more CRIKEYS

The otters were very cute and very appealing, and very destructive to their habitat. The kookabura sat in its gum and I never heard it laugh at all, miserable thing haha.

I loved the Echidna, a bit like our hedgehog, but boy can it run !!! I can honestly say it was well worth the drive from Vals to the zoo, even if on the roads you take your life in your hands :)

One hint for going to Brisbane is to double the heat that Melbourne has and take lighter clothes, it was sweltering, when I arrived back in Melbourne the temperature was definately much lower Saw the most amazing wooden model of a kangaroo in the zoo shop and could't justify buying it, my regret now is that I didn't :(

Seemed really weird seeing tigers and elephants in the "Australia" zoo, but like Val said I guess thats the Asian part of it. But I had expected insects like the spiders etc. I had a biggish spider in my bedroom and called for Val to get it, but apparently it was harmless....phew !! Just a few of the pictures from the zoo, too many to post them all.

CRIKEY !!

Crikey Strewth !!
Just back from the Australian Zoo, woweeee!! Loads of photos, such a great experience, I can see how Steve Irwin was enthausiastic about his zoo and the crocs and the kangaroos and koalas. A bigger place than I thought it would be thats for sure, even got sunburnt, didn't realise it was going to be so much hotter here than it was down in Melbourne, had to endure the heat in jeans. But that was handy as I lay down beside a kangaroo for a photo, even stroked several of them, boy do they have stern faces.

Stroked my first koala too, neither animal has particularly soft fur which was a dissappointment, and koalas only seem to sleep and look tired. Couldn't believe how close up I could get

I got plopped on by a wild bird, and apparently thats supposedly lucky... yuk so...I better buy a lottery ticket !! saw lizards in natural habitat as we were walking on the paths, birds in the tree. Was there all day and had a thoroughly great time. Valerie or "Val" as she likes to be called and I seem to be getting on fine, believe it or not she likes to talk as much as I do :) I've texted uncle Ray a couple of times to let him know we have met up, but I haven't heard a word back.

Watch this space more photos to be added.... bye for now.... and don't worry bout me I'm having a GREAT TIME....and not even got to the Sydney part of the adventure yet!!

Family

Hi
Just incase anyone is trying to email or text I am offline a bit now as I am at my cousins....
Zoo time in a few hours.... hopefully KANGAROO'S... but so much family catching up, I wont be on here.... have fun see ya soon..

The pox

Arghhhh ...woke this am to a 5yr old with chickenpox.. :) Shannon has a nice sprinkling of spots over the body.
Just about to take a shower and pack an overnight bag I've borrowed, and head on my next adventure. Brisbane here I come !! Not sure if I shall be able to blog whilst away but will take the laptop anyway. I keep getting asked if I have seen any kangaroos yet? No not yet but I should at the zoo on fri. Couple of ozzie facts, the water here is so good girls I havent needed hair conditioner, the water makes your hair and skin so soft, I should bottle it and bring it home and make a fortune. Oh and they drive on the same side as us, but they certainly dont drive like us, crossing the road is an adventure, especially of you can make it to the otherside, and U turns...haha they do them all over the place!! and traffic lights go red green...no amber so be ready to pull away fast :)
Well thats this mornings titbits..or nites if your in the UK..... speak again soon

Gday cobber

Still no kangaroo bollock..haha but did spot a packet of koala doo doo :) Surendered to a whim, found a Brown Sugar shop in Frankston and bought the 2 cardi's I had my eye on, credit card took a bashing but I really liked them and apparently there aren't these shops in Sydney. Now the panic will be trying to get them in the case and keep the weight down ....arghhhh the 20kgs is an obsession now. I dread what I might find to buy in Sydney or even Brisbane cos there will just not be any MORE room. Managed to get the last of the pressies for Mum, A, the nephews and niece and vonnie etc. Even got 36 little kangaroos for the kids back at the preschool.
Emma's had a few different aches and pains today so fingers crossed. She's tired and I'm shattered and not even pregnant !!
Geing used to this independant life, We are about 1 and half hours from Melbourne I think, and I've booked the transport to get myself back to the airport tomorrow to fly to Brisbane. The lady at the place helped too hahah.....first I've got to find my way from Mornington to Franskston at about 10 am then stand at the bus stop on some street at 11 am for the skybus that wll take me to the airport $31...not bad huh... Paul will collect me on Sat if theres no baby being born...if there is then its find a hotel or B&B and find my way to Mornington on Easter Sunday.... I don't think I'll get any easter eggs this year...the Easter bunny wont know where to find me :(
thanks for the emails....its nice to get them... I find it really weird to think that when I am starting to rest for the day... back in UK you are just waking and starting work.
ps I found a shop that had a corner that was England... so we are having Birds Custard and apple pie (once i've taught Emma how to make custard not ready made from a tin)

Tiring day

Hi girls, sounds like you are only reading the first page of the blog, technology huh, anyway Shan sends her love again, been busy today, shopping, lunch and Emmas had an antenatal appt, they are saying she shouldn't be long now, and she's hoping it gets here Easter Sunday. Will post baby pics as soon as it arrives, as long as its not when I am in Brisbane at the weekend. Been the warmest day so far, had to strip off a bit today, found an amazing clothes shop called brown sugar, heading to one again before I leave Oz if I have any dosh left to spend. bought everyones gifts today, still cant find a kangaroo bollock (it's a coin bag....yes made from a kangaroos dangly)
Will gave RD one from Oz, but I continue to search. Off to Frankston tomorrow to sort out how to get from Morningon to Melbourne Airport for this weeks flight, its too far for emma to drive on Thur and Paul is at work. So got to be brave and go on the Skybus, next week I have to use the train to spend the day in Melbourne City... never been so adventurous. I guess its something I have to starting doing for myself now...after sorting Dads funeral and finances etc I know I can do it ..I just hate having to...prefer to be lazy hahah
No photos today cos....I let the camera battery run down. which I can't believe I did, so it's charging thru the night, and on Fri it will get a bashing at the Australia Zoo, I think they buried Steve Irwin there, not sure tho so I must google. Chatted to RM on msn and she seems ok and all is ok at home....and can I get her a particular bikini from Oz.... well I can try but.... the shops are selling autumn ranges now.

well once again its late past midnight...so bedtime for me.... last night I slept right though the night, took an extra blanket and was warm and toasty..

nite all xxx

hisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Today it was snakes...hahah

some "Bruce" was doing a display and a talk in the shopping mall, oh how I wanted to hold one, but darent ask, but they looked ok not that scarey or slimey. Spent the day shopping, and sightseeing at the local town, even went walking, managed to get RM and RD something nice, and treated myself to a handbag. tomorrow emma has an antenatal appt in Rosebud so she is dropping me off and meeting me later, and later we are off to meet Pauls boss.

Valerie emailed and we've made arrangements for thurs, definately off to the Australian Zoo, she going to prebook the tickets. Libby rang here today too and is loking forward to meeting on the 14th and we are defo off to Canberra for a day. Life's looking good here, everything is falling into place, shame about home. Contacted home and the kids are being asked to do chores to keep the place clean, good, cos I'm dreading to return to the mess I faced last time I went away.Anyway....forgetting home for a few weeks..... it's been an ok day, wasnt hot but not too chilly either, only time I feel the cold is in the night I've woken freezing both nights, I need a koala to cuddle upto :)

Right time to vanish, made the lasagne ready for tomorrow, so better take it out before its burnt offerings. No calls or texts from work so thats a good sign...keep it up girls and you may get a reward ;)

I saw em

I saw dolphins!!!!!!!!!!!...not sure if it was 2 or 4...
Saw 2 of em on the way out to Queenscliff on the ferry, and 2 on the way back, so do I claim there were 4??? ...oh hell I do.... what a thrill.... but I wasnt fast enough to get a photo, each the time I clicked the cam they were under the water again....sneaky critters hahha....

Queenscliff was really pretty, reminded me a little of the wildwest towns in USA...big wide main street and colonial buildings, everything in Mornington seems so much newer, one thing I'd miss here is the old buildings, I miss the churches. Got myself a beep beep from a "Bruce" in a truck which made me and Emma laugh, but we decided it was probably a gay Bruce and they were beeping Paul.. :) Still trying to find an Australian hat with corks for RD, but they are not forthcoming I presume they are a british myth.... Realised I am going to be months ahead in Neighbours... and we may get to see the street its filmed on, if the baby hasn't arrived. Shannon seems obsessed by my handbag, so she's become my personal organiser.... if you are reading this...she sends her love to Mrs Yvette and Mrs Jenny..she still remembers you, I have been given 3 drawings so far and have only been here a day...think I shall have a suitcase full before I leave...bless her, she sits in the back of the car with me and just sits watching me, she says, I can't really beleive you are here ...I can't either actually !! Its everything I thought it would be,but there are things I miss... oh and girls... the chocolate may be Cadburys, but it's not like ours :( Fish and chips is something called Flake and chips, but nice. I've promised to cook one of my amazing Lasagne's ....Headlines will read..."Aussies murdered by Brit"

Good morning from Down Under

Good morning from down under, its 7.30 am !! temperature is cool.... no ones up, fed the cat who decided to wake me . No jetlag yet, maybe will hit me tonght !! Been shopping, can't figure the money so I'm armed with a calculator... went to the beach for a short while for Shannon to show me the park and sand, there was a wedding party there having photo's taken bit windy for her tho. Had a BBQ last night (English style) not a prawn in sight thank god, its the Aussies that are insisting that they will get me to eat one., sat and chatted and then went to bed, slept like a baby all warm and cuddled up.
today we are off to someplace on a ferry, off for lunch somewhere and if we are lucky we might spot dolphins.... looking forward to it, but maybe too cool for them to come inland. But will take the camera. Off back to bed as Shannon is up and wants me to go back to sleep with her.. hah kids huh..... will post later, or edit this..........Keep the emails coming :)

Wooo hooo arrived safe and sound, flight was a little late leaving...so was late in Singapore, food food food, Qantas definately look after you. Arrived Melbourne, no one there to meet me, was a bit scarey till I saw there faces finally arrive, had a nice bath and feel much better, sun is shining, the house is lovely and we are getting along fine in fact its likethey still live nearby.... glad I came. Off out later, for Kangaroo burgers... no not really

Everything is so big an spacious, like a mix of UK and USA. i's all so clean. Back later, or when i can.........so far...it nice, must get the cam out.