A NEW YEAR BEGINS

2010 HERE WE COME

Drove to Hervey Bay to see my father over the christmas break. It was 1995 kms (1293 miles) to his house. Quite a drive. My sister and her husband came with us.

My father is 86 years old and the doctors say that his body is slowly shutting down.

He was quite well when we got there which was great to see.

As it is Summer here the weather was supposed to be warm - not so in Queensland.

I think it rained nearly every day we were at my fathers.

We went to Mount Tamborine along the way where there is an area called Gallery Walk.

We went there a few years ago and I was looking forward to showing my sister how good it was. I must say I was a little disappointed this time as there were not as many good Galleries and Craft shops as before. Lots of coffee shops and restaurants so of course we had to have a coffee.

We went to Dundowran Beach where Max and I had a great walk.

Max took this shot - he's getting quite artisitic

Sometimes he is the one to say grab the camera in case we see something for the blog

I took this one looking through the roots of a tree on the foreshore

HIGHLIGHT OF MY TRIP

The highlight of my trip (also the sunniest day)was calling in on our drive home to see Cathy Penton at her and Angela's shop Simple Things Small Joys at 10522 New England Highway Highfields - open Thursday to Sunday 9-00 til 4.30pm

The shop is in a great little craft village called Abbie Lane. The first shop you see is a relocated converted church. Cathy and Angela's shop is in a little group of 5 shops behind the Church.

Anyone heading that way - make sure you call in, believe me you won't be disappointed

Here is a photo of Cathy, her gorgeous daughter Kirstie and I.

Max quickly snapped this one (with Cathy's permission of course)

The shop looks fabulous. Click on the photos to enlarge them and get a better look.

This display table looks great

These HOME charms are in the table above.

Hard to see with the reflection of the overhead light fitting in the shot

I think I could just about live in this shop - it is just sensational

Couldn't leave without adding to my charm collection

Had to get a couple of A's for Alison, a sweet oval You/Me and I just love this bevelled glass beauty

Just check out the glass - love it

This is the reverse side of the charms

Beautiful

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year with their family and loved ones.

CHRISTMAS DAY

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM

MOUNT MARTHA BEACH

This morning as is the usual for Max and I on a Christmas morning it was breakfast on the beach

One special thing was this writing on the beach

It says 'Pumpkin will you marry me'

Our son Daniel proposed to his girlfriend Candice

From behind the boatsheds this is what we saw

Aaahhh....how sweet

Of course she said yes.

The four of us then had breakfast on the beach.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.
Tomorrow we head off (driving) to Queensland to see my 86 year old father who isn't very well.
On the way home I hope to call into Cathy Penton and Angela Osment's shop Simple Things Small Joys in Highfields

See you all again about 10th January.

My store Alison by the Bay will be closed until 10th January.

Any purchases or emails made will be dealt with on 11th January