25 April 2009

I've Been Sooooo Slack!

Sorry I haven't been around for a day or two...life's been happening, as it does. I had Harry for three days, which was lovely. He's such a good kid, eats most of what is put in front of him and spent most of his time with the boys next door. I took him to the movies to see Pink Panther 2, which was rather disappointing. There's only one Inspector Cloiseau...Peter Sellars. Steve Martin did not cut it for me. However, Harry enjoyed it and that was the main thing. We'd been to Macca's for breakfast beforehand because, as Harry told me, "They have the best hot chocolate." Whatever...I stuck to my usual, black coffee, plus we both had hotcakes...yum. That's the only McDonald's meal I like.

I've also made arrangements with a friend to take another train trip...to the Western Downs area...Stanthorpe. Queensland Rail are running a "Winelander" weekend during the Brass Monkey Season. As it's the middle of June, we'll be taking our thermals 'cos it's going to be a bit chilly, especially at night. Although we're promised an open fire...lovely. We leave Roma Street Station at 7 am and get to Stanthorpe at 3.30 pm...eight and a half hours of train trip. We can have light refreshments on the train. On arrival in Stanthorpe, we're taken by coach for a tour of at least three wineries before we check in to our motels. Dinner is organised at Anna's Restaurant in the heart of Stanthorpe, a short walk from the motels. The next day we have a late start home at 10 am and arrive back at Roma Street at 6 pm. It should be good, but we'll be tired when we get home.

Next week I'm taking my eldest daughter down to Harbour Town, the factory outlet place Jane and I went to for her birthday. I want to buy a king sized winter weight doona. Although I have a queen sized bed, I want a king sized doona so I can tuck it in during winter. I gave my queen sized doona to Gabbie, plus a lovely doona cover that I hadn't used. She was very happy with that. I also want a DVD player...believe or not, I actually do not have a DVD player! I also want a water filter/cooler. I think it will be much safer than continually using the same plastic bottle over and over again.

One of the ladies in my writing group, Annette, is having a book launch on 08 May. However, as it's the same night as the football game between Australia and New Zealand at Suncorp, I think I'll give it a miss. I won't miss out though because she's going to have an author event in Springfield, 15 minutes from where I live, a few days later. I'll buy a couple of her books, get her to sign them and give one to mum and keep the other for myself. Her book is called "Wild Spirit", author Annette Henderson, and it's about her time in Africa after she was stranded there when her belongings were stolen. Should be a good read.

Well, that's what I've been up to lately. I'm now going to read your posts. Bye for now...

14 comments:

Tamara said...

Wow! I had to STOP midway through your post to tell you that you have such an interesting/fascinating life m'dear!!
(must keep reading)

Tamara said...

K--I'm back.
You make Texas sound like such a BORE.lol
Just curious,or maybe I'll google it...but what's a "doona"?
and you are SO right about nobody comparing to Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther!
You'll be meeting the author of that book?How cool is that?
Sheeesh!You make me want to see Australia worse than EVER! You should post some pics of your trip to Stanthorpe.That would just be awesome!
What a neat-o post,btw!!

Margaret Cloud said...

I am glad you had a nice time with Harry, I liked to take my kids to the movies when they were young. I have never rode on a train, hope you have fun. I also like to watch football, it makes my husband happy. Thank you for coming by.

Gattina said...

I already wondered where you had disappeared ! So you are going on a wine tour (hic !) must be fun !

The retirement home is the official one from the city and not a private one and I too find it very good. In other cities they are not so nice ! In Brussels they can be real rat holes if you don't have money !

Walker said...

Busy busy busy, its replaed that other four letter word.
You kow which one.....work :P
You are a busy lady but i get the feeling you love getting out and about.
I could never get used to winter in June and summer in December.
I have 3 dvd players I could mail you one but tyhe power isn't the same.

Jack K. said...

It sounds as though you are finding wonderful ways to keep busy.

Spending time with Harry must have been one of the most rewarding and pleasant times. Being with young people is always uplifting. Particularly when you can send them back to their parents. lol

I envy your Winelander trip. We enjoy visiting wineries and tasting their product. We have come across some very nice wines that way.

I look forward to more information and perhaps some photos of the trip.

Angelo said...

When you said "Brass Monkey" I thought of the drink and thought that they made it in wine country over there... but that didn't make sense so I looked it up and I get it now hehe... I still can't wrap my head around June and chilly though hehe! Enjoy the winter Robyn, we're just staring to enjoy the spring here. Cheers!

Hootin' Anni said...

Love the puppy photo entry! Hey....do have a special, wonderful time on your train excursion.

Thanks for visiting me yesterday. Hope your Sunday was pleasant.

Peter said...

Bloggers who make a post out of how sorry they are for not blogging!!!!!!
Hope your trip to Stanthorpe goes well, you may need to explain the "Brass Monkey Weather" line, some people don't even know what a Doona is.

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

Robyn, Hey there..been a bit since I have been here..sorry!! I need to get myself back in the blogging world again and I will!! You are having a fun life it sounds..good for you..

sandy

Liz Hinds said...

You don't have a DVD player?! How do you survive? Oh, I remember, you have a life, with real people and parties and things!

Carole Burant said...

Yup, life does tend to get in the way of blogging at times! hehe My mom also doesn't have a dvd player...heck, she's terrified of her answering machine, just cannot get used to modern technology! lol I do hope you find everything you want at the factory outlet mall.

That train trip you'll be taking in June sounds like it will be so much fun. I'm sure you're counting down the days now:-)

So glad to hear that Harry was staying with you for a few days. You're right, nobody will ever be able to replace Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau:-)

Hope you're enjoying your week! xoxo

Pear tree cottage! said...

my gosh! that is a very busy life you have up there at the moment. beautiful fun!

Lee-ann

Merle said...

Dear Robyn ~~I am glad you had a good visit with Harry. Your train trip sounds wonderful - when are you going?Glad you liked my strange map of Oz. Watch out for those man eating koalas!! And we do live in God's Own country.
Jan, Pauline and I had a nice visit
but we were all thinking about missing Gwen. I do hope Rex gets through the surgery and hope it doesn't give Vicki a setback.
Take great care, and I hope you get the things you need, my friend
Love, Merle.