Half Century

Last month we did the EKKA family day, plenty thought we were crazy testing the massive show day crowds, but we had a terrific day. We spent the whole day there, from 11.00am until 8.30pm, needless to say everyone was spent when we made our way onto the train for the ride back to Toowong.

Some highlights were the animal displays, the chooks were very impressive. I was particularly impressed with this Leghorn.

Displays included the usual cleaning products, tools and gadgets that impress at the show but if purchased spend the rest of eternity sitting in the bottom of junk draws and cupboards, never used. We did not bother with any of them. The girls had promised to do all sorts of jobs and the like to get some money to buy show bags, if my memory serves me correctly and if the girls keep their promises we won't have to do any housework for the next three months...

The fireworks display was amazing, particularly the quad bikes that towed kites around with fireworks attached, it was a sight to behold.

The police display was good and included some advice on internet and credit card safety. The poor fellow who was looking after his Lowline cattle didn't fare too well when this big boy dropped his rather large rump on him. From all accounts he made a full recovery, it pays to keep clear of bulls bums.

 

Netball season is very quickly drawing to a close, Emily's team has made the Grand Final next week and will need to be at their very best to take home the big trophy. Rosie's team do not play finals, but she has had a very good year and her improvement has been incredible.

Rosie the defender

Emily the defender

Directing traffic

Karren and me at the CCA One State Dinner

 Karren and I spent an evening together at the CCA annual One State Dinner, we had a lovely time and I also got the chance to catch up with a mate from school whom I hadn't seen in 26 or so years. We had a ripper night, and Karren looked lovely.

Yesterday we went canoeing on the Brisbane river, the weather was perfect and the girls were excited about having a paddle. We made our way to the twin bridges reserve, however I was sidetracked to help extract a bogged fisherman before we could launch the canoes. Once the Commodore was retrieved from the riverstones we got he canoes in the water and headed towards Lowood bend.

Emily and Karren get going

Rosie and I cruising the river

Rosie and I shared a canoe, however the difference in weight between us meant the canoe was very unstable, we made a change and swapped Emily into my canoe and things were much more sea worthy. After a couple of hours paddling along we headed back to the launch and made our way home having worn out some muscles we hadn't used in years.

The photo directly below shows exactly how powerful and large the 2011 floods were that devastated the Brisbane Valley. If you look closely you can see two things that look out of place. Firstly there is a log perched horizontally in the tree on the left that was deposited by the flood water and would have been close to the high water mark. The second thing in the centre of the photo, was an incredibly large tree that was uprooted then turned upside down and lodged roots facing the sky in a tree. There are still what look like wool bales, pallets and large plastic bags stuck up very high in the trees along the stretch of the river we canoed along.

Karren and Rosie.

 I will be heading back in the next month or so with Dad to see if we can catch some Bass.