Start of the Farewells

 
I really can't believe how quickly this year has gone.  It seem that it's already time to start saying goodbye!!!! :-(  
The first of the farewell gatherings was held at another exchange teacher's home for the year.  She was having a house warming as she doesn't leave until the end of the year and kindly suggested that we held a Bon Voyage event at the same time.  Great fun was had by all but it did get a little emotional when I was presented with a beautiful necklace and accompanying card from my friend's Liz and Garry.

 

Although I am really looking forward to returning home and seeing all my wonderful family and friends there, I will miss many of the fantastic people I've met here

Zingy

A friend arrived with a gift of Zingy (from the EDF Energy adverts.  We'll be taking him out on our travels.  Expect to see him pop up in loads of places including Uluru, Katajuta and Katherine Gorge.

I'm sure he'll enjoy his trip as much as we do!

Christmas in July

 
 Christmas in July is a celebration that I'd love to take back to England!  It's done so that people can have a proper roast dinner - Christmas is so hot here that many people have a BBQ or seafood.  



We had a shared potluck supper and each of us bought a Kris Kringle (Secret Santa) gift up to the value of $5.  Buying a gift for just $5 is possibly more difficult than buying a

give for $10 or $20.  The bubbles went down a treat as you can see and an just $1, were a real bargain!

Birthweek Continued!

 Who wouldn't love a delicious meal out to end the holidays and birthweek?

I also managed to add the last tick on my Bingo - a pie floater.  Although it looks rather disgusting, it tasted really good!

Good times have always been had with this group of friends - lots of fun and laughter every time!

New Camera

My camera decided to die just before my trip up north!  Luckily, the camera was just under a week within its guarantee!!!!!
Here are some random shots testing out my new camera that I managed to get with my refund. 

Blow Hole

 

 

Last Night in Robe

 

Beautiful little churches, more rainbows - in the middle of the road!  Little Italian restaurant gave the place a real Mediterranean feel!

Gaol

 

 Visited the ruins of an old gaol.


With views like this from the gaol, I'm not sure if the prisoners would be worse or better off!

 Maybe the thick walls would stop the sounds from the sea.






 

Robe contd...

We headed back down to the local pub and, even though it was packed, we were found a table.  It happened to be Mexican Night so there were Margaritas and jelly shots all round! 

Beachport

 The beaches at Beachport have to be some of the most stunning I've ever seen.  The town seemed to be surrounded by beaches...maybe that explains the wind!

 Back Beach was incredible!  The Blow Hole was so awesome with huge swells  and the waves crashing along the rocks the whole time.  The pictures really don't give it justice.

 What a way to watch the sunset!

 Long Beach seemed to go on for miles...at least all the way to Kingston which is about 30km away!

The Surf Beach along one side of the town was huge, there was a salmon fishing competition going on so there were heaps of fishermen along the beach in their wellies. 

Robe Day 2

Everyone told me that it would be 'freezing' in Robe.  In fact, although colder than it was last time I was here, it was beautiful weather.

There was a little bit of rain, mainly overnight.  The weather was beautiful for winter, I was wearing a thin leather jacket outside and was even tempted to take it off when the sun was out!  I could certainly get used to this winter lark!

There were parts of, whole and double rainbows appearing all over the place!