The week in Townsville

 Hi,

We will get a more detailed blog done - Mike took notes! I know! Wow.

Mike did get migraines - so he really needs to get to the doctor. He got one Tuesday last week (8th April) and is now in bed with one this morning (14th April). And I am pretty sure he had 3 leading up to our holiday.

Hmmm.

Anyway - a quick summary of things. We had such a good week up in Townsville. Michelle and Tim were such gracious hosts. They even bought a fantastic blow up bed for me and Mike to use.  You can see it in the corner under the TV in the pic with Tim and Luna.

Luna and Tim

Mum and Dad were there - as was Shona and a friend. They definitely had a full house. So good to meet Luna and the cats - Polo and Coco. Mike groomed Polo so much that he was meowing every time he saw Mike. Hahah. Coco was a bit shy - but she also came around to the idea and Mike got to groom her too.

Home made iced lattes

Hello Polo

Gym session

Daily walk - there is a flock of peacocks behind Mike

Gorgeous eyes

Hello Coco

Dinner at C bar

Fort walk with Michelle

Me, Shona and Michelle

Magnetic Island

In Sydney

Long stopover in Sydney

Reading as the sun sets in Sydney

We did a lot of walks. We visited Magnetic Island and stayed in a wonderful house for 5 days. We missed most of the yucky weather apart from the first Saturday night where we got stuck trying to avoid floodwaters from a huge downpour.

We did Park Run. In the sauna conditions. Riverway Park Run. Hahah.

But the best bit was seeing my family. Seeing where Michelle and Tim have lived for abou5 or 6 years now. Townsville was lovely.

We were up at 4am to catch our early flight back home yesterday and the plane was delayed leaving Townsville. So they rebooked us through Sydney to Wellington. We didn't get home until 1am. Oohhh. Tough. Our original flight was getting us home at 3pm Sunday.

But the day was fine. Just long. And then Mike woke this morning with a migraine. Oh dear.

Right. Time to get stuck in.

Have a great week. We are actually away for work this week too. Both of us. Wed and Thurs.

Love,

Angela

The weekend in Australia

 Hi,

Our flight on Friday went so well. Love this 4pm flight time compared to the 6am one. Hahah. Even saw Jen from our old work there boarding the same flight. They were off to support the Warriors in Brisbane. With a lot of others!

Smudge struts

Moxley loafs

Wellington airport very civilised time

Janine was on a flight an hour behind ours. So we saw her briefly too. We got called up on the tannoy and it turns out our decision (ok, mine) to only use the flight app was wrong as they did not have our passport numbers at the gate. Given it was in the app and we came through customs, it was odd. But not surprising. IT systems.

Lesson - always get a paper ticket.

Lovely view of the top of the southern motu as we left. But before long we were flying into dusk and then sunset. And it was dark by the time we leanded at 1800 local time in Brisbane.

Hello to the Marlborough Sounds

Got our Avis car easily and ate some food at Coffee Culture at the airport before heading north to Peregian Springs. We got there about 2030 I guess. And it was so good to see my parents. My mother is so well. Standing upright. And so mobile. Made me so happy.

And... I was not long out of bed. Hahah. Slept well. Up really early Saturday to do parkrun behind Noosaville. They start at 7am here to avoid the heat. We got there at about 6.50am and started the beautiful park run track. It is all paved and in bush. And slightly undulating. I was exhausted and a bit slow. 36 mins. But Mike did a second lap and did okay.

Following a Woolworths delivery - we're in Aus now

Park run apprehension

Lovely morning - just super early at 7am!

Post parkrun haze of sweat

After brekkie at home we drove to Aussie World to meet two lots of people. Brent and his boys (Jack, 14, and Harry, 12) and Steph, Jason and their children. We ate at Banana Bender  with everyone. A bit chaotic and I hardly got to speak to Brent. But he caught up with Mike. I chatted to Stephanie and found out about her work. Some medical marketing job - seems perfect for her for now.

Brent headed back to Brisbane and Mike went off to do messages and Mum and I went to Aussie World with Steph, Jason and the kids. It was such fun.

Wee Riley and an evil kangaroo behind us - on a surfboard

Aussie World

Me and Riley have fun

Riley kept calling me "Grandma" which was a bit funny. I didn't realise for ages. And then I said I am actually Great Aunt Angela. Bit of a mouthful. Riley said: Okay, Grandma.

Mum and Peyton

Steph, Imogen and Lincoln behind us

This looked terrifying

Lincoln's cup of tea

Okay - this was the worst

Ice cream time - Lincoln

Riley

Peyton

Imogen

We explored a lot of the park.  I have only been here with Toby. Hahah. It was fun to see the kids so happy on all the rides.

Lincoln didn't like anything - the train the and teacup was about it. But he is only 3. And such a cutie - and so smart. Like - genius level. Teaching himself the Cyrillic alphabet. And how to count to 10 in different languages.

After the day, we all drove back to Peregian Springs and we fed them. But they wanted to get to their motel and left fairly quickly after that.

Sunday saw us sleep in a bit more. Mike is still on NZ time, really. We did a wee run together (I did 3k) before Mike did 13k. That's his prep for the half marathon done. Some taper runs with me to come, that's it.

Orchid for Mothers Day looks beautiful

Cinnabon for Toby

We went to Sunshine Plaza to get jeans for Mike. Just Jeans staff were very good at their customer service. They spent 20 minutes looking for jeans that fit Mike's weird body shape - his legs are longer than his waist is round. One shop assistant couldn't believe he was shaped like that until he actually put some jeans on. "Oh - you really are all legs aren't you" she said. 

Picked up Dad when he was done and back home for a quick tea and a visit from a baby magpie. Or maybe a butcher bird. Mum said it has hung around since it was born. 

Is this a baby magpie? Or a butcher bird?

Off to bed after watching Barbie - still not a great movie in my opinion but Mike weirdly likes it. 

And now up for work.

Home made iced latte

Disconcerting to see my pic as I work

Have a great day! Thank you for looking after the cats, Sally and Ange. Lovely weather here. Highs of 23C. Cold in Wellington I see. Mike has just asked Alexa to run the heatpump tonight for the cats.

Take care,

Love,

Angela