Decisions Decisions Decisions !

Since our retirement we have talked lots about the how, when, where and why we will do 'our trip'. You know ...the one you traditionally take  after retirement. As far as I am concerned the van thing is out. It's okay if you  want to leave home for an extented period of time and maybe 'live' somewhere but hey...we already live in paradice so why would we be wanting to stay anywhere else for more than what it takes to check the place out , see the sights, taste the wine, etc? Soooo... so far,  as of today we have agreed on something that we both like. Remember I am the one who is happy with a toothbrush in one pocket and change of knickers in the other and Tim...well lets just say he likes his creature comforts (lots of them). Just as an example he likes a fishing rod and all the tackle while I am happy with a cork real and two hooks! Anyway, at last we have at least landed and idea that we both can work on. Here's the rig so far.
A medium size 4WD
A small tinnie  25hp motor (we pack camping gear in that)
The idea is to hump our swags around lots of watering holes around the country. Thats a bit of us. Like the old times in our yachts (I refuse to go there again; been there done that) only this time on land. Actually Robert was conceived in Cardwell while we  fished the Hinchinbrook Channel  in a wee small tinnie...there will be none of that this time round!!
There are no photos yet but will leave your imagination to conjour up a picture till we get the rig together. Amazing what  reading the Saturday morning Bulletin can inspire sitting on the balconey with wonderland before us.

Klose Kall for Kez!

Tim said, "Lets clean the loft".
I said, "What for...there is very little up there these days."

Up goes the ladder, a different one, I might tell you, to the one I used last time I went up into the loft (3 years ago). "She'll be right", said Tim and I agreed as it was very long and I would be able to manage better. Mmmmmm! Scene was left till it cooled down ...an indoors activity planned for later.

While Tim and Sooty were off having their evening constitution up to the dam and back I thought  I would pop up and give it a sweep and get down the stuff we wanted.

Ladder secure. Mat under feet so we don't scratch the timber floor. Give it a shake and a push... the ladder not the mat! All seemed safe. I was approximately 3/4 the way to the top when ever so gracefully the ladder slid. It was like walking on an escalator in the opposite direction, you know, like when you were a kid!  Trouble is I am 56 now!

I looked down as the ladder was sliding and was thinking about how to land, fall, crash and what damage I was going to do to myself. Suddenly the floor was the furthest concern from my mind. Just as the end of the ladder reached the edge of the man hole ( woman  hole?) ...it stopped. Stuck on the edge  was a small plastic end cover thinggy that broke in half and went flying accross the space called loft. Stuck on the edge was crazy women in knickers and T.shirt hanging on for dear limb. Life was okay I summised but a ride in ambulance was sure to be the nights activity.

Tom was home. Thankfully he was just hanging around waiting to run to my assistance. Normally he'd be asleep by now, aircon  blasting just enough noise to dampen my calls for help.

After berating me for doing such a stupid thing without someone to hold the ladder and threatening  to leave me there and collect his inheritence early he then held the ladder steady while I  went up to finish what I started. Nothing like a bit of drama to finish off the day. Yep...Alive On the Edge!
Keeps the heart pumpin' clears out those arteries!

The ladder stuck on edge.

This is how far it slid.

"Nothing Has Happened Since July"

Nothing has happened since July! Actually so much happened that month that I have spent the rest of the year getting over it. There was the wedding,  visitors from the wedding, Toms 21st, the V8's, visitors for the V8's, our birthdays, Grandma's birthday all in the space of 3 weeks. Whew! Talk about over it and hanging out for an AFD (alcohol free day).

September I dried out a bit in time to attend biannual WWW event and a Birthday Bash three others and myself commit to yearly before taking off to Coonabarabran for a couple of weeks visiting my birth mother and family. I rode down. I had a ball. On the way, while I was there, on the way home; the lot! My bike clocked up 20,000 ks somewhere near Mungindi. I aught not skite...I could of had more up by now if I had put my mind to it. No matter....got plenty of time to catch up. I know I wont be doing it till the weather settles down. As we speak the rain is angrily throwing itself on the roof. Not complaining. Waited long enough for it. Frogs are starting to celabrate with a chorus. Talk about chorus...guess who has joined a chior? Yes me!

 "Aquapella World Chior".

We sound like angels...so much so we float on water!

I am not sure what I sing but I do know I sing in upto six different langaugaes every practice night! That has got to be good for brain cells, yes? It is so fun! It replaces my night at Writers In Townsville. My  writing is off the boil for the moment...yes, not only the blog but my book as well. At this rate I will be in the nursing home with  the publishers lining up on visitors day!

"Grandma's 89th Birthday"

Maddie took Grandma to Billabong Santuary. Hazel and Eric attended too!

"The Start of My Second Day to Coona"

This was the last time I saw my leftie (bag). Somewhere along the track to Injune it came adrift and emptied itself, Grandmas camera included. But never fear! Grandma had her name on it and phone number. David Black from Moranbah found it and had it in the mail heading back to Townsville before the day was out. Believe that? Well what do you think took the photos you disbeliever you!!

"Miss Maddie Rose Trophy Winning a 2009 Kart Race "

Maddie attended the National Kart Series at Easter. She didn't win but got loads of experience racing against a mob of testosterone crazed men out to win at all costs. She may not have won but she put up a reasonable fight .

"V8's in Townsville...awesome!

'SPEAK UP....I CAN'T HEAR YOU!  VROOM!"

"The Wild Womens Weekend in Paluma"

The theme this year was Mumma Mia...incase you couldn't pick it. Gee  us girls know how to have fun! Aphrodite had nothing on us!

" Birthday Bash...Civic Theatre"

Trish, Delayne, Gail and myself all decked out celebrating our birthdays. This tradition started with Gails Mum, Thelma who went out each year with her three friends to celebrate all their birthdays at once. We are carrying on tradition and enjoying every bit of it. Each year we take a turn and go somewhere different and it is usually a surprise that we keep till the last moment. One year we went Belly Dancing, another year we had a complete makeover. Need I go on? I am sure you get the drift by now! 

Have you seen this pair of grey nomads?

LOST: Grey Nomads, last seen heading out of town. Believed to be going south to escape the warm winter. They go by the name of Good Value Gailene and Grumpy Bum. Grumpy Bum has a distingishing tatoo over his heart and Gailene can be picked out of a crowd as she stands on her head lots! Size 8 shoe probably blingy although because of the cold more than likely furry. If you see them give them a hug . Not the shoes...Gailene and GB silly.

Twenty One, Tom, 12th July.

Thomas Matthew Parke our second son celebrates his

birthday by going fishing! This photo was taken the week

before at Robert and Kias wedding at which he was groomsman.

Hinchinbrook Chanel, Toms favourite spot to explore on his jet ski or boat.

"I Do, I Do, I Do."

Introducing the latest and improved version of Mr and Mrs Parke (with an E)!

The mum and dad of the groom

Kerry and Tim

The orginal Mrs Parke (with an E)

89 years young Doris!

We are the generations of Parke with an E. It just so happened that Barry Parke, Doris's husband was the first of Parke with an E. His dad, very excited at the birth of his son stopped off at the pub on the way to the registry office in London and a drunken squiggle evolved. His daughters birth more sobbering stayed with Park but Barry was Parke and that is a true story!

The groom Robert with younger sister and bridesmaid Madilyn.

Groomsman Thomas and bridesmaid Madilyn

The Sun Sets on the Ring Road

A moment in time when all that exists is beauty!

Taken Wednesday 24th June 2009 on the Ring Road around 5:45