Arriving back at our great friends house the Lockharts we set the bus up where it is to stay the next few weeks at Lake Manchester. Here we will spend some time exploring Brisbane area as well as spending some fun time with the Lockharts.

As well as a special guest DiDi to arrive for Archie's big 6th birthday. After the long way round DiDi was droppped off by here good friends Chris and Colin.

Being Rach and Stuey's 10th wedding anniversary they set off for a romantic weekend to South Stradbroke Island. We were privlidged and trusted enough to be left in charge of their beautiful children Askin and Harvey as welll as their home and animals.

Archie's 6th Birthday

A cake to be made and some yummy special reqested birthday food to be organised.

Breakfast of Coco pops then Gnoochi and garlic bread for dinner. Yummy and easy (great choice Archie)!!

Waking in the bus to some fanastic presents and well wishes thank you to everyone who was thinking of our special Archie on his birthday.

Saturday was the AFL final so the day was put aside to watch this, pitty it was such a white wash Hawthorn thrasehed Sydney much to Archie's disapiontment.

Lotte and Archie had lovely weekend playing and swimming with Askin and Harvey.

Monday we headed to North Stradbroke Island with DiDi and Chris for 3 nights. what a great island and right off Brisbane no wonder it is so popular.

With our units right on the beach we were able to get a couple of great sunsets in drinking Pimms ad eating dipps. What a way to spend the school holidays.

We weaned ourselves to children size ice- creams so we we could have a special homemande ice- cream each day.

Lotte and Archie attended a school holiday event with a local aboriginal guide taking them on an informative tour around the point. We were then all treated to our own specialed tour run by Lotte and Achie.

Archie and Tim sourced some local seafood, and seeing Stradbroke Is is situated by Morton Bay it was a must to purchase a feed of the local Morton Bay Bugs.

Just on departing the kids were lucky enough to see their first koala in the wild.

Thank you for a lovely few days DiDi and Chris.

Back to the Lockharts for the weekend.

A night by the bomb fire; marshmellow, singing with Rach and Melrose having a few happy Gin and tonics.

The next day was slow but we all had a lovely day at Collages Crossingfishing and canooing. 2 Brim caught, bike riding and much fun had playing with 2 kds -yes pet goats!!

A relaxing day riding bikes, swimming and hanging out at the Lockharts.

Sunday we drove into Brisbane to Southbank where we caught a free ferry around the Brisbane River. We then caught up with the Jonkers from Tom Price, how exciting and lovely to see them. We braved the faris wheel togehter which gave us a great view of Brisy and then had a swim in the Southbank pool. What a great spot with markets, food and etertainment along the Brisbane foreshore. (Hopefully we can organise some more catch up oportunities to spend some time with the Jonkers over the next few weeks.)

Monday 6th Oct we headed to Kingscliff to meet the Darcey's and Headlam's for 4 nights.

We booked into a cabin at Drifters Hoiliday Village and spent most of our time as guests at the Darcey and Headlam resort- Salt. We started to forget that we didn't actualy belong there.

We had a BBQ in the park, plenty of swimming in the pool, a few quite ales, a beach walk and lots of cousinly love.

On the Wednesday we headed to Byron Bay for a day trip. Educating the kids on ying and yang and teaching them about finding their inner self. Quote "dont do as society tells you."

We also met the Jonkers here again and had a fun time doing cart wheels, playing football, flying Tim's kite, watching whales, eating icecream and catching up.

Funnily catching them again at Cape Byron Lighthouse having a look at the most easterly point of Australian mainland.

We thought Byron Bay may have been over rated but found it quite a pretty spot.