29 July 2014

The Prom & another Beautiful Sunset


29th July 2014

Well not alot has been happening, we are slowly coming to the end of our house sit here at Bribie Island, the home owners arrive back on the 16th August. We are slowly gathering up gear and taking what is not needed back to the caravan, the beds are made in the van as we will be back in Poppy from the 16th until we head to our next house sit at Calamvale just south of Brisbane. While at the van park we will still be able to spend some time with Terry & Patricia - Brian's brother & his wife from Christchurch, they come to Woorim each NZ winter to stay in their van. 




These two photo's are off the last Sunset we had at the Prom before moving back down to Woorim.




18 July 2014

Enjoying the Sunshine

18 July 2014

Well what else to do when it was such a great day but enjoy the sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Before we left here I said to Brian I am going to go for a swim in the pool - and here is the proof. It was a shock to the system until I got in properly however once in it was actually very nice, I think the temp was 24c, but it was also a beautiful sunny day.






Quack Quack



The other day I was out moving the hose when I heard what sounded like baby ducks, & there making their way down the canal was a family of Australian Wood Ducks, all very cute.





Cinque Terre 2







Cinque Terre

18th July 2014

There is just less than a month now until our homeowners arrive back from their wonderful trip. They are currently enjoying the warmth and wonderful delights of Tuscany. Currently touring through the beautiful, colourful villages of the Cinque Terre.

 
The Cinque Terre (Italian pronunciation: [ˌtʃinkwe ˈtɛrːe]) is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. It is in the Liguria region of Italy, to the west of the city of La Spezia. "The Five Lands" comprises five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Over the centuries, people have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible corporate development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and cars cannot reach them from the outside. The Cinque Terre area is a very popular tourist destination.
The villages of the Cinque Terre were severely affected by torrential rains which caused floods and mudslides on October 25, 2011. Nine people were confirmed killed by the floods, and damage to the villages, particularly Vernazza and Monterosso al Mare, was extensive.[1]



15 July 2014

Happy Birthday Patricia



15 July 2014:  BIRTHDAY GIRL TODAY

Today we went to the Bribie Island Surf Club for lunch with Terry & Patricia as it was her ??th birthday. A great lunch great company, then back to the caravan for a cuppa before we headed home so the Moyse lads could have their grandad naps zzzzz. The surf club gave Patricia a free bottle of wine and table decorated with balloons - even though she said NO balloons.




14 July 2014

Canterbury Crusdars Game


Last Saturday night 12th July 2014 was a rugby night must.

We had a great relaxing evening with Terry & Patricia coming down to watch the Crusadars game, we had the famous Beefys pies, & Patricia brought along a yummy chocolate/caramel Barvarian cheesecake yep it was yummy.
The photo below shows the lads in relaxing mode - well what else when it's rugby.


The Deck - Pacific Harbour Golf Course


It sure was a lovely day to be in the sun & fresh air, we strolled the grounds as it was such a great day to be out walking.








Pacific Harbour Golf Course


Thursday 10th July

Last week Brian & I went to the Pacific Harbour Golf course so that Brian could have some practise on the driving range - I had to go along to take videos of his swing. With the golf balls all hit we made our way to The Decks cafe where we shared a piece of quiche & a nice coffee.








Bribie Pics



Below photo shows the entrance gate to the Caravan Park at Worrim where we stay along with Terry & Patricia - it's great.





A Bit About Bribie Island - A Peaceful Place


Bribie Island

As one of only two islands in Queensland connected to the mainland by bridge, Bribie Island projects a carefree community feel with a combination of calm bay beaches and surf beaches ideal for either a leisurely swim or surfing safari. Bribie Island makes for a gorgeous island escape and is popular with nature lovers, water sport enthusiasts and families alike. Bribie Island is the smallest and most northerly of three major sand islands forming the coastline sheltering the northern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland. The others are Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island .
Bribie Island is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 68 km north of Brisbane. The park covers approximately one third of Bribie Island. The tidal wetlands and areas of water around the islands are protected within the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Pumicestone Passage
Pumicestone Passage is a protected marine park and safe haven for wildlife, running as a 35km channel between Bribie Island and the Caboolture coastline. A popular location for water sports enthusiasts and nature lovers, visitors can take a guided kayak tour, wind or kitesurf, go bird watching, pump for yabbies or simply watch the magic of a sunset over the Glasshouse Mountains.

Bribie's Beaches
Boasting both a long stretch of surf shoreline and a calm protected coastline, Bribie offers the best of both worlds for the beach lover. For surfside fun and access to long, white sandy stretches of four-wheel driving areas, head to the popular Woorim Beach on the eastern side of the island. On the protected western side of the island, the beaches at Bongaree and Bellara are both favoured spots for families. With barbecues, picnic facilities, play areas for the kids and calm swimming spots, they make the ideal destination for a day out with family and friends.
Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology
See the past unfold before you as you discover a collection of priceless antiques and fine arts from around the world at the Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology. Explore the exciting history of Western Europe over the past half-million years all the way through to modern times. Experience scenes from Rome’s iron legions, fierce Saxon and Viking invaders, plague-ridden towns, knights and manors, Europe’s golden age of exploration and the Industrial Revolution. Or join in the Abbey Medieval Festival, held in July every year and featuring banquets, tournaments and other activities.
Bribie Island Seaside Museum
Learn about the stories of Bribie and the people who shaped, lived and loved it at the Seaside Museum. Become acquainted with Matthew Flinders and his encounter at Skirmish Point. Reflect on the brilliant reclusive artist Ian Fairweather. Learn about the American troop occupation during World War II and get up close to the local bounty of the sea in the incredible fish collection of the Amateur Fishing Association of Queensland.
                                         Beautiful Bribie Island.........
THE ONLY MORETON BAY ISLAND THAT YOU CAN DRIVE TO
Bribie Island is connected to the mainland by bridge and is only 45 minutes from Brisbane Airport.
As you cross the Bribie Island bridge you have captivating views of Pumicestone Passage.
On both sides and in the distance the majestic Glass House Mountains Pumicestone Passage is home to an amazing array of wildlife Dolphins, Dugong, and Turtles cruise the passage and over 300 species of birds visit the island each year roosting in trees and along the foreshore and feasting along the sand flats.Bribie Island is protected by Environmental, National and Marine Parks, 86 %of Bribie Island will remain unchanged, ensuring the natural beauty will remain for future generations to enjoy.
Bribie Island has something for every one with shopping centre, eat in and take away restaurants, hotels,  clubs, movie theatre, golf courses, golf and bowls clubs, holiday accommodation, sports ground, parks along the beach with BBQ areas and toilets, boat ramps, markets, a Marina where you can moor your boat or hire  BBQ or fishing boats, and cruise the passage or just go fishing.














Worrim Golf


We are really enjoying our current house sit at Banksia Beach - Bribie Island is a great place we really like it here. The is everything here shopping wise, banks, supermarkets x3, shopping mall, dr's if needed, dental, medical laboratory for blood tests, xray & imaging, servos, library, cafes, Macas, restaurants and much more. The climate is great & we are only 30mins from Morayfield, Caboolture which is huge, 40mins north to the Sunshine Coast & about 1hr south to Brisbane so really it is a good location. Brian & Terry have been out playing a bit of golf, they go to the golf course at Worrim where they get a good deal that includes a golf buggy so the old fellows don't have to walk so far.I believe last week Brian was hitting better than Terry. Here's the proof Terry's driving & just waiting for the photographer before they head off for 18holes.




27 June 2014

Car repairs & Pool Cleaning


27th June 2014

Well winter has arrived here in Qld - I know I know it's nothing compared to the cold like back in home in Christchurch, however believe me we do remember the cold there in fact we have a house sit lined up for Victoria next year - yep in WINTARR as the ozzies say, we will experience a real winter down there - but more on that later. We have not done alot really of late, still going to Caloundra on Thursdays for our line dance class, & and we have improved greatly that we now stay on for the next class where they do more experienced dances & and the steps are a bit tricky at times - great friendships made there & and they are great fun to be with. The Mazda has been running rough since our trip last year where we had it into Mazda twice at Swan Hill to fix the problem - and yep it came back the same so Brian took it back to Swan Hill Mazda & as we had to move on we decided to just leave it. Nothing wrong other than running like a tractor from cold start. Again the car was taken this time to Ford at Caboolture Monday just gone, we decided to try and get things sorted while we have Margaret's (home-owner) little Mazda 2 to use while our Trib is being fixed, got the phone call yesterday to say it's ready to go and appears it was a manifold allowing cold air to get in something to do with the cold idle - Brian told the guy if it was still playing up he would be bringing it back, collected the Trib today & she sounds like a completely different vehicle, 2 new rear tyres next week, and  the aircon & window fix & she will be all good again.
Brian developed his usual winter chest infection a couple of weeks ago, now well on the mend however he was out of sorts for a while - hence the winter sheets went onto the bed, we have our own linen, blankets,doona inner &; cover as back up, however as all the linen here is spotless all we are using are our own pillows and winter sheets - they sure do make a difference.
Brian has been trying to do a bit of fishing off the pontoon - has not really caught anything big enough to keep so they have all been going straight back in. I have been pottering in the garden, keep things tidy and ; ship shape, its great to get out and do a bit of trimming etc - will look good by the time the home-owners arrive back - they started their cruise from Holland to Budapest yesterday - lucky buggers.
This arvo while it was nice & warm Brian decided it was time to take the cover off the pool & scoop a couple of leaves out of it, with the cover on it keeps it pretty clean - the pool temp is 22c bit too chilly for us to swim now.
We have seen Terry & Patricia quiet a bit down at the van park at Worrim they are fine have a great sunny spot - we pop down to have a chat & a cuppa, will be catching up with them more in August when we move to the van park for 12 days before our next house sit. Well folks take care & catch you next time.