Woodgate 2011-2012

Maria and I decided earlier in the year that we we would need a short break over the new years period to recover from Christmas and busy work schedules.

We thought about New Zealand but the timing of accommodation wasn't right so we decided to visit Woodgate, a place we have wanted to stay for a number of years.


December 29, 2011
We headed off around 8am nice an early as we had a big day of driving in front of us as we planned on visiting Maria's bother at Biggenden. Just outside Gympie we were almost ran off the road by a greyhound bus that didn't know how too merge correctly. Not a good start to the trip.

We stopped in at Biggenden for lunch and then popped into visit Russell and to see his huge property.

Back in the car for the drive to Woodgate via Childers.

We checked into the the Woodgate Beach House, and then off to the Woodgate Club for dinner, unfortunately the club was fully booked out for Thusday and Friday nights, so off to the pub for dinner and few drinks. It was great to sit at the pub overlooking the water and the nearby kangaroos.

December 30, 2011
We decided to visit our Nephew Alex up at Bundaberg to see his new house and girlfriend. We had a good time catching up with Alex as we haven't seen him for around 2 years.

Then off to Bargara for lunch then back to Woodgate for a stroll along the beach at sunset.

 

Bargara

December 31, 2011
We spent the day hanging around Woodgate, we ended up doing a 7 km bike ride along the beach, and had a nice swim in the pool.


Then off to Theodolite Creek to catch dinner.
The fish were biting but we only managed to catch one undersized whiting.

Fish total          
    Michael - 1
    Maria - 0

Back to the unit for a quick shower, and off to the beach in front of the unit for a picnic dinner watching the sunset with a few drinks. It was a lovely way to see out the year.


January 1, 2012
Back to the creek for another round of fishing.

The fish still were nice and hungry, but the only one silly enough to get caught was a 15cm Puffer fish .
Fish Total
    Michael - 2
    Maria - 0

Back to the beach house for a quick swim and shower then off to the bowls club for a great lunch. After lunch we headed to the board walk for a short walk through the swamp. Back to Theodolite Creek, for some sunset photos, where Maria got chomped on by the sandflies.


January 2, 2011
The long drive back to home

Gallery

Christmas Day 2011

We had a full house on Christmas Day.

Our parents, Russell & Sharyn also came down.

An hour's worth of present opening (we must have all been really good this year), then on to the main event.

Christmas Lunch - Roast Pork and Beef with Roast veggies and for Russell and Sharyn vegan Shepards pie and salads.

A round of Yahtzee, then dessert... 3 to choose from:
Christmas cake, Jaffa cake and Christmas truffles (they where a really big hit).

 

Everyone was at bursting point!

Christmas Oasis 2011 - Village People

This Christmas Oasis was the last for Nick and Dionne before they head off for chilly cold England.
We have been talking about dressing up as the Village People for about 5 years now, so this was our last chance to do a last dress up.

We all had our traditional dance dinner out at Oasis (this time at Mario's) before dancing - got some very interesting looks :) then applied our mustashes!

The girls/boys: Dionne the Bikie, Sue the Sailor and Maria the Construction Worker

 The boys: Mikey the Indian, Mark the Cowboy and Nick the Policeman

Got some group shots together, then outside to the dance floor, for more photo's.

We managed to dance in our outfits for at least an hour, before the stashes came off, I don't know about the boys, but I think some of us girls freaked the leads out with our furry lips :)

Village People with a new addition - Mark the swinger, not that kind of swinger, a swing dancer!

Doing the dance class

Rob and Jane joined in.

It was a great night out and glad we finally did the Village People.


More photos at our Gallery and slideshow

Brisbane Basket Brigade 11th Dec 2011

I am a committee member of the Brisbane Basket Brigade (BBB) that are a part of the International Magic Moments Charity.

All around the world we all raise money and get donations for our Christmas delivery to the needy. After much fundraising through the year, delivery day was upon us. Dad helped out with pick ups of donations and food bought on the Friday, and Saturday for delivery to the school and set up for Sunday.

 Sunday 8am was a beautiful sunny day and we had over 250 people turn up by 9.30 to help: wrap presents, colour in pictures to stick on the boxes, make up boxes, pack and deliver boxes to the needy.

 Everyone pitched in: Dad helped out with carparking, Mum was a Funster, Mikey looked after the free sausage sizzle and I looked after the registration, raffle sales and raffle draw.

 Everyone was in great spirits and we where all in the Christmas spirit and done by 12.30. Awesome achievement!! We helped put a smile on 768 people faces, that is 249 families! 346 boxes packed with food, gifts and love.


 Photo Link

Straddie Day Trip 17th November 2011

We took the Gold Cat water taxi across to North Stradbroke Island for a nice day trip, as part of my birthday present from Maria. The water taxi and bus service is a great and cheap way of seeing Straddie.

First up we had a nice refreshing swim a cylinders beach before heading to the hotel for lunch, also a present from Maria. With a well satisfied stomach we headed to the gorge for Gelato and a walk around the North Gorge. Unfortunately it seems that Redlands Council were in the midst of major repair work of the walking track around the gorge so we could only walk around 600m.

North Gorge

North Gorge

Turtle at North Gorge

Maria getting too close to the edge

Gallery, Slide Show