Easter

Isn't easter a chocolate feast for the kids!!!!!

Three very happy children on Easter Sunday after their Easter Hunt.  We had a big cookup breakfast with the family.  Pancakes, bacon & eggs and our family secret recipe of chilli beans. (although they were altered a bit to include a curry flavour)  I think this family recipe gets added to with each generation.  But it still tastes very nice.  Afterwards DIL and I went along to the movies to see The Blind Side, the movie that Sandra Bullock received an oscar for.  She definetly deserved this as she played an excellent part.  A lovely movie to go and see and its a true story also.  So if you would like to spend some time out seeing a movie I would highly recommend this one. It has my tick of approval.  In the evening we went along to the Redlands Easter Family Festival which was hosted by the combined Churches in the Redlands to celebrate the Easter story of Jesus' death and resurrection.  Everything was free.  Their was donuts, sandwiches, fairy floss, snow cones and sausage sizzles, rides galore and face painting.  Mural painting, entertainment etc.  A very generous gesture by the churches, their helpers and sponsors and the joy was reflected on all the happy faces there.  The true spirit of Easter and I would personally like to thank them.  They have been hosting this event since 1999.  Happy Easter everyone!!!!

Talk again soon

Redland Bay

Another beautiful day in paradise.  Today we thought we would take a drive and visit the Albert Valley Rovers, the CMCA chapter we met up with in Lowood and shared their Christmas party.  They were having a gathering at the Redlands Bay Amateur Fishing Club.  DH thought it was the boat club or the yacht club, he couldn't remember what but after driving around Raby Bay and Cleveland we called into the information bureau.  They obviously don't know their area very well because they told us The Esplanade was not in Redland Bay it must have been in Redcliffe.  (the Other side of Brisbane)  We had been putting The Esplanade in the GPS but it was telling us there were no matches.  DH was getting a bit befuddled by then and couldn't remember if it was Redland Bay or Redcliffe (as you do) so we drove back to the bus (after enjoying a fruit fantasy at Cold Rock in Cleveland (my favourite)) and checked up on the information.  Yes it was The Esplanade in Redland Bay but still the GPS wouldn't come to the party.  So Dh decided to ring someone in the chapter to find out where it was. I don't know why he didn't ring earlier but whatever!!! We finally arrived there and spent afternoon tea with them.  The Fishing Club is opposite where you catch the ferries to Stradbroke Island, so much for the info centre!!!!

The Aust Team in Action

 I don't know if I mentioned this but we are camped in the Queensland Shooting Complex and at the moment the Australian Rifle Team are getting ready for the Commonwealth Games.  They are practising in the 1000 metre range.  I can't even see the targets from that far let alone shoot at it.  They are extremely professional and it is quite interesting to watch them.  Its not every day you get woken up with a bang or two.  In our case we are.

The 1000 metre range

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday and we are having Breakfast with the family and sharing Easter Eggs and then  DIL & I are going to see The Blind Side at the movies.  In the evening we are going to the easter festival in Redlands.  We have to make the most of spending time with them as we will be leaving soon.  We will miss them very much.  We have got to know them very well this time after enjoying some quality time with them.

 Talk again soon

Mt Tambourine and Cedar Creek Falls

It was such a beautiful day we decided to visit Mt Tambourine.  Mt Tambourine is about 40klms away as you turn off the Pacific Highway heading towards the Gold Coast.  Driving along the road towards the Mountain you are greeted by Rain Forest vegetation and beautiful scenic views. 

The forest has many walkways and the silence is broken only by the distinct sounds of birds from the treetops.  We stopped first at Cedar Creek Falls and walked down what seemed like a zillion steps to a lovely pool with a waterfall backdrop.

The Cedar Creek Waterfall

 The creek meandered through the park towards the waterfall.  Lots of people were swimming here and it seemed a very popular spot.

Cedar Creek

 Being Good Friday and a public holiday everyone was out enjoying the beautiful countryside and the lovely weather.  It was a great place for a picnic with BBQs available as well as benches and tables to spread the goodies on.

This lizard was near the Picnic Area (it is a real one)

 Our next stop was Curtis Falls where we again went on a bush walk to a cluster of shops and eateries.  Lunch was here and was enjoyed in the courtyard of a quaint little cafe.  Next to this was a lolly Shop which I duly admired but didn't indulge.  Trying to be good.

We then drove up higher to a quaint little village consisting of Art Galleries, boutiques, Wineries, Fudge Shops and places selling nut products.  We exited out a different way and headed towards Oxenford.  To the left of us was magnificent views of the hills around and in the distance the Gold Coast.  You couldn't fathom really we were in a another world just over from the busy Pacific Highway and the Theme Parks.

One of the rides at White Water Word

To top the day off we had a lovely meal with the family.  Trent did an excellent job of cooking fish that he caught up in 1770.  He doesn't take after his father that's for sure.

Talk again soon

More Photos from Australian Outback Spectacular

More photos from our night out

The bar at Australian Outback Spectacular

One of the horses from the show

Maverick one of the sheep dogs

The Arena from our seat

The Dinnner & Show Australian Outback Spectacular

We scrub up well don't we?

We drove to the Gold Coast late yesterday for our big outing.  Managed to chat to another couple also travelling from Tasmania.  The show was brilliant and well worth it.  One of the featured acts was a tribute to the Australian Light Horsemen and it was well done.

 A bit of history about the horses-The light horsemen had an amazing affinity with their horses.  Some took their own, others broke in new mounts, looking after them while travelling overseas and keeping them all throughout the desert campaign.  They rode Australian Stockhorses, a mixture of thoroughbreds,Arab, Timor ponies and wild brumbys.  Known as walers because the first ones were from NSW they had a reputation for grit, sure-footness and stamina.  Many of the men that joined the light horsemen were from the outback. - Thats enough of the history now back to the show.  The riders and their mounts were amazing they danced and pranced aroung the arena with a backdrop of sceneries from the Aussie outback to war scenes from world war 2.

 The dust and the explosions and lightning you could almost feel as though you were in the middle of the scene.  I know one granddaughter who would have loved the show.  Their was even a horse that reminded me of Troy, he sat on this backlegs with his front legs forward, just like Troy used to.

 The horses were stunning and performed like veterans entertaining the crowd.  The meal was average but the service was excellent, They managed to serve the meals in minutes, well orchestrated and organised.  Talk again soon

The Australian Outback Spectacular

Woke up this morning to another humid day after a night of rain.  It seems to be a typical Queensland weather pattern.  I can handle this as it is a lot cooler for sleeping.  Today we are indulging.  Tonight we are booked into the RM Williams Australian Outback Spectacular on the Gold Coast.  It is nestled among the Theme Parks that the Gold Coast is quite known for.

 It mainly consists of a BBQ meal and a show.  Looking forward to getting the glad rags on for a change and setting out on the town.

  I will have to let you know tomorrow how it went.

Talk again soon

Bags

Not a lot to report.  Friday I was all enthused and sewed all day until we had to pick the children up from school.  Friday night we watched Keira shine again at soccer.  She received the award for the player of the match much to her obvious enjoyment.  Saturday we drove up to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and explored our next camping spot.  We visited the lovely historical town of Kalbar and stopped for awhile in Boonah.  I think we will probably choose the later.  There is a caravan park at the showgrounds which is able to accomodate us.  Close to shops and the area is lovely and green and very scenic.  We drove home via Beaudesert, another lovely area. 

These are some of the bags I have made I might become known as the "Bag Lady"

Talk again soon