In February of 2022, vaccinated passengers were welcomed back into Australia.
Chris and I booked a flight immediately. With planning and packing complete, we
headed to Waterloo for our authorized Covid tests. Armed with our masks, hand-
sanitizer and proof of three vaccinations, we secured our "flying papers" and
proceeded to Pearson Airport in Toronto. A few hours passed until we boarded.
Five hours later we landed in Vancouver for a 3 hour layover.
Onward to Sydney, we sneaked off our masks for the photo.
Our 15 hour, 20 minute flight went without a hitch.
What does a Mother/Daughter first hug in three years look like?
Dani picked us up at the airport and drove us to Scone. We were so anxious
to see the kids, Finn was two and Flora was a newborn on my last trip over.
We settled in for a family adventures, great meals, fun activities
with the kids and full immersion in Australia's gorgeous terrain,
trees, skies, flowers, mountains, birds, animals and ocean views.
Danielle transformed the kid's playroom into an excellent bedroom for Chris and I.
Flora loves her weekly dance classes
Tiny dancer
play-dough was a favourite
sweet waves goodbye as Mumma goes off to work
Aussie wine, say no more! Perfection.
fun labels
Finn proudly shows the plane he made at Preschool
Girl-power
Al catches up on yard work while we play with the F's
"Train Park" is a short walk from home
always gorgeous sunsets in Australia, so much big sky
Day trip to Al's Mom Dot and Malcolm's home in Tamworth
one of Tamworth's beautiful playgrounds
Dots's lovely gardens
ah, these dogs, so much love to give.....
Al knows how to dress a pancake!
great chimneys in Auz!
Galah, aka rose breasted cockatoo
interesting details on Australian homes and buildings
Magpies are a common site
Bulls, not so common
each Eucalyptus trunk is unique
so much excess water around after rain storms and flooding
Scone is known for its equestrian roots and activities
Finn and Flora wait to greet Mumma after work
Susan Street sunsets never disappoint
The "Washpools" are named for the rivers's flat rocks
where sheep's wool would be cleaned in old times
many great hiking spots are within a short drive from Scone
another favourite local park
"Noisy Miner" bird enjoys the playground ropes
fence knocked over, full of grass and sludge from flooding
riverbanks are flooded everywhere after heavy rains
Australians are so nonchalant seeing parrots about
Playtime with Finn and Flora was the best!
goodbye hugs before dance class
Dani often has the kids help chop, mix, assemble meals and treats
who says corn is for eating?
Lego champs, Grandy and Finn
Dr. Dani checks in from the clinic
How full can a heart be?
Ciya after work Mumma
Al's work truck
Finn loves bugs, lizards, frogs, all living creatures with a passion
F's deliver the daily treats for Salty and Pretzel
local park #3
Danielle had reserved a beach house for us for a week in Port Stephens!
dramatic skies are we headed East to the coast
rivers were overflowing their banks and fields were swamped
So much fun in and outside the cottage
lovely small bay across from our cottage
interesting clams, and other surprises at low tide
Chris had his portable ham radio set up on the cottage porch, 73
yum...scented markers
who wants green spaghetti?
friends Dan, Louise, Edith and Maeve visit
kids were amazed that we had our own "golden dolphin"
sitting on the cottage porch after dinner, we heard
and watched flocks of Fox Bats fly over
Finn and Flora loved to explore under the cottage deck
we had many fabulous adventures to 'Jimmy's Beach"
Finn found many tiny crabs
scooping minnows for close observation
just like Al, Finn loves to collect natural objects: feathers, bones, sticks, shells
Finn is named "Eagle Eyes" as he misses nothing
here the water 'boils' with surface-feeding fish
great place to exercise a horse
Hawk's Nest village was a source for boat watching, pelicans,
ice cream and buying fresh seafood for dinner
the Pacific Beach was wild, rugged with carved sand cliffs,
piles of shells and gigantic waves
a triathlon was in progress on our first visit
mid day and when storms approached were not the best time to be at the beach
Off we head to a brewery for St.Paddy's day lunch and romp in the gardens
We packed the car with our luggage and
wonderful memories and headed back to Scone
love Australia's '1960's' traffic signs
we know we're close to home when we see the power plant
Finn mentioned that the car aka Uma was "filthy with sand"
Finn was happy to help clean especially when Dada
mentioned he'd earn something for his piggy bank
is there another word for adorable?
Dani and I drove to her other Vet Clinic in Muswellbrook
We picked up Salty who's few cuts needed bandaging.
Salty had already forgiven Pretzel for her misstep
for a few days, Flora provided kisses and
cuddles for Salty until he was healed
Finn gets close to a lizard on an off road trip with Dadda & Chris
I joined Dani and the F's to attend a birthday party hosted by good friend and fellow Vet
for her two year old son Eli. Candice and Gus's home is a modern beauty in the country with
amazing views, a pool, chickens and cows and dog. While most of the guests and children
hung out by the pool or food and drinks table, Finn and the birthday boy chased and held the chickens and patted the cows. Flora and Finn eventually realized that the pool was the star of the show and we could barely pry them out to go home, even with the lure of loot bags.
another day "The boys" Chris, Al and Finn went to the Airshow in town
planes fly over McEachern home at show's end
"The girls" went on a great road trip to a scenic art gallery in Murrurundi
We also visited a great Gin distillery with
amazing views and a lovely tasting tray.
as well as a few more days of backyard and playground escapades, we
managed a visit to Scone Veterinary Clinic where Danielle works
cool details in the old building that houses the clinic
We packed our bags with Australian treats of chocolate covered ginger,
macadamia nuts, paw-pa cream and lemongrass soap, seashells and drawings
and paintings from Finn and Flora.
Goodbye hugs were not as sad as usual because we knew that the family
would be visiting us in Canada in July.
Thank you Dani, Al, Finn, Flora, Salty, Pretzel, Dot and Malcolm for such
a wonderful holiday, packed with adventures, great food and so much love!
We had time in Sydney to enjoy a ferry ride to Manly Beach.
Back we go to wintry Canada....
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