In case you are wondering............?

Where is Geraldton?

 

Some of you are probably wondering where we are in Australia.  

Here are a couple of map links to give you a location.

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Australia

https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Geraldton+WA

 

Geraldton is in Western Australia about 500km (310 miles) north of Perth.

 

 

What do we miss most about home?

 

Gaylene would say....... Grandkids, family & friends of course, then Mexican Food, a dishwasher, Cherokee (our dog), church, fall season

Norm would say....... all of the above, plus reliable internet connection, Bear Creek Men's Golf Club, mountain biking

 

 

What have we enjoyed here in Australia?

 

Living near the beach, having a housekeeper (comes with the apartment), friendly people, welcoming community within our church, hearing that "aussie accent" constantly, beef pasties, kebobs, living in a smaller town and Norm loving his work! And of course, those crazy kangaroos. Also, trying new foods at the company dinners.

 

 

Why are we here?

 

Norm is working about 30 km east of Geraldton at a Satellite Communications site, doing engineering and testing. And Gaylene would say...... my husband is working and I am on holiday, biking, reading, going to a craft classes, making new Australian friends, cooking occasionally, and  just being here with Norm.

 

 

Are we ever coming home?

 

Yes, we will be spending 3 weeks and Christmas in Maui, with Jeff, Laura, and Asher.

We will return to AZ sometime after Christmas.

 

 

Do we plan on coming back to Australia?

 

Only God knows what is planned for the future. Is there a possibility? Yes. It is an amazing country to visit and live in for awhile and we have met some amazing people here.

 

Sunsets of Geraldton

The only difference between Arizona sunsets

 and Geraldton sunsets is the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was to be our fish and chips sunset dinner

 out on Point Moore near the lighthouse.

 We thought it was still beautiful even without the sun.

 

 

But the sun reappeared just before disappearing.

 

 

And this was the result!!!

 It lasted our entire walk on the beach.

 There were only about 5 other people out there to see it.

 

 

 

These two pictures were from our apartment.

 

 

This is the beach across the road from us.

Happy Thanksgiving from Australia

As you know, no pilgrims means, no Thanksgiving in Australia.

 But we were determined Americans!

 It was a challenge to find the right ingredients

 but we managed. Including the 7 layer salad. (Which was a hit).

 

 

We also found a turkey, (and will never complain about the price of turkey again)

 and the other American working here, Don,

 took on the turkey and stuffing challenge.

 (He didn't tell us til later that the stuffing had Vegemite in it)

 

 

Our menu consisted of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes,

 gravy, green beans, rolls, 7 layer salad, and sweet potato casserole

 (which became soup when the Australian marshmallows became clear syrup).

 And for dessert - Pumpkin Dump Cake with ice cream.

 

Everyone enjoyed our story of the Pilgrims,

then we went around the table saying what we were thankful for.

 Norm said a prayer of thanksgiving and blessed the food.

 

 

3 Americans and 7 Aussies (3 co-workers and 2 families

from our church here)  who were all very

thankful and stuffed last Sunday.

 

Have a Happy and blessed Thanksgiving to all our

friends and family back in America this Thursday.

We are thankful for (and miss) all of you!

Last Day of our Holiday

We met up with Waylon and Becky and their family,

 the nephew of our friends, Bob and Lynn

 for a picnic at Kings Park in Perth.

 

This particular weekend was the 100 year anniversary

 of the 1st AU and NZ ships to leave for WWI.

 

 

 

 It was a beautiful park to hike in 

with our new Australian friends.

 

 

A baby Kookaburra

 

We are headed back to Geraldton and reality, or at least for Norm.

Freemantle and Perth

We took a walk in Fremantle on our way back to Perth.

 

It is quite charming with its old buildings and architecture.

It was one of the first ports on the west coast of Australia.

 

 

 Bethany and Laura,

 here's to sipping your way through Fremantle!

 

 

 

 

Next stop, Perth. 

 

Loved the blend of old and new

 

Since no Pilgrims, then no Thanksgiving,

 they moved right into Christmas on Nov. 1.

 Halloween was no big deal here.

 Saw very few costumes or decorations. 

 

Notice the splash pad. Australia is extremely family friendly.

 Most places close at 5 pm and most are closed on Sunday.

 Even restaurants have play areas for kids. (What happened to the US?)

 

 

Mount Franklin

Our last stop as we head back to the city :(

 

Double click to see the raindrops

 

This overlooked the area where the tree top walk is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listen carefully to the peace and quiet (and the birds chirping).

These trees are young Karri trees which when mature are the

3rd largest trees in the world.

 

On our way out to the highway back to Perth.