Jamaica - a little island paradise

Chris and I were very lucky to have spend 1 week in the lovely sunny Ocho Rios, Jamaica. It was a tropical island paradise and we would definitely recommend the country and would love to go back if we get the chance. We went horse ridding though a plantation and up a mountain, climbed Dunns River Falls – the Caribbean’s most beautiful water fall, scuba dived in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, went on a lovely sunset cruise on a really big catamaran, drank lots and lots (and lots) of wonder cocktails and of course just relaxed in the warm sun! All the people were very friendly and everything was “No Problem”, Bob Marley was on every t-shirt and his music seemed to always be playing everywhere you went.

 

Australia here I come..

Yippeee only 2 more sleeps till I am on my way to Sunny Australia - I can't wait.

Winter Wonderland

Yippppeeeee it snowed again today.. We awoke this morning to a blanket of white and it keep snowing till about midday.. Here are just a few little pics of the lovely snow.

Dover Castle, the Secret Wartime Tunnels and the White Cliffs

On Sunday, 4th Feb Emily, Daniel, Roslyn, Chris and I did a day trip to Dover which is 75 miles (120KM) south-east of London. Dover is famous for Dover Castle, its white Cliffs and is the gateway to Europe. Dover guards the English side of the shortest sea crossing to France, there is only 21 miles of the English channel between Dover and France.

Dover Castle is one of the mightiest fortresses in Western Europe, guards the English side of the shortest sea crossing to France. The keep of Dover Castle was built under the orders of King Henry II between 1181 and 1187 and the walls are 7 metres thick. The castle has survived many battles and sieges and was also the headquarters for operations against German submarines in WW1 and served as a command post for the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. Beneath Dover's Medieval castle and within its famous white cliffs lies a huge network of military tunnels which have been in use since Napoleonic times.


Unfortunately, there was a lost of mist and fog around (as it was a typical English winter day) and the visibility was not very good of the white cliffs and the photos don't really show what it was like.. But it was still it was a great fun day and amazing to see massive cliff faces made entirely of chalk.

Chris outside the enterance to the tunnels under Dover Castle.

Dan having a bit of fun with one of the cannons inside the castle.

The gang at the main enterance to the keep of the castle.

This is the old roman lighthouse and the Saxon church. The lighthouseis from 50AD and is possibly the oldest standing building in England.

A map of the tunnels showing the 3 layers which formed the complex web of rooms and passages.

Inside one of the rooms in the tunnels - an old telephone exchange which was once used during the war.

Roslyn guarding our picnic table while we went to get our picnic lunch from the car.. Maybe not the best day for a picnic as we were freezing by the end of it..

A cannon and some cannon balls.

Me walking along the outer wall of the castle.

The gang inside the castle.

The gang outside the keep of the castle.

Dan and Nat inside the keep.

Nat outside the Saxon church and lighthouse. The church dates from AD1000.

The white cliffs behind some building in town.

Emily and I couldn't help ourselves with all this chalk around we had to leave messages for the others.

I like to be, Under the sea....

On Saturday Ben and I went diving in Morton Bay, unfortunately we did not see any Grey nurse sharks as we were hoping as the water was too warm (about 23 degrees) but we did see a few wobbegong sharks. But it was a absolutely perfect day. The water was like glass, so smooth and the sun was shinning bright. The dives were great, we dived a site called Shark Alley which is at Flat Rock which is an excellent dive sight. We had a very friendly turtle join us for our second dive and he just seemed to want to hang around us for the afternoon which was really amazing. We saw a great big lobster, which I really would have loved to take home for dinner, but since it is illegal I thought I would leave it there. We saw some coral bandit shrimp which we have never seen in the wild before (only ever in Bens marine tank) and stingrays.. Of course there was lots of fish, coral and anemones, I even saw Nemo and a few of his family and friends....I just can't wait till I get back down there again..

A lovely red plant

A pair of coral bandit shrimp.

A school of hungry fish.

A lovely yellow trumpet fish.

I like to be under the sea - more photos...

A school of fish.

A cousin of Nemo.

A giant star fish.

What can I say, a perfect day in QLD.

A lonely stringray swimming to get away.

I like to be, Under the Sea - more photos....

Ben and I under the sea..


Ben swimming with our friend the turtle.


Scare face - a friend of Nemo's.


Dinner - no I mean the lobster..


A wobbie shark having a rest.

The greatest dad in the world - my Dad!

My dad is the greatest dad in the world!! He is the first one to do his pledge for the worlds greatest shave and has dyed his lovely black hair BRIGHT RED!! Yes Red, my dad - I would never in a million years actually believe he would do this. His hair was first bleached and then was dyed a lovely bright red colour.. We are all amazed at his courage and that he has actually done this, as it isn't going to wash out any time soon.. I think he has dyed it as he has noticed all the greys and thought this was a good way to cover them up!!. It actually looks good and I think it makes him look younger..