MOVING OUT

Earlier this year Mel decided it was time for her to spread her wings and move out. This momumental event took place while we were away cruising at Easter. It is still a work in progress but the majority of her goodies have finally been moved to their new home in Werribee where she is now sharing a house with two of her girlfriends and two guys as well. It is strange not having her at home and we do miss her company but it was time for her to be with young people not with a couple of old fogies like us. I know she is going to hate this photo but couldnt find a more recent one, so when I do will change it Mel.

Next project for her father is to collect her new bed from her grandparents in Ballarat which hopefully will happen next week. In the meantime Craig is settling nicely into her old room and making himself at home.

MORE CRUISE PHOTOS

More photos. These were taken on the formal night when we all dressed for dinner in the Palm Court Dining Room. Also the wonderful easter eggs and fruit and vegetable carvings made by the chefs.And last but not least the four of us won the tv theme's trivia contest in the piano bar on the last night - our prize - you guessed it drinks from the bar. More cocktails to end a wonderful night and a great cruise.

CRUISING

Some more photos from the cruise. Phil and I outside our stateroom, our stateroom and the passageway that went on forever. Also a couple of photos from Noumea. Us on the grand stairway at about 12.00am in the morning.

HARRY CONNICK JNR

Last night Trish and I went to see Harry Connick Jnr at the Palais in St Kilda. Trish had bought the ticket for me for my birthday and I have to say it was a great night. He has to be one of my favourite performers and it was wonderful to be able to sit and listen to him sing and play for just over two hours. The music was pure New Orleans blues and the trombone and trumpet players were in a class of their own as were the rest of the band. Harry as always was in his element playing his favourite music.

Thank you Trish for taking me and giving me such a night of music pleasure.

CRUISING

We have just spent a wonderful 7 days aboard the Pacific Dawn cruising to Noumea and the Isle of Pines.

As you can see from the photo it was a lovely afternoon when we headed out of Sydney but unfortunately the weather didnt hold up and by the time we reached Noumea it was raining heavily. We did a coach tour of Noumea and visited the aquarium there which was good. After we had lunch we did a walk around the city area and looked at the shops. Things are very expensive in Noumea so we didnt do any shopping there. Back on the boat the Captain advised us that there was cyclone approaching and that we would be now heading for the Isle of Pines and that hopefully we would miss the worst of the cyclone which we did. As it was raining when we reached the Isle of Pines we didnt go ashore deciding to have a quite day on board. The following day we arrived at Divine Island and this time we went ashore. Beautiful sandy beaches and blue water.

We have eaten some fantastic meals, been waited on, danced the night away in the Dome, seen some wonderful artists performing, played trivia, had dancing lessons and met a lovely couple Lyn and Jeff from Sydney who we spent a lot of time with. Thank you Lyn for introducing me to the delights of the cocktail hour and the piano bar. Even Phil had a go at drinking a cocktail or two.

We are now back home, I have returned to work and life is slowly getting back to normal.

MY BIRTHDAY

Thank you to everyone for making my birthday special. The flowers and chocies from Brenda and Tammie, the Clark's for the ticket to see Harry Connick Jnr, the Kellys for the voucher to A & G, more books, Mel for the new knitting basket and baubles and Dearne for the lovely travel journal for our trip. Thanks also for the cards, visits, phone calls. And last but not least to Phil for the next lot of Foyles War dvd's and a lovely shirt and a cruise to Noumea.

Now I need to go and pack for our trip.

So keep an eye out for all our holiday snaps when we get back next week.

RACING PHILLIP ISLAND

MORE PHOTOS

Some more photos Ian took at Phillip Island.