Waterfalls of rain surrounded the house for our 5 a.m. wake up today but a ‘phone call to Jill confirmed we had every confidence it would improve and it did! Early trains out to Cleveland to meet her for the boat ride from Redland Bay to the Bay Islands where it was still a bit grey but very warm and beautiful with some heavy purple clouds hanging over the dark green mangrove islands and turquoise seas. A swift and smooth journey on a modern catamaran. and, although we had a light shower, somebody else got the big stuff in the distance. First alighted at Russell Island for an iced coffee (Jill had the full works (+2 x ice cream and whipped cream, I had flat white but with carrot cake!) and a look round. Found a mini Chobham Art Group at work! Much fun working out the toilet arrangements – a key, a giant chain and a serving spoon on a hook! Went to the garden centre and bought some seeds for my French garden and made friends with the pet shop owner who came from Wonersh, Surrey, and drank in Chobham before his escape to Oz! In all a lovely place inhabited by happy, relaxed, fishing retirees!
Then onto the boat again to MacLeay Island for a club bus ride to the Bowls Club for lunch. Where else can you get such fish if not here! Lovely coral sea and palm tree outlook and very relaxing – so relaxing here you could fall over! Except so relaxing we almost missed the boat back to Redland Bay where we stopped off at the Redland IndigiScapes at Capalaba for another iced coffee and a quiet sit breathing in the cool, green atmosphere listening to the forest birds. A very calming place. Then back to Wynnum via OfficeWorks to pick up some sticks at $6.95 each – great price and enough to hold my trip photos!
A nice early evening with Jill and Les storytelling, going through the family photos and updating the family tree research was followed by the train ride back to Sandgate which had had very little rain and so gave us a dry walk home from the station. Another lovely, memorable day – thanks so much Jill.


MONDAY 14th FEBRUARY 2011

A double celebration today! Happy Birthday little Samuel Walker age 1! We should be with you but are in spirit! Got him well started on the Thomas the Tank so he’ll be a trainspotter yet!
Valentine’s day found Brian and me exchanging identical cards! Both very carefully chosen without reference to the other – it’s the sense of humour!From then on downhill! A bit of shopping, coffee (and a macadamia tart treat for me!), a home cooked T-bone steak lunch, a nap and a swim. A pretty boring day