A visit to see my brother.

Off on a road trip to Tocumwal to visit my brother. We have visited this area for many years. I finally took a photo of the Murray Cod

We went for a drive and had lunch at the Big Strawberry @ Koonoomoo. It was a place we have never stopped at before. Well worth it. 

I had delicious pancakes with fresh strawberries and strawberry ice cream. Yummy.

They have a wonderful shop full of strawberry products.

Then headed off to Katamatite for the painted silo. Another work of art.

 

My Japan trip. Thanks Graeme…

 I have had the most amazing opportunity to go to Japan for 2 weeks.

My hubby isn’t well and can’t be left by himself. My brother said I couldn’t cancel my 12 month booked holiday to Japan. It was a hard decision. I owe Graeme so much. He gave me the best opportunity to go away while he endured a challenging time booking in appointments for Tony with OT’s, Physio, drs, showering, house cleaning, lawn mowing, scans, hospital visits and many more appointments. 

I had the most amazing time and I still have not unpacked my shopping.Yes, I have done the unpacking of suitcase, washing etc. I have been busy with catching up on appointments , routine and shopping. Also, my daughter’s wedding anniversary was celebrated a week late. So be it, Tony comes first at this point. Sadly no sewing has happened. 

Here is my shopping though. I am a very happy lady.

My shopping haul.

I started unpacking so I needed a drink.

And I added a salami and cheese snack. The best I could find at 7 Eleven.

I had also shopped at Pandora to add to my collection. This was a challenge of a trip. 5 of us wanted Pandora. Our organiser took us there. It was only at the station opposite our motel.Well, what an experience finding the motel.

It took us 45 minutes to find our way out of the station. The stations are multi level shopping centres and are huge. One thing to remember when travelling anywhere is to take lots of photos. So a photo of where to exit the station was well needed. So long as you know where you are headed you will always get there with some help. Anyway, I a few of us bought this beautiful charm. Isn’t she cute… No wondering where I bought it.  Then off to duty free. Well, that was an experience….

While at a special shopping arcade I saw this unusual handbag 45 minutes later I went back and bought it. It can be used as a normal handbag, over the shoulder and around the waist. Hands free. It was designed in Japan and made in Bangladesh. With natural leather. Yes, it cost a lot, but I love it. It holds so much and I have already used it a few times.

My shopping after a day out.

Then, I started to pack my case. Oh wow look at this shopping spree.

I think I have a lot to sew along with once I get home and back to sewing. 

This is been a very treasured trip to Japan. So thanks to Janet for organising, Maxine my roomie, the other ladies that made a fun trip and most of all my brother, Graeme, for offering to care for Tony making it able for me to go. I am so grateful…

Another beautiful sunset

 After my brothers we went and camped at this lovely beach. Dundee beach.

Travelling with my brother, Graeme and a wonderful friend. Thanks Tanya and Terry and Trent. (Terry, Trent and my wonderful brother Graeme are here but avoiding the photos)

We also saw this magical sunset. Without crowds. It was stunning.

A happy weekend away with my Husband and brother....

Wow... Spur of the moment hubby and I decided we needed some time for us. So, I get some time off work, pack a bag, make a few phone calls, jump on the bike and we are off.

We leave home at 7am & 30+ deg.. head for Wagga Wagga. Stop for lunch and a cold beer. Hours of riding in 40 deg heat. It's now 38 at 2pm.
And the best part was meeting my brother and catching up for the next few days together. Just to be out in the open air, on the bike, with my husband and brother. What is better than that.

Another hours ride we stop at Tumut, NSW.. 661kms today.

A bed, Thai dinner, a beer and a good sleep.

The rain set in for the night but slows for the day. 

Over the mountains and through Mt. Kosciusko National Park.
Mt Kosciusko National Park.
We stop at an emergency hut for a break.

Then off to my friends house.. Di, you are wonderful.
Merrimbula. NSW... East coast of Australia..
Total now is 1005kms.
Look at the view..

What about a walk along the beach..

 


Out for dinner, a good sleep, then head off again..
Oh no it's raining..
Visit the inlaws and dry off.
Then a long ride to the bottom of Victoria and head for Portsea.
The ferry is here.

Relax... leaving Portsea...

Heading for Queescliff.

Total trip now.
1671kms..

After a good nights sleep we head off home.. and a little bit of shopping on the way.

I have finally found the way to Brim..
Seeing these silos painted in person is amazing.
We will be coming back here for a closer look.
They aren't that far from home.

 Aren't these paintings amazing..

Total for our 4 days was 2328kms.
So glad to get into our shower and bed...
Work tomorrow.

It will be a little while before I'm ready to head off on the bike again...

Now for some birthday goodness

I recently had a birthday. I kept it very quiet. With adjusting to working full time, coping with the heat, catching up with family my blogging and sewing time was pushed to the back. Anyway, I am catching up.

Here is my daughter giving me a cuddle and wishing me happy birthday. We caught up for the weekend and she took me to the movies in Benalla.. We saw " 50 Shades Darker" and were so enthralled with it we didn't realise the time had gone so fast. Just loved it...

I came home from work and had an unexpected visitor sitting in my lounge room. My brother decided to motorbike ride for seven hours to surprise me, join us for dinner, stay the night and ride home the next day. I was very happy as this was the the 3rd time we have ever been together for my special day. Once was my 21st, then my 40th and this one. No it wasn't an "0" birthday. Just with everything that has been going on with us lately it was special for us.. Thank you Graeme. Very much appreciated... he also gave me a little gift for our zen garden too...

 A beautiful "cousin itt" & red cactus

Here is the gift from my daughter too. I wanted to stock up on some toiletries for my travel bag an work draw. She thought I was strange. Anyway she got me what I wanted and more. I had run out of perfume so she bought me . My favourite and another beautiful selling one.

I also got this lovely little purse. It is great if you are just going out for tea and don't need all your cards. It has space for a few cards, some cash and your phone. So compact. She gave me an orange one for Xmas and I liked it so much she got me the yellow one too.

My gifts continued to come in the mail...

A visit with my brother.

My hubby and I needed some time away with everything that has been going on. We went to stay with my brother and SIL. She is not doing to well so some quiet time together was lovely.
Look at the sunset from their back balcony. We were having a lovely BBQ and a drink. You can see the city of GEELONG across the water and the sun setting over the top of the bay. Beautiful.

A lovely sunset.
It is hard to capture the colours...

He took us for a drive to Queenscliff where we had a walk around town then down to the marina for coffee. We saw the ferry leave for Rye... The weather was ok but it started to drizzle.

You ban just see the guest house my brother used to own...

We also went for a walk up to the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse and Pier...
It is a lovely area...

My brother and hubby at the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse.

About the lighthouse 

Point Lonsdale Pier

A lovely place to visit.
This beach was where my daughter was married quite some years ago.
. Unfortuantely she is seperated now.
It is still a beautiful place..

A view from the lighthouse

Look at those rocks.