May 17, 2009

One month to go and we're making the most of our time.  The weather is absolutely perfect again so we're enjoying the great outdoors a bit more.  The markets are on full swing now so we've been back to Parap for some shopping and good eats and plan to hit Mindel Market next weekend.  We also found ourselves at the Seabreeze festival last week where there was tons of free activities for the kids and some live music.  We spent a few days along the coast beach combing,  hitting the bike trails, playing at the park, and swimming at Lake Alexander.  The pool's beginning to cool, but the kids are unphased by it--both of them swimming like fish now.  Ben and Thomas treated Bryson and I to a terrific river boat trip down the Coobooree Billabong where we got our first glimpse of crocodiles in the wild, tons of bird life, and lovely lillies. Then we took a much anticipated return trip back to Kakadu--this time we stayed at the Fire Station, a treat for the kids and a bit novel for me as well.  We got to join the firies for dinner one night, but mostly spent our time out and about.  We caught a beautiful sunset from ancient Ubirr on Mother's Day, then Monday, thanks to the Gouldy's and Mich,  I got to experience the most exhilarating helicopter ride over Kakadu and Arnheim Land complete with awe inspiring scenery, wildlife, and stomach churning low flying and steep banking.  Matt was treated to another flight the following day.  Although they went over a completely different part of the country, their trip too was filled with spectacular scenery, amazing wildlife, and some impressive flying maneuvers.  Matt and I took turns up in the air so that we could take turns down on the ground seeing the park with the kids.  We walked on woodland trails, billabong paths, river walks, and toured a few of the cultural centers.  The kids were troopers and unsurprisingly spent the next day at home resting up and getting back on track.  This past weekend  Matt and I actually had a date night--dinner out, live music, and a film.  It's been far too long since I've sat and listened to live music--what a treat.  Lastly, Sunday we took in the Fred Pass Show-- basically the equivalent of a county fair back home---complete with farm animals  which we loved and the same carnival rides that we avoid back home. Well, that's the long and short of it.