Over the last couple of months Mark and I have ventured down south to work on clearing Dad’s property. It was an emotional first visit back in December when we couldn’t even see the road, but slowly we are beating back the lantana and other weeds to reclaim the land. Continue reading…

This Australia day weekend we were busy working on our property up the mountain. Since our last visit Steve Hart (the local farmer) had been up and slashed the road for us. He said it only took him 15 minutes and would cost $15 – the best 15 bucks we’ve ever spent! We could actually walk up the road this time rather than crawling on our hands and knees. It was a rainy, misty weekend and we both had a great time getting in and doing some hard physical labour. It feels like another world up there. We even participated in the annual McKellar Range work day and had a BBQ with all the old-timers.

We had an amazing Australian Christmas this year. We were spoiled by Keith and Micky who had arranged a very special celebration at their home in Bangalow, NSW. They have an amazing home and are great hosts so it was a treat to be invited to theirs for Christmas. Bangalow also has a great street party on Christmas Eve with a samba marching band and all! After a welcome cocktail (cosmo of course) we headed down to join the festivities and had a delicious dinner at Ate. On Christmas day there were a few sore heads but nothing that couldn’t be soothed by Mickey’s delicious Eggs Benedict. After a rest we all piled into the car to Broken Head for a picnic (a scrumptious smoked chicken and mango salad with champagne) and a swim. All in all a very memorable first Australian Christmas for Mark and I. Thanks boys!

After Christmas we went up to Dad’s property in the McKellar Range. The property hasn’t been lived on for fifteen years so it was a feat to make it up to the house. The land is completely overgrown and the driveway is not drivable. Continue reading…

It has been a stressful couple of weeks, but we have finally moved into our flat and I am now gainfully employed! It took a lot of energy to get here, but we did it. I wish someone would have told me the amount of pressure moving and getting set up puts on you. To anyone who is thinking of moving cities or countries: be healthy and strong because your body will need it. Unfortunately, I haven’t been so lucky. After six gleeful years living without a doctor in the UK I have been to the doctor twice in the six weeks I’ve been back in Australia. I’ve had the flu, cracked a rib, put my back out, got a rash and lost weight!

Putting the dramas and injuries aside, we are both loving Brisbane and the surrounding areas. Continue reading…