Kondalilla Falls

We are really enjoying having Laura visit us from San Francisco, to go to two weddings.  Today, she and I went to Kondalilla Falls, a scenic walking spot up in the Blackall Range, about an hour's drive north west from Brisbane.  An added bonus was strolling past Montville State School to have a coffee after the drive up the range, and seeing some children in the playground, with a teacher on duty.  Haha, I'm really enjoying my long service leave!

Enjoying chai latte from our "private balcony" at the Poet's cafe, Montville.

Laura listening to the whip birds.

View of Caloundra and the sea from "our" balcony.

Picnic Falls - experimenting with exposure.

Kondalilla Falls rock pool - still experimenting.

Dragonfly, Kondalilla Falls rock pool. 

Experimenting with the beautiful new lens Laura persuaded me to buy yesterday - and she beat the price down by $30 for me!

At the bottom of Kondalilla Falls - now we have to walk all the way up again.

The top of the falls from the bottom.

Skene Creek drops 90 metres here, and it took four shots, one on top of the other, to fit in all of Kondalilla Falls from top to bottom.  This is the top shot, as taken from the base of the falls.  It was one of those blue-sky, good-to-be-alive days. 

Kookaburra, Kondalilla Falls picnic area.

This beautiful fellow let me move quite close to him.  I suspect he has become so plump by sharing people's picnics.

The "I am" sayings of Jesus

On Saturday 17th April, I attended an afternoon of flowers and song dedicated to the "I am" sayings of Jesus, presented at the Bracken Ridge Uniting Church.  Local florist Robert Manton created floral arrangements while my friend Marilyn conducted the choir, singing songs appropriate to such sayings as:

• I am the Alpha and the Omega
• I am the way, the truth and the life
• I am the bread of life
• I am the good shepherd
• I am the light of the world
• I am the reurrection and the life... etc

The presentation was very well received by the receptive and appreciative audience.

Robert Manton working on "I am the Good Shepherd".
Robert is adding shepherds' crooks (not bent sticks).

"I am the bread of life".

Note the bread and the grapes.

"I am the resurrection and the life".

One bright cloud.

The afternoon concluded with a magnificent afternoon tea and a spectacular sunset.

Caloundra

After Matt and Julia's wedding, Anna stayed with us for a week, which was wonderful.  Then Pat, Kit and I went to Caloundra for three days of relaxation - much appreciated.  While there, we caught up with Neville Devin and his wife Dianne.  I had been to school with Neville 46 years ago!

From our patio.

From our patio.

From our patio.

Banksia integrifolia

Matt and Julia's Wedding Blessing

On the Tuesday after Easter (6th April), Matt and Julia celebrated the blessing of their marriage.  They are both working in Germany, and arrived in Brisbane on Easter Sunday.  Julia's parents, aunty and uncle, brother and cousin all came out from Germany for the celebration as well.  The ceremony at Sacred Heart church Sandgate was followed by a very enjoyable family dinner at Helen and Dan's home.

Here comes the bride.

 

Mr and Mrs McGrath

 

Julia with the sun in her hair.

 

After the ceremony.

Long Service Leave 2010

I can’t believe that three weeks of my precious long service leave has gone already, but it’s been a very eventful time. 
School broke up on Holy Thursday, then that night, Good Friday afternoon and for the Easter Vigil on the Saturday night I conducted St Flannan’s choir.  We had a great turn out for all the services – standing room only on Good Friday - which was wonderful.
We had 23 for Easter Sunday lunch – a bit of a logistical challenge, but a wonderful celebration.  With Katie, Mark and Zac up from Melbourne, we had three of the four members of the fourth generation of our family there together.  The youngest generation all went in for a swim after lunch.

Andrew and William.

Zac and Katie.

Sharing Easter Eggs.  "You're supposed to eat it off your plate!"