"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

Proof that we are a different species....

The thought came to me this morning as I was wondering what I am going to wear to my daughter-in-law to be 'hens' party on Saturday night, why did it get called a 'Hens' and 'Bucks' night out?
Should it have been a Hens and Cocks or a Doe and Bucks night? Proof I say that we are indeed a totally different species to support the theory that we (men and women) are indeed from different planets! So girls...keep your eyes open , be alert...aliens disguised as men sent to takeover our lives and wind us around/up/over their little fingers for their own selfish purposes! Ha the laugh is on them hey girls as we turn the tables and show them our GIRL POWER!

"God Don't Make No Mistakes"

Bull dust he don't! Like my hair for instance. I was supposed to born with red hair and I ended up with what I did...left overs. Oh don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the waves and the strength and the amount but wouldn't you think if he's gone to all the trouble to cover those and make sure my mother had red hair that I would have it too? Thank God for Mark thats all I can say...

Mark James Hair Studio

Flinders Street, Townsville.

Fixes up Gods mistakes! Thank you Mark!

http://www.markjameshairstudio.com.au/index.htm

On Being a Parent....

There is only piece of advice I'll willingly pass on to my children when it's time for them to have their own, is to love unconditionally; without flinching even when the police knock at the door with a warrant, when they fail exams, when they have chosen the wrong path or girlfriend or boyfriend, or even if they are messy and dishevelled or rude and impolite. Just love them and you'll be okay as a parent and they will turn out fine.

My Thoughts on a Loss... Luke J Matthews 18th July 1988-4th April 2009

From the dizzy depths of disbelief despair emerges, encompassing my very being. Youth lost, no taken - snatched from our lives never to witness or enjoy again. Wondering what he may have been like as a husband or father or brother or son will do no good. What is left are the memories of how he was till his leaving us....smiling, cheerful, fearless and with the senselessness of a beautiful twenty year old lad who lived each moment as his last.

Winter is upon us......well winter as we know it!

It's there one minute and gone the next...my hill...shrouded in misty fog. It rises like steam on the river as it ribbons it's way from our dam then floats away misteriously disappearing into the sun rise. As a child living in NSW mist signified bitter cold and wetness but here in sunny North Queensland you can feel the warmth radiating through the dense air. It wafts in ever so gently reminding you that today will be hot and this passing mist but a dream.

PRE WEDDING BELLS

A busy time at our house as we prepare for our eldest sons wedding to his sweetheart of seven years. He is 23 and she 22 and already they have an accumulation of life experiences. I have been up ladders cleaning where the sun don't shine and beyond! Re decorating and freshening up tired walls with a splash of colour and glitter. A very exciting time...I just hope the next wedding is a few years up the track as I may need that to recoup.

A Quote

"If living in too much space try the edge"

Andrew King (A twist on the version I use.)

When I first chose this signature a few of my friends were taken aback by it. "Not very kind Kerry" they said.

"Depends how you look at it" was my reply "I don't know about you but somedays just getting out of bed to face the day can be living on the edge."

There I rest my case.

Feast or Famine

It's either a feast or famine when it comes to weekends away. 'Feast' is on the menu these last weeks I'm glad to say. Some months ago I booked to do a workshop in Cairns with Tony Backhouse. Who's he I hear you ask? Well go check his site out and discover who the 'guru of a Capella singing is'. That's not what he calls himself....it is what I call him! I can cross off my bucket list the 'learn to sing' as I have found a voice and now I feel confident enough to join a choir or a Capella group which I have already made enquiries about.
Tony came to town about five years back and the Friday evening is an open event that anyone who is interested can join in. He had us singing like angels from the very moment we opened our mouths. It blew my mind away. I wanted more of that, so I done got me some, even if I have had to wait till now. I'd follow him into the desert in August to do the 'Walking Tour'. It is the new item on my bucket list. Have a look at his itenery and see where he's going. If he's heading your way DON'T MISS IT! I have uploaded a sample of what twenty eight people who had never sang together before sound like! Allowances please, for my music studio was my trusty mobile phone!

Rehearsing For Heaven
a cappella Singing Workshops
Black gospel & related styles
For the beginner & experienced singer (music reading NOT Required)
With
Tony Backhouse www.tonybackhouse.com.au
Director of award winning Sydney gospel choir
Café of the Gate of Salvation

A Weekend Away.

(Tim looking from Mt Inkerman look out, our first stop.
Never been here before either!)

Our oldest son and his fiance decided that 2009 would be the year of the wedding in our garden and so we decided that we wouldn't have a holiday this year...lots of work to be done and Mr Rudd's 'stimulation' didn't quite cover the costs of titivating and tidying but it did amply cover the expense of a weekend away or two. The idea was that one of us pick a place we've never been before and is only up to 4 or 5 hours drive away. It was my turn first seeing as it was my idea! Last year in Canada I wanted to do the Flying Fox tour at Whistler but due to my lack of determination I missed out. When I got home I Googled 'flying fox' and up came Finch Hatton near Mackay! Blimey...I went all the way to Canada to do something I could do in my own back yard. In the thirty years we have lived up here in the north we have never ventured off the highway. Always in too much of a hurry getting somewhere or going home. I thought he'd guess but he had no clue that what lay hidden behind the trail of the well beaten track was a beautiful mountain getaway. I have to say that all through our life together weather has always featured heavily in our holidays. Every time we packed the esky for a weekend away on the yacht clouds formed , even cyclones! So why should things change now? It wasn't too bad though...bearable ...good snuggling weather!


Our first night was The Chalet at Eungella. You 'can't' see it for the shrouds of fog. Surprises for no one! I find it exciting though. Something we don't see too often in Townsville and an excuse to light that fire.

Being out of touch with lighting a fire my hero came up with the idea of how to get the flames excited. All you need do is have a couple of rums and your breath sorts that! See his cheeks all billowed and the timber ignite! Don't try this at home kids!

I have to say that my well meaning friends and family have a lot to answer for as far as the success of the simple pleasures of a couple of oldies getting away for a 'naughty' weekend! We started our mini holiday with a cold schooner at the bar. We retreated to the cabin for a snort or two of rum and soda (medicinal purpose only , you understand, to warm us up and give us fortitude to brace the freezing weather and get back to the dinning room). At dinner we emptied a nice bottle of Merlot. It was quiet for a Friday so we were told. We didn't mind as we talked and talked and talked! YES TALKED!
All the better books say that talking is a foundation for foreplay. We'll be right tonight then!
First my sister rang for a chat. Then my girl friend Gail rang to see if we were having a good time! We joked about her timing. I then received a text which I answered. Tim had disappeared ...gone for a smoke I thought. 'Gee he's a long time'. Found him...snoring his head off snuggled up in bed! I have a laugh as only a thirty year bride could!

Before heading off we checked out the Ute competition that was part of festivities being held this weekend.

The second night was at The Broken River Retreat . It was modern and fresh looking by comparison to The Chalet. Quieter too and absolutely nothing to do but walk and talk (yes talk!) and view the platypus which neither of us had ever seen in the wild before. I would have swam with them but brrrrr a little too chilly for me. They are very hard to photograph. I did my best...patience ran out as well as the batteries in my camera!

Sharing a coffee break with one of the locals. Funny old turkey. Didn't say much! This was at the kiosk in the National Park. It was very impressive and made me wonder why our Mt Elliot isn't up to scratch like this?

Eungella National Park (pron: Youngella)

Who said you can't take a Monaro off road!

Or through water.....

Entering the black portals of the rain forest...

A fan dancing faerie?

A tree huggers delight.

Babbling Brookness

Tarzan Tim...King of The Rainforest.

Back into the light......


Chatting with the locals at Finch Hatton

Strapped up and ready for the flight!

Through the tops of the forest we go.

This was really worth it 'Finch Hatton Gorge Flying Fox'. If you do go take cotton gloves with you to wear under the leather ones they loan you or plastic throw aways. Other than the creepy smelly hands you are left with it is an awesome experience flapping around at tree top height with all manner of Gods wonderful critters. Donna and David have total dedication to preservation of the reservation! Above is David myself and Clare a fellow tourist. She was one of the short listed applicants for the 'Worlds Best Job'.

An ancient icon?



Bowenwood.... a modern one!

The mighty Burdekin Bridge

Home Sweet Home...

... Just in time to say Happy Mothers Day to Grandma and give her a handmade pressie from a local market in The Pioneer Valley.It's Tim's turn next and he reckons that it will be hard to beat. I was pleased that he enjoyed the adventure and believe it or not we have plans to return it was that good!