ST downunder ...

Sorry folks, nearly a whole week in one entry but time seems to be going much faster than when we all arrived in Oz more than a fortnight ago.

Back at the Rees ranch in Caloundra after our trip to Straddie, it was decided that we would have a Sunday roast and Auntie Di and Uncle Dai invited their friend Harris and his mum and dad Jill and Matho over to join us. Part of the plan was that Harris would get to have a swim so Daddy and Uncle Dai donned snorkels and masks and were put on cleaning duty to make sure the pool was looking spick and span before the guests arrived. Hope the same hygiene process was followed before my arrival ....

Harris is quite cute (but not as cute as me of course). He is one year old - that is ancient - and he has teeth so he is really grown up. I was surprised to hear that he's not crawling or walking yet - there is going to be none of that nonsense with me, everytime anyone picks me up I get a nappy wedgie so the sooner I can get around independently the better.

Here is today's selection of new Best Friends Forever

On Monday morning I heard whispers about shopping and was filled with dread - but to my amazement I saw Mammy and Auntie Di drive off in the car with shopping bags and all of Daddy's dollars. I was expecting them to return as soon as they realised they had forgotten me but they never did and it wasn't long before Daddy and Uncle Dai had me in the car seat on the way to Moffat Beach to check out the surf.

Back home I was starting to feel peckish and wondering how long Mammy would be. Truth be told I was worried as I know she can lose track of time when surrounded by shops and without me there to remind her that shopping is boring I had a feeling she could be gone until bedtime. Then to my surprise Uncle Dai appeared with a bottle of the good stuff. He is a bit of a novice when it comes to holding the bottle so I gave him a hand and between us we worked it out. Who needs Mammy eh?

No sooner had Mammy and Auntie Di come home from shopping than I was handed over and Daddy and Uncle Dai decided to go out for a run. I don't know why Uncle Dai doesn't just give up and take up bowls, he came hobbling back up the road complaining of a recurrence of his football injury. I reckon it was just an excuse because he couldn't take the pace that Daddy and I usually train at. Mind you, Daddy did come back very sweaty, I think it's a bit warm over here for running. I think I'll just stick with chilling in the pool.

On Tuesday both Uncle Dai and Auntie Di deserted me for the day to 'work', so I had to look after Mammy and Daddy on my own. We had an early morning dip in the pool then a trip to the local IGA, which I missed because I was asleep again. Mammy and Daddy had another pie from the bakery, Daddy had a Ned Kelly, which is Steak, Bacon, Cheese and Egg, but I didn't get a look in, it was gone by the time I woke up! It must have had some kind of anaesthetic effect, because the next thing I knew he was asleep again!

Like father ...

... like son

Wednesday and Thursday passed quickly and quietly. Left unsupervised by Uncle Dai and Auntie Di who were 'working' (what exactly is that anyway?) again, Mammy and Daddy dragged me back into Caloundra for yet another shopping trip although I did get a nappy change in the park after they refused to take me back into the public baby change we'd only just survived a few days before.

Nappy change al fresco

The major highlight of the week had been Uncle Dai shaving off that dreaded moustache on as we were finally out of Movember. Can't say I was sorry about that. I celebrated by showing Auntie Di and Uncle Dai a fab game that my best friend Penny taught me - it's called 'Go crazy in a foil blanket' and provides hours of entertainment for all the family at a very reasonable price.

Ground control to Major Tom

Only two more days to go .....

Daddy and Uncle Dai were up early to go for another surf this morning, apparently Daddy was a little concerned because they were the only people surfing there that morning even though the surf was really good. Had something happened there last night that they didn't know about?

No, in fact it happened a few weeks ago. Click on the link.....

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26254415-952,00.html

Daddy got particularly worried when he saw a fin about 50 metres away, fortunately it was curved and there three of them, so he realised it was dolphins again.Thank God!

Anyway it must have turned out alright because they were back by 8am and Uncle Dai got cooking breakfast on the barbecue, proper Aussie.

Bish, bash, bosh and pukka

Mammy and Daddy had forgotten to pack something

After a lazy morning we started to make our way back to the ferry, but Uncle Dai decided that he wanted to take us to Amity Point, which is the last place that someone was killed by a shark on North Stradbroke island. Apparently a girl was swimming there a couple of years ago and she was taken by a shark. There are now signs up everywhere warning you that because of environmental conditions sharks are more prevalent there. It's really very odd because loads of people have built houses next to the water there, but what's the point if you cant go in for a swim?!

There is this swimming enclosure but it's a bit small, you couldn't do much surfing in there.

Uncle Dai and Auntie Di spotted another dolphin, but I missed it because I was having lunch, but no sharks.

What signs?

No wonder the Aussies had a poor Beijing Olympics in the pool!

Is that a shark or a dolphin?

We got the ferry back, another smooth crossing and headed back to Caloundra. Everyone was a bit tired so Daddy decided that they should have an Indian takeaway once me and Pup had gone to bed. What a mistake! All I kept hearing from downstairs was "You can't get a decent curry in Oz" and somebody repeating some mantra about a Bengal Lancer?!

Woke up early this morning as unfortunately our luxury holiday accommodation doesn't have blackout blinds and I am having to share a bedroom with Mammy and Daddy. Mammy is quite quiet in the bottom bunk next to me but Daddy was mumbling something about snakes all night long in the top bunk - he is worse than Pup. Once he had got up to go for a surf I decided I was ready for an early breakfast and then to catch up on the early morning news.

Come on, sit down and make yourself comfortable, there's plenty of room next to me

Once the boys were back from the beach it was time for maple syrup pancakes - Uncle Dai cooked them on the barbecue and I think Nanna would have been impressed. Nanna will also be relieved to know that Uncle Dai has taken over first position in the competition to see who can make me barf the most.

I told you not to bounce me up and down straight after my breakfast!

It has been quite a lazy holiday for Mammy so far and she does love to squeeze everything out of her foreign trips so I shouldn't have been surprised to find myself in the sling, slathered with suncream and wearing my sunhat.

I see no sharks

Uncle Dai drove us to Point Lookout and from there the grown ups walked along the coastline while I caught up on some sleep after my extra early start. I do remember some squealing from them early in the walk and shouts of 'turtle' and 'loads of dolphins' but then they quietened down after that so I had a good rest. The quietening down might have had something to do with a trip to an ice cream shop but I can't be sure.

Self-explanatory

Mammy's obsession with public transport had gone too far

It was obviously the day to make up for all our lazy days before as later that afternoon we headed out for a walk on Home Beach, this time with Uncle Dai in charge of the sling. It was a bit windy and I was still feeling tired from my early wake up so there was no splashing in the sea for me. Can't say I'm too sorry, I'm still finding sand in my creases ...

Look, no hands!

Tired out after my long day I was ready for my bedtime bath. Unfortunately our luxury villa only had a shower so Mammy and Daddy had to improvise but it worked out alright and I think it's finally managed to get rid of those last stubborn grains of squeaky sand.

Daddy doing a rare bit of washing-up

P.S. Did hear a bit of laughing from the lounge next door after I'd gone to bed. Daddy and Uncle Dai were watching a film and eating popcorn and some scary monsters seemed to have eaten Mammy and Auntie Di.

Uncle Dai had been going on about going to Straddie since we'd arrived and I kept saying to him that the Scarlets don't play there any more, it's Parc y Scarlets now, but he wouldn't listen.

Anyway, it turns out that this Straddie is spelt differently and is actually an island off the coast of Brisbane. Di and Dai have been there before with Mamgu and Tadcu, so they promised it was nice.

I had my first proper boat ride over to Straddie, which was nice and smooth, even Nanna could have coped with it.

Shiver me timbers!

Don't know how many times I have told Mammy she needs a clip for her hair

Mammy and Auntie Di had spent ages looking for somewhere to stay on the internet and had seen a lovely place to stay and booked it a couple of days before. We had a bit of trouble finding it, Uncle Dai had to drive up and down the road 5 times before he pulled into No.52. Mammy sent Daddy and Uncle Dai to find the key and check the place out.

I could tell from Daddy's face that he was a bit concerned with it. I'll be honest, it was a dump! It looked like the sort of place that Mammy and Daddy would have rejected as too primitive when they were travelling!

For a start it was in the middle of the jungle, there was no air conditioning and most of the jungle seemed to have set up home inside the house. There was also the interesting prospect of night runs to the toilet for everyone, because the bathroom was outside. Honestly, what kind of a country is this that they've brought me to? We got rid of outside toilets in the 1960s in Wales!

I think that what finished it for Daddy was when two massive Goannas went trotting past the window at high speed, this wouldn't have been too bad if it were not for the fact that the only way to get any air into the house was to open all the windows, which ran for the full height and length of the living room.

It was like doing 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here' without getting to meet Ant and Dec.

The grown ups picked a duff one here

The oldies held a conference and made an executive decision to find somewhere else to stay. Within minutes Auntie Di had us installed in an air conditioned villa near the beach. She knows how to travel.

Much more like it

Next thing we were off for my first proper dip in the Pacific Ocean. It was very warm, Mammy kept calling it the beach, but I think she must be confused, beaches are cold grey places, Nanna and Bampa took me to one near Aberaeron and it was nothing like this.

Remember kids - always swim between the flags

After the beach we went back to our new holiday home for everyone except me to have a barbecue. Apparently there's a pool here too, so we're going to try it out tomorrow.

After a busy first week in Australia, we were ready to wind back down for a few days at home before we set off on our mini-holiday to North Stradbroke Island. The theme on Sunday was food, with Auntie Di and Daddy making a delicious breakfast for everyone, while me and Uncle Dai chilled out by the pool. Mammy and Auntie Di spent the afternoon getting kebabs ready for a barbecue later - first prawn kebabs and then chocolate and pistachio coated strawberry kebabs. As usual, despite this feast of food on offer, there was nothing for me.

I can't believe he is still wearing that moustache!

Daddy I remember what this is - it's Benedict with Eggs!

Later on I spent a few hours with Uncle Dai reading the local newspaper - since Auntie Di introduced me to the news and weather channels on TV my life has changed. At home with Mammy all I get is the music channel and 'How Clean is this House?' - very boring.

That's right Uncle Dai, if you follow the words with your finger it makes it much easier to read

Mammy and Daddy were obviously feeling a bit tired on Monday as they managed to leave the memory card in the laptop so there are no pictures of our trip to Cotton Tree with Auntie Di. We met Uncle Dai for a nice lunch but then after he left I heard the dreaded word - shops - and next thing I knew I was being dragged around in search of lollipop moulds, whatever they are. Boring.

On Tuesday, both Auntie Di and Uncle Dai had to work so Mammy and Daddy were back in charge again. We were up early for a walk to get some supplies for dinner that night and some famous Aussie pies for lunch. Fortunately I managed to sleep through most of it.

Daddy, remember, a moment on the lips - a lifetime on the hips!

Obviously too tempting to resist

While Daddy has been practising eating pies, I have been practising rolling over and I think Nanna and Mamgu will both be impressed when they see me next. I like to practise it at every opportunity - on the change mat, on the floor and in bed.

Working off my breakfast

It was another quiet day on Wednesday - Uncle Dai needed a bit of help with some workstuff and then I agreed to go with him, Daddy and Mammy to do a big Coles shop ready for our trip to North Stradbroke Island tomorrow.

"Working from home"

That night we all went to Dicky Beach for fish and chips, I've heard Tadcu saying they are delicious. Well Tadcu, I can't agree or disagree with you as surprise, surprise, there were no fish and chips for me.

I bet I don't get any fish and chips anyway!

I was so excited about our trip to North Stradbroke that I couldn't wait to get to bed. I hope Mammy remembers to pack my swimmers ....