Sunset at the new place

Sunset from the new place is viewed from the front doorstep. Not quite the same as watching from a seat on the deck, but a sunset is perfect wherever you see it.

The Magster comes to stay.

Last Thursday, my longtime friend from school, The Magster, came to stay. She often came to Mackay to visit her Mum in the past, but now her Mum is no longer with us, she came up from Melbourne for solely touristic purposes and she stayed with us for four days. So we played tourist in our own back yard. First up was lunch at the good old Ye old Eimeo Pub. I was a bit slack with the photo taking so no shots of the harbour, Lamberts beach and the botanical gardens, where we had a coffee. She also took in the delights of Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal from the lookout.
Also no shots of the lovely evening we shared with Sandy with a table full of nibblies and a few bottles of very good red wine.
On Sunday we went up the valley to check out the river rock to mountain top festival. The festival was underwhelming and it rained all day.
We did take in a bush walk at Finch Hatton Gorge though.

As far as Arulen Falls anyway as it was drizzling steadily.

Hey Debs, this is where you show your Mum which rock you jumped off of into the water.

In the late afternoon, we dragged KISA off the computer and went to the new Bluewater Quay, just east of the Forgan Bridge. This is a new bit of the riverfront development and it was quite impressive. I am surprised there were hardly any people there.

This is the new Forgan Bridge which opened a couple of weeks ago. The old one is on the other side. They are demolishing it and building another one so we will have 4 lanes. The fishing platform made out of the old rail bridge.

Looking east via the children's playground. You can see the Leichardt Tree and old Paxtons Building in the distance.

A water feature in the childrens play area.

This is what they built on the site of the Crown Hotel. They are called Crown Apartments. I think they start at about a million dollars a pop.Far cry from the Crown Hotel.

The Leichrdt Tree, where the old ships used to tie up in the pioneer days. There are BBQs and picnic tables beside it now.

This sculpture was interesting to a history nut like me. We went as far as the boat ramp and the start of the new Sandfly Creek walk. We went some distance along it, but as it was getting dark we turned back. The walk goes all the way to town beach. And no one wants to be near a place called Sandfly anything at dusk! We couldn't figure out if this was a sculpture or a space ship.

On Monday I had an induction for a new job that will start in a few weeks and The Magster caught up with another friend here. As it was settlement day for the sale of the house, the real estate agent came by with a couple of bottles of wine, and because it had been a torrid sale for her she shared some with us along with some cheese and biccies. Poor girl, I think she was happier than us it was all over! KISA, Margs and I continued the celebration after she left.

Marg went back on Tuesday, we had had a great time, lots of laughs, red wine and lots of fattening food. Can't wait till we do it again.

Goodbye Old House, Hello New House

Today was settlement day. So we officially no longer own the house and the new owners are moving in on Tuesday. There have been some difficulties with this sale and it is more of a relief that it is all over than a sadness. We had 15 good years in this house and we will miss it, the neighbours and the garden.

Time to look forward now, and this is the start of a new phase in our lives. We still have a few things to do to be fully settled in our new home but we have made a start.

Welcome to our new home

April?? There was an April???

Well I notice that it has been a whole month since I posted on here. April was a mixed month and for a while there I lost my blogging mojo.
The buyers of our house asked for yet another extension on the unconditional date, which we felt we had little choice in agreeing to. This left us in limbo, not knowing when we would move, and because we were paying 2 mortgage payments for yet another month, meant we were lying low and living basic with no excursions etc as money was getting tight.
Easter was spent quietly at home. We had had two big driving weekends before that and KISA really needed some down time. As it turned out it rained more than it didn't, so we puttered around, reading watching DVDs etc aand cooking hot cross buns. Which were ok, not brilliant.

The highlight of April was KB's 40th birthday. We were unsure what to do, it was a long way to go there and back by car in 3 days, but airfares were too high, so we decided what the heck and drove anyway. We stayed in a caravan park cabin next door to the party venue. We drove down on Friday 16th, and had a BBQ with KB's family that night. Next morning, we got up early and drove into Brisbane. We had about 4 hours to see the boys, Nana and TBS. No photos I am afraid as I forgot to take any. Miss R had just had 4 teeth out and wouldn't have wanted a picture taken anyway! Then we drove back to the Sunshine Coast for a late afternoon start to the 40th. It was held at The Boatshed which has an outlook of this. Our caravan park had the same viewThe birthday girl and her beloved. Family shot, I was amazed at how much these babies have grown. KB's sister and family who travelled up from mid New South Wales. I obviously wasn't interesting enough to look at! A candid shot of a beautiful young woman. Hard to believe we have been friends for 14 years! Time flies so fast... Five steps from our table was a railing overlooking this view. Yes I am still feeding him.... Random party shots....

Yes - I know that is a shower cap on the balloon. These things happen at 40ths.

Love this shot, check out the expressions on the faces! We had a great time and were really glad we went down. When we are settled in the new place, we will have to drive down again.

And last but not least the sale of the house FINALLY went unconditional on 22nd April. So on the last weekend of April we moved to the unit. More on that in the next exciting installment!

Everywhere around down are street trees in magnificent yellow flower. I parked next to one the other day and took a photo. Aren't they lovely? the parrots love them too!