Happy(ish) Birthday!

 Saturday (19th) was my birthday. It was a drizzly kind of day on the Tablelands Farm. I didn't do anything special and Mr Sparky well ... hmmm ... he wasn't in the good books for most of the day.

 

 

I poked around with my camera in the morning taking pics of the weather... of the drips.

 

 

And pics of the calves. Some didn't care less that I was there but there where a couple of curious ones.

 

 

 

Later on out the window this fellow was spotted grooming himself in the misty rain.

 

 

 

 

I went to my sisters Surprise Baby Shower (sorry for the unflattering shot) via Skype.

Now that was something I'd never done before.

 

 

Here are a couple more pictures thanks to Sis C's mother in law.

There is me drooling over their yummy treats.

 

 

And here is one of Sis C and me. She only has one week to go now ... exciting!

 

 

I cooked myself a cake ... well I cooked the cake I had bought to cook for Mr Sparky to eat at the farm. He enjoyed it.

 

 

In the early afternoon between drizzly showers I found more Rosella's (by the way the bird grooming itself above was a Crimson Rosella) having themselves an afternoon snack in the calf paddock.

 

 

I'll post more photos of these hungry little characters in a bit, they deserve a post of their own.

 

In the late afternoon Mr Sparky redeemed himself and took me for a drive to check out the river and to see if some cherry guavas where ripe.

 

 

 

He then cooked me dinner ... steak and veg.

And there you go another birthday bites the dust.

 

How do you normally celebrate your birthday? Have you ever had a real fizzer one?

 

I did get a rather exciting pre Birthday surprise though ... Mr Sparky and I signed our lives away on a rental in Cairns the day before and were handed the keys.

YAY! We have a home now.

Tablelander

 

I have two Northern homes. For the most part we will be in Cairns but a lot of our weekends will be spent on the Atherton Tablelands. Now I've shown you around the Tablelands back here and I have to say they are still as beautiful as ever although some areas aren't getting the rain they should be at this time of year.

 

 

 

Now who am I to complain about that torturous drive up and down the Gillies Range (those who get travel sick beware, even driving I get queasy) when I get to spend my days looking at views like this ... 

 

 

... even if it is while I am being an off sider to doing this ...

 

 

Yep that's me chick of all trades ... pity the pay isn't great, cough it up Mr Sparky LOL.

 

 

So a lot of my weekends will be spent on The Farm, which happens to be a dairy ... and timber mill apparently. Anyone after a slab of timber?

 

Mr Sparky's brother, Little P, bringing in the cows.

 

The calves inspecting and using boards we cut as a
scratching post.

 

The calves LOVE the fresh saw dust and are into it
as soon as we move away.

 

I look out the kitchen window and what do I see?
A Rainbow Lorikeet looking at me.

 

Peek-a-boo

 

 

Spot the parrot, real characters these ones.
I love the bird life right outside the window here.

 

A very clear morning.

 

The calves.

 

Cows grazing.

 

Brand new calf ... can you see it against its mummy?

 

Because it is so wet there is plenty of plant life
growing of posts and trees.

 

A fresh, green morning. Idyllic.

 

 

Gone Tropo

Well it is official, Mr Sparky and I have gone tropo ... oh and yes we are still alive.
You know that Graham Conners' song 'A Little Further North' well I think that's me except I've headed a LOT further north. Actually a lot of his songs are relevant ... okay off track.


 

 

 Our new home,Cairns is definitely the tropics.

We've been here a week and a half so far and today I took a look down at the Esplanade with the tide in. I really thought it was about time I made my way down there, seeing as I live here and all. Plus it means I get to share the tropics with you.

 

(By the way deciding on whether to go for a tropical blog name and leaving my good old Grit and Giggles in the outback. Any ideas?)

 

One of the strips of 'sand' down along the Esplanade looking North.
I love the look of mountains meeting the sea.

 

Along the Esplanade is lovely green, leafy parkland.

 

Some old, dead fern leaves. They look like lace.

 

Lacy fingers.

The Cairns 'beach' is a mud flat so there is a lot more bird life
than the typical beach.

 

Can you spot the birds?

 

Flight across the water.

 

 

The port with mountains in the distance.

 

Tourist business never stops with boats and choppers heading
backwards and forwards to the islands and reef.

A lone pelican.

 

Just keep swimming.

 

Looking out over the water.

It is a big change for both of us living in a city but I am sure it will have its advantages, the traffic however is not one of them.

This is it ...

 

This is it my last night on the station, at least for a while. I look around and see empty walls, the building feels hollow, sounds hollow. My car, however, is not and except for food it is packed and ready to head out the gate tomorrow morning. I am excited for the future and what it will bring but sad to be leaving. For me I don't think the leaving permanently has sunk in. I am going to miss the families I work for and their kids. They are my outback family and together we have been through a lot of ups and downs but I wouldn't trade the experiences we've had together for the world.

 

P.S. Sorry for the lack of posts, it has been pretty hectic around here but catch up will happen as there are some exciting things to share.