Bundaberg/Burnett Heads Stay

 After our stay at Maryborough we hooked up and headed a little further north to set up at a lovely little hamlet of Burnett Heads, a little NE of Bundaberg. Burnett Heads is at the mouth of the Burnett River which is also where the large sugar bulk carriers berth to take processed sugar on board.

The weather was again against us, but it didn't really stop us from doing what we set out to achieve.

To begin with I checked out a patchwork shop in Bundaberg that I had found online, and oh my, it was wonderful. Just the sort of activity to do on a cold, wet and miserable day!

Doesn't this store sound wonderful - 'Teacup, Quilts & Niceties'?  I also visited 'The Quilters Shack'. Although it was extremely hard (?) I curtailed my desire to purchase a lot of fabric bits and pieces. Below is what I purchased between the two shops, including a lovely Christmas caravan piece.

After finding the food court in a local shopping centre, we ventured into the centre of Bundaberg, and whilst hubby tried to find the local eye wear shop, I headed off down the main street to find a shop that I really should not have been seeking out.

Yes, I headed for a chocolate shop, and as some of you may know, after admitting I was a serious chocoholic, I can no longer have anything with dairy in it. However, this shop advertised that it stocked allergy free delectables! This is what greeted me inside.

I walked out of there having only purchased my dairy free chocolates, including some buttons to make some hot chocolate with Almond milk.

By the following day, the rain had cleared away, and we decided to take a river cruise on the 'Bundy Belle', a small vessel that does 2 1/2 hr cruises up and back on the Burnett River.

Although it was still quite 'cool', it was lovely on the little boat and the morning tea that was surplied was really delicious. The commentary was very informative about the history of Bundaberg and the river.

This photo shows the river looking towards the city and to just let you know, the bridge ahead was way under water during the recent floods.

We then turned and headed back up the river towards the mouth of the river passing the wharf where the bulk carriers tie up.

Our final place to discover was the Macadamia Australia farm and visitors centre. Here we had tastings of various flavoured macadamia nuts - oh yumm!

There are quite a few 'totem poles' that tell the story of this property where macadamia nuts were first planted back in 1958.

Now the best part - well one of the best parts - about stopping off here, was the morning tea. For one of the first places I felt I could relax when ordering my morning tea. I had my coffee with macadamia milk (very nice) and some gluten free/dairy  cake. Although in the photo it shows a big blob of cream beside the cake, I did not eat it - hubby had that with his piece of cake.

Once back at the caravan park, we began the task of packing away the awning, and other things we would need on our last night there. However, whilst doing this, I could not resist taking a photo of the beautiful sunset that seemed fitting to end our visit to the area. To be honest the photo realy does not do it justice - it was a very rich red colour.

Well time, to head to bed and think of the drive home tomorrow.

'Til next time,

June

Day Trip to Howard

 Thankfully it was a fairly fine day when friends joined us as we headed about 30 kms north of Maryborough to a little township called Howard. It is here that a most incredible fabric/drapery store has existed at Howard for over 40 years and run by the same people. It apparently has over 6,000bolts of patchwork fabric along with all needlework accessories, dress fabrics and furnishing fabrics etc.

Hubby, did the ultimate parking trick for me by parking just outside the front door.

You know, it is the sort of place that one day is not long enough to look around. I purchased a few pieces of fabric, along with a thimble that is actually small enough for me and doesn't fall off my finger.

Then it was time to head to the 'Naughty Coffee' shop for some morning tea.

As well as being the Naughty Coffee shop, they have a 'Naughty Corner' in the shop as well. Guess who got to sit in the 'Naughty Corner'?

Hmm ..... doesn't look very happy does he?

Anyway, a lovely morning tea was had by all and on the way out I noticed a poinsettia bush with rain drops on it - I have only even see artificial ones with plastic drops on the petals before - here was the real thing. So, so pretty. They sparkled in the sun.

I so wish we had more time to go back into Van Cootens, but alas it was time to head back to Maryborough where we will go off to the RSL for dinner with our friends. They head off to Hervey Bay tomorrow and we head north up to Burnett Heads, just north of Bundaberg.

'Til next time,

June

On The Road Again

 Goodness I didn't realise just how long it has been since I last posted on my blog. Don't get me wrong I have been busy with stitching, however a lot of what I have been doing is mending - oh I dislike that. First you have to unpick the problem, then redo. First it was replacing the elastic in my winter pyjama pants and then hubby's pyjama top split down the back. All good though and I managed to get it all done before we to get away for a mini break of around 10 days.

Last Wednesday, we set off for Maryborough which is about 250 kms north of Brisbane. In setting ourselves up in the caravan park, we realised just how much we had not brought with us - ah well, stuff happens and it has been over 8 months since we have been away with the van.  We had a restful night before taking in the markets in the centre of Maryborough on Thursday. Because the Mary Poppins Festival is to be held this coming weekend, there were plenty of Mary Poppin look-a-likes parading through the markets. 

I managed to get a photo of the Town Crier though who was holding games for young children.

We then headed off to the Information Centre who had a wonderful display of all things Mary Poppins.

Then it was a case of checking out the public toilets attached to the Town Hall. I have taken several photos of these as you need to see them to believe what has been done to them. It is a case of Michael Angelo eat your heart out! I believe a local painter did all the work on them.

This is the two doors to the ladies toilets.

Now for the chandelier:

The 'piece de resistance' is the gold throne:

Yes, it is actually a gold toilet.

A very busy place with ladies going into the toilets just to get photos, however I myself did have a need to use this - never before and I guess never again will I be in the position to sit on a gold throne.

Our next bit of exploring will be to a tiny locality called Howard about 30kms north of Maryborough that has a well known old fashioned drapery - I have heard so much about it, I am so looking forward to visiting it.

'Til next time,

June

Rain? What Rain?

 We are but 13 days from when we were supposed to leave on our next adventure to western Queensland with our caravan and a few friends tagging along with us, however when you scroll down and see the weather charts from this morning and the weather systems coming in over the next week or so, you will understand why we have decided to cancel our trip.

The whole of Queensland is basically expecting rain, with some very intense rain still to come.

The yellow and red areas on the above photo you can see the extreme rain (up to around 400ml) with flash flooding etc. You can also see where the rain band extends right down the coast through NSW, Victoria and down to Tasmania.

This photo shows the 8 day weather forecast and you can see the different colours show just how much rain is forecast along the eastern states and some forecast for the SW corner of Western Australia as well.

Guess it means I shall have to spend the next week in my sewing room, stitching up a storm - excuse the pun - and see what comes out.

For now though, take care particularly my blogging friends in Australia, and look after  yourselves.

'Til next time,

June

The Rabbits Have Been Let Loose

Several weeks ago my friend, Karen from Karen's Korner, showed me some cute little rabbits she was making and I asked if she minded if I made some for the ladies in my sewing group. 

I set to work, gathered my fabrics from my stock - didn't have to buy any fabric for this project.

I have to say that they were quite mischievous at times, and on one occasion 5 of them went missing - took me several days to find them. 

There were faces to be stitched on, and of course tails to be attached.

Once the bases were stitched up, it was time to turn them right side out, ready for 'feeding'.

I decided to 'feed' them with Easter marshmallows and small chocolate eggs.

Now time to take them to my sewing group and hand them out. All were suitably surprised and delighted with their little bunny.

I was so pleased that they were accepted so well - I  (personally) am one of those that has trouble making items to sell on stalls etc., but prefer to make items as a surprise and give them out. Makes me feel all 'fuzzy'.

Well, that finishes off a lovely day for me, so ....

'Til next time,

June

Best April Fool's Day - Stitching

 The wait was finally over and we gathered to enjoy a lovely day with a visit from the wonderful designer Nikki Tervo and her husband John.

Nikki & John brought up a terrific array of quilts, patterns, stitcheries and threads etc for us all to ooh and ahh over, with their 'pop-up' shop, and of course that meant quite a dent in our wallets with all the lovely items we purchased - I was no exception!

Included in our day, was one of Nikki's designs - the pattern with it pre-printed on fabric along with the stabiliser required. You could either bring your own threads or purchase a pack of the required threads for the project.

The day also included BYO morning tea and lunch or you could purchase needs from the cafe at the Arts Centre.

Here I am with my friend Kim getting into some stitching.

I have been to several stitching days and I have to say I felt this one was the best.

Back to our 'normal' Ladies Sewing Circle next Tuesday, where I am sure we will all tell of our great day out!

'Til next time,

June

Covers Needed for the Men's Shed

 The other week, Peter asked if I would make some covers for him to cover some of his wood turning machines down in his shed, so they would not get so much dust on them when he was using other machines.

For fabric he headed off to one of our Op Shops and came back with what he thought were drop sheets - but no, what he brought back was a doona cover and a queen size sheet, amounting to $1 each.

It was an easy job to do - cut the doona cover in two, stitched them up, and handed them over. The sheet was even easier to make. It was just a case of folding it in two and stitching around it.

Now to the unveiling down in the shed - Peter was quite pleased with the finished items.

Hmm .... plenty big enough and they can be swapped around to various machines.

Sounds like I have not done a real lot this month, however I have been working on a secret project in my own She Shed - more about that next month.

'Til next time,

June

The Tearoom Diaries #3

 I had been sitting waiting, waiting, and still waiting some more, however finally my March letter from The Tearoom Diaries arrived, and oh what a read it certainly was worth the wait.

This letter begins on 1st March 1922 when all were awakened around 1am in Melbourne with an earthquake. According to historical records it was 4.9 in magnitude, and although it would appear not a lot of damage was done, you could assume that such an event would be quite terrifying for those from other countries that never had been through such a thing.

A couple of weeks later, Doris and one of her sisters, Mary, have been invited to a High Tea at the Hotel Windsor in Melbourne with George, their brother and a friend of his, William and William's two sisters. An event like this would of course require a couple young ladies to dress accordingly. So for several days, Doris skipped lunch, met up with Mary and they both went shopping not only for dresses, but shoes, hats and bags.

Although the above photo is not of Doris and Mary, it shows the style of fashions from this era.

It would appear that their High Tea went very well,  with them being served an array of cakes, finger sandwiches and warm scones with jam and clotted cream. 

One would think that The Hotel Windsor may have looked something like this.

Just quietly, it looks like William may have an interest in Doris. At the end of the following week, William invited Doris to join him for lunch at a little cafe in Collins Street. He mentioned to Doris that his old University Professor offered him a position as an engineer with a six month contract. (Sounds like things haven't really changed in this regard over the years!)

It will be interesting to see how this relationship develops over the months ahead.

For now though, think I shall go and create my own High Tea - oh OK, a bit late in the day for that, so I shall go get myself an ice cream to enjoy whilst watching tv with my feet up for the rest of the night.

Take care and look after yourselves.

June

Mini Throwovers

 I came across a mini throwover some time ago and thought that it would be a good idea for salads, meat etc when we have barbeques at home or when setting out food when we are on the road travelling. Another thing I ike about them, is that they wash like rags too.

I found some curtain fabric for the main section - 50cm x 50cm, and the strips around the edge is 3.5 cm wide which is a great way to use up fabric pieces that are not much use to make anything bigger.

These are exceptionally good to place over bowls or trays of food rather than the larger type that cover the whole table (have a few of these too). And yes there are a couple of Christmas ones too - got to be well prepared!

With the weather that we have been having over the last few weeks, not a lot has been done, also I have begun to go through all the gear I pulled out of our caravan when we had it in for repairs, and now have to put it back in - mind you there is quite a bit that won't be going back in - I mean, why would you want 3 omelette dishes for the microwave? That is just one example.

For now though I shall head off and go through another container before settling down for the evening to watch some TV.

Take care and look after yourselves,

'Til next time,

June

Placemats in the 'She Shed'

 During the last week or so when we were bunkered down with the 'rain bomb' that hit the east coast of Australia and in particular the Sth East of Queensland, I spent most of the time in my sewing room and creating a pair of placemats for some friends starting out on their adventures in their caravan. I made them from largish left over scraps and just made it - quite pleased with them, as is their new owners.

I made them reversible with a floral (?) print that toned in on the back.

Now while I was making these, Peter was busy down in his 'man cave' playing around with his scroll saw and other bits of machinery. This is what he made for me, and yes, it is hanging up in the doorway to my sewing room  ..... oops 'She Shed'

Time to head back into my 'She Shed' to begin creating more bits and pieces.

Have a good weekend everyone, look after yourselves and take care,

June

A Repair Job Finally Done

Back in 2016 we did a trip with some friends from east to west, coast to coast, across our great country and on stopping off in the centre at Uluru/Ayers Rock for a visit, I purchased a hat that took my fancy. The reason was that here in Australia, particularly in our outback, is that there are lots and lots of flies. So to find a hat with flies all over it was what was needed.

The only problem was that it was 'one size fits all'! Well, for me, 'one size fits all' does not fit.

So finally a few weeks ago, I began to unpick it.

This was quite a task as it was fully lined, however not to be deterred, I got it all apart and then came the job of trying to make it the right size for me.

After a couple of false starts, I was able to get a very good fit.

Now I will be able to 'look the part' with the flies when we start off on our next adventure later in the year. We will have 2 other couples travelling with us who have not ventured to the outback before. Think we will have a great trip.

However, there is more stitching to be done before then. Oh, and putting everything back into our caravan!

All for now, take care and look after yourselves,

June