The Gold Coast, WA


We are visiting Australia and whilst most of our time will be spent in W.A. we have just returned from a week based on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

Gold Coast Skyline
Gold Coast Skyline

After taking the Jetstar “red-eye” flight from Perth we arrived in Brisbane early Sunday morning. We picked up our hire car and drove down to Mermaid Beach where we had breakfast at the Mermaid Beach Surf Life Saving Club. After breakfast we checked into our motel, The Mermaid Beach Motor Inn.

Mermaid Beach Motor Inn
Mermaid Beach Motor Inn

This motel provides basic accommodation and is looking a little tired but the bedding was clean and the rooms had aircon. After a much needed nap and freshen up we strolled along to Broad Beach where we had dinner at Max Seafood Restaurant. The food here was superb  and they served an amazing New Zealand Sole, it was huge.

This area really is geared to holidaying, partying and generally having a good time. We certainly managed to cram a lot in and, at times, it seemed that we were constantly on the move. In the few days we were there we managed to visit Sea World, Movie World, Draculas, The Australian Outback Spectacular and “Crikey” we also made it to  Australia Zoo.

The following are just a few snaps taken over the next five days. Firstly, some snaps taken at Sea World….

Rays - Sea World. They are in a touch pool and moved so gracefully with a ripple of their wings.
Rays – Sea World. They are in a touch pool and moved so gracefully with a ripple of their wings.
Alota Baloney, from the "Fish Detective" show at Sea World
Alota Baloney, from the “Fish Detective” show at Sea World
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The Fish Detectives from the “Fish Detectives” show, Sea World
Nest
Hungry Bird
Nose
An uplifting experience
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All together now !!!
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Is there any other way to travel ?

The following are from Warner Brothers Movie World. Unfortunately, my camera decided it didn’t like the heat on this day and stopped functioning so I don’t have any pictures from the spectacular stunt drivers show. So these are just a taster of some of the other attractions  ……

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Going Down – The Green Lantern coaster, Gold Coast
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A fairly tired western show ….
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….. so let’s bring on the dancing girls to liven things up.
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Scavengers
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A tribute to Marilyn. She actually had a good voice.
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It shoulda been me – Notice the empty seat. My belly stopped the safety bar from locking so I was thrown off the ride. Wild West Falls – Gold Coast
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Meeters and greeters

Australia Zoo is two hours away from Mermaid Beach but was well the drive. There’s lot’s to do, we were there until closing time and didn’t manage to see everything. Once again here is a taster……

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Australian Ibis – Australia Zoo
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Lizard – Australia Zoo
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Crocodile – Australia Zoo
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Fang – Female Crocodile – Australia Zoo
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Pretty Flower
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Lizard – Australia Zoo. These little fellows were all over the place, on the paths, in the restaurants. I had to check my rucksack to be sure I didn’t take one away.
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Koala – Australia Zoo
Hard to find one of these little fellows awake.
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Snake & handler – Australia Zoo. They brought these up to the audience on all sides of the arena. Never heard so much foot shuffling till that moment.
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Big Bird – Australia Zoo
Making a spectacular entrance to the arena. They did say what it was but, due to memory overload, I have forgotten.
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Another Big Bird – Australia Zoo
Again, due to memory overload, I have forgotten what this was.
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Lesser Spotted 5 Dollar Bill Bird – Australia Zoo
This cheeky chap has been trained to relieve members of the audience of their 5 dollar bills. If you look closely you can see he has it in his beak.
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Crocodile – Australia Zoo
This part of the show was all about demonstrating how these crocs move and how to avoid becoming a menu item. Needless to say the handlers do not take chances.
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Crocodile – Australia Zoo
Looking for his next snack. The handlers never turn their backs on this big boy.
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Crocodile – Australia Zoo
From a standing start a crocodile can launch nearly his full body length out of the water.
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Crocodile – Australia Zoo
Snack time
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Wombat – Australia Zoo
He wasn’t very happy, having his picture taken whilst taking a dump.
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Kookaburra – Australia Zoo
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Emerald Dove – Australia Zoo
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Tawney Frogmouth Owls – Australia Zoo
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Australian King Parrot – Australia Zoo
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Koala – Australia Zoo
Think this one likes jazz as he appears to be playing his “air double bass”
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Lizard – Australia Zoo
I was able to place my camera on the floor just a few inches away from this chap. He later came and sat with his foot on my sandal before running across my toes…it tickled.

On the last day we killed some time back at Sea World, before heading back to Brisbane Airport, to see some of the entertainment that we missed on our previous visit. Here are a few photos of some lunatics on seadoos….

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This visit concluded a very hectic week on the Gold Coast.

Although we have photo’s which were taken at Draculas and The Great Australian Outback Show they are commercial ones.  If I’m really brave i might post them at a later date.

Whiteman Park


Here I am, down in Western Australia. Perth to be exact and today has been our first full day. Yesterday, Sunday, was spent recovering from the journey.

We woke to a beautiful sunny, blue skies, day. We had decided to take a trip to Whiteman Park where we enjoyed a leisurely exploration of Caversham Wildlife Park and lunch in the on site Village Cafe.

Obviously I took photos and have posted a few here your pleasure. They are in no particular order.

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New View From The Conservatory


New View From The Conservatory

The new patio, completed after a lot of hardwork, provides a good platform for our new, relatively, garden furniture.

View From The Conservatory


Couple of snaps of this seasons squirrels who, once again, have proven themselves adept at getting past any obstacles that I put in their path in my failed attempts to stop them from stealing the bird feed.

Forward Observation
Forward Observation

Thieving Squirrel
Thieving Squirrel

32 Photos That Will Make Your Stomach Drop


Thanks to my nephew for posting the link on FB. I think it needs a broader audience.
32 Photos That Will Make Your Stomach Drop.

Blenheim Revisited – The Inside Story


About a year ago I posted about our visit to Blenheim Palace, about our picnic in the grounds and posted a few snapshots from that day. Well we have been back, specifically to view the inside.

So I present for your delectation a few snaps from Saturdays exploration.

Starting us off is the head of Winston Churchill, possibly England’s greatest Prime Minister.

The Great Man
The Great Man

Some of the youngsters out there may not realise that Winston Churchill was the inventor of one of their current favourite favourites, the”onesy”. Of course it wasn’t called that back in the day. I present for you the “SirenSuit”

Churchill's "onesy" or SIren Suit
Churhills “onesy” or SIren Suit

Invented during time of war, designed to be pulled on over your bedclothes and worn when you had to dash to the air raid shelter.

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Beautiful Dress

Below is the bedroom in which Churchill was born. Given the grandeur of Blenheim this room seems rather cosy by comparison.

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Bedroom where Churchill was born
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Ornate Clock
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Frieze – Just one small selection of many
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This small section is just a sample and this image cannot do justice to the skill and craftsmanship that went into creating Blenheim
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Organ Pipes – belonging to the Willis organ, at the north end of the Long Library. It was installed by the 8th Duke in 1891 and is the largest privately owned organ in Europe.
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A selection of ceremonial robes
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I’ve forgotten what this is, but it is impressive
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A Closer View
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One of many statues looking down on the Great Hall. Carved, I believe by Grinling Gibbons
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Tapestry
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Tapestry
Windows
Windows – Great Hall – Blenheim Palace
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Windows & Statues – Great Hall – Blenheim Palace

After touring the house we had a spot of lunch on the terrace, overlooking the water gardens.

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Lunch on the terrace – Water Gardens at Blenheim
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Water Gardens – Blenheim Palace
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Water Gardens – Blenheim Palace

As luck would have it, our visit to Blenheim coincided with a Mediaeval Tournament which was taking place in the grounds to the South of the palace. We strolled across the lawns, being buffeted by the quite strong winds that had blown up. The tournament was a jovial affair, presided over by King Henry

King Henry VIII - Jousting at Blenheim Palace
King Henry VIII – Jousting at Blenheim Palace
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Success – One ring captured
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A little more difficult this time. The ring was tossed into the air, rather than hanging from the pole.
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Acknowledging the applause
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Starting to the gallop
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Have at you sir !!!
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The Salute
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On my way !!!
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Missed
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A little bit of swordplay
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A dastardly knave sent packing
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Lap of Honour
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Lap of Honour
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Lap of Honour

After the excitement of the tournament we returned to the palace. New this year is ‘Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story’ an audio-visual trail through the history of Blenheim. It seemed a little disjointed at times but was very interesting although the theatre room left us a bit perplexed, not sure what they were trying to convey.

After a beautiful visit we set off for home but not before stopping at what is becoming a favourite of ours. The White Horse at Ampfield where we had a lovely meal. I would like to make a personal recommendation and that is, should you ever visit The White Horse, choose the Faggots. That is if they are on the menu. They are made by the butchers in the nearby village of Hursley. They are delicious and very filling.

Cheerio Pippa


Our house is a much quieter place since Pippa the Shih Tzu was picked up this morning. She has gone back home to be with her Mum who had been in hospital following an altercation with a paper boys bicycle.

Pippa

We think Pippa new something was afoot. Something in the way that she was following me around, being more of a shadow than usual. However, when she was collected she ran out the door and was gone without a single look back.

How is that for gratitude after we took you in ?

We will miss her company and her funny little ways but she is where she should be. Her Mum has missed her and they will be good company for each other.