Category: Life

Loving my daily walks by the water. Much as I love the lake at home, I think this might be a “little bit” better :-). Today I just walked to Baker’s Delight & back, as my legs were still feeling the effects of yesterday’s 3 hill walk.

Today we took the ferry to Tea Gardens, as no trip to Port Stephens would be complete without sometime ON the water.

We sat outside (except for Athena who is still dealing with some bad sunburn from our trip to Jamberoo) and enjoyed the sunshine & fresh air.

It is an hour trip across the bay. We didn’t see any dolphins as apparently they feeding on some schools of fish just outside the heads. But it was still a very enjoyable trip.

Tea Gardens is a quaint, sleepy little riverside village. There are quiet a few restaurants & cafe, a hotel and a few shops.

Being a Sunday the restaurants were full but we ended up finding a little cafe to have lunch in. Unfortunately the family mood wasn’t the best. With having a teen and tween in the mix, need I say more? My meal was quite nice. I ordered a roast pumpkin slice which was just okay and a chocolate milkshake which was way to big. I haven’t had a milkshake in years and didn’t realize quite how big they were. Think I got through about half of it!

After lunch we had a little wander but only found one shop to go into. It was the kind of shop where the longer you browsed the more you found. The name is a bit misleading – we almost didn’t go in thinking they just sold beads.

Pop bought both the girls something. Christy got a dolphin ring & glass horse (made on a little island off Crete) and Athena got a necklace with 2000 year old Roman Glass, so both girls were rather pleased. The couple of things I saw were a bit more than I would spend on them.

The ferry ride back was equally pleasant. Back home Nan, Pop & Christy went for a swim. I really felt like I couldn’t afford to get any more sun today so sat on the verandah for a bit before it got too hot and I moved inside. Not to worry, I still got to enjoy the view.

Later we had some visitors.

Athena made dinner again tonight. Our Mexican potato was especially good.

And I finally found the perfect place to see the sunset – from the little verandah off my bedroom.

After a few rounds of UNO, I ended up going to bed quite early,  just after 8.30pm. I read for just a little bit before falling asleep. I think it’s all the fresh air and sunshine.

Don’t forget you can also watch the daily vlog.

Started the day with another walk – this time around to Little Beach.

Loved this sign – too cute.

We had a lazy relaxed morning (after I recovered from my 3 hill walk!!!), then went out for lunch at a restaurant (not cafe) at Athena’s (Amy’s) request.

Went to The Point out at Soldier’s Point

Even though Christy was having a Tween moment, we managed to get some nice family photos

And Athena & I got a cute selfie.

Everyone really enjoyed their meal. We shared a sourdough bread with dips for a starter – which was SOOOO good.

And I had these delicious risotto balls for my main, plus some hot chips.

Christy’s mood changed half way through lunch and it ended up being a lovely outing. Back home we headed down to the pool.

Yet again I had problems with the underwater camera so only have some of the photos I took to share with you.

I had fun using Mum as a prop.

After my swim I read some of my Women’s Fitness magazine while I dried off in the sun.

Athena was kind enough to make us wraps for dinner tonight.

There was a board game (Tribe), and lovely sunset.

Then Pop took the girls to the local carnival, which was literally down the road.  Athena did a wonderful job of vlogging, but didn’t take a single photo. So if you want to see what they got up to you’ll have to watch todays video. The carnival starts at 13.33.

I was awake 5am this morning when it was still dark. Gradually the world woke up and it proved to be a glorious day.

Kevin sent me this photo of Bailey having cuddles on the bed.

Eventually I got dressed and headed out on my morning walk.

As you can see it was such a lovely walk.

I was even able to stop at Bakers Delight on the way back and bring home some fresh bread. I enjoyed a berry smoothie on our verandah.

Mid-morning we packed up and headed down to the beach. I took a LOT of photos and video but somehow lost them on my new underwater camera. So odd, as I’d even checked some of them when we were down there.

Of course, all the great shots I had of Christy trying SUP (stand up paddleboarding) for the first time were gone. Guess I should be greatful that I have some to help remember the occasion.

I even had a little go myself, but I only tried to kneeling stage. I’m pretty sure if I’d tried standing I would have fallen straight off.

After our beach excursion, we got changed and head to Nelson Head to have lunch at the Lighthouse Cafe.

As you can see there is a gorgeous view from here over Shoal Bay and out through the heads.

Now, that’s what I call lunch with view.

I ordered a Chicken salad with no chicken and it was just delicious. Perfect with a nice cup of peppermint tea.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent relaxing on the verandah, and later in the evening Dad cooked a BBQ for our dinner.

Don’t forget you can always check out the video for more details of the day.

On Thursday we finished packing, said goodbye to the pups and drove 4 hours up to Nelson Bay, where we are staying for the next week with Nan & Pop. Kevin unfortunately had to stay behind to look after the pups (& go to work).

Christy and I decided to be room mates…

which meant Amy got a room to herself….

We got unpacked and settled and took in the view.

Glorious even on an overcast day.

Christy, of course, had to go for a swim.

Amy was nice enough to make me dinner (Nan & Pop were making their own).

Which we ate outside.

 

And were visited by some of the local lorikeets.

Then it was time for some cards games to end the evening.

You can see more of our day by watching the video.