Nowhere Like Queensland

The Ekka - Pricey Or Priceless?

2011-08-13T16:45:00.000-07:00

It appears that only one family from our 'real life' friends are going to the Ekka this year.

The rest are citing the expense and/or the risk of flu, whooping cough, and all the other Dreaded Lurgies doing the rounds this year.

Even though we've been sick, the kids are still begging to go, and I would love to take them.

However, my social media peeps have been keeping me informed, and to be honest, they don't make it sound too enticing.

Here are a few examples:

@simonband: absolute chaos as police martial shoulder to shoulder crowds set to riot at the smaller show bag pavilion #ekka #notajoke

@o_Natalie_o: Biggest waste of time, the Internet scam van. Next to the car dealers. Felt like they were recruiting us...#Ekka

@jendudley Word is spreading around the #ekka about the substandard strawberry ice creams. One person queueing.

@DebRyan66 The showbag pavillion at #Ekka yesterday had bouncers, crowd control for those who want to pay $25 for $5 of plastic. #mayhem

@Graham_Friend Back from the #Ekka. Dropped 350 in 4 hours. How cheap is that!!

And then there were more positive tweets like:

@simonband i just watched a sheep do a poo #ekka

and

@simonband i'm watching lambs being born #ekka

@kliplet Asked 7y son how was it? - "Best day of the week" #ekka

@bern_morley: Bertie Beetled out #Ekka

So it seems there are pros and cons.

As for costs, apparently a single, heart-attack-inducing Dagwood Dog/Pluto pup will set you back $5! Can you believe that? Fair suck of the (battered) sav ...

Sounds like the $2 Coon cheese toasties at the Woolworths Fresh Food Pavillion are the Ekka's best bargain treat.

And for foodies, there's a $7 Ekka pie which is supposed to be amazing. ($10 if you want mushy peas, potato and gravy).

Or from Let's Do Yum Cha, the $2.50 dumplings and yum cha (or 5 for $10) sound like another bargain.

I was thrilled to read there is still a CWA (Country Woman's Association) stand offering their famous Devonshire teas and ham sandwiches. They are always a favourite for Ekka visitors in need of nourishment, tea, and a genuine country smile.

The opinions of the new-look strawberry sundae are mixed, with most dissing them in favour of the traditional ice-creams. (See, you should never mess with tradition?)

Advice on good value goodies from my twitter peeps?

o_Natalie_o The Theiss mining stand at the far end of the #Ekka had little bag for gold coin. Mini mining hat, coloured pencils in case with sharpener, ruler, chocolate. Jellybeans.

#Ekka Government Qld building giving away free fruit...bananas, apples orange 1 per person. Bananas are like gold! (Unsure who this one came from, sorry).

And this: @earleyedition Ekka! Miss2 is seeing the real life animals & animal sounds for the first time!!

Now, I don't think you can put a price on that do you?

It's Ekka Time!

2011-08-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

It's cold, and we're all home sick, which in Brisbane can only mean one thing: It's Ekka Time.

For those playing at home outside of Australia, The Ekka is an iconic Brisbane event which has been held since 1876.

It's when 'the country comes to the city'. Over 10 days, visitors will roam the showgrounds clocking the country's best animals, cooking, fine arts, produce, and more.

The word 'Ekka' is Queensland slang for Exhibition, but over the years it's built into a massive carnival as well.

There's sideshow alley, packed full of stomach-churning rides and high-pressure carnies tempting visitors to part with their hard-earned cash for what they think will be a huge fluffy toy, but will instead probably be a piece of shiny, plastic crap.

And then there's the food. While in recent years, there's been an increase in cooking shows and quality eateries; plus wine, coffee, nut, olive oil and wine tasting; there are iconic Ekka foods which should only be enjoyed once a year.

These include Dagwood Dogs or Pluto Pups, depending on where you buy them. They are battered frankfurts on sticks, generally dipped in tomato sauce. About 185,000 will be consumed this year. And of course, strawberry sundaes, an intriguing mix of ice-cream and strawberries served in a cone. Some 145,000 of those are expected to be eaten this year.

There are more than 10,0000 animals on display, 11,200 competition classes, and 20,000 competitions.

For some city peeps, the Ekka is the first time they get to see cows being milked, baby animals born, or wood being chopped. Not to mention the fireworks displays!

At Chez MIA, the jury is out as to whether we'll attend. For the kids, many of the attractions are the sideshow rides and showbags, all of which tend to add up very quickly. Add in ticket prices, food and drink, and a day at the Ekka, while always fun, turns into an expensive day out.

Needless to say, Mr 10 and Miss 8 have launched a relentless campaign to talk me into taking them, spruiking the fact that there's a lot to be seen that doesn't cost extra.

Point taken.

But there's also the sickness fear. Throw in the fact that we're already sick - tonsillitis, sinus and asthma - and that some 400,000 people will move through the gates to the Ekka this year, and I'm thinking it's a germy prescription for yet more days off school and visits to the GP.

So we'll see.

Some families decide to have a night or two at a swanky hotel, or take the kids to an all-inclusive theme park instead of going to the Ekka, citing the cost.

Regardless, the Ekka should be experienced by kids (big and small) at least once in their lives.

Readers, what would you do?

Showbags. Image courtesy of The Ekka Media Centre.

Japanese Curry

2011-08-02T21:43:00.000-07:00

Every family has staple, no-fail meals that everyone enjoys.

In our house, one of our favourite family dinners is Japanese Curry.

One of the ingredients is cooked crumbed chicken or veal schnitzel. (Sorry veggies. I pick out the meat myself, but my kids are carnivores. To balance it out, we only buy organic meat which we hope has lived and died humanely. And we don't eat it a lot).

I then veggie the life out of the curry. I chop up onion, carrots, zucchini, and pumpkin, and throw them into the mix. The pumpkin cooks up so soft it becomes part of the sauce, so the kids don't even know they are eating it. The only time they ever complained, was when I tried to hide silverbeet in the curry. Don't do that. It doesn't work. It may even end in tears. Literally.

You can throw in potato too, if you're not counting carbs, and my kids like their Japanese Curry with boiled rice.

Simple, easy, and pretty nutritious.

When we were out shopping recently, we saw this:

How much nicer an option is that than the usual fast food/food court options?

Miss 8 was craving a good Japanese curry, but Mr 10 had insisted he'd 'gone off it'.

So I let her grab a portion, and what a generous serve it was. It smelled delightful, and she allowed me a taste.

Oh my God, it was even better than mine. Or their Dad's. (And that is High Praise Indeed).

Watching his sister enjoy the feast, Mr 10 couldn't help himself, and had to order some too.

"It's spicier than home-made, but it gives it that extra kick," said the Mini-Masterchef. "And they don't put heaps of veggies in like you do."

They gobbled up the lot, in double-quick time. (Yes, I know. I was hoping for leftovers too).

That night, dinner was soup (for all of us); with toast and fruit and dessert for the still hungry. I couldn't have made the Japanese Curry for that price, so I not only got a night off cooking, but the kids had a yummy meal as well.

Readers, do you have a favourite family meal?

We bought our curry from Sushi D'Lite at Mt Gravatt Shopping Centre.

That was then, and this is FAB!

2011-07-22T02:05:00.000-07:00

Six months ago, one of my regular shopping centres looked like this:

It was the aftermath of the January 2011 floods, which left much of Brisbane (and let's face it Queensland and other parts of the country), inundated with stinky, sludgy floodwater.

I blogged at the time, that it was the closest thing I'd ever come to living in a war zone.

People were left homeless and stranded. Property and businesses were destroyed, basic requirements like clothes, family photographs, and personal records were gone forever.

Not to mention the loss of food, water, electricity, lives.

By the Grace of God, I was safe.

I'd moved weeks earlier, in a bid to escape a neighbourhood thug who was bullying Mr 10. The thug and his gang were well-known to police, but because of their age, the police could do little more than tell them off and slap their wrists. (Although the main bully did receive a caution, which I'm told goes on his permanant record if he offends as an adult).

Of course, I kept the kids safe, but the two serious incidents occured: A. When C. was playing with our next door neighbour, supposedly under his parents' supervision; and B. When I was with him in our own back yard. (A slingshot from the bully who was in the neighbour's back yard, flew past me and hit C. in the eye. Only good luck, ER hospital treatment, and a couple of millimetres saved C. from losing an eye.)

After that, the bullies would often congregate at the park across the road, which ironically, I'd taken as a bonus when we took the rental. And they would shout abuse at the kids, but run away when I took them to task, and yell sexual slurs at me.

They damaged my car and letterbox, and would knock on the door and run away. Little arses, and I can't tell you what I think of their parents.

Anyway, that's a whole other story.

Moving was an absolute and expensive pain in the arse at the time, but a necessary means to an end.

And as it happened, that nasty, evil bully and his gang of thugs saved my little family from losing everything.

Our 'new' home was situated at the top of a steep driveaway, near the top of a hill.

Around us, we were isolated by stinking floodwaters, but we were safe. And dry.

I found out later that our old home, street, community centre, and neighbourhood, went completely under. Residents were evacuated, and many lost precious belongings.

We were stranded away from home for a while (as we'd been visiting family when the floods hit), and we lost power and water too. But the damage was minimal.

I did my own part to help those who weren't so lucky. I provided what I could spare of clothes, bedding, towels, and toys for those who had lost everything. I spent hours buying bottled water and giving it away to the Mud Army of volunteers.

I'm not special. Everyone did what they could. The community spirit was alive. And slowly, life returned to normal.

When I think back to that time, I remember that bad things can happen to good people. But good people can help to make bad things better.

And so came the re-opening of the All Sports Shopping Centre at Jindalee.

Thanks, not just to the business people who lost everything during the floods, but the generous souls who lived and worked in the area, this vibrant little village is now open for business.

Bigger and better than ever before.

All Sports was home of the real estate agency from whom I purchased our family home; a home the kids and I loved.

Later, when my ex's work took us overseas, they found us tenants for that home. And later, sold it, because we were going to return and buy a cool new one.

(The fairytale clearly did not happen. There's a story there, but I can't tell it right now.)

Anyway, that house was more than a house, but a home.

And it survived the floods, just, so my lovely former neighbours told me.

Nearby Jindalee Allsports was where our favourite GPs worked, and our favourite blood-taking, urine-sampling, clinic resided.

Where we got videos, and loaves of fresh bread. Milk and the occasional pie or sausage roll for the kids. And those silly marshmallow ice-cream cones. For when they had been Really Good At The Doctors' Surgery. (Read: When they had not run screaming up and down the aisle in fear of needles, vomited all over the waiting room, and/or told the doctor that Daddy was very well thank you, but farted a lot).

And suddenly, in January 2011, the surgery, the shops, the vampire blood collecting place, were all gone.

Here is one of the old shops in January:

And look what's in its place ...

The Nook Caffe-Restaurant, which I'll be reviewing soon. And which has already worked itself into the tummies of residents in the Western Suburbs.

The kids were not keen to be photographed with the Pizza Capers dude/dudette. So I had to do it.

(NB: This did not stop them from scoffing huge amounts of pizza. Also? I think they have a secret agenda to see their Mumma look silly).

The aftermath of the floods ...

The same area, where a happy Miss 8 wins a Nerf Gun from B105 FM

Mr 10 was thrilled to win a prize from Pizza Capers and B105 FM - a large pizza for all of us!

Oof! On the jumping castle. Thankfully, pre-pizza-eating!

While Miss 8 took advantage of the free face-painting to become a cat!

Thanks to the very kind people of Pizza Capers at All Sports Jindalee - who were kept busy on the re-opening day handing out delicious free pizza - I have a giveaway for people who live in the area.

I have two prizes up for grabs:

A voucher for one free large pizza, and two kids' pizzas;
and for the larger (or hungrier) family, a voucher for one free large pizza and three kids' pizzas.

To enter, make sure you're following Nowhere Like Queensland, and leave a comment below.

Unfortunately, these prizes are only valid for the Jindalee Pizza Capers store, but there is talk of a nationwide giveaway on my sister blog Maid In Australia.

Good luck!

Prize will be drawn and winners announced August 1, 2011

Hosted by Three Lil Princesses and Tina Gray {dot} Me

Not the car wash

2011-07-14T00:29:00.000-07:00

Spotted at a service station at Kingaroy, Queensland.

Seriously, some people use squeedgies to try and sneak a cheeky car wash?

With the high cost of water, you can't blame a motorist for trying ...

Only in Queensland!

Get stuffed!

2011-07-12T01:23:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love to shop?

I think most of us do, but dragging the kids along to crowded shopping centres during school holidays can be, well, a drag.

Unless you go to one of those shopping centres that puts on free or cheap events on for the kids.

Brisbane's Mt Gravatt Plaza is one of those centres.

During the recent holidays, Mr 10 and Miss 8 were delighted at the chance to make their own teddy bears there.

There was a small cost - $5 each - but there was a nice selection of soft toys to choose from. Mr 10 got lucky and chose the last pink fluffy teddy bear (he likes pink and he collects teddies, so this was an instant win). Miss 8 went for a panda. (Usually her brother's favourite!)

There was a huge queue of hyped up kids and frazzled parents, so I was glad I'd fed and watered the kids before we joined the line-up. (That didn't stop Miss 8 from desperately needing a wee halfway through, but that's another story.)

Finally it was our turn.

Disappointingly, the kids didn't actually get to make and stuff their toys themselves, nor to sew them up. A professional did that.

But they were still happy with the result!

H. with her panda, pre-stuffing. Poor Panda is looking pretty slim...

Too many to choose from ...

Poor panda, being filled via the butt. The lady had to insert her fingers into panda's bottom to widen the hole before she could stuff it. Oh how we laughed!

C's teddy was lucky enough to get stuffed in a bit higher up

Signing 'official' birth certificates ...

And the finished result: Isn't she gorgeous? (The panda is pretty nice too...)

Readers, how do you survive school holiday shopping?

Fancy a quick root?

2011-07-05T01:42:00.000-07:00

Every red-blooded Aussie girl loves a quick root, so imagine my surprise when I got to have one en-route to Brisbane recently.

We were on our way home after visiting family in the South Burnett, when on approaching the pretty town of Esk, we all felt the urge to, erm, use the facilities. And fast. (I'm not saying anything about Grandma's homemade vegetable soup the night before. No I am not. Cough).

So we stopped, and because I was feeling sleepy and Miss 8 was a bit car sick, we went for a wander.

Inspired by helping their Pa-Pa dig vegies and pick fruit in his garden over the weekend, the kids eschewed gift shops and cafes, and headed straight for a nursery in the main straight.

I was instantly attracted to the nursery's name: Quick Root. In fact, one of the nursery's mottos is: For a Quick Root, call Brad on 0412 321 550.

And it was a lovely little place, packed with pretty plants, seedlings and all manner of gardening goodies.

The kids wanted to buy out the shop, but mindful of several recent Magic Money Weeks, I limited them to one container each.

Mr 10 went for strawberries, all the better to feed all of us, while Miss 8 chose purple carrots. For the guinea pigs you understand.

The plants were cradled lovingly all the way home and talking about gardening and all the tips the nice lady in the shop had given them made the last hour or so of driving go much more quickly.

See? Nothing like a quick root to liven up the day!

Note to non-Aussies: A root is slang for sexual intercourse. And a quick root, is well, quick.

The Quick Root nursery

So much to choose from...

Happy with their purchases ...

Mr 10 can't wait to get them in the car ...

Readers, have you discovered somewhere interesting on your travels?

Ice, ice, baby ...

2011-06-28T21:41:00.000-07:00

I love shopping centres.

I mainly love them when I have money to spend whilst I'm there, but I also love that during school holidays they pull out all the stops to attract the hoardes.

Which is why we found ourselves at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre yesterday, for a spot of ice-skating!

I really think Indooroopilly Shopping Centre should be paying @Tutu_Ames a commission, because it was she who alerted the World of Twitter that there was an ice-skating rink in the middle of the shopping centre.

We met up with her for a coffee (and she is every bit as lovely in person as she is on twitter and her blog), before the kids dragged me off to the rink.

To be honest, the rink is TINY compared what we're used to, but that kind of made it a more enjoyable experience too.

Also, the ice-skating was only open to kids, so you didn't have flashy teens and show-offy adults racing around sending smaller humans flying.

The people running the event were really lovely, and there were plenty of helping hands to guide the newbies and pick up fallen angels.

The ice skating isn't free, but at $10 for a 45 minute skate, (which includes a two-for-one ice-cream at New Zealand Ice-Creamery), I thought it was good value.

Also, unlike normal ice-skating rinks, it was normal temperature for spectators, so I didn't end up freezing my butt off (handy as that would be!) while I watched.

The kids' little legs were tired by the time their time was up, and they were hungry and thirsty, so it was a decent period of time to skate, without exhausting them too much for shopping.

Miss 8 rediscovering her skating legs ...

Mr 10 pulls a silly face ...

And a lovely time was had by all!

If you go:

Saturday 25 June to Sunday 10 July
Times:
Mon-Thursday 9am to 5pm
Thursday 9am to 9pm
Sunday 10am to 4pm
Location:
Centre Court, Level 1, outside Myer
Cost:
It's $10 for 45 minutes including skates, or spend $100 at participating retailers and receive one free skating pass.
Each day, one family will win four tickets to Disney on Ice presents Worlds Of Fantasy showing at Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Tip: Miss 8 fell over quite a lot. She wasn't hurt, but her pants got really wet from the ice. So if your child is balance-challenged, you might want to carry a spare pair of jeans or leggings, or be prepared to splash out on new ones at one of the shops.

Disney on Ice ...

2011-06-19T14:31:00.000-07:00

One of the coolest things about my career as a journalist, writer and now blogger, is that I can usually manage to work around the kids.

Even better, on frequent occasions, they are either able to come with me to certain events; review movies and books; and enjoy perks of the job, like meeting celebrities and attending concerts.

As a journo, I was never been intimidated by celebrities. I always found your 'average', everyday person, far more interesting than celebrities, who were often over dealing with the media; and sick of answering a zillion questions a day by the time you got to them.

But when I had kids I began to appreciate the benefits of my job, as my kids started getting impressed with some of the work I did.

Attending various Wiggles concerts (both Greg and Sam versions), and special VIP events? Awesome.

Meeting Hi-Five and being cuddled by Kathleen and Charlie? It was like meeting rockstars.

Hanging out with a Bengal tiger in the Big Brother House - cool as.

And don't get me started on the Dora the Explorer, and Spongebob Squarepants years.

I even had mobile phone numbers for all the Wiggles and Hi-Five at one stage, and yes, I was sorely tempted to sell them to Dads and Mums at the school gate. But of course I didn't, because that would be highly unprofessional. Cough.

Recently, my ice-skating-loving kids got to join me when I interviewed the stars of the upcoming Disney On Ice Extravaganza!

As it happened, the press call was held at the skating rink we frequent, so the kids couldn't get their heads around the facts that they couldn't just pull on a pair of skates and do their thing. Oops!

Nevertheless, they were impressed as I chatted to one of the stars Brian Duckworth, who grew up in sunny Australia dreaming of performing on the ice.

An infamous series of teachers' strikes gave him just the opportunity to nag his Mum into taking him to the nearest rink.

Guess what? He was a natural.

Brian is now principal skater with Disney on Ice, and tours the world with his talented principal skater wife, Melanie Carrington, who has been skating since she could walk. (Mel comes from a family of Dutch ice-skating royalty, and travelled the world with her performing parents as a child).

Currently, Brian plays adult Simba the Lion and other ensemble roles, while Mel plays the adult Nala, and Rosetta, one of the Disney fairies.

Incredibly, the couple live, work, travel and practise together. And are still in as much love as ever!

They officially have no fixed address as their jobs performing takes them all around the world! Now it's my turn to not be able to get my head around something. I mean, I love to travel, but I couldn't imagine not having a place to called home.

But the talented duo insist they couldn't imagine any other lifestyle, and there will be plenty of time to settle down one day. Perhaps when they want to have kids. I'm not sure if the presence of my kids was discouraging or encouraging on that particular goal!

Brian and Mel perform alongside Townsville-born, Brisbane-raised fellow ice-superstar Daniel Harries, the only Queenslander in the cast.

Daniel started skating at the age of nine as a way to keep cool during the hot summers in North Queensland. Who would have thought a respite from the Townsville heat would land him in a starring role in a world-famous ice production?

Produced by Feld Entertainment, Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy is performing at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre from Thursday, June 30 to Sunday, July 3. It's also touring the country. For tickets and more details, phone Ticketek on 132 849 or visit http://www.ticketek.com.au/.

Miss 8 gets up close and personal with the talented ice-skating couple Mel and Brian.

And here are Mel and Brian in action!

And in action on stage at Disney On Ice ...

Corner Cafe 26, Indooroopilly

2011-05-17T16:12:00.000-07:00

In preparation for a colonoscopy recently, I had a pre-school appointment with the day surgery hospital to be given last minute instructions and pick up the ~~devil's toxic mix~~ Fleet preparation one must drink prior to the procedure to, ahem, empty the stomach area.

As a single Mum, that meant the kids came with me too, which they didn't mind at all since a hot breakfast was on the menu.

Just down the road from the day hospital was a cafe that just looked like it would serve awesome coffee.

I wasn't going to be eating anything decent for the next few days, so we all agreed it was time for a treat.

We were welcomed warmly by staff at the Corner Cafe 26, and given our choice of seating.

Menus were given and orders taken promptly, and our friendly waiter was lovely to the kids, even fetching Fat Straws, all the better to enjoy their hot drinks.

"Mumma, it concentrates the flavour into the straw, so it makes the hot chocolate even more delicious," said Junior Masterchef Mr 10.

I tried it, and he was right!

There were only three option for kids' breakfasts, and although reasonably priced, none of them appealed to the kids.

They are both capable of eating adult serves these days, so I let them order from the grown-up menu.

Mr 10 chose the Big Breakkie and polished off the lot, except for the yummy mushrooms and tomato which he gave to me.

Miss 8 had trouble with hers, mainly because the eggs came scrambled instead of fried. (The menus had been whisked away by now, so I couldn't check and assumed wrongly that I'd been the one to stuff up).

But in all, the service and food (and hot drinks) were delicious and well-priced.

In fact, Mr 10 declared his hot chocolate the best ever, and said his eggs had been poached perfectly.

High praise indeed.

Readers, what turns an eating place into a family favourite?

Mr 10 was happy with his hot chocolate, which came in a huge mug!

Miss 8 loved her babycino, though it 'needed' more sugar. (Note, she has a very sweet tooth!)

My skinny mocha was perhaps the biggest I've ever had and was just the thing for a chilly Brisbane morning.

A spirited discussion

C. ordered the Big Breakkie - bacon, eggs, sausage, hash brown, sauteed mushrooms and grilled tomatoe. He ordered the latter two on the side, because he doesn't like them but knows Mumma loves her veggies!

H. ordered the bacon and eggs, which was supposed to come with two fried eggs, not scrambled. I didn't realise this until later. The dish also usually includes grilled tomato, but she doesn't like that, and I didn't need more tomato, so we left that off.

She tried the egg, but declared it: 'potatoey', and only managed a few mouthfuls.

I also should have thought to ask if they'd serve her a junior version, even though it wasn't on the menu.

I went for the eggs benedict, which was served on rather crusty Turkish bread, but really yummy with perfectly poached eggs and a generous serve of hollandaise.

The kids loved the fish tank near the entrance

I can see you ...

If you go: The Corner Cafe 26, is at the corner of Station Road and Riverview Terrace, Indooroopilly. As well as breakfast, there are a huge variety of western and Asian dishes on the menu. I'm pretty sure it will be a family favourite from now on.

South Bank Revisited...

2011-05-03T17:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a while but Brisbane's South Bank is finally on the mend.

Following the devastating Queensland Floods, much of the beloved site of World Expo '88 went under the silty, smelly, raging waters of an angry Brisbane River.

The Brisbane River is no longer angry, and there is no sign of the silt or the mud. In fact, it's all pretty much squeaky clean. (Much to Mr 10's relief, who is anal about cleanliness. Except when it comes to regular showers. But that's another story.)

Part of the swimming lagoon has been reopened. It's only tiny though, compared with the number of visitors, and a lot of the parklands are still being re-shizzled.

Luckily, it's not all off-limits

The good news is that there's still plenty of room to lie down on a blanket while the kids run riot, or young lovers do everything but procreate nearby. (Hopefully out of sight of the kids).

There are still loads of barbecues, eateries, and room to walk along the river.

Oh and the ibises. It wouldn't be Southbank without the ibises.

Despite living in Brisbane for years, we've never actually ridden on the Channel 7 Wheel of Brisbane.

So when we visited South Bank for the first time post floods recently, the kids begged and pleaded to go up in one of the air-conditioned gondolas.

"Please Mumma, please," they chorused.

"We'll do whatever you want us to do," said Mr 10.

"I'll be really, really good," promised Miss 8.

They each grabbed an arm and cuddled it and kissed it, skipping along beside me. I couldn't help but laugh, and I thought: Why not?

It was quiet that day, so we got a whole gondola all to ourselves, much to the kids' delight.

Did you hear their squeals of excitement at your place?

All aboard

H. just a little apprehensive...

Big smiles all round

The Wheel of Brisbane rises 60 metres above Brisbane, giving great views in all directions

There are still plenty of wide open spaces to enjoy...

The Brisbane River, finally back to being beautiful again

We had a hitch-hiker, who got a free ride

No fears here ...

The only problem is the kids enjoyed the Wheel of Brisbane so much, they're dying for me to take them again ... this time at night!

Readers, have you ever been a visitor in your own city/home town?

RACV Royal Pines Resort

2011-03-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

I love me a good hotel room.

Even better, I love a good suite.

Is there a better feeling than walking into a room to discover you've actually been given a suite? I don't think so.

(Okay, maybe being given a suite on the executive floor, with executive floor priveleges like free wifi. That's bliss).

But I digress.

Recently I found myself on the Gold Coast doing a little writing to help out an editor mate of mine. I'm easing slowly back into the world of writing, so the opportunity to dip my toes in without the stress of deadlines was almost therapeutic.

The writing involved spending a few nights away from home, while I interviewed interesting people and wrote their stories, so I was booked into the RACV Royal Pines Resort.

I'd had plenty to do with Royal Pines many years ago, when I lived and worked on the Gold Coast. I remember interviewing supermodel Kristy Hinze there, when she was just hitting the big time, and was indulging her love of golf by playing a round.

And there were countless restaurant reviews, not to mention interviews with VIPS who were staying at Royal Pines. On a personal note, one of my best friends was married in the chapel there.

But I'd never actually stayed at Royal Pines.

And my recent trip had me wondering: Why?

Located between the Glitter Strip and the Hinterland, Royal Pines Resort has to be one of the most picturesque I've seen.

It's easy to get to and parking is free (unless you require valet parking, and then there's a small charge). It's close enough to the beaches and clubs but far enough away to feel as if you're really getting away from it all.

And the rooms and suites are beautiful. (I know, because I checked them out). The staff were friendly, extremely accomplished, and best of all interesting. I could have spent days happily talking to and writing about them all.

The food was sublime, so much so, that it will get a separate post when I get around to it.

But in the meantime, let me take you on a tour ...

The King-sized bed in my room. How I love having a huge bed all to myself! (Yes, I know I've changed!)

The mini-office set-up, so I could work

The view from my bed ...

The spa bath, with bubbles. A girl can never have too many of those ...

Part of the view from my balcony...

A little bit closer...

Looking the other way!

A shady undercover play area for kids, which includes a jumping pillow. Unfortunately my two were at school, so I didn't have an excuse to try it out!

Potted herbs near one of the restaurants. The chefs pick them freshly as needed.

The pool - need I say more?

The rock garden, complete with a rather unusual rock. Only on the Gold Coast ....

Readers what do you enjoy most about a few days away from home?

The hills are alive...

2011-02-28T17:48:00.000-08:00

When the state was being drowned under floods of rainwater this summer, we were lucky enough to be 'trapped' catching up with family who live in the South Burnett region.

The kids love chillaxing in the country. What's not to like? They spend their days playing with their cousins, roaming my sister and brother-in-law's farm, swimming in their pool, and helping Grandma and Pa-Pa with the gardening. (I'm not sure how much they actually HELP, but they do have a ball getting dirty, digging potatoes, pulling up weeds, and collecting snails. We often come home with seedlings they've helped to plant into pots, and loads of Pa-Pa's home-grown produce.)

I also love shopping at Kingaroy, the largest town in the area. There always seems to be way more bargains at the shops there than in the city, and we do our best to support the local economy by stocking up on clothes and other goodies at a fraction of the price we'd usually pay. (That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it!)

The only thing I really miss (and please don't stone me here), is a really good coffee. Until our last visit, I'd given up hope of having a decent coffee in the country. (I know, I'm a coffee snob, but we all have our weaknesses!)

This year, it was even more enjoyable, as my brother and his family were visiting from WA. The kids immediately picked up where they left off last time we saw each other (erm, that would be the previous summer!), and had loads of fun catching up with each other.

My brother had missed Dad's 80th birthday late last year because of work and distance, and wanted to do something memorable for Dad now we were all together again.

Now, when we were growing up, there weren't many fancy places to eat in the South Burnett.

These days, we're spoiled for choice.

The Booie Bello Vista came highly recommended by family who live in the South Burnett. It was where my nephew and godson proposed to his lovely bride, and where people go for a memorable meal with stunning views.

A bunch of us descended on them one morning (and my lovely big brother 'shouted' the lot of us. For The Win!)

And I am happy to report my skinny mocha was divine. (Yay, I can now get my fix when I'm next in town).

As there were a group of us, and we were too late for breakfast and too early for lunch, the lovely waitress suggested a grazing menu, including breads and dips, seafood spring rolls, and other goodies.

I can honestly say this was the nicest food I've ever enjoyed in the South Burnett. Even better, the wait staff were attentive, informed, and accommodating, particularly for the kids, who kept changing their minds about what they wanted to eat and drink. (Okay, that was just Mr 10, but you get the idea. And they took his food allergy really seriously by checking with the chef that no stray nuts would pass his lips.)

I can highly recommend Booie Bella Vista as a dining venue that successfully combines city food with the charm of the country.

We'll be back!

The Booie Bella Vista. Shades of Tuscany, don't you think?

Miss then-7 loved the archways

And the scenery ...

My Mum and Dad - Grandma and Pa-Pa

Slushies for the kids

Dips and breads

Pancakes for the young ones

And chocolate cake and vanilla bean ice-cream!

A happy diner!

Mr 10 highly recommends the desserts!

Missy Moo having a Sound of Music moment!

A little eye-candy in the ladies' bathroom.

We're back

2011-02-10T08:13:00.000-08:00

Cyclones and floods may have knocked us around, but Queensland is back!

Although people in the Tully region, south of Cairns, have been devastated by Cyclone Yasi, there is much of the state which has either remained untouched, or just a little bruised.

Those people in the cyclone's path really need our help, and the authorities are saying one of the best things we can do for our state is to continue to holiday here.

Or enjoy a weekend away. Or day trip. Or even shop at a local market.

Tourism Queensland has announced most of our most beautiful regions are perfect again, and many operators are offering discounted deals to get the local economies running again.

A quick check of wotif yesterday revealed a two-bedroomed villa - not a hotel room - for just $99 at the gorgeous Rendezvous Reef Resort at Port Douglas. The catch? You have to stay at least two nights. Not exactly a hardship, right?

It's the same in popular tourist areas in the Whitsundays, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, not to mention Cairns and Townsville.

In Brisbane, areas like SouthBank and the famous Rocklea markets are re-opening.

So take advantage of the hot prices and help get Queensland back on track at the same time.
And at my personal blog MaidInAustralia, there are loads of giveaways to help not just the Queensland survivors of our natural disasters, but anyone who has been at the mercy of Mother Nature this summer.

So far you can win:

- A copy of No Chopsticks Required (My Family's Unexpected Year in Shanghai, by Katrina Beikoff (Finch Publishing)

- Two polo shirts from Stubbies new SunSmart range

- A dream blanket from celebrity baby wear designer aden + anais

- And believe it or not, Finch Publishing has given me a lovely pack of books to give away! Fittingly, Finch publishes books that change lives! That giveaway is coming up soon, so stay tuned.

An email from the cyclone zone

2011-02-06T20:48:00.000-08:00

Throughout Cyclone Yasi's approach, I was terrified for one of my BFF's and her family in Cairns.

She kept us updated via the internet until power died, and you can imagine how relieved I was when I finally got this email from her. (Edited slightly to remove names and places).

Liz Inglis has agreed to me sharing one of her emails with you. She's my first ever guest blogger, so please welcome her warmly.

"I finally got access to my computer today and realised what a lifeline it was during the cyclone.

Thank you for all the messages of support. We were lucky to maintain phone contact (mostly) during the cyclone to let everyone know we were safe.

It has been a harrowing few days and we were the lucky ones, with only minor damage to our roof, and a massive mess to clean up in the yard.

The worst was losing our sewerage system for 24 hours and not realising until raw sewage
started flowing out beside our bedroom!

We started to feel flat yesterday - I think the adrenalin was finally gone - and today was just sheer exhaustion. I can't imagine how people who suffered such major losses must feel.

On the night of Cyclone Yasi, we got the kids to bed at 7.30pm as we would normally. They were pretty hyped, but we read stories and then turned their music up quite loud.

C. fell asleep instantly, but M. took nearly half an hour of pats as she was much more aware of what was going on.

As I was patting her, I heard the croaking of the green tree frog which often resides in C.'s room, where we were all camping. (Bronnie: C's room was judged the safest room in the home, so the whole family camped there.)

We gave M. 15 minutes of sleep before T. and I went in armed with torches to flush him out. The frog happily went with T., and, like the previous two times we had removed him from his hidey hole in between C.'s books, would not get off him.

So T., the frog, and I sat in the lounge room watching the cyclone coverage.

The frog snuggled in to T's shoulder, as we watched the broadcasts by Anna Bligh and Julia Gillard.

It was the first time we had faced a natural disaster where we felt there was someone leading. Maybe it's just because this was the first cyclone where we still had power. All previous cyclones had been spent glued
to a transistor radio listening to reporters relay information.

We lost power about 10pm just as T. had switched from cyclone coverage to cricket scores, so he was pretty unhappy with the timing.

The howling wind was loud but constant, so we were able to get to sleep.

I awoke at 2.30am when we must have been in the eye as it had gone quiet with just the occasional gust.

I couldn't get back to sleep after that as I was waiting for the other side of the cyclone, which was when we would get the stronger winds. The winds did increase, but not to the extent we were expecting.

Night time cyclones are the worst because you cannot tell what is happening outside and it just adds to the worry.

As the wind picked up, I finally drifted off to its constant howl until 5am, when T. let out a yell.

The frog had returned and decided to sleep on his head! Lucky it picked him and not me or the girls! C. stayed asleep, but that was it for M.; she was as restless as the wind.

As daylight arrived I saw a large huntsman spider had also sheltered in the room with us.

The news reports told us to stay inside until lunch time, but the wind died down long before that, with just the occasional incredibly strong gust rattling through.

We could hear cars on the highway but we started getting the house back to normal. Most of the day was spent undoing all our preparations.

Thursday night was uncomfortable as a massive thunderstorm came through in the afternoon dumping 300mm of rain and freaking the girls out with constant loud thunder and lightning.

It was then that we realised our sewerage system had failed. When the storm finally stopped during the night the humidity was unbearable, and without fans, very difficult to sleep.

Friday was spent in the yard clearing an enormous amount of branches, and most importantly, fixing the sewerage system.

By late afternoon, we had had enough! We couldn't face an afternoon of work, so visited friends with power
and enjoyed dinner and drinks with them.

They tried to talk us into spending the night in their airconditioning but I was worried about the chooks not
being locked up and (our dog) Tiger, who we had locked in the house.

We went home to discover the power was finally on, but a snake had taken up residence in the chook house.

The snake was dispatched and we had the best night's sleep for a week until 6am when the chooks who had been sheltering under the house awoke.

T. did a head count, and none were missing so we went back to sleep until the girls woke us at 7.30am - a massive sleep-in for them.

The yard clean-up continued today while I washed for hours. We'll have dinner now and hopefully we will all be asleep early.

I'm looking forward to watching some of the coverage on TV. We haven't seen any yet and small black and white images just don't do it justice.

I think the journalist in me is still alive. It's funny, but I still wanted to be out there amongst it just like when I was working in newspapers.

I spoke to another friend who has given up journalism since having children, and she was envious of her photographer husband who was out capturing the news."

This is my friend Liz Inglis's account of her family's experience during Tropical Cyclone Yasi. Liz is a journalist, travel writer, Mum, stylist, editor, public relations consultant, and loads more. She is based in Cairns, and she is awesome, don't you think?

Liz Inglis

Nowhere NEAR where Queensland is

2011-02-04T01:27:00.000-08:00

As Queensland reels from yet another natural disaster (Mother Nature must be extremely pissed off with us right now...) I couldn't help laughing when I saw this map of Australia courtesy of CNN.

Erm ... Tropical Cyclone Yasi must have been more powerful than we thought if Queensland has been transported to Tasmania. And what's happened to the rest of our state?

Seriously, my thoughts are with everyone affected by Yasi, which has been our most destructive cyclone yet.

My week of giveaways will begin next week (fingers crossed), thanks to some lovely sponsors. And I hope the week may extend into two weeks or longer ... but I'll keep you posted.

Giveaways are only for victims of Australia's recent natural disasters, or people who are entering on their behalf.

Details next week.

Rocklea Markets Rise Again

2011-01-23T17:11:00.000-08:00

We love a good market over at MIA and NLQ.

One of our favourites in Brisbane is the Rocklea Markets.

On Saturday mornings, it's a great place to pick up bargain priced fruit, vegies and other produce. Often, we'll bump into friends to have a coffee or a wander around with, and there is always something naughty for breakfast. At times when seasonal produce like mangoes or strawberries are highly priced in the shops, we always come away with cases of them for small change at Rocklea.

On Sundays, Rocklea turns into a flea market, one of Brisbane's most established and iconic. The stalls change regularly depending on who's there, and what they have to offer. Sometimes you'll come home laden with bargains; other times you'll go home with nothing but an over-full tummy from eating too much for breakfast. (Or maybe that's just me...) But it's always worth a look.

Recently, they started Wednesday twilight markets too, which I'm assured are more relaxed versions of the weekend markets. (I've never actually been, so can't vouch for them myself).

In the recent Queensland floods, the entire Rocklea area went under, including the markets. However, an army of firies, SES workers and volunteers have been working tirelessly and I'm told the markets will reopen to the public on January 29.

Give them a good Brisbane welcome back by turning up and grabbing a few bargains in the process.

The kids had Christmas money burning holes in their pockets, so we went to the last Rocklea markets before they were flooded out. This was the scene as we waited for Miss 7 poffertjes. (Dutch pancakes).

We had to eat our breakfast undercover. (Ignore the Red Fanta bottles. I am sure they belong to someone else's children)

Mr 9 spent his money on a finch he named Cynthia. Mumma bought the cage as an early birthday present. (He's an Australia Day baby).

Miss 7 badly wanted one of these, but I told her the resident carpet snake might like them too...

Instead she spent her $10 on a guinea pig she named Star.

Dogs like our foster toy poodle Zsa Zsa aren't allowed in the market area, but I couldn't help including a photo of her!

The Rocklea Markets are the best place I know to get cheap but beautiful flowers and roses

See what I mean?

Fancy a budgie?

Or perhaps a guitar?

See what I mean about big breakfasts? (I haven't personally tried this one.)

Get your German smallgoods. If you look closely, you can buy buttbangers on the lower LHS. I'm not sure what they are, and I don't think I want to find out!

More sausage goodness

Or some old-fashioned boiled lollies

Brisbane markets are at Sherwood Road Rocklea. Entry $1 per adult, free for children. Or $3 per car including parking. Trading hours 6 am-12 noon on Saturdays and Sundays, and 3.30-8pm on Wednesdays.

The power of many ...

2011-01-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

Exhaustion. Looting. Bravery. Loss. Sheer hard work.

This week, this blog and my personal one http://http://www.maidinaustralia.com/ will be devoted to the efforts of the army of volunteers and kind strangers who have taken up the challenge to rebuild the areas affected by the floods. Mainly in Queensland, because that is where I am based, and that is where most of my contacts are based. (Update: Actually the devastation is so wide-spread I will be opening up the giveaways to anyone affected by Mother Nature's wrath, or anyone wanting to win something for someone who has been affected.)

If people in other states would like to contribute they are more than welcome by commenting below.

You don’t need me to bash out facts and figures and tales and reports. They’re all over the media, whether it be traditional or social.

Instead I thought I'd use this post to thank the peeps who are showing great strength, wisdom, love and sometimes even humour in doing their bit, often thinking outside the box when it comes to helping out.

Social media, and radio, television and newspapers to an extent, have provided a constant stream of offers and calls for help, putting people in touch with each other.

Here are a few of the quiet achievers who are making a difference.

- Counsellor Karlene Bradley is offering free counselling for anyone affected by pet loss in Qld. As long as you can afford the phone call to her on 0439 002 812, the counselling is free. Leave a message if you can't reach her, as she's still working, and is fitting in the free counselling around her other commitments.

- In the Ipswich area, top Mum Mummatopia Cas is putting together a massive Qld Flood Relief Appeal with a little help from her friends. It will be the 'Mumma of all Flood Relief Raffles', with as many $150 prize packs as they can lay their hands on thanks to Ipswich locals and businesses. More expensive prizes will be raffled off as individual goodies. Every cent will go towards the Premier's Flood Appeal. Tickets $10 each!

- The Purina Advice Centre is provicing information and support to those who have found animals who need help and care, but are unable to get to a vet straight away. You can phone them on 1800 738 238.

- There’s a Facebook page for animals lost and found in the Qld floods, with the aim of reuniting pets with their owners as quickly as possible.

- On Tuesday at the RNA showgrounds, there were free tetanus vaccinations until 10 am for anyone affected by the floods or the clean-up.

- Children haunted by the trauma are receiving special grief counselling at the Grantham State School evacuation centre. A makeshift creche has been set up at the school, with activities and games to try to dlet the children be kids again. Toowoomba ice cream vendor Dave Pemberton, of Toby's Kiosk, helped lift children's spirits by arriving with free ice-creams for all.

- The wonderful @digellabakes has put together an army of wonderful bakers to help get healthy and nourishing meals and snacks to those involved in the floods and the clean-up. Check out Danielle’s website Digella’s Emporium more information. Another kitchen angel @melkettle has been instrumental in the plan and has her own blog The Cook’s Notebook with loads of info too.
The relief effort has been so well-received it has its own baked relief website.

Courtesy of @BrisbanePlaces, who retweeted Brisbane Places @NotQuiteNaomi who announced that Arrivederci Pizzeria. Park Rd, Milton would serve up free pizza to those with ID from 6-8pm tonight (Tuesday January 18).

- Behind the scenes, 4BC producer, twitterer, yummy mummy and all round good person @Annieb25 has been on top of everything, tirelessly tweeting out calls for help and answers. Like a few below....

RT @organiseme: Kids you know lose books in the flood? Riverbend Books will give books to help out http://ping.fm/EvhiG

If u have a PO box at an affected PO u can have ur mail redirected for 12 months free. U can organise at an operating Aust Post

Annie's beautiful website Life and Dandilions has loads more information, and of course you can follow her on twitter too (@Annieb25).

Readers, have you your own flood angels who have not yet received the recognition they deserve? Please feel free to add your stories in the comments form below.

In the next few days, I hope to canvas all my contacts and ~~nag them into~~ ask them nicely to donate prizes for a huge bloggie giveaway for all those affected adversely by Mother Nature recently. Lots of lovely comments will give me the ammunition I need to show them that people will read about their generosity and their products/services by joining my bloggie giveaway.

Stubbies schoolwear have already come on board - thanks mates - and I hope to have more prizes soon. You can follow them on twitter @Stubbies and like them on Facebook.

Once I have enough goodies, there will be one post and one giveaway per day, with about a week to enter for each. This is so the products are not buried in one long post, but given a post of their own each day and the following week. I will also be tweeting about the companies who are generous enough to donate.

I think I have another sponsor on board, so stay tuned. And if you'd like to donate, you know where to find me.

Until, stay safe and be kind to each other ... xo

Qld flood angels

2011-01-16T03:54:00.000-08:00

The other night, I dreamt I was being evacuated. (Don't be rude. I mean being asked to leave my home).

There were SES volunteers in a boat outside my house telling me to leave NOW.

All I could think of was that A. I desperately needed a wee, and B. I desperately wanted to grab my laptop.

(Note: Both in real life and in my dream, the kids were with their Dad, and high and dry. Otherwise I would have grabbed them. Obviously.)

Anyway, my laptop is the keeper of most of the really precious things in my life, like my writing, contacts, and photos of my kids and pets. It’s a link to work, friendship, family, information, and it’s invaluable to me.

But no, the rescuers said, there was no time, I had to leave then and there, full bladder or not. (Possibly, in real life, I did have to wee. It is amazing how my bladder manages to make an appearance in many of my dreams.)

But I digress. Before the Dream Bronnie could wee, or grab my computer, the real Bronnie woke up, breathing a sigh of relief that it was only a nightmare.

But for many thousands of residents in Queensland, and now NSW, WA, and VIC as well, my weird-arsed dream has been an incredibly horrific reality.

Survivors had hours, sometimes minutes; to climb, run, drive, or even float to safety. Sometimes they quickly paused to grab something, anything. Sadly, a few people paid for these split decisions with their lives.

Others made it to safety with only the clothes on their backs and a couple of precious things, like their ID or their wallets. Or they died trying to keep their most precious belongings – family, friends, pets – alive.

Can you imagine the terror, the absolute trauma of having, to make split second decisions that could either keep you alive, or not? Or worst, your family?

Some survivors were airlifted, others were pulled and pushed to safety. They found blow-up beds in evacuation centres, where volunteers gave them food, hot drinks, friendship, and shelter.

The survivors queued in an orderly fashion for necessities. Like tampons for the ladies, nappies for babies, milk and sammies for kids, and shavers and deodorant for men.

They were stoic but let's not mince words: It was shit.

I cannot begin to go into the devastation of the Queensland floods, where the raging rivers turned into noisy, evil forces which caused inland tsunamis and dragged the guts out of towns.

As our Premier Anna Bligh said: Mother Nature unleashed something devastasting throughout our state.

And still it continues, with other states going slowly under while the clean-up in Queensland continues.

I was there the other day, handing out water bottles to sweaty, mud-splattered volunteers who were moving debris and washing floors in the stinking mess left behind.

They were all ages, and from all walks of life. Men, women, kids, and yes, even Generation Y; mucking in and doing whatever they were told to do.

Lining up to register and again for free buses. Sweating in the sun, accepting cold drinks gratefully, barely stopping to pause as they worked, like the volunteer army they've been described as.

And today they're back doing it all over again.

My God they were, and are, awesome.

"Thank you," they'd say, as I handed over a bottle of H20, ironically, the same liquid that has reduced our city to something akin to a war zone. (Well except this water was clean, and safe, and drinkable, and totally not nasty). "No, thank you," I said, and as cliched as it sounds, I meant it from the bottom of my heart.

If you can, find it in your heart to go down and help out. Somehow, some way. Some people are delivering baked goods or doing sausage sizzles; others have eskies of cold drinks. Some are mucking in with their muscles; others are staying home but getting messages out and hooking up helpers and donations to the needy via social media.

If you can't get to the disaster zones, as I've come to think of them, don't go for a look. (The traffic is awful, thanks mostly to the number of volunteers, but also, sadly, the rubberneckers).

Just make a donation online instead. Here is the best place to see what's going on, what's needed, and where.

Meanwhile, here are a few tweets and Facebook updates, which has helped keep the disaster relief on people's minds, while occasionally lightening the mood:

- @girlclumsy: Fisher & Paykel has set up a free temp laundry at 8 Terrace Place Murrarie for any flood victims to wash clothes. 7am to 7pm

- All Brisbane City Council transfer stations are accepting general and green waste free of charge.

- http://westside-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/free-ice-cream-for-milton/
from Park Road’s Arriverdeci Pizzeria.
Owner David Silvestri said that while his pizza restaurant was not affected by floodwaters he was throwing stock out because of a power outage. Hot and tired flood victims and volunteers were happy to avail themselves of the gelato before it melted.

- My own nephew and niece-in-law did a sterling job helping those in need in the South Burnett region on behalf of Wondai Electrical Service Pty Ltd. Together, they got generators going, and out on boats to try and get pump stations up and going so the region could have water.

- @CamposCoffeeQLD
Campos Queensland gave free coffee to all emergency services, police, ambos, firies, SES, lifesavers, and army workers this weekend.

- @victorchurchill
Victor Churchill is donating 100% of sales this Wednesday to the Premier's Flood Relief Fund. Every dollar you spend will be donated

- And then there was this, which I took with the permission of one of the girls who put it up on their street as a symbol that Brisbane peeps still have their sense of humour:

Readers, who else deserves accolades for awesomeness during the clean-up? Please feel free to comment, so I can add them to the list.

I'm trying to organise some giveaways for flood victims and I'm pleased to announce that Stubbies (schoolwear for kids) have jumped on board, donating a shirt from their new range. I'm asking all businesses and companies who can afford to help to join in, and I'll then organise a massive (I hope) bloggie giveaway for those in need.

Anyone else? I will post about them regularly with details of giveaways to come.

Beary Christmas

2010-12-23T11:02:00.000-08:00

It's not every day you get invited to a polar bear Christmas party, so when a media release popped into my inbox, the kids and I wasted no time in hot-footing it to the Gold Coast.

(Okay, we hot-footed it into the car, pausing only for me to program the GPS. For once it didn't direct me to the middle of nowhere and insist I had reached my fricking destination!)

And so we made it to Sea World on the Gold Coast in plenty of time to join Queensland's version of The Polar Bear Express.

Yes, a team of about seven handlers had spent several weeks sourcing and wrapping and freezing and flavouring presents for Sea World's resident polar bears.

And you thought wrapping kids' presents was tough!

To help mimic behaviour in the wild, and to bring out instinctive behaviours, the staff had frozen treats like toys and dried fruit in blocks of ice, so the bears would have to work for their special gifts.

Some blocks of ice were covered and flavoured - scents like vanilla and curry are apparently particularly enjoyed by the bears.

Other treats and toys had been wrapped in traditional style presents and boxes.

The handlers explained that unlike most animals, polar bears instinctively know what they can and cannot eat, so will not devour cardboard, paper, tinsel or any other product except food, drink and ice. And so we saw them sniff, paw, and tear their way through the wrappings in order to reach their gifts. Aren't they clever?

There were some 120 different ice-block presents, plus an assortment of other treats like popcorn and balls. (Who knew that polar bears are partial to popcorn?)

Sea World is closed on Christmas Day, so the beary merry Christmas was brought forward for visitors could join in the fun.

On the day itself, various staff will visit and interact with the bears, and treat them to a special Christmas dinner - a 20 kg tuna each!

And it's well-deserved. Sea World’s Polar Bears, Hudson, Nelson and Liya,
are ambassadors for their species and play a vital role in rasing awareness of the effects of global warning.

Research indicates that Polar Bear numbers in the wild are declining, with between 20,000 - 22,000 bears remaining world wide.

For the new year, staff have fingers and toes crossed that 2011 may bring the pitter patter of tiny polar bear paws.

Technically, the boys, Hudson and Nelson are ready, but as far as staff know, they haven't acted on any mating instincts.

Liya is apparently particularly fond of Nelson, so who knows what a year could bring?

Readers, what are you hoping for this Christmas?

Hmm, I wonder what this is?

"Ooh, this one looks interesting!"

"This tinsel is nothing to sniff at! Where's the food?"

"Oh wow, clearly I was a very good bear this year..."

Photos courtesy of Sea World on the Gold Coast

Genesis: The Magic Spectacular

2010-12-22T12:05:00.000-08:00

The highlight of our recent mini-break on the Gold Coast, was three seats in the audience at Genesis: The Magic Spectacular.
The show, headed by Swedish illusionist Joe Labero, is Jupiter's Hotel and Casino's latest attraction.
Joe was once voted the world's Magician Of The Decade, and it's easy to see why.
We weren't allowed to take photos during the performance, but suffice to say, the kids were spellbound.
Weeks later, it's all Mr 9 can talk about, and he's keen to become a magician/illusionist just like Joe.
I have to be honest here, and declare that, for me personally, the show was a tiny bit dated. But I've been lucky enough to travel the world and see shows in places like Las Vegas, so I'm a little bit spoiled.
But there was still plenty to love, and make no mistake, the audience LOVED Joe, and his illusions, and his team.
My kids most of all.
I doubt that there's anything as cool or as polished or as unique as this show anywhere else in Australia, and Joe, quite clearly, rocks it.
The man himself, began his career at the age of 12 when he received a magician’s box from his parents. His magic shows became an essential ingredient for children’s parties and school dances, and he turned professional and famous just eight years later.
We're certainly lucky to have an entertainer like Joe Labero to share his magic in Australia.
You can get an idea of some of the action here.

Before the show. The kids liked the creepy dudes who hung around looking erm, creepy.

H. summons her best scaredy-cat expression, while Mr 9 acts nonplussed

Please tell me how you took your head off?

The kids with their latest hero.

If you go: Genesis, The Magic Spectacular, is playing at the Jupiter's Hotel And Casino on the Gold Coast. Go here for details.

Jupiters Gold Coast Hotel And Casino

2010-12-14T21:17:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's the last minute breaks that are the best.

The kids are used to me doing things at the last hour, and so it was, that I checked my email inbox the other day and saw a great deal via wotif's mystery hotel deal.

We had a couple of days free - it's school holidays after all - so I asked them for 10 minutes while I checked the deal out (and booked it). Then, we threw a few things into the car - mainly swimmers and sunscreen - and headed south.

I don't gamble, and with a couple of kids, I knew I wouldn't be able to. (Children aren't allowed inside Australian casinos, and nor should they be. However, they are allowed inside the hotel parts).

In any case, the restriction didn't bother me, or them. It was the rest, relaxation, and room service that we were after!

And we got it in spades.

After days of almost torrential rain, we lucked into some sunny weather.

The hotel part of the casino has been upgraded since I last visited - probably about ten years or so ago - and the pool has a Las Vegas-esque feel.

I relaxed on a cushioned sun bed as the kids swam, before they talked me into joining them. I'm usually a wimp when it comes to swimming, but the temperature was perfect and I found myself enjoying it just as much as they were.

We also tried out the spas - yes plural - and we shared lunch by the pool. Fish, chips and salad. Mr 9 had the fish, Miss 7 had the chips, and I got the salad. $12 to feed the three of us - bargain!

That night, we took in the Genesis show, Jupiters' latest hit show.

Led by illusionist Joe Labero, it was a little bit old-fashioned by my standards - but hey I'm a jaded journo. In contrast, the audience, and more importantly, my kids, loved it. Mr 9 already wants to be like Joe when he grows up.

We shared room service for dinner, and spent the next morning by the pool. It would have been great if the pool menu had been a little more extensive. My kids (and me too for that matter), would have loved to have breakfast by the pool, and they'd already tried what they wanted to eat the day before.

All too soon, our one night holiday was over and it was time to go home.

The kids are already begging to return and I have to say a HUGE thank you to the team at Jupiters. When Mr 9 left his precious Nintendo DS charger there, the staff located it and posted it straight home.

Nowhere like Queensland hey?

Awesome!

Taking in the view from our 17th floor room

The pool soon became our base

My view, before I decided to join them ...

Mr 9 loved living large

Kudos to the chef ...

A free ride on the monorail to the Oasis Shopping Centre, Broadbeach

Mr 9 wasn't sure it was safe ...

But he soon relaxed over an extortionately priced ice-cream with Miss 7

A fellow 'guest'. 'I hope they remembered to do my steak the way I like it'.

Ready for the Genesis show

Miss 7 does her best 'scaredy-cat' face, while Mr 9 tries to act cool...

A little of Missy Through The Looking Glass going on ...

One, two, three ...Woo hoo!

I'm glad they cleared up the fact that Skinny Dipping Is Not An Option, cos I totally would have been nuding it up ...

Readers, do you find short breaks can be as reviving as longer ones?

School's out for summer ...

2010-12-03T21:27:00.000-08:00

My kids finished school this week in a blur of carols, cards, and candy canes.

For our family that means one thing: Christmas holidays! Six long, lovely weeks.

When I was a kid, Christmas holidays meant sucking ice to keep cool, lying on my tummy with the dog and/or cat, and watching cricket with my brothers. In the morning and later afternoon, I playing cricket in the backyard, or tennis out the front with my brothers. Or went biking, yabbying, walking my dog to visit my Nana.

We generally got two weeks away somewhere too. It was never anywhere posh, but it was fun.

For years, we rented a holiday house in Hervey Bay from friends who owned it. It still had an old-fashioned dunny - out-house - sitting under a mango tree. I was always terrified of using the thing, dodging snakes and cane toads and worrying that one would climb up and bite me on the bum! Hervey Bay was the first place I ever tried soft serve ice-cream, and it was often an after dinner treat. It was also the first place I ever used a shower. (We had a bath at home, and showers were considered fancy).

There were sandflies and mosquitos, and long days at the beach. Dad would squeeze the mangos by hand to make home-made mango ice-blocks. I tried not to think about the thunderbox while eating them. The mangos clearly. Obviously, I did not eat thunderboxes.)

Anyway.

In later years, we often caravanned, which was a little piece of hell, given the six of us were sharing a four-berth van. Some years we took the family dog along as well. No air-conditioning, no TV and one father and two brothers meant many stinky, sleepless nights.

Dad didn't like Mum and my sister and I going to the loos in the middle of the night, so he had special bucket for us to pee in. It was his job to empty it the next day, which would always make me giggle. I still remember the noise the sound of someone peeing in it made, and I still believe my brothers also used the wee bucket, because sometimes it was almost overflowing by morning!

The upside of caravanning was we got to holiday at great spots. On the esplanade by the Maroochy River. On the beach at Mon Repos beach, where we'd go out late at night to watch the turtles lay their eggs.

Gorgeous. My days were spent swimming, walking the beach, and reading as many books as I could lay my hands on.

The one thing we never get in Queensland for Christmas is snow. (Even though, as a child, I prayed and bargained and wished my hardest for a White Christmas. Let's face it: I still do).

So you can imagine how intrigued I was by an invitation to Warner Bros. Movie World's first ever Christmas Wonderland experience.

Held over eight magical nights at Movie World, the White Christmas events include snow falling on Main Street, a spectacular display of one million fair lights and an enchanting ice-skating show performed by Looney Tunes characters in true Movie World style.

Sadly, I didn't have my kids the night Movie World had their media preview, so we didn't get to review the experience for you.

But my spies tell me Movie World's Christmas Wonderland is awesome. And guess what? The name of Movie World's general manager is Bob White! Love it!
“The Movie World White Christmas event is like nothing we have ever done before," says Mr White. "The park will be transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland with a dazzling Christmas Parade full of colour and light, all under a glistening white snowy sky."

And of course, there will be loads of other family entertainment as well: Rides, Christmas Carollers, a special Polar Express 4-D screening and of course Santa Claus.

The White Christmas evenings began on Thursday December 9, and continued yesterday, and will continue tonight and tomorrow night. From then on they will run on Thursday 16 December, Friday 17 December,
Saturday 18 December, and finally Sunday 19 December.
White Christmas tickets are $39.99 for adults, children and pensioners. For the best value theme park pass including one free entry into White Christmas, purchase a VIP Pass* for just $99.99 and receive unlimited entry to Movie World, Sea World and Wet’n’Wild until June 30, 2011.

Visit myfun.com.au for more details.

Pee in a pocket

2010-11-14T01:10:00.000-08:00

When you've gotta go, you've gotta go.

There's nothing worse than that awful feeling that you either need to wee or poo, and there is not a loo in sight.

Men have things slightly easier than us girls. Not only do we have to put up with pregnancy and mummy bladders, but we just can't whip out a handy appendage and go anywhere. As men seem to delight in doing, particularly if they've had more than a few drinks.

Have you ever seen those yellow-filled soft drink bottles which litter some of our busiest highways? Legend goes that male truckies and/or other long distance travellers, who don't have time for a wee break, keep an empty soft drink bottle handy, just in case of an emergency.

It seems that our long distance truckers are not always environmentally considerate, as many apparently toss those warm, full bottles, out of the window. Fast and convenient, without needing to make a pit-stop.

And how many times have you passed a car, with two doors open, and a trickle of bodily fluid running down the gutter from it? Yep, that's a child who needed to go Right Then And There And No I Cannot Bake it Mum.

(Only, occasionally it may be a woman with a mummy bladder after a few too many wines ... But I'm not naming names here or I would be in Very Big Trouble indeed.)

If, like so many Australians, you have the need to pee urgently and often, you can breathe a sigh of relief.

The Pocket Toilet provides a lifeline to those who are regularly caught short.

Designed by Ardern Healthcare, the portaloo in a pocket costs under AUD$10, and is being touted as the perfect Christmas present.

That's because retailer Halfords discovered that last December, sales went up by 250 per cent. Stocking stuffer anyone?

But it's not just drivers who find the Pocket Toilet useful. Apparently, there are always spikes in sales during music festivals like Glastonbury. And the portable portaloo is great for hikers and trampers, and in fact, anyone who wants to avoid long toilet queues and/or disgusting public loos.

Rest assured, the pocket toilet is said to be very discreet and easily fits into a glove compartment.
And while it's aimed at men "aged between 3 and 103" apparently, it can also be used by the ladies.

I couldn't find anywhere whether the PT (Pocket Toilet) is okay for number twos as well as wees, but Halfords reassures us that the product contains polymers that turn wee into a non-smelly, non-leaky gel. All in a handy plastic bag. Which generally can usually only be used for one wee, and you need to dispose of it later.

A Halfords spokesperson is quoted as saying: 'We want to help our customers stay on the move and enjoy their journeys.'

Gold!

But seriously, wouldn't this be great for those long summer car journeys or treks through our national parks where we only want to leave behind our footprints?

Not to mention the perfect present for someone who has everything. (Except for a powerful bladder).

Still I wouldn't know whether to be offended or pleased if someone gave me a PT for Christmas...

Halloween Carnival, Manly, part two

2010-11-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

And so it's time to share part two of our day at the Halloween Carnival at Manly, Brisbane.

The stalls featured a weird and wonderful collection of products for sale.

Including this witch, who is sitting on a toilet while eating an ice-cream. If you push a button she cackles madly and her eyes go red. Yes, the kids did want one, and yes, I said no!

Then there were elegant stalls, like this one which featured handmade jewellery, bags and funny little scary monster balls which the kids loved.

Trick or treat bags and carved pumpkins were everywhere ...

A bonding moment with their bonanza of toys

It was a hot day, so Miss 7 enjoyed a snow cone. Thankfully, she didn't choose this flavour, which is wrong on so many levels.

This was a monster of a jumping castle!

The laughing clowns. Every child a winner (of some useless crap).

The Manly Halloween Carnival was one of the more unusual public events we've been to.

Readers, have you been to any interesting days out lately?

Halloween Carnival, Manly (Part One)

2010-11-07T13:36:00.000-08:00

I have never celebrated Halloween in Australia.

In previous years, there have been times when the kids have pestered me to buy a pumpkin and carve it, dress them up, and let them go trick or treating.

And each time, I've said no, because it's not an Aussie tradition.

But this year, we discovered that the Wynnum-Manly area of Brisbane celebrates Halloween every single year.

Always suckers for a good marketing campaign, the kids saw the ads on television and pestered me to go.

And when the Halloween Carnival Day dawned fine and clear, and with no better plan in place, I agreed to take them. (Note: It wasn't on actual Halloween, but the day before - which was even better as kids got to celebrate twice!)

We got there soon after the celebrations began, which meant many stalls were still setting up and/or were trying to entice customers.

Which meant the kids had a better chance than average of taking home a prize. (And I managed to find a free parking space within walking distance of the event. For The Win!)

Sideshow Alley, Halloween style. I'm not sure about the No Losers promise though ...

Mr 9 was stoked to win a penguin from one of the stalls, outclassing adults in the same category. (The first person to get an Elmo to the top of a pole was the winner. Not even touching what is wrong with all that. Because, well, look! My boy got a penguin!)

My 9 very generously gave Miss 7 his points from the fishing stall, to add to hers. That meant she got a pick from the Big Toys Section. She chose a husky dog.

(And can I say how proud I am on Mr 9 that he did that? They both could have had a reasonably-sized pink or blue dinosaur each, but he wanted his sister to get a good prize too, so did a deal with gum-chewing Carnie. That is a huge achievement for Mr 9, who, as an Aspie, used to struggle with showing his feelings or acknowledging those of others.

An Unlucky Dip. Love it!

When Miss 7 managed to get a husky of her own, Mr 9 was slightly regretting his grand gesture ...

Usually we'd visit the region for sights like these....

Miss 7 was entranced by the creepy hand lollie basket

Then it was Mr 9's turn to get grabbed whilst grabbing a lollie

Did you celebrate Halloween this year? (MTC)

Spring fever

2010-10-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

Spring is one of my favourite times to live in Queensland.
It's warm enough to go sleeveless at night or head to the beach, but not so hot that you melt everytime you go outside. (Or inside if you're not fortunate enough to have air-conditioning.)
The risk of skin cancer isn't quite as high as in summer. In fact, with my fair skin and freckles, I find it too hot to swim in summer, unless it's before dawn or after sunset.
True, we've had way more rain and storms than in previous years, which points to a hot and stormy summer. (Can you believe that just a few short years ago we were in the grip of a drought!)
Spring is the perfect time of year to take off on a sunny day and head to one of our famous beaches or national parks.
If you're lucky, a spring getaway is awesome, because hotels and resorts offer bargain rates and packages before the summer peak period hits.
Take this one: The Atlantis Marcoola is a family-friendly Sunshine Coast resort, just an hour or two from Brisbane, depending on where you live.
This is one of my favourite beaches in Queensland. It's beautiful, quite wild, and usually there are plenty of quiet spaces even on weekends and holidays.
We stayed at the resort a few years ago, and it was awesome. It was out of season, and the manager kindly upgraded us to an apartment with an ocean view at no extra charge.
The rooms and suites were gorgeous and spacious, and we could have quite happily moved in there. There were free beach toys for the kids, not to mention a playground, lagoon pool, toddler pool, spa, tennis court, half-court basketball court, and free balls. (Tee hee, I just wrote free balls.)
There was free broadband wifi, a fitness area, and Austar as well.
Even better, the Atlantis Marcoola is right on the beach, which means no scary roads to cross with the kids. And there's a really long walkway where they can ride their scooters, bikes or skate to their hearts' content.
Like many other resorts, the Atlantis Marcoola is offering some great spring specials for those who need a break before the Silly Season mayhem begins. And apparently, the facilities have been refurbished since we last holidayed there.
The best thing about the Sunshine Coast is that so much of it is free!
You can look for koalas while walking in the Noosa National Park, swim under a waterfall then shop for arts and crafts in the hinterland, learn to surf, throw in a fishing line, or just roam the beach looking for shells and crabs.
Of course, there are loads of day spas for those who need pampering, and adventure sports for those who feel the need for an adrenalin rush.
Or you can just do what we usually do: Read, swim, spa, shop and eat far too much delicious food!
Readers, what do you love about Spring?

Marcoola Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Image courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Nowhere like ... New York

2010-10-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

I'm a Sagittarius, so I love to travel.
Having kids and a limited budget has kind of clipped my wings a little, but I can't wait for the day when I can jump on a plane, boat, car or train and travel to my hearts' content.
Some of my travel dreams include:

- A trip to Bangkok with a girlfriend so we can catch up with a very dear school friend who lives there. Oh and also so we can shop!
- A holiday in Samoa where we had the best family holiday ever about a year ago. The Samoans were so lovely, especially to the kids, and the country is just gorgeous. Not to mention extremely good value.

- New Zealand. I lived there for about 18 months, but saw very little of the country outside of Auckland, and I just fell in love with the place.

- A trip to the snow with the kids. Either in Australia, Japan, Europe, Canada, America or New Zealand.

- A trip to Cairns, where I have another dear friend, and where I spent many happy years when I was a young journalist.

- Back to Europe to see friends and family in England and Germany.

- Across to Western Australia, to visit my brother and his family and to explore the rest of the state. It's been a long-time dream to see the dolphins at Monkey Mia.

- I'd love to spend a summer in Greece, Turkey, France or Germany, writing, eating and lazing on the beach.
- A trip to Las Vegas, a city I've been to several times (and I don't even gamble, I just love it), and where another very dear friend lives. We used to have Saturday Movie Nights, eat chocolate, read magazines and have fun. I'd love another Movie Night with her!

And finally, this press release came across my desk this morning (okay, in my email inbox. Does anyone actually mail press releases anymore?)

Shop Til You Drop Package - from Doubletree hotels in New York City!

Visit the Big Apple and shop til you drop. This Bloomingdales Shop Til You Drop Package includes overnight stay ONLY at Doubletree Guest Suites Times Square or Doubletree Metropolitan Hotel PLUS the following items upon check-in:

- $50 Bloomingdales gift card.

- 15% Bloomingdales savings certificate.

- Complimentary Bloomingdales signature gift and package delivery from Bloomingdales to your hotel (on purchases of $250 or more).

- 10% Macy's savings certificate.

- 10% off at NHL Store.

- South Street Seaports savings packet.

- Complimentary champagne toast at Thalassa Restaurant.

- 20% off 50 or 80 minute spa treatment at Equinox (14 Wall Street location only).

- $15 off of Top Button's Walking Shopping Tour.

- 15% off at City Crab and Seafood Restaurant.

You can book Bloomingdales Shop Til You Drop Package by visiting www.hilton.com/nyc-shoppers.

Sigh. Would that not be the ultimate girlie holiday?

I visited New York many years ago on a backpackers' budget, so didn't actually get to shop till I dropped! And we stayed in New Jersey (can you imagine?), because it was cheaper, and took public transport into the Big Apple each day.

Though I did have fun, and even went to the top of the World Trade Centre, which is sadly no longer there.

It would lovely to return to New York and this time do it in style.

A girl can dream I guess ...)

So readers, what would be your ultimate holiday?

Pretty H. embraces the tropical life in Samoa.

C. swimming with turtles in Samoa

Nothing like a freebie

2010-10-14T02:41:00.000-07:00

It's no secret, I love Queensland.

Truth be told, it took years of travelling and even living overseas to really appreciate my own state and my own country.

There are loads of places I would love to travel to and even live for a year, a couple at most. But Queensland will always be home.

One of the things I love the most, is that there is so much of the Sunshine State (okay, well usually it's Sunshiney, not too much lately), that everyone can access for free.

Here are a few of my favourite things:

The jetty at Sandgate/Shorncliffe. There's also a fab Robinson Crusoe-type playground for kids.

Brisbane/Ipswich councils regularly put on free events for residents. Miss 7 had her face painted for free (yes, she's a pussycat) at the opening of a motorway earlier this year. Actually most Queensland councils hosts free events throughout the year. They're usually well advertised. In this case, we received an invitation in our letterbox.

Mr 9 inhaled some free fairy floss...

And they climbed to the hearts' content ...

The Ipswich Handmade Expo, held each month. Loads of lovingly made goodies to eat, drink, wear, display and/or just enjoy. Entry and parking are free and prices are reasonable.

The childrens' gallery at the Ipswich Art Gallery is Australia's first to be dedicated to children. It's hands-on, fun, and even better free!

What have you found to enjoy that's free in Queensland - or in your own part of the world?

Wondai markets

2010-09-29T21:24:00.000-07:00

The kids and I regularly make the trek to Wondai, a small town in the South Burnett.
I went back recently, sans kids, for a Kingaroy State High School reunion, which I blogged about here.
(Wondai school only went to year 10, so I, along with a few others, caught the bus to Kingaroy school for years 11 and 12.)
It was, to be honest, a fairly boring town to grow up in.
Everyone knew each other, so there was no getting up to mischief without Mum and Dad finding out about it! And whenever we needed to see doctors or other specialists, we had to travel to Brisbane or Toowoomba. Same with tertiary education. Or with attending stuff like the Brisbane Ekka, or going to the beach.
As a child who regularly got travel sickness, I grew up dreading long car journeys.
And yet, part of the isolation was also Wondai's charm.
I spent a good deal of my formative years riding my pushbike up and down roughly-hewn tracks in the bush, walking my dog to visit my grandmother, yabbying at waterholes, and swimming at the local pool.
I regret that my kids can't enjoy the same freedom.
There have been great changes in the South Burnett since I lived there, with award-winning wineries, cheese-making, artists, fast food outlets, and even traffic lights making appearances.
But Wondai has retained a rural charm.
On Saturdays, Wondai has a true country market, where locals gather to buy and sell their wares.

Something for everyone

Beautiful hand-made goodies by local artist Sue Warry who has an online store here.

All you need is LOVE ... more of Sue's creations

I couldn't resist buying this because it reminded me of our kitteh, Hannah

Feeling clucky?

Don't pay exhorbitant city prices for jewellery! Come to Wondai Markets where you will pick up beautiful items for a steal.

Wild Soapnuts

I hadn't seen them before but they are small berry-like nuts which contain a soap-like substance. They are a natural, environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical-based detergents and washing power, or even as personal cleansers and bath gels.

Farm-fresh goodness at country prices

More pumpkins than you can roll down a hill...

(Nearby Goomeri holds an annual pumpkin festival, which includes a pumpkin rolling race down the main street of the town).

These are actually brown onions, but look white because of their freshness. The farmer told me he plucked them from the earth the previous afternoon.

Looking for a new outfit? I love the Abba-style top on the left

A girl can never have too many cute clothes hangers ....

So readers, do you get back to your home towns often?

Our new baby!

2010-09-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

Settle down!
It's not actually MY baby.
Or even a new furry one.
But everyone loves a newborn, so I couldn't help sharing the news about the arrival of Queensland's newest tourism ambassador ... a cute female Inshore Bottlenose dolphin.
Born to proud Mum Zippa, 10, at Sea World September 2, the yet-to-be-named baby is about 80 cm long,
The sweet-as-sugar calf is already suckling milk from her mummy, and is swimming strongly beside her.
Sea World Marine Mammal Trainer, Erin King - who it must be said, has one of the best jobs in the world - says the trainers are all really excited by the birth.
“On the morning of September 2, we went to check on Zippa and we were delighted to discover that she had calved overnight," says Erin.
“The calf was actually born a few weeks earlier then we were expecting – Zippa might have known that spring was in the air.”
The Sea World dolphin breeding program is one of the world’s best, and the theme park is running a naming competition in conjuction with The Today Show between September 23 and 27.
Meanwhile, Sea World visitors can see the new mum and calf in the park’s Dolphin Nursery pools located opposite the Sea Lion theatre.
The best way to see Sea World’s newest dolphin is with a VIP Pass which offers unlimited entry to Sea World, Movie World and Wet’n’Wild until June 30 2011 for $99.99.

Isn't she sweet? The newborn dolphin with proud Mumma Zippa

Staying close to her Mum

Photos courtesy of Sea World publicity

No Parking

2010-09-22T03:26:00.000-07:00

When I flew to Sydney and back recently, I decided to make things easy on myself.
Rather than leave my car overnight at a train station for a couple of nights, and train it in, trailing suitcase and other crap; I decided to drive.
And then I looked at those off-airport parking stations. You know the ones where you park nearby, and then catch a shuttle bus to the airport. Said shuttle bus later meets you at the airport when you arrive back, and drives you back to your car.
I emailed a couple of parking stations, and only one of them got back to me, and that was to say they were full.
Then I looked at the airport parking website, and the price wasn't that much more than the next company on my list.
So, because of my arthritis, I decided it would be worth to pay a little extra for the convenience of getting straight to the airport rather than lugging bags into and out of cars and buses.
The plan was: Arrive, park, walk across to the terminal, and that would be it. And the opposite when I got back. Easy!
I have news for anyone planning to follow in my footsteps: Don't do it!
There's loads of work being done at the Brisbane Airport Domestic Terminal, and because of that, access means a huge detour, trailing bags and other crap along bumpy, dusty, noisy surfaces. At several stages, you actually have to wait while heavy vehicles cross the pathway.
It didn't help that I'd unknowingly parked pretty much as far away from the parking exit to the terminal as I could. Nor did it help that there weren't any trolleys available until I was almost inside the terminal, and by then it would have been a waste of $4.
On the way home, I took a different way back to my car, thinking that would be way easier and closer. Erm, no. It was just as far, and just as difficult. It was poorly signposted. I wasn't the only person lost and tired.
Eventually I made it to my car and I thought: There is obviously going to be some kind of discount after all the inconvenience. I mean they had signs everywhere that apologised for said incovenience.
But no. The automated ticket payment machine quite happily extracted $60 from me for my troubles.
Normally, I would have complained. But there is no option to actually give feedback to a real person at the Brisbane Domestic Airport station. In fact, you can only leave the facility, if you have already paid the grossly-inflated bill at their automated ticket machine.
I looked longingly at the shuttle busses as they conveniently picked up and dropped people off right outside the terminal. I know what I'll be doing next time I have to fly out of Brisbane Domestic Airport.
And I can't believe the powers that are not providing the service they promise, have the audacity to charge full price.
I quote from their own website:
Accessible, secure and hassle free - Brisbane Airport Parking is the convenient choice.
And here is the option I chose:
PARKLONG - best for more than 4 hours. This facility offers you value for money, combined with proximity to the terminal in a secure environment for your car.
Here's the thing: It is currently not close if you have to WALK to the terminal, because you have to go a round-about way. And I packed light. And also? It was not value for money. It was probably secure, I'll give them that.
The website does mumble about car parking changes but doesn't actually say anything like: 'This means you're going to have to walk a crap of a long way, over uneven services, and we're still going to charge you full price for the inconvenience!"
I was lucky I'd allowed enough time, or I may actually have missed my flight, not having factored in the delay. Anyway.
It's Un-Australian I tell you.
And that is my Rant For The Day.
What has pissed you off recently?

Nowhere like ... Sydney

2010-09-20T15:54:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, even a born and bred Queenslander has to leave the warm embrace of the Sunshine State.

And so it was that I found myself being winged away safely to Sydney by Virgin Blue.

It was time for my literary agent, Selwa Anthony's, Sassy conference. Both Selwa and Virgin Blue kindly sponsored my attendance, and I can't thank them enough.

It was a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of visit, so I didn't get a chance to see much of Sydney at all.

In fact, except for a childhood visit via caravan with my family - and that's a whole other story - I've only ever been to Sydney for work.

Sassy was held at the Swissotel Sydney, and they did a really good job of feeding us and making us feel welcome.

I missed out on the Selwa Anthony Event special prices, so had to upgrade to a room on one of the Executive Floors. I still managed to get a good deal via Swissotel's own website (they guarantee the best possible rate, and so it was).

My room was quiet, clean, and comfortable and I relished every moment of waking up in my king-sized bed alone. I just wish I could have brought a couple of those pillows home!

Then there was the Executive Club lounge. I was able to use their wi-fi, and work in comfort.

Breakfast and evening canapes were included and the staff were just lovely, without being over the top.

I loved my visit to Sydney, but next time I'd like to see a little more than the inside of my hotel!

A room with a view

View from my bathroom

Sunset

Loved the bed and the pillows!

Evening canapes

The executive club lounge

My room had an ergonomic chair, internet access and office supplies.

So, when I eventually return to Sydney, what should I see first?

We likie

2010-09-14T00:07:00.000-07:00

How often do you think of complaining about poor service, but never actually get around to doing so?
I'm a bit like that, although occasionally I get cranky enough to fire off an email. I am never abusive or angry, I am not after any freebies (okay, well it would be nice, but doesn't happen).
About 80 per cent of the time, I get no reply, even if several emails/online forms are submitted.
But I really respect those people/companies/businesses who respond to feedback. And I try to give positive feedback where it's due also.
One of those companies is McDonalds. They market heavily towards kids, especially with their Happy Meal toys, and I can't tell you how many times we have ordered a meal, paid, and been given it before finding out the toy they've advertised has been sold out and replaced with something crappy they never got rid of first time around.
A few years ago, it had happened a little too often, and fed up with consoling inconsolable kids, I emailed them to complain.
To give them credit, McDonalds PR rang me the very next day, asked which toys the kids had missed out on. They express posted the toys to the kids straight away, which was awesome. A couple of vouchers would have been even better, since this had happened numerous times, but hey, they solved the complaint and that's something.
We've gotten more canny when it comes to ordering Happy Meals. (And yes I know I shouldn't buy the kids junk food, but sometimes it's nice for them to have a 'treat', and when you're travelling, it's often the best spot to give the kids a play, and a wee, and have a half-decent coffee.) Anyway, nowadays the kids usually ask to see the toys first, before ordering.
Then there's Wotif, where, although we've had some great experiences, there have been some horrific ones as well. Usually it is down to the hotel/resort not being truthful about the facilities or level of quality. The word 'luxury' is clearly subjective.
One holiday was so particularly bad, that I resorted to complaining to wotif, several times. I never got one single answer, even though my then husband spent thousands of dollars each year booking hotels through them for business and I was doing a lot of travel writing at the time. In recent times, I've also found that wotif doesn't always have the best deals, so check with the resort direct before you book. Then if your plans change, you can always transfer the booking to another date, rather than pay a cancellation fee.
The same with Qantas, who sent me some intelligible, impersonal reply obviously written by either someone who didn't speak or write English well or possibly a computer, to a valid complaint. It did not address my concerns in any way, and also announced that the problem had been dealt with, unless I got back to them. I tried once more, with no response, and by then it was too much bother to go back to them, and again I let it slide.
There are loads of places I could out, but I try to play nice, and in that spirit I would like to recognise those companies/businesses that do offer exceptional service.
Here are some of my favourites:

Muffin Break at Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre, Brisbane. I don't do muffins,(it's the weight thing), but they do a decent skim milk coffee, and Miss 7 loves their Mini-Muffin deals. $4.95 gets her three mini-muffins, a juice, colouring in page, and pencils. It's brilliant value and the staff are always very kind to her. She usually polishes off two mini-muffins and has one for morning tea the next day. Mr 9 loves their hot chocolates, and likes to order his own. Again, they are really sweet to him, and treat him like a 'big boy'.

The BP Service Station at Colinton, D'Aguilar Highway, Colinton. Fondly know as the Slush Puppy Stop, we usually stop here during one of our frequent visits to Wondai in the South Burnett, where my parents still live. The ladies there are always unfailingly lovely and helpful, and nothing is too much trouble. The loos are cleaned frequently and pass even Miss 7's tough public toilet standards. This is the only time I will buy the kids a Slush Puppy so they look forward to it as a treat on the long journey.

Yum Yum Peking Duck, Darra. Possibly Brisbane's best Peking Duck at reasonable prices. The surroundings aren't flash, but the food is excellent and the service is great if you're a regular. Staff always fuss over the kids and even remember their names, where they go to school, and favourite dishes and drinks.

Trampoline Gelato, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre - Unfortunately, a lot of their gelatos may contain traces of nuts and tree nuts, which makes it hard for Mr 9. But Miss 7 loves their ice-cream, especially the low-fat chocolate one. Again, the staff are always friendly and offer tastes without having to be asked. Unlike some ice-cream chains, where uninterested staff sigh and grudgingly offer the tiniest tastes when asked. (People, I have kids ... we are obviously going to buy something if we've come this far ... I just want to make sure they will eat it, since it's pretty expensive!) Trampoline staff obviously get that, and I love that it's all made fresh on the spot. (I also can't believe the low-fat chocolate one is low-fat - it certainly tastes wickedly good).

Virgin Blue and Pacific Blue Airlines - Even though you pay for 'extras' like food and drink on the domestic Virgin, the friendly service is included on both versions of this airline. The price is usually less than Qantas, and the staff are always so friendly and helpful. On one flight, they bought our meals out first and a hostie walked the baby around the plane so we could eat. They've always had a stroller available for the journey from check-in to boarding - again, not so with Qantas. On another flight, staff took the kids down the back of the plane and painted their faces (having asked permission first). On yet another, they taught the kids dance steps and had a mock fashion parade. On occasions, we've had staff cracking jokes, singing or even dancing mid-flight.

And while I'm speaking of airlines, Air New Zealand is amazing. Not only is their marketing second to none - their Nothing To Hide campaign was pure genius - but the service and comfort is always good, even in economy. They are very effective on twitter also, with @flyairNZ responding quickly and efficiently to comments, praise, queries and all the rest. They also have an @airpointsfairy, who regularly sprinkles her fairy dust asking for and granting flight-related wishes.

The most memorable moment was on a flight with Air New Zealand from Auckland to Apia in Samoa. Miss 7 was chosen to be the Lolly Girl, and got to hand out lollies on descent to all the passengers. And after landing, we were all allowed into the cockpit for photos with the captain. Mr 9 was seriously impressed, and Miss 7 was given a huge bag of lollies to keep for her troubles.

So forget about the brickbats ... anyone else got any bouquets for excellent service?

Miss 7 (then 6) as the Lolly Girl on the flight to Samoa.

Dimitie's Cottage, Wondai

2010-09-10T17:38:00.000-07:00

Dimities Cottage is beloved in the South Burnett district as a unique venue for anything from a good old-fashioned afternoon tea, to a fabulous party.

Last weekend, my niece celebrated her 30th birthday in style at Dimities. The menu featured some really fresh, delicious seafood - ocean-fresh Australian prawns, crabs, bugs and oysters, plus salads, vegies and a really delicious whole snapper which fell apart as your fork touched it.

For afters there was pavlova, trifle and fruit salad, plus tea and coffee.

It was an exceptional opportunity to wander through the cottage, and examine the art, crafts, soft toys and other goodies on offer.

Guests who needed some time-out, took their coffee out on the veranda and soaked up the country atmosphere.

Dimities is definitely worth a visit when you're next in the South Burnett, and don't forget to check their website for special events.

If you go: Dimities Cottage is open 7 days at 49 Haly Street, Wondai. Ph: 07 41685744.

There's something for everyone at Dimities

Country style

Her Maj., the Queen presided over the evening

This 'baby', created by a local artist, looked so real he/she kept freaking us out!

Arts and crafts

Pretty and practical

What country cottage would be without a resident cat?

In praise of Dads

2010-09-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

On the lead-up to Father's Day, I tweeted for ideas on what to get my own Dad this weekend.

Now, Dad is pretty old-fashioned in his tastes, and he's nearly 80.

He's not a big fan of books, though he still reads the newspaper from cover to cover, and he already gets that home-delivered.

He kind of likes DVDs but has trouble working the DVD player.

He's got more than enough socks, and as for jocks? I don't really want to go there.

I'm thinking movie passes, or a voucher for dinner or coffees to enjoy with Mum.

But while I ponder a pressie, I thought I'd share some of my funny Dad moments:

When I was a thumb-sucking kid, Dad told me he'd sucked his own thumb off, which is why he had only a little stub where his thumb should be. He'd actually lost his thumb in a truck accident, but I didn't know that. I told my class at Show and Tell one day and got into trouble for making up stories!
Whenever he was driving dangerously or speeding (which was quite a lot), Mum would yell him to slow down. "It's okay, I used to be a racing car driver," he'd say. This too, I believed, and got another bollocking at school for telling lies.
Mum was more the disciplinarian in our family and Dad was the one we went to when we wanted to be allowed to do something controversial Mum didn't want us to do - like attend a school disco, spend time with 'wild' friends or members of the opposite sex, or play sport/do theatre rehearsals on Sundays. (Gasp!)
Dad was self-employed and a councillor, so was rarely at home when we were young. I doubt that he's ever changed a nappy in his life! But what he lacked in the childhood department he made up for when we were older. I remember him spending hours on the phone on my behalf to get me close-to-front-row seats to a Sting Concert when I was a teenager. This was in the old days when tickets for concerts could only ever be bought on the phone or physically in line. And he didn't even like Sting or The Police.
He was frequently the taxi driver when I wanted to go to social events before I could drive, and would come out at night to pick up my friends and I, and drop us safely home.
Throughout the years, he has held many serious burial services when beloved pets died, laying them gently to rest, covering the grave, allowing us to pay our respects and decorating the graves with flowers.
He once knicked a traffic cone so I could put it in my room at uni, which earned me loads of street cred.
During my teenage fitness kicks, he would get up early to jog with me before breakfast, because he and Mum were worried a baddie would get me.
He's walked me down the aisle twice now, and has cried with me when those marriages have failed.
He gets emotional at family gatherings, especially if he gives a speech.
He frequently calls us by the wrong names ... it's a family joke and dammit if my siblings and I don't have the same problem now!
He loves a bargain ... something my eldest brother and I have inherited. Sometimes this is a good thing, and sometimes we curse it.
He's passionate about news, church, volunteer work, gardening, and politics. In fact, I'm pretty sure I became a journalist because I grew up reading the paper and watching news and current affairs shows. He still does this now, but has added junk mail (while scouring for bargains) to his reading of choice.
He treats his miniature long-haired daschund Luther like a child.
He dotes on my Mum as well, forever getting cups of tea, and stacking/emptying the dishwasher
He's the go-to man in the community for people who don't have family to help them, regularly driving other oldies to medical appointments, shopping trips, or family events. He doesn't even ask for petrol money.
He's a shameless, unpaid promoter for the South Burnett, where he was born and still lives.

We don't always understand each other, but I love my Dad and I know he loves me.

Does anyone else have Dad stories they want to share?

Supervising mode. Letting the kids dig for potatoes in his vegetable garden

Dad's furry baby Luther

Luther likes to help out in the garden

Mum and Dad. They've been married for 52 years!

More of the garden

Happy Father's Day!

Virgil's Touchwood Artisans' Village, Nanango, Qld

2010-08-24T20:40:00.000-07:00

For years, during my journey to visit family in the South Burnett, we've driven past a quaint little village on the side of the D'Aguilar Highway, just outside of Nanango.

Virgil's Touchwood Artisans' Village is a collection of little huts, arts, crafts and memorabilia.

We were travelling back to Brisbane recently when Miss 7 announced she needed to use the toilet, and rather urgently, thank you very much.

Having just been through a town, with toilets, I was about to mumble a few choice swear words, when Virgil's village loomed ahead, rather conveniently I thought.

Mr 9 was cross at having to stop. (Apparently he was at a crucial stage of his DS game). However, he soon forget to be annoyed when he clocked the village's many kid-friendly attractions.

There were animal bones and skulls, displays of life in the 'olden days' as my kids describe them, birds to admire, and a pretty cool playground to explore. Oh and toilets. Don't forget the toilets. (They were clean too! Very important for public toilet-phobic H.)

We spent a pleasant half-an-hour or so while the kids worked off some nervous energy in the playground, and checked out all the arts, crafts, carvings, and bones.

There was a brief potential meltdown when Mr 9 spied some hand-crafted walking sticks and decided he just HAD to have one. Now, C. has Aspergers Syndrome, and once he's fixated on something, it's really hard to distract him.

And then a really nice thing happened. A man I presume to be Virgil came over, told C. he was much too young and able to need a walking stick; that in any case, the sticks were too tall for him; and that whenever he got to the stage where he needed one, he could come back and have one carved just for him.

I thought that was lovely. Only in the country would you get a salesperson try to talk you out of buying something!

And then the man winked at me, and sent us off to check out what Mick the bone-carver was up to.

Bones? That immediately piqued the kids' interests, and the walking stick incident was fogotten.

You only get service like that in the South Burnett!

Virgil's Touchwood Artisan's Village, Nanango

Mr 9 soon forget his DS. There was real life stuff to explore!

Where's Carrie Bradshaw when you need her?

Manalo Blahniks have nothing on these...

They breed 'em tough out in the country...

A highlight of our visit was Mick the bone carver. The kids were fascinated.

Mick spent ages showing them how he turned bits of bone into beautiful works of art.

Some of Mick's beautiful bone carvings

I was stunned when Mick gave the kids some pieces of bone he didn't really need. I thought that was awesome, particularly as we couldn't afford to buy art on this occasion. Here they are showing them off. H. is kissing hers!

Mr 9's keepsake

And Miss 7's. They treasure them.

What a wonderful person Mick was for giving not just his time, but a small piece of his work for the kids to love.

Mr 9 wanted me to post this ...one of his favourite things at Virgil's village.

IF YOU GO: Virgil's Touchwood Artisans' Village is run by Virgil Smith, a woodworker and carver. He also restores much-loved furniture and custom-makes others. Entry is free, and open to visitors daily from 8.30am-5pm.
13620 D'Aguilar Highway
NANANGO, 4615

It's Wayne's World ...

2010-08-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

I've been lucky enough to attend the monthly Handmade Expo, held at the Ipswich Turf Club, Bundamba, several times.
I was originally invited by @bubbachenille and I've never looked back. This is my favourite market in Brisbane - or Queensland for that matter.
Every single stall contains original works of art (wearable or otherwise) by incredibly talented Aussies.
It's reasonably priced, and there's such a lovely atmosphere.
I've been once with kids - where stallholders were happy to talk about and explain their work to the kids, even if we couldn't afford to buy anything (or just something cheap).
The stallholders' passion for their work and their enjoyment of our appreciation of same, was wonderful. Never did I feel like anyone was trying to give us the hard sell. They were just passionate about their work, and rightly so. It was beautiful.
We did buy a few pieces here and there, and everytime I wear anything I've bought from the expo, I get the nicest comments. And obviously recommend the expo to others.
Then last time, I met up with a dear school friend, whom I'd recently reconnected with.
It was great being able to enjoy the markets from a grown-up perspective, and we lingered over jewellery, health, and baby clothes stalls. (Well I loved the jewellery and my mate will soon be a very young, groovy granny and was shopping in earnest).
We chatted over an excellent cup of coffee, and each bought a cupcake treat to take home.
See usually, I will buy treats for the kids, but not for me. Because the meds I'm on have piled on the weight, and I eat next to nothing and exercise to avoid putting on more.
But as we're both into living mindfully, we decided to treat ourselves to a cupcake. To enjoy, in privacy, much later.
So with my friend's 'permission' I bought one for myself.
Hours later, I sat down to enjoy it. Mine was a custard cupcake, and what a wonderful work of art it was. The icing was delicious, without being too sweet, and the cake was like Mum used to make. But the surprise was a pocket of custard in the middle of the cake.
I sat, alone in the sun, knowing my friend was doing the same, and enjoyed my treat.
It was (blush) orgasmic.
Tomorrow apparently there will be human handmade goods on offer, in the form of fireman Wayne.
Now my nephew and cousin are fire fighters, so I rarely get into firefighter fantasies, because that would be just wrong. But in Wayne's case, I'm happy to make an exception.
My tweeps and FB mates have all swapped all sorts of tasteless comments about Wayne. Mainly involving his big, powerful hose. And I admire the poor bloke, still wanting to attend the expo in the notion that he might possibly be mauled by all sorts of females (and males!)
So cheer up election day, by dropping by the Handmade Expo, and buying a few of Wayne's calendars. If you're lucky he may let you handle his hose.
(Honestly, sorry Wayne and your partner/family. Couldn't resist!)
If You Go:
The Ipswich Handmade Expo is at Ipswich Turf Club, Bundamba.
Saturday: 81m-2pm
Entry and parking is free.

How's the election bean?

2010-08-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

On the eve of the election, who do you think is going to win?
Forget polls and campaigns, according to our local Muffin Break at Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre, Labour and the Coalition are going neck and neck. Or more correctly, coffee bean against coffee bean.

They have a really cool 'polling station' of their own, where customers can add a bean to the section which represents the party they will vote for.

We spend quite a lot of time at Mt Ommaney and often linger at Muffin Break due to Miss 7's penchant for muffins. She loves the mini-meal, which is three cute mini-muffins, a juice, and colouring form, pencils and sometimes a balloon - all in a pretty box for $4.95. She can't eat all the muffins in one go, so she usually has one for morning tea the next day. I usually get a coffee as well, and sometimes Mr 9 has a hot chocolate.

Muffin Break have a loyalty card where you get one free with every four coffees purchased. And you know how I love a bargain!

Anyway, every day since July 31, every Muffin Break store has encouraged their customers to cast their bean, erm, vote in their election polling stations.
And don't laugh! The managing director of Muffin Break, Serge Infanti, claims that the Unofficial Election Bean Poll correctly predicted the winners of the 2007 Australian election, and 2002 and 2005 NZ elections.
The last time I checked the results were:
Coalition 36%
Labor 35%
Greens 18%
Others 11%
If you're unsure of who to vote for, here are some words of wisdom from my kids:
Mr 9: We can't have a prime minister called Mr Rabbit! All the other countries will laugh at us.
Miss 7: I just want the girl to win.
Mr 9: No wonder Kevin Rudd had to go to hospital, if Julia Gillard stabbed him in the back.
Miss 7: Why are they picking on Julia. That's mean.

Anyway, have fun voting tomorrow (or earlier), and may the best team win!

Rydges Oasis Resort - Day 2

2010-08-19T02:04:00.000-07:00

So following our rather hasty breakfast, I managed to get us a two-hour extra stay of execution, having joined a priority club when we booked.
Which meant we only had to leave at 1 pm as opposed to 11 am.
Now 2 hours isn't much, but with kids, you make the most of it.
The later check-out meant that after breakfast the kids managed to fit in:

Another swim, and soak in the spa

A hit of tennis ... Mr 9 kind of lost interest when he realised poor old Mum, despite pretending to be crap (and I am crap!), was still better than he was ...

So we retired to our room to watch I-Carly and pack (can you spy Miss 7's head just peeking out from the blankets on the left?)

A quick stop at McDonalds - which for once had the toys they were advertising for the happy meals (Bakugans for Mr 9, My Little Pony for Miss 7), and we were on our way back to Brisbane.

Can I just say that despite the pluses and minuses of our last minute jaunt the kids were awesome, and I really loved hanging out with them.

Rydges Oasis Resort Caloundra .... the food

2010-08-14T18:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, so with the restaurant booked out, and two hungry kids, we were left with a problem.
The always-social Mr 9 really wanted to go out ... and there are loads of cheap and cheerful restaurants in Caloundra, and I kind of seconded that motion.
But Miss 7 was tired after a busy day in the water and sun, plus, after a lovely spa and shower, had changed into her pyjamas. And no girl in her PJs wants to be seen in public after a certain time. If at all.
The only thing we agreed on was that we were all HUNGRY.
I'd already planned on splashing out on a meal at the resort, so I suggested: 'Let's look at the room service menu!'
The kids had already started watching some family movie on the pay TV channel (we don't have Pay TV at our place, and I had no idea who the actors were, but the kids insisted they were AWESOME).
So we looked at the menu. (Did I mention that I love that the kids can read now, and take pleasure out of choosing their own meals?)
Strike One: There was No Kids Menu. Now, I don't think I've ever stayed at a hotel or resort that didn't have one, particularly one which is aimed at families.
But that wasn't necessarily a bad thing, because my kids are good eaters with decent palates, and often they prefer small serves of 'adult' meals when we eat out anyway. (I know - how good is that? No artificially-enhanced nuggets or fish sticks for them).
The prices were reasonable, so I threw caution to the wind and ordered a 'Feast' to share. (The kids' word, not mine.) We had drinks to share too - OJ and Fanta - and in honour of the occasion, the kids drank it in pretty adult glasses.
Mr 9 1/2, being the man of the house, wanted to order and he did so with considerable aplomb.
And when the food arrived, (and very quickly thank you Rydges), the kids were ecstatic.

A steak ciabatta sandwich for Miss 7, nachos for Mr 9, and a seafood basket for me.

But what actually happened was, the nachos were way too spicy for Mr 9, and Miss 7 hated the salad on her steak. So C. ate my seafood basket, H. ate the steak and chips, and I got the salad and nachos. (And boy, they were spicy! But they were loaded with guacamole and sour cream too, which balanced out the spices.)

Luckily, dessert avoided a mutiny. It was really rather good.

Mr 9 went for strawberry and meringue mash and was in ecstasy. (In fact, he wanted to order another one, but even on treat night I had to put a stop to that!)

Can't pose, eating

Miss 7 chose warm chocolate pudding with maple ice-cream and strawberries.

And it was delicious, the outside moist and warm and exploding with hot fudgy sauce when cut through with a spoon.

But here is another gripe.

The menu description said it was chocolate pudding with maple syrup ice-cream and strawberries.

As always, whenever we order any kind of food when we're out, room service or otherwise, we asked if any of the meals contained nuts or tree nuts.

Oh no, we were told.

Well, thank God, C. didn't try his sister's dessert because her ice-cream was full of walnuts or pecans (I'm never sure). And although we carry an epipen, we would have ended up in hospital had C. even tried a tiny bite. And he would have been traumatised, because any anaphylactic reaction is life-threatening, horrific, and extremely scary. And usually the child is wiped out after treatment, for quite a long time. Not to mention, scared to eat anything again. (Not to mention the poor parent in grave need of valium...)

C. has a potentially fatal allergy to nuts, particularly tree nuts. And most organisations, when you check with them, are extremely responsible. It can be difficult if you're travelling, but you need to be vigilant, and double-check every order.

During our last family holiday in Samoa, before The End Of Life (As We Knew It), the chefs often came down to double-check the ingredients with us, and on the occasions there were nuts involved, they even whipped up special nut-free meals just for C. I love Samoa!)

On this occasion, there was no language barrier, so I was not impressed. I guess it was another reminder that we can't always trust kitchen or wait staff. (C. did want to try his sister's ice-cream but I insisted on checking it first. Yes, I'm selfless like that ... but seriously, it is necessary.)

Luckily, breakfast was a happy affair. I was content with coffee - several cups - but the kids enjoyed a buffet breakfast for $8.50 each. It was, to be honest, fairly standard breakfast fare, but for $8.50 I'm hardly going to quibble. There were there usual hot box scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacons, sausages and other goodies, plus pastries, yoghurt, fruit and those dinky boxes of cereal that kids love.

The room was noisy and full, but luckily none of the other guests ventured outside for some reason, where it was quiet, and peaceful. We were the only ones out there, would you believe?

When they weren't eating, the kids kept looking for George The Resident Water Dragon, and turtles, and fish.

I always find it funny that at a breakfast buffet, Miss 7 always goes for toast. Even though she could have toast every day at home, it's nowhere near as fun in a restaurant!

Looking for George

The peaceful outdoor setting.

As we finished our breaky, we were told by staff they closed at 9 am, which struck me as being a little early for a Sunday morning. My tired out angels had slept in, and I'd let them because it was the weekend.

So the kids grabbed a couple of apples and we left even though they were still a little hungry. But my bad, I should have checked first. .

It was a lovely break away, despite my gripes, and I would return, but only if I could get a better deal next time.

Rydges Oasis Resort, Caloundra - part one

2010-08-12T03:05:00.000-07:00

I haven't had a holiday with the kids since my marriage ended.
Money and time has been tight, and during holidays there have always been fabulous things like medical and dental visits, haircuts, and counselling to do. You know, all the usual school holiday fun and frivolity.
The kids are okay. Their Dad has taken them on holiday with his girlfriend and her family; but I've longed to have the opportunity to get away myself.
So recently, we were visiting the Sunshine Coast for a family thing, when I thought: "Bugger it! We're going to stay overnight."
And in that moment I decided to throw caution - and my budget - to the wind. Well a little!
I had a quick look at http://www.wotif.com/, before booking the only place that had a decent deal for one-night stays. (Has anyone else noticed that many of the deals for wotif and the like are now dependent on the number of nights booked? Just saying!)
And also: Next time, I'll check the hotel website first, because I ended up paying about $30 more than I would have paid if I'd gone to the hotel direct. Grrrr!
I love the Sunshine Coast, especially Caloundra, which was the destination for so many lovely holidays when I was a kid.
(Unfortunately most of those holidays also involved the six of us, plus dog, staying in a four-berth caravan and annex. Before there was air-conditioning. With one portable fan and no TV. My bed was the table, which Dad had to fold down every night, and then put back up in the morning. And to save on those scary middle of the night toilet visits, the girls got to wee in buckets overnight, which poor Dad had to empty out in the morning. Shudder! But fishing and swimming more than made up for the discomfort. And I did loads of lovely reading. Bless you Enid Blyton).

Anyway, I digress.
On this occasion, I booked a one bedroom 'suite' at the Rydges Oasis Resort. I put 'suite' in inverted commas, because the word always conjures up visions of indoor pools, heated spas, and private butlers to wait on me hand and foot. Rather than a slightly larger than usual hotel room, with, on this occasion, a kitchenette. And no butler.
The suites have been given a makeover since my last visit, many moons ago, and it's comfortable and clean.

I thought I'd booked a room with a Queen bed and a single, but the single turned out to be a divan and a portacot.
We kept the portacot as a handy way to dry towels. And although Mr 9 started out sleeping on the couch, he crept into the queen bed with his sister and I in the wee hours. Queue Miss 7 sitting up in bed and crying hysterically: "Go away C. Get out C. Make C. get out!" (She had no memory of this the next day, so it may have been some kind of night terror. A stinky 9-year-old will do that to a girl ...)
When that was done, the pair of them managed to grab all the blankets and most of the bed space for themselves, leading to a cold, sleepless night perched on the edge of the bed for me.
Now, although the room was okay, there were quite a few niggles:
There was no light fixture on the outside light
The bin was broken
It was really noisy (there seemed to be a wedding party there, so that might not be the resort's fault, but you'd think if they book these parties in regularly, they could allocate part of the resort to non-partying guests). In particular the late hours - between about 10 pm and midnight - and the early hours - from around 6 am, were hideous, with groups of people shouting and talking outside our room. The bad manners extended to breakfast in the restaurant, with groups of people blocking the already tiny aisles and shouting and laughing so much that it was impossible to have a conversation with my children. No one did anything to pull them into line.
I tried to book the restaurant at reception, but was told I had to do this with them direct. And although I phoned them the minute we got into our room, at check-in time, they were booked out until 7.30 pm. A fact that I'm pretty sure our check-in dude should have been aware of.
This is a pet hate of mine. Most decent resorts, particularly those who market themselves at families, allocate a certain number of tables to in-house guests. It's just polite. I got the feeling that even if I'd try to book earlier, I wouldn't have been successful, because they didn't want to knock back a big group booking. Which might be okay in the short-term, but not for long-term, repeat business.
You see, 7.30 pm is bedtime for my kids, and to ask them to wait not just until then, but for the time it takes to dine in a restaurant (giving drink and food orders) when the kids are already tired? It's not going to happen. We ended up ordering in, but more on that later ...
I'm not completely mean. I would have let the kids stay up longer, since it was a special occasion, but they were both tired, hungry and cold.
Really cold.
Because even though the Sunshine State is warm in winter, the nights and mornings are cool. Our bedroom air-conditioner/heater wasn't working and we were freezing.
We phoned reception, who said there were quite a few rooms like that, and they would send someone over with an oil heater.
Someone did come over, but minus the oil heater. They had run out. They did bring three extra blankets, but come on ... I had cold kiddies, and they KNEW there was a problem ahead of time, but did nothing about it. That's a Tourism FAIL in my books.
We ran the reverse-cycle air-conditioner in the main room, but it didn't seem to help much, hence Mr 9 volunteering to take the (warm) couch before realising the bed was more comfy.
We would have been warmer at home.
Despite all this, we did enjoy our break away.
The huge plus for this resort is the spacious grounds, and the fact that all the activities are included. Including tennis (court, balls and racquets) and mini-golf (really just a few holes in the lawn, but the kids didn't care.)

And the lush grounds gives it a more luxurious feel, even though the service is really ordinary.
Stay tuned for the next instalment!

It may be winter and the pool was FREEZING, but we had to to ourselves

Missy braved the pool ...Oh my goodness it was cold.

The spa was warmer, but not hot ... and there were sharp things inside it on the floor, which made Miss 7's foot bleed. And brought on tears.

Thank Goodness I thought to bring some Cup-of-Soup while we waited for dinner...

The room was comfy enough, despite the portacot

The fruit trees were a nice touch. Miss 7 picks some lemons ....

Mini-golf. Really just putting, but still fun for kids.

Are you going to the Ekka?

2010-08-06T05:07:00.000-07:00

I wasn't going to blog about the Ekka again, because, quite frankly, I was in a huff that their not-so-social-media-friendly PR team wouldn't give me a family pass for a blog giveaway.
But it's Ekka time, and I'm a Queensland girl, so how can I not?
Now, I could have taken out a bank loan and taken the kids myself, but my Ex has already bought tickets for them, and is promising to spend up big, and to be honest, it's all rather a bit of a relief.
Though the child in me always gets excited at the thought of the Ekka - the smell of cow/horse/miscellaneous animal poo; the calorific Dagwood Dogs dipped into those giant buckets of budget tomato sauce; the strawberry ice-creams, which actually can be a hit and miss affair; the noise and vomit of sideshow alley; and last, but not least, the showbags: The tacky, overpriced, but completely necessary showbags.
This year, the adult in me has thought: Actually, I'm pretty okay with the fact that I'm not going.
Normally we schlep all the way into the showgrounds - and parking is cheaper than the train, but still involves a bit of a walk for little legs, before you even get in the gates.
Then there are the crowds. The noise. And of course, the prices. (I've heard it's $4.50 for a strawberry ice-cream this year? Please correct me if I'm wrong.)
And although there are plenty of free things, in the past we've found it so busy and so difficult to negotiate, that we only ever see a fraction of things on offer. And my kids are usually too cold/tired/over-stimulated/ or just plain cranky, to stay for the night program.
But in the interests of supporting our iconic annual event, I thought I'd share a few fun facts, courtesy of The Ekka's media department.

The Ekka is Queensland’s largest event
More than 70 per cent of the Showgrounds are dedicated to free activities
Throughout the 10 days of the Ekka there are more than 3,000 free things to do and see.
Visitors can admire fine arts displays which contain 1300 photographs, 963 craft entries, 900 paintings, 900 cookery entries, 100 quilts, and 37 sculptures
In the Brisbane Markets Agricultural Hall there are 20 major fruit and vegetable exhibits which are made up of more than 110 metre-long banana hands, more than 100 pineapples, as well as 20 giant pumpkins
There are 300 dogs to look at, 2,000 chooks, 70 geese, 100 ducks, 80 canaries, 50 pigeons, 1,200 beef cattle, 700 horses, 160 cats, 120 dairy goats (including 30 kids), 150 alpacas, 400 dairy cows, 150 goats, and 200 fish.
Visitors can also enjoy 12 sheepdog trials, 12 incredible garden displays, 30 horse drawn carriages, 200 thoroughbreds, a grand parade, and two livestock parades. Oh, and there are 400 baby animals in the RACQ Animal Nursery and 100 pregnant Ekka Ewes in the Sunny Queen Little Miracles Newborn Corner.

Still not convinced?

Importantly, 20 tonnes of manure is removed during Ekka and placed in landfill at Ti Tree Bioenergy, a waste disposal facility which captures environmentally damaging methane and converts it into electricity.

See, so the Ekka is never completely crap!

If you go, enjoy. And have a Dagwood Dog for me!

"You say they want how much for the showbags?"

(Image courtesy of the Ekka Media Centre)

Ekka-cellant!

2010-08-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

There was a chill blowing in the air this morning, and both kids were wheezy, Mr 9, sick enough to stay home in bed.
In Brisbane that can only mean one thing: It's Ekka Time!

Much-loved (and at times loathed) by Queenslanders, Brisbane's annual Ekka is synonomous with the three F's. I'm talking Fun, Food and Flu.

The Ekka is known as the time when the country comes to the city.
Indeed, the annual visit to the Royal Brisbane Show was a highlight of my childhood. Each year, my parents made the trek from Wondai, four kids in tow, one of them - me - being sick in the car on the way there, and the way home.
We'd set up base at Uncle Clarrie's spot in the dairy cow pavilion, so there was always a respite from the crowds and a reviving cup of tea if we needed one. Mum saved money by packing sandwiches and drinks, but my parents always shelled out for a strawberry ice-cream and dagwood dog each. We also got to choose two sample bags each, and two side show alley rides or attractions. If we'd saved our pocket money, we could splurge on a few extras too.

As an adult I still felt that frission of excitement when I drove past the showgrounds yesterday and clocked the Ferris Wheel rising majestically above Sideshow Alley.

Pretty much every year we go, spend a load of money, fill up on junk food, and come home weighed under by showbags full of sweets and crappy toys. And we love every minute.

Last year, was an exception. Living in Auckland at the time, the kids and I were fortunate enough to attend the Kiwi version of our Ekka instead, and we noticed the following comparisons:

At the Auckland Show, there were no showbags. Gasp! Unbelievable, but true. The kids were disappointed, but I was secretly pleased (and much wealthier as a result!).
There were no Dagwood Dogs or Pluto Pups. They did have 'Hot Dogs', battered meat sausages on a stick (not a battered frankfurt). American Hot Dogs were frankfurts in buns.
The carnies were really friendly and chatty, especially with the kids, and making our way through it was a breeze. One carnie gave Harmonie several extra goes to allow her to get a prize.
And it was not Sideshow Alley. It was The Carnival Area.
There were no strawberry ice-creams. In fact, I don't think there was any iconic show food like there is at the Ekka. Not even a fruit salad inside half a pineapple or a cream horn.
There were wine and art categories, and ubiquitous animal exhibitions, but no cake icing competitions, baking, flowers, or fruit and vege competitions. Yes, I know, it doesn't bear thinking about really, does it?
There were no queues for anything (though I'm told that was unusual. The fact that it was freezing cold and sleeting in Auckland the day we attended, may have had something to do with that!)
There were no fireworks.
Overall, the show was much smaller than we were used to, but that also meant fewer crowds and less kiddie meltdowns.
The main similarity? The expense. It cost us $30 just to get through the gates, and I shudder to think how much we spent on food, drink, rides and games. It was a fun day out, and I'm glad we checked it out. It was no Ekka though. Because there is nowhere quite like the Brisbane Ekka!

This llama is going to the Ekka. Are you?

And yes, if the flu stays away, we'll be there too...

(Photo courtesy of the Ekka Media Centre's Image Gallery)

Only in Queensland ...

2010-07-26T18:19:00.000-07:00

Spotted around Brisbane lately ...

An interestingly-decorated ute

It's 5 O'Clock somewhere

Fishing trip etiquette

This dog has a really cool ride

Road stop!

2010-07-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

I love travelling through the Queensland countryside. (Well at least when kids aren't bouncing off the walls of the car from slushy-induced craziness, or fighting over who is looking out of whose window, or announcing they are about to burst with wee, poo, spew or a combination of all three).

Anyway, so most of the time I enjoy it.

And one of the reasons is that we get to break the journey with amusing little stops along the way.

(Thus preventing dramatic announcements of impending poo, spew or wee-bursts; but possibly inducing slushy craziness).

Every time we visit my parents in Wondai, my Dad says we should stop at 'The Stop Shop', a little shop on the side of the Bunya Highway at Memerambi. We're always in a hurry to either get to Wondai or get the bloody hell home before someone throws up or develops a sudden case of gastro, so usually pass right on by.

However, this time, I told the kids we'd stop, Dad having promised delicious Italian ice-creams would be available as a reward.

(I am pretty sure there was some mention of free ice-creams by telling the owner "Colin sent us", but the owner seemed very nonplussed by the information and proceeded to charge us all the same.)

No matter, the ice-creams were divine, and were certainly very generous in size. I'm not sure how much they cost, but we bought 3 two-flavour ice-creams, some healthy bits and pieces and a drink for $21, so I'm assuming they were country prices.

Unlike the city ice-cream shops, the ice-creams weren't exactly displayed to their advantage and I had to physically lift Miss 7 up so she could see the flavours.

And unlike the city, there were no free tastes.

Luckily we all enjoyed our choices!

(And yes, we will be back. I just hope the coffee machine is working next time...)

The Stop Shop at Memerambi, the South Burnett

It sells everything but the kitchen sink. Oh and a few things like bread, cigarettes, papers and milk. (We managed to slip in, despite the 'no animals' sign.)

Aww ....

Nice and spicy

Just what the larder ordered ...

Mmm - ice-cream. And no preservatives or nasty colours in these

Can't talk ... eating

The Pepper Lounge, Jindalee

2010-07-23T20:01:00.000-07:00

Even a broke single Mum's budget can stretch to eating out occasionally. Especially if there's one of those friends to budget-hunters everywhere available - a discount shopper docket.

I was alerted to the presence of a very popular neighbourhood restaurant/cafe called The Pepper Lounge, by my good friend and fellow social media fan, @appletartlet.

@appletartlet swears the Black Pepper Lounge does the best eggs benedict in the western suburbs, but so far, I'll have to take her word for it.

However, I've been there on several occasions recently and even taken the kids. Already well-priced, eating there is a bargain if you use a shopper docket which allows you one main meal free if another one plus drinks are paid for.

Not much on the menu appealed to picky Miss 7 except for dessert. But if you can't have dessert for lunch when you're seven, when can you? She loved the grown-up presentation.

The dessert was so rich, she ended up taking some home for Ron . (Later On).

Mr 9 was thrilled at the look and taste of his Kid's Carbonara ($8)

No, you can't have a taste Mum. It's mine, all mine ...

The proof was in the eating. C's only complaint was that the serving was too small, so when we returned recently, the chef had no problem rustling up an adult's version of the meal.

I love the prawn, rocket and mozzerella pizza. ($14). So light and delicious, I could easily manage it in one sitting, meaning no pizza for Ron.

If you go: The Pepper Lounge is at 19/62 Looranah Street, Jindalee. Ph: 07 3376 1011

The staff are always welcoming, and bottled water is always provided. They have been wonderfully patient with the kids, especially Mr 9.

Parking is free and plentiful.

Road trip

2010-07-17T20:19:00.000-07:00

My parents and sister still live in the South Burnett, where I grew up in a small country town.

Back then, I was able to ride my bike to and from school, and entertain myself for hours riding through the bush, yabbying with my brothers, or walking the dog to visit my Nana.

Oh course, childhood isn't quite so innocent these days, and my kids don't get to experience the same pleasures.

But we do visit their grandparents whenever we can, despite a 4-5 hour drive (depending on stops), and it gives the kids an idea of what my childhood was like.

Playing on the computer on the divan in Grandma and Pa-Pa's sun room.

On the way there, we stopped at a roadside stall to buy strawberries. Oh my Goodness, they were so delicious the kids practically inhaled them, and we had to buy three more punnets on the way back. These were outside a house in Harlin. It gave the kids an instant education, on that quaint old-fashioned custom called the Honesty Box. C. couldn't get his head around it. "What if people don't put the money in? How do they know people have paid?" he kept asking.

Hmm, which ones look the juiciest?

We often stop at Fernvale, for morning tea/breakfast. There is an awesome playground, relatively clean public toilets, and yummy hot pies, sausage rolls and donuts. This time we tried some of their 'famous' rainbow bread. (It tasted like normal bread actually).

Readers, what do you love about roadtrips?

Ho, ho, ho ...

2010-07-03T03:40:00.000-07:00

Do you celebrate Christmas in July?
This is my first winter as a single Mum and I thought it would be a fun family tradition to start with the kids.
For readers from the northern hemisphere, Christmas in Queensland is hot. Damn hot!
So eating a traditional festive meal is not exactly fun.
Generally, our families tend to gravitate towards a menu featuring loads of seafood, fruit, and salad, with barbecued ham and/or chicken. Traditionally, we eat by the pool or inside in the air-conditioning, and there's always backyard cricket afterwards.
It’s still delicious, but it’s not like the traditional Christmas lunches you have throughout Europe and America.
So in July, our coldest month of the year, many families and restaurants celebrate Christmas in July.
A hot meal of turkey and ham, with pudding for dessert, is much more enjoyable when the weather is cool, preferably enjoyed by a log fire.
Santa usually makes an appearance with small gifts for the kids, crackers are pulled, carols are played, and everyone has a relaxing time.
This year, we’ll probably do a Christmas in July at home.
However, cashed up Queenslanders might like to take a trip to Thulimbah, near Stanthorpe, where Bella Rosa’s Tearoom, Cottage and Garden Centre is offering a Christmas in Winter lunch.
Bella Rosa’s is set in a historic building which was used as a butcher’s shop in the 1900s, complete with some of the original fittings and an old worlde atmosphere.
And everyday in June (okay that’s gone), July and August, Bella Rosa’s is putting on a 5-course meal, including roast meats, plum pudding and all the trimmings. Adults are $55 including a gift from Santa, with a special kids' menu for $20.
There’s a cottage with a log fire if you fancy staying longer.
Bella Rosa’s also offers chocolate making workshops (Mr 9 put his hand up for that one), and delicious high teas.
For details, go to their website.

Bella Rosa's has a stall at the Ipswich Handmade Expo, held each month at the Bundamba Turf Club.

Here, you can sample some of their decadent cakes and biscuits ... including the world's first jamdrop pizza! (Trust an Aussie to think of it...)

Jam Drop Pizza

Mr 9 has Asperger's Syndrome, and often has trouble sleeping, so I bought him one of these $10 crosses to help comfort him at night.

And finally, you don't see calenders like these too often! I think this would make the perfect gift for the woman who has everything, don't you?

Full steam ahead ...

2010-06-30T16:43:00.000-07:00

When we visited the Handmade Expo at Ipswich recently, we were thrilled to find out that a vintage steam train was running just nearby.

I didn't even know the Swanbank Vintage Steam Train existed until I was invited by bubbachenille to check out the expo and the train rides.

The train usually operates between Bundamba and Swanbank Stations, but on the day of the expo they offered shorter rides to Box Flat and return, at a reduced price.

The kids have never ridden on a true steam train before, and they were so excited as we boarded the train. (Disclosure: Part of that may have been due to prior consumption of fairy floss...)

Even though the scenery wasn't that exciting for adults (we passed backyards, sports fields, paddocks, unloved buildings, and dumping grounds rather than say, waterfalls and rainforest).

But did the children care? No way! If anything, the scenery made the ride more exciting. Graffiti-d tunnels? Old tires piled up in the middle of nowhere? Horses? It was kiddie heaven.

C. and H. loved exploring the old carriages, looking out the windows and feeling the air hit them in the face, standing outside and breathing in the noise, movement and steam.

As kids do, they made instant friends with whom to share the experience, and there was a really happy, friendly atmosphere on board.

I loved seeing how much the children loved the experience, and for me personally, it was a reminder of how much fun it is to live in the moment and experience life through their eyes.

The ride was educational as well. The kids delighted in trying out the old-fashioned seats, peeking inside the loos, and learning about transportation in the past.

My favourite part was seeing the excitement and enjoyment in their faces. My least favourite part was being asked if this was how I used to travel in the 'olden days'!

Really, I'm not quite that ancient ...)

Miss H. dubbed this 'cow pat pond' ...

All aboard!

An unloved station...

...and carriages ...

The kids loved standing outside and watching the world go by

They loved the old-fashioned, disgusting loo (which was out of bounds, but curious kids could still sneak a peek).

Oh, this is the fairy floss kicking in...

And again...

Miss 7 takes in the scenery

And waves to the trains' fans ...

We stopped traffic

The kids wanted to know what a 'lavatory' was ...

The Guard kindly retrieved Miss 7's pink beanie after she accidentally dropped it on the tracks while disembarking.

If you go: The Swanbank Vintage Steam Train is operated by the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway Co-Op Ltd.

The Co-Op is a small group of railway enthusiasts from Ipswich and Brisbane who have worked tirelessly over the years to preserve this iconic part of Queensland history.

It is run entirely by voluntary labour and the support of the community.

For details on dates, prices, times and locations, go to their official website.

Handmade heaven part two

2010-06-28T00:41:00.000-07:00

As promised, here are some more photos from the Handmade Expo at Ipswich on the weekend.
We were all mesmorised by the fantastic art - wearable and traditional - produced by Kirsten Bailey.
Kirsten admitted she was a teacher by trade, and didn't get enough time to produce her art. She was, like so many other stallholders at the expo, perfectly happy to chat about her work to the kids, even though - on this occasion - we couldn't afford to buy any. I was particularly taken with her jewellery and memento boxes - just gorgeous and reasonably priced.

Later, we stopped by a clothing shop for kiddies. (Stallholders, if this is you, please provide your details so I can credit you for your work.) Everything, from the clothes to the accessories were gorgeous, and the summer dresses were selling at $10. $10 for the prettiest dress our tomboy Missy Moo has worn in a very long time.

Happy with her purchase ....

So pretty she insisted on wearing it to bed!

Mr 9 was taken with the indigenous art ...

Miss 7 loved sampling some home-made goodies ....

Just like Grandma and Papa used to make. Oh okay, but without the chilli!

H. loved these almost-too-beautiful-to-eat cupcakes made by The Cup Cake Taste, possibly Brisbane's most beautiful little cakes.

Mmm...cupcakes ....

There is no end to The Cup Cake Taste's Sammy Gollshewski. She also makes pretty brooches, rings, cuff links, and hair ties.

Finally, some more wearable art, by KL Bailey.

If you go (and I highly recommend you do): See previous post. Enjoy!

Handmade Heaven - Part One

2010-06-26T17:06:00.000-07:00

What I love about blogging is discovering other websites, meeting interesting people, and doing loads of fun things I probably would never have come across without the power of the internetz.

And so, after an invitation from bubbachenille, the kids and I decided to check out the Handmade Expo at Ipswich Turf Club, Bundamba yesterday.

With free parking, free entry, and a tasty collection of stalls, all offering handmade goodies to eat, wear, use or display, the expo was relaxed and unique compared to similar events we've been to.

Considering the kids had sulked when I first told them of our destination, we all had a wonderful day, and they loved absolutely everything on display.

Quite frankly, I could have spent a fortune, because just about everything was on special and/or decently priced as well.

I loved that the stallholders had time to chat and explain their work to the kids too.

There was so much to see and do, and so many fabulous homemade, locally produced products, that in aid of preventing this from being the longest blog in history, I'll cover it in several posts. Including our ride of the Swanbank Vintage Steam Train ride, which the kids declared to be awesome!

One of the lovely stallholders was John Grieves, of Pens N Things. Mr 9 in particular, was fascinated by John's precision-crafted pens, un-pickers, key-rings and more, which he creates on a small bed lathe at his Ipswich home.

John took time to explain his work, and even gave the kids a few lollies.

I would have loved one of his gorgeous pens, but maybe next time!

A close-up of Joe's gorgeous creations

Mr 9 loved these ties by Little Mister clothing...

While Miss 7 and I were tempted by the funky clutch purses, bags, and jewellery created by sybella

And how about these for a creative idea? Artistic hair clip organisers by Holdilocks. Genius!

Miss 7 loved these gorgeous cupcake and flower biscuits on sticks. The small taste she allowed me was lovely - crumbly yet moist and not too sweet.

What child can resist fairy floss? (And yes, I did regret it later ...)

Pre-sugar rush!

A Taste of Heaven fudge and coconut ice. Their motto? Enjoy life piece by piece.

Home-baked goodness ...

The kids enjoyed a chat with Goondiwindi author, artist, illustrator, sculptor and educator Lynelle Zita Westlake. She was really patient with them, and I'm sure her school workshops would be inspirational.

So many pretty things to choose from ...

There was cheap locally-grown produce as well

Lunch-time. A wood-baked ham, pineapple and cheese pizza, just like Mr 9 loves them.

And all this is just for starters ... stay-tuned for the next post about the Handmade Expo.

If you go: The Handmade Expo is held monthly at Ipswich Turf Club, Brisbane Road, Bundamba. Entry and parking is free, and the Swanbank Vintage Steam Railway offers short trips in conjunction with the expo (small fee applies).

Hours: 8 am-2pm.

The next dates are: Saturday 17th July, Saturday 21st August, Saturday 18th September, Saturday 16th October, Saturday 20th November, Saturday 18th December.

For details, email thehandmadeexpo@optusnet.com.au