Category: Kariong

Leaving Kariong

I’m sure you’re all fed up of hearing about and seeing photos of Max , so here are a few more . It’s our last day here , travelling up to Port Macquarie in the afternoon. We’ll miss him and Tiger moo , of course

Usual morning 4.5k loop of the town , with a short trip into the bush
Stand off with little lizards
And bigger ones
Bribing the dog to not chase us out of the carport
Another unused pool – goodbye

Power of positivity

Another damp day In Kariong. The animals are restless , Anita is worrying about the little Turtle . 20 mins of energy flow yoga and a dog walk done . Hoovering to release more energy and now trying to clear my negativity. Here are the rules

1. Change your friends – hang around positive people ( good job these are my rules and not my friends)

2. Stop listening to the News – done

3. Limit your time on social media- Facebook gone long ago . Found these ideas on Twitter , so need some help with my life from a little SM

4.meditate after work each evening- ha , no need

5.Hit the gym – on a mat / walk someone else’s mutt

6 . Take care of yourself- half an hour to read a book( got all day )

7. Journal your emotions- not me , this is it

8.use positive affirmation to start the day- do it in a way

9.Try yoga or Tai chi – done

10. Spend more time in nature- every day even in the rain

11, 12 , 13….it goes on

16. Invest in a Himalayan Salt lamp – sorry Fiona – no chance

Remembering the Queen

Today was a public holiday here , so we could all remember and mourn the Queen . A few protesters in Sydney had other ideas . We had Charlie & Ella staying over so after a cooked breakfast and team yoga on the patio ,we had an afternoon at Terrigal . Drizzly , cold and windy , La Niña evidently again

But the sun came out
And Max enjoyed his day out
Late lunch under close scrutiny . Max sneakily was fed by his local fan club on a neighbouring table
Followed by an evening watching National Geographic

I think that’s the end of our 14 days of mourning. We got 3 extra days waiting for the Aussie PM’s return

Volunteering

Today I did my first bit of conservation volunteering in Australia. Sand dune regeneration on Umina beach . Not exactly strenuous, clearing a few Asparagus Ferns and other invasive species and planting Acacia bushes – 2 hours . Poor old Max couldn’t come

That’s the bush in front of me
Did our favourite loop of Kariong and Max was pretty excited when we got back . A Diamond Python- capable of eating Roos
Put all cats and dogs in the house in case they became lunch . After a hour it had gone , up a tree no doubt . Max spent an hour looking for it
No joy
Quick trip to the beach before Ella , Charlie and the rain arrived , but forget leash and poo bags . Fortunately Max knew of a spare supply to poo next to

Quiz night

Sunny day , possibly the last for few days on the central cost , but a quiet one . Main event was the 4 Pines Brewery quiz

Arrived early to get a bit of revision in . Anita wasn’t going and wasn’t revising !
Revision was interrupted by whales over there . Only little and behind the tree
No longer visible so off to the quiz . Only got one question right – who is PM of the UK !

Funeral 2

Quick lunch then off to Brisbane Waters sans dog

Piles Creek loop starting with a waterfall & $10 car park
Through the rainforest
And gum trees
To piles creek
And Phil Houghton Bridge
Looked very swimmable , but sadly the speedos were in the house and had to meet the shopping train
Back up to the top with fine expansive views and a nice breeze , no monkeys in sight . Can just here the band warming up
After whizzing and scrambling round the 4.9km much faster than Royals plodded up the Mall , had time for another dog walk before the Sydney “ Express” arrived at Woy Woy . Note the very big Seagull
Close up revealed to be a Pelican
Max wasn’t amused due to hunger . Off home to get the Beeb on and say we’d seen it

Funeral

Whilst the last few were viewing the coffin and the country was preparing for the big funeral , we had a bit more time . So Anita went off on the train shopping in Northern Sydney with Ella and I enjoyed the lovely weather ( before the rains come ) by doing 3 walks!

A big dog walk from Umina
And swimming at Ettalong
For a coffee
With Max

Where did he come from ?

The day started with an unwelcome visitor , then two guests , two warning lights and a sunset beach walk to finish

After topping up the Buddha garden fountain and starting the morning exercise regime , I noticed a leech on my leg ! I could feel his teeth , so he never stood a chance . Bled for a while afterwards
Recovering from the blood loss we went to get Ella and Charlie on the walk in ferry from Palm Bay to Ettalong , then off for a brunch nearby
After dropping them back and Anita on a zoom meeting went on a ball chucking evening beach walk . Could have shown you a local Pelican, but Max saw it off !
Next ferry arrived back
And Max enjoyed the sunset , on the lookout for returning Pelicans

The serious frown , as I am off to check on the 2 red lights on the dashboard, could cause a few problems

Some very strange going’s on in the ferry “ terminal “ toilets – scantily clad ladies… Max and I escaped in the car warning lights flashing into the night