Final Night of Fun

It's been a fabulous few days of fun.

Lots of laughter and snorting (Tweedle Dee).

Not as much drinking as I expected.

Lots of shopping.

Good food was enjoyed by all, except the usual suspect ... Reality TV Queen!

Only one night of partying in the party room, which ended at 8.30pm because the party animals believed it was midnight when it was only 7.30pm! The sad realities of ageing!

I left the party early tonight when the party animals (aged 56 and 67), were attempting to 'plank' while taking selfies and they got so boisterous, it was impossible to have a conversation!

The weather has been perfect.

Very loud snoring reported by quite a few ladies.

My best buy of the trip was a pair of shoes by Gino Ventorri, made in Brazil. Like walking on air! I had them on for nine hours and only took them off to climb into bed. We walked for five of those hours.

My close call was a dress that I tried on yesterday and loved immediately, but it was too formal for anything that I would attend. I decided to sleep on the decision and go back today, but when I tried it on, it fell flat. I'm so glad that I didn't buy on impulse yesterday. I was going to share the photo here tonight, but decided against it.

It's difficult to choose my favourite meal of the trip. The food at the Garden Restaurant at Jupiter's last night was divine, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Massaman Beef Curry at the Thai restaurant at lunch time today.

All of the wine has been delicious, except for the house Sav Blanc at Jupiters, which was the most expensive and the most disgusting.

Thumbs down to the taxi driver who complained because my fair was a measly $7.40 from Jupiters to our apartment block.

Thumbs up to our waiter (Mike), at Jupiter's last night, who went above and beyond to make our night enjoyable and memorable ... we gave him a $25 tip for his efforts.

Thumbs down to the germs that put four of our ladies out of action during the three days here. Two with the flu, one with gastric and one with a lung infection.

Thumbs up to the Manager of the shoe shop that took back the shoes I couldn't wear and gave me a refund (after she showed me the 'Office of Fair Trading' information and we shared a war of words and after I told her that she couldn't legally refuse me). She did the right thing in the end and I appreciated her eventual positive attitude.

Thumbs down to the broken lifts in our apartment block, which meant me, having to walk down twelve flights of stairs to exit the building (14 flights for one other lady and 16 flights for two others!) Luckily they were repaired within a couple of hours.

Thumbs up to the coffee shop attendant who gave me two free muffins with my coffee this afternoon, because they were about to close and she had leftovers. Even though they are not gluten free, I can give them to the ladies to enjoy on the train tomorrow.

Thumbs up to the health food store across the road who stocked CoYo coconut yoghurt and Zebra Dream Salted Caramel Coconut Ice cream.

Thumbs up to the ladies who acted as my pack horses when they were coming home early and brought my shopping home so that I wouldn't have to carry so much home myself.

Thumbs up to the manager of our apartment block who immediately came to the rescue with a new fuse when our hot water went on the blink this afternoon ... and for providing the key to an empty apartment on our floor so that we could use that hot water if ours didn't heat up in time.

Thumbs up to the new day beds at Pacific Fair, where you can put your feet up or have a nap at half time during the shopping expedition!

Finally, thumbs up to Mrs Bucket for organising another successful lady's trip away!

It will be great to get home and sleep in my own bed. I haven't been able to fall asleep before 1am on any night since last Saturday and I've had to be up early every morning, so I think my body might crash land tomorrow night!

I've had a great time and I'm so glad that I decided to come on this trip .. it was touch and go for a while.

There are four ladies who usually come on these trips, but didn't attend this one, for various reasons. All of the other 'regulars' mentioned how those ladies were sorely missed. So Lady Lynn, Rebel Mardi, Beauty and Tweedle Dum .. know that you were thought of often, mentioned frequently in our conversations and very much missed by us all.

I will be driving home tomorrow with Woman of Many Talents (who has been ill for the entire three days). The remaining ladies will be travelling by train.

Farewell to the Gold Coast and I'll see you next year!

Nite all.