Welfare Farewell

Well here it is .This is the culprit that would not appear on the last posting but in the mysterious world of computers has now decided to do so.I'm doing this at Kennedy airport ,New York,just before we board for Puerto Rico.We've had a great flight today from LA with spectacular views all across this beautiful country.Unfortunately it got dark just before we flew over the Apple  but I'll see if my "aeriel" shots are worth posting next time.

PS that's our pension cards on display.We're still excited!!!!

Shootin' through to Jabiru

Time ,as usual , has flown .Tomorrow we jump back on a plane and head back to Salinas via Fiji , LA ,the Big Apple and Ponce.This globe trotting can get so tireing but someone's got to do it.Lucky for us we've been energised by Australia's fine range of cullinary delights .
First and absolutely foremost is Vegemite.This salty black paste (allegedly made from the yeasty sludge left over from the beer brewing process) is at its best when spread on toast and apparently is why Australians ,for generations ,have been so healthy and fit and world champions at ................
nearly everything.Actually it's a copy of England's Marmite.Moving on,the other Aussie staple is the meat   PIE .Pronounced  POI .Preferably ingested with mushy peas and a blob of tomato sauce.Catsup to our N American friends .

Not much more to be said on that except maybe cutlery optional.

The perfect dessert.  Rhubarb and custard.         Not uniquely Aussie but if anyone can tell me where I can get scrumptious thick , creamy custard pre-packed in pint or quart containers in the USA.....I'm definately applying for citizenship .

Everything has gone like clockwork,except my heart which has decided to palpitate or flutter or something but no worries ..I got pills....very cheap.

First thing was getting the pension ball rolling and then down to Sydney to see my daughters and grand daughters.Here we are at Darling Harbour doing the tourist thing.

That's (from the left)Lainie ,Brigit ,Lisa ,Laura .

Back row...If ya don't know ya shouldn't be reading this blog.

Brigit and I went bowling.

Laura went shopping ,but I didn't get a photo of that outing............I was bowling.

Before we had to get back up north we visited Lisa's classroom.

Teachers were a little more staid in my day.

Apart from me getting wired up like a robot for a couple of days,the next bit of excitement was Sophie representing South Coast in the Queensland Championships.                                  She started her team off well and knocked a second off her PB in the 100 metre freestyle.

On the way back from the Aquatic Centre (swimming pool )we called in to see yet more girls (eeeagh) Wendy and our 'god' daughters Jesse and Charlotte.The 'god' bit means  'thank god nothing happened to Wendy before they grew up ' !!  .......only kiddin

Well ,as usual the stupid laptop has decided to stop co-operating so it's time to go.

And it seems Geoff and Sue and Amber and Sophie and Jack think so too.

We're coming Jabiru.

Message From an Old Man

It's official.On the 10th March I turned 65 .I'm now old.I'm now going to get paid for cruising,which is why I'm here in Oz and Jabiru is all on her own back in Salinas.

Before we left we took her in to a dock at the marina so she'd be extra safe while we were away.We came to Salinas because it would be a good protected anchorage but when it came to leaving time we wanted to be extra sure so in she went to the slip.The next morning a manatee came mooching around our dinghy.His name is Bubba and it seems he's got a bit of a thing for dinghys,so it's not that Jabba was particularly attractive,just another 'available dinghy.He stayed around for about 20 minutes and rolled over and hugged Jabba and so on and so forth (??).   A few days earlier,apparently,a couple of young girls were scratching  his head and he loved it.I didn't want to touch him in case I frightened him off.Oh well.                                                                  

We had a day to go for a drive up the mountains with Roberto and Patricia and saw the usual pretty scenery and local colour such as young (and old) cowboys,bare backing about.This was a waterfall about 6 or 7 times higher than the bit you can see.We were going to get a shot of us in front of it ,and we did,but figure this young cowboy is more interesting than a couple of PENSIONERS!!!

         Next was the trip via Fort Lauderdale to L.A. and then on to Fiji where our plane was held up for 12 hours which meant 15 hours in Nadi.Luckily the airline compensated us by putting us in a flash resort ,with meals supplied, for the day.So we just put our feet up and enjoyed the rest stop.

Yuk Yuk.

Well,that's it.I had my birthday cake and blew out all the candles and made a wish.Can't remember what it was ....................but it'll be a lovely surprise when it comes true.

When what comes true?

Oh.