In Which I Move to New Zealand

Exciting times :)

Longer, more contemplative post coming soon.

My time in Queensland

After our epic road trip, I had the privledge of housesitting for a dear couple just north of Brisbane. It was so lovely! It was so lovely and peaceful, and I spent much time fellowshipping with dear friends.

For the first three nights, some girls from Melbourne stayed with me. On Sunday, we went out to visit some friends, and I got bogged in their driveway, before even attempting to cross the river running through it. The mud on my arm is the result of getting un-bogged.

The home we were staying in is something of a tropical oasis, and many little animals make their home there, such as this frog, and the lizard I found in the kitchen one day. The birds come in each day to be fed, and were so beautiful (although noisy at 5:30am!)

On the Monday, we took a drive down to Redcliff, to view the muddy waters of the bay. There was a storm brewing, and very windy. The water was brown, as a result of the flooding.

On Tuesday, we were all cooped up inside the house as a result of the raging storm outside. The rain was absolutely torrential, and the lightning sounded like it was striking right next door. 

Eventually we ventured outside, and discovered that our whole street had became a raging river, and there was no way any of us were going anywhere! Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos as it was still raining and I didn't want the camera to get wet. And, I thought it would stay that way for days, at least.

We started praying. The girls were due to fly out the next morning, and I was only a little bit worried at what might happen if we were stranded at the house for another week. Would we have enough food?

Their parents were calling me, asking me how bad the situation was, and what I was going to do about it. All I could do was pray!

Dear friends of ours heard of our predicament and staged a rescue mission in their four-wheel-drive. The water had gone done somewhat by the afternoon, but as other roads flooded over, it was perfect timing.

So that was my flood story. Other friends have more dramatic tales, and pictures to show for it.

A few days later, Rocky & I went for a walk, and found that there was still a bit of damage in the nearby area.

See the log lodged in the tree near the top of the photo? That was the height of the water when it came gushing through. 

Yes, there's a road under there. 

This road used to be sealed bitumen. The flood washed it away, back to dirt again. The debris in the trees shows  the height of the flood water.

The sunsets were spectacular :)

Visiting friends, and talking for hours.

I spent much time with these dear people. Here they are cutting out a shirt for me, which I learnt how to sew :)

On one of my last days there, I drove up to the Sunshine Coast to meet some friends. The beach there is absolutely beautiful!

It was a fantastic trip, and I still don't think I took enough photos to justly show it all! The Lord blessed me so much, and spoke to me, and drew me nearer to Himself. I can't exaggerate how good the fellowship was, just spending time talking about the Lord and His Word. I was very tempted to accept the numerous invitations to live up there!

Thank you Lord, for such a blessed, beautiful holiday.

Games Day {Wordless Wednesday}

Road Trip - Days 6, 7, 8 & 9

Day 6

Tuesday morning, after some really lovely conversation with the sweet family we were staying with, Bea & I said goodbye to everyone and headed off to the Blue Mountains. It was absolutely stunning! 

A number of people told us that there wasn't much to see up there, but we completely disagreed. We did a longer than planned hike at Wentworth Falls, and loved every minute of it. The landscape was stunning, and the waterfall only got more beautiful the lower into the valley we walked.

Bea testing her muscles!

Bea was lovely and sweet to offer to get a couple of photos of me. She didn't want me looking at the photos years later wondering why I wasn't in there!

A German tourist took this one for us.

The steps were the steepest I have ever climbed.

Grand Canyon, with gum trees.

We then went into the delightful town of Leurra, and enjoyed a very well earned late lunch at the cutest little cafe/deli.

Then it was on to Katoomba, where we checked into our accommodation for the night, and proceeded to be "bored." With a mountain of books to read and letters to write and emails to check, we needed time to be bored :)

The view from our room:

Day 7


Wednesday morning, after a breakfast in the quaint kitchen of our mountain chalet, we set off to find the Three Sisters. The scenery was awesome.

The Three Sisters themselves were quite spectacular. I would have loved to have done the hike to the bottom of the valley, but we didn't have time.

Bea reading Braille. 

Ghost gums make my heart do the happy dance. I love love love them, and couldn't get enough photos of their spectacular beauty.

After walking along a muddy flooded track for quite some distance, we reached the cable car station, which we caught across the valley. The views were quite lovely.

Then we boarded a train on the World's Steepest Railway. 51 degrees straight down!

I would have loved to have spent more time in the valley with the rocks and ferns and trees, but our ticket expired at 12:00, so we caught the cable car back up the mountain, and then another back across the valley.

Katoomba Falls was spectacular in its simplicity.

More ghost gums and deep valleys. My heart was so happy!

Gateway to the Three Sisters.

Bea sitting in the shade of the first Sister.

The steps to the Sisters were really steep and worn.

Maps :)

While planning our route, I insisted that I didn't want to go back in to Sydney. Who wants to see city when they can see national park? A dear friend suggested that we go up to Wiseman's Ferry, and I'm so glad we did!

The Hawkesbury River, which we crossed by ferry.

As we approached the little town of Wiseman's Ferry, I kept commenting to Bea that I hoped it wasn't touristy. Over commercialisation just takes so much away from the natural beauty. We were pleasantly surprised to find, there was not one little bit of tourism!

With all of our detours, we were rather late pulling into the house of our lovely hosts, and elderly couple living in Taree. It was after 10pm, and they insisted on peeling vegetables to make us a cooked dinner. They were just so precious. 

Day 8

Lovely little bridge at Thone River. We had to stop because I'd spotted more ghost gums :) 

The scenery just kept getting better!

We stopped in Armidale, where my mother went to college. The University of New England is absolutely stunning! I felt like I'd stepped back into another era.

The township of Armidale was lovely, too, and had the BEST custard tart I have ever tasted. I'd go back just for another one!

Then it was on to Ebor Falls, where I took far too many photos as I tried to capture it's beauty. The lighting was lovely and soft, and everything looked like a painting.

We spent the night in Maclean, a quaint little Scottish town. The accommodation here was really good, and really showed up the other places we'd paid for!

Day 9

Friday morning we spent touring Maclean, and admiring the view from the lookout. Every lamp post in Maclean sported a clan tartan from the Scottish immigrants that settled this area.

The Scottish Cairn was built with rocks from all over Australia and Scotland, symbolising diversity and unity. 

Then we pushed onwards to Byron Bay, and got caught in floodwater, which I found pretty exciting to drive through!

Byron Bay was an interesting place, a mix of hippy meets surfy. There was definitely a new age feel to the place, and I didn't enjoy the atmosphere or the crowds. They did, however, have good coffee.

Driving at 120km/h.

Streetscape in Collangatta. 

New South Wales / Queensland Border (yes, it's looking the wrong way. We got lost.)

Then, the final leg of our journey, it was on to Brisbane, to Bea's flat and then even further north, to the little town I'd be staying in. 

And then it was all over. Over 2,500km of driving. Nine days of fun and fellowship. Of photos and learning and growing and sharing. 

Every minute and every mile was a blessing.

Thank you, Lord.