Hey guys!!

Hoep you are all well!Thought I would send you a little update of how things are going here!!

We are a lot more settled at the new house- and just like when you are moving house- things eventually start coming out of boxes and you start having the usual things like cooking utensils and stuff!! So thats good as the family can start to settle in! Me? I dont know what settling in means anymore!! lol Although- I have unpacked my bag which is totally HUGE for me!! I forgot half the stuff that was in it!! So it is wierd for me to see all my stuff on shelves and stuff!! lol

Because Nikki had to fly to Melbourne today and tomorrow (Mon & Tues) for work, and Brett still has to work I have 2 very long days today and tomoorrow! Today I started working at 6.30am and have just put the kids to bed now at 7.30pm- long day!! And I have tomorrow to look forward too!!Anyway, because I had a few long days coming up the family gave me Friday off and suggested I go away for the weekedn which was a great idea!! I wanted to head to Byron Bay and Surfers Paradise on the weekends anyway!!

So on Thursday night (very last minute) I decided to book my ticket to Byron Bay!! Was really excited as I have heard loads about Byron Bay and its seaside town charms so I was really looking forward to it!! Although when I got up at 5am the next morning to go I wasnt feeling so enthusiastic!! lol So I travelled into Brisbane and caught the Greyhound the next morning. It only takes a few hours to get to Byron but what with the time difference (NSW Daylight savings time and the fact that Queensland doesnt have daylight savings- very confusing!) I wasnt really too sure how long the journey was! About 3 hours I think with a stop in Surfers Paradise. So I arrived around midday and immediatly saw the charm I had heard so much about!! It kind of reminded me of another seaside village called Hemsby which my parents took me to as a kid. The great thing about Byron is that it has lots of character and charm without all the big chain stores and commercialisation.

The hostel I stayed in was a sweet little hostel with a pool and big bedroom and the most comfy bed ever!! It also had some great people and I met some great people staying in my room. Shana from Canada, (cant prononce name) from Middle east, a gril from germany so we had quite a giggle in the few days I was there!!

I spent most of my first day checking out Byrons charms and looking around the seaside town- the bach, the main parade of shops and all that- very sweet and cosy!! For a tourist spot!! The beach went on as far as the eye could see, with beautiful blue and green waters, and of course- loads of surfers!!

The following day, me and Shana took a treck to Byrons famous light house and also the most easternly point of the australian mainland which is near the lighthouse. Was a treck as well- uphill on a nice hot sunny day!! not good! lol Was worth it though when we got to the top and saw the views over the lovely beaches of Byron Bay!! The weather wasnt too great while I was there- the first 2 days were cloudy with the odd 5 minute shower but still warm so I decided against laying on the beach! That afternoon I was wandering around the town when I came accross a tattoo parlour- I know I shouldnt have but I went in to look at the designs- and of course I found one I loved!! I did try and do the sensible thing and think it through and walk away but 10 minutes later I was back there saying do it now!! So 20 minutes later I had a new tat. It is on the inside of my wrist on my right hand. Its mongolian wirting that means family. My family mean the world to me and I wanted to do something that meant something to me and them that will always stay with me. So there it is.

That evening we went to the world famous cheeky monkeys. I couldnt go to Byron Bay and not go in there!! Just so happended that the night I went there was a male strip show. It was actually more funny than anything else- watching all these drunk backpackers trying to take thier clothes off and falling over in the process- very amusing!! Once they had finished making prats out of themselves it was party time- which meant beer and dancing on tables!! Great!! As you can imagine I had a great night....

On Sunday, I headed down to Byron Bay market which was kind of like the farmers markets I used to do- only on a much bigger scale and selling everything!! Food, clothes, candles, all sorts of hippy stuff- you name it and it was there!! So it was great walking around there looking at all the wierd and wonderful things on show!! After the market I found this smaill congregation of hippy/ abo people sitting in a circle playing the drums, well thats how it started!! By the time I left- the amount of people playing the drums had doubled- all sorts of random people arrived with various instruments and joined in as well as loads of people dancing (kind of) in the middle of this circle!! Kind of reminded me of Strawberry fair (for those of you who know it) The funny things about it (other than the crazy people and crazy dancing) was that all these people had different instruments and were all palying along- no-one following any kind oif music-0 just a random beat- but it actually sounded really good!! I spent a while there watching all these peop[le play and dance without a care in the world- all in bare feet of course!! This gave me a real feel for the way of life there...chilled!

I spent the afternoon sunbathing and chilling out on the main beach at Byron bay, watching the world go by!! Wanted to try out surfing while i was in Byron but due to the weather and timings it wasnt possible which I was a bit bummed out about but there will be plenty of other oppertunites so im not that worried!! I went for a swim in the hostel pool instead which surficed nicely! Not long afterwards it was time to finish my holiday and go back to work! So I left Brisbane around 6 ish and arrived in Brisbane around 9 after again stopping off in Surfers Paradise (cant wait to go back there and be able to stop and look around!! Looks totally fab!!). I stayed in Brisbane until about 11.30pm before I headed back to the house for a well earned good nights sleep!!

Little did I know that it was all go at 6.30am this morning!! So I have been taking care of the children since then, it is now 10pm and Im all alone in the new house (really scared acually as the street is kind of in the middle of no where, no street lights and no [pavements and to top it pff there are possums climbing on the roof and giant fruit bats outside making all kinds of starnge noises!!) waiting another few hours for someone to come home and take over so I can go to bed!! And lucjy me, I have to do it all again tomorrow!!

We actually have a play group to go to tomorrow morning so I am going to feel like a real mum!! argh!! I think they are actually writing letters to Santa as well which is kind of freaking me out, what with that and the xmas decorations being put up in Brisbane its making me feel really starnge!! Technically, I am on holiday therefore they are not allowed to put decorations up as usually I am at home for xmas!! Not only that but it HOT!! Its always freezing on the lead up to xmas!! Its going to put me all out of sorts this year!! I dont think im even going to see it coming!! lol

Right well I better go and get a good nights sleep ready for the days events tomorrow!!

I hope you have all started your xmas shopping and its not making you all too grumpy what with the bad weather you have all been having...:o)

Miss and Love you lots xxx