Dave’s Downtime

Yay! Spring Break!

We managed to do it. Organise and enjoy a family holiday in the Aussie springtime. We had to put off family from visiting us….they like to come now ….it’s the nicest time of the year. We had shuffle around leave and finance, which is no mean feat when people are changing jobs and salary cycles are just downright strange.

But, despite obstacles…this week has been ace. Quality family time, spent in a most beautiful part of the world, with adventure and new experiences.

I’ve done lots of “first things” during our time in the loverly Queensland Glasshouse Mountains in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland:

Not my photo...but gives you an idea of the beauty of the place — Not my photo…but gives you an idea of the beauty of the place

Stopped in a lovely picturesque Queenslander-style wood cabin in the bush.

Seen my first wild snake (a brown snake at that…nearly hit it with the car).
Licked at raw milk directly [wrong adverb] from a cows udders.

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No contact between lips and teat.[/caption]

Used a fleecy blanket over the knees, whilst sat on the sofa.
Got the small boy on a horse.
Had a “Gypsy “ dinner.

Goat and Molasses - not my meal....but the best on the table. — Goat and Molasses - not my meal….but the best on the table.

Heard the word “Daddy” over a thousand times in one day.
Jongs in the sea.
Been to Australia Zoo, the home of the “Crocodile Hunter”.

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Brotherly love on the jumping pillow![/caption]

Had the tall boy put up a serious challenge at skimming stones.

All sorts going on!

And this little lady makes it all worth while.

I can’t remember the last time a holidays left me feeling so refreshed and ready to take on the world with new vigour.

Coming back to a public holiday weekend, allowing me to get my affairs in order (as well as the laundry), is an added bonus.

Man in Dilemma

So I’m going up to Brisbane today…and now that the sun has made a return from it’s winter vacation, which has resulted in over two and half weeks of overcast and drizzly conditions…I need to select the right type of headgear.

But we are in the middle of a sporting en passe. Let me try to explain:

State of Origin (the massive annual rugby league series between Queensland and New South Wales) and tonight is the deciding game in a “best of three” competition. I have learned that this tournament is a big deal here in Australia, with loyalties being spill (sometimes across family lines), and great emphasis is placed on the state colours, being the Maroon (pronounced ma’rhone) of Queensland and the Blue of NSW.

England/Australia in the Semi Final of a Cricket World Cup…which precedes an Ashes series.

So the dilemma is a simple matter of hat colour. Do I don the deep burgendy of my adopted home state (whilst knocking about the state capital)….or do I represent national pride, put on lovely new blue England Cricket ODI hat.

Not that I expect any kind of recrimination from the Aussies….except from playful banter and gentle ribbing. There pretty good with stuff like that.

In any case….I’ve taken both hats with me.

And as the chants go:

QUEENS–LAND–HA!!!!

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!