Wedding Anniversary, tree lopping and road repairs...

Hello moover and groovers;  

Louie here and just to start the blog off with a bit of a laugh, that's Guru Lou below doing my cane toad impersonation!   It was our wedding anniversary, and after a very so-so lunch at Peppers on Blue in Nelly Bay, (15.6.11)  we decided to repair to the coffee shop at Arcardia and indulge in some very good gelato.    

Why a so-so lunch you ask?  Well the service was well below par, considering the place had only 3 tables for lunch including us.  The waiter (who looked about 12)  gave us water glasses, but no water (I fetched a jug from the bar) and the shared entree had no side plates or plates of any sort until I grabbed some from the back of the brekky bar.  Slack!  Ah well, they won't get our patronage again.  

OK enough whining from me!  Weather = beautiful at the moment; its 24c today and sunny, but the nights are cool - 9c last night - and early mornings are about 12c or so;  you can easily spot the tourists here  - they are wearing shorts and bikini tops and the locals are in long sleeves and tracky pants.  I'm told that after a hot summer here, I will feel that 24c is akin to arctic weather and will be dressed like a local in 'winter clothes'.

Sorry for not blogging b4 this, but the net has been well S-l-o-w  here and it was taking absolutely ages to upload photos, so I decided to wait until it sped up.   Which I hope is Now...

Now as I said a few blogs ago, we are seriously looking to buy a home and not build one (it costs about the same) plus we are out of the hair of Matt's folks; living under their house is fine, but like the old saying goes "fish and house guests stink after 3 days", and we arrived on 2nd April!  

Me outside the Arcardia Hotel 15.6.11

So Matt and one of our neighbours, Ted, have been clearing our block of land in preparation of putting it on the real estate market.  But the dreaded Cyclone Yazi had done its worst, and knocked over several of the trees on our block;  We managed to get them chopped down, but the last 1 metre or so of the trees remained on the land, and if we want to sell it, they have to go.

So with steely determination, Ted and Matt decided to tackle the bloodwood stump on the land.  Ted used his trusty chainsaw, but could not fell the beastie;  they used wedges and chocks and after about 4 hours of solid digging, heaving and sawing, (and with my whole 55kg pushing hard while Ted pulled) we had the thing out of the ground.  A huge effort by all.  The block looks fab now as we got the stumps pulled out with an excavator.

the dreaded stump with the wedges in;  17.6.11; Ted and Matt

Nearly there!

After 4 hours of digging and cutting; success!

On our way to our favourite beach, Florence, we noticed the road has come into very bad repair; we know as our back axle on our little Charade car practically broke when Matt was driving there about 10 days ago;  Now being the pro active power couple we are, we grabbed a shovel and bucket on our next visit and attempted some repairs using some gravel that was nearby; much to the amusement of the tourists and local driving by.

Here is Matt hard at road repairs on road to Flo Beach 19.6.11- sadly they only lasted a few days.

Sad news; our lovely gym at the end of the road in the resort, is no more;  apparently some dispute with the current leaseholders, and someone came and took out all the equipment!  Bugger!  So we are now bushwalking to keep the fitness levels up and we shall look to buy our own weight set in the future...

We also have became couch potatoes in the last few weeks.  We have been watching the old 1976 TV Series 'I, Claudius' starring Derek Jacobi and John Hurt;  I saw it in the UK back in 76, but thanks to the torrence sharing web sites on the Net, our chum Al passed it on to us, knowing how much I loved it.  Matt had never seen it before, and peoples, if you get a chance do view it, its absolutely stellar TV. (Matt loved it.)

We did a today (27.6.11) a 5 km bush walk from Nelly Bay to Arcadia and back and I feel nackered to say the least.  

Shall close now,  we are still have irons in the fire re a house in Horseshoe Bay, but again, I am being cautious until I can say more...   my readers will be the first to know, but things look good so far...

Louise

June adventures continued...

hello blog readers 


Not much again to report from here on Maggie; Yesterday I went into Townsville to get my hair done at Beck Jane West Salon in Denham Street; Beck is the best!  I walked in with my roots in a terrible state, and after an hour or so, she had worked her magic, and I walked out looking fab...  I then did a quick round of the shops in the new mall that is being slowly opened up and then realising it was just gone 4.10pm I decided I could make it to the 4.30pm ferry and the terminal if I briskly walked... Wrong!  I saw that at 4.25pm that time was running out, so I started doing that - running!  But I was way too slow off the mark and just as I arrived the boarding gates closed.  What was annoying was that the ferry sat there for a few minutes before taking off -  although jumping over the barrier and trying to get on the damn thing did cross my mind.  Then I thought that holding 2 shopping bags while attempting such a manouvre in a tight skirt would so NOT be a good look.  So... I heaved a sigh of resignation, and sat down and awaited the next ferry at 5.20pm.  It was dark by the time I arrived home at 6pm and Matt was beginning to think I had been captured by Martians.   There is one downfall to living here I have found, and that is the ferry service.  Don't get me wrong, its good, but expensive, its about $9.00 one way, and they run about every 45 minutes; and of course, there is no alternative!  I could swim or try and persuade someone with a boat to take me on the 20min crossing, but I doubt if either option could be realised.   
Matt says my swimming style is like a brick.


It is actually on the cool/cold side today, (sat 11.6.11) and I woke up about 3am pulling the big blanket we have over myself and Matt, making it a 2 blanket night when usually only a sheet does the job...


It absolutely pissed down about 1030pm last night and today the cloud has continued over the island like a big grey felt hat.  So we decided after brekky that a walk to Arcadia via the walking track would be a good idea of a cool, cloudy day.

View from walk to Nelly Bay to Arcadia; 11.6.11 

Did I mention that the walk in total is about 10km?  Hey, no prob as we have been bushwalking a-plenty on our trip around Australia... But that was a few months ago and my legs begin to protest after about 20 mins or so of fast walking, and they absolutely howl like a striking waterfront worker when I attempt the medium grade walking track.  I realise I need to up the ante the next time I go to the gym - which Matt has also joined by the way.  We have both become a bit 'teddy' after that 9 months in the campervan.

After lunch and coffee, we go and have a look at the local wildlife; rock wallabies: Note to the B52 fans among you; I'm sure a song called Rock Wallaby could be just as big as 'Rock Lobster' was?  If anyone reading is good with lyrics, you heard the idea from me first and I'll expect 10% royalties - OK?

some of the local rock wallabies having a feed; 11.6.11

Walking back along the main road I had to take a picture of this sign outside the Arcadia Pub;  this is what the locals do on Maggie Island for fun...

I have to admit I have been to the toad races years ago, and its good fun;  11.6.11

OK Amigos;  nearly time for me to go...

 Just one more handy hint from Guru Lou - this one is for the ladies... Girls; does your jewellery case/ drawer/ box look like an ugly tangled mess?  I have the answer - do what I did and next time you are in the bank, ask them for some zip lock money plastic wallets (say you have loose coins you want to sort out). 

The good thing about getting these is that they are FREE - (my second favourite F Word)!  If you want you can buy the zip lock Glad sandwich bags for kids lunches (small size).  I also grab a handful of those plastic bags on the rolls at the supermarket veggie section and I use them for all sort of things, but that's another story and I am digressing...

 Grab a handful of bags and grab your jewellery;  sift through the turmoil, and put every single piece into its own bag;  this is best done when watching a movie, with a glass of red, in front of the TV.

Now, when you have done this, edit further;  Do what I did; I got some 30cm or so boxes that have had some face stuff and other products in,  and into these I sort one box for bracelets, one for earrings, one for necklaces, and one for brooches; (all contents in the plastic bank pouches).  Now what I do is have these boxes on my dressing table for ease of use, but they can be put into drawers and used.  You now can put your bling on easily... No more fumbling around;  everything is on view and trust me, it makes getting ready to go out a breeze...

adios amigos;  louise

The moon in June - 2011

dear discerning readers of the blogosphere...


sorry for not sending out a blog earlier than this; we are running around looking at houses after deciding that building was going to be more expensive that buying; and wow! have we seen some god damn awful places for sale;  talk about where the old Laminex goes to die...  But we may have found what we want.  Just a qualifier for those of you who don't know me that well. I so try not to be a person who says 'I'm doing this or that' without following through with the deed.  Like my dear old dad used to say, 'don't open your gob and just let your stomach rumble'.   


Sooo....  please bear with me, and I hope to have some good news on the home front by the end of the week or next week if all goes to plan.


But I'll just keep you abreast of what we have been doing lately.


On Sat 4th June Matt and I were sitting on Florence Beach when we saw a lady with a paper sack picking up the rubbish;  we got chatting and her name is Heather and she volunteers to clean up the beaches on Maggie Island; Bless!  So while Matt went for a swim I joined her and we picked up loads of junk;  so many thongs (shoes for the UK readers) were washed up probably from the Cyclone? (if we found knickers I would be really amazed) - so we bagged them, but of course there was only one of each pair...

Heather with our bag of junk we found on florence beach; 4.6.11

Here's me with the same!  4.6.11

It was World Ocean Day also last saturday and we met some marine biologists at Arcadia beach earlier who were absolutely fascinating to talk to.  

After this effort we decided to go into town to see 'X Men -First Class' which was good;  special effects were excellent and Kevin Bacon plays a bastard which is not a role he normally does, but he does it very well I have to say.  

Matt was able to catch up with some old pals from his youth who were over on maggie island for a 40th Birthday bash; We met them on Florence Beach on Sunday 5th, there was about 10 of them including children and we all had a lovely time making swimming pools in the sand and filling them with sea water;  yeah  - ok,  I know, I am easily amused!  Interestingly, these kids actually took to me,which is odd;  I always say "Dogs love me, but children run away screaming."  (Must be the new LouLou perfume I was wearing that day....)

Also on Sunday was a FAB garage sale at the end of the street in the medical centre;  I grabbed some bargains for Ebay (or She-bay as my pal Carmen calls it) which I shall list soon.

Matt kindly took me to lunch today (Tues 7.6.11) to Nudies Mexican at Horseshoe Beach; which serves up a mean nachos which we shared.

Noodies Mexican Restaurant  Horseshoe bay; 7.6.2011

Then we took a walk along Horseshoe beach which is opposite Noodies to find this lovely but alarming sign...

Beware of the deadly jellyfish!  scary eh? 

Those irakandji jellyfish are a bastard; they are only the size of a 20c coin and are practically invisible;  Not often fatal, but an American tourist did die from a sting from one about 7 or 8 years ago.   Fortunately opposite this sign was a netted enclosed swimming area with lifeguards.  My feeling was that this sign was to scare the pants off any tourists, so that the enclosure got used... I have to tell you that the stinger 'season' is from October to may, so by now they will find the water a bit too cold?  (It was 27c sitting on the beach today, so what a stinger finds as cold I have no idea!)

We have also been visiting Matt's Nana Joy who was pictured in an earlier blog, and taking her dog Rusty for walks.  The dog absolutely dotes on Matt, realising I think that one day he will be with us, (Joy is 91 but still going strong).

Not much else exciting I can think off so I shall close now and post again later on next week.

you can also check out www.whatsonmagneticisland.com.au 

if you want to see more of what our little island has to offer...

adios amigos!  Louise

Housing capers...

Tues May 31, 2011

dear moover and groovers; 

 Louise back here on the blogosphere telling you all about our recent adventures in Troppo Land;

Not much has happened in the last week, Matt has finished his 6 weeks working in Townsville at the Dept of Housing and has lived to tell the tale. We received a call today (Tue 31.5.11) from the Dept asking Matt to go back again, but he declined as we are running around like chooks with no heads trying to get somewhere to live organised.  I have been dragging myself to the gym but that bloody spare tyre is proving hard to shift...  I shall persevere.

Aunty Lyn flew back to the Gold Coast last Saturday (with doggie) and we caught the ferry in with her to Townsville, and after bundling her into a taxi, we went to the Cowboys Leagues Club for a snack before venturing to the movies to see 'Source Code'  which was very good;  4 Stars from me;  and I'll throw in a bit of extra info, and let you know it's directed by Duncan Jones;  'Who the  hell is that?" you ask;  well it just happens to be David Bowie's son!  And a very talented chap he is too;  we saw his other movie 'Moon' which is also very good.   Check them both out if you can...

And speaking of living somewhere,  the latest is that we are now seriously thinking (and looking) at buying, not building a house! Yes - I can hear the gasp of surprise from here, but honestly, it's a bit of a buyers market after that bloody Cyclone Yazi smashed (almost) into the island.  It would cost us $290 + to build and we have just seen a 4 y/o house with 4 bedrooms going cheap ($300k) and we are sorely tempted;  plus we think that we may be wearing out our welcome living under Matt's folks...  It's always a strain having guests at the best of times, and a house build would take 6 months...  Too long we feel;  We have made an offer on the house mentioned above and we will see tomorrow if it is accepted.

The Real estate agent is trying (of course) to play hardball, but as I always say, 'You can't con a conman' (or woman in my case)!  

Being a Londoner and having a dad who thought he was a bit of a 'wide boy' i.e walking the walk and talking the talk, I grew up watching  him buy and sell cars (for himself) practically   every few months.  it was an education...   If  I can find it I will scan in a pic of me outside our dump of a house in the east end of london, with me poking my head thru the sun roof of the Mark 3 Jag he had just bought.  But back to the house price,   Matt is going to phone first thing tomorrow to see how the land lays... fingers crossed...

OK I shall depart to make a cuppa...

Sorry no pics this blog;  I shall add some soon.

adios amigos; Louise

More of The Big attraction...Magnetic Island

dear chums;


We are nearly up to speed and the present time - I am still chasing my tail with past diary entries, but that's my fault for not getting this blog started earlier.  


Sunday 15 May 2011 - sunny 26c
Matt is down with the lurgy!  We have all had coughs/ colds and sore throats and he has succumbed a bit;  Tom is trying to dig out the post that holds the Hills Hoist washing lines, which has been in the ground since 1972 or thereabouts; there is about 1m of concrete at the end of it;  the cyclonic winds of Yazi drove a tree onto it, and smashed it beyond repair.  Tom has new one to install but the old is well into the ground.  Matt is next door slashing the block, against my wishes, as he is not feeling well.  But he is like a big dog on a short leash and says he must keep working on it. 

Matt doing a bit of pole dancing;  15.5.11

Tom (Matt's dad) surveying the scene 15.5.11; Matt is fully clothed as he got a rash from the sap from one of the trees he was clearing.

They eventually do it, with Matt jumping on the end NOT in concrete and swinging the thing around.

But Matt walks over suddenly to the picnic table and bench, lies flat  on his back and puts his legs in the air;  Hello - I think - Matt is   doing a Urdu mating dance maybe?  But on closer inspection, I see is face is very white and he says quietly  'think my blood sugar is dropping...'  Luckily I remember we have a can of Red Bull in the fridge and quickly get him to slowly sip it.  His Dad, laughs like a drain, but seeing how ghostly Matt looks, quickly stops.  After a few minutes Matt's colour comes back and I tell him to come and lay on the sofa while I make him a cuppa.  He realises he is trying to do too much at once, and agrees with me that he needs to slow down.   I do the housework and clean the bathroom...Here is my recipe for my own version of Spray and Wipe - mine costs about 25c a bottle and is eco friendly.

In a plastic spray bottle put :

half a cup of cloudy ammonia (available in supermarket laundry section)

1 cup white vinegar (in sauces/pickles section)

2 cups of water (or fill to top of bottle)

Give it a gentle shake and happy days!  Spray away...

This mixture cleans about everything, glass, tiles, benchtops and I used to spray it on my shirt collars when I was a ranger (they used to get filthy with grime) and then I'd give the shirts a wash in the machine.  Try it - you'll love it.  

Monday 16 May - windy 25c sunny

Matt's Auntie Lyn - Petah's sister arrives today for a spell with her cute dog Tully.  

Petah and I meet her at the Nelly Bay wharf down the road, with my car, as she has a huge cat cage that the dog was transported in from the Gold Coast;  but after saying hello, we realise the cage and her luggage is NOT going to fit into the back so Petah kindly agrees to lug it up the road.    The mother of these 2 ladies, Joy, lives on the island and Lyn is staying with her.  Joy is 91 and going OK, apart from a bit of bad vision and hearing and will probably outlive us all.  She has a very cute dog called Rusty, which I am sure, keeps her going.

Joy and Lyn having a cuppa; 21.5.11

Rusty (left) and Tully - they are best chums!  21.5.11

Tuesday 17 May 2011 - sunny 25c 

As I am feeling fitter now, and the parking at the Nelly Bay wharf is hard to get, I decide to walk to the ferry (8.25am) in order to make it to my hair appointment with Beck in Townsville.  I leave the house at 8.10 thinking a brisk walk in the fresh air will do me good;  I have the obligatory bag that most ladies carry here, containing a bottle of water, sunscreen and a thin cardigan in case it gets chilly later.  As I stroll along I suddenly realise its a bit further than I remember and I am not going to catch the bloody ferry unless I get a move on.  I start running,  Luckily I am in my Doc Marten boots and a sundress but I'm panicking.   

Suddenly a car pulls up next to me and a lady with short hair and glasses says huskily 'Get in..'   Thinking I have been transported to a bad spy movie, I do as she says.  'Hello I'm Jenny and I'm taking you to the ferry!'  Whoa, way to go Maggie islanders... How kind is that!   I gasp thanks as she pulls up at the wharf  and I run to the barrier;  the ticket collector lady just says 'no rush...' as I fumble for my 10 pass ticket and she clips it;  Just as I sit down on the ferry 2 more latecomers run on and the pilot gets the nod from the top deckhand and we take off.   

I walk from the ferry wharf at Townsville up to the salon, (5 mins) and Beck works her magic and makes me look fab again.  

I meet Matt for lunch and we go to the Cowboys Club and I munch my way through a $10 all you can eat salad/pasta bar.  My cholesterol being a bit high, I have read all I can on what to do to keep it low, and it seems a high fibre diet is the ticket.  I have been back on my usual porridge/ muesli combo for brekky, now with the addition of psyillium husks;  Love the husks!  Matt and I took them nightly before our road trip but got a bit slack when away.  The husks have a valuable effect on being cholesterol sponges, and they make All Bran look like a block of cheese...  Another Louie tip; don't bother with Metamucil - the husks are what that is made of, and on their own are half the price!  Who needs orange flavour and sugar with their fibre?  OK, I admit, it is like drinking wallpaper paste at first, but that aversion goes once the benefits are realised...

After lunch I hit the Salvos Charity shop to find, happy days, they have a green ticket special on and I scour the place and leave spending $20;  Some of these purchases are on Ebay.com.au now (search for matsta73) if any of you out there would like to make a bid?  

I catch the 3.45 ferry home - its the school run and what worries me is that half of the teenage boys who are in their uniforms, have beards or moustaches.   All I remember on the teenage boys I used to hang about with was acne.  Must be all the sun and good food here I wonder?

Weds 18 May 2011 - sunny, windy 25c

Lunch today with Lyn and Joy;  we go to Peppers at the Nelly Bay Wharf which is a very posh looking spot, but the lunches are reasonable.   After a lovely lunch we look at the huge lagoon like swimming pool in the middle of the Peppers hotel complex.  Lots of tourists come to the Island in our winter to escape the cold temps further south in places like Sydney or Melbourne;  the Europeans love it, as the swaying palms and sandy beaches are the stuff their dreams are made of.

Saturday 21 May - sunny 27c

Matt and I go and visit 2 local builders to see what they can do for us re our house build.  We explain what we would like, take along some drawings and chat about costs.    They are going to do some more detailed plans for us to check out next week.  I notice my left shoulder is hurting when I lift it and realise I went a bit too hard with the chest press on Thursday at the gym... maybe rotor cuff damage?  Decide to not do too much...

Monday 23 May - cloudy/ spots of rain  25c

Deciding against the gym I get domestic,  and of course, just as I hang out the washing on the new hoist, the rain is spotting.  Decide to brave it out and lo! After lunch the sun is out and the washing is almost dry;  that's the other good thing about life here, peg out the laundry and its dry in about 20 mins.

Which brings me up to TODAY! 

Tuesday 24 may cool night 27c

Dragged myself to the gym; did NO arm raises or similar but pounded the treadmill;  one thing did piss me off big time : I burnt some dance music CDs to use on the antique boom box at the gym in a wav file format; and bugger me, it won't play!  Now there are burnt CDs at the gym so I know the CD player must read them; but shall have to wait until Matt gets home in case I have done something wrong;  they play OK on my car MP3/CD player so I am confused, which for a 56 y/o menopausal woman is not that unusual... If anyone knows what I am doing wrong, please leave a comment.

I will blog again in a few days;  It's Matt's last week at (temp) work, so I will have him back to myself soon; Now one would think that after 9 months together in a campervan,  I would be happy to not see him everyday?  Wrong!  Matt is my best chum, among other things and I miss him.  (But keep that to yourself, dear reader, or he'll think I'm going soft...)

here is Matt with Pushka cat who is on a diet at the moment... 22.5.11

Adios amigos,  Louise 

may days on the Island

hey good people;;;


lou back here letting you know the stuff that you were dying to know...


Sat 7th May 2011 - a bit cloudy 27C


Lovely Ted is continuing to cut down the bushes and trees on our land for a few beers; bless...  He has a chainsaw and needs the chain bit fixing which Matt agrees to do, so Matt goes into town while I engage in that favourite Saturday pastime, the garage sale!  I find some great stuff at a house in Arcadia, and meet the lovely owner of the place, April;  I buy a fab painting, and some clothes, then realise after agreeing a price, I am $10 short!  To demonstrate how trusting the folks here are, she just says 'bring it around tomorrow...'  Now I doubt that would ever happen in Sydney...

I had to paint over myself the face in the mirror as it hadn't been finished off!  May 2011

Ted's needs are simple, and he requests a cask (box) of wine, 'Get the blue one, by Stanley wines, its $16.50 at the bottle shop' he tells me and after my garage sale finds I try to get what he wants; but 'bugger me' as they say here, there are 3 colours blue of the type of white wine he wants... I stand like an idiot in the shop, and meekly try to explain to the young chap my dilemma;  'the mid blue  is the most popular' he tells me and rather than stand there looking like I have dementia, I grab the one he suggests and leg it...  On arriving back at our vacant block, Ted is going well with the slasher, but his face slightly falls when he sees the colour of the box of wine... Yep, you guessed it, I have the wrong one.  But Ted, just smiles and says he will drink it anyways and takes it away...   I wonder if giving a box of wine to a man with chainsaw is a good idea?  I perish this thought and as it is Sat night I can indulge in my own glass of box red...plus a Snickers Bar... bliss!


Sun 8 May 2011  27C cloudy
Very lazy day;  do bugger all, watch the DVD 'Coco' about Coco Chanel, played by Audrey Tatou, with my mother in law Petah; it's very good and I am so glad I bought it from April at the garage sale the day before.


Tuesday 10 May 


We sell Matt's sub woofer!  I had signs plastered on the usual spots, and we got the full price of $350 for it, so happy days;  


Weds 11 May sunny 26c


I go to see Dr Glavin re those pesky bloody tests I had done, and he is sort of OK about them;  My cholesterol is a bit up from 5.5 to 6.1 and my thyroid function is a bit off wack too, but he says to come back in 3 months for more tests.  At least he didn't say 'don't read any long books'...


Friday 13 April
I have to go into town to get the bi annual mammogram done, I missed out last time as I was on the road.  For those of you who have never had one done, either because you don't have breasts or you are too young let me enlighten you about the procedure.  Before I scar you forever with the details, if you are male, just imagine one of your testicles is being squashed very hard  between two metal plates and you kind of get the drift.  


I arrive in town and jump in that bloody green car and of course, the effing thing does not want to go!  I give up after a bit, realising that I am not doing something right and jump on a bus instead;  I am feeling very flaky, like a person going to be tortured but who can do zip about it... the green car knows this and refuses to start, sensing my mood.


One thing I learn today is that the bus drivers of Townsville, (mostly female) are a mine of information and knowing bugger all about the geography of the place and clutching a referral form which I show, I get there with 30 mins to spare.  


The nurse who scans me is Indian and has a smile when I tell her I'm not nervous, I'm terrified...    I strip to the waist and the torture begins.  She gently grabs my right boob and due to my breasts being a bit on the small side, I am practically getting jiggy with this huge machine... As the top plate comes down onto my breast and begins the squash, I gasp.  'Don't breathe, just scanning now' Nursey says and ducks behind a lead screen.  Breathe!  Is she joking? I can just about stand the pain and mercifully the plate lifts releasing me from its metal grip.  I sag forward in relief.  The other boob has the same treatment and I think to myself 'that was ok' until I hear those dreaded words 'Ok we have to do the side view now...'  Yes, Yes, more of the same.  I realise its 2pm and I had brekky at 7am and my light headiness is probably due to lack of food and oodles of pain. I am told after it has ended, to sit and she will return.


A few minutes later more bad news;  'sorry we need to take an ultrasound now, there is some dense tissue there...'  Seeing the look on my face Nursey assures me that its just routine.  


The nice lady who operates the ultrasound, makes me lie down and smears warm KY Lube all over my boobs; Lovely; Such a shame its not Brad Pitt doing the deed, I tell myself, as my head swims even more.  Luckily the procedure is quick and I avail myself of the cafe next door and indulge in scones and jam & cream;  Not exactly a proper lunch but I find it strangely comforting...


I get back to town and find Deni my sister in law, and let her know I failed with the car - the problem is that its going on the barge back to the island as Aunty Lyn is arriving Monday and will need wheels...  Deni gets to the car with me at 4.45pm and you know what comes next... the friggin thing starts for her!  I wasn't pushing the clutch down hard enough, when jigging the steering wheel and tuning the radio (Ok I am exaggerating a bit here..) but phew! We drive it onto the barge and arrive back on Maggie at 7pm.


Sat 14 May
I get taken with Tom, Deni and Matt to a Cowboys Rugby team game at the Dairy Farmers stadium at the back of Townsville; we catch the 4pm ferry into Townsville, and have dinner at the Cowboys Club.  To be honest, every time Matt is watching a game on TV, I always say the same smart ass line 'what's in that leather handbag they're chasing around the field' to which I now get just a annoyed look.  But seeing it live, is a whole new thing, and I have to say I actually enjoyed it.  (the Cowboys won against Parramatta Eels by the way...)


views of maggie

Arcadia beach 21.5.11

Arcadia beach, left view,  21.5.11

The Arcadia Pub, with one of the many mini mokes in front.  21.5.11

More later amigos;  Matt is home from work - only this week to go; yippee!  and he wants me to help with dinner...

Arrival on the island - continuing...

dear pals,


Lou here again; just trying to get you up to speed on our move to the island and its trials and tribulations.


Friday 15 April 2011
Matt and I go into town armed with my proper rego details in the vain hope we can get my car registered in this state;  We catch an early ferry to Townsville and get to the Qld Transport as they open, and luck out by seeing the same lady at the counter we saw last time...all sorted!


My hair is a complete mess and I luck out again in finding one that can see me straight away; Beck Jane West is a one woman operation in Denham St., and is a mine of information on all that is going on here.  I walk out looking amazing, the grey ones gone and I am happy I have found a new hairdresser.  (there appear to be none on the island...)


Matt's sister Deni tells him he can start work at Dept of Housing, (her workplace) for 6 weeks if he wants as they desperately need someone to do the filing... Matt agrees and the process begins to sign him up.


Monday 18th April 
Matt gets a phone call from the RV Centre in Sydney who offer us $30k for our van; but it means going to Sydney;  (see our last blog at www.loma2010.blogspot.com about our trip down).  


Tues 26 April  - my birthday - I'm 56!

We (Geoff on right) go to Ribs and Rumps Manly for dinner and drinks.


Thursday 28 April 2011
We fly back to Townsville, leaving our bedding and other odds and sods that was with us in the van with Geoff.  Arrive back at Maggie at 4pm - its 27C and lovely...  thank the gods I don't have to wear long pants and a jacket anymore...


We discover an ally in Ted who lives behind us, and kindly wants to help out clearing our block of land, in exchange for a few beers!   He lives alone and I think just likes keeping active;  Matt helps him out where possible.


Fri 29th April
The Royal Wedding!  What a cracker piece of entertainment; the dress, that pink pretzel hat Princess Beatrice was wearing, the Queen looking like a canary; it had it all....  You can say what you like; the Poms do know how do the pageantry thing!


Monday 2 May 2011
By sheer fluke I am on the computer at lunch time and see a newsflash; Osama is dead!  I rush upstairs and tell everyone; no one can believe it, and I watch, live, the speech from Obama.  Well, it took some time, but they got him in the end...  We all agree that OBL being dead will NOT stop the war in Afghanistan, but may slow it down a bit...


Tuesday 3 May 2011
I drag myself to the gym, as Matt has started work I have NO excuse not to go;  he comes home at 6pm and tells me he may not last the 6 weeks as there is a mountain of filing do get through.




Thursday 5 May 2011
My body is aching in bits I didn't even know I had!  That's the problem with being on the road for 9 months and no weight training!  But I need to get my triceps back into shape, especially as its  still hot here (27c) most days and I want to look good in a singlet!  I meet the gym's owner Thommo, who is a big guy that an AK47 would have trouble slowing down.   But he has his own gym, I reason, and why not be an advert for it?




Friday 6 May 2011 27C sunny (the usual so far...)
I get up early and have nothing to eat as I am going for blood tests for my yearly physical; I arrive at 8.30 and the waiting room is crowded.  I go to grab a number and I'm told by a chorus of those assembled 'Don't worry, you're after Mary'.  
I blink, and return the number and sit down with an very old issue of 'Shop till you drop' and await my turn.    I feel very much like an outsider -which if course I am.   The room is like a social club, everyone knows everyone else, and when I finally get in, I tell the nurse that they should install a bar and make a fortune...  The tests will take a few days and I should get the results by Wednesday.


Ok more soon groovers....  love louise