We've had several relaxing days here in Bissy with our little Aussie family.  Tuesday, my birthday, we took the city cat into CBD (city center) and walked through the botanical gardens.  So many plants which I recognize as house plants at home, grow year round in the gardens here!!  It was a hot and humid day, and really took a lot out of me!  I wondered how the people here can carry on with all their activities day after day with such heat and humidity!!!  32 C and a high humidity, and they say this is slightly coolish!!!  Day after day????  All I can say is I'm glad it's slightly coolish then!

I was treated to fish and chips at the ocean by my son, his wife and our grandchild!!! Something I've never done on my birthday!

Now we are packed, and in a couple of hours we fly to Tasmania!!  We'll spend a week in Hobart and for four nights we'll be tramping on Maria Island!!!

That is it till March 9 or 10.

What a fantastic weekend this has been, just spending time at the home of our kids with our new little grand daughter!! Friday and Saturday it seemed to rain more often than not, and at times, a real downpour!!  Saturday Brissy recieved at least 60mm of rain during the day, and it rained all night and most of Friday.  But very warm; in fact, HOT!  But I love it!  In case some of you don't remember what that's like.....we walk in and out of the house without having to put on a jacket or shoes!  We had a high of 30 C today! Sunny and humid!

Saturday morning we were the proud grandparents videoing and photographing our grand daughter's first swimming lesson.  She loved it!  Later we relaxed in Andrew and Bella's back yard, enjoying each other's company. They took us on a real tikki tour of Brissy, we managed to hit a mall and even cool off for a bit.

Jer has been able to watch some cricket and rugby on TV, and we are able to keep up with the Scotties by watching the results on TSN!!  Too bad Jennifer lost!

We went for a walk this morning at 6:30 - for some reason we keep waking at 6AM!!!  But it was quite hot by the time we got back to the house.  Cinnamon buns for breaky! Home made!!  And Jerry and Andrew have been bottling his last batch of beer today!!! Some 60 bottles.

Today in Andrew and Bella's yard,  we have seen a cane toad - they are an invasive species and Aussies are encouraged to kill them.  We have heard a striped marsh frog - sounds like someone is building something outside in the back yard, a loud tock or poc sound. We have seen and heard lots of sulphur-crested Cockatoos - they have a very screechy and irritating call.  We've heard and seen many little geckos in the back yard - and for the size of them, they make a surprisingly loud chirping sound. And there have been some very big and colorful butterflys flitting around in the back yard!

Now it's time for supper - a curry chicken dish.  Smells yummy.  And then early to bed, as Andrew needs to get up at 4 AM tomorrow for work!

Brissy! We made it!

New Wpg airport!!

We made it!!!  The new Winnipeg airport is fantastic!!!  It now compares to airports in other major cities that we have been to.  Very airy and bright and modern looking.
Our flight was uneventful, long and tiring!  About 2/3 across the big pond flight, I was beginning to think we were nuts for doing this again, and this WOULD be the last time for us going down under! But one minute after disembarking and smelling the tropical warm air...... And then an hour after disembarking, and meeting AND HOLDING our grand daughter, Frieda Mae!!!....I think it might not be the last flight across the big pond.

The first hold at the Brissy airport!

We arrived to 25C temps, and a soft gentle drizzle!  Our luggage arrived with us!!!; only one can of beer for Andrew was punctured....  So, some of Frieda-Mae's books smell a little like beer, and some of our clothes need to be washed....but, otherwise, all ok!

Bird of Paradise - lots in full bloom!

Andrew and Bella's entrance from street

Had a great visit with our kids and grand kid yesterday, and managed to stay awake for the entire day. But, this morning, we were wide awake at an unearthly hour!  6 AM!!!!  So, we went for a 4 km walk around the lake that is nearby here.  Slight drizzle while we were walking, but 22 C, so not cold at all!!!!  Saw lots of pukekos... that is a kiwi bird, but we have only seen it once in New Zealand.  And here, in Aussie, we saw hundreds around the lake - with babies of all sizes.  So many trees are blooming - it is summer here!  The air smells of blooming flowers.

Leaving soon!!!

It is amazing how many details have to be taken care of at the last minute.  We were bascially packed on Saturday and now there is a mad rush to get the list of errands done.  After all these weeks of waiting it seems like we need more time before we go!!  Sorry to be missing all the curling here but will be distracted by spending time with our granddaughter - Frieda-Mae and ... oh, yes, ... our son and his wife!!  Hope the fresh snow doesn't make the driving too stressful. And it is good skiing weather again.  Will miss that, too.