon also joined the local video shop. If you stay at the Gateway Village and show your cabin key you can join instantly you just need to give a $20 deposit. The kids took some of their own DVDs with them but unfortunately they didn't play on the player in our cabin.
Still jet lagged and knackered we were all ready for bed by 6pm.
Nov 28th 2006, 5:57 pm
#17
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Living in Brissie
Posts: 660
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Originally Posted by Mrs JFW
i'm wondering if maybe this would have been better as a blog....hope i don't get into any trouble with the mods!
anyway here goes the saga again....
Day 3
Oliver was up again first at 4.30 am. little sod! so the rest of us got up at 5am.
We decided to take a trip to the Alma Park Zoo which is in the Northern suburbs. We found our way quite easily and arrived about 10am. It was a gorgeous day again. The kids loved seeing all the animals and especially enjoyed the kangaroo enclosure where they went in and fed the kangaroos! Its quite a small zoo but made a good few hours out and was reasonably priced for the 5 of us.
About lunchtime we left the zoo and headed over to Redcliffe to have a look around. It appeared from first impressions to be quiet and serene. We headed to one of the beaches which was full of lovely blue jellyfish....not sure if they were dangerous in anyway but didn't take a chance anyhow.
We found a lovely fish and chip shop, along the seafront...can't remember the name of it but it had an array of choice when it comes to fish and chips!
We were offered fat chips thin chips curly chips, battered fish, crumbed fish, skinned fish......OMG! what a choice! It was here that we were introduced to chicken salt! and we love it!
We left Redcliffe after a couple of hours and headed back to the Gateway Village. As we had no shopping in we went off to the local supermarket (Super IGA) not sure what thats the equivalent of, but I'm thinking perhaps I would compare it to say our co-ops or maybe morrisons.
We had to buy everything from breakfast cereals to sun scream and stocked up with about a weeks worth of shopping. It came to $200 so I thought that was comparable maybe a bit cheaper to what I would pay at home for a weeks shop with added extras like washing powder etc.. in morrisons. Jon also joined the local video shop. If you stay at the Gateway Village and show your cabin key you can join instantly you just need to give a $20 deposit. The kids took some of their own DVDs with them but unfortunately they didn't play on the player in our cabin.
Still jet lagged and knackered we were all ready for bed by 6pm.
anyway here goes the saga again....
Day 3
Oliver was up again first at 4.30 am. little sod! so the rest of us got up at 5am.
We decided to take a trip to the Alma Park Zoo which is in the Northern suburbs. We found our way quite easily and arrived about 10am. It was a gorgeous day again. The kids loved seeing all the animals and especially enjoyed the kangaroo enclosure where they went in and fed the kangaroos! Its quite a small zoo but made a good few hours out and was reasonably priced for the 5 of us.
About lunchtime we left the zoo and headed over to Redcliffe to have a look around. It appeared from first impressions to be quiet and serene. We headed to one of the beaches which was full of lovely blue jellyfish....not sure if they were dangerous in anyway but didn't take a chance anyhow.
We found a lovely fish and chip shop, along the seafront...can't remember the name of it but it had an array of choice when it comes to fish and chips!
We were offered fat chips thin chips curly chips, battered fish, crumbed fish, skinned fish......OMG! what a choice! It was here that we were introduced to chicken salt! and we love it!
We left Redcliffe after a couple of hours and headed back to the Gateway Village. As we had no shopping in we went off to the local supermarket (Super IGA) not sure what thats the equivalent of, but I'm thinking perhaps I would compare it to say our co-ops or maybe morrisons.
We had to buy everything from breakfast cereals to sun scream and stocked up with about a weeks worth of shopping. It came to $200 so I thought that was comparable maybe a bit cheaper to what I would pay at home for a weeks shop with added extras like washing powder etc.. in morrisons. Jon also joined the local video shop. If you stay at the Gateway Village and show your cabin key you can join instantly you just need to give a $20 deposit. The kids took some of their own DVDs with them but unfortunately they didn't play on the player in our cabin.
Still jet lagged and knackered we were all ready for bed by 6pm.
Scotschick
Nov 28th 2006, 5:58 pm
#18
Living the Dream!
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 6,515
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Day 4
Had a lazy day and just stayed around the holiday park- swimming in the pool, playing table tennis. The park was very quiet felt like we were the only ones there at times. The kids really liked having the pool to themselves even if it was a bit chilly in there.
Day 5
Had a lie in this morning with Oliver getting up at 6.30 now!
Went of to Surfers Paradise today on the Gold Coast. Only took about half an hour to drive from where we were at Gateway. Noticed all the theme parks along the way...movie world, sea world, wet and wild, dreamworld.
Surfers does have a lovely beach and the area didn't seem to be as comercialised as I initially thought it would be. We thought there would be loads of shops selling buckets and spades etc.... but didn't see any at all. Did cause a bit of a problem as we were looking to buy beach towels there. Jon and I left his mum and the kids on the beach and went in search of beach towels.
After walking for about half hour we came to a super IGA, lucky for us they had a few left so we grabbed 4 in their packing and set back off up the beach to find the kids. Once we opened the towels we found that Oliver's towel had a buxom naked lady on it! very amusing for a 5 year old to have such a towel...gave us all a giggle and he seemed to like it!
As it was quite windy that day we were careful with the kids in the sea. Stayed between the flags as advised. They had a great time. After lunch we drove down to Mermaid beach and went into a texan restaurant for something to eat much to Jasmines disgust as she wanted a KFC!
On the way home we did a whistle stop tour of coomera, helensvale and Redland bay. We stopped for a coffee, and then went on to Cleveland which we really liked the look of and Victoria point.
All exhausted after our busy day, we headed back to Gateway and went to bed early!
I was beginning to think we would never stay up beyond 8pm. I thought I would get over the jet lag ok especially as I am used to switching between working days and nights...however it I completely underestimated how exhausting it is. Its a tiredness that is almost impossible to fight.....
Had a lazy day and just stayed around the holiday park- swimming in the pool, playing table tennis. The park was very quiet felt like we were the only ones there at times. The kids really liked having the pool to themselves even if it was a bit chilly in there.
Day 5
Had a lie in this morning with Oliver getting up at 6.30 now!
Went of to Surfers Paradise today on the Gold Coast. Only took about half an hour to drive from where we were at Gateway. Noticed all the theme parks along the way...movie world, sea world, wet and wild, dreamworld.
Surfers does have a lovely beach and the area didn't seem to be as comercialised as I initially thought it would be. We thought there would be loads of shops selling buckets and spades etc.... but didn't see any at all. Did cause a bit of a problem as we were looking to buy beach towels there. Jon and I left his mum and the kids on the beach and went in search of beach towels.
After walking for about half hour we came to a super IGA, lucky for us they had a few left so we grabbed 4 in their packing and set back off up the beach to find the kids. Once we opened the towels we found that Oliver's towel had a buxom naked lady on it! very amusing for a 5 year old to have such a towel...gave us all a giggle and he seemed to like it!
As it was quite windy that day we were careful with the kids in the sea. Stayed between the flags as advised. They had a great time. After lunch we drove down to Mermaid beach and went into a texan restaurant for something to eat much to Jasmines disgust as she wanted a KFC!
On the way home we did a whistle stop tour of coomera, helensvale and Redland bay. We stopped for a coffee, and then went on to Cleveland which we really liked the look of and Victoria point.
All exhausted after our busy day, we headed back to Gateway and went to bed early!
I was beginning to think we would never stay up beyond 8pm. I thought I would get over the jet lag ok especially as I am used to switching between working days and nights...however it I completely underestimated how exhausting it is. Its a tiredness that is almost impossible to fight.....
Nov 28th 2006, 6:01 pm
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Gold Coast
Posts: 25,277
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Originally Posted by Mrs JFW
Day 4
Had a lazy day and just stayed around the holiday park- swimming in the pool, playing table tennis. The park was very quiet felt like we were the only ones there at times. The kids really liked having the pool to themselves even if it was a bit chilly in there.
Day 5
Had a lie in this morning with Oliver getting up at 6.30 now!
Went of to Surfers Paradise today on the Gold Coast. Only took about half an hour to drive from where we were at Gateway. Noticed all the theme parks along the way...movie world, sea world, wet and wild, dreamworld.
Surfers does have a lovely beach and the area didn't seem to be as comercialised as I initially thought it would be. We thought there would be loads of shops selling buckets and spades etc.... but didn't see any at all. Did cause a bit of a problem as we were looking to buy beach towels there. Jon and I left his mum and the kids on the beach and went in search of beach towels.
After walking for about half hour we came to a super IGA, lucky for us they had a few left so we grabbed 4 in their packing and set back off up the beach to find the kids. Once we opened the towels we found that Oliver's towel had a buxom naked lady on it! very amusing for a 5 year old to have such a towel...gave us all a giggle and he seemed to like it!
As it was quite windy that day we were careful with the kids in the sea. Stayed between the flags as advised. They had a great time. After lunch we drove down to Mermaid beach and went into a texan restaurant for something to eat much to Jasmines disgust as she wanted a KFC!
On the way home we did a whistle stop tour of coomera, helensvale and Redland bay. We stopped for a coffee, and then went on to Cleveland which we really liked the look of and Victoria point.
All exhausted after our busy day, we headed back to Gateway and went to bed early!
I was beginning to think we would never stay up beyond 8pm. I thought I would get over the jet lag ok especially as I am used to switching between working days and nights...however it I completely underestimated how exhausting it is. Its a tiredness that is almost impossible to fight.....
Had a lazy day and just stayed around the holiday park- swimming in the pool, playing table tennis. The park was very quiet felt like we were the only ones there at times. The kids really liked having the pool to themselves even if it was a bit chilly in there.
Day 5
Had a lie in this morning with Oliver getting up at 6.30 now!
Went of to Surfers Paradise today on the Gold Coast. Only took about half an hour to drive from where we were at Gateway. Noticed all the theme parks along the way...movie world, sea world, wet and wild, dreamworld.
Surfers does have a lovely beach and the area didn't seem to be as comercialised as I initially thought it would be. We thought there would be loads of shops selling buckets and spades etc.... but didn't see any at all. Did cause a bit of a problem as we were looking to buy beach towels there. Jon and I left his mum and the kids on the beach and went in search of beach towels.
After walking for about half hour we came to a super IGA, lucky for us they had a few left so we grabbed 4 in their packing and set back off up the beach to find the kids. Once we opened the towels we found that Oliver's towel had a buxom naked lady on it! very amusing for a 5 year old to have such a towel...gave us all a giggle and he seemed to like it!
As it was quite windy that day we were careful with the kids in the sea. Stayed between the flags as advised. They had a great time. After lunch we drove down to Mermaid beach and went into a texan restaurant for something to eat much to Jasmines disgust as she wanted a KFC!
On the way home we did a whistle stop tour of coomera, helensvale and Redland bay. We stopped for a coffee, and then went on to Cleveland which we really liked the look of and Victoria point.
All exhausted after our busy day, we headed back to Gateway and went to bed early!
I was beginning to think we would never stay up beyond 8pm. I thought I would get over the jet lag ok especially as I am used to switching between working days and nights...however it I completely underestimated how exhausting it is. Its a tiredness that is almost impossible to fight.....
Nov 28th 2006, 6:26 pm
#20
Living the Dream!
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 6,515
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Day 6
For a change Oliver was up again at 4.30 am! and woke the rest of us up too little sod!
Jon and I took a trip to Garden City shopping centre this morning which for those of you who know Manchesters Arndale Centre, I think it was bigger than that. Huge! We went to change some travellers cheques. We used westpac as we were told by Barclays that we wouldn't get charged commission if we used them.
Well i was quite shocked, the staff in the bank were lovely and happy to chat away despite a forming queue behind us. They seemed to do this with all their customers not just us, which I was amazed by this. Not like the miserable witches in some branches of barclays here!
I went into Tandy! yes they have them over there and bought a universal adapter for my MP3 player as it had run out of charge. So I was quite happy about that...I do like to have my music with me! We went to K mart and bought the kids some games and then headed home.
In the evening Jon and I went to meet Gina for the expat meet at the Pacific Pines Tavern. Gina wanted to meet up a bit earlier so we arrived at about 5.30pm after struggling to find the place a bit. We didn't get to meet everyone unfortunately but hello to Claire (jonahs mummy), Angie and family (conollyshome) SteveO and family. We left about 7.30pm as we were both falling asleep and Jon had to drive back. The bloody jet lag was beginning to piss me off and I didn't get to meet everyone....not even Soapy! So sorry to all those I didn't get to meet. It sounds like you all had a fab time that night.
For a change Oliver was up again at 4.30 am! and woke the rest of us up too little sod!
Jon and I took a trip to Garden City shopping centre this morning which for those of you who know Manchesters Arndale Centre, I think it was bigger than that. Huge! We went to change some travellers cheques. We used westpac as we were told by Barclays that we wouldn't get charged commission if we used them.
Well i was quite shocked, the staff in the bank were lovely and happy to chat away despite a forming queue behind us. They seemed to do this with all their customers not just us, which I was amazed by this. Not like the miserable witches in some branches of barclays here!
I went into Tandy! yes they have them over there and bought a universal adapter for my MP3 player as it had run out of charge. So I was quite happy about that...I do like to have my music with me! We went to K mart and bought the kids some games and then headed home.
In the evening Jon and I went to meet Gina for the expat meet at the Pacific Pines Tavern. Gina wanted to meet up a bit earlier so we arrived at about 5.30pm after struggling to find the place a bit. We didn't get to meet everyone unfortunately but hello to Claire (jonahs mummy), Angie and family (conollyshome) SteveO and family. We left about 7.30pm as we were both falling asleep and Jon had to drive back. The bloody jet lag was beginning to piss me off and I didn't get to meet everyone....not even Soapy! So sorry to all those I didn't get to meet. It sounds like you all had a fab time that night.
Nov 28th 2006, 7:04 pm
#21
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Location: Sunshine Coast
Posts: 252
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Originally Posted by Mrs JFW
Day 6
For a change Oliver was up again at 4.30 am! and woke the rest of us up too little sod!
Jon and I took a trip to Garden City shopping centre this morning which for those of you who know Manchesters Arndale Centre, I think it was bigger than that. Huge! We went to change some travellers cheques. We used westpac as we were told by Barclays that we wouldn't get charged commission if we used them.
Well i was quite shocked, the staff in the bank were lovely and happy to chat away despite a forming queue behind us. They seemed to do this with all their customers not just us, which I was amazed by this. Not like the miserable witches in some branches of barclays here!
I went into Tandy! yes they have them over there and bought a universal adapter for my MP3 player as it had run out of charge. So I was quite happy about that...I do like to have my music with me! We went to K mart and bought the kids some games and then headed home.
In the evening Jon and I went to meet Gina for the expat meet at the Pacific Pines Tavern. Gina wanted to meet up a bit earlier so we arrived at about 5.30pm after struggling to find the place a bit. We didn't get to meet everyone unfortunately but hello to Claire (jonahs mummy), Angie and family (conollyshome) SteveO and family. We left about 7.30pm as we were both falling asleep and Jon had to drive back. The bloody jet lag was beginning to piss me off and I didn't get to meet everyone....not even Soapy! So sorry to all those I didn't get to meet. It sounds like you all had a fab time that night.
For a change Oliver was up again at 4.30 am! and woke the rest of us up too little sod!
Jon and I took a trip to Garden City shopping centre this morning which for those of you who know Manchesters Arndale Centre, I think it was bigger than that. Huge! We went to change some travellers cheques. We used westpac as we were told by Barclays that we wouldn't get charged commission if we used them.
Well i was quite shocked, the staff in the bank were lovely and happy to chat away despite a forming queue behind us. They seemed to do this with all their customers not just us, which I was amazed by this. Not like the miserable witches in some branches of barclays here!
I went into Tandy! yes they have them over there and bought a universal adapter for my MP3 player as it had run out of charge. So I was quite happy about that...I do like to have my music with me! We went to K mart and bought the kids some games and then headed home.
In the evening Jon and I went to meet Gina for the expat meet at the Pacific Pines Tavern. Gina wanted to meet up a bit earlier so we arrived at about 5.30pm after struggling to find the place a bit. We didn't get to meet everyone unfortunately but hello to Claire (jonahs mummy), Angie and family (conollyshome) SteveO and family. We left about 7.30pm as we were both falling asleep and Jon had to drive back. The bloody jet lag was beginning to piss me off and I didn't get to meet everyone....not even Soapy! So sorry to all those I didn't get to meet. It sounds like you all had a fab time that night.
Keep the updates going!!!!! Jackie ( Another Nurse)
Nov 28th 2006, 7:32 pm
#22
member
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: Newport,Redcliffe,Qld
Posts: 321
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Great to hear how you got on Jackie!
Sounds great so far
Andrea
Sounds great so far
Andrea
Nov 28th 2006, 7:40 pm
#23
Worongary
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: GC hinterland
Posts: 10,288
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Originally Posted by Mrs JFW
The bloody jet lag was beginning to piss me off and I didn't get to meet everyone....not even Soapy! So sorry to all those I didn't get to meet. It sounds like you all had a fab time that night.
arrh but you did get to meet the most important ones jackie
Nov 28th 2006, 8:02 pm
#24
Living the Dream!
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 6,515
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Originally Posted by steve`o
arrh but you did get to meet the most important ones jackie
How are you all doing?
Nov 28th 2006, 8:06 pm
#25
Worongary
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: GC hinterland
Posts: 10,288
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Originally Posted by Mrs JFW
now that is true Steve!
How are you all doing?
How are you all doing?
great thanks having a really good week
our container was delivered so we are unpacking
i got a job start next week and the qld goverment is
handing out driving licences to holders of uk licences with no exam
sweet
has your reccie trip cofirmed your feelings towards moving here ??
Nov 28th 2006, 8:16 pm
#26
Yes yes yes brissy bound!
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Wello Point, Bayside
Posts: 137
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
More!More! Loving the running commentary
Nov 28th 2006, 8:21 pm
#27
Living the Dream!
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 6,515
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Day 7
Well didn't it just chuck it down all day today!
Torrential rain. But that didn't stop us going out and looking around. (used to the rain here in Manchester! )
We decided to have another look at Cleveland and had lunch at Raby Bay harbour (the sun came out for that bit!) We then drove around Ormiston and Wellington Point ...again lovely places that I could see myself living there. We then drove up to Manly past its gorgeous harbour and on to Wynnum. The kids started moaning about us driving around all the time at this point so we headed home for an evening indoors.
Day 8 (week 2 now) are you bored yet?
Decided to take a drive up to Mount Coo-Ta today. No more rain, lovely clear skies and 28 degrees. Found it quite ok, thanks to the street guide given to us by east coast rentals. We drove up to the top of the mountain to the look out point...(actually I say we, but Jon did all the driving because I forgot to take my driving license with me. Jon thinks I did this on purpose, but honestly I didn't!).
Now this is definately well worth a visit if you go to Brisbane. The views are stunning and you definately need your cameras for this. Took lots of photos. There is a cafe and a lovely restaurant at the top of the mountain so you won't go hungry.
Not quite sure why but we had a walk around and found a sign to follow the aboriginal trail. The walk was about a mile and we sort of just headed off in search of the waterfall. Well there we were walking through this bushland me in my flip flops on my guard for snakes and other nasty critters. It was tough going especially as jons mum had a bad knee. Anyway we were keen to see this waterfall.......
After walking for about 45 minutes we came to what I think was supposed to be the waterfall. Much to our amazement and I really don't know why.....
....the water fall didn't exsist despite the torrential rain the day before. Well I found this quite funny, but jons mum wasn't amused! So off we trundled back which was mainly uphills and steps and the temperature about 30 degrees! Jons mum was disgusted that we had passed so many joggers and power walkers and they hadn't told us that the water fall had dried up. (Going on holiday with jons mum was an experience in itself. She wanted to know why surfers paradise beach didn't have sun beds and umbrellas on it???
Oh - and best of all why couldn't she get an English newspaper in Oz).
When we got out of the trail we went back up to the lookout and had lunch in the cafe. After lunch we drove down to the Thomas Brisbane Planetarium and Botanical gardens. It was quite late in the afternoon when we arrived so had a quick look around. the kids again were chasing the bloody lizards around the garden. We had a quick look round the japanese garden before heading back. I wanted to go back to the botanical gardens another day, but we didn't get time. Definately worth a look if you can.
Well didn't it just chuck it down all day today!
Torrential rain. But that didn't stop us going out and looking around. (used to the rain here in Manchester! )
We decided to have another look at Cleveland and had lunch at Raby Bay harbour (the sun came out for that bit!) We then drove around Ormiston and Wellington Point ...again lovely places that I could see myself living there. We then drove up to Manly past its gorgeous harbour and on to Wynnum. The kids started moaning about us driving around all the time at this point so we headed home for an evening indoors.
Day 8 (week 2 now) are you bored yet?
Decided to take a drive up to Mount Coo-Ta today. No more rain, lovely clear skies and 28 degrees. Found it quite ok, thanks to the street guide given to us by east coast rentals. We drove up to the top of the mountain to the look out point...(actually I say we, but Jon did all the driving because I forgot to take my driving license with me. Jon thinks I did this on purpose, but honestly I didn't!).
Now this is definately well worth a visit if you go to Brisbane. The views are stunning and you definately need your cameras for this. Took lots of photos. There is a cafe and a lovely restaurant at the top of the mountain so you won't go hungry.
Not quite sure why but we had a walk around and found a sign to follow the aboriginal trail. The walk was about a mile and we sort of just headed off in search of the waterfall. Well there we were walking through this bushland me in my flip flops on my guard for snakes and other nasty critters. It was tough going especially as jons mum had a bad knee. Anyway we were keen to see this waterfall.......
After walking for about 45 minutes we came to what I think was supposed to be the waterfall. Much to our amazement and I really don't know why.....
....the water fall didn't exsist despite the torrential rain the day before. Well I found this quite funny, but jons mum wasn't amused!
So off we trundled back which was mainly uphills and steps and the temperature about 30 degrees! Jons mum was disgusted that we had passed so many joggers and power walkers and they hadn't told us that the water fall had dried up. (Going on holiday with jons mum was an experience in itself. She wanted to know why surfers paradise beach didn't have sun beds and umbrellas on it???Oh - and best of all why couldn't she get an English newspaper in Oz).
When we got out of the trail we went back up to the lookout and had lunch in the cafe. After lunch we drove down to the Thomas Brisbane Planetarium and Botanical gardens. It was quite late in the afternoon when we arrived so had a quick look around. the kids again were chasing the bloody lizards around the garden. We had a quick look round the japanese garden before heading back. I wanted to go back to the botanical gardens another day, but we didn't get time. Definately worth a look if you can.
Nov 28th 2006, 8:24 pm
#28
Living the Dream!
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 6,515
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Originally Posted by steve`o
great thanks having a really good week
our container was delivered so we are unpacking
i got a job start next week and the qld goverment is
handing out driving licences to holders of uk licences with no exam
sweet
has your reccie trip cofirmed your feelings towards moving here ??
our container was delivered so we are unpacking
i got a job start next week and the qld goverment is
handing out driving licences to holders of uk licences with no exam
sweet
has your reccie trip cofirmed your feelings towards moving here ??
I like that about the driving licenses, I'm not good at exams.
We loved our time there Steve. Didn't want to come home. Anyhow we will get xmas out of the way and get the house sorted for selling. Hope to be out next summer at the latest!
Nov 28th 2006, 8:35 pm
#29
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Mountain Creek,Sunshine Coast
Posts: 3,596
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
These are crackin updates J!!! glad you're back mate. Did you find somewhere you think you may settle?? or have I missed it in the updates???
I thought the towel was well funny.
I thought the towel was well funny.
Nov 28th 2006, 8:44 pm
#30
Living the Dream!
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 6,515
Re: MRS JFW's Australian Adventure!
Originally Posted by CathnPaul
These are crackin updates J!!! glad you're back mate. Did you find somewhere you think you may settle?? or have I missed it in the updates???
I thought the towel was well funny.
I thought the towel was well funny.
there are loads of lovely places around brissy....its too hard to decide where for sure but thinking of sunshine coast around maroochydore maybe but we changed our minds most days depending on where we were! lol.
Sorry I got your text about elljay too late to meet up with her. will send her an email.