Currumbin Sanctuary

Thursday, 22nd March - Another day, another destination. This time we though we would check out Currumbin on the Gold Coast. The Bird Flight show there I know was going to interest Tony plus the kangaroo area is one of the best, especially as you can feed them and they are all so very friendly.

Sadly when we got there, we discovered the park was undergoing major renovations, so the animal exhibits weren't up to their usual standard. Now the Bird Flight show was excellent with Jenny exclaming she had never been that close to a pelican before. If time permitted in the afternoon I told her I would take her to a place where there were plenty, The Broadwater.

We finished off our visit at Currumbin by feeding the Kangaroos and watching the feeding of the largest salt water crocodile in captivity. He was a rather BIG BOY!

Time was running out and we had to meet Bob and Violet on Chevron Island in Surfers Paradise. Dad and Jenny had a wonderful time chatting with their cousins, it was a lovely afternoon. However, by the time we headed for home, it was too late to stop and see the pelicans on the Broadwater. Regardless it was a great time, filled with memories to last forever! Another day, with more adventures tomorrow, with a trip on the Brisbane River.

Mt Tambourine

Wednesday 21st March - Mt Tambourine was our destination today. As expected Dad got lost coming up the mountain, forgetting to turn left for the Gallery walk, instead going straight on into the residential area. So even though we left after him, we arrived first. We enjoyed a walk around all the art galleries and gift shops. Jenny was able to buy an odd gift for friends back home. We enjoyed a late morning tea, with Jenny and I sharing scones with rhubarb jam, DELICIOUS!

We then enjoyed the views out over the Brisbane Valley area and also the Gold Coast. Making our way down the other side of the moutain to catch up with Karen and Rob for a BBQ dinner. We enjoyed a lovely swim and Jenny was able to chat with Steve and Atina. We eventually made it home, after only missing the turn off for the motorway twice!!!! My excuse, unfamiliar territory in the dark! It was another great day, and we were all exhasted by the end of it.

Australia Zoo

Tuesday 20th March - For our first adventure to discover what Australia has to offer, we decided to take Jenny and Tony to Australia Zoo and I have to say we were all very impressed. Except poor Jenny and Tony were eaten alive by our mossies, hadn't expected that.

Family Re-united

March has been a very exciting month for the Tottman Clan in OZ. Dad's sister, Jenny and her husband Tony arrived from England on the 19th of March, to spend a week with us. It was to prove a very exciting week for family reunions, as we were to also catch up with Dad and Jenny's cousins, Bob and Violet. What we hadn't known for all these years is that Bob and his family have been living in Melbourne, nearly as long as Mum and Dad have been living in Australia. Dad emigrated in 1964, and Bob emigrated in 1969. Even more freaky, we were to discover, that Bob and his family were living in Penrith (1970) at the same time that Dad was living in Kingswood, Penrith with his family, only 15 minutes away from each other, and we never knew it. And I always complained we had no family in Australia.

Timing is everything, if it hadn't been for cousin Barbara in Canada, talking to cousin Violet in England, prior to her trip to visit Bob (something she has been doing for the past few years), Dad wouldn't have received that auspicious phone call the week before Jenny and Tony arrived from England, from Violet and Bob. Even more, Bob and Violet were going to be holidaying on the Gold Coast during the same week that Jenny and Tony would be in Brisbane. A perfect opportunity for a family reunion if ever there was one, and it was wonderfully exciting.

Family from Afar

After Christmas we were pleased to catch up with Steve who was over here for Christmas from England, with his girfriend Atina, visiting her parents on the Gold Coast. Hence the weather was extremely mild, as cousin Steve bought the UK Christmas weather with him, maybe that's why Victoria had snow on Christmas Day!!!! They seemed to enjoy there visit, shopping in Brisbane and going to Australia Zoo, even though the weather wasn't the best. Now we just can't wait until Jenny and Tony come out for their visit in March.

Kitty Antics

Pan has been his usual entertaining self over the festive season, firstly when he discovered the Christmas train around dad's tree, and he couldn't stop following it around, to then discovering the tree, when one night Dad realised the tree was shaking and Pan was climbing the centre of it. It took awhile but he has eventually left the tree and the train alone, although the odd decoration becomes a wonderful little toy to pat around the floor.

Watching Pan open his Christmas Present was a real treat though, knowing how much he loves things that crackle, we thought he'd enjoy the wrapping and we were right, and he has had just as much pleasure out of the toy rat. He does so keep us all entertained.

Christmas Traditions

We went on our usual Christmas Lights tour this year, something that began when Jenneclair returned from the UK in 2002. Our Christmas Movie was Santa Claus 3 and as Dad said, the first one was still the best. We then enjoyed the lights down near Beenleigh this year, but poor Simon wasn't able to enjoy them as much this year, after coming home with a cold from work on his last day. He fell asleep in the back seat.

Christmas Means Family

Christmas as always was a family affair, with Dad, Simon, Glenn and PJ (Glenn's girfriend) coming for Christmas Dinner, with all the usual trimmings, at Jenneclair's, where the air-conditioning saved us from the outside heat. We spent a quite day together, with Simon finding his usual position on the couch, with Christmas Hat and all.

A Trip to the Seaside

In November, we took Bluey on his second drive, up to Redcliffe for a picnic lunch at Suttons Beach. We had a lovely day out and Jenneclair was able to kill two birds with one stone, by dropping of her first order, ordered through the website, so it was all rather exciting. Simon enjoyed a lovely swim, while Dad slaved over the BBQ.

A Family Day Out

Our day out, up the mountain, proved to be a most enjoyable one. We thoroughly enjoyed the drive, although with me as a passenger, Dad had to put up with the usual grimaces, squeals and cringes. I've never enjoyed being a passenger since my accident, and on top of my fear of heights, the shear drops from the road side are enough to cause me a great deal of stress. Luckily Dad is totally use to my bizarre behaviour and just laughs, which helps to lighten the atmosphere and I am able to relax, a little!

After having coffee at the Gallery Walk, we then found a lovely picnic BBQ area for lunch. Dad did his usual magic on the BBQ and cooked delicious steaks for him and I and sausages for Simon. While Dad cooked, I played with my new Digital SLR camera, and what fun I had. The view over the Brisbane valley area was beautiful, and the bird life was in abundance, so I went snap happy. I also took some great fauna photos, the bark of trees, fern leaves, and dead leaves, knowing I could use these as backgrounds when I created the page for the family scrap album. However, when I arrived home and downloaded the images, I decided to try my hand at digital scrapbooking, using the photos I had just taken. The wonderful result for all to see here.

I had great fun creating my first ever digital brads and tags using Microsoft Digital Pro, which I prefer over Adobe Photoshop, I hope you like the result. Plus by doing it as a page, I was able to incorporate a large number of photos in a smaller space, making it easier to upload as it was only one image. Don't know why I hadn't thought of this sooner.

Well our first drive out in Bluey was a huge success, and created a most wonderful start to another weekend. As we were leaving, Simon piped up saying, "Where are we going next weekend?" Dad and I just laughed.

Out with with Old, In with the New

This week has been a sad but happy one for the Tottman Clan in Oz. After much deliberation, and born out of necessity, because if we didn't make a change, things would fall apart anyway, we took the leap and traded in our old friend Alec for a new and improved model.

Alec had been my first car, bought after my first year teaching in Townsville. He had stood me up on his delivery, then decided to arrive early after all, a typical male I decided, so hence he was called Alec. Why Alec, I just loved the name. We shared many memories together, driving from Townsville to Brisbane on several occasions, and also from Townville to Cairns, when Dad and Simon came to visit one holiday. He suffered a few dings along the way, the most memorable being, when returning to Townsville, we hit a 6ft Kangaroo. The damage was not too severe, but sadly the baby Joey I rescued, and drove with me all the way from Rockhampton to Townsville, where I took her to the Wildlife Park there, was not so fortunate. She had broken her spine when she was flung from her mother's pouch. But at least in the end, she went peacefully, thanks to the wonderful wildlife carers and didn't die an agonizing death by the side of the road.

Alec passed from me to Dad, when I went overseas in 1999. On my return to Australia in 2002 I bought a new car and Alec stayed with Dad and Simon for another 5 years. By this time he had really reached his use by date, now 20 years old as I had bought him second hand anyway. With Dad he received a few more dings, most memorial being August 2005, when Dad ran into someone. Without hesitation he had him fixed, no easy feat, but we did.

But the time has come to say farewell to Alec, who was traded for a measly $200 AUS. No where near his true value in our eyes. He help fond memories. Now Dad and Simon own (although second hand) a new car, aptly named Bluey (for his red colouring). An improvement in Alec, as he has power steering and air-conditioning (a necessity if you live in Queensland). We're taking him out for his first big drive today, up to Mount Tambourine for a BBQ lunch. A nice little Saturday adventure for the family.

Congratulations In Order

On Monday morning the 13th November, I walked into the office, and Peter, my boss, called me into his office, to inform me that he was pleased to hand me the Head of Curriculum Position which I had applied for.

Over the last two years I have been involved in the Trial of a Head of Curriculum Position at Ipswich Special School, at a Band 4 position. But as of next year the position is now permanent and with a promotion, as it is now a Band 5 position, so a little bit more money in the pay packet. It has been an exciting two years to reach this point and already next year is shaping up to be even more exciting, as our school is involved in a project, in relation to Assessment and Moderation, an area that I find extremely interesting, especially when considing students with disabilities. So a very exciting and busy year ahead.

On the Tuesday, the staff in the office congratualted me with this beautiful bunch of flowers, totally unexpected. So beautiful though, with the Banskia flowers.

U 2 Can Scrap @ Hercules Road State School

Well the Promotional Opportunity at Hercules State School has come and gone, and considering it was my biggest ever "Crazy Scrap" I would have to say it was definitely crazy. Although it rained and hence kept people away, those who did come had a great time and the work produced was outstanding. I used the School Fundraiser as an opportunity to launce the website so that made it a rather special day as well. Dad and Simon came and helped out as well, and I have to say that without their support there was no way I was going to manage on my own. What with having to do the demonstrations and support a group of ladies who had never really scrapped before, my hands were totally full. Dad was a treasure, having to quickly learn the ropes to deal with the sales for the day, and Simon helped out by checking that the ladies coffee cups were clean and kept full. He also helped clean up at the end of the day, carrying chairs on his head to put them away and then helping the cleaner who came to lock up to put the tables away as well. It was a great family day.

Launching U2 Can Scrap on the web

I am extrememly excited to officially announce the launch of U2 Can Scrap on the Web. The on-line shop is active with the Off The Page Kits and more to be added over the coming weeks. The new adventure into the building of my own business has truely begun. It has been a very hectic time leading up to this day. Please follow the link to the site from our family blog to view the site.