Okay everyone. I need your honest opinions. I’m quite happy doing a daily blog post but I want you, my readers, to be happy as well. I know everyone has limited computer time and there are so many wonderful blogs out there and I don’t want you losing interest or struggling to keep up. So please let me know if you’d like to continue seeing a daily post or if you’d prefer them a little less frequent.
Well, it’s here finally. The last day of our holiday. Can’t believe we’ve been away for 3 weeks – we have seen and done so much.
The usual morning routine, except we all slept in till nearly 7am. Nan & Pop picked us up about 9.15am and we headed for Kings Park. Christy wasn’t feeling the best but she was okay so we went for a stroll around the gardens. It’s a beautiful location overlooking the river and the city.
We had a look around the very exclusive gift shop. Lots of lovely things but VERY expensive. The girls did buy some doodle notebooks which they love.
From here we drove to the play area, where we first had lunch at the cafe. Yummy minestrone soup today as it was cool in the shade.
The girls then spend an hour or so playing in the fantastic play area. We enjoyed sitting in the sun watching them.
We head back to the cabin around 2pm and I spent a bit of time starting to organize our bags.
About 3.15 my blogging friend, Ailsa and her girls arrived at our cabin. She was lovely and friendly, and it was great to get to meet her in real life. She drove us all to a local play center and the girls played while we chatted and enjoyed some afternoon tea.
We left when it closed at 5pm and came to back to the van park where the girls played a bit more on the play equipment until it got too dark and cold.
I was sad to say goodbye to Ailsa. We got on well, as tends to be the case with people you get to know through their blogs. Hopefully we will meet again one day. Thanks Ailsa for meeting us – I know it was a big step for you 
.
Time for a last dinner with Nan & Pop, while I uploading some of her photos to snapfish (for my scrapbook). Christy wasn’t feeling well and feel asleep at 7pm after I’d given her some panadol. Poor little thing, hope she feels better in the morning.
*** If you want to see photos from today I am sharing them on facebook.
The girls and I were up early this morning (in fact they were up before I was). Since the sun wasn’t up yet we decided to head outside to see the sunrise. I took a cup of tea and it was just lovely sitting there with my two girls as the sun rose.
We had breakfast with Nan & Pop today and then got all organised and on the way by 8.45am. We headed into Port Hedland where we went to the visitors center for our BHP Billiton Iron Ore Tour.
It was a bus tour of the facilities and very interesting (esp. as Amy & I had just done the Steelworks tour at home).
After the tour we bought some lunch from the same cafe as yesterday. Then Pop realized he had forgotten to switch over the car battery (it runs the freezer in the car) and the battery was now flat.
Luckily it wasn’t too bad a place to be stuck for a while. We had lunch at the same table we ate at yesterday – but with a better view today as there was no fog. Then Christy played at the park while I checked facebook and blogs on my i-phone. Luckily we only had to wait about an hour and were on our way at 12.30pm.
It was quite a pretty drive today and I even managede to get a little nap – I know I must be really tired if I managed to sleep in the car. Unfortunately when we arrive at Karatha at 3.30pm the van park had no record of Nan & Pop’s booking. Eventually it was resolved and they were given a cabin across from us for the night – with the van parked right out front.
After everyone had calmed down we sat and enjoyed a cheese & fruit platter that Amy had prepared for us. Later Pop cooked a BBQ for dinner and now the girls are watching a Spongebob DVD which Amy bought yesterday (first TV since we left home) and I’m updating my blog and going to read some of the 1000+ posts showing in google reader. If I’m a regular commentor on your blog I’m sure you’ll understand if I don’t comment while I’m away, but I am still reading when I can.
Tomorrow we have a 7 hour drive to Exmouth but then we’ve got 4 nights in the same cabin.
I think someone forgot to tell the birthday gods that you aren’t supposed to feel yucky with a cold (not swine flu) on your birthday. It’s Wintery, cold and rainy outside and I good morning for snuggling in a warm bed, but I’m wide awake at 5am with a pounding headache, achy body and runny nose…. what fun!
At least I have this beautiful necklace to cheer me up. One of my new favourite bloggers, Lisa Clarke of Polka Dot Cottage, makes jewellery. As soon as I saw this set, inspired her recent trip to the beach, I knew I had to buy one for myself as an a birthday present. And I just LOVE it!!! Be sure to visit her shop to see her other creations – they are so beautiful.
After a very nice nights sleep (Mum & Dad’s new van has a great bed), I enjoyed a cup of tea in bed while playing on the laptop (such a holiday luxury to do this in bed). I’m not sure what time I got up and dressed but we enjoyed a hot cross bun for breakfast with the Powells.
Since it was such a nice morning we decided to take the boat out again and let all the kids (including the 2 big ones) have a go on the inflatable. Everyone had a great time.
It started to get overcast and we were all getting a little hungry so called it a day and headed back to the van park. We had some lunch and the kids all took off playing and riding their bikes. At 3pm they could buy plastercast moulds and sat painting for the next hour.
Us adults sat around drinking tea (beer for the guys – Kevin is enjoying his homemade ginger beer) and chatting. I also worked on some knitting and read a magazine or two.
Around 7pm we had some dinner (pasta tonight) and chatted some more. It’s been a good day. Very lazy and relaxing.
It’s funny I thought I did quite well with last weeks plan but looking back on it we only had one planned meal – homemade pizza. Oh, well. This week we had big organic delivery so I’m looking to use up lots of fruit and veg. We’re also going away on Thursday for Easter, so meals might change depending on what the Powells want to do.
MONDAY: Baked veggies, cauli & brocolli
TUESDAY: Vegetarian Chilli (made by Amy – new recipe)
WEDNESDAY: Crockpot Honey & orange tofu (leftover new recipe from last week)
THURSDAY:Pumpkin Cannelloni
FRIDAY: Pasta with cheese sauce
SATURDAY: TVP Tacos
SUNDAY: ???
MONDAY:???
For more menu ideas visit the organising junkie
Last weeks meny went quite well but we did miss a few of the meals.
MONDAY: Vegie Snitzel/Fish, mashed potatoe, veggies
TUESDAY: Corn Quiche and veg
WEDNESDAY: Chinese style Fried Barley
THURSDAY: Chili Con Carne
FRIDAY: Camping – TVP Wraps
SATURDAY: Camping – BBQ
SUNDAY: Leftovers or from freezer
For more menu ideas visit the organising junkie.
We arrived in Nelson’s Bay in time for lunch. Since we couldn’t get into our apartment until 2pm we went to a local cafe, overlooking Little Beach.
We had a lovely meal and the girls were very well looked after.
The girls had a play at the park and at 2pm we went to get our keys. We’ve been staying at this same apartment complex for the last 7 years but we’re in a different apartment this time. This is the view we’ll be enjoying.
After unpacking the car Mum & I went to get some groceries (Dad took the girls for a swim in the pool). We relaxed a bit and enjoyed dinner sitting on our deck.
Today Amy & I were up early and went for a walk. It’s nice to be up before the crowds and before it gets busy.
We had relaxing morning and around 11am went down to the beach for a few hours. The girls had fun and I sat on the beach reading.
Unfortunately Amy kind of lost it on the way back and sent me into a bad mood for much of the afternoon. I read, Dad took them to play a bit of golf and later for a swim. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.
Well, needless to say with being on holidays I have been in holiday eating mode – so basically whatever I want. This has included way to many biscuits – i just cannot seem to control myself with them. The only saving grace has been we’ve had all healthy meals. But NOOOOO exercise, except for one walk. Pitiful isn’t it? I had such good intentions. I did manage to hop on the scales yesterday morning when we were at home and have gone up 0.7kg, which is probably not too bad considering.
I’m looking forward to getting back into my clean, healthy eating again, and of course, hitting the gym. Only 11 weeks to Christmas and I am determined to be slimmer than I am now. It’s been great being away and feeling “normal”, so I can only imagine how great it must be to feel “slim”.
