He Leaves Australia Tomorrow...

We won't get to see Lyndon now for at least four weeks. The lucky devil is now in Melbourne awaiting his early flight to Sydney tomorrow before flying off to Abu Dhabi in the afternoon. We figured it was best (and a hell of a lot less stressful) if he left us the day before in country Victoria with family.

So far, so good.

It has been a very strange and long couple of weeks now. It has been two weeks since Lyndon's work visa came through. We've done so much and no wonder I cannot stop yawning. *yawn*

I know once we know Lyndon has safely arrived in our new home city, I will be itching to follow. Once he becomes a resident of Abu Dhabi (takes about a week after he arrives), he can then 'sponsor' Monet and I and we can follow when we are all ready to do so.

I suspect we'll be leaving on a Silver Bird within the next four weeks. *fingers crossed*

(Notice I didn't say anything about the weather in this post?!)

Bye Cairns... *sob, smile, 'yippee'*

*still here*

We're well, but if anything we are freezing.  My god.  We've spent too long out of Victoria, this we know.  When did it become so cold?  (especially overnight?)  We've had it too good in FNQ with the tropical heat.  I am sick of hearing myself whinge about the weather so I'll stop it.  Now.

Our last few days in Cairns were very busy, but (which was surprising to myself) I didn't feel emotional.  I guess it has been a long time coming so we had detached ourselves from our home and suburb days/weeks/months beforehand.

The 'uplift' of our furniture went well.  Very well.  The shipping container is now probably sitting on a Brisbane dock, waiting to be shipped over to Abu Dhabi.  Our car is (slowly) making its way down to Melbourne via rail, but it won't be here for a couple more weeks yet.  (Anyone interested in buying a Subaru Outback? *heehee*)

We spent our last evening staying at Harbour Lights in Cairns a building we know very, very well.  We moved up to Cairns because Lyndon got a job working for the company who built it, so it was rather fitting we spent our last night there.  We had come full circle.  

And the view was pretty good from level 11.  (I very much recommend staying there and the defect job was perfect! *smirk*) 

We had dinner with a few of Lyndon's (now old) work friends and their wives and children, at Mondo's, one of our favourite places to eat in Cairns.  Monet had a beaut time playing with a couple of her little friends...

That was last Wednesday now.  It seems like months ago.  

I'm frozen.  I can't type anymore.

Because I Am A Sentimental Old Thing

We spent our last Sunday here at our own apartment.  

I cooked bacon and eggs on the BBQ as per usual.  They were lovely.

And because we like to do things that remain embedded in our memories, we took one of our couches outside onto the balcony to enjoy a drop, late this afternoon.

It was better than drinking at the pub.

We should have done that more often.

Doing things that you don't usually do get etched into your brain.  

Monet wasn't keen on the idea but we know down the track she'll be saying, "Remember when you took the couch out onto the balcony on that Sunday before we moved out?"  

One of my great memories of living with my sister and Lyndon in our home town, was bringing our (then) new lounge chair out onto the balcony on a Friday early evening and having a glass of wine.  

There is nothing like enjoying a drink in comfort.

I am not sure when I'll get to do another post.  

We'll be out of here before you guys know it.  

I presume the next post I do I will be chilling out in country Victoria with family.  It has been confirmed that Lyndon will be out of this country by month's end.  

Monet and I will be following him a month later.  

There is lot happening with us, so don't go doing anything without letting me know, okay?

(Thank you to Monet for taking the last three photos!)

All. Systems. Go...

We're cracking open a bottle of Moet tonight.  Oh how we've been waiting to drink it again.

And why should we be drinking that lovely champagne?  Lyndon's work visa came through last night!!!  

*Melody drops to the floor*

For the past six weeks (since he first applied), we've been checking the emails religiously.  Every hour.  Waiting to see an email from the new company with the subject line 'Your Visa'.  It was I who checked the inbox last night and just about collapsed to the floor.  

So it is all systems go here.  We've signed up with a real estate agent to lease this place out (it'll be on the internet next week!!), the removal company are ready to come and pack our gear on Wednesday and we'll be leaving Cairns late next week, heading to Victoria to stay and visit with family and friends.  Lyndon will be out of the country in a couple of weeks time (Monet and I are to follow a few weeks later).  As I said, it is all systems go around here.

We must have felt it in our blood yesterday as Lyndon and I lashed out and bought a new suitcase each.  A notarised document we've been waiting to arrive from the UAE embassy arrived yesterday via the post.  (The notarised document lets Monet and I to be sponsored by Lyndon when we arrive.)

It has taken a very long time to arrive to this point.  It has taken over 10 months from the initial application form until now.  Now it is all systems go.  

I need space to breathe.  I need to sip and enjoy that Moet!!  We've deserved it, to say the least.  Gee, what a year so far and the year isn't out yet....

Sometimes I Prefer A Cool Beer

Is there anything better than swimming in a pool on a warm day?

Monet thinks not.

I love to watch her enjoying herself in there.

She's getting quite good; we are slowly teaching her ourselves.

She likes showing off and floating on her back.

The worst thing for her is getting out.  She *never* wants to get out...unless she's bribed with the offer of an icy pole.

I wonder what I will have to offer her to get out of the pool once we're in Abu Dhabi.  She will never, ever want to get out!

Hammer (& Nail) Time

We are having a good clean up around here today.  I'm toiling in the kitchen - wiping out cupboards, cleaning all dishes etc., whilst Lyndon is clearing out the dead plants on the balcony from their lovely huge ceramic pots.  We have a lot of tenants living here we didn't know about, both in the kitchen and in those outdoor pots.  (Can't believe I slept soundly knowing there was a baby gecko lurking in the lounge too last night!)

It is break time here.  'Kid shows' are on the telly and Lyndon has gone down(?)/up(?)/across to Bunnings with a list as long as his arm.  

Friday's night 'gig' for Lyndon was great.  Everyone turned up and a great meal was had by all.  The restaurant owner was very pleased we were all there.  I imagine the bill at the end of the night was quite big.  

Here is Miss Monet and I ready to go out on Friday night (gee two photos of me in the last few days!  What's going on??)...  Notice the new dress for Miss and my new bangle?  *grin*

See those smiles?  Well, mine anyway.  They are genuine.  Can't believe that the ball is rolling with Lyndon finishing up work, with real estate agents we have chosen for the management of this property and the removal company pencilled in from our quotes we sent to the Lyndon's new employers - we could be out of here before we know it!  

*scared*

*excited*

And because any excuse will do, last night the three of us went out for tea and had a lovely meal.  We got 10% off the total bill price, just by mentioning we were locals.  No proof of ID needed either.  Email me if you want the name of the restaurant.  *wink wink* ;-)

Guess I better get back to it.  This place doesn't clean itself you know.

Take A Bow.

It is Lyndon's final day for the company he works for today. Even though he has been a little poorly treated since the resignation letter four weeks ago, we are still very grateful.  (There were numerous people within the company in Brisbane who seemed peed off with Lyndon, but we honestly put it down to jealousy!  True.)  Without the company offering Lyndon a job over two and a half years, we would not have made our home in Cairns, nor would have we probably even thought about moving overseas. (So Marianne and Mum, you can blame them! *heehee*)

We'll be back to being a one car family tonight.  The much loved company car will be returned this afternoon.

I will be 'car-less' for the remaining days?/weeks? here, as Lyndon (in typical Lyndon fashion) has lined up some work for himself in Cairns until his work visa comes through...(hello visa...where are you??)

Tonight we are going out to celebrate with some of his fellow workers for a drink and a feed at a restaurant, literally just down the road from us.  

Monet needed a new dress, apparently... (no, that is not her hat!)

I lashed out and bought a new bangle (a whole $5 from 'Diva')...

I bought the 'office lady' a Krosno glass bowl (gorgeous), all wrapped up and ready to hand over later on (she's been very supportive in the last couple of months especially)...

And Lyndon?  Well, he can rest assured that there is still half a slab of Natural Blonde sitting in the fridge...

and we'll stop off on the way home (I'll have to pick him up remember!) this afternoon and he can buy himself a slab of 'Knappstein' beer, his favourite.

I'm proud of you Lyndon.  Very proud.  

C'mon visa, c'mon!!!

And for something 'completely' off the subject, read this and then watch this.  (In case you didn't realise, I have a soft spot for Mr. Tex Perkins and in case you also didn't realise, this is a piss-take.  I have a soft spot for piss-takes too....)

No Tripod Needed.

Lyndon had to go into work last night for an hour, so Monet and I went in with him and wandered around the Marina/Lagoon area of Cairns.  It might be the last opportunity I have to visit Cairns at night and I wanted some 'night shots' (and a Baskin Robbins ice cream!...mmmmm...any excuse I swear!)

(Click on any image to enlarge)

Monet had a great time paddling around the shallow end of the lagoon.  The water wasn't tempting enough to go 'right in' but if I had of given Monet the opportunity to do so, she would have!

I'm not sure which I enjoyed most.  The ice cream (strawberry cheesecake in a waffle cone - yes, it was delicious) or taking some night shots?  I'm still thinking that one over.

Some Flowers For Her Birthday

Today is my mother's birthday.  I won't spill her age, she probably wouldn't be impressed with me if I did.  You wouldn't know that my mother reads this blog.  She only does when my dad thinks she might like to read something in particular.  You wouldn't know my dad reads this either, he *never* comments.

Anyway, in honour of my mother's birthday, I'm going to give her (and you) some flowers all the way from Claude Monet's Garden in rural France.  

I think my mother should go there, as I know how much she'd enjoy it...

...Monet and I would be happy to chaperon her.

My mother would spend hours ohhing and ahhing over the blooms...

...and if my dad went with her, he'd spend the hours trying to get the perfect photo of the most wonderful garden of my favourite artist.

Happy Birthday Mum.  Enjoy your day.

Time To Smell The Fresh Sea Air...

Monet and I spent a little time down the beach this morning.  Little Miss even rode her bike down there and back (a big effort in itself that, let me tell you!)

We both enjoyed being down there this morning.  Monet was very happy...

...and why shouldn't she have been when this is our local beach?  I think it is truly beautiful.

We've enjoyed living here for the past 18 months out of our 2 and a half years in Cairns.  The beach is lovely when the sun is shining and there is lack of wind (like this morning).  Trust me when I say that our beach doesn't always look like this.   But we are lucky to have a beach that looks like this, even if you can only swim safely in the water for 5 months out of 12.

  

We're waiting here patiently for Lyndon's work visa to enter our inbox.  It shouldn't be too much longer now before the ball starts rolling.  When the ball is rolling it will be faster than a Brett Lee fast ball.

In the meanwhile, we will relax and enjoy the time we have left our little part of Australia.  

What a Surprise!

How surprised we were to receive a belated birthday card (from a lady who has known me since I was 1 year old), in the mail for Monet the other day.

How surprised we were to open the card and find a crisp $10 note in it.

How surprised (I wasn't), when Monet chose to buy one of these with her money.

How surprised I was when she chose that one over another one, which would have given her change to buy a lolly pop with.  

What a surprise!

Soon Her Whole Wardrobe Will Be Full Of Shonky Skirts...

Yes, I have been at it again.  

Sewing that is.

Today's 'blue' gingham number is straight from the 'biglittlesister' collection.  

No orders are taken. (The seamstress isn't too good!)  

The model thinks the sewing is terrific and is keen to give it a go. (Both modeling and sewing, that is, especially since the new series of the US Project Runway is beginning tonight on Arena.)

  

I might not be much of a seamstress, but I'm pretty good at making plugs.

(T-Shirt courtesy of KMart)