A baby and mother Koala

The very first month of work in Salamander Bay, a patient of mine advised me to walk across the street to the local library. This was because up in one of the eucalyptus trees was a lone adult Koala. Soon after when Jo came up we went looking, but had no luck spotting the elusive tree hugger. To my amazement nearly 9 months later, Johanna was by chance walking by and had a look, to her enjoyment she was able to capture possibly the same adult with a tiny addition. One crappy day at the office was soon turned around with this awesome sight. Ingrid and Beo, you guys would have easily spent a couple of hours watching these two sleep and eat....

Summer!

After a full week of rain, 16 above and storms, summer finally seems to be here.  The balcony got a good clean and we enjoyed a good dinner outside this evening!

Spider Encounters Part Deux

Just as we had talked previously that spring is in the air, the flowers are in bloom, the birds are chirping...well the large spiders are also back. Our first encounter with the Huntsman was one month into our stay. We were walking along the underground garage when a furry ball the size of an orange came charging towards us leaping (yes these spiders jump as they run) and looking for cover. The dread I had since that time as I hadn't had a chance to take a photo graph or catch it to get a closer look, well today we got that chance....

Before the capture, this little fella by Huntsman standards was about half the size of our first encounter..

Safely behind a thick insect proof jar...

The Aussie 10 cent piece is the size roughly of a 2 Euro coin or a Toonie (canadian 2 dollar coin)

Johanna is very impressed!!!!!!

We let the big guy outside so that he could patrol the apartment as one of their favorite dishes to eat are the dreaded cockroach or in Swedish Kackerlacka!

Spring is in the air...

Yes folks spring is finally here and for those of our friends/family in Sweden/Canada that means that you are getting bundled up and ready for the COLD! Ha HA! We are currently enjoying an amazing bout of weather which have been taking in....

 Our Friend mr. poisonous spider who has been hanging around our balcony. We think its a brown back which can cause some pain but not death if bitten, just to be sure though I escorted him outside.

Johanna enjoying the creepy confines of a late night adventure where several of Newcastle's first settlers were burried. Several convicts who did undertaking hard labor....

The only time you will catch me in the flowers....Spring time!

Johanna finally in the water....Usually she just takes a book and soaks up the sun, as it was 30+ above today it was nice to cool down.

Where I usually stay....

A little Aloe Vera for some spots that are sunburnt (our own plant). No worries folks as we use SPF 30 but some of use a really bad at putting lotion on...Whoops..

Newcastle Live sites. A brilliant Idea for this blue collar Red neck town. Every week in a different location, a live dance floor is set up and a different style of music is the focus. Tonight was Reggae and the site was by chance just outside our apt. Everyone is encouraged to dance to the live music.

In-between the Reggae acts the Newcastle Ukilaelae Orchestra also put on a show.

On and on into the night.

A beautiful Great Dane I thought I would throw in..

Anniversary

Apologies again for not posting in a while, but we've been busy being sick... I spent pretty much a week in bed with a sinus infection and bad headaches after mum and dad left, and Wyatt wasn't feeling the best either. But...we're back on track now!

 I've got the man flu

This last weekend has been pretty busy making up for lost time.  We went over to Wyatt's colleague Lauren and her husband Jarvis to meet their new edition to the family, beautiful little Jada. It's amazing how tiny a two week old baby is...

The company Wyatt works for had their annual Christmas Picnic in Jesmond Park just outside Newcastle on Sunday so we stopped by, had some nice lunch and I got to meet Wyatt's new colleague and her family who all seemed very nice. The picnic had a Christmas Theme and the staff serving food were all walking around in antlers and other type of Christmas outfits. Even though this is our second winter here, I find it hard to get into any sort of a holiday spirit when it's sunny and 25 above.  Christmas time is all about snuggling under a blanket with gingerbread cookies and hot glögg, snow, cold weather and rosy cheeks...rosy cheeks from the cold, not from too much sun:)

Last but not least, it's two years since Wyatt and I met. So we went out for a nice meal last weekend to celebrate the occasion. We went to a lovely little restaurant on Darby Street with great food, nice service and relaxed atmosphere.

 

The past month

This past month has gone by so fast, and I can't believe mum and dad's visit is over already...  We've had such a great time and it's been so good to have them here. Tack mamma o pappa för en fin månad! 

Apart from our trips to Ayers Rock, Alice Springs and Sydney, we've been travelling around quite a bit in the area around Newcastle and Port Stephens and done and seen loads of things.  I'm pretty impressed with all the wild animals we've seen; Koalas, wild Camels(!) in Ayers Rock, a Monitor, a Blue Tongue, Seals, Whales, Kangaroos, Possums and of course a variety of exotic birds! We've been running a bit behind with the blog, so this will be a long post! This is some of the stuff we got up to.

Wine Touring

It's been nearly a year since Wyatt and I were last touring the vineyards around Hunter Valley and I had forgotten how many they were... It's hundreds of them, one after the other.  In a couple of hours we managed to visit 7! Mum and dad bought two bottles of real tasty wine that we enjoyed later on in the week. Thanks!

Beautiful lush valleys

The Spit

If you time it right, when the tide is out,  you can actually walk all over to a deserted island off Fingal Bay on a narrow piece of land tongue called the Spit.  We missed the tide but still had a beautiful walk on a great stretch of beach. 

The Island and the Spit in the background

 

The water closing in from two sides

 

After a long day on the beach we went to the Tea Rooms, a café with stunning views overlooking the bay.

 

   

Barbecuing

A great thing about Australia, well at least where we live, is that they are communal bbq's everywhere.  So we've been packing the bags more than once with sausages, meat and beers to find a nice spot for a barbie in true Aussie style!

 
Shoal Bay

 

Mum's Birthday...

...was celebrated like this:

 Renting a boat in Nelson Bay, with some picnic to go along

 Wyatt and dad climbing Mount Tomaree in the background

 Drinks on the balcony

 Dinner by the sea in Newcastle

Waiting for food!

Whale Watching

Mum, dad and I went out on a whale watching cruise in Nelson Bay when Wyatt was working.  Instead of using their normal big catamaran vessel, we were in a pretty small, wooden boat.  Luckily it was only us three and another 5 people on board so there was loads of space. The captain warned us beforehand that it could get a bit rough out at sea due to the weather... and it did.  Mum and dad were mostly laughing hysterically while I was trying to focus on the horizon not to get seasick. At one point it was impossible to walk anywhere, let alone to stand up without grabbing on to something with both hands.  Luckily it calmed down, and it turned out to be a lovely trip.  We did get to see two whales, but they only showed a couple of times and at a distance.  As a bonus, we saw dolphins really close, right next to the boat and a couple of Aussie seals sunning themselves.

Jumping dolphin, and another one just under the sea surface

 Our little boat!

 Holding on for dear life

 The back of a whale...

 Australian Fur Seals

Plenty of room

Central Coast

For a change, we ventured south instead of north on a day trip down the Central Coast. A real beautiful area. 

 Trying to figure out where to go next...

 Hunting for a Blue Tongue...

 ...and here he is!

Well, this post turned out pretty long so I think I'll finish up with these last pictures.   We've been eating, drinking, hiking, playing cards, laughing, talking and relaxing.  I could right a tonne more but I think you get the picture!  The place feels a bit empty right now, but we're looking forward to our next visitors, Wyatt parents Marg and Dale who will be here for Christmas and just in time for the good weather!