Well, we are back!  There is so much to do and see before we leave this coming Friday!!  Last Friday, the 21st, we along with Andrew and Bella went to North Stradbrook Island or Straddie as they call it here. We planned to catch the 5 PM ferry and made it despite the traffic. Tells you how Andrew drives on these crazy roads.  We had booked a suite at the Whale Watcher Resort.  Very nice! When we arrived, Bella asked where her green bag of clothes for the weekend was, and it was then we realized it was never loaded!! The whales don't come by till June so the island was very quiet this time between summer and the whale watching season. We checked in and then walked to a nearby restaurant for supper. On the way we saw four  kangaroos across the street, just sitting there and eating grass. It was neat to see them hopping away across the road.  We had a lovely dinner and then did some star gazing on the way back to our resort.

For Saturday breaky, we had back bacon, eggs, toast and hashbrowns (not like McCains but more like Macdonalds). Yummy! A good team effort putting it together. The bacon here is very different than in Canada. Saturday morning was spent adventure shopping to see if we could find some things for Bella to wear. She did find one dress for the beach. The afternoon was a wonderful day at the beach. The water temperature was 23 C or so it said on the lifeguard's sign. Andrew and I had great fun playing in the waves. Anne walked the beach and Bella stayed on the sand and watched the lifeguard change (take off his clothes) down to his Speedo (canary holder/budgie smuggler/banana holder or ... as they call them here) and then go out in the surf and practice riding his rescue board. Saturday evening we had pizza which we ate on a bench in front of a store next to the pizza store. Why didn't we eat in? Its a long story so I will spare you the details at this time. Places here have pools and “spas” which are NOT heated and there is no such thing as a hottub – much to Anne's chagrin.

Sunday we toured some more of the island and then caught the 2 PM ferry home. Did some laundry and planned some of Bella's birthday party which was on Monday.

For Bella's birthday supper we had several meats cooked on the barbie.  Snag (sausage), rissoles (burger patties), lamb chops, chicken nibblies (wings) and kababs!!! Well done Andrew!! Andrew and Bella invited three of their couple friends to join in the celebration. There were three little ones present – 4 yrs, 18 months, and 2 months. We were the grandparents present.  It was really nice to meet A and B's 'family' over here in OZ.  The bird in the picture is a larikeet.

Tuesday we spent some time Skyping with Kristin and family and got a late start to the day. I went golfing at a 9 hole course not even 10 minutes walk from Andrew and Bella's place. The weather was threatening rain so I only saw 4 other golfers while I beat the little white ball (only used 2 different ones) around the 9 holes twice. Only scored one par, lots of bogies and only 1 double bogey. They have an easier (par 33 – no par 5's) set of tees for “guests”. It was fun and I would like to try again on Thursday. While I was golfing Anne walked to a nearby DFO (Direct Factory Outlet). Many of the same stores and goods we saw in Cairns. She found some hoodies (jumpers here) which she wants to go back and purchase. In the evening we went to watch Andrew play touch rugby – don't ask about the score. They didn't play as well as the last time we watched.  The cake is called a Lamington - a traditional Aussie sponge cake, dipped in chocolate and then coated in coconut.  Some have a raspberry jam in the middle.  I know of at least two people in the Friesen family that would really enjoy this cake.  May have to make it for a birthday soon!!!

It is Wednesday here. We got up earlier and Skyped with Marliese this time. She had been on a 4 day canoe trip over the May long weekend in Nopoming Park with about 20 friends. Today Anne and I went downtown. Took the bus there all by ourselves!! We shopped the Queen Street Mall and had a picnic lunch on the riverside. We rode the River Cat up and down the river and then we walked a special pedestrian-cyclist bridge and rode the Wheel of Brisbane (shown in picture) to see the sights from high up. Got home around 5:30 (almost dark!!) and then Anne and Andrew went shopping for a bit of an Ozzie supper while we watch the State of Origins rugby match between Queensland (Brisbane area) and New South Wales (Sydney area). The game is like an all-star game between pro players that started their careers in these two states.  And tomorrow, we pack!