When I moved here over 8 months ago, it was all very new and exciting, and it felt as if I was on holiday. However, within 5 days of arriving here I started my new job, and threw myself straight into full time work, in a new place, new job whilst battling jet lag. It still felt like I was on holiday, but I had to go to work. As time moves on, the novelty of being in a new area soon wears off and the reality of life hits home – its not a holiday!
I do have annual leave, and like most normal people, look forward to that time off work. I took some time off in April, (check out my previous blog!), had a wonderful time, but I don’t have any more holiday for 6 months in November. When you are working full time in a challenging job like mine, your down time is important. Coming home from work to an empty home and being oncall for a significant time can feel very down heartening, and you can’t live life waiting for your next holiday. So, I make the very best of my days off and try to make use of the local opportunities.
Let me tell you about my 2 days off this week on Wednesday and Thursday.
Its winter here in North Queensland, which means temperatures only reach 24-26oC during the day, and it plummets to almost single figures at night (if you are reading this in the UK in your summer, this will make you feel very envious right now!) So my first morning off started with an alfresco breakfast by the sea overlooking the gorgeous Magnetic Island
Ladies who do breakfast!
You might recognise my lovely daughter in the middle, and joining us is my friends daughter Jasmine. Its 10 am and the sun is shining and we are planning our day together. As we ate our eggs benedict, we decided to visit the Reef HQ and see Nemo
We took this educational opportunity very seriously as you can see!
Its school holiday this week, and we showed good example to the kids who were racing around the facility
Can I point out that Tash is 22!
We all did a spot of diving – can you tell who each diver is?
Jas
Tash
The only one with green eyes…..me!
Then a spot of swimming!
Jas is finding Nemo!
Tash holds her breath!
and Ive no idea how Im going to get out of that child sized space!
We did have a scare with a very scary shark
We did check out the living exhibits too, honest –
A gorgeous scalloped hammerhead, but our particular favourite was the shovel fish
OK, in fairness, Reef HQ are making alterations to their exhibits, but us girls were in a very silly mood (can you tell?)
We finished by checking out the local talent……
A bit skinny for our liking!
We headed straight to watch a film at the adjoining IMAX theatre and were expecting a treat
sitting in the dark waiting for the film
It wasn’t the treat we expected, but we made the very best of it and decided to finish the afternoon off by treating ourselves to a gellato!
Yum yum!
Time to head home and get ready for an evening sail. I don’t have any photos of this as I was far too busy trimming sails, but the full moon rose behind Cape Cleveland and revealed its full glory like a bright red ball. Absolutely gorgeous! A beautiful sail in lovely breezes under the light of the moon, followed by a meal at the yacht club with our sailing friends and ready to support Queensland in the final match of State of Origin.
Im used to supporting Wales in rugby, and am getting the hang of League, but for me, there just isn’t enough singing!
Well, Queensland won – the 7th series in a row so the atmosphere in the pub was great
but I had to leave as soon as the match was over, so I left Tash to party the night away with her work friends (this one is a gorgeous tiny little creature called Paula), as I had to be up early as I had a serious date with Nemo the next day! Yes, I had to be up at 5.30 to drive to Alva Beach to catch a boat out to dive SS Yongala!
The Yongala is a ship which sunk 101 years ago off the coast and it has formed a wonderful reef full of sea life and it has become a bit of an addiction of mine!
Its great to have one of the Worlds Top Ten Dives an hours drive away from where you live and Im visiting it regularly. I did hope to see whales today, fingers firmly crossed – one did wave its fin to us on the surface when we arrived, but headed off with her calves by the time we got into the water. There was a brisk wind today, about 20+ knots and 3+meter waves. This was to much for the majority on the boat, and plenty of fish feeding took place! Im glad to say that my 14 weeks spent sailing around Britain had hardened my stomach and I didn’t turn green as many did. It was a relief to be in the water and visit my friends the marble rays again
These rays are huge and so graceful, if you stay still they swim right up to you and glide across you, its a wonderful feeling! My friend the turtle came for a swim too
Im house sitting this week as my friends are on holiday and Im looking after their dogs and their teenager (taking her on educational visits like yesterday!), I would like to think Im looking after her, but its a bit of give and take, and tonight she cooked for me
Gorgeous Lasagne
I was so grateful for a home cooked meal after a busy couple of days off. Its now Friday, back at work and oncall all weekend. Im already planning my next days off, just have to wait and keep smiling………
One Response to Making the best of being in Australia!