Adelaide to Brisbane with Grandma

Neil and I flew down to Adelaide on the 4th of March, to collect my mother for a holiday in Brisbane with us. Mum can't fly, because (she has no wings, lol!) of some health problems :)

We took a week to drive home, filling our time with as many interesting activities for her as we could. We spent some time along the Great Ocean Rd. first, where Mum enjoyed a helicopter flight over the coast, a night-time laser show at Warrnambool, the Tree Top Fly Walk in the Otway Forest, and an overnight stay in the original, 161 year old home of the first Keeper at the Great Otway Lighthouse. We visited the Twelve Apostles and the Blowhole, the Bay of Martyrs, and Tower Hill, where we enjoyed seeing the wildlife as they free-ranged in the crater of an extinct volcano. We also stayed in wonderful accommodation in Warrnambool and Port Campbell. I had particularly looked for places with spa baths, as Mum was keen to try one again. Unfortunately, her knees were too stiff for her to be able to get into the bath :(

In Melbourne we met up with Tammy for the weekend, and went together to see 'Wicked', a stage show about the Wizard of Oz, that we all absolutely loved, as it was completely wonderful! The singing, the amazing set, the costumes and the acting were all fabulous. At church the next day we discovered that one of the main actresses that we had enjoyed so much, was a church member in that ward; her husband is a Bishop. We wrote a note to express our appreciation, for her wonderful performance and for the entire show.

On the way from Melbourne to Brisbane we were able to visit with three different lots of relatives, and made some family history contacts. I also interviewed my mother's brother, Doug, in order to write his life story. He is not in good health at present, but was very cheerful and articulate and interesting. All of our relatives were particularly hospitable, which was certainly not surprising, but was very pleasant.

We also drove through a lot of beautiful scenery, especially in NSW. In Victoria we passed through some of the areas worst affected by the recent bush fires a month ago, near by the King Lake area, where so many lives were lost.

Finally home, we arrived in time to celebrate Neil's birthday with all the children (and grand-daughter :)

Mum will be with us for almost two months altogether. We're very glad that she will be here for Michael's wedding too, on the 18th April.