Byron Bay

This past weeekend, Phil and I went to Byron Bay, about a 6 hour drive from Bundaberg, to meet up with Phil's cousin, Jude, and their friend Dave. Even though the drive was long, it was well worth it. It was wonderful to see Jude again and to meet Dave, who is really nice. We got to chill out in a variety of pubs and Phil and I took a walk down the beach in Byron, which is gorgeous (it's almost as nice as the Tulum beach, mom!). The sand is white and very fine and the beach was almost deserted, even though it was a long weekend. We had a wicked time and would definetly go back.

While we were there, Phil and I did a few dives at Julian Rocks. Julian Rocks is a (somewhat choppy) 10 min boat trip away from the main beach and has a bunch of different dive sites. The visibility out there was incredible - about 25 m! We went to the Cod Hole first (top of the map on the right) which was about 20 m deep and had loads of cool big stuff. We saw several leopard sharks and a nurse shark that was about 3 m long! It was wicked, and though it's not a mean kind of shark, it was still a bit of a jolt to see something to big and shark-like drift into view. The leopard sharks (see photo) were very pretty - they have tails that look a bit like an eel's tail. We also got to see several turtles, including one that drifted to the surface when we did our safety stop and two that looked like they were flirting at the bottom (on the second dive).

Our second dive was from the Nursery to the Needles and was very colourful. While the first dive featured mostly big stuff, the second dive had many more big schools of fish and the coral was gorgeous. We saw about three nice little moray eels peering out from their homes and a few big lobsters in a big crack in the rock. We saw loads of big box fish which are a personal favorite of mine and one of the reasons I wanted to dive in the first place (Phil and I saw them during a snorkeling trip in Acapulco). Our divemaster for the second dive seemed a bit more into it and showed us a lot of cool stuff that would be easy to overlook if you didn't know the area. All in all, great diving and the company (Sundive) was really good.

An unexpected surprise was that Marcus, Phil's brother, gave him a ring when we were out for a yummy curry dinner on Friday (hmm... chicken korma). He called back a few hours later when we were out of the restaurant and could actually hear him and I got to speak to him! He's very cheery and easy to talk to and it was really nice to get a chance to talk to more of Phil's family. He and his wife, Nicola, are coming out to see the Ashes (cricket for the Canadians) next New Year which sounds like a lot of fun (especially now that I understand a bit about how to play it). Anyway, it was an added bonus to an already fantastic weekend.

More Photos!

I know this picture doesn't really do it justice, but here is our corrugated shower in all its glory. James asked if it made me feel like I was in prison and he's probably not far off. It is tiny and Phil had the pleasure of finding a cockroach in it the other day before he hopped into the shower.

Here are a few photos of what we get to see when we look out our big bay window (the one that unfortunately leaks, which we found out the weekend before last when we had to mop up 2" of water). The view is gorgeous! Hmmm.. living just a few meters away is wonderful - the view is great, the breeze cools everything off (but dirties your glasses like crazy) and the chance to swim whenever you want is fantastic.

This first one was taken early in the morning when the sun was low. Phil took the other one before we took off to Byron Bay to show his cousin (Jude). We get to sit in those very chairs in the evening, sipping wine and watching the stars.

I have also included a picture of Spidey, the spider who is growing huge in our front doorway. The picture here is him in the cross that he built in this web that has since disappeared. It was really cool, though. He is much bigger now that he was before (probably in part due to Phil who has tossed up a few bugs to keep Spidey fat and happy) and he's as quick as lightning. I probably don't need to say it, but I make sure that I don't loiter under his web for fear that he'll drift down on my shoulder.

For those of you who don't know, my dad got me a wicked Christmas gift this year - the gift of sock monsters (or Stupid Sock Creatures, as they're officially called). You can check a few out at http://www.stupidcreatures.com/gallery.html if you want to take a look. Anyway, I made one on Christmas day which I gave to my dad in thanks of the book (he named him Orpheus and he was made from a traditional grey wool sock, the kind with the red and white stripe at the end). Since I don't have much to do in the day time, I have made two more such creatures - Arold (the tall one) and Charlton (who I gave to Phil as a present). You can see them pictured here in all their glory. I have also included one of Arold and I chilling out on the couch watching tv before I found him some eyes.

Even Phil is getting in on the action and is almost done his very own monster (he just has to sew on the arms and eyes). They're very addictive little guys to make.

Photos!

Hey everybody!

This is Phil before the great cutting that happened in Clovelly (Sydney) the day before we left. Poor Phil left with no shaggy, hippy hair. It was so nice and long!

This is Phil pumping gas on the way to Bundaberg - notice his much reduced quantity of hair

And now for the part I know you've all been waiting for - the virtual tour of the house! We are staying at a nice little house right on the beach in Bargara. I don't have a picture of the outside, but it's bright yellow and wonderful.

This is out kitchen. The layout is open so the kitchen and living room are essentially one great big room, which is perfect because you can get some great air circulation with the fan on and the windows open, enough to keep the place cool in the day time.

This is a picture facing the other way of our "living room" which has a few sofas and not much else. This i Phil before going to work on his second day, lucky guy. Kate, you would love this place. It's painted with such a pretty bright blue and the whole place is so colourful.

I hate to do this, but I have to run before I complete my picture uploading. This gives you an idea of where we're living, though. All you need to do is picture a smallish bedroom, a piping hot spare bedroom and a bathroom where the shower is - no joke - made of corrugated metal!

Miss ya!
Andrea

Just settled in Bundy and Bargara!

Hi kids!

For whatever reason, this computer is not allowing me to upload some images. This is the only map I could find giving you an idea of where Bundaberg is - near the bottom, by the big "14".

Anyhoo, things are great Down Under. I arrived January 4, 2006 and Phil and I spent the first few days in Sydney. We caught up with his cousin, Jude, and hung out at Coogie beach and in Clovelly where Jude lives and where we were staying. I also got to meet Phil's aunt and uncle who were fabulous! It was really nice meeting some more of his family - it gives me a bit of practice as his parents are coming out sometime this year. I can't wait!

We left Sydney Jan 6 and started our 1300 km (approx) drive up to Bundaberg. We took a quick nip inland to see some gorgeous interior sights (for those who have been to Aus, we went to the weird hippy town of Nimbin) and got to Bundy on the morning of the 9th, only to find that no accomodation had been set up. We wanted to stay out in the little beach town of Bargara, about 12 km out of town. We spent a good two days getting a place sorted out, finally finding Sapphires on Miller where we're staying. I forgot my digital camera back at home, but I will come and upload a bunch of pictures of the place, giving you all a "virtual tour" of our new home. It is wonderful - big enough for the two of us, plenty of storage and right on the beach. The water is literally 6 m from our patio door - how can you beat that?!? Also, I would like to mention that there is a lack of both sharks and stingy jellyfish, let's hope that continues.

There is a nice little dive shop in town and apparently you can do some nice dives right off the rocks on the shore! Also, there is a manufactured dive sight with some boats and planes sunk just 3 miles out to sea. I am very excited about getting back in the water and getting a bit more experienced.

Phil started back at work yesterday in relatively good spirits. I won't say he sprang out of bed, but I didn't have to drag him out, either. His first day and a half have been good, no one passing out in his chair yet.

As for me, I am supposed to be updating my resume as we speak - I should really get on that. I will start looking in earnest next week, hopefully something will come along before too long.

I hope you are all really well - those in Canada, I miss you already.

Andrea