We headed out and found one of the malls and stopped for a bit—went to Target and I got curling tongs (iron), and an ipod clock/charger/combo thingy kind of like the I Home I had in the US. Chris got some thongs and a travel mug and then we walked around the mall abit trying to figure out what all there was to see. There were a bunch of mobile phone stores (pronounced mo—byle) and we are trying to figure out what to do for my phone. Aaron has an iphone for me but Chris thinks I need a phone that I can use as a modem for my computer since they cap the broadband you can have. I don’t get it all but I did find out (which he had told me before…) that I can receive calls on my old phone number with no cost. So…if anyone wants to call me I can get it —it would just cost me a bit to call out on it so I will use skype for that. So complicated, I know!!!

After the mall we hit the Toyota dealership and looked at the Prado for Chris and the Camry for me. Not sure how this whole thing will shake out but Chris has a car lease with the job and we might lease mine too if the money works out right. I am leaving that in his hands!!! And it will be a few weeks before I feel comfy driving anyway. Then we headed to the Burdekiin area to see the mills there and the house that CSR owns that we can have.

The house is very large and pretty isolated, on a beautiful lagoon with lots and lots of land and mango trees but the house needs some love. It has pretty ugly (in my opinion) drapes and needs a really good cleaning. The veranda (screened in porch) is beautiful and the best part of the house for sure. I would love that part of it. The kitchen is newly remodeled and it has 3 bedrooms and lots of storage which is a bit unusual for Australian houses. Chris will be spending a lot of time at the plants in that area and I think he would like to get this house just for a place to crash so he does not have to drive back and forth (it is about an hour from Townsville) and the price is very very cheap so I have a feeling we will sparsely furnish it and use it that way. Not sure yet. It had an old car in the backyard…..not sure what that is all about. Or what the burned out boat in the side yard was about either. Interesting, very interesting.

We went to Ayr and had lunch at the Yummy and Tasty—both had huge crumbed fish sandwiches and ginger beer which was yummy. Nice lady ran it and we enjoyed having a leisurely lunch. We decided we were tired and headed home—no worries!!!

Last night we ate at the Australian Hotel Steakhouse and it was pretty rowdy by the time we left. Most all of the places here have outside dining and this place had a bar in the front so that is why it got loud. I had coral trout with a chili mango sauce and it was really good. Chris had some steak thing with a mud critter of some kind ( a very small crustacean like a lobster) and he had fun trying to eat it!!! I am learning how to eat with the knife and fork—-fork held in the left hand and knife in right like the English I guess. I am still a little bit awkward at it but I figure I need to learn since I am in their country!!!

So Chris played with all his phones and electronics when we came back and I took a nap but kept hearing violins. They have kicked off a big Australian concert series for the next 10 days and all these musicians are staying at the Quest and I guess they are practicing in their rooms or else I am hearing things!!! LOL

Tomorrow I am sure we will venture out again and have more adventures!!! What fun!!! Hope everyone stateside is well!!! Comment and email!!!!