On the Move - a very short run to Brisbane

Mt Fix It and Son - contemplating the next job.  Matching stances even!!

 

We finally got ourselves up to Brisbane to see the QLD family members recently. In typical K style we got up early, really early I mean, and made the run up in one day, arriving in time to grab the youngest grandson and take him to dinner with his other grandparents while the rest of the family went to play practice.

 

Also in typical K style we stopped off at Macadamia Castle for late lunch and to buy our favourite coffee grounds. We have been stopping here for coffee and food for many years. We like the coffee from the area because it is smooth and not bitter, and Australian grown as well. The food is pretty good too! It is a sad trip to Qld if we can't call in.

 

Our eldest son and his wife have four boys who, because of K's heart issues, we have not been able to visit this year. Youngest son is also in Brisbane so we got to spend a couple of evenings with him as well. Ate some pretty amazing Japanese food one night.

 

 It was a relatively flying visit because K left some unfinished work in Rathmines which he is happily working on as I write. Something about door locks and finding tins of paint I believe.

 

The last time we spent any time in Brisbane the family were deep in renovations, creating an ensuite bathroom, play room and extending the lounge out under the verandah. Mr Fix It and Son, (one afternoon it was "and Sons") worked on this for a number of weeks.  This visit the transformation is amazing! Really classy. 

 

This time K made and fitted flyscreens to the windows and together the men cut down a commercial flyscreen door to fit the odd sized laundry door frame.  

 

We girls did the usual things around loads of washing and school runs.

 

K made Lego creations with the grandsons and tried to make huge soap bubbles with a special kit. We went to Prize Giving evening and were royally entertained with songs and plays. There was a massive feast of food!

 

The youngest not quite two year old took a little bit to thaw out to us. One of the hazards of long distance grand-parenting I'm afraid. But once he decided we were in fact the faces to match the voices he hears on the phone, he was right into it. Cries of  Poppy" and "Grandma" were peppered into his long, but not quite intelligible sentences. He was quite happy to sit in his car seat in 'Poppy's car".

 

Poppy (Mr Fix It) is a favourite with the kids 'cos he will get down on the floor with them. (I can get down but getting up is another matter. I need everyone to leave the room so they won't laugh at me crawling to a chair.)  He had pop-gun battles and played games. The older boys have favourite things they like to do with him and, of course trot out all the toys and gadgets that need fixing. I believe he also did a repair on the Son's laptop.

Dinosaur Harry on his way to scare Poppy - note the big feet 

Too soon it was time to leave.

 

We dropped into Dick Johnson Racing, of course, on the way south and then to Lismore to see friends.

 

Late dinner, very, very late dinner at Rathmines when we got back. Good thing I had stuff in the freezer here.

 

Home made bread, crust-less quiche made from farm eggs and salad
Late night supper

This last week K has been working here at Bible School doing things. The afore mentioned locks, painting doors and stairs, tap seals and such like. And pulling one of our 12 volt fridges apart. It has decided to run nonstop and therefore freeze everything!!! Needs a new set of controllers or something. Pesky thing!  Not a disaster since we can get the parts and I have a repair man on tap, but its a long walk down the stairs in the morning to get milk for my "coffee that should be in bed".

 

We journey tomorrow back to our caravan on the farm.  I am very please to report that the coffee machine and the fridge live in much closer proximity in the van. So less chance of me doing a before coffee, I'm not awake yet, face plant while I hunt for milk.

 

We will drive down towing our old mini-trailer which has been returned to us after a long stay in Brisbane. It is carrying a window which son gave father to put in our shed on the farm. One less piece of "useful stuff"  in the back yard in Brissy.  Hmm! ...... Actually we do need the window and the little trailer will be ideal for us to use at the farm.

 

Afternoon coffee time. Last of the banana bread about to get eaten.

 

 

Cheers Sue

 

A Ferg on the Move