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..

What a great day!

Well news from my sister is that the cancer is shrinking - she had some tests yesterday and it showed that the cancer has reduced quite a lot - which is just fantastic. The doctor has said this is a very good sign, as it means the cancer is responding well to the chemo.

I went out for a walk today to get some exercise and I can't believe it - I got sunburnt. Yes me - sunburnt - I was only outside for about 1 hour. I can't believe it. It was only 27 degrees. I knew I was whiter than I have ever been before but this has just confirmed my concern. I will have to ensure I work hard to return to my lovely olive skin tone. Oh well - looks like I will need to spend more time in the sun while I am here - its a hard life.

Having fun, looking forward to the weekend - going Shark diving in Shark Alley, Morton Bay with my brother.. My mother thinks my brother and I are crasy (she just realised this??).. I am really looking forward to it but nervous at the same time as someone was attacked by a shark this year where we are going and had their leg bitten off (it was either a bull shark or great white - can't remember which) but they were water skiiing at the time. I am sure that a shark would prefer to eat a million other things beside me - I don't think I would taste that nice..

Home Sweet Home

Finally have arrived.. Excellent flight - I think I slept for 20 hours out of the 25!! It was so wonderful to walk out of Brisbane airport and just feel the humidity hit me - love it - home at last.. I went to see my sister in the hospital - she is doing well and was very happy to see me. The second Chemo hasn't hit her so badly so she is doing well. My gorgeous nephew Tiernan is even more adorable that I remembered (which I didn't think was possible).. I think I have cuddled and kissed him a million times and I still haven't had enough.. He is just so sweet and he keeps calling my auntie Natty and hasn't stopped talking to me, he even was spoon feeding me his dinner as he wanted to share it with me.. The bugs already know that I am home and they love me - have several mozzie bites already - I think they have all noticed the new item on the menu.. Went to visit my little brother Bens new house - its hard to think of him as a grown-up and living in his own house. Was impressed that his bachelor pad had more than just computers in the house, and he even made us all breakfast!

Waiting at Heathrow - not long to go now!!

bored
- adjective feeling weary and impatient because one is unoccupied or has no interest in ones current activity.

I think this describes my current situation very well.. After walking round Heathrow 3 times (exercise for the day), having some dinner in the BA lounge (lovely mushroom soup and salad - very impressed), reading the newspaper and showering - washing it twice (its a girl thing) and drying my hair, I still have 1 hour and 35 minutes before my plane even gets off the ground!! I then have a 25 hour flight before I get to my destination - Brisbane heaven on Earth. Why is it when you want time to go past quickly - its is slower than ever? They say time flys when you are having fun - well I guess I must be having the complete opposite of fun right now. Oh well - I am off to go and try to find something fun to do.

Shave for a Cure - Please help such a worthwhile cause

The World's Greatest Shave to Care and Cure is one of Australia's biggest fundraising events. 100,000 people across the country pledge to shave their hair each year to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

The Leukaemia Foundation raise funds for patients and families living with leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders. The funds raised will help them offer support services, counseling, education programs and practical assistance free of charge. They also fund cutting edge research into treatments and cures.

My wonderful amazing sister who currently 33 years old and is 15 weeks pregnant has just been diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Apparently, she has had the cancer for about a year and therefore need to start 8 months of chemotherapy immediately. Luckily they think that this should not harm her baby although the baby will be delivered about 8 weeks early. My sister will also continue chemotherapy after the baby is born. My sister has been thinking about doing Shave for a Cure prior to this and then once she received this diagnosis, decided to do it. We are lucky that her prognosis is quite good however I know others are not so lucky.

So please help her raise money for such a worthwhile cause and sponsor her via the link below.

http://www.worldsgreatestshave.com.au/myhomepage.php?id=90536

My brothers and father are also taking part in this event to support my sister:
http://www.worldsgreatestshave.com.au/myhomepage.php?id=90660
http://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/myhomepage.php?id=90773
http://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/myhomepage.php?id=91289
http://www.worldsgreatestshave.com/myhomepage.php?id=91707

Yippeee - I am going to Australia today!

Can't wait to get onto the plane - think this is going to be the longest plane trip ever... Leave here 21:50 friday night arrive Brisbane 8:35am Sunday morning.. 25 1/2 hours on the plane - I hope I sleep the entire way