ramot

That advice was from an old lady! Who hasn’t many regrets from a life well lived, apart from probably never seeing the Northern lights now..

Go for it

As a local, we rather laugh about the snobby appeal of Noosa and the extra price of housing. There has been so much organised for school children locally here to have fun over the Christmas holidays and most of it free, which is why the Buderim, Mooloolaba area of the Sunshine Coast is so popular with families. Sadly the work opportunities are not so good. Cherry Thistle I wish you all the best for your trip and hope it helps to make your decisions clearer, but importantly have fun and enjoy it.

My son’s visa was for Management Consultant, had a good agent George Lombard, older posters will remember his reputation

Hickson House cocktail bar and has the only distillery in the Rocks, well worth a visit and gin tasting

My son lives in Eatons Hill, north side of Brisbane, very spacious 4 bed 2 bathroom, large rumpus room, open’sh kitchen living dining room, large covered outdoor area, double garage, large block, no pool, price probably still under 1 million. Just to give 1 example for Brisbane

Australia zoo a much better zoo

The rain was so bad on Tuesday, verging on monsoonal, almost 6 inches in less than 24 hours, that we made a really hard decision that it was foolish to drive to Brisbane and missed out on a special family celebration, and as several live out of state it will be a while till we catch up again. The floods in late February in North NSW (Lismore Byron area) last year were horrendous, closing so many roads, so the unpredictable weather at that time of year, should be factored in to your plans of driving long distances.

My son would move back from Brisbane in a heartbeat if there was more work here. I know you want to look at Newcastle but you would save so much time if you flew to Brisbane or the S Coast. or Newcastle to Brisbane? Just a thought, as it’s quite a long drive.

3 days on the Sunshine Coast isn’t very long . Caloundra is fine, Noosa is popular good beach and shops, but Mooloolaba would be my choice, has a better beach, than Caloundra, can’t remember your daughters age? Underwater World is there, and if you have time you should go to Australia Zoo. Montville and Maleny on the range in the hinterland about 25 mins from Mooloolaba are worth a visit, I prefer Maleny. Takes about 1hr 15mins from the centre of Brisbane to the S Coast on a clear run, but there are lots of road works which can affect the time. Theme parks from Brisbane doable, Recommend The Outback Spectacular, it’s a great fun show, you could spend a night near the Theme Parks and Outback Spectacular before Brisbane. Have fun whatever you do. It will take about 7hrs Newcastle to Byron, and 2 hours Byron to Brisbane, we tend to stop in Port Macquarie, can let you know where if need it.

Nottingham Forest sad supporter

Husband got his all singing dancing hearing aids from Costco at a fraction of the regular cost. Still has selective hearing though?!!

My husband also gets a free pair of reading glasses annually from our optometrist though his health fund.

I paid just over $600 for multi focal transition lenses, so no need to buy sunglasses as well. This is the 3rd time I’ve used the frames. No point buying new frames every time, but I admit they are good quality frames.

As I really like my frames, I have new lenses put in them, much cheaper

Enjoy their visit

Dare I say that the Sunshine Coast has got away lightly so far, fingers crossed as storms forecast for tomorrow, the humidity and temperature has shot up the last 2 days, but we have spent plenty of time under cover outside for most of Christmas. Son & wife came up to the coast today, as it was slightly cooler than Brisbane, 32’? here. went to the beach first, then back here to use the pool.

Son & wife decided to come back today!! Cooler on the coast, and we have a nice pool. I was going out out, told them to help themselves, my fault not to specify as in a hurry to go out, they ate my supper. As I have a very restricted diet, not amused, no wonder I don’t put weight on. Have cobbled something together without cooking.

Sending a hug, I don’t think I have had it as hard as you, because everyone did pull their weight this Christmas, but I’m shattered. Definitely think it’s time I retired from Christmas at our house, famous last words. Family here for 5 days, unexpected bbq for 9 on the 23rd, as a good friend and his family of my son and daughter were visiting family in the area so were invited here for a bbq. My daughter told me she had asked friends to bring some food with them, whoops she hadn’t. Mad dash to Woolworths for extra, as they arrived. Next an unexpected guest, SiL’s niece, on C Eve, for a quick meal. 10 people for full UK Christmas lunch on C Day, whoops one doesn’t eat meat, was told beforehand, and yes did bring a salad, but I provided extra, but not sea food as highly allergic. Busy next 2 days and last visitors left this morning. So after tidying up and a hundred loads of washing, yes I’m exaggerating and husband has helped in between watching cricket!, have put my feet up. Having written all that, I really must count my blessings, I wouldn’t have missed any of it for the world., especially as a friend has just telephoned to suggest lunch out tomorrow, her husband died last year, they didn’t have children, has no siblings or close family, and had to be honest a fairly sad Christmas, so sometimes those of us who do have family to spend Christmas with, sometimes need reminding how lucky we are.

I mentioned it as general information what happens if you live in qld but are visiting another state and need an ambulance, are you still covered?

Suggest ambulance cover straight away depending on which state you live in, you can be charged a hefty fee otherwise if needed without cover. We have an emergency Dr service locally now, it’s attached to a separate surgery, but separate Drs as it’s walk in and there if you need to see a Dr quickly and your surgery is full. I had to go recently, it Cost about the regular charge, then had an ultrasound at the same place and follow up consultation later, both of those were no charge. I don’t know how many of these places exist, but can’t fault my treatment.

Could have been late November or dec 2010, can’t remember if it snowed at Christmas. I have memories of very bad snow I think 1962/3? We got totally stuck halfway up Kingston Hill in the car

I think lots of us have an unrealistic memory of UK Christmas. I have posted photos before of my last one in Bristol. I had a badly broken arm and shoulder, was totally house bound as too scared to venture out and risk more damage slipping on icy pavements, and unsalted roads. After almost 30 hot Christmases, this is my norm, breakfast outside, leisurely swim in the pool, walk by the beach watching everyone enjoying themselves, late full roast turkey with all the trimmings, usually eating outside and still chatting away and possibly drinking!!? hours later under the stars. Beats a cold Christmas for me. where ever you are, make the most of it, don’t let memories of past Christmases spoil this one. Happy Christmas

Wonderful night watching QLD Ballet showcasing a selection of ballets by Li Cunxin, who is retiring as the Artistic Director. To make the night extra special I found myself standing right next to Li Cunxin and his wife while waiting at the traffic lights, and had a quick chat and they kindly agreed to a photo. Anyone moving to Brisbane and concerned it is a backwater culturally, as mentioned recently, the quality and variety of the shows that I have seen this year have been excellent .