Back home and Visitors...

Our stay in Port Douglas was a fantastic break but there's no place like home.

Ree, Joel and Jesper came to Yungaburra after the wedding to spend a few days with us. We all had a lovely time and it was so nice to have some fun with Jesper, who has grown so much since we last saw him.

Jesper and Freja became best mates. She kept on following him every step of the way, wanting to play. And when she was tired, Jesper would go and get her and say "...Follow me!..."

We went fishing for red claws and luckily had a good catch on the second day.

My little helper looking for floats

Going home

I'm very comfortable... Thank you!

Then, it was time to say good bye…

Last clean up

...And hello to my son Steve and Colin, who came for a couple of days.

Technology was the main topic of their visit.

My computer had finally died a couple of weeks earlier (that explains why the delay in adding posts…) and they helped with shopping for a new one, and installing it for me. Thanks Steve!

While he was busy with the computer, Colin connected our Home Stereo Theatre components to the TV, that still after 8 months, needed attention. What a great help that was. Thanks Colin!

We are so lucky and grateful that our private technicians decided to visit us!

Svenne took them for a tour of the lake, which Liana enjoyed thoroughly.

Mum and Liana getting acquainted

My favourite position!

I love the boat!

We celebrated mum's 85th birthday, while they were here, with  a nice lunch, cake  and a bottle of bubbly, which she appreciated very much.

Happy Birthday mum!

Looking like a little girl...

Enjoying the bubbly...

Again, time to say good bye, but they will come back… soon hopefully!

Last hugs

We're now having another batch of visitors, two of Svenne's old friends, Leif and Brian.

Thanks to the caravan, that Svenne bought two months ago and sits in the garden, we haven't felt crowded, it's like an extra bedroom… on wheels.

Our spare bedroom

Freja is going to miss her new friend Liana. As you can see they really enjoyed each other.

I think you're my mummy...

Joel and Ree's Wedding

On 11th February, Ree and Joel got married in Port Douglas.  Beautiful wedding!

Svenne went on the Wednesday to be part of the "bucks" celebration which was a fishing trip on a charter boat "Joe Joe", organized in Joel's honour.

From what I heard they had a fabulous time and weather, but unfortunately no fish… I don't really think the main interest was fishing if you ask me!

On the way...

That's the life!...

What a feeling!

I went down on the Friday afternoon leaving mum and Freja to look after the house.

The wedding took place at John's house in Port Douglas, which overlooks the sea. What a location!

It was a beautiful sunny day for the occasion.

Very proud grand-father with Jesper

I now pronounce you husband and wife!

Mr and Mrs Andersson

Congratulations!

Picture time...

Father and daughter

Brother and sister

Marika and Byron

Svenne and me

Marika and me

Once the ceremony was over and pictures taken, we all walked down to the "Salsa Bar and Grill" restaurant only minutes  from the house, set in a lovely tropical atmosphere.

There, we were all treated like royalty by the staff with an  amazing five stars' menu and drinks on demand.

Cutting the cake

Speech time

Maybe too many drinks combined with the heat and humidity affected all of us.

But Svenne delivered his speech like a pro…

To sum it up it was  an excellent time enjoyed by all. But a picture is better than a thousand words...

All the best to Mr and Mrs Andersson

Beginning of 2012

Happiness  was in full force at the dawn of the New Year!

The last fishing trip of the year, on 31st December,  we had a good catch of red claws, 30 of them in just one night. And big ones too!

Just caught!

Good size...

  Freja came with us in the boat and she really enjoyed looking at those big nippers in the bucket… As well as looking at the water over the boat. She was exhausted after that outing and so was the captain… So off they went for a kip before the celebrations started.

Having a kip!

  New Year was celebrated quietly (well, sort of...) with a few friends.

Carolyn and me

The two larrikins... Ian and Svenne

Happy New Year!

We ate the claws fried on the BBQ after being marinated. Yummy…

And so was the  smörgåstårta.

Yummy...

We had fun chatting to each other and nearly missed the time on the clock. Oh well, what's 5 minutes in a whole year, or life!

Phil, helping with the washing up. Kermit is thinking about it!

Is it time for bed yet?

 ... Unfortunately sadness took over...

On 11th January  our dear best friend, Ian, tragically died in an accident on the farm he was managing.

He was such a good man! 

Only 44 years old, looking after the dairy farm adjacent to our property. He did everything possible to look after it the best way. 

He had been a farmer all his life starting young in Victoria when he owned a farm. He could do almost everything, even a vet job, mechanic, building, you name it.

He was a very honest, loyal and trustworthy man, always ready to give a helping hand.

We'll miss him enormously and he will always be in our mind and our heart whenever we'll look at the view.

Rest In Peace dear friend.

R.I.P. Ian

 

Christmas in Yungaburra!

Well we had  a very nice Christmas in our new home!

Christmas in Yungaburra

Presents waiting

 I keep thinking every year that so much preparation and anticipation  goes to it and you only have to blink and everything  is over!

Christmas Eve lunch

Hurry up we're hungry!

 People come and go, presents that you spent working on, or even wrapping, for hours  are opened in a minute. Food that cooked for a whole day is eaten in an hour...

Waiting patiently for our presents

Is this one for me?

Well... Not as big but I'll settle for it!

Will I ever be able to open it???

You hardly have time to enjoy it…

When I was younger it seemed that Christmas was taking ages to come and last longer. Now I feel like there isn't enough hours in one day, to be able to enjoy it to the full.

I definitely didn't have enough time to finish decorating the tiramisu… Ah Ah! The strawberries and mint leaves are still sitting in the fridge… It was still very tasty though.

Yummy....

 Maybe it's relative to age, the older you get, the quicker time goes.  (It went very fast for this little fellow).

Mexican Tomato?

 And the next day everything is back to normal…

Same routine

 I hope you all had a Merry and safe Christmas, as we did!

Merry Christmas... Late!

 It won't be long until the next Christmas is upon us but let's enjoy the New Year 2012 for now.