Cruise - December 2009

December 5th

We embarked the ship at 5.30pm after spending an hour or so with Bub and kids at the port in Hamilton (lovely, lovely shops too).  

We checked our luggage in around 3.30pm and decided to go and have a drink/coffee as the line to board was so long it would have taken forever to get on.  As we walked what seemed like a mile to the gang way around 5.20pm we had our 'sail away' photo taken by the ship's photographers (of course the more they take of you while on the boat the more you may buy)!  For such an unexpected photo it turned out really well and yep, we bought :-)  Once onboard they take an I.D. photo as you enter the main deck then off we went in search of E42 - turns out even numbers are on the Port side and odds on Starboard so that made things a little easier for us. Our cabin ('stateroom' as it is commonly called) was lovely - smallish - but lovely.  A little note on the desk advised us that our stewards for the trip were Imee and Anacleto (these two people were fantastic - our room was made up twice a day - absolute service of the highest standard.  Turns out they work 11 hour days and on average wages are $250 per week.  Incredible!).

Once settled in, with security tags around our necks, we wandered through the decks and  felt totally and absolutely lost!  So many things, places, bars, casino, shops - but at least we knew our cabin was on Deck 7 and if all else failed and we did get really really lost we would find each other back in E42.

Before dinner in the Burgundy dining room we headed to the 'SpeakEasy' lounge for a cocktail (pianist in full flight - too bloomin loud AND fast) - met a lovely couple who we had dinner with that first night.  They were just heading to Sydney so a quick trip for them.

Headed to bed and wound our clocks forward an hour to keep up with Sydney time - had a sporadic sleep but no sickness.

End of our first day :-)

December 6th

We woke at 7.30 - looked out the window and what a view - ocean - how exciting!  We read through the Pacific Daily newspaper (delivered each night informing you of the following day's events etc) then watched Sandy (Cruise Director) on TV - he does a 15 minute 'morning show' starting at 7am, repeated until mid-day relaying information/funnies and comments from passengers/general stuff.  Came to be a daily routine - wake up, get the newspaper, turn the TV on and plan the day ahead :-)

We met a nice couple of ladies for breakfast - saw them a few more times before they disembarked in Melbourne.  

Of course no matter where you go  on holidays there is always washing to be done so found the laundry, checked the shops out, watched dancing in the Atlantis Lounge and then found the computers and logged on to the net. (100 minutes for $55)

Lunch again at Burgundy (3 meals a day, most days in this beautiful dining room) with a family of 5 who were all heading to Fremantle also.  1.30pm - MASSAGE!!!  for both of us - lovely - then relaxed on the deck (in the shade! - beautiful and cool).  Oh! that morning too we had the safety drill (mandatory)- an old couple turned up thinking they were attending the 10.45am Church Service :-)  

Casino was next then dinner at night was in the Bordeaux dining room.  It is identical to Burgundy, but smaller so bookings need to be made for that one.  I'm sure we were seated next to Mrs. Bouquet and buddy!  Gees...    Checked the show out at 7.30pm then bed (slept much better).

Monday December 7th - SYDNEY

4.30am and we were up and ready to see Sydney - beautiful breeze - sun was absent but such a lovely entry into this beautiful harbour.  I took a lot of photos - docked at 6.30am.  We just had a continental breakfast in our room as we were heading into Darling Harbour for the day so would eat something more substantial while we were there.  Went to do some ironing before we headed off - laundry not open until 8am - dodgy!

Our day in Sydney went something like this - monorail 'day pass' (air con was dodgy - hot!).  We seemed to walk miles, but it was fun.  Had an awesome lunch at Cockle-Bay Wharf, shopped in Pitt street - lost Darren for a while...his phone was playing up too - eventually we found each other.  Once again took heaps of photos. We  were back on board about 2.30pm - woo hoo!! Awesome air con!  Was so nice to be 'home'.  We did some washing, had cocktails then dinner (early sitting 5.45pm) with a nice bunch again.  The show at 7.30pm was Music!Music!Music! and lots of fun.

December 8th
7am - arise - watched Sandy and headed to brekky arouund 8.30am - lovely group including an ex-manager of Myer Toowoomba and elsewhere.  He and his wife Lorna are retired living at Kawana.
Rain after lunch - heading to Melbourne so that's par for the course.  We headed to the casino and played Roulette for the first time ever (fun!fun!).  We were too late for lunch in the dining rooms, so headed to the Lido Deck (sat with the two ladies we had breakfast with on the Sunday) - then it was FACIAL time!for both of us.  While I was there I thought the gym really needed to see me.... oh well....
Dinner was in the Steakhouse - during the day it is Churchill's games room/library etc then by night turns into this extravagant dining room they call the Steakhouse.   (It's just that bit extra special - $25 per person but is worth it).  We had tiger prawns... yummo!
Oh!!! wine-tasting earlier in the day in the Bordeaux room - some beautiful wines - some not so beautiful.
Had a few wins at the Casino after dinner and Darren enjoyed playing roulette again.
The show that evening was Pixie Jenkins (fiddler for John Williamson) - bloomin great show.  Headed to bed and had a very turbulent night I must say - 2am in the morning I ordered a hamburger and fries - seemed to help the bit of sea-sickness I was feeling.


Wednesday December 9th - MELBOURNE

7.45am docked in the Victorian capital - brekky in Burgunday with Ron and Lorna (ex Myer)again.  We headed into the city by tram - checked the Casino/Southbank out then Collins street and Bourke Street Mall.  I bought a lovely black top from David Jones.  Lunch at Southbank then headed back to the boat.  Chilled out for a while.... casino for a few hours.... slumberland....

December 10th

Turbulent overnight again - this part from Melbourne to Adelaide was the only rough part along the way.
Lunch in Burgundy and swapped recipes with some people - two ladies were very seasick and could not WAIT to get off the boat in Adelaide.  Darren went to see the show at 7.30pm (they had cancelled the dancers and Pixie performed again).  I had a big win in Casino :-)




December 11th - ADELAIDE

We docked at 7am - quite an ordinary port really but a beautiful beautiful morning.  We took the shuttle into the city - took about 35 minutes.  Darren checked the museum out while I did the shops over - had lunch opposite Miller apartments where we stayed this time last year.   Headed back to the boat about 1.30pm - last night of casino tonight as we would be hitting W.A. waters where gambling is illegal.

December 12th

We woke at 7.30am to a clatter in the next cabin!!  Once again watched Sandy (he read out Darren's letter regarding when the Formal night would be.  Would be Sunday night - so off I went to book my makeup).
We, once again, had breakfast with a few 'sick' people then about 11am headed to Atlantis to see Sandy's interview etc with the Captain.  It was very interesting and entertaining - afterwards we went through the galley - fun too, huge!

Then came Horse Racing.  

Wooden-horse racing is huuuuuuuuuge on Pacific Sun cruises.  (Horses line up - dices are rolled - whoever gets to the end first is the winner).  On our cruise the race consisted of 6 horses - people bid to win a horse. So we thought we could do this and ended up winning one of the auctions and we were the proud owner of Horse 4 who we named 'Sea Biscuit.  The following day Darren had to do a speech at the start of the race as he was the 'proud owner'.

After the auction we headed to the laundry and met a couple from Toowoomba then headed to the show at 7.30pm.  The group called 'ENCORE' were awesome - 3 singers - brilliant entertainers.  Off to bed - but before that, once again, we have to change our clocks.

December 13th

Today is the 'big race' so we spent an hour or so decorating 'Sea Biscuit' - came 4th in the race but was so much fun!  6pm dinner in the Steakhouse with Mike and Leonie who we met yesterday (from Adelaide) -  was lovely AND we both turned up in the same dress :-)   After this we headed to the Terraces Lounge and danced for awhile. Awesome!  The Pacific Entertainers performed in the Atlantis for the last time so the show was super spectaculor - lovely way to end the night.

December 14th - ALBANY

Absolutely beautiful docking in Albany this morning at 7am - even had a lone piper piping us in :-) 

At 9am there was a plaque exchange between the local authorites and the ship as it was the first time the Pacific Sun had docked in Albany - also we heard that our ship hadn't been to Fremantle before either, so we were definitely on a 'historical' voyage :-)

Did a bus tour - beautiful - bought a few things too at Rivers.  Albany is so lovely and rich in history.  First settlement in W.A.... first church and also site of the first farm in the state.  We had the best scallops/prawns for lunch at Sea Salt restaurant.

Once on board again, our cabin is spotless - towels made into different animal shapes most days :-)  Today - swans....in the shape of a heart...  we had a few hours snoooooooooozing then headed to Smugglers - had a few wines, listened to a guitarist for a while then checked out our formal photos from the night before.

 

 December 15th - BUNBURY

Bunbury was not a bad town - we just checked out the main streets and surrounds - did not take a tour as such, which we probably should have.  Met Leonie and Mike (along with Joe, another guy we had all come to know along the way) and decided to have dinner with them again that evening.... final farewell dinner.  Well, our final dinner included (for Darren and I) snails.  Not too bad - the parmesan, garlic and sauces really smothered the almost scallop-like texture.  Headed to our cabins after our beautiful meal to sort things out for disembarkation the next morning.

Goodbye Pacific Sun - it's been fabulous....

Brad's 40th + new student

Saturday 26th September we, once again, headed off to 'The Hall's'... as mentioned in a previous blog, Brad's 40th has recently come and gone and tonight was time to celebrate the big four-oh!  (Benjamin even came... now THAT is special hey Emma)

Weren't sure of what pressie to get Brad, so decided to buy the birthday cake.  Wow! It was fabulous too.  Went down well with everyone.  It was a great night - as usual the food was fantastic.  Catherine always seems to just make anything simple turn out looking so flash!  (yep..that asparagus was 'the bomb'!)  Brad cooked the meat in the Weber (or Weeber, as pronounced by South Africans) - yummmo!!

I gave Emma 'total control' over my camera for the night and she took heaps of pics! By the time this blog is posted the photos will be attached.

By the end of the night (or rather, MY end of the night), I had acquired a new student. Val's sister-in-law asked me if I would teach their eldest son - cool!  They live at Highfields and come into town a few afternoons during the week so should work out well.

Toys

is it a toy truck?.... a scooter?....skateboard, maybe a bike?..... nuh.... It's a car.  MY son, who was the biggest bike-aholic on the planet growing up (if he wasn't buying one, he was swapping one, or making one) has bought a car.  Yep, between him and Ryan.... they have purchased and towed to MY PLACE a car (total cost, including towing - $250).

Now my initial thought was it was to be done up to be his first car (I was having many nervous breakdowns all in the space of about 5 minutes).  Later on, he calmed me down a bit by saying 'Mum! Do you think I'm an idiot?!!'  (what do I say to that? So I said nothing)  

Darren's away in Brisbane for training at the moment, so there just happens to be a vacant spot in MY garage.  It is vacant no more. This 'car' (entitled 'Shit-Box Cressida' in the ad) is now a temporary fixture next to MY Peugeot. When I left for work this morning it had moved outside so the boys could 'work on it'.

Now all jokes aside... the boys are excited and good on them!  As long as it has moved further afield by Friday/Saturday when Darren gets home with HIS new car then all will be fine. Their new purchase has air con, power windows, radio and they all work!  The engine actually sounds ok and Ryan is in the process of patching the few leaks it has.  (Apparently this red putty stuff 'is the go Mum'!  Cool - I must get some).

Five Oh!

Well the 10th September has come and gone and yep, Darren's now 50.  His fantastic! cousin, Judy, gave him this huge bottle of clinkers (shown at left).  He had dinner with Judy and Em (her daughter) on Wednesday night.  Now we all know he loves clinkers, but this photo doesn't do justice to the size of the jar!  Suffice to say this first 50th gift was greatly appreciated....

10-9 I got down to Brisbane late Thursday arvo with mudcake cupcakes in tow.  Yes, more chocolate for the old boy.  These cupcakes were delightful - had 12 made and there are still 2 left in the fridge at home - well I'm thinking if Benjamin hasn't got to them they are still there :-)

We had a lovely birthday dinner at a restaurant called 'Alchemy' right next to Customs House on the river.  No, it wasn't cheap, by any means, but oh the food was superb.  Our entrees of Hervey Bay scallops were so yum! Not enough though.  After we'd finished eating we sat out on the balcony and finished our wine with the Story Bridge in full view ..... spectacular.  Grace and Lucas left him a message on the phone (rather a 'singing' message). It was lovely.  We spoke to Brad and Catherine who are in Melbourne for 10 days... had a great chat (Brad turns 40 this month, Catherine was 40 in January, me in March so it really is a big year for the Grainger/Smith/Hall gang).  Will be heading down to the Halls on Sep 26th for Brad's 'do'.

11-9 While Darren had training Friday I went into the city and just looked around (looked being the operative word here. I am a real procrastinator when it comes to buying... anything....!).  Did end up with two pair of shoes and two tops so I was pretty happy with that.  That night we ended up at the SSS barn again for dinner - home to watch the Lions play and then it was time to snore again....

12-9 We headed home Saturday morning - after being in Brisbane for the week Darren was ready to just be home, even if only for a day.  Caught up with Palmers Saturday night (they were the lucky recipients of 5 of the birthday cup cakes).

13-9 Lunch time headed down the range again back for the last week of training. Hopefully this Friday arvo I won't have to go and pick him up - he should have his new BankWest vehicle to drive home.  Unfortunately there's nothing to celebrate this week so I'll have to wait until Friday to see him. 

Two week separation

Yesterday arvo I took Darren to Brisbane to start his two week training with Bankwest, beginning today.  We arrived at Mantra on Queen about 2pm.  The room is quite small, but perfect for what he'll need - for week one anyway.  24th floor - amazing views.....

Before we had dinner at the SSS Barn downstairs we went for a walk along the river - from Admiralty Towers right along past Customs House and turned round at Eagle Street wharf.  It was such a beautiful afternoon - late! afternoon and the view of the river, bridge and city was awesome.

I'll head back on Thursday for the BIG 50 and with a substitute pressie (remember, our cruise is the REAL present) that he'll love!! (or rather his taste buds will love)  

Until next time....

Father's Day 2009

I remember Dad's last 'Fathers Day' - 5 years ago we gave him a DVD player with a few of his fav. shows (Mrs. Bouquet, Are You Being Served and another one I can't think of).  I must find the photos and add them along with this blog....  (hours later.... here they are)

       Dad was never great with electronic gadgets - check out the look on his face

After Dad died we gave the DVD player to Nubeena - the staff were so wonderful looking after Dad, and leaving it for the 'oldies' to use seemed like a great idea.  Here's hoping it's still going strong.

.....Happy Father's Day Dad....

Heading west

Darren's last day today with NAB - handed his laptop, phone and car! in at 11am. He heads to Brisbane on Monday for two weeks training with Bankwest. Here's hoping it's been a good decision - it looks great so far. He's off to have lunch with Mel who was his initial point of contact when applying for the NAB position. She's really lovely and was so so nice and helpful to Darren right from the start.

Tonight we're having dinner with Robyn to celebrate the impending 50th + the new job (Ludi has a friend with her for the weekend so it won't be our usual 'dinner for four'). We're off to 'Images' (Graham Cosgrove's lovely restaurant) so rest assured it will be a yummy dinner.

Looking at the Top of the Table

We were up at Picnic Point a few weeks ago, late one afternoon.... had the best view of Tabletop - most of it covered in shade...looked beautiful.

Just some random flowers I took a photo of on our way back to the car.

View looking down the range

Getaway!

Well after my op-shopping on Saturday we got home and decided we'd head off to the coast for the night - usually happens that way - last minute decision. Benjamin was at work, and as usual he had a ride home and was busy for the weekend so that was our passport out of here, so to speak.

Darren and I haven't stayed at the Marriott together (I've been there years ago and it really is lovely... expensive...but lovely) so we thought 'What the heck!' Let's call it a celebration of his new job AND his 50th. Sometimes it's good to have excuses :-)

Funny thing ( Darren's recently been appointed mobile banker for Bankwest - starts a heavy two week training stint in Brisbane next Monday)... anyway... we were stopped at traffic lights not far from the Marriott and what should pull up next to us but the coast's Bankwest mobile banker's vehicle.

We've never seen one before, anywhere, and now here we are stopped at lights and it pulls up next to us just days before he starts working for them. In a big rush before the lights changed I took two really good photos.... check this one out... very 'loud!' colours indeed - Darren definitely won't get lost in Toowoomba driving something like this!

Our room for the night was just lovely. A corner room on the 14th floor with great 180 deg views. We never have views like this when we stay
at the coast.


Now to me a pillow is a pillow (need a couple, but doesn't really matter if they're flat, squishy, hard, soft etc) - now Darren's different. Usually he takes his own but this time we forgot, in our mad rush to leave. Well let me tell you I was in heaven with a capital 'H'! We had two double beds which were adorned with 4 feather pillows each -talk about awesome! They are always listed at the top of the pillow chain! The beds were so so snuggly and with 4 pillows I had the best sleep. (Darren on the other hand commented last night at home 'Gee it's good to have a decent pillow!')

We headed off to Jupiters Casino for the show Saturday night and it was pretty good - not as good as the one years ago we saw when Benjamin was about 8. It was fantastic. (My friend Wendy Mollee (Uncle Aussie's sister) was one of the dancers in the show back in about 1988 and we loved! having front row seats watching her. Unbelievable...) Anyway, the casino itself is so different now. Massive - only one level instead of the two original ones. (The top level is only for members now, and that is definitely NOT us). We watched a few tables then headed on back to the M. and slumberland was soon the order of the day.

Sunday morning (being woken up by people in the next room before 6am) we decided we'd go for a walk on the beach - walking across the highway, then up a side street to Main Beach what did we come across but our favourite Bankwest vehicle again :-) We had brekky at Tedder Av. at Main Beach,which was nice, then headed to Robina Town Centre (never been there before and jeepers it's big!) then after that headed for home. Well we thought we were heading for home....

Detoured to Mt. Tamborine and checked one of the wineries out - hmmm... the Shiraz which was supposed to be their number 1 didn't taste like Shiraz and the Merlot, well.... don't know.... We did buy two bottles that we liked and as I write they are still sitting in the wine rack, unopened, which is unusual :-)

Next - headed to the Cheese Factory and Brewery. Interesting beers to say the least - the one I had definitely had a grapefruit taste to it. Sounds strange, but was very refreshing. Had a cheese tasting-plate which always goes down well with me, THEN we really did head for home. The deal was, Darren drove up and down the mountain and I did the rest :-) so I stuck to that deal and by 5pm (and 8 degrees cooler than the coast) we pulled up. Always good to be home and our little impromptu 'getaway' was done and dusted... until the next one...

Op-shoppin time

Oh! to buy cheap clothes! (just don't tell Benjamin his Mother frequents these shops more than he knows)

There is nothing better (well there is, but hey for the purpose of this blog let's just go with that) than sifting through heaps and heaps of clothes and actually finding not only sizes that fit, but some colours that might look ok too. This wacky weird warm Toowoomba weather has MADE me go in search of shorts as I only have one pair at home. I live in jeans and when I move to Hobart down the track they will definitely come in handy :-)

So off to the Lifeline Emporium this morning after my chiropractic appointment and started looking at summer dresses. There was actually a line-up to pay when I finally made it to the counter - just shows how popular our sacred second-hand shops are. I ended up with two pair of shorts, summer dress (definitely! for just around the house) and two 3/4 pants so I'm a happy chappy.

But!!! as we know there is always a cloud with every silver lining and today at Lifeline it was KIDS.
Rowdy, rude, obnoxious little kids running up and down the stairs and just making an absolute nuisance of themselves. The only one not causing trouble was about 2 months old.... thank goodness for 'small' mercies.

Anyway, that's my clothes shopping done for at least 2 months so all good. (I saw a pair of shorts that would fit Benjamin but decided it's not worth buying them. If he won't wear Rivers shorts because of the brand, don't think I'm going to get him into a pair of my 'best buys' from Lifeline!)

Toowoomba Hospice race day 15th Aug

How strange..... forgot to post some photos from the race day, which was fabulous. So here they are albeit a few weeks late :-)

'Best Hat' Tahlia with her winning towel set

Dave and Steve

The 'boys'

Darren

Fremantle it is!

After much 'google' searching and review-reading we finally decided that on completion of our cruise in December we'll stay at Fremantle instead of in Perth itself. Wow! You should see this lovely place we've booked. 'The Harvest'... is going to be fantastic. http://www.fremantleharvest.com.au/index.htm

Just can't wait now... it's been a long time coming. Bring on December 5!

ps. we just might come back from the cruise being able to jive too :-)

18th of the 8th

...... gee it always seems to come around so quickly .....
38 years ago today (I wonder what time?) my Mum passed away, when I was 2 and Bub was just a few weeks old. Over the years all the normal quotes have been made about being 'so young', and 'oh she was so beautiful' and numerous others. Yes, she was young and yes she was by all accounts 'beautiful'... but she also was 'my Mum' so anything that's been said in the past can keep being said, because it keeps her close to me somehow.

I remember when her 25th anniversary came round, I did up a little memorial card, so to speak... her photo on the front, a really nice verse inside, then something I just wrote myself. A copy of this was given to my Uncle's and Aunty Carmel and Dad also. I always say photos are so important, dates are so important and they are. My fear is that one day I can't remember all these special days and times.... I suppose if I can't.... well I won't know I can't hey so it will be all fine :-)

Our whole life is just one memory added to another really and today my blog just says 'Mum I remember you' and that the 18th of August 2009 has not slipped by without my thoughts going to you.