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Well my laptop died last night. Went to check my emails and noting ........ not a spark of life apart from a green light on the front. Wouldn't even turn on. At least it was at the end of our holidays and not the beginning and fortunately I had saved nearly everything on my EHD. Just had a couple of digital layouts and a few designs that I had done that day that hadn't been transferred. Will have our son look at it tomorrow night when he comes over for tea.

Had a good trip home - it took just over 3 hours driving time as there wasn't much traffic. We did have a stop half-way though to stretch our legs and have a coffee. Sitting really plays havoc with my back & legs.

My February Digital Layouts.

These are the layouts which I did for the Cottage Scrapbook challenges for February. Fortunately these ones weren't lost when my lappie crashed as I had transferred most of the data to my EHD.

Today we visited Maryborough and did the "Tourist Thing" - LoL. First off a visit to the Town Hall and Information Centre where we booked our tickets for a mini bus tour of the town. It was excellent .... our guide was very knowledgable and we saw lots of beautifully restored old homes and learnt quite a bit about the town itself. Then we were off to the markets to have a browse and some lunch before catching a ferry for a cruise on the "Muddy" Mary River in the afternoon.

This beautiful old tree is in the park between the main shopping area and the yacht club.
This photo was taken in the same park. It is so well kept with lots of lovely grassy areas and seating.
The ferry coming to pick us up.
Heading down the river .................
The story we were told about this home is if you look carefully you can see another brick building tucked in behind.

Apparently that home had been there for years and had a terrific river view. The opportunity came a few years ago for the owner to purchase the block of land in front for a very reasonable price - however he decided that no-one could possibly build on that bit of land and block his view so declined.

Well .......... guess what .......... I hate to think of what his wife says to him every day when they look out from their front patio...LoL.

I am sooooo tired and wiped out tonight. It was a good day but honestly sometimes I wonder whether going away is worth it. Feeling fluey again but I know that's only the Chronic Fatigue. Tomorrow we can have a slow start in the morning before meeting Margaret, Keith (& Rosie) for fish and chips at lunchtime down on the beach front. Then at night having tea with Bill & Leanne in a lovely open air restaurant / cafe which is nearby.

Having a terrific time catching up with friends.

It's been wonderful to be able to catch up with so many of our friends. We went to visit Leanne & Bill last night. It's been a few years since we have actually met up bit it seemed just like yesterday. We have known them for over 20 years and have watched each other's children grow up into wonderful young adults.

Then today for lunch we visited Margaret & Keith (and Rosie....their gorgeous Jack Russell Terrier). These lovely folk we met when we did our trip to Cape York aboard the cargo ship 18 months ago and have kept in touch since.

Here is a photo of their dear little dog.

Just a few more holiday snaps - LoL.

All along the beach-front where the council has landscaped there are these wonderful sculptures and other art works. This one is just as you walk onto the Urangan Pier.
Then a bit further up at Torquay is this sea monster.
Our little visitor who came to share lunch with us and have a drink.
Hubby on a smaller jetty at Torquay.
Late afternoon taken from the Urangan Pier.

Botanic Gardens & Urangan Pier - Hervey Bay

Yesterday we drove to a town just north of Maryborough called Aldershot to have lunch with other friends whom we hadn't seen for a while. Then this morning we had a sleep-in and after a late breakfast went for a walk around the botanic gardens which are right next door to the caravan park we are staying in. The weather so far has been perfect - a bit warm but there is a beautiful breeze coming in off the ocean.

Me on the bridge which leads to an island in the middle of a lagoon where they have a stage.
One of the cycads with a big knot of new growth in the centre of it.
Kindy nap time for one of the ducks....LoL....they are so quiet that we were able to walk right up to them and they totally ignored us.

Well now I am going to bore you with orchid photos. In they orchid house I just couldn't resist taking photos. Everywhere you looked there were more orchids. Tiny little native ones which were hiding and ones that cascaded down. Some had the most beautiful perfume. These are just a few of them.

Then in the afternoon we went for a walk along the Urangan Pier. This pier is over 860 metres in length. It used to me much longer when the ships berthed there but over the years the last 200 or so metres has been demolished and it is now used mainly by walkers and fishermen.

This pelican was hanging around near all the fisherman just hoping that something might fall his way.
Walking back towards Urangan.

Well we have arrived at Hervey Bay for a weeks holiday....something that both Graham and I are looking forward to. It's been a while since we've been away for more than a couple of days as I have so much trouble with travelling that we don't tend to venture too far. We stopped in on the way up to visit some friends who have moved house to a small sea-side town and had a lovely time catching up on all the happenings. They drove us around for some sight-seeing and we went to see how their new home is progressing then finished up at a cafe overlooking the water for some lunch. This is something that I think I could get used to.

Weird Things

Mmmm - June from Cen's Loft has issued a challenge.

We are to write 6 weird things about ourselves. Well if you asked my family or friends they would probably say - ONLY 6 ??? - but I obviously don't think the things that I do are weird as I'm having a hard time thinking of that many - LoL.

Anyway - here goes .................

1. My linen cupboard is totally colour co-ordinated. You definitely can't have a blue towel with the pile of aubergine ones can you?

2. I just can't walk past a weed growing in a garden. Whether it's my garden, a friends or even in a park .. my fingers start to itch and I want to pull it out.

3. Even in the middle of summer I still have to have a light blanket over me when in bed - but the fan has to be on too.

4. I like cold toast. Hate it when toast is still warm and the butter soaks in and makes it soggy. To me, unless it's crisp & toasty then it's not toast.

5. I can muck out stables, clean goat sheds, collect the doggie droppings with no worries at all BUT don't ask me to change a baby's nappy.

6. Well don't know whether this is weird or not - doesn't everyone have to straighten photos and pictures which are hanging on the wall???

(Actually June - I must confess that I too love cheese on fruit loaf and I put my socks on before my jeans.)

I now challenge others to post about 6 of the weird things that they do.

Wet & Soggy AGAIN

Well we have had over 6 inches of rain dumped on us again the last few days. I know when we had the drought I did promise that I wouldn't complain about rain again but I lied. I don't mind it for one day or even the entire night but 3 days of rain really has be climbing the walls and hanging off the ceiling fans - ARGHHH - really starting to get cabin fever ... LOL

Valentine's Day

As Graham and I don't worry about celebrating Valentine's Day - I often give my special four legged friend .... Shadow .... a treat instead. This year she received a new ball and some doggie chocolates. She just loves playing with and chasing balls.

These photos are of Shadow with her new ball and sitting up nicely for her treat.

Saturday night we went to Kyla & Troy's engagement party. Kyla is the daughter of good friends of ours. What a wonderful night. The weather was just perfect and it was a lovely relaxed, casual gathering. I had been a bit concerned about going out at night to a party as I am still prone to panic attacks if a lot of people are milling around me or if it is very noisy plus I tend to drift off into my own little world. But fortunately there weren't too many people there and we were able to find a table which was over to one side.

We then went back to our friends for the night so we didn't have to drive all the way home. It was fantastic to stay over as it gave us the opportunity for a good catch up with all the news and we had a lovely relaxed slow start Sunday morning.

They have a new dog, a staffy who thinks he is a person - lol. Graham and I came home from the party before the others and Charlie decided that he was going to come inside with us. Well Graham said NO in his best dog obedience voice and poor Charlie........well the corners of his mouth turned down, his ears drooped, his tail went between his legs and he slowly turned around and went back to his bed - poor dog. But by morning all was forgiven and he was ready for lots of pats and cuddles.

Here is a photo of the happy couple:
And a photo of Kyla's family:

What Card Are You ................

June from Cen's Loft found this little quiz which tells you which Tarot card you are. Mine came up with the Star.

Here is what it says:

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

January Clusters

For another challenge on Cottage Scrapbooks we had to make a cluster. I needed something for some dance photos I want to scrap for my niece so made this music one.
I have saved it as a .png file if anyone would like it. It is only to be used for private use and please don't share the image but just direct anyone to my blog. Thanks.
Music Cluster

The second cluster is just for a layout I am wanting to do with my daylillies.
Again you are welcome to use the cluster for private use if you would like. It is also saved as a .png file.
Flower Cluster