Good morning campers (and those not so camp!)

Its Louise at the blog helm once more, letting you know all that is groovy, girly and just plain  grrrl! in her life on and off Magnetic Island, Far North Queensland, Australia.

Forgive me, oh blog faithful, its been a few weeks since my last lot of ramblings to the masses, and I feel now I need to confess all!

We (my lovely husband Matt and I) have just finished a fab two week trip to Sydney.  We went down for the Sydney Mardi Gras and arty aspects associated with it.

Before I forget - many thanks to our chums Jono and Kate who let us use their lovely house in Sydney while they were away.    Plus a big "thank you" to our chum Geoff who let us use his sofa bed for a few nights at his place in Freshwater, Sydney.  Thanks guys, you made our trip fan-bloody-tastic.

Of course, as we knew we would be going to the Mardi Gras, we booked the trip down to Sydney about 6 months ago, and back then we got very cheap air fares with Virgin Airways, and all was sweet... or so we thought.

Until we realised that we now have an extra family member  in the shape of our adopted doggie Eric.  (see pic below)   Luckily, the dog grooming lady on the island, Maria,  also boards doggies and she took Eric for the 2 weeks while we were away.  Lovely.

Eric and toy; Jan 2013

So, flexing our muscles with our very heavy case, we jumped on the ferry to Townsville on 20 February,  and after a 2 hr flight, we landed in Sydney to 27C (a heatwave!) and after finding our pre booked shuttle bus to the Northern Beaches, we set off for Freshwater -   only to be stuck in traffic with the sad news on the radio that a truck had caught fire in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel, and the tunnel northbound (our way) was closed. (Truck driver unhurt)  Bugger!

As we inched towards the Harbour Bridge, the road signs began flashing that the tunnel was now open, and our driver quickly changed lanes.  Driving like Aryton Senna on crystal meth, we zoomed down the inside lane, becoming one of the first vehicles to enter the re-opened tunnel - Lovely!

Wow, I had no idea coming back to Sydney would be so exciting.

I should explain that we were coming down to Sydney for the Sydney Mardi Gras and the after parade party: parties that we have been going to for yonks: my first was 1995 -  if my addled brain remembers correctly - and I've been going more or less ever since.  Yes, its true, I'm a fag hag from way back and proud of it!  Not sure what that makes my husband Matt?  A he-hag maybe? Whatever, once you've tasted those amazing parties you have to go back every year.

We arrived a few days before the big par-tay, and decided to get cultural.   We arrived at Geoff's place on 20th February and next day we both had an appointment with our dentist Dan Pechar of Manly.  I've been going to him for yonks, and as the French women say, "A woman needs 3 main professionals in her life, a good doctor, a good dressmaker and a good hairdresser".  I would add a good dentist to that list.

Matt and I both got a check up, and a clean and polish and we were done.

Next day Friday 22 Feb saw Geoff, Matt and myself hit the Warringah Mall shops with avengence! Our first stop was Target.  Time for some new undies (for both of us) and joy - oh joy, that day there was 30% off all underwear.  Lovely!  So by the end of the visit we had racked up a bill of around $175, but what the hell, a girl has to have some decent undies?  (and a man too!)

That night we had pre purchased tickets for 'Torch Song Trilogy' at the Darlinghurst Theatre in Kings Cross (the 'seedy/exciting' area of Sydney), and wearing some new undies (modesty forbids me from saying exactly what that entails but the colour black was involved) we drove into town.

Finding a parking spot with ease (thank you my goddess of parking!) we had a quick bit to eat and walked to the theatre.  And very good the play was too.    See pic below.

Note the lovely pendant  I am sporting here - its the "upset the Catholics necklace", a Madonna and child, made for me by Rachel (my jeweler sister in law), who knows I love an icon or two.    As a born again atheist I figure I can get away with it.  Interestingly, no one has yet commented on this delight of iconography.   Maybe all and sundry assume I am a extremely religious person and think it best to leave well alone?  I should confess here I have a Jesus watch too, but the 2 items together would be way too much - even for me...

"Torch Song Trilogy" 22.2.13  Darlinghurst Theatre
 L-R Geoff, Louise and Matt

The next day Saturday,  it absolutely bucketed down with rain;  bugger - luckily I packed an umbrella.  

George St. Sydney 23.2.13 - discarded umbrella - not mine!

Geoff, Matt and I were off into town to meet James (a friend of Geoff) to all go together to the Guild Theatre in Rockdale to see an amateur production of the Neil Simon play 'I ought to be in pictures'  and very good it was too.   My only gripe is that the toilets are outside the tiny theatre, and as the rain was still lashing it down I got soaked running back inside as the bell rang that the interval had finished.   But on the other hand, I've never been to a theatre production that gives the patrons free cups of tea and biscuits in the interval.   (As those of you who know this blog well, 'free' is my second favourite "F" word).   Is there a chance this could catch on with other theatres in Sydney?

------

On Sunday 24th we moved out of Geoff's place to our chum Jono & Kate's place as they were away.  (Many thanks guys!)   

Next day, (Monday)  we got Matt to the local barbers, did some shopping and met up with Geoff at 6pm in the Mall to have a quick bite of dinner and go and see the movie (with our own Jackie Weaver in it) 'Silver Linings Playbook'.  I didn't know much about this movie so sat there in the dark letting it wash over me, and I really liked it.  I can see why Jennifer Lawrence got the Oscar for her performance, but I think our Jackie shone like a diamond.   Grab a look if you can.

-----

On Tuesday, we picked up Geoff and whizzed into town to the old East Sydney Technical college (now the National Art School) grounds to see a exhibition by painter Ben Quilty - he won the Archibald Prize a few years ago with his portrait of fellow artist Margaret Olley - and all three of us like his work.  

Mr Quilty was commissioned by the Australian government to be official War Artist for the Aussie troops in Afghanistan.   He was in the thick of it for a few months, came home and asked soldiers who he had sketched while on duty there to come to his studio and sit for him.   The style of painting here is done with a palette knife and other implements and has a very masculine, hard quality.  I really like it.

Ben Quilty exhibition 26.2.13 - Aussie soldiers with PTSD after Afghan duties

We decided to do a quick tour around the grounds of the National Art School. The building are all from the early convict days of early Sydney and one little one intrigued me enough to take a photo; its a small tiny one but it was the mortuary from when the place was a prison.

The old mortuary, Nat. Art School campus; 26.2.13

After viewing this exhibition, and the ghoulish mortuary, we repaired for coffee around the corner to discover the zebra crossing across to Taylor Square had turned into a lorikeet crossing!  (see below)  This was for the Mardi Gras but there are moves afoot to keep it there.  It cost a fortune but the MG brings in huge crowds for the parade and party and Sydney benefits greatly from the extra tourists.

Rainbow Mardi Gras crossing, 26.2.13

After a spot of dinner it was off to see one of the MG Film Festival offerings; "Bear City 2".

Now for those not in the know, this is NOT a cartoon about Yogi Bear or similar; its about 'bears' as in gay hairy chaps (usually older) who have a big following.  Their followers and fans are knows as 'cubs' and are usually younger men (and from the film we saw the "cubs" are decidedly un-hairy).  It was, I assure you,  a clean laugh out loud comedy and having never seen this type of movie before, I have to say I really enjoyed it.

The movie was being screened upstairs in the 'Ginger' bar of the Oxford Hotel (just to the left of the rainbow crossing above) and we walked upstairs with our tickets and sat down in the huge bar/lounge.  Matt kindly dashed to the bar before the movie started and got me a Diet Coke.   As I stood up to straighten my skirt, I glanced around the room I realised something kinda strange:  I was the ONLY women (straight or otherwise) in a saloon of about 100 leather clad and somewhat hirsute men.   Wow!

But in case you are wondering, yes, there was a ladies toilet.  A bit underused looking but there nontheless...

Below is link to IMDB review of this movie...


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2005156/?ref_=sr_1

---------

Now the other joy about being back in Sydney's is that I could hit the charity shops big time.  As I've said on many a blog in the past, about 80% of my clothes come from 'Op shops' and the money I save goes on getting my hair done once a month, and keeping myself in chocolate bars.

If any of the chaps reading this have a nervous disposition, they should look away now, as I am about to get all girly and show off some of my op shop finds.   

To me, it was like big game hunting, only looking for clothes and accessories, and I loved every minute of it.  Matt was not so keen, but I've learnt to sit him down somewhere in the shop with a good book while I have a scout around.

On entering The Smith Family charity op-shop in Dee Why, (Sydney Northern Beaches) I spotted this hat on a display and immediately tried it on.  It fitted and joy of joys, everything in the shop that day was half price!   Yes!  What a find...  ( I am a hat person and have a lovely collection of them).

Designer hat found in charity shop 28.2.13

The next day things improved still further when I found a tiny size 2 1/2 (my size!) shoes from the 1940s I would say in the Lifeline charity shop in Manly.   Aren't they great?  They are cream satin and probably a wedding shoe.    Happy days...

Wedding shoes - found in Lifeline shop, Manly 27.2.13

Earlier, we had visited Warringah Mall and found this dress on sale in one of the dress shops - Paul Dane - in the downstairs courtyard.   

Paul Dane dress found on sale -  Warringah Mall; 27.2.13

My lovely husband Matt, knowing what a op shop lover I am, was happy to come with me to check out another op -shop - the Lifeline charity shop in Balgowlah, a huge store and one of my faves.

Scored this pink dress by George Gross (Aussie designer) and 3 handbags.

 a pink dress  - which of course needs a pink bag...

but then I found 2 other bags I had to have; one a black (fake) Jimmy Choo bag (un-used):

and the other one was a white Fiorelli (designer) bag...  very good condition

-------

Now dear readers,  you are wondering how I got all my finds back to Magnetic Island?  As the Boy Scouts say 'be prepared' - which if you see my handbag complete with Swiss Army knife, you know I always am ready for most things.

Knowing I would be hitting the op shops, Matt and I shared one biggish suitcase and put a zip sports bag inside that case,  for toting back anything we bought while away.   One of my better ideas...

------

The time in Sydney just flew, the weather turned wet and before we knew it was Saturday, 2nd March and the day of the big party.   I was lucky to be able to get to my old hair dressers 'The Salon' at Narraweena, and although unable to get my usual stylist, Julie, to straighten my hair, Laura did a fine job.

A quick dinner of bacon and eggs (perfect for dancing the night away) and we got dressed up for our big night out.  

Before the MG Party 2013;   2 Mar. 13; 

Many thanks to Michael Zanetti, who kindly hosted a pre party drinks thingy at his place in Redfern, Sydney; it was great to see our chum, Chris M.  and meet up with some other chaps who were ready to have a ball!  

And the party?  No rain, thank the gods, and it was an Absolutely Fabulous (great title for a TV show maybe?) party, but I digress.  The local DJs belted out some great tunes, we met up with Michael and some of his pals on the dance floor the time just flew, as it does when one is having a good time.

We danced and danced until about 6am and decided that now feeling a bit exhausted, that it was probably time to go.

After a sleep until midday - the next day (Sunday) was spent just recovering from all that exertion. Movies watched, chocolate eaten and we were in bed by 9pm.  

On Monday we packed our bags for the trip back to Magnetic Island.    The big suitcase when weighed was 20kg and the sports bag about 10kg so we were a bit concerned we may be over the limit.  A lot.   If we had to we would take the heaviest stuff on in our backpacks as hand luggage and try to avoid excess luggage fees -  this trick has worked for me in the past.

On Tuesday morning we arrived at the airport and smiling sweetly at the check in man, we got our bags on with no extra charge (we were 1kg under with combined limits!).  Phew!  

And of course, what happens every time we fly - we get stopped by the bomb detector man.  

Its sort of a joke now, that one of us will get the once over, but on a flight to Melbourne we both got scanned - a record of some sort...  

Rushing to the food court, as we sat down to breakfast we found out our flight would be delayed by 30 mins, so no need to rush.   Is it just me or is anyone else wound up by just getting to the airport and checking in?  I've never missed a plane in my life but have a horror of doing that so I try and get to terminals well before the flight is meant to leave.

At last we got on our flight.  Relaxing a bit and reading the New Scientist mags that I had neglected the last few weeks, the time flew and we were landing in Townsville.   It was 32C and sunny. Lovely...  

It was nice to come home and get back Eric, who was sporting a new haircut and looking very suave,  from Maria.  Eric was jumping like a firecracker on our arrival, very happy to see us.


OK fans I am stopping NOW on the blog as it is Friday 29 March (Good Friday) and Matt has just announced (9am) we are going away on a surprise mystery trip for the long weekend, and to pack my bags!

So next blog I'll tell all!


ADIOS AMIGOS

LOUISE

P.S

Please see link below of fellow blogger   -  the Citizen Rosebud - who is worth a look...


<a href="http://www.thecitizenrosebud.com/p/the-40-blog-roll.html"target="blank"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7151054175_165ae26b97.jpg" width="200" height="245" alt="http://www.thecitizenrosebud.com/p/the-40-blog-roll.html" /></a>

Its very wet and the monsoon has arrived!

Good morning,  players and stayers...

Louise here at the helm of the blog with the latest and greatest adventures in Paradise, commonly known as Magnetic island, Far Nth Queensland.

And today, its not so lovely, as it is absolutely lashing it down with rain.

Our monsoon is over 5 weeks overdue, but Cyclone Oswald has just finished making land fall up the road (1137 kms) at Weipa (the very north of Queensland) and luckily it was only a Category 1 cyclone, i.e not very destructive, but it developed into a rain depression -  and just to give an idea of what a rainstorm is like, imagine the heaviest rain,  then times that by ten.   Palm trees are swaying at 45 degree angles, and bits of leaves are flying through the air.  Its kinda scary.  Glad I am indoors.

The garden is a lake, my lorrikeets look like bedraggled colourful clowns with feathers and our (new) dog Eric (who had his testicles chopped off yesterday at the vets) is looking very sad and sorry.  I can't even take him out in the rain, as his stitches have to say dry.   Bugger!

Eric's owner is moving to Townsville and couldn't take him with her, so as we have been looking after him for a while when required, we were only too happy to have him permanently.

On a different note, I have to say I was very disappointed that when I asked the local vet Alison yesterday, if I could get 2 for the price of 1, and get Matt's nuts chopped off too,  she said 'no'!   (Matt was not amused and gave me that look of 'wait till I get you home...').

As the rain comes down in sheets and I have to turn up Triple J on the radio to hear above the din on our metal roof, I realise it's a perfect day to do the blog.

Before I forget - I trust my reader(s) had a lovely Christmas and New Year.

As I am now a 'born again' Humanist:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism

with a touch of Epicurus thrown in:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicurus   

I am somewhat worried about using the word 'Christmas' at all, and Happy Holidays sounds just too American to my ears,  (apologies to my US Readers).   Maybe 'Beautiful break' sounds better, but then again it could also be a bad compound fracture.

My poor brain cannot think of suitable substitute word for Noel, but I trust my readers cracked open a few bottles of a suitable beverage and just relaxed.

Our break was very quiet -  we were dog sitting Eric on right (see below) and Rusty, Matt's Nana's dog.   For the first time in 16 years, we had 25 December on our own - and my picnic plans to attend the local beach with the doggies was scratched as it bloody well rained on Christmas Eve.    This meant the sand would be too wet to sit on, so we improvised and had our prawns and champagne on the decking with the hounds.

Matt with Rusty and Eric 25.12.12 (Matt wearing our one bit of Xmas decorations!)

The weather cheered up on Boxing Day with all of us (dogs included) making it to Geoffrey Bay for a swim.  Our normal beach at Horseshoe Bay had an algae bloom in the water, so that was out.

Before I forget, we have a new addition to our home;  Eric the Silky terrier (who has been seen in the blog here in the past) is now our doggie.

Matt with Eric, 26.12.12 Geoffrey Bay

New Years Eve was the same -  quiet as Townsville on a Wednesday night -  and we stayed in for the first time in yonks,  again the heavens opened and it absolutely bucketed down with rain.  Luckily the booze came out and we drank a few 'wee drams' of good Scotch whiskey while watching the Edinburgh Military tattoo.  As I am half Scottish, the Tattoo is one of my favourite spectacles to watch  - Matt and I have been to the very car park in Edinburgh where its filmed and its really rather small.   Aah -  the magic of television...  

Now, what I really love at this time of the year is what I call 'the lost week'.

That week between December 25th and January 1st,  when no one knows what the hell day it is - (is it Tuesday darling?  I think the bins need putting out...) -  the fridge gets raided even when I don't feel hungry,  and there's nothing much on the TV except some good stuff on the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation - sort of like the BBC in UK).  And if the ABC lets me down, its the DVD pile that friends have been kind enough to lend out.

Oh  - I must just explain what I asked Matt to get me as an Xmas present; Yes -  I may be a humanist, but never let the opportunity pass by for one's husband to get generous.

 It was not the pearls and diamonds that I know he wanted to splash out on that I desired (if only that damn Lotto would come good!)  but something more simple, something that I have been asking to do together for the the last 18 months.  (Those of you with your minds below your waistbands can stop smirking now when I tell you  - it was to take me fishing!)

Yep, the rods and reels have been languishing in the shed gathering dust, and, as we are short of dosh I knew this was one pressie that Matt could deliver on with little expense incurred.

Before I get carried away with our little fishing adventure, I should explain why we having fishing rods at all.  

In 2010 we decided to have a huge seachange -  In 2009, my Dad had passed away with the dreaded lung cancer which made me evaluate everything:  so we bought a camper van, quit work and off we went for 10 months cruising around Australia.   Just before we set off on our trip, my darling husband comes home with a very long skinny package.

Figuring it was not a coffin for Kate Moss, I asked (probably stupidly) 'What's that'?
Matt replies 'Fishing rods, one for you and one for me.'
'Matt, when was the last time you went fishing'? I asked pointedly.
My lovely husband looked at his shoes.
'Yeah OK, not for a while, I'll admit to that'.
I drew a breath.  'So, how much were they?'
Again Matt looked at his old Nike trainers.
'$300  - but they were in the sale...'  his voice trailed off as he could see my eyebrows practically shooting off the top of my forehead.
'$300!  Bloody hell Matt, we're meant to be doing this trip on a shoestring! What got into you to spend that?  Why do we even need fishing rods'?

Then the truth came out.

'Well, I thought that being stuck in the van all day, every day, as we will, I might need a bit of space to myself, and this way darling, well, well, you can be going around the charity shops and I'll go fishing - you know I get bored when you're looking for bargains...'

How can I argue with logic like that?   Trying to keep a straight face I said 'OK, I get your point, but I'm happy to take them as long as they get used - by both of us preferably - fair enough?'

Matt gave me a hug and said 'Yeah of course darling, I'll use them heaps; there's some fantastic lakes in Tasmania I fancy dropping some bait into...'

Dropping the rods onto the floor, Matt went out the kitchen and came back in with another box.  Medium sized.  And rattling.

'OK, Matt, what's that?' I say looking at it in amazement.

'Oh, that's nothing much, just a $50 tackle box and hooks that I got as well...'

Seeing my eyes widen even further,  he realises he is on a very 'sticky wicket' and has the brains to quickly exit the house as I reach for the knife block and his treasured collection of Global knives.

'It was on sale too!' he shouts over his shoulder.

I realise that maybe, just maybe, extreme provocation over a tackle box, would not be sufficient grounds to get me off a 'diminished responsibility' murder defence, and I decide to let him leg it.

There's a happy ending to the story though;  Matt came home 30 mins later with a family sized block of Cadbury chocolate, so all was forgiven.

Oh -  one more thing.  The fishing interludes on the trip?  Yep,  you guessed it, we only went fishing ONCE and only then because it was that damn lake in Tassie.  Total catch: zero!

That's why I was asking for this fishing jaunt at the Picnic bay jetty -  let's hope I can get this to be a regular experience, I actually enjoyed it, despite catching - you guessed it - nothing.  Matt had his bait taken so there's hope that at least one fish was under the jetty?

For those interested, the blog of our trans Australia trip is at    www.loma2010.blogspot.com

Monday 7.1.13 

Louise on Picnic Bay (disused) Jetty, enjoying my Xmas pressie...  It was 34C and hot!

Matt's parents were away until 11 January and they have something at their place that we do not - a swimming pool!  So for a few glorious days we used it and loved it.

Matt in pool with Eric 5.1.13

While on the decking at Matt's folks place the 2 doggies, Eric and Rusty began whining and going nuts; we soon realised why.  The resident possum was awake (they are usually nocturnal) and was walking up the handrail to where we were sitting.   Matt said 'Oh I think Mum told me she feeds a possum with missing teeth...'  and there he was, bold as brass.

Matt and new chum, 5.1.13

Note that deformed (?) front tooth on Mr Possum here.  5.1.13

Sunbird nest 5.1.13

We have some fantastic birds here on Magnetic island, none so clever at nest building than the Sunbird.  These tiny little yellow beauties cheep around and fly like fighter jets between the palm trees.  They build these amazing nests (see above) but compare this to the one in the link (below) and you will wonder what that swirly bit is in the middle?  These birds are so smart, (and have made nests here for years) that this new nest here has incorporated the clapper part of some wind chimes hanging under the house, and made it part of the nest.  

We had a nest at our house too, but no chicks were seen in it, and then we got told that Sunbirds will make a 'dummy' nest to fool predators.  Wow - how clever is that?  My admiration is huge.

http://magneticisland.s4space.com.au/bird%20pics/sbird.jpg

While I am raving on about the wildlife, here is a snap of one of the skinks in our garden, sunning himself on the upturned dish I use for the lorikeets food, which the possums had pushed off the bird table.

Skink :  15.1.13

One of our chums Bill had to go to Mackay down the road, and asked us to dog sit his new puppy Pedro, who is a Jug, (that's 1/2 Jack Russell, and 1/2 Pug), sounds an awful combination but he is very cute.  (see below)

Of course puppies are like babies, I realised quickly and this one will poo and wee when the mood takes him;  luckily we have a tiled floor so it was not a drama.  But the weird thing is, Eric our new doggie who is 8 yrs old and (we thought) kind of together, was shit scared of Pedro!  We tried to persuade Eric with treats to get close, he did for 2 mins to eat the treat, then legged it.  Pedro thought it was a game and chased him until Eric growled at him and Pedro hid under the coffee table.    

Pedro: 21.01.13 - cute or what?

I was kinda sad to give him back yesterday.

Just in time for us to get off the extra kilos we both stacked on over the holiday period, we discovered the "5:2 Diet".  

Yeah, OK,  I know, another bloody diet that I'm endorsing.  But this one has scientific backing and basically its eat normally for 5 days and fast on 600 cals (500 for women) for the other 2 days. All sorts of health benefits are documented.  

So far 2kgs lost and into my third week of it.  For those people interested, see the article from the The Australian newspaper below and try and watch the BBC Horizon program 'Eat, Fast, Live Longer' in which Dr Michael Moseley investigates it and gives it a whirl -  its available to view on YouTube.  ( Dr Moseley also interviews a 101 yr old Indian man who did the London Marathon...)

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/running-on-empty/story-e6frg8h6-1226555300289

I have a 'before' photo in my bikini but I am keeping up my sleeve, until I get to my desired weight and I'll wear the same bikini and take an 'after' photo.  Today is one of my fast days, (I like to do the 2 fast days consecutively) and distribute the 500 cals into 3 meals.  Breakfast was 1 slice bread, 3 tbsp baked beans, lemon tea:  Lunch: small can tuna and tomatoes, more tea.  Dinner? Not sure, may go mad and have some bananas and watermelon?  Yes, there are the odd hunger pangs, but another cup of lemon tea (no sugar) usually stops them.   My mind becomes very clear on fasting day 2, which is a bonus.

I have to say the breakfast on the next normal eating day is like nectar of the gods!   (Banana pancakes rule!)

Just one more pic  - this is me on Boxing day before going to the beach ...  Gotta love those kaftans - they cover a multitude of sins!

Louise 26.12.12

The rain is still teeming down, but I will end here and see if I can make it to the mail box without needing wellies, an umbrella and a raincoat.  

Ciao for now.

Just a quick plug here for our coffee cups...  $24.99 and free postage worldwide

readitbackwards.com

Louise xxx

(all comments welcome)

Shoe shop witches, total eclipses, Ball glitches...

Good morning, moovers and groovers - its the Lovely Louise here at the blog helm once again.

Adventures? I've had a few, but then again too few to mention?  

Well, apologies to Cranky Franky, but I think I will have to mention them, letting my loyal fans of this blog know what I have been up to.

A quick weather report:  Magnetic Island is heating up!

Its 31C today, a few clouds in the sky, but mercifully not that much humidity:  a perfect day for yours truly to tap the typewriter with the ceiling fan whirling above her head.

Ball Glitches

On Saturday 6th October was the annual Magnetic Island Beach Ball (ball, as in dance) at the Arcadia surf club.  This was the very first one we had ever attended.  The theme was formal or tropical and a mixture of both was allowed,  so we kinda did both.     Various banners around the island declared 'Band Marathon' and I thought 'Oh OK, a few bands playing, should be good'?  

Hold that thought.

I decided that as I don't get out that much, and with my lovely clothes with sequins languishing at the back on my wardrobe,  saying, 'wear me!' that I would pull out all the stops and get a bit dressed up.

Here is the result below.

Louise: Before the ball: 6.10.12

Matt before the ball: 6.10.12

I should explain about that new hair colour I am sporting: Its a wig!  

A jet black one, (new) that I was lucky enough to find at the local flea market here on the island.    

(The last time I wore a wig - which was blonde - was when I was a film extra back in UK, on the movie 'The Birth of the Beatles' 1979  -  but that is a whole new blog, so trust me, I'll stop here, before I go running like Usain Bolt down Memory Lane...)

After realising that I had to pin my hair flat to my head, and use the hair net provided, all was good, although it did feel like a swimming cap at first.  

I also decided to wear way too much black eyeliner,  but I thought if I'm going to look dark and mysterious, why not?

Matt decided to go half and half dress wise that is, and I found that my sequin shorts that I've had for yonks were doing the 'flying V' at the zip -  i.e  I'm too fat for them - so I had to don my plain old black shorts instead.    

Just to explain, I went looking in Townsville's shops for 'going out' shorts and unless I want to swan around looking like a 'crack ho' (i.e with tiny shorts up my backside), trust me there is bugger all normal ones for anyone over 25 to wear.   So my old ones had to suffice.

Around 6.30pm we drove down to Arcadia, parked the car and walked over to the Arcadia Surf Club.   Greeted by the lady taking the tickets with 'Wow!  You guys look great!'  we walk down the steps to the tables and chairs set out for the revellers,  and I sadly realise why she was so enthralled with our outfits. Hardly anyone has got dressed up!  Oh bugger it, who cares, we are here now, so lets get a drink or three and enjoy the bands...

Now that's where the next slight disappointment set in.    

Still holding that thought from above?  

Turns out there is not a "Band Marathon", that is, a roll call of the best bands on the island - Oh no:  the band playing at the Beach Ball is named 'Marathon'.  Stupid me read the sign wrong.  

Ah well, time to down another red wine, and  after glass no. 3 we are up dancing to "Marathon" (a cover band) with a great lady singer who knows how to belt out a few good tunes.  

We leave about 10-30pm when most of the other patrons also decided to call it quits.   The turnout for the event was quite low according to some other people I met at the next table.  Only about 1/3rd of the expected crowd.     I wonder as my somewhat spinning head hits the pillow if we shall be attending the same Ball next year?  Maybe...  But I think the sequins will be staying at home.

Styling Up

I am a big fan of the web site 'Advanced Style'  as I have testified in earlier blogs.

http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com.au/ 

So...  I think I can take my ego for a walk and add some pics of me, dressed up and ready to go into town?   

I have so many great clothes just begging to be worn, although of course in the tropics wearing anything but a T-Shirt and shorts is considered dressed up.   But damn it, I can be a fashionista if I want to?!

Louise - off to the hairdressers ( Mondobassi Hair, Flinders St.) ; 9.10.2012

And speaking of getting dressed up, here is Matt in his new work uniform a la Steve Irwin: 'Crikey!'

Matt in new uniform: 8.10.12

Telling Tales

"A modern day fairy story"

Years ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was a terrific nightclub called DCM (Don't Call Mama) in Oxford St., Sydney, that was frequented by the beautiful people of that fair city.  They had the same banging DJs on every Saturday night who played to a packed crowd of happy revellers.  But Sydney City Council one day, decided to allow a block of units to be built very close to this club and guess what?  DCM had to close down due to noise problems.   A very sad tale.  

The club tried moving up the road, to another premise, but it was not the same and it went into decline.    

Then years later, a wonderful thing happened - some of the old DJs plus some of the original beautiful people  got together to have a reunion party, in the Arthouse in Pitt St. Sydney.  They called it 'Passion' and it was such a success that they had another: this too was huge and so, it was decided to have them every 6 months, just in case anyone was still interested in dancing to those old tunes and having an amazing time once more.    They had one rule only, you had to be over 27 years old to get in.

And the people were, and it came to pass, that they all danced, all night till dawn, and lived happily ever after.   

The End.

 I should explain the above.  (And no, I've not been on the magic mushrooms).

Matt and I frequented DCM Club in the late 90s /00s and had many a fun filled time dancing the night away.  

Friends were flying in from the Gold Coast, Melbourne and we were coming from Townsville  -  Sounds like a "knees up" to Matt and I.   

So, when we found out about 10 of our buddies were going to the next 'Passion' party, plus the Bondi Sculpture by the Sea exhibition was on at the same time, well, we had to go, didn't we?  And the airfares were duly booked.

Shoe Shop Witches

I have to backtrack a bit here, and ask you to look at me in those pink sequins above: check out the boots, my size 35 kids boots I got in Target about 7 years ago, and wow - they have lasted.  My dancing boots I call them, but on packing them away to go down to Sydney to the "Passion" party,  I was horror struck!  The black vinyl was coming away from the heels and looked very sad indeed - Bugger!  What to do?  I showed Matt and he agreed they looked crap, so I said 'I'll take them and try and get a pair of boots in Chinatown, as the shops there do small sizes for the local Asian ladies'.    Sounded like a plan, so they were packed and off we went.

We landed on Thursday 1st November to a Sydney heatwave of 34C - it was 30C when we left Townsville - so it felt normal.   We had a room booked at the Metro in Pitt St, (cnr Campbell) and dropping our bags in our room, around 5 pm we decided a walk around Chinatown nearby was in order.  After a fab dinner,  I persuaded Matt to shop with me for a pair of boots in my tiny size.  

The first shop we tried that I had been to in the past, had gone bust, so we tried a few more, with little success.  We went into the Market City shopping complex again to be disappointed with the choices and sizes available.  

But the shoe gods were smiling upon me, as we wandered up an arcade in Thomas St and found a tiny ladies shoe shop  - Angel Shoes.  

Better was to come when I saw a row of boots and a sign saying 'One Pair $69, 2 Pairs $100' and my heart sang!  I found a pair of black calf length boots with black rhinestones on the outside of the legs.   I asked the one lady working there is they had a size 35 and she came out with a pair in my size;  like Cinderella on a short black coffee, I nervously tried them on.  They fitted me!   Result!   

While admiring myself in the mirror, the sales lady came back with another pair from the shelf; 'No thanks, I only want one pair' I smiled.  None of the others on offer were pushing my buttons.

Matt went outside the tiny shop and waited for me to pay.  Whipping out the Visa at warp speed, I passed it over to the sales lady.  

Now, luckily for me, and I have no idea why, I actually asked the question. 'How much do I owe you?' before the card got swiped.   

She said to me  'they are $159.00, thank you.'   

Now, unless my powers of observation have really faded or that Laksa I ate was an alcoholic one, that sign on the shelf said "$69.00".   I slowly turned and pointed to the sign, and as turned back she was holding the price ticket from the sole of the boots on the end of her index finger, that indeed, did say $159.00.   

'But the sign says $69!' I protested.   

'Yes, but that is for the boots under the sign only.' she purrs at me.

As I always say, you can't con a con man (or woman), and growing up in the east end of London, I knew when someone was 'trying it on' from miles away.   

I quickly sang out to Matt on the foot way, 'Matt, these boots aren't $69, they're $159.00!'   

I have to say here that one of the great advantages of being married is that your partner knows when a certain look speaks volumes: as in this case with Matt looking at my pained expression.

Matt said 'No bugger it, that's too expensive, we'll go back to that other shop up the road.'     

Grabbing my Visa card I made for the door, and hadn't got more than a few centimetres when I heard, 'Wait, I give you staff discount!'  Her hands flashed over the pocket calculator on the counter.   'Now they are only $79!'   

Well, what to do?  Take umbridge and walk out, leaving behind the only decent pair of boots I'd seen, or bite the bullet and pay $10 extra?   I decided to pay the $10 extra, as traipsing around the shops, and looking again, did not appeal.  Especially with Matt in tow -  so the Visa was swiped by the now disappointed looking sales lady, and my boots were quickly wrapped up.

On walking back to the hotel, with boots in hand, Matt was fuming...

'How can they try and con us like that?  Do they think we are two dumb bloody tourists just arrived in town?'   

I could only agree with him, 'Don't let this spoil our time here Matt,  I have the boots I want, OK, so we paid $10 more that we should, but it sure beats me dragging you around again looking for a pair?'  

After a few minutes of waiting for traffic lights to change, Matt say my logic said 'Yeah, OK.'

I said, 'thank the gods you twigged what was going on, and you realised she was trying to con me, and you said that they were too expensive...'

Matt shot me a look.  'After all this time together Louise, when have you ever paid that much for a pair of boots?  I was serious about you not getting them!'   

I realised my theory,  that a bit of 'marriage telepathy' was going on back in that shop, was shot down in flames.   Matt knew I was a cheapskate, right enough.    But no matter,  I had the boots I wanted at sort of the price I (sort of) wanted to pay.

The new dancing boots:  01/11/12 (the day after the first wear...)

Sea Side Sculptures

Next day, Friday 2nd we met up with our good chum Geoff in the lobby of our hotel, to go and see the annual Bondi Sculpture by the Sea Exhibition.  

This is a huge event, with artists from all over the world hoping they will get asked to exhibit.  On Friday the temperature had dropped to 21C,  luckily it was sunny and the forecasted rain did not appear.   But to us, it felt cold!  (We left a steamy 31C  in Townsville) so the beret and jacket were worn.

Geoff and Louise, Bondi Beach Sculpture by the sea, 02/11/12

Matt and Geoff inside one of the sculptures, Bondi Headland. 02/11/12 (not sure we were allowed to go inside!)

This sculpture is named 'The optimist' (he has his fingers crossed behind his back) 

 02.11.12 - Bondi Headland

"View" Bondi headland 02/11/12

Matt and Geoff on one the benches/sculptures, Bondi, 02/11/12

My only gripe about this years Bondi Sculpture Walk was that it was teeming with school groups, out to do a project on the artworks.  It took the gloss off a bit, having to jostle kids out of the way so we could see the sculptures too.    But apart from that, it was definitely worth seeing.  We took the bus back to Bondi Junction and had a lovely long lunch in the food court at the local shopping centre.  Geoff kindly hung around with us the rest of the day, and after dinner in Chinatown, we sadly waved goodbye to him as he caught the bus from the City, to his home on Sydney's Northern Beaches.  

Passion Parties

The next day, Saturday, the day of the big party, we met our chum Kelly for lunch at Market City, Chinatown.  The funny part here is that she and Matt went into the Converse Store (after lunch) and each got a pair of shoes.   

Our chum Jono who was coming out with us to the Passion Party, met us at the hotel, and we all got ready early to go to Kelly's house in Erskinville for a few drinks before the party.  As we were next to Central Station it was only 3 stops away, and she was near the station.   Around 7pm, we set off.

We met our chums Vince and Tony, as they were getting off the same train that we had caught, and it was only a 2 minute walk to Kelly's place.  About 10 of us old DCM clubbers were present there, and after a few glasses of vino it was just like the old days.  

Around 10 pm we decided we should get our bums into a few taxis and head for the Arthouse Hotel in Pitt St, Sydney City.  Arriving outside, there was a line up to get in, (much to my surprise) and after waiting a bit we charged inside.  The old tunes were pumping, and we soon bumped into some more old chums, and the good times began to roll.

It must have been a fab night, as we all didn't leave until about 4.30am, and its all a bit of a blur...

Jonathan, Louise and Matt before the party; Matt and I in our new shoes!  3.11.12

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Aj4spCWiuI

The link above is a Youtube 3 min video of the Passion party that night if anyone is interested in looking...  (sad to say, no sign of us in the vid.  although the camera was near us; that much I do remember!)

Yes,  that pink sequin top came out again.   As I knew it was going to be hot! hot! hot! at the party, I thought 'bugger it' I'll wear it  once more.  A fantastic night, made even more so by the age policy - you have to be over 27 to get in.   Being (ahem) slightly over 27,  I just scraped in...  

The next one is on 1st June 2013 and we shall give it serious thought to going down and part-ay-ing all over again...

A Shaggy dog story

The last few weekends we have been "dog sitting" Eric the Yorkshire Terrier.  A cute little bugger, he schmoozes his way into your affections.  As dogs (and some men!) tend to do.

Here is the little scamp on Horseshoe Bay beach and the good thing is that he can swim, but he is not too keen on deep water.

Eric, 11.11.12 Horseshoe bay Beach

After taking him home we gave him a bit of a shower, to get the salt water off of him and to cool him down - its rough when its 30c and you are wearing a fur coat...

Eric getting a cool down from Matt 11.11.12

As Monty Python used to say :  And now for something completely different... 

A total eclipse of the alarm clock

The total solar eclipse happened up the road in Cairns, on November 14th.  The place was packed out with 'eclipse chasers' and as there was not another one in Australia until 2028, we decided we would get up at 6am to see what of it we could from here in Magnetic Island.  

We are about 380km away from Cairns and as such, we only got 80% of the eclipse, to the total 'full monty' up the road.    But alack and alas, we thought we had set the alarm clock, but who knows what happened but we slept through the whole thing, and had to watch it on the ABC Breakfast TV at 8 am.  Bummer! For those interested, here is the link to the Cairns tourist information net page detailing the whole thing:

http://www.eclipsecairns.com/

Tears for trailers...

Look what I found at Horseshoe Bay Beach...

A very cute teardrop caravan from the 1950s I would say:  25.10.12

I love the way the canopy above matches its paintwork.

Oh, before I forget; does anyone remembers the photos I took of Greg singing at Noodies Restaurant in Horseshoe Bay, in September, in my last blog?

Well, I have entered 3 of them in the National Gallery of Australia photographic portrait prize.  Wish me luck, and of course if anything happens in that regard, I shall be blogging about it, in a very big typeface...

Before I go, I just want to leave readers with an idea for a fab Christmas gift;  

One of our coffee mugs;

Just go to our website as describe on the cup and pay via Paypal: easy peasy!

I shall be posting again in January, all being well.  We are having  Christmas and New year at home for once, but having Christmas day lunch on the beach in 38C will not be such a hardship I feel.  

As I always say my one gripe about having a hot Christmas here in Australia is that you have to look good in a bikini!  (In my old life in UK, I could put on a bit of weight and hide it under 2 woolly jumpers).

My other famous saying is 'thank god I'm an atheist',  so Happy Holidays to all and have a fun and safe new year.

Adios Amigos -    -  - Louise

Skips, trips, bones and other stuff in between...

G'day moovers, groovers, winners and lovers!

Its Louise here once again with the goss, glitter, glamour and guffaws about life here on Magnetic Island in sunny far North Queensland.

Let's start with a quick weather report.

Now, can you believe I have had to break out the pink flannelette moo cow pajamas, plus the ugg boots as it has been down to 7c some nights here during our winter months of July/August? A scary mental picture I know, even Matt had a laugh at me in that outfit.

As we have been here on 'Maggie' now for over a year, I have realised that, yes, it does get cold at night, so cold that the doona/duvet had to be dragged out from where it was hiding, kicking and screaming.    What! you shout, you are meant to be lazing around a pool drinking cocktails and wearing a bikini - and speaking of them, as I always say if anyone asks me if I like cocktails;  'Tell me some!'

Sorry, weird sense of humour - blame my father.  Let me get my brains from my fishnets to the Internet.

So enough of my moaning about the weather -  what have I been up to, that will exhilarate and excite my readers?

Well we have started our own coffee mug web site;  please see pic below.

Just go to 

www.readitbackwards.com 

if you wish to purchase one of our mugs...we post worldwide

We wanted to do T Shirts originally with this design on, but it would a nightmare to get going, as we needed male/ female styles, 3 sizes in each and we wanted anything we did to be "made in Australia".  The cost would have meant we had to sell them for about $40.00 each -which is a lot -  so we then sat and had a brain storming session and realised that 99% of everyone we know has a coffee mug. Made in Australia; one size fits all and easy to post;  $25.99 (free postage).   The coffee mug for clubbers and others...

OK - my advert is over - I'll get back on track and relate the recent adventures.

I am looking at my diary to see that the last blog I did went out on 14 July!  Oh the shame of it, I am meant to be doing a blog once a month.  Sometimes life gets in the way.  (sigh...)

Beach bones

Walking along Nelly Bay beach on 19 July we came across some bones that had been washed up.  Most of you probably get dead seagulls, plastic bags or other junk on your beaches -  we get giant sea turtles...  

This is part of the back shell (carapace) of a turtle; Matt's size 9 foot in corner of shot.  23.7.12

Matt's size 9 thong next to turtle jawbone.  Nelly bay beach  23.7.12

 We both felt very sad to find these bones, plus we found some turtle skin  further up the beach.  Our local vet Alison has received rescued giant turtles, kept them in her back office in tanks and managed to restore them back to health.  After Cyclone Yasi went through the area in Feb 2011 a lot of the sea grass these animals eat was destroyed by the sea surges.   The dugongs are similarly effected and many of these lovely creatures are dying of starvation.  They get tired looking for food and often wash up on the beaches here.   Providing we get no cyclones this season, (around Dec/Jan) and providing the sea grass can grow back, the local turtles should start breeding once more. 

Skip diving

On Tuesday 24 July I decided to pay my local favourite cake maker Peta Headrick of Cake Celebrations (0747 785 710) a quick visit to say hello, and I noticed the house 2 doors down from her had a skip/dumpster parked outside, on the nature strip, filled with stuff to be taken away to the tip.  

Now my motto is 'always have a look in the skip in case there's something decent inside'  but I thought I would do the right thing and ask Peta if she knew anything about it.   As she beat to death some icing sugar in a bowl in her kitchen, she told me the owners of the house had left and that she thought it would be OK for me to 'liberate' anything I fancied - after all, who wants to fill up the local tip, if things can be re-homed and reused?  Armed with this good advice, I made my way back over to the skip.

I am sorry to admit,  I did not take any photos of the skip, I'd left the camera at home, as I was planning just to say hi to Petah, pass on some of my gossip magazines  and that would be it.  But as I am a born opportunist, I had to (of course) grab anything that I fancied.  

As I always say, Free is my second favourite "F" word...

The skip was about 2 m x 1.50m high and 1.50m wide.  (hold that thought).  

Here I should explain, that the thing I really wanted was hanging like a drunk man onto a lamp post, on top of this very full skip.  What I had spied was an old blue tin trunk, a bit shabby and dented, looking worse for wear, but nothing I couldn't fix.

Rescued trunk; 25.7.12 (on our decking) needing a good clean and makeover

And after scrub and rub and a lick of paint;  13.9.12  

(I plan to house a few of the many handbags I have in it)

Reaching on tip toes and slowing dragging the edge of the trunk until I could grab one of its side handles, I manoeuvred it to my shoulder,  then slid it onto the grass.

There was so much great stuff in the skip, it was (for me) like bloody Christmas.   

I found 3 new with flower drawings in them, photo frames (glass intact) about 50cm x 75 cm which I carefully lent up on the skip's side.  Just as I was retrieving a golf umbrella, this stern voice said 'Louise, what are you doing?'  

Catching my breath,  I quickly turned around to see my other neighbour Gwen, laughing at my discomfort.  

'Oh,  Gwen you nearly gave me a heart attack!'   I could see Gwen admiring the 3 frangipangi flower framed prints and said to her 'would you like those?'  

'Oh yeah, think they could look good in my place...'  and I passed them over to her and the 2 of us continued to scour through the skip and its contents for the next few minutes or so.

Suddenly Gwen was cowering down at the side of the skip, keeping low to the ground. She grabbed my T Shirt and pulled me down too, and had her finger to her lips:  I was somehow catapulted back to being in primary school, when you know there is something 'going on' but you're not too sure what  and you just copy the other person.    She whispered to me  'Bloody hell! It's Doug!'*   Not wishing to blow our cover I found myself whispering back 'whose Doug?'   

Well it turns out, Doug,  (a rather cantankerous old chap) was the father of the house owner, who had left the property earlier.  He had driven alongside the skip, parked his 4WD  and when Gwen saw him coming,  she dived for cover.   We stayed crouched down like this for a few minutes as he went inside.  Gwen whispered 'We'll have to leave this stuff and run back to Peta's house'.   

I am sorry but as I was now covered in dust and grime from my labours and had dragged that blue tin trunk from its metal tomb, there was no way I was just going to walk away and leave it.   So still crouched down I grabbed Gwen's rescued picture frames and began running the best I could with them, towards Peta's house and away from the skip.  

Just then, I was spotted by the dreaded Doug, who boomed out, 'What are you doing?'  

Mentally tossing up whether to keep running with 2 huge picture frames or to brave it out, I chose to stop and turn.  

 'You can't take that stuff!'  he yelled.   

I lent the 2 frames against Peta's fence and walked back. Gwen was up now too, and she was looking a bit distressed.  Or embarassed.  Or both.

'Look',  I said quickly, whilst casually grabbing the other frame I'd left by the skip,  'it would be such a shame for this stuff to go to the tip and become landfill...'   

A snort came from Doug, like a horse with a fly biting its arse...  

'And this lovely old tin trunk here'  - I pointed to it -  'well I know I can find a good use for that too...'  

Gwen was on the other side of me and we were slowly making a weird kind of pincher movement toward him. Poor Doug's head was swinging from Gwen and then to me,  like he was a drunk man watching a bad tennis match.   

Gwen said in a faint voice 'I'm so sorry, I'll put the stuff back if you like...'   

Doug (I think at this time realised he was outnumbered) snorted again and just said 'OK, OK'  while waving his hands in a 'I give up' gesture, and went back inside the house.

Realising this was our chance to leg it, we grabbed the trunk at each end, plus some other bits we had rescued and made it to Petah's house and sanctuary!    Poor Gwen, she could only mumble as she got to Petah's kitchen door, 'I need caffeine.'    Over a cup of tea we told Petah what had just happened and we laughed like crazy, more  with relief than anything...

Oh yeah, things can get pretty thrilling when skip diving here on Maggie Island.  

* Names changed to protect the guilty.

And then I met another cranky animal...

On Sunday 29th July, around 6pm I was just getting out of the shower when Matt yelled out 'Louise, quick, come here!'  

There was an urgency in his tone so I grabbed the dressing gown and made for the outside decking where Matt was looking aghast.  

What's up?' I said, suddenly noticing there was an odd smell of something like burnt hair in the air?   

'There's a possum in the barbeque' he gulped   'I think I've set it on fire!'    

'What?!'  I retorted, as Matt opened up the left hand side of the BBQ where the main hot plate was.  Matt was holding a towel which he handed to me.  

'I'll lift the plate, you throw that over the possum and see how it is... One, two, three...'  and he heaved the plate.

There looking slightly dazed and a bit singed was a large male possum.  I threw the towel onto him and lifted him out of his BBQ hotel.   

As I put him on the decking, he took off down the side of the house, like Usain Bolt on steroids, which was a relief as he couldn't have been that badly singed by Matt lighting up the BBQ.   Luckily, Matt had immediately smelt the burnt hair and turned off the gas, realising something was very amiss.    

We had not used the BBQ for a few months, so Mr Possum had decided it would be cool to camp there during the cold winter nights.  No harm done it would appear, but we will of course, check the insides of said BBQ next time we go to use it.   

Anyone remember that lemon of a movie, "Waterworld", with Kevin Costner?

On Weds 15 August,  around 9am, Matt's grandmother Joy - who is 92 and lives in Nelly Bay with her dog Rusty - called up Matt to say ''I've wet the bed, can you come around and help?'  

Matt said 'Of course' and we arrived about 20 mins later.  

But dear readers,  our Joy had not  wet the bed at all, her water bed of 30 years standing, had sprung a very major leak.   So much in fact that the bed frame was shredding, carpet was sodden and the room was awash.   I should explain she also has macular degeneration and is legally blind, plus she wears hearing aids.   She was most pleased, when I told her that it was the bed, not her, that was causing the problem.  

'Oh thank God for that, I thought I had kidney trouble!'    

Matt said 'Nana, if you had lost that much water you would be dead for sure...'  

She just laughed and we told her to sit tight while we emptied the water out.   This was a double bed, and as you can imagine, a LOT of water was in the bladder (main part of the bed) which is enclosed in a wooden box frame.  

What really freaked me out was that the water heater for the bed had been plugged in at the time of the leak.   I quickly pulled the plug out of the wall on our arrival, but its a miracle Joy wasn't electrocuted!   As it turned out, that morning at 11am we had to take Rusty to Maria (the dog lady), to get his  nails clipped.  On our arrival at her place, we told her what had occurred at Joy's and she kindly lent us her Vax wet/dry vacuum cleaner which was a life saver in sucking up the water from the bed frame and the floors.  

We soon realised that the bed base (which was chipboard) had also gotten a soaking, and was shredding before our eyes, like soggy Wettabix, so we had to take the bed completely apart.    

Thank the gods for a husband with muscles, and with the help of my trusty Swiss army knife, (its always kept in my make up bag) we dismantled the bed and threw the bits into the garden.  Then the whole carpet had to come up and we threw that out too;  luckily Joy has a second bedroom with a regular double bed in it, which we made up for her,  and a few days later (with some help) she went into town and got a queen size 'normal' bed to replace the water one.  

Nana's sodden bedroom carpet and bits of the waterbed; 15.8.12

Now as the old Monty Python sketch used to say; 'And now for something completely different'.

I am quite sure most of you know about the situation with Julian Assange?  But did you know that he spent part of his childhood here, on Magnetic Island?  All true, and the local Magnetic Island Community News had an article in a recent edition, on how some of the local supporters of Julian want a statue of him erected on the island.   

And as luck would have it,  when viewing the Australian ABC news, just as "our Jules" was holed up inside the Ecuadorian Embassy, they showed the street name; Hans Crescent, Knightsbridge SW1, (near Harrods).  

Now, as I am sure Julian would not be reading his old local rag stuck in London, and being that I had a spare big envelope and a few stamps, I had an idea that Jules may want to see what is going on in his old island home -  so I posted that paper off to him about 2 weeks ago, care of the Ecuadorian Embassy:  but I have to sadly say I have had no reply back.  No doubt he is busy?   I'll put any information in the next blog if anything arrives in the mail.    

I also included one of my business cards for the coffee mugs  - and I know they have an awful lot of coffee in Brazil, but Ecuador?  Not sure.

Fashion Spot -  just to show (and show off) what I wear on my treks into Townsville to get my hair done, at the fab Mondo Bassi Hair, Flinders St. -   this is me last Tuesday 11th on the decking, before catching the ferry.

11/9/12 off to town to get my hair done

That's a man's frilly formal shirt, black leggings and white brogues, I had a red and black 60s vanity case I use as a handbag with me too.  

Flat cap purchased in Op Shop last trip and first time wearing it. 

Sunglasses from my vast retro collection.  

The reason I am putting this on the blog is that I have discovered the best fashion site called

advancedstyle.blogspot.com   

in which a lovely chap named Ari goes around NY city snapping away at 'women (and some men) of 'a certain age' shall we say and posting photos of them on his blog.  And wow! some of these ladies are just bloody amazing.   Check it out.

My idea of style used to be to ask myself when looking in the full length mirror;   "Would Madonna wear it?"  (she is very near my age) but after seeing the A.S blog I'm now thinking 'Bugger it, I'll wear this outfit -  and stuff what anyone thinks!'  

I have to allay any fears here,  I am NOT going to be swanning around in hipster micro shorts or similar, anytime soon.  Well, OK, just maybe I might, if I can get back down to 50kgs, but I think I have more chance of winning Lotto, than my scales reading that weight again.  (But I am still hanging onto a fab size 8 Allanah Hill LBD that I paid heaps for, just in case)...

Martin H.   -  an old chum from my teenage years will testify to my fashion style back in London in the 70s; My usual attire consisted of a selection of 1940s dresses, my trusty platform sole boots, my Nan's old fur coat (before fur became a no-no) and a big black felt hat.  

Is it time to channel the younger stylish bastard I used to be, me thinks?   

Happy snaps

I am happy to say I am now the proud owner of a Nikon DSLR I bought on Ebay, its an oldie but a goodie and I am still learning to drive the beastie;  Here are few of the latest shots taken a few days ago.

Mangrove Swamp, Horseshoe Bay 13.9.12

Broken paving stones, Dent St. Horseshoe Bay (reminded me of a grave!) 13.9.12

Local resident, 13.9.12 (that ranch is across the road behind him)

One of our pals,  Greg Simmons got a gig singing at the Noodies Mexican Restaurant on 2nd September and I took the Nikon out  for spin.  

Greg at Noodies, 2.9.12

I took about 50 shots and some were changed to B&W and they came out really well.   

So,  as I started with the weather, I think I'll end on the same theme:

Here is the song I want played at my memorial service (I'm leaving my body to medical students, that way there is no funeral or cremation costs),  its by the Weather Girls - "Its raining men". 

Click on Youtube link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGLZqDXau98

Any comments about the blog are most welcome.

Louise