MMDown Under

Sob - Fly has committed suicide in my fresh cup of tea. I'll have to find those little crocheted things with beads to put on my cups as well as glasses.

You'll be able to see my ship "Resilient Lady" on Saturday and Sunday overnight 13/14.1.24. Do many ships stop overnight?

Just watched a fly crawl down a glass to check out his dead friends, then crawl out and fly away. Admired his skill. Just killed fruit flies by covering my prize apricots with water, which are an expensive luxury in Queensland. Safe now in fridge

The Gold Coast is currently inundated with flies and mosquitos, after all the rain and local flooding. Mosquitos - This morning, I had to put Bushman repellent on in my own house. Flies - Flies keep committing suicide in my fresh orange juice. I must remember to cover my juice! Fruit Flies - Attracted by fresh tropical fruit. Eat before fruit gets too ripe or put in refrigerator. Midges - I keep away from gardening at dusk to avoid being eaten by midges. Does anyone remember those glass "things", where the flies can get in, but not get out?. I thought they were revolting, sitting on the kitchen table, but I'd love one now. Also those "sticky tape things" which hung from the ceiling?. Also those fly spray "things"? Anything to let flies know they are not welcome here. I live in an house like a tent. Heaven forbid, I fall asleep with my mouth open to discover a dead fly in my mouth (as happened sleeping outside on a verandah on a Queenslander in the bush.) Be prepared visitors to the Gold Coast. .

When I visited Vancouver, Canada, I envied locals their variety of visiting cruise ships.

Forgot to mention, I also know someone who got hit from behind by a person out of control in Central Park. She spent many months recovering from her injuries. I don't know what authorities were thinking allowing Segway tours in tourist areas. Although I imagine tours would be more regulated than individual rentals. I have enough trouble hearing the bell on bikes on shared pathways. My daughter warns me long before I see the possible danger.

It must be wonderful to live in a place from which ships come and go. When we stayed at Parnell, I

What is the itinerary?

I know someone who fell off her bike on the first day of a on a boat cruise in Europe, who broke her leg and caused her whole party to cancel. I guess you were lucky and I'm risk adverse.

I think Segway tours are a tourist hazard and dangerous for the elderly like me.

I hope you are joking.

Thanks for such a wonderful recommendation as Ki Maha Restaurant. Ive been trying to book and it says my email address is invalid. Says I must accept terms and conditions which I had already done. Asked in Notes how to get there from the ferry. Would we need to hire a car on the island? Our previous meal highlight was a cold call at Huka Lodge.

Wednesday, 10/1 - 16-25 Sunny 1% rain, Weather looks great.

Sorry keyboard jams when I type too fast. Does anyone know how many passengers are booked on Resilient Lady from Auckland departing 12/1? Just a few on roll call. Where is everyone? Decided to take a few of my new books with me.

Yes I am a museum person I love the Auckland War Memorial Museum. That will be my go to place, if the weather is miserable. Getting close enough to check out the weather forecast. I don't tend to visit Maritime Museums but I'm sure I would enjoy it. That will be my go to place if the weather is miserable. I have stayed at Devonport and agree the view of Auckland skyline was impressive. Does anyone have access to how many passengers will be on Reiselient L

thanks a lot. not a lover of oysters, but wrong season for whitebait is a disappointment. i will definitely check Ki Maha Restaurant out. we have driven around the island and used public transport but it has been awhile. I think the island is Auckland's secret. I recall enjoying walking around the harbour. As we usually have a car, we head for the beautiful Bay of Islands or the Coromandels

Where would you take your visitor for two days in Auckland. Wednesday evening 10/1, Thursday 11/1, Friday 12/1 prior to cruise departure (final boarding 4pm?). Any live theatre for those dates? Where I take visitors is not where cruise ship excursions usually go. Are roses out at Parnell? Is it still nice to walk around the Harbour and the waterfront. Waiheke Island day tours. Davenport Auckland by ferry Is it the right time of year for whitebate? Best seafood/fish and chip shops? Best Maori cafes? Best Pavlova? Best Kiwi desserts to try. What Kiwi lollies/chips should I buy to take on 11 day cruise (I have crystallised ginger for seasickness), honey and eucalyptus and.eucalyptus drops (all sealed). Can you buy a ticket on Auckland public transport or do you buy an OPAL type card? I will also have an overnight stop at Tauranga. Did I mention I absolutely love the brilliant itinerary of my cruise departing Auckland on 12/1, with two overnight stops at Tauranga and Sydney, NSW, arriving in Melbourne in time for Australian Open and Australia Day.

Thanks I will any recommendations for flavour?

I seem to recall parts of tamborine mountain requires power for water.

I have a vintage General Motors Fridge, which I couldn't give away, which I turn on every Christmas to keep excess food and drinks really cold. When we lost power, like everyone else, my daughter was able to buy two bags of ice from Woolies. Local servo had sold out of ice. I just checked a week later, there is a little of Woolies ice left, but the freezer is frozen over and badly needing defrosting. All content kept in perfect condition. Who would have thought this old fridge would have saved the day at Christmas/New Year 2023/24! Its previous claim to fame was the coldest drinks and watermelon in Queensland hot summers.

Yes I understand, but how do they get the mother culture to start the process?

I understand I feel the same way. It is "the Coast" to locals, only differentiated between South or North. Anglers Paradise, such a perfectly named suburb name, suffered the indignity of becoming a place name in Runaway Bay (Sounds like a TV show)

I did this, after a lovely walk along the edge of a golf course.

I got drenched putting the rubbish bins out. I had to wade through wide gutters due to torrential rain. Yes, we had thunder soundtrack also. Never seems right in daylight. Wishing everyone a healthy Happy New Year. With memories ot those who have passed during the year. In Scotland, I went first footing which is the tradition of the first foot in the house after midnight strikes on New Years eve. I remember it was good luck if the first footer was a tall dark stranger. I failed the tall bit. We took a piece of coal. Anyone know why? They don't get sad on New Year's Eve, but on Christmas midnight. Any wonder I love Scotland.