The Big 50

26 April 1962... I entered the world... move along 50 years to 26 April 2012 and I celebrated my 50th birthday!  Busy day... I have taken a new job working as Admin Manager at the local tennis club in Mooloolaba... I work Monday to Thursday and I am available for supply teaching on Fridays only (that tended to be the day I was telephoned for work anyways which is good!). On Thursdays, I work from 7am to 7pm so yesterday (my birthday) was a very busy day indeedy.  My boss did buy me a cake and flowers and I arrived home to a gorgeous meal, a bottle of wine chilling and a BEAUTIFUL diamond eternity ring from my husband... gotta love that ♥

Anzac Day

Anzac day today in Australia... it's a national public holiday when the Aussie army Corps who served with the New Zealanders at Gallipolli in Turkey in 1915 are remembered.  No school today although Oli represented the school in a parade and wreath laying ceremony at Cotton Tree in Maroochydore.  Very moving as all the services were present along with the veterans from Viet Nam, Malaya etc... Very moving indeed: hard to believe that Viet Nam conflict was around 40 years ago.  The occasion was extremely well supported: lots of flag waving and cheering, army jeeps and zimmer frames! Lest we forget ♥

'Builder's Bum' is 'Plumber's Crack' here in Australia and 'Green Fingers' are 'Green Thumbs' !!

Good Friday

Good Friday in Oz is traditionally a 'meat-free' day... good to have an excuse for prawns on the barbie I suppose! All the main shopping malls and supermarkets shut today... only the beach shops along with the fishmongers (of course!) and the bakeries (hot cross buns!). Jeff and I remember coming to Oz 20 years ago when all the shops shut on Saturday afternoons and Sundays... seems unbelievable now doesn't it?

Brisbane for a few days...

Brisbane is just 'down the road' from us (around an hour's drive) but we decided to spend a couple of nights there to enable us to take a good look around. Went back to the B&B we stayed in when we first emigrated... very quirky and homely and WE LOVE IT... good to be there again.  Took Oli back to Dreamworld/White Water World, (theme parks on the Gold Coast) for a day. Our tickets will run out in June so thought we should get back some of the money we spent on them. Lovely hot day although tiring (only for Jeff and me though: Oli's seemingly running on duracell batteries).  Strolled down to Chinatown in the evening for a meal (guess what we had?!) and we were all asleep by 9pm... zzzzzzzzzz
Had a good look around the shops in the morning and then took the bridge over to the south bank which reminded me of the south bank in London actually: theatres, library, art gallery etc... Went in to the science museum, which was very 'hands on' and fun. Also, on the south bank, there's an artificial beach, complete with lifeguards, a surf club and sand! Bought some snacks and drinks and sat in the botanical gardens at tea-time... so relaxing... right next to Parliament House which we want to visit next time and heckle from the galleries!
Oli decided that the Sunshine Coast is too quiet for him and when he's old enough, he's going to move to Brisbane, work in the city and drive a sports car... lordy, lordy... really don't know who he's inherited that from!!