It's been a fabulous day with the family.
A delicious lunch at our favourite Noosaville eatery and then some fun at the park with my Chicklet.
Delightful to see that Poppy (aka Adoring Husband) is now in favour and was lured all over the playground to test out the equipement!
Chicklet loved the Octopus toy that we got for her from Underwater World and dragged it all over the place and in the dirt and down the slide.
I remembered to take photos!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8234858066/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8234857794/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8234857596/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8234869402/in/photostream/
Today I am grateful for family time, Chicklet smiles, Poppy playtime and watching my happy hippy family loving each other.
It warms the cockles of my heart :D
Nite all.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Friday, November 30, 2012
Day 34 in a Year of my Life
It's been a funny kind of day.
The first half was so pleasant.
Adoring Husband and I had breakfast overlooking the ocean at a little cafe called Olivers at Mooloolaba. Fabulous coffee, good food and very friendly service.
Then we did some window shopping along the Esplanade.
A bit of grocery shopping and a new book to keep Adoring Husband out of my hair for a little while.
But then the mood changed.
Unfortunately, this afternoon when I checked my emails, I received bad news about the amazing gentleman that I met back in July. He rated a special mention in my blog that day ...
http://agechallengedrqqzy.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/funny-how-life-happens.html
... today, his wife informed me that his brain tumour has continued to grow and he is no longer responsive. It is just a matter of time before his body completely shuts down and he passes away.
Such sad news.
So today, I am grateful to have met Fergie when I did. Before his stroke and before the diagnosed brain tumour.
He was larger than life and I'm so glad I got to spend a little time with him and learn a little something about the man before he left this earth.
He had so much energy and his excitement and enthusiasm for his massive shell collection and his fabulous garden was contagious.
His presence was just a fleeting moment in my life but his effect on me was overwhelming, even for that fleeting moment.
This is the last photo I took of him after his first surgery for the tumour and while he was in Maryborough Hospital.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8052465066/in/photostream
I will always remember that twinkle in his eye. Such a cheeky man.
Thanks Fergie for inviting me into your life and sharing a little bit of yourself with me.
Nite all.
The first half was so pleasant.
Adoring Husband and I had breakfast overlooking the ocean at a little cafe called Olivers at Mooloolaba. Fabulous coffee, good food and very friendly service.
Then we did some window shopping along the Esplanade.
A bit of grocery shopping and a new book to keep Adoring Husband out of my hair for a little while.
But then the mood changed.
Unfortunately, this afternoon when I checked my emails, I received bad news about the amazing gentleman that I met back in July. He rated a special mention in my blog that day ...
http://agechallengedrqqzy.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/funny-how-life-happens.html
... today, his wife informed me that his brain tumour has continued to grow and he is no longer responsive. It is just a matter of time before his body completely shuts down and he passes away.
Such sad news.
So today, I am grateful to have met Fergie when I did. Before his stroke and before the diagnosed brain tumour.
He was larger than life and I'm so glad I got to spend a little time with him and learn a little something about the man before he left this earth.
He had so much energy and his excitement and enthusiasm for his massive shell collection and his fabulous garden was contagious.
His presence was just a fleeting moment in my life but his effect on me was overwhelming, even for that fleeting moment.
This is the last photo I took of him after his first surgery for the tumour and while he was in Maryborough Hospital.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8052465066/in/photostream
I will always remember that twinkle in his eye. Such a cheeky man.
Thanks Fergie for inviting me into your life and sharing a little bit of yourself with me.
Nite all.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Day 33 in a Year of my Life
Oh how I love the quiet days!
I spent the entire day sitting at my laptop today.
I deleted almost 2000 photos from my library, played around with some recent photos and looked at some old photos yet to be edited.
Tomorrow will be another reasonably quiet day, ahead of a big weekend visiting family, both here, and at the Gold Coast.
So, since it has been such a quiet day, I have nothing to report!
Oh ... except a lovely phone call from my little Chicklet, even though she didn't say anything, I could hear her breathing lol.
A couple of photos from yesterday ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8228784360/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8229665452/in/photostream/
... and that is all!
Nite all.
I spent the entire day sitting at my laptop today.
I deleted almost 2000 photos from my library, played around with some recent photos and looked at some old photos yet to be edited.
Tomorrow will be another reasonably quiet day, ahead of a big weekend visiting family, both here, and at the Gold Coast.
So, since it has been such a quiet day, I have nothing to report!
Oh ... except a lovely phone call from my little Chicklet, even though she didn't say anything, I could hear her breathing lol.
A couple of photos from yesterday ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8228784360/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8229665452/in/photostream/
... and that is all!
Nite all.
Day 32 in a Year of my Life
We tried for another sunset tonight and the cloud formations were looking very promising.
Adoring Husband and I planned on heading out to Caloundra to try for the sunset and then possibly some 'night lights' shots for one of this months flickr challenges.
'The Other One' messaged me earlier in the day to say that she was leaving work early and asked if we had any plans for a sunset shoot. So we invited her along.
The reason that we chose this particular spot, was because 'The Nikonian' had suggested it on Monday, when we were in the area, but we got side tracked and never made it to the boardwalk.
It's a great spot for photography with a nice winding timber boardwalk along the edge of the beach, great rock formations all along the beach area, beautiful surf with swimmers and surfers everywhere, kind of a mini city skyline and then the Glasshouse Mountains off in the distance, just where the sun sets.
As the sun got lower towards the horizon, the sky to the south appeared to be growing darker and darker, until we noticed that the very dark stormy clouds were banking up and getting closer to the sun.
About twenty minutes before the sun was due to set, the dark bank of cloud covered it and all hope of a pretty sunset were dashed.
The evidence seems to be pointing fairly and squarely towards 'The Other One'.
It seems that every time she joins anyone for a photo shoot, the rains come, the clouds close in, the birds disappear and the photoshoot is doomed to failure.
Her one saving grace tonight, was that the full moon was rising in the East, so as we gave up and turned away from the sunset, we were greeted with a bright ball of a moon rising through the trees.
She then took us for a walk along the boardwalk to where I could get a good shot of colourful night lights reflecting over the water.
So all is forgiven. I am very happy with my shot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8226030327/
However, the failing sunsets are becoming a regular occurrence, so I'm going to suggest some kind of natural healing process to clear away that negative energy.
An enema would cleanse the toxins, but that seems a bit harsh lol.
So I suggest that about 5 minutes before arriving at the shoot, she winds down her car windows and let the wind blow through the car and remove all bad energy before she parks the car.
The final step to creating harmony in a sunset is to do a little pirouette immediately after locking the car.
I'm afraid that if there is another failed shoot ... the title "Anti-EVERYTHING" will stick permanently!
We were all going to have dinner, but the cafe that 'The Other One' suggested was closed (yet another example!), so she headed home and Adoring Husband and I went off in search of dinner.
We found a great little place in Mooloolaba called 'Fish on Parkyn'.
http://fishonparkyn.com.au/
AH had a barbecued seafood dish and I had rolled pork belly. Absolutely delicious!
Now it's after midnight and I am yawning uncontrollably while listening to AH snoring behind his bed curtains.
Today I am grateful for the glorious full moon that appears every month and that magical feeling as it slowly rises and makes it's way through the twinkling stars into the dark night sky. It reminds me of my childhood and the nursery rhymes that my grandmother used to read to me at bed time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8226234299/in/photostream
Nite all.
Adoring Husband and I planned on heading out to Caloundra to try for the sunset and then possibly some 'night lights' shots for one of this months flickr challenges.
'The Other One' messaged me earlier in the day to say that she was leaving work early and asked if we had any plans for a sunset shoot. So we invited her along.
The reason that we chose this particular spot, was because 'The Nikonian' had suggested it on Monday, when we were in the area, but we got side tracked and never made it to the boardwalk.
It's a great spot for photography with a nice winding timber boardwalk along the edge of the beach, great rock formations all along the beach area, beautiful surf with swimmers and surfers everywhere, kind of a mini city skyline and then the Glasshouse Mountains off in the distance, just where the sun sets.
As the sun got lower towards the horizon, the sky to the south appeared to be growing darker and darker, until we noticed that the very dark stormy clouds were banking up and getting closer to the sun.
About twenty minutes before the sun was due to set, the dark bank of cloud covered it and all hope of a pretty sunset were dashed.
The evidence seems to be pointing fairly and squarely towards 'The Other One'.
It seems that every time she joins anyone for a photo shoot, the rains come, the clouds close in, the birds disappear and the photoshoot is doomed to failure.
Her one saving grace tonight, was that the full moon was rising in the East, so as we gave up and turned away from the sunset, we were greeted with a bright ball of a moon rising through the trees.
She then took us for a walk along the boardwalk to where I could get a good shot of colourful night lights reflecting over the water.
So all is forgiven. I am very happy with my shot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8226030327/
However, the failing sunsets are becoming a regular occurrence, so I'm going to suggest some kind of natural healing process to clear away that negative energy.
An enema would cleanse the toxins, but that seems a bit harsh lol.
So I suggest that about 5 minutes before arriving at the shoot, she winds down her car windows and let the wind blow through the car and remove all bad energy before she parks the car.
The final step to creating harmony in a sunset is to do a little pirouette immediately after locking the car.
I'm afraid that if there is another failed shoot ... the title "Anti-EVERYTHING" will stick permanently!
We were all going to have dinner, but the cafe that 'The Other One' suggested was closed (yet another example!), so she headed home and Adoring Husband and I went off in search of dinner.
We found a great little place in Mooloolaba called 'Fish on Parkyn'.
http://fishonparkyn.com.au/
AH had a barbecued seafood dish and I had rolled pork belly. Absolutely delicious!
Now it's after midnight and I am yawning uncontrollably while listening to AH snoring behind his bed curtains.
Today I am grateful for the glorious full moon that appears every month and that magical feeling as it slowly rises and makes it's way through the twinkling stars into the dark night sky. It reminds me of my childhood and the nursery rhymes that my grandmother used to read to me at bed time.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8226234299/in/photostream
Nite all.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Day 31 in a Year of my Life
This afternoon, Adoring Husband suggested that we stroll up to the lily pond to feed the ducks and see what the pond looked like on sunset.
Just as we arrived, Adoring Husband spotted a little Azure Kingfisher, so I grabbed my camera and quietly followed it around the boardwalk that surrounds the pond.
Unfortunately, it was very skittish and the ducks and water fowl frightened it, as did I, so after a while he disappeared.
While AH fed the ducks with the enthusiasm of a small child, I watched and waited for the sky to change, hoping for some lovely reflective light off the pond water.
Sunset, was again, a bit of a fizzer.
Just before we left the lily pond, the kingfisher reappeared on a branch that was sticking out of the water near the island in the middle of the pond.
I struggled to get my camera out of the bag again, but he had flown by the time I raised the camera to get a shot. **sigh**
Adoring Husband then suggested that we take a walk around the van park to see how big it was.
WELL! Was I surprised?!
I'm sure it should have it's own postcode!
There are streets and streets of permanent cabins and caravans. A dozen or more sites with little brick ensuites and storage rooms. Another large amenities block on the other side of the park. A large camping area for tents.
We walked down to the pool area and for the first time, I stepped inside the gate and walked around the very large resort style swimming pool where there are various kids areas like the big buckets that fill with water and then spill onto the kids below or the mushroom that kids can stand under and the water flows around them like a waterfall.
Little picnic areas around the pool and bubbling areas like mini spas.
Through to the other side of the pool and through the pool gate, there is an enormous play area for kids.
Such an amazing place for a family holiday. I am gobsmacked!
Earlier today, we took an Ecotour on the river and experienced three different eco systems.
We sat in folding chairs on the shaded top deck of the flat bottomed river boat and enjoyed the views and the happy, jovial commentary by the captain.
There was a beautiful breeze all day and we saw White Breasted Sea Eagles, Whistling Kites, Brahminy Kites, an Osprey that had just caught a fish as we came around the bend, White and Grey Herons among many other birds.
We got to walk through natural mangroves and rainforest on a winding boardwalk and upon our return, the captain of the boat had cooked our steaks (he asked us how we liked our steaks before we went for our walk) and there were salads and bread rolls and a fruit platter for lunch.
It was licenced, so there was wine and beer and other alcoholic beverages available, as well as soft drinks and cold water.
Morning tea was provided too, which consisted of chocolate brownies and lamingtons.
Unfortunately, the combination of the vibrating engine, boat movement, wind, the long lens and distance, none of my photos turned out well enough to share.
I really didn't mind and I think I'd be happy to go on the tour again without the camera, just to enjoy the experience on it's own.
Highly recommend the tour ...
http://www.cruisemaroochyeco.com.au/tourist-cruises/2/
I am grateful for today. A day of soaking up so much of what nature has to offer, feeling the wind in my hair and breathing in the fresh sea air. A perfect day for which to be grateful.
Nite all.
Just as we arrived, Adoring Husband spotted a little Azure Kingfisher, so I grabbed my camera and quietly followed it around the boardwalk that surrounds the pond.
Unfortunately, it was very skittish and the ducks and water fowl frightened it, as did I, so after a while he disappeared.
While AH fed the ducks with the enthusiasm of a small child, I watched and waited for the sky to change, hoping for some lovely reflective light off the pond water.
Sunset, was again, a bit of a fizzer.
Just before we left the lily pond, the kingfisher reappeared on a branch that was sticking out of the water near the island in the middle of the pond.
I struggled to get my camera out of the bag again, but he had flown by the time I raised the camera to get a shot. **sigh**
Adoring Husband then suggested that we take a walk around the van park to see how big it was.
WELL! Was I surprised?!
I'm sure it should have it's own postcode!
There are streets and streets of permanent cabins and caravans. A dozen or more sites with little brick ensuites and storage rooms. Another large amenities block on the other side of the park. A large camping area for tents.
We walked down to the pool area and for the first time, I stepped inside the gate and walked around the very large resort style swimming pool where there are various kids areas like the big buckets that fill with water and then spill onto the kids below or the mushroom that kids can stand under and the water flows around them like a waterfall.
Little picnic areas around the pool and bubbling areas like mini spas.
Through to the other side of the pool and through the pool gate, there is an enormous play area for kids.
- A fenced park with a seesaw, slide, swings, merry-go-round, monkey bars, bouncing animals and sand pit.
- A giant chess board.
- A mini soccer field with goal net.
- A mini basket ball court with hoop.
- Two colourful hopscotch games painted on concrete.
- A par three mini putt putt course.
- A games room with a pool table, table tennis, foosball, big old electronic games, a mini kitchen and a blackboard.
- A gymnasium.
- A giant colourful jumping bubble.
- Giant outdoor movie screen.
- Bali Huts.
- Skipping rope - like a pole that the skipping rope winds out of so that one kid has the rope while one skips.
Such an amazing place for a family holiday. I am gobsmacked!
Earlier today, we took an Ecotour on the river and experienced three different eco systems.
We sat in folding chairs on the shaded top deck of the flat bottomed river boat and enjoyed the views and the happy, jovial commentary by the captain.
There was a beautiful breeze all day and we saw White Breasted Sea Eagles, Whistling Kites, Brahminy Kites, an Osprey that had just caught a fish as we came around the bend, White and Grey Herons among many other birds.
We got to walk through natural mangroves and rainforest on a winding boardwalk and upon our return, the captain of the boat had cooked our steaks (he asked us how we liked our steaks before we went for our walk) and there were salads and bread rolls and a fruit platter for lunch.
It was licenced, so there was wine and beer and other alcoholic beverages available, as well as soft drinks and cold water.
Morning tea was provided too, which consisted of chocolate brownies and lamingtons.
Unfortunately, the combination of the vibrating engine, boat movement, wind, the long lens and distance, none of my photos turned out well enough to share.
I really didn't mind and I think I'd be happy to go on the tour again without the camera, just to enjoy the experience on it's own.
Highly recommend the tour ...
http://www.cruisemaroochyeco.com.au/tourist-cruises/2/
I am grateful for today. A day of soaking up so much of what nature has to offer, feeling the wind in my hair and breathing in the fresh sea air. A perfect day for which to be grateful.
Nite all.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Day 30 in a Year of my Life
Photo-free day today - not by choice - just nothing of interest to photograph and it was a bright hot sunny day with bad light.
We drove to Golden Beach where we found a nice little cafe for breakfast, then we headed for Glasshouse Mountains and up to the lookout for a very disappointing view.
We took a few side streets along the way to sticky beak at some out of the way places, but nothing that piqued our interest.
On the way home, we decided to stop at the cinemas and we watched Breaking Dawn Part 2. It was my second time and I enjoyed it just as much as the first :D
To get back to the car, we had to walk through Sunshine Plaza, so we happened to come across a little stall in the middle of the centre where I picked up some gifts for Aussie H and myself :D
We arrived home in time to watch the last half hour of the cricket on TV. It was a nail biter of a finish, but the game ended in a draw.
Adoring Husband is now cooking dinner and I think I am going to have a very early night.
I've been up since 5am and it has well and truly caught up with me.
Today, I am grateful for Adoring Husband's ability to make a quick, healthy dinner and then serve it with a smile, when I am feeling too tired to do much of anything.
Nite all.
We drove to Golden Beach where we found a nice little cafe for breakfast, then we headed for Glasshouse Mountains and up to the lookout for a very disappointing view.
We took a few side streets along the way to sticky beak at some out of the way places, but nothing that piqued our interest.
On the way home, we decided to stop at the cinemas and we watched Breaking Dawn Part 2. It was my second time and I enjoyed it just as much as the first :D
To get back to the car, we had to walk through Sunshine Plaza, so we happened to come across a little stall in the middle of the centre where I picked up some gifts for Aussie H and myself :D
We arrived home in time to watch the last half hour of the cricket on TV. It was a nail biter of a finish, but the game ended in a draw.
Adoring Husband is now cooking dinner and I think I am going to have a very early night.
I've been up since 5am and it has well and truly caught up with me.
Today, I am grateful for Adoring Husband's ability to make a quick, healthy dinner and then serve it with a smile, when I am feeling too tired to do much of anything.
Nite all.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Day 29 in a Year of my Life
Just to clarify (for those who read yesterday's post) ... last night after midnight, I was not feeling so grateful for happy laughter.
At 1am, Adoring Husband was not feeling so grateful either - he was still awake listening to the party.
Today, other neighbours have made comment about the noise and apparently have complained in the office.
The noisy party people are still in the park and by the looks of it, are gradually gathering on the porch of their cabin ready to start again lol.
Let's see what happens tonight!
(Hours later)
All is quiet tonight. The only noise I can hear are the frogs. A lovely sound to fall asleep to!
I have posted a few photos to flickr today. Some from Underwater World and one for the 'Reflection' challenge which closes on 28th November.
I still have to find a good shot for 'City Lights/Night Lights'.
Here are the links to my photos on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8215919485/in/photostream Seahorses
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8215908661/in/photostream/ Three Sleepy Otters
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8216980804/in/photostream/ Magnificent Lobster
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8214294729/in/photostream/ Reflection
Today I am grateful for surprisingly good sleeps in our campervan beds. The soothing soft sounds of the night that lull me into a relaxed state and the gentle breeze that acts like a hypnotic massage and sends me off into dreamland.
I am sleeping more soundly in the van than I do at home! Ya gotta love that!
Nite all.
At 1am, Adoring Husband was not feeling so grateful either - he was still awake listening to the party.
Today, other neighbours have made comment about the noise and apparently have complained in the office.
The noisy party people are still in the park and by the looks of it, are gradually gathering on the porch of their cabin ready to start again lol.
Let's see what happens tonight!
(Hours later)
All is quiet tonight. The only noise I can hear are the frogs. A lovely sound to fall asleep to!
I have posted a few photos to flickr today. Some from Underwater World and one for the 'Reflection' challenge which closes on 28th November.
I still have to find a good shot for 'City Lights/Night Lights'.
Here are the links to my photos on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8215919485/in/photostream Seahorses
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8215908661/in/photostream/ Three Sleepy Otters
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8216980804/in/photostream/ Magnificent Lobster
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rqqzy/8214294729/in/photostream/ Reflection
Today I am grateful for surprisingly good sleeps in our campervan beds. The soothing soft sounds of the night that lull me into a relaxed state and the gentle breeze that acts like a hypnotic massage and sends me off into dreamland.
I am sleeping more soundly in the van than I do at home! Ya gotta love that!
Nite all.
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