Stranded

Well I had planned to regale you with stories from my fantastic trip to Ikea to buy a kitchen (every trip to Ikea is fantastic!).  But alas I can not because we never got there.......on Thursday afternoon we were stranded in QLD, and that changed all the plans for Friday's trip to Ikea. 

We had  bad weather for the whole time we were on Hamilton Island except for about 4 hours on Wednesday morning...when we were visited by the local cockatoo's.  There are strict instructions to not feed the wildlife, but sometime you just have to give up some leftover pizza to get some good photos!

On Thursday afternoon we arrived at the airport in Hamilton Island all ready to go home and were told that because of the bad weather all flights had been canceled.  So along with about 160 other people we were put on a ferry, in the pouring rain, and shipped across to Arlie Beach. 

After a night in Arlie Beach we were advised that there would be no flights out of Hamilton Island until at least Monday; and if we needed to be home before then we had to 'make our own way'. And so began our trek to get home.......

As flights had been canceled on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and were still not going out on Saturday or Sunday, there was loads of people all trying to do what we were desperately trying to do: - GO HOME! 

There were no flights and no hire cars left in Arlie Beach; so after three hours with three people, three computers and three phones but finally we found a way:

• A four hour drive to Townsville;
• A two hour flight to Brisbane;
• An overnight stay in Brisbane; and 
• A 6am flight to Newcastle. 

First stop on the drive to Townsville .... the big Mango.....

And lots and lots of this ....... sugarcane!

Then to Townsville with just enough time to fill up the car and hit the airport for our 7pm flight. 

On the Townsville waterfront.

And we thought that we were so very close to making it home! But the luck of Friday the 13th struck and our plane had technical difficulties, which had us sitting in Townsville airport for over three hours before our plane finally took off. 

We arrived at our accommodation in Brisbane at 12.30pm and hit the sack for a mere 4 hours of sleep before our fight to Newcastle. 

At 7.15am on Saturday morning we set down in Newcastle - we were tired but very happy to be home!

Who said that going on holiday was easy! 

Pack your bags .....

The wonderful J and I thought that we would escape for a quick holiday.

It was my sisters idea as she had some annual leave she had to take and we though: why not?? - and although there were actually quite a few reasons why we could not go - we decided to go anyway!

So on Saturday morning we got up very early and jumped on a train and a plane and came to Hamilton Island in Queensland...

Although you may may wonder why we would come to Queensland in winter this is actually the only time that the wonderful J and I could conceivably come as we both hate the heat.

The Island is beautiful and although clearly the weather is not going to be on our side this week we did get a short glimpse of just how stunning it could be on Saturday afternoon.

The view from our room.

My sister trying to soak up the limited sun-rays.

On Sunday morning it was overcast so we decided to dedicate it to a day of rest except for an 80 minute Palates class at lunchtime........ Having never done Palates I imagined that it was similar to Yoga - I was very wrong.  It was 80 minutes of workout with no relaxation or meditation in sight!

I did feel OK afterwards but I had a intense premonition that my body would be feeling the effects of this later.

After our 80 minute workout and with thoughts and feeling of good health and clean living on our minds, we walked into town to find takeaway fish, chips and burgers for a late lunch.

We ate in front of the marina and were visited by Seagulls, Cockatoo's and Rosella's - this little guy was very bold, and obviously not afraid of the humans at all!

And was up for a bit of a pose... 

        

As my sister never likes to pass up an opportunity to shop we popped into one of the only 2 clothes shops in town.  Although the clothes didn't interest me in the slightest I found a table that I loved and will be convincing the wonderful J to make for me on our return ........ I am thinking a side table or maybe a coffee table....

Now I must return to book reading and relaxing .......

The art of Paul Vaillinski

Not long after Libby’s Room and all the associated projects had finished.  I came across the beautiful artwork of Paul Vaillinski:

Based in Long Island City NY his art so simple but can have such a big impact.  I would love to have one of these in my home but I am sure that this will have to be a dream for some time to come....  maybe next birthday......

Leaving a comment

As I learn the 'ins and outs' of blogging I am asked many questions by friends who visit my blog.

The big question at the moment is: "How do I post a comment on your blog?"

I am embarrassed to say I had to sit down and work this out! However now that I know - it is SO easy!


At the bottom of each post you will see a grey box with some information about when I posted, what time etc.

You will see also the words No comments (or if there is already a comment – there will be the number of comments made).

If you click on the word comments, and new page will open that will look like this:

Write a comment, choose your identity and click the Publish Your Comment box and you have done it! You have posted a comment!

I would love to hear your comments (both positive and negative) so please, feel free to post anytime!

Libby's Room

Finally the photos of Libby’s Room just in time for her 5^th birthday. 

True to form with interfering visits to Canberra and Sydney to fit in and work and excessive amounts of rain it ended up as a mad dash to completion but we did it......

 

Libby chose the colour from samples, and the winner was Taubmans Princess Grace  



C spent many a night painting all of the furniture white and we brought a new desk a bookshelf.  

The butterflies were just for fun and the mirror was mosaic by hand (with love) by C.