You KNOW what this is a picture of…Today is the first day of spring! I know that sounds very strange to you in North America but it is true!!! It is a beautiful sunny day here in Queensland—took a nice walk on the beach early on today and the sun was just coming out. The boys are still sleeping, of course, so I am trying to do quiet things but that is not easy!
I know I have shared with some of you the reality of green frogs in toilets here and we have our first one—or at least the first one I have SEEN! I was less than thrilled last night when I saw his little foot but then of course he disappeared by the time the guys went to look. I saw him this morning and took a picture…..so now the job of the day will be to try to get him out but I don’t know how to do that. They get up way under the rim of the toilet–not quite sure how they do that and the blast of the water usually does not seem to be strong enough to get them out. suffice it to say I am going to try to “hold it” so I can use the other toilet where the boys are sleeping. Should be an interesting “extraction” process which I will chronicle in pictures if I can as I know you are all dying to know what happens next! I am thinking the flush and release program is not going to work for this little guy—who doesn’t look so little anymore.
The boys got in on Saturday night and were a little bit late but we amused ourselves by talking to 3 local guys who struck up a conversation with us while we all waited. They were a colorful group and everyone seems to be so intrigued with US politics–that was most of my discussion with this one gentleman who cornered me. He is a staunch Republican he told me though it really does not matter….but they are all so informed about the US (more so than I am!) and this guy even sang me a song about Iowa! Seriously now—I can’t make this stuff up!!!
Yesterday we slept in a bit and then got going after lunch to the Billabong Sanctuary so the boys could see some animals and hold a koala. We had a great time other than the fact that they tried to say we didn’t pay for a picture with the koalas—-big miscommunication but in the end the boys got to hold them twice and we got plenty of photos. I have to get some photos off of Aaron’s camera and I will post them later as I had let my battery die….oh well. We really had fun—saw them feed the dingos and crocs (HUGE) and then we found some kangaroos and wallabies to feed and pet. The one had a huge joey and it went in the pouch while we were feeding mum and Aaron got some good pictures of it so I want those!! It was a fun day for the boys i think since they really have not seen much wildlife other than possums (which are much cuter than our opossums).
After the sanctuary we went into Townsville and went to the Strand and ate dinner at Cbar which we love. Of course it took awhile and then they got Aaron’s order wrong and he had to wait for his dinner a lot longer then. the owner was very apologetic, offered free drinks, dessert, etc. but it was fine. He was very gracious about it and so was the waitress who made the mistake–she told us she messed up and you know when people just ackowledge they made a mistake it really isn’t a big deal, is it??? It is when they ignore you or try to make it out to be your problem!!! The food was yummy and we were all filled up by the end of the meal. We came home and watched Australian Idol…..can you tell we are very limited on our tv selections here???? Oh Austar–please get installed!!!!
Today the boys said they were going to just chill out on the beach and tomorrow I am going to drive Chris into work as he has an overnight trip to Mackay so I will have the car for a couple of days and hopefully will be able to navigate around a bit. I think Aaron thinks we are nuts for living here and I am beginning to wonder myself what with the frogs in the toilets but then I walk on the beach, sit on the deck. and decide that for a year this will be okay!!!
Will post more pictures later!!!
