Can I still do a Blog?

 The run-up to our European Trip 2022

Heavens! It's three long years since our last trip overseas (thanks to Covid) and since then I've bought both a new phone and a new computer, so I now have to relearn how to do the blog, reduce photo sizes of multiple photos etc.  Let's face it .... I'm out of practice. So here's the test run.

For the last weekend before our trip away we went down to the Gold Coast to see Jess and then met up in Brisbane with Gaz, Mei Bronte and Austen for an early celebration of Austen's 6th Birthday.

Jess has moved back up to Queensland after spending the past four years in Tasmania studying to be an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. She has a job at the Gold Coast University Hospital at Southport, and getting accomodation anywhere on the Gold Coast was a challenge. She counts herself very lucky to rent a two bedroom unit within walking distance of where she works and we were helping her settle in, un-pack her furniture and put it together etc.  (It's the athletes' village built for the Commonwealth Games a few years ago.  It and the surroundings are very modern in a pleasant way)

The view from Jess' 4th floor balcony

The new table legs SuperJohn made are just visible.
Barb predicted they'd be too short.  Pah. 
Oh yea of little faith!

It's only ten minutes drive from her place to the beach at Surfer's Paradise, so after the work was done, we went for a late afternoon walk on the beach to enjoy the glorious weather.

Surfers Paradise Beach
(Somewhat flattering - there were crowds
everywhere away from the beach)

John and Barb at Surfers

Jess and Barb on the beach

Coco with her lady's maid

Such a beautiful cat!

The next morning, we went up to Brisbane to meet at a nice Italian restaurant on Hawthorne Road to celebrate as a family Austen's birthday.  He was pretty excited with his presents! (As was Bronte!)

Garreth, Austen and Bronte unwrap his gifts

Barb, Jess, Mei, Garreth, Austen &
Bronte enjoying their meal

Happy Birthday to you!!!

A bit of time in the park across the road after lunch

Gotta love my crazy family!!

Yay! I seem to have managed to do the blogging bit. Now we wait out the final few days before we leave in self-imposed isolation. Not because we have to....it's just a pre-caution so we can get on the plane to the UK Covid-free and more importantly not get sick while on the plane or take an infection over to John's sister Susan.