Martin and Lou arrive
Martin, Lou and Georgia arrived on Monday morning (21st) at around 6:50am. Their flight was slightly delayed so I had a bit of a wait at the airport! We got home around 10am and they relaxed a bit and got themselves unpacked. We then headed off to Noosaville to have a picnic lunch with Dave followed by a slow journey home and a nap for the three of them!
On Tuesday we went up to Mooloolaba beach in the morning and then headed home for lunch. We were planning on heading out in the afternoon but the sleep monster caught up with Martin and he had a sleep for a couple of hours.
We headed up to the Plaza for a bit of shopping on Wednesday morning and then off to Yandina to the Ginger Factory. A bit touristy but the children enjoyed the trip on the train that they have going around the factory and the gingerbread biscuit they had as a treat.
Thursday was Martin's 30th Birthday so he fancied a trip to the beach and then a walk in the afternoon. We went up to King's Beach in Caloundra, which is beautiful. The children had a great time making sandcastles, and Sophie had a little sleep in her tent. We went home for lunch and then had a lovely walk through Buderim forest in the afternoon. There was a beautiful waterfall there and we would have liked to walk further into the forest, but it really wasn't very suitable for the children. Mum came over in the evening to baby sit and the four of us went out for dinner. We were still home in bed for 10!
We headed up to the Hinterlands on Friday and had a trip to Montville and then a picnic lunch at Lake Baroon. It was a lovely day and the weather was perfect.
On Saturday we went up to Noosa National Park. Absolutely stunning. We had a picnic and then a walk along the coast path. It was really breathtaking. From there we headed on an inland scenic drive that took us from Noosa to Maleny through the hinterlands and some stunning scenery. We stopped at Kenilworth where there is a cheese factory and the children had an icecream and a play in the playground.
We took Martin and Lou up to Mary Cairncross for breakfast followed by a walk in the rainforest. Matthew managed to eat his way through most of our breakfast and coffee! Sunday the boys took Georgia and Matthew over to the trains and then a few friends came over in the afternoon for a few drinks.
Monday, we headed up to Australia Zoo which was absolutely brilliant. Loads of animals, really friendly people, and very well organised. The children had a great time. We took out annual membership so that I can take Matthew up there as often as he fancies.
Wednesday 30th saw us flying down to Sydney for a few days. We landed and headed off to our apartment. An amazing place on the 74th floor of one of the tallest buildings in Sydney. A brilliant city, although Dave and I were a little overwhelmed by all the people. How quickly we have gotten used to space and a quieter pace of life! The boys did the Bridge Walk and we spent plenty of time walking around the city and doing plenty of toursity things. It was nice for us to get away for a few days.
During the last week of Martin and Lou's stay we had a couple of days on the beach, they had a day out by themselves and a bit of shopping. They left on Friday 8th and it really seemed like the time had gone by very quickly! It was very sad to see them go and Matthew has missed his playmate.