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Koalas, penguins and ...
Posted 04-11-2007 at 11:07 PM by The Broughtons
Another busy week has gone by for the Broughtons and here I am, it's Monday morning, the phone hasn't rung so I don't have any work for today so I plan to enjoy a lazy day with Mr B (who also doesn't have any work today). For those of you unaware, tomorrow is Melbourne Cup day (a big horse race) and it's a public holiday. Lots of businesses and schools also close down for the Monday and have an extra long weekend.
Last week was a tough one. I finally got the last of our suitcases unpacked and have ironed my way through most of our clothes (just a small pile left to go) so when I walk into my wardrobe I really am spoilt for choice as to what to wear. I'm just waiting for the rest of my shoes to arrive and then I really will be a happy bunny. Mr B did a full week at work and I managed a 4 day week so on the work front things are ok. It was hard chatting to my Mum though. She seemed very down and I'm sure when I was talking about how settled we are it was making her feel even more sad. I then got upset when we'd signed off the webcam - I hated the fact that I was upsetting my Mum. I'm not pining for the UK - I am very happy here and loving our new life but I do miss my family a hell of a lot and that seemed to kick in more last week. I sent Mum a message saying sorry for making her sad and told her how much I do miss them, she replied with an apology for looking sad and that they miss me too. I know my dad keeps hoping I'll go back but I think he's realising that it ain't going to happen. It was so much better chatting to my family yesterday - all of them were there at some point and listening to my dad playing cards with my niece while I chatted to Mum made me feel like we were actually together for a while. I was really happy when we said goodbye.
The rest of the week wasn't so bad - in fact it was a great weekend. We drove down to Phillip Island on Saturday with no concrete plans - we were going to visit some of the touristy things and play it by ear. We made a start at the Koala conservation centre - the baby koalas were out and playing and we had a great time walking round and watching them. The woodland walk was great too - a few more wild koalas spotted but one thing spoilt it a little - the bluddy mosquitos. We were just ambushed. Everytime you looked at your arm there'd be a mozzie preparing to have a feast. I have only been bitten once before and yet they were having a right go at me. Deb, the poor thing, had close to 30 bites swelling by the time we left! Now though I have a large number of big red lumps on my arms and hands and would love to scratch my skin off - got to buy some good repellent and some decent cream to take the itching away.
We had a quick peek at the grand prix circuit for the boys - they're planning their weekend for the V8 supercars and already wondering if they should book tickets for the superbikes next year.
Phillip Island Wildlife Park was great too - lots of animals to look at and the roos and wallabies roam free. When you pay your entrance fee you get a bag of food and are free to feed the animals. It really is amazing getting up close to the wallabies - the roos are just a bit big and their claws are far too sharp for my liking - I was on camera duty.
And of course we did the penguins again. Although it was a tad chilly and rain was threatening, we sat on the beach and waited, and waited and waited a bit more until about 8.15 pm the penguins started to come out of the sea. It was the best time that I've watched them (that was my 3rd) - the penguins were on the shore for much longer and I suppose that we were sat right at the front in the middle really helped. The coldness didn't set in too much - my 2 jumpers, coat and wooly hat must have helped there.
I have to say that I am also really glad that Deb contacted me before we left the UK. We met up within my first few weeks of being here and have become great friends. Having someone nearby who has already been through the first few months has really helped. She knows how I feel about things and understands because she's been through it. THANKS DEB - YOU'RE A STAR!
Last week was a tough one. I finally got the last of our suitcases unpacked and have ironed my way through most of our clothes (just a small pile left to go) so when I walk into my wardrobe I really am spoilt for choice as to what to wear. I'm just waiting for the rest of my shoes to arrive and then I really will be a happy bunny. Mr B did a full week at work and I managed a 4 day week so on the work front things are ok. It was hard chatting to my Mum though. She seemed very down and I'm sure when I was talking about how settled we are it was making her feel even more sad. I then got upset when we'd signed off the webcam - I hated the fact that I was upsetting my Mum. I'm not pining for the UK - I am very happy here and loving our new life but I do miss my family a hell of a lot and that seemed to kick in more last week. I sent Mum a message saying sorry for making her sad and told her how much I do miss them, she replied with an apology for looking sad and that they miss me too. I know my dad keeps hoping I'll go back but I think he's realising that it ain't going to happen. It was so much better chatting to my family yesterday - all of them were there at some point and listening to my dad playing cards with my niece while I chatted to Mum made me feel like we were actually together for a while. I was really happy when we said goodbye.
The rest of the week wasn't so bad - in fact it was a great weekend. We drove down to Phillip Island on Saturday with no concrete plans - we were going to visit some of the touristy things and play it by ear. We made a start at the Koala conservation centre - the baby koalas were out and playing and we had a great time walking round and watching them. The woodland walk was great too - a few more wild koalas spotted but one thing spoilt it a little - the bluddy mosquitos. We were just ambushed. Everytime you looked at your arm there'd be a mozzie preparing to have a feast. I have only been bitten once before and yet they were having a right go at me. Deb, the poor thing, had close to 30 bites swelling by the time we left! Now though I have a large number of big red lumps on my arms and hands and would love to scratch my skin off - got to buy some good repellent and some decent cream to take the itching away.
We had a quick peek at the grand prix circuit for the boys - they're planning their weekend for the V8 supercars and already wondering if they should book tickets for the superbikes next year.
Phillip Island Wildlife Park was great too - lots of animals to look at and the roos and wallabies roam free. When you pay your entrance fee you get a bag of food and are free to feed the animals. It really is amazing getting up close to the wallabies - the roos are just a bit big and their claws are far too sharp for my liking - I was on camera duty.
And of course we did the penguins again. Although it was a tad chilly and rain was threatening, we sat on the beach and waited, and waited and waited a bit more until about 8.15 pm the penguins started to come out of the sea. It was the best time that I've watched them (that was my 3rd) - the penguins were on the shore for much longer and I suppose that we were sat right at the front in the middle really helped. The coldness didn't set in too much - my 2 jumpers, coat and wooly hat must have helped there.
I have to say that I am also really glad that Deb contacted me before we left the UK. We met up within my first few weeks of being here and have become great friends. Having someone nearby who has already been through the first few months has really helped. She knows how I feel about things and understands because she's been through it. THANKS DEB - YOU'RE A STAR!
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Recent Blog Entries by The Broughtons
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- Koalas, penguins and ... (04-11-2007)
