Merimbula Again for the big 60

To celebrate my 60th birthday Bill and I headed down to Merimbula. I did have to ask directly what plans were in place for my birthday- had to use the sledgehammer approach- no point in being subtle! Our original plan was to do a scenic flight from Merimbula to Gabo Island for a tour of the lighthouse then a flight to Mallacoota for lunch then fly back to Merimbula. We always knew it was weather dependent and unfortunately for us the weather was not cooperating. The guy for the flight company rang at 9am on Saturday to let us know that he had spoken to the lighthouse keeper on Gabo Island and it was pouring rain winds of over 60kmh, so we decided to say on dry land!

We stayed in lovely apartment and enjoyed a tapas dinner on Friday night.

On the Saturday we headed down to Eden to explore that area- it is only 30 minutes from Merimubla. Just before Eden we stopped off at the Ben Boyd National Park and did a short walk out to the Pinnacles.

There were some lovely views of the beaches

Nice view of the Pinnacles

Couple of seniors checking out the view

We then walked down to the beach and had the beach to ourselves so had a nice long walk 

Then headed into Eden checked out the wharf and had fish and chips for lunch

After lunch we went for a 5km walk around Lake Curalo. There were so many black swans, in one place I counted 60 of them

Spotted a family of ducks- 11 ducklings

Merimbula with Amy in November

I wanted to go down to Merimbula to visit the branch of the church there so Amy came down with me. We drove down on the Saturday and stayed Saturday and Sunday night and came home Monday. We stayed in the Palms Apartments this time which were very comfortable and had a lovely relaxing time. We arrived late Saturday afternoon so didn't do much, we enjoyed a nice meal at a little Italian Restaurant and then just chilled out at our accommodation.

 Sunday morning before church I went for a walk along the lake and the board walk, it was a lovely sunny but cool morning.  Merimbula Branch is just a small one so I had offered to give a talk which they are always grateful for. I stayed for munch and mingle after church which was nice, always nice to catch up with the members at Merimbula

In the afternoon Amy and I drove down to Pambula and went for a walk in the wetlands there then went for a walk along the board walk back at Merimbula.

On Monday Amy and I went to Potoroo Palace a small animal sanctuary just outside of Merimbula, we had a lovely morning and Amy was is in animal heaven.

We went to the keepers talk at 11am and got to watch Priscilla the Echidna having her morning tea, it was just Amy and I, we spent about half an hour with the Keeper learning all about echidnas, we got to touch her ( rather than pat) it was fascinating to watch her clean this plate and then pick up all the stuff that got pushed of the edge.

We had booked a wombat encounter so Amy and I spent 30 minutes with the keeper and Millie the wombat who is blind. We got to cuddle and pat her and play with her it was great fun.

We then headed home via Candelo, stopping for lunch at the lovely cafe there and back home about 5pm, it was a great little trip away.

Mirboo North and Melbourne for Mum's 84th Birthday

I headed down to Melbourne for mum's birthday. I flew into Melbourne, picked up my hire car and headed out to Berwick where I picked up mum and we headed down to Mirboo North where we were staying the night on a cabin on a small farm. It was so lovely and green.

We stopped off at Yarragon for lunch and a wander through the shops then headed to the farm where we were staying.

It was a bit showery on and off, but we headed down to the Lyrebird walk which was a short walk through lovely rainforest.

Mirboo North was lots of green rolling hills and lovely forests

This was our cabin for the night- very comfortable and quiet

Friday morning we headed off, had a lovely drive along the western part of Grand Ridge Road and headed to Mount Worth State Forest- it was a delightful spot and lovely green rainforests. We enjoyed a lovely walk past some rather tall trees

On the Saturday mum and I met up with Simon, Bindi and Charlie who had also come down for mum's birthday. We headed up to the 1001 steps that have just been opened up in Narre Warren South. Was most impressed that mum made around all the steps.

Later than night we meet up with some of the rest of the family at an Afghan Restaurant in Dandenong and then headed back to Mike and Leanne for dessert. It was a lovely weekend and mum had a great time.

October Catch Up

There are some days when Budgie and Hawk get just a little bit too noisy and I have had enough so...

I got a pair of ear noise protectors or whatever you call them- $10 from Bunnings and thely do a pretty good job of reducing the noise to a manageable level!

Out for a morning walk and came across this wombat just sitting outside in the sun enjoying the sunshine.

Back in the October school holidays the youth from our church went on a Pioneer Trek re- acting the pioneers crossing the plains. We went out on the last day to welcome them home. Here is my nephew Charlie- the grin on his face is on of finally finishing this whole thing!

Here is my niece Mia arrving back

A few days later we caught up with Bindi and Simon and the kids for a picnic at Lennox Gardens where we normally have our Good Friday picnics but haven't had them around for the last three years so we decided to have a breakfast of bacon and egg rolls- was a nice morning.

Below is Benny- the new puppy of my brother and sister in law in Melbourne. I think Benny would be my doggy nephew- he was very cute and friendly.

Floriade 2019

It has been a couple of years since we have been to Floriade but we finally got there this year on the last day. Amy was keen to go but not really to see the flowers but to see the dogs as we went on the Doggy Day Out. We left our dogs at home and Amy went from one dog to the next and we got to see some flowers inbetween- Amy was in dog heaven!

Bill and Amy

Amy saying hello to one of the many dogs that afternoon!