Catching up with old friends - Dallas and Darren.

Darren is back in Mackay for holidays. He is living in London now and showing no signs of moving back to Oz. Daz introduced us to his new man, Howie. Send us a photo Daz so I can put it on the blog !!

Dallas is expecting her first baby at the end of February (4 weeks away). If you looked at the size of her belly you mightn't think she was pregnant at all.

I didn't realise how short I was until I saw this photo !!

Belated Christmas Photos...

Grandpa John and Georgie go looking for Santa out the front door while Madelyn admires Uncle Paul's hat.

Paul and Mark practice their "Santa's Little Helper" impressions, while Georgie and Janet head for the pool.

Georgie, Uncle Paul and Madelyn enjoy the pool at Baba's place.

Baba grabs a cuddle from Maddie while GREAT GRANDMA Vera looks on.

Poppa and Madelyn enjoy reading the newspaper.

A little fairy comes to visit.......

spreading her magic all over the place.

Cool beads Madster !!

Turtles come to Grasstree Beach

Sometime on the night of New Year's Eve, a flatback turtle made it's way up Grasstree Beach, searching for somewhere to lay it's eggs.



There were lots of turtle tracks in the sand.







And a couple of spots where she might have nested.









We also found where she left and entered the ocean.







But it took an expert (Fran) to find the actual nest.

Fran and Roy (Popparooshka) dug very carefully.

Before hitting "paydirt", the nest was uncovered.

The female turtle had laid 65 eggs...

Which we transported to a new nest further upshore (dug by Fran) to keep the eggs safe from the large high tides expected in January.








The new nest was then covered back up and camouflaged so that no predators (including humans) would find it.




We shall keep an eye out for in around 50 days the eggs will hatch and tiny turtles will make their way back to the ocean...stay tuned !!!!

A new year - a new address!!!

Yep, the Dobbs Family have moved up north and taken residence with Denise and Roy at Grasstree Beach.

The kids are settling in well and love being able to go to the beach whenever they want (as long as it's not in the middle of the day).

Here Maddie models the latest in beachwear...long enough to keep that scorching Australian sun off that beautiful baby skin.

And here she is showing us her georgeous frangipani flowers.

Madelyn and Georgie take some time out to enjoy an icecream.

Before hitting the beach again.