We had rain today.  Just a drizzle as we ate breakfast on the covered patio but heavier tonight as we had dinner.  It was the perfect day to stay inside so we headed to the casino for lunch.  It was a much busier pokie location that the last one.  Weird and different games - did okay then didn't - so much like home. And home we head tomorrow.  Feels exciting to be heading home but not looking forward to the long flight or the end of this awesome holiday.  Never thought I would make it to this part of the world, even if it was on Cynde's bucket list, but to come and win a gold medal has been extra special. It has been fabulous and we have some thank yous - Loss of Gravity for having us on the team - even if I was a doubter when Tania asked us Marla and Colleen for being great New Zealand room mates Uncle Gordy for meeting Peter back in 1964 and keeping up that friendship Peter and Myrtle for hosting us this past week - the food, friendship, sites and l...

It was a lazy Sunday full of footy!  We got up early and headed for Lachlan's game and met the grandkids.  The game is a mix of basketball, football, soccer and probably rugby.  It was definitely confusing but no doubt as confusing for the Australians when they come to Canada with our CFL, NFL, Soccer teams etc. The day was beautiful and we got a bit of sun.  We then searched for another craft store but had no luck so home for lunch and more footy on the TV.  Definitely a different game when the men occupy the field.  Brisbane lost to Sydney by a lot.  We took turns napping on the couch before and after our dinner of BBQ hamburgers - again with beets yum - then it was the Voice. Our judges are way better at home.  Here you have Seal, Boy George, Kelly Rowland and Delta who is an Aussie singer.  The interaction between the judges is just weird.  We miss Adam and Blake and can't wait to get home to watch the episodes we have missed. There...

Boy sorry about the late post!  So many complaints lol! Today we were up early to go to the market...all kinds of fruits and vegetables - some I had never heard of.  Avocado was $1 each and we thought of Taryn and how much she would buy!  The flowers were gorgeous - 5 gerber daisies for $5.  Then from there we checked out a garden center and boy was it expensive.  Lots of neat garden ideas and Cynde is already planning our next sale! We spent a few hours suntanning and cooling off in the pool while Peter and Myrtle thought we Canadians were crazy. After lunch we headed to a new casino type place - only about 25 slot machines but a really nice sports bar and beer garden area.  You can find "pokies" or slot machines almost everywhere but next time we want to find some that pay - lol! Last night we watched some 'footy" or Australian Rules Football.  I think we drove our hosts crazy asking about all the rules and game play.  It's a rough sport and ...

A day of being a tourist today.  We left Albany Creek and headed out to find some kangaroos today in Toorbul where they seem to like to hang out by the water.  Well guess since it's fall they have headed out as we just saw one old lazy roo sitting under a tree. (we later saw one smashed up on the highway). From Toorbul we headed North into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.  We went along Steve Irwin Way past the zoo, the Glass House Mountains and a closed up scrapbook store. We climbed past rolling hills and farm land until we reached Montville where we spent a few hours wandering through the craft and souvenir shops.  We missed a rain shower by having a flat white and long black (coffees) and then had lunch at a small cafe in Mapleton. We headed to the Coast and enjoyed the beaches and scenery at Maroochydore, Currimundi and Caloundra before heading inland and back to the bats across the street. It's crazy but hundreds of bats have moved into the green space across ...

Today Peter and Myrtle took us to Redcliff - the home of the Bee Gees.  We walked along the section of road dedicated to the Brothers Gibb and highlighted with photos of them and their brother Andy (my personal favourite).  We walked along the shore and stuck our feet in the ocean and then stopped for a lunch of coffee, and scones with jam and cream.  Tonight after dinner we turned on the TV and there was a Grammy presentation show to honour the Bee Gees.  Such a coincidence that we had been where we were today and then to enjoy two hours of their music.

Playing ball has given Cynde and I many great opportunities.  We get to travel, play the game we love and meet so many great people.  Marla Milburn Bates is one of those people.  When we first started playing ball with Loss of Gravity, we clicked and after living together for over two weeks that bond has intensified.  Marla, also know as Marlo, Steveo, My, Milo and whatever other nick name we can come up with at the time, has happily joined the sister act for many adventures.  We have given her some new bad habits - drinking rum (its hawt), vodka, hitch hiking, accepting rides from strangers...and we have loved every minute.  She has encouraged us (well me) to be more active and to believe in myself and the things I can do.  Now as we move onto our Australian adventure, we wish she could have joined us but we know that our friendship will be one of the best things to come out of this trip.  Love you Marla!

Cold, windy and snowy - not what I think of when I think of New Zealand but definitely what I saw today.  We left Auckland last night and headed south to Tongariro National Park.  We overnighted in a rustic cabin in Whakapapa - please note WH is pronounced F haha.  It was freezing in our cabin and we had to run across the road to the bathroom.  We slept with all our clothes on. In the morning we were sad to hear that none of the shuttles were running to the starting point of the Alpine Crossing and the temperature was minus 13 -16 at the summit with heavy winds.  We decided to go to the start and see how far we could get.  It was freezing!  The wind was super strong but we walked about 5kms in until snow and the cold and our improper foot wear forced us back.  It was a great experience - one I wouldn't have done without Marla, Rosie and Harvey for sure.  It was surprising to see the heather growing wild, the jade plants and the volcanic rock...