Week Thirty Seven to Week Forty

I have had a recount of the weeks and due to the fact I have included whole weeks when we may only have been somewhere for part of a week I seem to be a week out – still there we are.
As always when we are in southern Queensland our base has been Karen and Kevin’s house, as it was this time. We arrived in Gold Coast 1st November, where we were met by Karen and Kev in their new pimped out BMW X5, whisked away in luxury to the ‘Holywell Hilton’ where we met Sharky, Melda and Bella patrolling the boundary. Friday I was off to work with Kev whilst Wendy and Karen went shopping, as it was Kevin’s birthday on Saturday and there was a need for a present. They managed to get him a very nice Fitbit watch, which was presented to him on Saturday morning – smiles all

round. Then Saturday night we went out for a lovely Italian meal at Bambinos where we were serenaded by the young opera star that works in the kitchens as well as entertaining the guests. We met up with Karen’s brother Dal and his wife Al (Dallas and Alison I know only part names the Aussies do like an abbreviation!), Del is a true cool surfer dude, now past 40 years of age he still goes surfing EVERY morning at 0500, before returning home for breakfast and off to work, now that is serious commitment. When there we were introduced to our new car loaned to us by KK (Karen and Kev) a Toyota Corolla, which used to belong to Kevin’s recently deceased mother, Shirly. We were very grateful, if not a little embarrassed, by the loan. It allowed us the opportunity of getting around easily and allowed us to be able to cancel our hire car. Before we knew it the birthday weekend was over and we were off to our housesit in Redland Bay.
Sunday night we arrived at 16 Talburpin Esplanade, Redland Bay where Ian and Dee-Anne treated us to a welcome meal and introduced us to Ned and Lucy our charges for the next 3 weeks. Ned is a tall Labra doodle and Lucy an elderly, blind Maltese Cross. We quickly settled in to life in our new home. Early morning starts walking the dogs and visiting all the local places such as Victoria Point and Raby Bay. I still go to work with Kev 1 or 2 days a week,

which is good fun, and I am getting to know the other staff well there. When Kev is off we usually meet up. This week we went sea fishing for two days. On the Tuesday we caught loads of fish. Four sea bream, four whiting – one of which Kev described as a snodger!!, a shovel nosed shark, a barracuda and one flathead. We steamed home very proud of our catches and set about gutting the fish and feeding the remnants to Percy the friendly pelican – who incidentally appears to have set up home at 353 Bayview Street.
The first Saturday morning in Redland I was out on the park run which was good fun and where I discovered there is a larger than you might expect ex-pat community in Redland and they were very hospitable. The next Saturday was my Marine licence test. I had been reading, studying and doing mock tests for around 2 weeks so I was OK on the written work. The actual driving of the boat was a bit different. Good fortune followed me and despite a minor glitch when retrieving the ‘man overboard’ it all went well. So by the end of the day – 7 full hours – I was passed, phew!
On Monday 19th November, after a troubled weekend, poor old Sharky (Karen and Kevins 18 year old dog) gave up her brave fight and passed to a better place. We had only known her for a few

months and Wendy and I were devastated Karen and Kev were beside themselves with grief. She was a dear old lady who spent most of her final six months in Karen’s arms. She was at that stage in life where she was carried out to the toilet and carried up to bed. She was put down by her food bowl so was a constant part of life at the Bayview Street Hilton. Bella and Melda will miss her too as they have been companions for many years now. Sharky’s demise left a hollow feeling around the place, but as we all know life goes on, and so it did here – but Sharky we will not forget you.
Something else that deserves a mention on this blog is Strathpine Bicycles. This is Kev’s business based in a suburb north of Brisbane, I have gone to work with Kev on average two days per week when ever I have been staying in Brisbane. Over time I have come to know the staff there and have made friends with them. There is Max (AKA Taxi) an ex ruby league player who, following an injured knee is working for Kev, then there is Kurt. Kurt is an ex bike rider, riding in national competitions in Australia, but he would not complain to hear me say his racing days are behind him now. Then young Sam, who is a trainee learning his skills in assembly, maintenance and sales of bikes. They have all been so friendly and inclusive. They tell me tales of their previous and very interesting lives as well as coaching me to assemble new bikes – which they then check before they are out on

the shop. I enjoy my days at the shop and never tire of the ‘lads’ chats we have out the back of the shop, often followed up with a Corona before we leave for home, a relaxing end to our day at work.
Like so often before it was no time until this three week stay in Redland Bay was over and Wendy and I were in housekeeping mode, making the house gleam before our hosts returned from their trip. Ian and Dee-Ann were pleased with our efforts looking after the dogs and so we moved on with a glowing report and a fond farewell to Ned and Lucy.