JandB's All Aussie Adventure 2009

The End of the "All Aussie Adventure" :(

2009-04-12T06:55:00.000-07:00

Well, we took J to the airport tonight - it was a sad occassion, even sadder that she got lost at the airport - but that is a whole other story :)

We had a fantastic time with J - she really was the most wonderful guest, and will be welcomed back at any time with open arms and much enthausiasm !

Many beverages were consumed, and much laughter prevailed - we saw alot of sights and really hope that J had an unforgettable "All Aussie Adventure".

The house seems strange without her - the back seat of the car, empty :(

We miss her already - thank you J for visiting us and we hope you enjoyed your visit as much as we did.

At the risk of "flogging a dead horse" - I will leave you with some pics that will hopefully make J laff :)

Our "top loader" washing machine - a much marvelled appliance in J's eyes :)

Power points in the bathroom - unheard of ! :)

What kind of tree is that ???? :)

Oh, that's a nice roof ! :)

J, we love you - hope your trip home was smooth and safe - come back ANYTIME to visit !

Thanks to everyone who followed our adventure here on the blog - and maybe next time we will have an "All Scottish Adventure" :)

B&G, C&O too
xoxo

PS - thanks also to K for keeping her on track and giving her the push she needed to get out here :)

Healesville Sanctuary...

2009-04-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took J to Healesville Sanctuary to see some more Aussie wildlife - she had yet to see koala's, so we just had to do that before she left !

We set off about 11am, and arrived there around 12 - initially there was not too many people there, and it was wonderful. By the afternoon though, the place had really started to fill up - lots of feral children racing around the place, and lots of parents who just didn't give a crap that their kids were annoying others ! Grrrrr - made me very gruff !!! Control your kids people - it really isn't that hard !!!!! Okay - off my "high horse" now :)

The "Birds of Prey" show was awesome - and I still believe the Wedge Tailed Eagle to be one of the most magestic birds in the world.

We had a lovely afternoon, and on our return home drank some wonderful "fizzy red" from the Chandon Winery - and reflected on the fact that it was J's last night here - she leaves later on today :( More on that later....

B

J enjoying a "roadie" on the long drive back from Merry Beach to Melbourne -

Mr Dingo - also known as "Ernie" - (only Aussie's will probably get that joke :)

Wedge Tailed Eagle - magnificent !

Black cockatoo - a little blurry, but still wonderful -

Three pelican's :)

What a lovely atmosphere to be walking through -

Two birds on a bridge :)

Sleeeeepppy koala -
Mr Falcon - what a fantastic photo ! (Thanks G !)

Chandon Winery

2009-04-10T15:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we ventured out to the Chandon Winery - about an hours drive from here, to purchase - yep, you guessed it - MORE WINE :)

I had only ever driven past there before - so I was quite surprised to see how beautiful it was inside the grounds, it was just lovely. J & I tasted some very delicious wines - and felt it was the right thing to do to buy some - I mean, you can't not buy some after you have a comprehensive tasting, right ???? ;)

J was very pleased as she was able to get some packaged up and sent back to Scotland - so that will be a nice treat for when she gets home - which, by the way, is coming far too soon for my liking ! :(

Here are some pictures of the day out -

We are heading out to the Healesville Sanctuary today to see some more Aussie Wildlife - J has yet to see a koala, so we will tick that off the list today. Should be fun :)

B

Merry Beach Mega Post !!!

2009-04-08T03:22:00.000-07:00

Well, we are back - great to be home again, but missing our time away already. We all had a fantastic time away - Merry Beach was just wonderful, as usual. We saw so much Aussie wildlife - kangaroos, possums, birds (that we handfed), frilled neck lizards, kookaburra's etc etc. It was so much fun. There was many beverages consumed - so many that we found ourselves all going to bed by 9pm on the first night, and 8.30pm on the second night ! Party animals that we are !!!! :)

We had an 8 hour drive back to Melbourne today, it was such a long drive - but good for J, as she got to see alot of the Aussie countryside - we also introduced J to the great Aussie concept of the "roadie" :)

Didn't get back in time to pick up Charlie & Opy - so am looking forward to going to get them first thing in the morning. Opy will be having a very stern talking to with regards to her behaviour this week when she gets home - she has been a very naughty gruffpuppy !!!

Here are a whole heap of pictures, a few night ones from Sydney thrown in there as well - hope you enjoy them :) Once again, the order may not be the best - too much wine consumed :)

G checking out the washing machine -

J and her best friend - who needs glasses ?

J marvelling at the fact that we have "top loader" washing machines still out here in Oz !

We stopped !!!!

Sydney Harbour bridge people must have forgotten to pay part of their electricity bill - hence the blacked out portion of the bridge :(

Merry Beach - mmmmm prawns !

Kanga's love apples !

"Give us a kiss" - says J :)

Big fella - not to be messed with !

J's first steps into the Pacific Ocean -

B's Croc's lonely on the beach -

Don't ask :)

Mmmmm - refreshing beverages !

All this relaxing sure is hard work :)

B

Leuradales & Sydney Harbour - it doesn't get any better than this !

2009-04-05T01:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went and visited D & B and the wonderful Leuradales - the weather wasn't the best for viewing the Three Sisters, they must have nicked off to the pub - as we couldn't see them ! We had a great time with our hosts and we order everyone who visits Australia to go see them at their gorgeous B&B - thank you D & B for having us - we had a fantastic time.

Oh - and J said to please note that she is wearing a different top in these photoes :)

This morning we ventured off into Sydney. The weather was a little dodgy to start with - but by the time we got to the apartment and set off on the Harbour, the sun came out - and it was just magical. J was very impressed, and we all agreed that it was much better than the stupid Yarra River !

Hope you all enjoy these photoes, they are not in any particular order as we have consumed 3 bottles of wine and are having lots of fun :)

Oh, and we almost went 24hrs without the Vet ringing us - seems Opy decided that she didn't want to be at the Vet's any longer, and tried to break out of her cage. The Vet said in the 10 years that she has had the surgery NO dog had ever broken out of the cages - Opy fixed that ! Stainless steel cage - and she demolished it, got her head stuck and everything ! Naughty gruffpuppy ! So, now she is being sedated each night so she doesn't get into any mischief.

We are off to Merry Beach tomorrow - we may not have reception down there, so check back and we will update when we can. Having a great time !

B,G & J

Croc Man on the ferry - Croc's spotted in the wild of Sydney Harbour !

'Specially for Joey & Tanner - HBO words building !

Can't you see we are enjoying ourselves ???

Off on a big adventure tomorrow...

2009-04-03T00:58:00.000-07:00

Well, we dropped Charlie & Opy off to the Vet's today for their little retreat whilst we are away. They were fine, but G & I were alittle sad - it is the first time since we have moved down here (and since Charlie had his pacemaker fitted) that we have left them - so, fingers crossed - it all goes well.We are all off to NSW tomorrow - it's going to be great. We are staying with D & B and the Leuradales tomorrow night, before heading down to Sydney on Sunday - then Merry Beach on Monday and Tuesday and driving back to Melbourne on Wednesday. We are going to have so much fun. I can't wait for J to meet the dales - I am sure they will give her a warm welcome !

Stay tuned for lots of fun, frivolity and beverages :)

B

Another special day...

2009-04-01T01:51:00.000-07:00

Today we had TinTin's mum come to visit all the way from South Australia - we went out and had a nice lunch - and then we went to "my happy place" - Dan Murphy's - J was very impressed, I think it became "her happy place" as well - it was much better than the Yarra River :)

After obtaining some very essential supplies - we headed back for a relaxing afternoon. We thought we had better do an update on the blog before the night became too silly :)

Some of the refreshments for the evening :)

J and J relaxing with Charlie -

G & an ungruff Opy -

Queenie J with the royal wave, and a look at my hair :)

Stay tuned for the hangover's in the morning :)

B

PS - A note from J - I did bring more than one top, and I did have a different one on this morning !

**UPDATE - 10.33pm - need I say more ??? It's getting fruity !

J & her wee Scottish fella -

G defurring his wee sporran -

G the "Dancing McQueen" aye - I ate a baby !

J having a laff -

J & G "in da house" -

Will there be a later update ??? ohhh aye !!!!

Cruising the Yarra, and Melbourne surrounds...

2009-03-31T03:21:00.000-07:00

Today we took off and ventured into Melbourne - commonly referred to by G & I as "the city", as we are such country folk :)

We did a river cruise on the Yarra river, and had some lovely refreshments along the foreshore promenade - the refreshments were very welcomed as it was quite a hot day.

It was nice to show J "the city" - but I have to say (and any Melbournians reading this - i apologise in advance !), the Yarra river is quite horrible - it is brown and dirty and very unappealing - it has nothing on Sydney Harbour - which we will feature next week when we go there so you can see for yourselves.

A fun day was had by all.

Tomorrow we are having another special visitor come stay for the day/night - TinTin's mum is coming to see J and us - we can't wait ! We will be able to make some good jokes......there's this Irishwoman, this Scottishwoman, and an Aussiewoman......:) It's going to be so much fun :)

B

Olinda & Sherbrooke Forest

2009-03-30T03:05:00.000-07:00

Today we went and visited a town called Olinda - about 45minutes from our house. Well, it would have been 45minutes if I had of ignored the stupid GPS ! Instead, J got a lovely detour around the Aussie countryside !

Olinda is a really quaint little town with lots of antique and "knick-knack" type shops - it gets pretty busy on the weekends, but it was nice there today as it was pretty quiet. We had a nice lunch, and then came back via Sherbrooke Forest - where you can feed lots of nice native birds.

It was a really nice day - the weather was glorious, and when we got home we sat out on the front verandah again and had a few well deserved glasses of wine. I can see a pattern forming here :)

Tomorrow we are off to Melbourne to do a river cruise and have a look around. Should be lots of fun :)

B

Opy being very ungruff :)

A Croc fest !
Sherbrooke Forest Rosella bird

Olinda - "Pie in the Sky", where we had lunch with J coming down the stairs :)

Main street of Olinda

J's "Pie Floater" lunch - delicious !

Just to show that we do drink other liquid, not just wine :)

More tomorrow :)

B

Here she is :)

2009-03-28T23:13:00.000-07:00

Well, here she is - arrived safe and sound :) Croc's and all :)

We got home VERY late last night - well it was actually early this morning.

We have just taken it easy today - after a 30 hour flight, J deserved a sleep in this morning, so we just went to the local big shopping centre, and the first place we went to was a pet store :)

Tomorrow we are doing some touristy things - today we are now relaxing with some Khyra sized glasses of wine :)

We are having a ball :)

B

Hooray....today is the day !

2009-03-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

J is officially on her way ! We have been texting back and forth until she boarded the plane - so in about 15 hours we will be picking her up from the airport. We are so excited !

All cleaning and preparations are almost complete - so let the fun begin :)

B

Progress so far...........

2009-03-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Well, my guest bedroom on the previous post, looks so comfy, plus a sweet teddy bear on my bed as well. What more could a gal ask for?!

Now, the photo above my post here illustrates my packing progress. This was taken in our spare bedroom today. Luckily at least two items have been ticked off my Ginormous Packing List for Aus, and packed into my case. It is just the other four hundred and seventy six items which need to be counted in!!

G. will see with much pleasure I know, my Red Crocs at the forefront of this photo. You know the old song, "These Red Crocs are made for Walking in.........................."

J x

ps No worries, I am not bringing the pillows nor the doona on the right of my photo, enough is enough!

Getting there....6 days to go :)

2009-03-21T19:16:00.000-07:00

Well, there was a flurry of activity in the spare room today - it is coming along nicely, nearly done - just a few more personal things to add.

Now, all we need is for J to arrive - and she had better arrive quick smart as G's "to do" list is getting longer, and longer, and longer :)

Can't hardly wait :)

So freaking excited !!!!

B

2 weeks to go - obtaining supplies :)

2009-03-15T00:46:00.000-07:00

Two weeks to go and we thought we better start thinking of the essentials - like wine, beer, and scotch :)

A quick trip to "my happy place", Dan Murphy's - saw me purchase 18 bottles of red wine. That should keep us going for a few days :)

Of course, I thought I better sample a bottle - just to make sure it was up to standard - indeed it was. I got one of my "Khyra" size glasses, and all was right with the world.....

Counting down the days now - the "to do" lists are really kicking into high gear, and we are so freaking excited :)

B

I don't believe it !!!

2009-03-07T14:57:00.000-08:00

Well, I got home from my week away with work on Thursday - and low and behold, look at what I discovered......

G had finally cleaned the room J will be staying in !!!!!!!

He must have been very scared of my threatened gruffness - and so he should have been !

So, I was feeling pretty pleased about the whole situation - when I happened to glance across the hallway into my "exercise room" (well, it has a treadmill and bike in it !) - and look what I found.......

Hmphh - it would seem that all his crap has migrated across the hall from one room to the other !!!

Oh well, that is okay - because now at least J's room is now vacant and I can get to fixing it all up ready for imminent arrival - in LESS THAN 3 WEEKS !!!! How freaking exciting ! We positively can't wait !

Although, between the bushfires, the creepy crawlies, and the earthquake we had on Friday night - I am wondering why she would want to come at all ! LOL !!

B

Merry Beach

2009-02-17T22:28:00.000-08:00

Sorry it has been awhile in updating - I am sure you know about our bushfire tragedy out here, it's been a very emotional few weeks.

Okay, here is some pics of one of G & my favourite places to visit. We have booked in for 2 days when J comes out - it is going to be awesome, we can't wait to get back there !

The welcoming party :)

Mr Kanga loves apple slices !

Birdies loved potato chips :) That's all we had the first time - now we know to take sunflower seeds.

This pic was taken from our balcony - feed one and they go get the rest :)

This is the cabin we have booked when J comes - alittle roomier than the one G & I usually get.Counting the days - not long to go now - I am getting so freaking excited !

Cheers,

B

PS - G still has yet to move his junk out of the spare room - I may have to take some drastic action if it isn't completed shortly !!!!

Thinking of you

2009-02-07T13:22:00.000-08:00

Marvin, blowing cool breezes to you all, and worried!

We are hearing about your awful heat, so just wanted to touch base and blow some cool and possibly icy breezes your way!

It all sounds totally unbearable, together with the threat of bush fires, we are so worried about you guys!

Although it is pretty pointless for us to bark, "keep safe" please keep safe. We are thinking of you all, and praying for you. Plus all the poor people who have lost their lives and homes during this terrible time.

Your heatwave has been headline news here, so we are keeping up with everything.

lotsaluv Marvin and Jeannie xxxxx

cool hugs to Opy and Charlie!!

Keep well, keep safe, and you know our thoughts are with you!

ps Since I originally wrote this post, things have obviously got much worse. We are totally shocked at the pictures and videos we are seeing on the BBC News here. Just hoping, wishing and praying, you are all safe and well. Sometimes words are just not enough.................

Ice Cold In Scotland - Sending cool breezes to Aus!

2009-02-03T13:35:00.001-08:00

There are only two months to go now till I fly to Aus, and already I have at least five lists under construction. I also have a pile of clothes which are marked "to be packed". So you could say I am beginning to realise my dream.

I have also been watching and listening to the BBC news, and it seems you are all having a really hot, heat wave. So as you are all probably way too over heated, I thought you would appreciate this picture above, taken yesterday in cold, icy and freezing Scotland, of our cold, gloom, snow and ice from here in good old chaotic, disorganised and not prepared for bad weather Blighty!

Sending some cool breezes to my Aussie pals, and so looking forward to experiencing your Autumn, and the start of my Summer!

No worries, my packing has begun, and my lists are getting longer!

Hotsy Totsy

2009-01-29T23:02:00.000-08:00

It gets pretty hot down under, especially in the summery summerness of summertime!

Countless wildlife, to countless to count head for cooler conditions this time of year.

It never ceases to amaze me when these city folk come to the great aussie outback. They just haven't got a clue. But they would do a whole lot better in a survival situation if they had one of these, a good, old fashioned, thermometer!

Now you might look at this and think "aughwwwww! That's not right!". But in the summer months its not uncommon for soaring summer temperatures to soar way beyond 40 degrees, that's over 100 degrees in the old money!

So what we are we waiting for, pack the sunscreen, put a few 4X's in the esky and let's get cracking on another all aussie adventure!

Time to hit the road!

Luv C$

Again, Our apologies to Russell Coight

Officially on my way!

2009-01-22T13:21:00.000-08:00

This is probably the shortest blog post I will ever write!

I have successfully purchased my ticket on line to Australia today! I am now officially booked and on my way, although it seems I have some competition in the Croc's colour co-ordination department from G!! I think I seriously need to seriously re-consider my footwear choices!

Croc Lover Jeannie signing off!

MIS-REPRESENTED!!!!

2009-01-18T23:44:00.000-08:00

Hi Pups,

Well, it appears that there has been a terribly defamatory accusation made against my SHD!

The Bottom line pups, My SHD is not a "Croc-a-phobe" as accused! He wears SHM's pink Crocs daily when he takes GP & I on our Poo-Walk through the front yard!

And to prove that my SHD is "Fair-Dinkum", here is a pic of him, happily wearing SHM's pink croc's, and posing with me for a photo to display in this public forum.

This says it all really!

Luv C$

Bit's and Pieces.....

2009-01-15T03:19:00.000-08:00

So, if you read back to the first entry on this blog - here, you will see that I had requested that G needed to get all his crap out of the spare room, so that poor J would actually be able to see the floor to her room. Welllllllllllll......that request was committed to the blog (and therefore, "set in stone"), on January 1st, 2009 - we are now at January 15th, 2009 - look at the photoes below - and you be the judge !!! Do you think I need to get my "gruff chops" out ????

I bought a new pair of Croc's today - on the pretense that I NEEDED (as opposed to WANTED) them for when J comes out, as they are mega comfortable and will be just what I need when treking the countryside on our "All Aussie Adventure". G wasn't impressed - he is not a fan of the Croc - and seems to think that everyone will laugh at me in them, and that J won't want to be "anywhere near me" if I have them on ? Opinions, please ????

Thirdly, I finally got my Galileo Thermometer - I have wanted one of these for ages, and when we went to Huffle's parents for dinner the other night, T had one - and that was enough for me - I just had to have one too :) Once again, I managed to con G that I NEEDED it for J's visit - how & why was never discussed - you never need to give too many details ! Anyway, I think he felt sorry for me - so, it was purchased, and I love it !

Don't you all just love J's new bag ? I think it is totally pawsome - and we will make sure we fill it with some treats to take home to sweet Marvin on her return journey :)

Til next time - and I will let you all know when (if!) the spare room gets tidied up !

B

The Wheels are In Motion...............

2009-01-10T06:18:00.000-08:00

Hey, Jeannie, this bag looks pretty empty! Can you fit me in?

No, perhaps not. ;0(

Hi, Jeannie here at long last!

To say I am excited about this whole Aussie Adventure is more than a slight understatement. I have always wanted to visit Australia and suddenly, like Serendipity, the chance has become a reality thanks to B! I so appreciate her unexpected invitation to visit with her and G. plus of course the opportunity to spend time with the splendid Opy and Charlie, and I am determined to make this a trip of a lifetime.

So this is my first post on our joint blog which is going to chronicle our adventures. My family are all looking forward to keeping up with our news and photos whilst I am away. Everything officially begins at the end of March, I guess then it will go "live" so to speak. However, in the meantime, I thought I would keep you posted with my preparations for my mammoth journey too!

These are a few photos of my new Swag Bag with accompanying and obligatory Dog. Marvin, proudly posing in his new Aussie Bandanna. My swag bag certainly not so photogenic as the wonderful views and places in Australia, plus the amazing B and B, (with or without the funky spiders!).........but just to keep you updated on my packing efforts. Which could possibly become a Blog all of their own!!

Jeannie ;0) p.s. On looking at the photos, my new bag looks very empty, but no worries, I will soon fill up this flight bag baby until it is overflowing!!

A special overnight stay

2009-01-06T19:09:00.000-08:00

As some of you may know, our very good buddies Noah's pinkies, own a wonderful B&B at Leura in the Blue Mountains.

I have stayed there before, and it is a truly magical place - so I thought that we should all go and have a visit with D & K when J comes out - plus I know that J would just love to meet the legendary Leuradales :)

So, I spoke with D - who very kindly offered us the Coach House for the night (and we are still arguing about the monetary compensation !).

Here are some pictures.

Broomelea Bed & Breakfast - Leura, Blue Mountains

We will spend the day looking around the Blue Mountains - and then relax with some good eating and drinking in the evening - I am sure much fun will ensue :)

I hope we don't see any of those yucky funnel web spiders whilst we are up there !!!!

Can't wait - it's going to be so much fun !

B

Sydney Harbour Accomodation

2009-01-03T17:29:00.000-08:00

This is the view from the apartment building that we will be staying at when we are in Sydney - G & I have stayed there before with some friends that came out from the U.S - and it was awesome.

Wonderful views of the Habour Bridge, Opera House and the City - right from our apartment window. Especially beautiful of a night time.

Can't wait to get back there with J, and hopefully, G :)

B

The Beginning.....

2009-01-01T20:43:00.000-08:00

The purpose of this blog is to chronicle and document the trip that shall be known as "J&B's All Aussie Adventure". (With apologies to Russell Coight !)

A few months ago - I was emailing back and forth with J, just "shooting the breeze", as you do. I casually mentioned (but meant every word!) - that I would love for her (and K) to come visit one day. Well, "bugger me" - the reply I received set the wheels in motion for much excitement and frivolity to ensue ! J was coming out - just like that ! How very exciting !

So - we are counting down the days til her arrival in late March. We have lots of fun things planned - and we will be using this blog to record our expeditions and adventures.

Now, I just got to get G to clean out his junk from the spare room :)

Check back regularly - as we will be updating frequently :)

Thank you J, for giving us something to really look forward too :)

Cheers,

B