The Last Two Weeks ...

have been busy. My brother, Richard and SIL Trudie came to stay with their children Alex (photo with Penny) and Lachlan for just over a week. They came to finalise the sale of their house in Brisbane. The cousins all had a great time together. They swam most of the time and enjoyed each other's company. One day they set up a great vet hospital with its own radiology department filled with an ultrasound, xray and MRI machine. Pip also loved having so many people around and more shoes to steal.
Last week, we went to Byron Bay for a relax and recharge and stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment with a lovely heated pool. We visited the historic light house which sits above a short walkway to the most eastern point of Australia. We went to the beach on a couple of days although it was closed for the other couple of days due to sharks. The Macadamia Castle (just nth of Ballina) was a favourite. We went there about 4yrs ago. Penny was so excited about cuddling a rabbit as last time she wasn't quite 4 and was too frightened to do so. Nic and Penny fed milk to the calves and lambs, held baby chickens, fed the kangaroos and joeys (that were big enough to eat food) and enjoyed playing on the flying fox and huge tree house. I managed to read two books and have a good rest.
I am back at work this week whilst Craig and the kids have gone to Bundaberg. It's very quiet, just the dog and I but I am enjoying the solitude and getting lots done around the house. I took the opportunity to go out on Friday night whilst everyone was away. My friend Petrina came down from Bundaberg to attend the opening night of "Bundaberg Bohemians not Bogans" exhibition at the Bleeding Hearts gallery in Brisbane city. Petrina's sister, Renita also attended the exhibition with us. One of Petrina's Yr 12 students from 2012 was exhibiting her works. We went onto the city afterwards for a yummy Singaporean meal. It was a lovely night and we enjoyed catching up.
All the books are covered and pencils sharpened in anticipation for the start of a new school year next Tuesday - Yr 5 for Nic and Yr 2 for Penny. Wow hasn't that come around fast! Fingers crossed it will be a good year for both kids.
Have a happy Wednesday.
Rach xx