Day 104 (Saturday)

Saturday ... and Coffee Sisters with Pearl where she was soon joined by another red dog who looked very much like her from the back but may have been carrying a little more around the tummy. We think the games of ball with Pearl have provided some good exercise and routine for her over the Winter months and it will be interesting to see if she still remains as keen now the weather is getting warmer.

Just for a change we decided to do a walk around Pacific Fair shopping centre today - leaving M to take Pearl for a walk around the dog park by herself - because it was going to be a bit hot for S. Alas, no amount of air conditioning and retail stimulation could replace the splendor of the flowering gum M found at park's entrance. It reportedly smelled magnificent as well and depending on how we go for time tomorrow (the last day of my holidays) we may take a run - by which I mean "drive" - in there to check it out.

Pacific Fair hasn't really changed that much from when we used to come to the Gold Coast for holidays. It has some different shops and outlets of course but it still has the same feel to it. As Brett from Mudgee (he stayed at the Montego Motel at the same time as us one year) said it was the biggest shopping centre he had ever seen. That was a few years ago now and it has been surpassed in size by Robina and Harbourtown, and probably others, but it is still a favorite, especially now that there is a Kathmandu there. We were restrained in the retail therapy stakes although S did manage to bag a Manchester bargain with a doona cover, fitted sheet and pillow cases set for under $20 at one of the sales.

Back at Latimers, the squabbling over the nest doesn't seem quite as constant but it hasn't stopped completely. I can't see whether there are still five chicks but it does make it difficult for the parent birds to feed any of them when they are constantly trying to defend the nest.

We were so busy doing other things today that a visit to the tip seems to have fallen off the list. We'll have to do that (hmmm ... chainsaw? To cut up the branches of the tobacco tree?) and it's time I learnt how to drive the tractor. Tomorrow would be a good day to do that especially if it's going to be cool and a little overcast - no rain need apply!

We had a wonderful night out tonight - but we had better be careful given this is our second Saturday night out in a row ... we don't want to be setting any precedents though. Unless they are all enjoyable as this evening. We went in to Jupiters Casino for the Food Fantasy seafood buffet and then for a spot of gaming - not including watching the football on the screens set up throughout the restaurant! It was wonderful and a great way to spend the last night on my holidays where I can stay up late (without feeling guilty).

We all came home tired but happy including Beazley who was wandering down the lane as we were coming in. Tinky was being her usual stay-out self and chose not to come in with the others - and it was after midnight by the time M finally coaxed her in. How did this little cat get to be so headstrong?

Day 103 (Friday)

It dawned bright and sunny in Toowoomba - and without an early morning visit from W - although she did call in at a more sensible hour - just as we were finishing breakfast. She was on her way to an Open Day with her work and she was running early so she and a colleague decided to call in for a cuppa.

Then we were off on a shopping expedition with Mum - who is in the middle of a couple of projects including trying to find a way to keep the local possum from eating her rose buds. Given that possums are nocturnal creatures, she believes that putting some low wattage solar lights on the same level as the buds will discourage the possum and preserve her flowers - at least until they blossom and she can take some photographs of them. But how to get the lights on the same level? Mount them on dowel ... so off we went to Bunnings to get some and have it cut to the right length. And to have a look at chain saws - who knew how heavy they were or that they come in petrol or electric - and push mowers (without motors).

Not content with that, we also went in search of labels for spice bottles which you would think would be one of the easiest things to find - but not so. I will have a look on the interweb and see if I can find any.

Oh, and the other thing I managed to do was find a couple of pairs of footwear for work - I'd say "shoes" but one pair is sandals which I don't usually wear but I decided it was time to try something different - with the decision even better since I was given a 30% discount on my purchases.

S and Mum were very patient with my shopping - as they were yesterday when I was in search of work shirts. I think I have everything now so there is no excuse for not going back to work on Monday.

The drive back to the Coast wasn't bad although we did pass a couple of accidents on the way - one with four or five ambulances in attendance. And because there had been a four-car pile-up at Robina earlier in the afternoon, traffic was slow again on the Nerang-Mudgeeraba stretch although this time it was slow from Helensvale which is further up the highway.

Of course, on the way down we stopped at Sprengers for carrots for Hermes and for L's horses. We just have to remember to take them out of the car.

Tonight was dinner at Mouse's which was a very low key affair but still very enjoyable. I'm not sure what the combination of beans (and seven other vegetables) and cabbage means for later on but it was very delicious at the time.

Em was glad to see us back and only did the usual back-turning thing that cats do - but only for a few moments - before coming out for a drink of outside water (truly much better than inside water) and a wander on the grass, and then a little sit on the table. That's something that both she and Maggie have started doing of late with no clues yet as to why. We suspect it might be because there are fleas about - and from Pearl's allergy we known she's had some - but the cats seem to have escaped mostly unscathed. Let's hope it stays that way!

Day 102 (Thursday)

What's that they say about the best-laid plans of mice and men? After a final last effort, I managed to get the car out the driveway an hour after our scheduled departure time .. all I can think of is that I was having such a good time at Latimers, I didn't want to leave. Part of the good time did not include watching the swallows - they were again squabbling over the nest.

It was a decent drive up to Toowoomba - and I made it a point to check out some stretches of the highway to make sure what their speed limits are - watching for roadside signs and also checking with Gomez the GPS.

We stopped at The Coffee Club at Plainlands (about 40 minutes out of Toowoomba) and had a very enjoyable toast and coffee (tea for S). From there we phoned my mother to give her our estimated time of arrival and she decided that she would ask her sister to take her down to the vets to collect her recently (yesterday) desexed puppy - Pippa. She seems to have come through with little distress and it's all Mum can do to make her be calm.

There has been decluttering happening here and we took Mum and several bags-full of donations to the LifeLine "opportunity shop". While we were there, we also had a look to see what they had - and we remembered the time when I had been visiting Toowoomba before having a holiday on the Gold Coast and, as the unit where we were planning to stay had tennis courts - we bought some cheap racquets so we could practice our tennis. Many an afternoon Dad and I went out the front of their house in Winifred Street and played "street tennis". I can't know remember why we chose to do that rather than just going to a tennis court - especially given how hard it was to convince my niece and nephew to be ball catchers - so they could fetch stray balls - and there were a few.

I finally got one of my other wishes today - which was to have a game of 10-pin bowling. Strangely enough, it was a virtual game on a whiz-bang television set that my aunt had won in a golf-related competition where you had to ring in and leave your name and if your name was pulled from the barrel first - you won! I had two goes at the bowling - the first turn saw 5 pins dropped and then I completely missed the balls on the second throw; on the second turn I hit 9 pins down with the first bowl, and managed to take the spare with my next shot. I was stoked and decided to call it quits then, especially as no-one else seemed keen to have a go.

Tonight was a barbecue with Mum, my sister and her family including Baby M. You haven't seen a kid as happy as when she's clutching a sausage in her hand and chewing on it - on the side of her mouth that doesn't have her single tooth. It was a good night and we all went home tired but happy - and were tucked up and in bed by 9.30 - ready to do it again tomorrow (and almost hoping that sister W doesn't show up at 5.30am in the morning as suggested).

Day 101 (Wednesday)

Another wonderful day here at Latimers! Except for the continuing squabble over the swallows nest which is becoming increasingly violent with blood being drawn by one of the interlopers through mid-air collision and peck. Nature can truly be harsh and despite checking on the interweb and asking around it seems as though it is best that we humans don't intervene and just let them sort it out themselves. But it isn't easy to watch - except Tink doesn't seem to mind waiting below the nest ... although we're not quite sure what she's expecting to happen.

As it is Wednesday, we followed the usual S and M routine which included leaving the house at around 9 to go to Zarrafa's at Carrara for a coffee and a raisin toast, and then into Broadbeach for Guidedog Bingo. You don't actually play with Guidedogs but it is held for the Guidedog's benefit with all proceeds going to their care and training. It is a good cause and great fun - especially when you are on a lucky table and everyone wins a prize including the woman who came for the first time today.

Then it was over to the Casino for a Bite of lunch - and a swipe of Rewards cards to go into the lucky prize draw - drawn on the hour and if your name comes out of the barrel and you reach the promotional spot in under 3 minutes, you win $500 Casino Dollars. (We didn't.) Then, with the money we saved by having lunch at Bite, we had a go at some of the gaming opportunities offered by the Casino ... and what's that they say "the house always win" - and we weren't about to argue with popular lore today.

Then it was back to Latimers - via the supermarket - well, supermarkets since S and M went to Coles and I went to Aldi to check out what specials might be on at the moment and those which would be starting tomorrow. You just have to love Aldi - bargain of the day - an iPad cover for $4.99.

Today was the opening of the new Myer store at Robina and M went off with Mouse and A to attend. It was apparently incredibly busy but there were some decent bargains to be had - making the crowds almost bearable if you didn't mind waiting in long queues to purchase your merchandise.

For dinner - something special - Worongary Chinese - and while most of it was fantastic, I really do need to learn (and quickly) that long and short soup is something best eaten immediately - otherwise it turns a bit gluggy.

The kids were all in before-time this evening and we all settled in for an early night because S and I are off to Toowoomba in the morning. I am hoping to get a fairly early start to beat the Brisbane and the school traffic.

Day 100 (Tuesday)

More holidays - and I am having a wonderful time. Today we finally made it out to the open sea to do a spot of whale watching. We had booked a tour with SeaWorld who have been advertising on television. Luckily they had some open spots for today as we are fast running out of holiday - especially as we are still planning a quick trip to Toowoomba later in the week.
The added bonus of the SeaWorld choice was the option of a Combo ticket for not that much more which included entry to SeaWorld as well.

We went out on the morning tour on the Migaloo - named after the white whale calf spotted off the Coast here a few years back. (M was telling us that the first person to sight Migaloo was a family friend.) It was a glorious day for it - slightly overcast with a light sea breeze and a 1-metre swell. We chose to ignore the minor seasickness warning but did make a small concession to it by making sure S, already slightly queasy from her various Lurgy medications, had some Travacalm to give her the best possible chance of not succumbing to motion sickness. And boy - was it fun! Once we were out there the boat was bucking up and down - and in a moment I had an even greater appreciation of those who sail - and walk around in ships - in mountainous seas. And we were fortunate enough to see some whales and a pod of dolphins - and even luckier when they announced we would be staying out a little longer than planned to maximise our whale experience.

As we sat, drifting and waiting for the whales to surface, I found myself thinking of that hit movie of the mid-1970s and how the shark hunters of Jaws sat waiting for the great white to appear. And I thought of all those whalers, especially when there were only sailing ships and how much more of a chance whales had in those days and how it would be good if whales weren't hunted at all. Or that people could be more responsible and careful with their rubbish and old fishing tackle: so birds and other sea creatures don't get entangled. Luckily our tour crew spotted some birds in trouble and scooped them up for return to SeaWorld. In all, there were tour terns tangled in fishing line and hooks and hopefully the rescue folk will be able to save them.

Then it was back to SeaWorld for us as well for lunch and to spend some quality time with the polar bears, sharks and dolphins - and to catch the Pirate Show! They certainly provide a wonderful experience and we came home tired and happy knowing there are such dedicated wildlife professionals at work here. I was also very happy with the photographs I had managed to snap during the day including my favourite of six dolphins flying through the air - part of an excellent Dolphin show.

Meanwhile, back at Latimers ... Uncle R had arrived and worked throughout the day with M to trim and tidy and tractor and mow around the property. They also checked the bananas and gave the lemon tree a good trimming because it really was starting to be a bit ... bushy - but boy did it produce a lot of fantastic fruit this season.

Day 99 (Monday)

Well, one could get very used to this holidays thing quite quickly. Notwithstanding the early start to get S to the doctor to follow-up on "the Lurgy" it has been a very relaxing day with a lazy breakfast in Nerang followed by a full day of playing (for me, S went home to bed) at the Robina shopping centre. I'm not usually one for getting lost in retail therapy - unless electronics are involved - but I was a person on a mission - looking for "a look" for when I start the "new" job next week. I was mostly successful - I now have pants a-plenty - it's just the shirts and shoes I'm falling behind on. But there is still time. As a reward, I did allow myself drooling time in the Apple Store there and managed to exit without spending considerable amounts - in fact, nothing came home with me except some advice from the Genius Bar about deleting photographs en masse.

On the way home, responding to the call from S's sickbed for more lemonade and bread, I decided to get them at the elusive Worongary - armed with the knowledge from both J and M that it was easy to find - turn left instead of right at the showground. And there it was - right where they said it would be. I still put down a trail of breadcrumbs though lest it be just an apparition.

The Latimers mower remains silent although the same cannot be said for L's. He and the Mrs are off to Melbourne for The Cup later in the week so he's probably doing his best to catch up with the grass while he has the opportunity. Uncle R is coming back this way tomorrow and he is going to have a go at bringing the mower back to life so we can get to the grass which is growing longer by the day. But it gives the plovers a place to play and hide.

There are some more swallows harassing the ones currently using the nest and sitting out there is sometimes like being in the middle of Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". There is swooping and calling and a general state of flurry which can't be at all good for putting those little chicks at ease.

Emma has started going outside again and as well as eating grass, and drinking from the big water bucket, she is now making e effort to go over under the nest and smell the bird droppings that have fallen into the newspaper. For a cat with poor eyesight she seems to have a very advanced state of smell.

Maggie is intriguing us at the moment by taking up a position sitting on the bench in the laundry - and not really moving from there. M isn't quite sure why that is, except that Maggie can display odd behavior sometimes without ever giving any real reason. This may be one of those times.

We had a nice surprise yesterday afternoon when L arrived with a huge dish full of freshly caught, cooked and cleaned crabs. They were absolutely magnificent and it was a fitting tribute to the youngsters participating in Junior MasterChef that we ate as we watched them compete for places in the Final 8.

Day 98 (Sunday)

What is "Mrs" short for? It's something that I've never thought about until I saw the sign (for the umpteenth time but obviously I actually looked at it this time) for the "Groper and his Misses". Hmmm, that didn't sound right. That's something that will bear looking up.

Up early this morning for the weekly Skype call with T and then off to the "Summer" Farmers Markets. M and S had gone earlier to meet up with the others and I followed when I was able. They had already finished coffee and banana cake by the time I arrived but there was still time for a quick natter before M, N and A left.

Surprisingly, we didn't do that much actual marketing. As S said when I indicated to her empty bag, since we had both been lurgy-bound last week, we hadn't managed to make it through last week's produce so she thought we could concentrate on that for a start and then do fresh fruit and vegetable shopping as needed. It seemed like a good idea.

The group at the Markets gets bigger and smaller, depending on who's around, but last week there was a new face - and this week she brought her husband along as well. S and I weren't sure if they were new starters or folk who had been away and then come back ... But it seems they are "new" and had known someone at the table last week and even though they weren't here this week, had joined in and then (she says, seemingly and rather uncharitably) proceeded to dominate the conversation. Ah well, maybe she will have calmed down by next week - or found other people to play with.

Post-markets we did a quick detour via JB Hi-Fi but left there with no new purchases, then via the Carrara pharmacy to have a prescription filled for S, then lunch at the aforementioned "Groper and His Misses". It was nice, as always, but perhaps not quite as nice as the Ferry Road Markets. Butnback to Mrs ... according to the inter web, Mrs is short for Mistress but not "mistress" as in "the other woman" but Mistress as in a woman with some power. It's suggested this date backs to Colonial times but in the source I was using, it also said there was no reference to it in Colonial times - so it's a little hard to know for certain. You have to love the English language.

Beasley was trying to show off last night. It had started raining again and despite the adverse conditions he had managed to hunt down and capture a small creature with which to impress his mother. M was on the phone with her sister at the time so did her best to acknowledge his catch of the day so he could be separated from it. Luckily M is good at multi-tasking.

Even though I wanted to stay up late, S has an early appointment with her doctor in the morning and since we want to go whale-watching later in the week, we have to make sure she is as well as possible for that - so an early night was had by all again here at Latimers.