Visual Entertainment from Near and Far
Guess there are lots of these in Australia but so far we have been lucky and haven’t seen any! Have seen lots of rain forest, noisy parakeets and many fish out on the Great Barrier Reef yesterday. Temp is cool today – only in the 80’s.
Love, Tim
May 2000
Am sitting down by the water enjoying the sunshine and warm air plus views of the Bridge, Opera House, and Harbor. Jen is off with Marg today so I am wandering and just enjoying the place.
Take care, Love, Tom
Spent today here and now are on our way across country to Darwin and then south to Alice Springs. The island and reef are really a lot prettier than the picture shows. We were sitting around drinking beer waiting for the boat to take us back to the mainland when someone told us it was just pulling out. Ran down the dock and the boat (large one) backed up for us to jump on. Everyone was clapping and cheering – all rather embarrassing. Anyway the country is great. Hope you’re not working too hard. Love, Tom
Green Island, Great Barrier Reef. Situated only 17 miles from Cairns, Green Island is a true coral cay, possessing a wealth of tropical marine life in the surrounding coral reef.
Pohutukawa in bloom on a Northland Coast
February 1978
Had a good trip down though was a lot longer than I’d thought. The weather is beautiful totally contradicting everything I’ve said about the bad N.Z. climate. Fine 80 degrees each day.
Am staying with my sister and her family on their sheep farm at the moment so have been out working in the yards helping keep these dumb animals heading in the right direction. Managing also to get in some tennis and swimming. Hope school is going ok. Come visit us soon.
Love, Jen
Pania of the Reef – One of the numerous legends of the New Zealand Maori, this rather sad love story concerns a reef in Hawke Bay just off the coast of Napier. The story is perpetuated in the form of a bronze statue which stands in the gardens of Napier’s Marine Parade.
January 1978
I had a good trip though it’s a long way down. Looked for you in L.A. Bill but guess you may have changed your plans.
Thelma, Marg, Stuart and her family are all well and it’s great to be part of the family again. Marg and fam have had a place at the beach this past week so have visited them and enjoyed the sun, sand and H2O. Weather’s been great.
Next week we’ll be at the farm with Marg – this could be Stuart on the card though he’d point out that he doesn’t have any Tussock Grass. Ypuk’s still the same and I’m really enjoying seeing everyone again though most people I was at school with have moved. Will visit all our relatives.
Love, Jen
Mendip Hills Station, Canterbury, New Zealand
1974
Well we finally made it to Brisbane on Sat. Last Wed. was the first day the road was open so got away that afternoon, it was a slow drip down what with dodging potholes and detours etc. but we made it with only one blow out.
Today we spent flat finding after the flood. So many houses ruined there wasn’t much to pick from but we were really lucky to come across one this afternoon that wan’t too bad and only $15 a week. Thought it wise to grab it. Then in a couple months time when we’re more settled will look out for a bigger place. Tomorrow we’ll get busy seeing people and getting ourselves organized.
We have been thinking of you and hoping your trip is going well. Saw in the paper here that London had its first snow this wk. Do home you’re not in the middle of a cold spell. Thanks again for all you did for us.
Love, Jen
Brisbane, Q. – George Street from Parliament House, showing the Bellevue Hotel, the Terrace Houses, and the Executive building in the background.
March 2016
Sounds like you had a good Easter with Va & Bill. We spent it camping on the beach with a big family gathering. Lots of un.
The weather has been good so have been able to spend most of our time out and about. Took a seven day cruise up the coast with Marg which was fun.
See you soon, Love Tom
1970
One of the many beautiful stones we didn’t find. Did find five (one each) stones that aren’t worth much but do have some good color in them. Nice to have, to remember our mining days with, anyway. Sunning and swimming on the Gold Coast now and are off to Brisbane soon to earn some money so we can be off again.
Till later, Tom
Top quality black opal from Lightning Ridge – royal blue rather than black with a broad flash of red.
Lake Matheson, On the South Island’s west coast, the lake was formed by the retreat of the Fox Glacier some 14,000 years ago. In calm conditions it reflects Mt Cook and Mt Tasman.
Postcard Buzz 