July - November

Yes, masses of time since the last one but I keep forgetting. Actually had this one on edit for about a month so the thought was there.

Since the last entry, Heather had wisdoms out to get the space for the surgeon to cut her jaws up next year. Did really well but not looking forward to the big op - who is?

She has had to stop driving as her Epilepsy meds started not working properly and she now needs to take another med as well as the original ones. Queensland Transport had to take her licence away and shred it but it's all good - kind of, once she's been 'episode' free for four months, the Consultant will sign a new Medical Certificate and she gets a new licence so doesn't have to retake the test or redo the many many hours she's already done thank god. Just a shame that 'Bob' is sitting, cover on, under the trees not being used.

Me, Heather and Abs went to see Pink at Brisbane Entertainment Centre for her last concert over here, jeez she's amazing. The stamina and ability to sing live whilst hanging upside down from a high wire is fairly impressive!

Abs has now finished Cheerleading. She either gave up or moved up to the Open Squad. Decided she'd had enough and didn't want to move up. She did really well whilst she was competing, loads of gold medals and a bit of travel. One of her last performances was for the World Transplant Games which were held on the Coast this year. Major thing that they were asked to help open the Games.

Taken right at the end of the Opening Ceremony. She's in the middle of the 'turquoise' people at the front. Gold Coast Entertainment Centre was packed so they all did brilliantly having never performed in front of more than a few hundred before, this was a few thousand from all over the world.

Kevan and I are now perilously close to 50 but it's not going to happen. I intend staying in my 40s for a few more years yet. Have no recollection what we got Kevan (oops) but I got personalised number plates for the Honda and a three foot high leather giraffe who is gorgeous.

Heather turned 17 and has three weeks left of year 11 so one year to go before she's let loose on the world of the grownups and probably starts wishing she was back at school!

You may have seen on the news the massive dust storm that did a tour of Australia. Apparently started off in the Northern Territories, travelled down through the red centre, turned left to Sydney and then travelled north up to us. Everything was covered in red dust, the sky here didn't seem to be the violent red it was in Sydney but it was still very orange and weird.

Had a bit of a bush fire a few weeks ago. Got a bit close to home - we're at the end of a three km no through road. The bush fire happened at the bottom of a road further back (towards freedom). Soon under control though and helped by the strong winds blowing in the opposite direction to us thankfully.

Took a drive out a few weeks back, headed down to Ballina in NSW - only about 100km but not been down there before. Some fab views. Proof to some people that there is stunning countryside all over the place, including very close to the supposed tourist high rise hell that is the Gold Coast (some people are very dumb I've decided).

Australia has lots of 'big' things dotted around the country. This is the 'Big Prawn' at Ballina. The shop underneath is the usual feral tourist tat as is found all over the world. Apparently it may be getting bulldozed some time soon for redevelopment so I thought I'd get a pic before it went. Why, I don't know but sometimes you just have to do this stuff don't you??????

And finally, Swell happened again. I know I've posted the pics of the past few but I think it's brilliant. An open air, free, wander the beach sculpture show on one of the best beaches in the world and it's only five minutes away. Some were really poor and Heather and I looked very confused as to why someone would think it good, just as someone else would wander up and get really excited about it. Guess we're all different but really, some were totally crap.

They're kind of in the order of preference. The last one is just rubbish, sorry to the person who spent weeks 'designing' it but hells teeth go get a proper job!

This is for the 'in laws'. A flower from the birthday present. As you can see, it's weird but attractive at the same time.

Anyway, very different and I loved it so thanks again.

Got a good tax refund so finally had the money to do the living room floor. Solid bamboo and whilst there's still bits to do, skirting etc it's looking brill. First one shows the amount of planks required. We were told we weren't buying enough by the flooring company, that we'd need another couple of boxes as 'you always need an extra 6% for wastage' . Err, this is Kevan laying the floor, he doesn't do wastage! Should have a box and a half over to start the spare room with. Wastage? Idiots!!!

I'll post some more pics when it's done and the other suite is back in the room, the fire place back in and the TV back where it belongs. As for the room where all the stuff is being stored - don't even go there, looks like a store room for an Op Shop (Charity Shop).

And finally, a visitor we've not seen for a while. Nice to see him (her?) back.