holi (day) 11 -wednesday

I woke up early to go for the butt burner bike ride.

When I got back to our cabin everyone was still asleep, so I showered off and put the pj's back on and climbed back into bed too. Woke up to eggs and bacon served in bed and hour and a half later. ahhh the bliss. And we are back in flannie jammies. We've gone from air con on 24/7 to needing a jumper this arvo with flannies at night time. So topsy turvey this season.


...riding the bike in pjs

We all had an ultra lazy morning this morning. We all climbed into the big bed and watch movies until lunch. It was just heavenly to spend time with the family and all the cuddles. Esp little boy kisses just cause he wants too. I am such a softie and he knows it!!!

Annie had Swim Vac early arvo and then we zoomed off to Lincoln for a birthday party at the Leisure Centre. I would have loved to take the camera but I thought it would be pretty pointless as Sean will want to go on the slide the whole time and I will need to be with him on that. So the camera stayed home, bugger it. Next time.

Oh and a new rule they've brought in down there. You need to be 1.15m tall to go on the slide unaccompanied. This really irks me. Annie was tall enough but the birthday boy wasn't. Nor some of his other friends there. So when our school has class excursions to the Leisure Centre, all the receptions and most of the Year 1's will be too small to go on it. What a pain in the arse for the teachers. I must make a mental note to let them know of this as I suspect they dont know about it yet.

After changing we managed to get in a couple of shops for stuff and then we headed back to the cabin.

Kym and 3 other guys this afternoon hosted about 30 blokes at the Ungarra Gun Club for a casual clay target shoot. This has been steadily growing over the last 3 years and the number now is just about overwhelming the fellas. I'm not sure how they want to handle it next year. Needless to say, they were flat out and Kym having one of our kids out there was not an option. He was just too busy to keep an eye on  them.

The kids and I started on our way out there after Lincoln but met them coming back in so we did a U turn. There goes another photo opportunity. Bugger it again.

Kym was pretty knackered when he got back here and he was snoring by 8pm.

have a great day tomorrow.
We will!!

holi (day) 10 - tuesday

Oh my gosh. Stinking hot one day and soggy wet the next. We had 20mm here overnight so would you believe I had spin out the beach towels from being outside overnight and put them thru the tumble dryer this morning. But it was so nice to wake up to puddles and a cool breeze. In fact I didn't ride the bike this morning as I would have been pushed backwards.

Sean had a blast peddling like mad thru the puddles. He is such a boy.

This morning saw Granny come over to be with the kids while Kym and I went and did a house inspection on our rental property over here.After that we fed the seagulls with the left over bread from the last couple of days. Then we just chilled out for a bit, had lunch, did jigsaws and stuff.

By mid afternoon it was nicely overcast for a photoshoot around the place. I have being eying off a number of walls and fences the last few days waiting for the right time. Today was it.

With scoop ice cream as the incentive the kids were happy to do anything I asked. They were so good. I am sooo pleased with the results.

And for an extra bonus Redskin we went up the jetty to the platform to shoot some more. It was a bit breezy and cool so a bribery was called for.

I am so proud of my two. They will do whatever I ask for with little to no complaint. As long as there is a bonus in it for them. So I am taking full advantage of it while I can, as sooner or later, they wont be so happy to have me around them with a camera in hand.

A play in the playground was in order to warm up a bit before we headed back to our cabin. A warmer change of clothes and then we were off to the Excell Blacksmith and Engineering Museum open night. We went last year and it was well worth the visit this year.

The kids and I took Ross Story's Horse and Trolley ride back to the caravan park when we were ready to go.

Late tea, showers to wash off the face painting, cuddles and bed.

Another full day. Gosh we love it here.

holi (day) 9 - Monday

Man o Man was it hot. Stinking bloody hot. Windy and hot. Just Blahhh weather. We watched DVDs today and I worked on a bunch more photos.

My 50D was delivered to my door today. Thanks Z for bringing it over from home. Mwah. While waiting for the battery to charge I read the manual a bit. Need to read some more me thinks, different buttons and gizmo's everywhere.

Annie had her Vac Swim at 1.15p. She reckoned the sand was hot hot hot. And Kym reckoned you would have been sand blasted on the beach.

So we holed up some more.

Paige came in for a visit and she was a much needed distraction for the kids. Sean was just about climbing the walls.

By this time the breeze had swung and dropped out a fair bit. The temp was much cooler so we ventured out for a look at the beach. It was so lovely in the water. As I had left the swim bag back at the cabin the kids just went in with the clothes they had on. What the hell, it'll wash. I dashed back to the cabin to grab the beach stuff while Paige played with the kids.

The W family came over from home to cool off on the beach with us. By the time we had chilled out there for a bit the breeze was starting to pick up again. We came back to the cabin, cleaned up a bit and sat down to take away pizza.

Just on dusk the breeze had dropped right out, so we went down the road to the sandbar to feed the pelicans and seagulls. The kids being kids, and the water being so appealing, they got wet again.

S had a bit of a play with the camera and took some shots of me with Paige. Thanks chick, its not often I'm out behind the camera. Mwah.

More play, more wine, more chat.

The best way to end the day.
ps. thanks S and P for letting me post pics of you and yours.

help please

Anyone travelling from Cummins to Tumby Bay today???. I have a parcel at the Cummins PO that I'm finding a way to come across. please please please

***eta*** all sorted within 5 mins of posting on FaceBook. gotta love that.
cheers

holi (day) 8- sunday

Man it was hot today. If it was hot here, it was hot everywhere. Thanks goodness for air con!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I woke up at 5.15am to catch the sunrise. (Yes I can get up that early, I just choose not too!!) I really wanted to catch the new day's colour with the jetty in the foreground. Well, by the time I got onto the shiny purple comfy seat treadly, I very nearly missed the whole show. So I ripped down to the sandbar which is about 100m away from the cabin and found it was just perfect. Very nearly a mirror.

So it must have been fate to send me there instead of the jetty. I'm still tossing up the idea of going out EARLIER tomorrow morning . Me thinks the alarm clock can go and get stuffed at the moment. LOL.

Kym went to Cowell to go crabbing today. I thought he was madder than a lawn bowler in this heat. The rest of us holed up in the cabin with DVDs to await the cool change. After a bit of a snooze in the early arvo, the change was here. And so was Kym with his large share of Blue Swimmer Crabs. He was one very happy and not sunburnt chap. (thank goodness)

Off to the beach we went. Kym is a bit like a cat with water. Doesn't really like to get wet at all. So getting shots of him mucking around with the kids was too good to pass up. With the change, was a gentle breeze that made the waves perfect for boogie boards.

After I packed the camera away (See, I can detach it from my face now and then LOL) I jumped in the waves too.

With the change was the clouds. So I had another go at a sunset shot. Lots more mood in this one.

All in all, I managed to catch the sun going down on one horizon, come up the other horizon, only to see it to down again tonight. I must be a sun lover. tehe.

Monday is supposed to be a shitty hot windy bloody horrible day. Not sure what we'll do yet other than hide from it all and come out as the sun goes down to play on the beach. I'll keep you posted.

stay cool

holi (day) 7- saturday

After getting in late from the Big Girls Night out (did play Wii tennis and ten pin bowling back in one of the girls shack until 3.30a). The kids very kindly let me sleep in by sleeping in a bit themselves. Kym headed out early fishing, trying out a few new holes.

After the kids and I had ourselves sorted out with breakfast, getting dressed etc etc, we headed off to Lincoln for the day. Mainly to catch the bike shop for me and for the movies for the kids. The kids wanted to watch 'The Princess and the Frog'.

So at last I have a bike for my size with a suspension seat that is very comfy.

We came back to the cabin in the late arvo and it was fairly warm. I pulled the bike out of the back, and threw in the beach stuff and the picnic basket.

It was beautiful on the beach. Very relaxing on the sand in the shade of the big tree by the playground. Did see S at the playground with the 5 Grandies. Not sure who had who in tow, but she sure was busy.

The Firth crew hopped into chicken and salad when we were hungry and thirsty. (I had a glass of wine). And the kids went back in to splash around some more.

It was close to sunset when the kids and I went up the jetty to catch some glorious colour on the horizon. Those two kids are so tolerant of me when I have a camera in hand.

stay cool

holi (day) 6-friday

Firstly apologies for not posting Friday's blog on Friday night. I had a big girl's night out last night and there was no way I was blogging at 3.30 in the morning. 6 of us got together, wined and dined and chatted A LOT. Myself and 2 other girls have been getting together during the summer holidays over the last 3 years and its just like we pick up where we left off. Had a rippa of a night.

Rode the butt bruiser bike for an hour first thing Friday morning. Stepped off being very quivery lol. It must be doing me some good. Isn't it???? Hell I hope so, as I am not riding for the fun of it.

Sean decided to skip fishing again so Annie was given the choice of Mission or fishing. Fishing won! Sean and I did stuff together for the morning. We met Annie and Kym at Second Creek and swapped kids over. Annie had Vac swim to come back in for, and Sean decided that he was now ready for fishing.

After Vac Swim Annie has been having an ice-cream each day. I have been a very good girl and refrained from such indulgences. LOL. But it does sure look good.

After showering off and getting changed, the kids and I ripped back to home to pick up a parcel that I have been waiting for. Yay. The new lens had arrived to replace the one I'm selling along with the Canon 400D body and the other lens that was part of the twin lens kit. Just one more box to come. Fingers crossed the 50D should be here on Monday.

By the time we got back from town it was time for me to get ready to head out with the girls.

Another full day in Paradise.

stay cool

holi (day) 5 -thursday

The boat was left high and dry today. Sean decided that he didn't want to go fishing this morning so the boys kicked back, relaxed and lounged around for a while.

I'm not sure of what Kym's thoughts were when Sean tried to help him out with the Advertiser crossword. They ended up going for a run at the Playground by the caravan park and splash around on the sandbar.

Annie went to Beach Mission after I came back from the bike ride. I stepped it up a bit by switching to the next gear to pedal harder. Man, my legs were a-quivering when I got off an hour later.

Kym and I cruised around Tumby checking out the Real Estate and just having a bit of a look around the new homes that have been built during this last year.

Kym and the kids went to Vac Swim while I worked on processing photos for scrapping later.

It came in fairly warm this arvo and the sun had some bite in it. We ended up staying indoors for the afternoon and ventured out later on.

Annie's Beach Mission had their Family afternoon and evening today. While we missed the afternoon session, we were there for the Family night and the concert. It cooled off this evening and it was just lovely. They had bouncy castles, merry go round, volley ball, water pump balloons and a sausage sizzle on the oval. All amazingly for free.

Annie was in the first group which presented their skit on stage. She spied me with the camera so she promptly stood in the back row. Little minx.

Obviously I cant show that one with all the other kids in it, so this is of her in the crowd.

I have a girls night out Friday night so I am really looking forward to that!!!!!!

For Sale: Canon 400D body and twin lens kit

My beloved Canon 400D, the 18-55mm f3.5 lens and the 75-300mm f4.5 (the standard twin lens kit at the time of purchase a couple of years ago) are for sale. With it comes 2 batteries the battery charger, the data transfer cable, the cable to hook it up to TV, the manuel and the paperwork that came with it. Repacked in its orginal boxes.

I can tell you with total honesty that the camera and lenses have never been dropped, banged or vibrated in any way. They have not had exposure to dusty conditions. They have never had any moisture problems. I am very careful with my gear and treat it accordingly.

Please email, txt, ring or leave a comment here or on FaceBook if you would like further details.
Selling for a very affordable price of $850. Same as Ebay for a second hand good quailty camera.

Tiff

holi (day) 4 -wednesday

***eta another photo*** scroll down

ahhhh. another gorgeous day at the beach. I know its heating up and home and that just makes it a little bit sweeter to be here by the sea. Mind you, its going to be a stinker weekend coming up, beach or not, its gonna be filthy hot.

Last night around midnight (ish) I went out with the camera and tripod to keep me company to shoot the moon. This is part of my Assignment 7 of the photography course I'm studying. While I am not so happy with it yet, I'll give it another shot when the 50D body arrives along with the big arse IS zoom lens and then I'll compare the results before I send it the pic to complete the assignment.

Today Annie had Beach Mission, a quick bite of lunch and then Vac Swim. Sean fished with Kym until lunch, a quick bit of lunch and came with us girls to Vac Swim to watch Annie. Kym had some much needed time off from the kids this arvo. I had a most relaxing morning after the butt bruising deadly treadly ride.

We had the most delightful afternoon with J, S, M and the D man. My kids worship D, and for some reason he seems to like them a bit too. I think he's their new favorite. Sorry S and M, move aside please!! lol. We all  walked and talked and snapped a few pics off as we went. And then we all lazed on the beach, just soaking up good times. Thanks guys, it was the best.

J had a bit of a play with my camera and I have had a bit of a fiddle with the ones she took tonight. thanks for letting me post the one of the 'young adults' with my tinlids.
mwah.

Bob also joined us on the beach today.

stay cool

holi (day) 3 -tuesday

Meet Bob.

There's a bit of a story with Bob. She (yes, she's a she) was given to Annie when she was born 7 and a bit years ago. Last year Kym went to Roma QLD, for the National Clay Target Shooting Titles and Bob went with him. You see, Annie thought her Dad would be needing some company and his own personal cheer squad while he was away. Every day without fail Kym would send Annie a pic back to her via my mobile phone of what Bob had been doing that day. Kym does have a sense of humor and these pics delighted Annie no end.

Annie put Bob in Kym's Ute before he drove over for our holiday to keep him company. And so we are doing a 'Bob' pictorial daily diary for Annie's sake. Yesterday Bob had taken over the lappy for a while. Today she was checking out the jetty. Who knows what Bob will get up to tomorrow.

Maryanne came over for a visit this arvo. Great to catch up, sit back and chat away. We barely could be bothered to get the cameras out, but I did manage to catch this one. Such a lovely day here today. Nearly a bit chilly in the shade with the sea breeze. I think I'll be appreciating the breeze off the sea a lot more in the next few days when it really starts heating up at home.

cya tomorrow

holi (day) 2 - Monday

I rode out to the silos and back on the deadly treadly early this morning. I should add that I have borrowed a bike for the holidays and after today I am waiting very impatiently for Clusters to reopen for the new year. The one that has very kindly been loaned to me (Mwah S) is a tad too small for me and by crickey, my butt hurt after. I'll stick it out and work up to my goal of doing the Tumby Triangle. As Kym says, small bites are sweet.

I dropped off Annie to Beach Mission this morning (for the locals chicks, this is a bit like Xroads but on a much larger scale. They have about 100 kids of varying ages each day for 5 days. This doesn't include the Teenagers who go there each evening until 10pm.) I really take my hat off to the amazing leaders within this group. And I was so very reassured to see some local leaders from home here as leaders too. Familiar faces for Annie.

Sean and Kym went fishing. They had a successful morning. At first Sean was telling me that one of the fish he caught was this big......

hardy hardy haa!! This is much more believable.

I tided up the cabin during the morning and edited a bunch of photos for scrapping. I tend to do this in batches and this holiday gives me time (at least this week) to get a lot of them done (all of 2009 with luck)

Annie and Sean swapped over in the boat at lunch. I dashed back home to grab some things that I had left behind, but I was sprung. Yes M, that was me you spied in the main street. lol. (cya on Tues!!!  :oD )

When we hit the coast again I took Sean up the jetty for a bit of  a looksie. And of course I took the camera.

Paige visited us and stayed for tea. While the fisher persons ate their day's catch (the rest is in the fridge to be smoked later) she and I scoffed into Hamburgers. yum. Back on the treadly tomorrow!!!!

Vac Swim starts here on Tuesday and I'm catching up with some budding photographers for a photo shoot later on in the arvo.

Its gonna be a top day. oh and the weather is AWESOME!!

holi (day) 1 - sunday

After a bit of packing and checking off my list from last year's holiday's packing, we were set to go.

whooo hooo.

the kids were bouncing off the walls last night at home. And now here we are and it feels like home already. lol.

ahhh the bliss.

 I'm going to burn my butt on the bike tomorrow morning (early) and be back in time to take Annie to Family Mission. Sean is going out with Kym in the boat fishing. At noon I'll pick Annie up and then its her turn to go fishing. They cant wait!!