Life is a Journey not a Destination

Last day – sob. Can’t believe I’ve been sleeping in till around 6.30am (but I did stay up finishing my book). It was already warm. I enjoyed some nice fresh fruit this morning.

Mum was feeling better but not 100% and since it was forecast to be a scorcher of a day I took the girls shopping for a couple of hours. We first went into Nelson Bay for a wander around. Lots of beautiful home shops but I didn’t buy anything.

We then headed to the shopping center (and the air conditioning). We got school shoes & joggers for Christy, clothes for both the girls and a few grocery items. Christy was pretending to be an orphan again and making her own purchases .

We arrived back about 1pm and had some of the fresh bread rolls we’d bought. Then we got ready and headed to the shark and ray center. It was rather expensive but the girls had lots of fun feeding the rays and sharks. We opted not to get in the water and I think this was a good decision because it was way more fun watching the rays launch themselves out of the water to get the food. They were so cute and so friendly.

These guys were my favourite….

**** Will post a video when I get home!

We stayed about an hour or so. Would have stayed longer but it was so hot (even being indoors). We then took the girls back to Lemon Tree Passage to see if their friends were there. They weren’t but we’d been told to go knock on their door if we made it back there – so we did. The kids all played together for a couple of hours and we headed home after 6pm.

Back home we started packing our belongings while Pop cooked the last BBQ. It’s now 8.30pm so we’ll be heading to bed soon.

I’ll leave you with our last sunset….

Firstly, just to let you know that unfortunatley my Mum didn’t find her watch. Pop rang the police station this morning but as we haven’t heard anything I assume it’s not going to be turned in.

Woke up around 6.30am, too lazy to go for a walk. Unfortunately Nan woke up feeling unwell today so need to get to the doctors. I had planned to take the girls to the shops while they were out but they were both in “moods” so I decided it best we just stay here. Worked out to the best as Nan & Pop ended up in Emergency (since they couldn’t get an appointment till late afternoon) and had to wait over 3 hours. Since I still can’t go in the sun we just hung out here, I read and the girls played on theirs DSs.

After lunch I saw there was a bit of shade by the pool so I took them down for a swim. Unfortunately within minutes there had been an “incident” so Amy got out and Christy had a swim by herself.

It was pretty hot, even in the shade, so I was kind of glad we weren’t down there too long. When we got back to the apartment Nan & Pop had just arrived back. I made Dad and I a wrap for lunch. Then they all went down to the beach for a while. I opted to stay back (and out of the sun). I started a new book and read over half while they were gone!

They came home around 5.30pm and I made a salad to go with the BBQ. We ate outside but it was a little on the hot side (not looking forward to tomorrow as it’s going to be even hotter). Pop then took the girls down to the fair. They had a wonderful time and didn’t get home until 8.30pm.

Time for bed and for me to FINISH my book . Can’t believe it’s the last day tomorrow .

Well, it’s been another tiring day….not!!!

I woke around 6am but managed to get back to sleep for another half hour or so. Amy had a sore back and didn’t feel up to a walk. Me, being lazy, decided not to bother as well.

Played on the computer most of the morning. Everyone was up for breakfast by around 9am. Some of us read, some played DS games, and some (ie. me) played on the computer some more trying to book some more of our UK trip.

Christy did manage to make everyones bed – a job she’s chosen to do each morning. And boy, does she do a great job!

At 12.30pm I logged in for the first live chat with Valerie’s Diamond Club. The program is supposed to start today but I’ll be starting when I’m home from holidays. Had lunch while chatting with the girls and at 1.30pm we left to drive to Tanilba House – a 170 year old house built with convict labour.

We were tempted to leave Christy locked in the convict jail cell.

After touring the home we had a devonshire tea in the school room (where apparently the ghost of the governess can be sometimes seen).

We were a bit nervous when told we were sitting on chairs worth $200. Christy couldn’t understand why when they weren’t very comfortable.

After our afternoon tea we explored the gardens a little. I was amazed to see all these spiders on the same web – never seen anything like it! Anyone know what they are – they really were gorgeous.

We drove to Tea Gardens and the girls and Nan had a swim. After yesterday I sat myself in the shade and just watched and did some reading. The girls had a wonderful time and made some friends. We ended up stay over 2.5 hours till 6pm.

Since we still have a 30min drive home we decided to have takeaway at the nearby cafe. Unfortunately it wasn’t the nicest meal.

We then drove home. Upon arrival Nan realized her watch was missing and had probably dropped on the ground back at Tea Gardens. So her and Pop headed back in the hope they could find it.

Tonights sunset photo was taken a bit earlier…

Surely it can’t be day 4 already! Another lazy day by the Bay. I woke around 6.30am, contemplated a walk but when I saw Amy was still asleep, decided tea and blogs would be more fun. Slowly the house awoken and we had breakfast (inside today as it was a little cool outside). I’ve been craving cheese on toast after seeing it recently on Taylors blog (Joy of Food) so that’s what I had. The girls played on their DSs while we got ready to go to the beach. I just love their intense concentration.

We headed out around 10.30 and spent a few hours on the beach. We had a lovely time – there was a nice breeze which made it a bit cooler. Unfortunately due to this I didn’t realize how hot the sun was and now am slightly sunburnt. I should have known better and usually refuse to be in the sun in the middle of the day but I was just trying to go along with what made everyone happy. And we did have a lovely time.

We left at 1.30pm in search of food and had lunch at a nearby cafe.

They didn’t have a lot vegetarian but there was a sandwich that sounded interesting – red kidney beans, sweet chilli sauce, sour cream, lettuce and guacamole. It was DELICIOUS!!! I’m definitely going to recreate this at home. So yummy, and so messy!

After lunch we headed back to the apartment. Mum & the girls went down to the pool for awhile. Even though I didn’t yet know I was sunburnt I knew I didn’t want any more sun today. I sat on our balcony (in the shade) reading the book I’d started at the beach. We lazed the rest of the day away and enjoyed another BBQ for dinner.

Later, we finished the game of cluedo we started last night and enjoyed another magical sunset.

After a good nights sleep I woke up just after 6.30am. It was nearly 7am by the time I got myself out of bed. Had a cup of tea and read blogs. When everyone else was finally up we had breakfast. It was quite a bit cooler this morning (and rather windy) so we decided it would be a good day to walk into town and have a browse at the shops. The girls rode their scooters.

We stopped for some morning tea and while we were waiting Christy managed to make friends with some buskers/entertainers who gave her this balloon.

Time for some tea and a HUGE muffin that I shared with my Dad.

Amy enjoyed an ice-cream.

After this Christy had a go on the bungy trampoline.

We walked back home and had lunch on the balcony again. More time lazying around. Nan & Pop went for a drive and to do some shopping (and get me a stick to download my photos). I took the girls down for a swim but unfortunately Christy came back in a bad mood (which luckily didn’t last too long). She spent some time doing some drawings…

After a BBQ dinner we sat and played some cluedo…

while the sun set…

We weren’t the only one enjoying the lovely evening…

Day 1

We set off from home around 9am and we arrived in Nelson Bay about 1.30pm. We went straight to the lovely cafe where we had lunch last year.

I had a lovely pot of tea and a toasted sandwich (same as last year ).

Afterwards Christy had a little play at the park and then we went to pick up the keys to our apartment. It’s the same one we stayed in last year but there have been a few improvements. Same beautiful view….

We unpacked and Mum & I headed off to get some groceries. Back home we used the trolleys to get everything upstairs…

Unpack the groceries and the girls & Nan headed down for a swim. Dinner tonight was an easy salad enjoyed on our verandah.

Day 2

Amy and I were up early and headed out on a walk along the waterfront….

and into town to get some fresh bread & rolls from Baker’s Delight.

We also stopped into the newsagents to pick up the Sunday paper for Pop. Back home we read and played on the computer until everyone else awoke around 8am. After breakfast we got ready and drove to one of the many nearby beaches. We had planned to walk but once we saw all the stuff we had to cart it seemed easier, and wiser, to drive. We spent a lovely few hours…

Then headed back to apartment for rolls on our balcony. We had a relaxing afternoon. The girls played on their DSs…

We played some UNO…

Saw a water monitor by the pool….

and generally lazed the afternoon away.  Pop wasn’t feeling too well so we had an easy dinner of pasta with a cheese sauce, watched Border Patrol and enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

well, everyone except for Kevin. The girls and I have  joined Mum & Dad on their annual holiday to Nelson Bay, staying in the same apartment we did last year (in fact we’ve been staying in the same complex for over 5 years).

Unfortunately I forget to bring the cord to download my camera but here’s a photo from last year…

Another great show last night – Piano Man. Still can’t get over the standard of talent in the shows.

It was VERY hard waking up this morning – I think mainly because we knew it was the last day. Eventually we did get up and headed to breakfast at Windjammers. We then spent the morning hanging out in the room.

I laid out on the balcony reading the few magazines I had left to read.

Mid morning we went to the shops for a last look around and Kevin wanted to have a go of the rock climbing wall. He’s done it at home and has all his own gear but it’s been a while and I think he’ll be sore tomorrow.

Kevin got a coffee from cafe latitudes (a proper one you have to pay for) and a yummy muffin to share.

Back in our room I laid out on the balcony in the sun for a bit. Then when Kevin got his book finished we headed to lunch. We had planned to go to the restaurant but it had closed about 5mins before we got there, so we went to Windjammers instead. I was having a salad anyway so that was okay.

We checked out the deserts and spotted banana cream pie. Full we had to be hope there’d be some at afternoon tea. We then went to the backstage tour. It was interesting hearing more about life on board ship and getting to see the very small backstage area.

On the way back to our room Kevin got a ben and jerry ice cream and I got some cookies (so love the cookies on board). I sat outside enjoying the last bit of sun and last time on our balcony.

Hoping for pie we went back to Windjammers but alas there was no pie. Instead I had some fresh fruit and cream – which I’m guessing was better for me anyway.

Back in our cabin I started packing (such a sad thing to do), had a shower and got ready for our last dinner. As always it was a lovely meal.

Tonight there was a parade with all the chefs and waiters. So many involved in making our dinners each night. And they are always happy and ready to help you any way they can.

Here is a photos of our fantastic waiter, Sandeep from India, and our assistant waiter, Aidrian from Romania.

Later we dropped off a book to the library – I’d never been to one before (in 6 cruises) as was quite impressed with the range of book they have.

We then  went to the Farewell show.

Tonights towel animal….

Only joking, this was part of the towel folding demonstation earlier in the day. Our final towel animal of the cruise is….

Tomorrow – back to real life…..

We awoke to draws opening and a big crash this morning at 4.30am. The ship had done a hard turn and two of Kevin’s shooter glasses had fallen and broken. He wasn’t very happy.

We tried to go back to sleep but only managed to dose. We got up at 6.30am as we were arrived in Brisbane. The boat swung around before docking and was only about a meter away from the pier at the back – pretty amazing to watch.

We decided to go into Brisbane and see a movie and do a bit of shopping (having been here many times before and done most of the touristy things). We had breakfast at Windjammers and then left the ship to catch to bus into town. For the first time in my life I got to walk the red carpet. Since my exercise program is called red carpet ready I had to get a photo!

It took about 30mins and we were dropped off at the Myer Center.

We went and got our tickets to see New Moon then did some shopping. Christy rang while we were wandering around. She was in tears. Her guinea pig, Lilly, had had to be put to sleep. It wasn’t really surprising – she was old and had been unwell for a while.

When it was time for the movie we bought some popcorn and took our seats. It was pretty good (but it was my least favourite of all the books) and I loved the big fluffy things (won’t spoil it for anyone not in the know) . Kevin found it hard to follow.

After the movie we got some drinks at Gloria Jeans and headed back to get our bus. Turned out to be very good planning as we could see a storm moving in and the rain started just as got back to the boat – so we only got a little bit wet (apparantly those on a later bus had to wait 45mins before they could get on the ship because of the rain making the ramp slippery).

We had a late lunch at Windjammers (around 2pm) and spent the afternoon playing on our laptaps and getting caught up on our fav. blogs.

Time for another dinner. I’ve really enjoyed getting dressed up this cruise (amazing the benefits of losing weight and having a new wardrobe).

Dinner tonight was delicious cauliflower fritters.

It’s supposed to be a bit rougher tonight so we made sure to secure Kevin’s glasses (he got replacement ones tonight).

Shortly we’ll be going to the show – Piano Man and then, maybe if we can stay awake, to the 11pm chocolate buffet.

Tonights towel animal made me miss my pups….

Another VERY lazy day at sea. We woke just after 6am. I had a cup of tea while reading a few magazines. We had breakfast in Windjammers – bagels again today.

Then back to our room to read for a bit. At 10am we head to the Centrum to watch cake decorating – which was rather fun thanks to Carley, the cruise director. We got to sample the delicious black forest cake.

Then it was time for our tour of the gallery. This was so interesting. It certainly wasn’t quite what I’d expected. Just an hour after breakfast everything was calm and clear, although preparations were already underway for lunch.

They had lots of cute gingerbread houses ready to make a village next week (shame we’ll miss it). At the end we were given some yummy biscuits and champagne & OJ.

We visited the shops and got a few souvenirs and a new watch for me. We took our things back to the room and shortly afterwards went to lunch in the Restaurant (after having seen the lunch preparations). I had some yummy corn  fritters. We checked out the salad bar on the way out and will be coming back for that on Monday (we would have come for this earlier if we’d known it was on offer).

I spent the afternoon hanging out on the balcony. After a  short time lying in the sun I moved to the shade and finished off my book. Kevin read and had a nap.

Around 5pm I showered and got ready for formal night.

Another delicious dinner – mushrooms in pastry and tofu & stir-fried veggies.

Kevin had his nightly treat and has now collected all 5 coloured shot glasses.

After dinner we went to pick up my watch. We decided to skip tonights show and do some more reading. After all it’s been a rather hard day .

And finally, because I know you’re waiting desperately to see tonights towel animal…

Awe, so cute – makes me miss my little chickies back home.