Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Three years down the track

In a couple of days time, we will celebrate the family having been in Australia for three years.  I have already passed this milestone, as I came out a month earlier.

When I reflect back on past three years, I am amazed at some of the things that have happened over that three-year period - starting with the big pack-up in South Africa (too many details to mention but I will forever be indebted to Cathy for coordinating this with the kind support from family and friends while I settled into a new job in Australia).

Juliette and Christina have done so well with the transition.  Julie naturally took a little longer to settle in as she left many dear friends behind.  This year has been a landmark year for her, as she commenced her high school career, settled into a new regime, and established good friendships along the way.  Chrissy found it a whole lot easier to settle in, as she was much younger when she left SA.  Whilst she also left good mates behind, her younger age played to her advantage and she has taken to life in Oz like a duck to water.

Cathy can tell you more about her life in Australia but she has really hit her straps with her role as a relocation consultant. She has that ability to apply great empathy to the role that she fulfils.  Check out the Woodhams website here www.relocationcentre.com.au 

This time of the year is quite busy as we move to year-end.  The girls have had their last major Physie competition last weekend, with Chrissy being appointed team captain for the second year running and Julie progressing from team reserve last year to front-row this year and achieving a 3rd place finish for the team in their category.  I am so proud of the girls for the commitment they have shown to Physie this year (that's Physical Culture to my South African friends). Next step is the year-end concerts. 

We have moved further up the northern beaches and we are now five minutes away from North Curl Curl beach and five minutes to Manly Dam (mountain biking) so my two favourite sports activities are really in close proximity.




Friday, 25 April 2014

Camping, Glamping & Gramping in Australia

Before we even had an inkling about our travels to Australia, we had heard stories about camping in the Great Outdoors.  The choice of parks to stay in, the beautiful facilities and the gorgeous bush and coastline had become the thing of legend.  Those who had visited before us told stories of the beautiful parks, the shiny clean (and free) barbecue facilities, and kangaroos and wombats roaming around. Well, Australians are truly spoilt for choice!  And I can now understand why visitors to this country end up talking about the caravan and camping parks. They are affordable, well maintained and positioned in gorgeous locations.  

Glenworth Valley







Umina Beach, Central Coast



If roughing it in a tent is not your thing, you can stay in luxury tents and glamp it up or in modern cabins which are a great option if you have extended family or grandparents travelling with you (gramping!).  Cabins are definitely my choice for winter weekends away! 




We still believe in the Easter Bunny!

I know I'm being conned, but the girls convince me they still believe in the Easter Bunny even though we all know it's just a bit of fun.  This year, I started a new tradition of buying them beautiful painted eggs that will last longer than their chocolate counterparts, and remind us of new beginnings and the real meaning of Easter.





My favourite part of Easter Sunday was a beautiful walk around the trails of Mosman, ending in a relaxing afternoon at Balmoral Beach. 




Thursday, 29 August 2013

Magic moments & places

It's chilly.... 

You can practice anywhere....

Questacon Science Centre, Canberra

Juliette

Please Mom......

Don't bother me I'm busy!

Beautiful Blue Mountains

Book Parade @ School

Friday, 29 March 2013

Giant Chocolate Easter Bunny!!

I know, I have not posted for a long long time, but i'm back! And something quite EGGciting has happened!  At school, someone donated a gigantic chocolate bunny to the school. Yesterday they announced who won, and surprisingly I won it! Im not a very lucky person when it comes to draws and raffles, so I was really happy. I had no idea what to do with it, and it took us 30 minutes just to fit it in the car. Apparently, it is a pre-schoolers size, to be precise; 5 and a half kilos! So, Im going to have a chocolate party with my friends, because i could never eat such a huge thing in my life! 


Wednesday, 9 January 2013

Endless Beaches


 The next part of our trip took us to Brisbane, and then on to the Sunshine Coast.  One way to describe this coastline is back-to-back beautiful beaches, with lots of lagoons and rivers.  A water lovers paradise no matter what your choice of boat or board.  We just scratched the surface, and can't wait to return....


Brisbane
View of the river from ferris wheel



Currimundi lagoon
Moolloolaba Beach
With the Geraghty's @ Moolloolaba

Tuesday, 8 January 2013

Summer Holiday Road Trip

Kingscliff Lagoon where we encountered a friendly dolphin


Casuarina Beach endless white sand so clean it squeaks

Daddy Christmas

Walking to the beach





Cabarita Beach
After a year of ups and downs, it was fantastic to end 2012 on a high note.  A road trip to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast was just what the doctor ordered.  New places, old friends and warm water....