And Finally.....................

Just to play you out is this most well known of Australian Ballads which has been dedicated to the late Steve Irwin who to me oppitomises just how wonderful Australia is , as a land of opportunities for young people - may his spirit live on.

MOST IMPORTANTLY - THANKS TO ALL

Finally its time to close this Blog which has kept me busy at 6a.m. every morning in OZ.

But before I finish I must ensure that the correct Thank You's are made.

Thanks to Shaun and Linda for looking after our home and making it so welcoming for our return.

Thanks to Caroline for giving Bramble a home and for her fantastic Blog which we enjoyed every day.

Thanks to Sister Suzie for conveyence to the Airport and for our welcome lunch on our return , and for looking after our car.

Thanks to Ian for looking after our Garden.

Thanks to Ted and Liz (and Fiona) for surprising me with our Lobster Pot extension.

Thanks to , Pam and Mike , Phil and Lynn , Mary Anne , Adam and Kylie , and Colin and Helen, for being so kind in entertaining us. Please be assured of a similar welcome at our home when hopefully you make it to Scotland next.

Thanks to Steve and Kylie for helping with the transportation and introducing us to John and Sue.

Thank-You to Mike for his most welcome airport chauffeur duties , and the support he and Pam give DM and Emma on a day to day basis in Oz giving us back home a lot of reassurance.

Thankyou to Ellie for being a most pleasant and polite travelling companion and holiday sharer, we really enjoyed your company ( although Im still convinced Lady Gaga has an Adams Apple !)

Finally - A really huge Thank You and Hugs and Kisses to DM and Emma. We really do appreciate how much effort you must have put into giving us the holiday of a Lifetime. Thank You from the bottom of our hearts.

A SAD FAREWELL AND A LONG FLIGHT HOME

WELL WE HAD A VERY SAD FAREWELL (there wasnt a dry eye in the house or the airport) AND A VERY VERY LONG FLIGHT HOME , THE FIRST LEG WAS 14 HOURS FROM BRISBANE TO DUBAI , AND THEN ANOTHER 7 FROM DUBAI TO GLASGOW. A LOT OF TIME TO REFLECT ON JUST HOW WONDERFULL A HOLIDAY WE HAD. PLEASED TO SAY WE TOUCHED DOWN SAFELY AND NOW ITS BACK TO OUR OLD FAMILIAR CASTLE DOUGLAS ROUTINE.

IF ANYONE IS WONDERING WAS IT WORTH IT - JUST LOOK BACK OVER THE BLOG , IT TRULY WAS A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER INTO OUR DOTAGE (NOT TOO FAR AWAY).

WOULD WE GO AGAIN ? - YOU BET YOUR LIFE WE WOULD (IF DM AND EMMA ARE READING -THIS IS A VERY UNSUBTLE HINT FOR OUR NEXT INVITATION.

Land of the Dinosaurs

We spotted this 24" specimen on our riverside walk

Anchors Away

Riverside Architecture along the Board Walks

STEEL PELICANS

Confuciouis Say - Hello Fiona

Last Day Monday 2nd August 2010

Last Day Monday 2nd August 2010

This was our last day and we spent it doing souvenir shopping in Brisbane , and a riverside walk. We were all a bit subdued at the prospect of us all going our seperate ways. Which was hardly surprising after a month of endless fun and merriment. We saw an Agricultural Display in the City Centre with a rather stubborn Ram (Knew Shaun would like this.

A Flower for Fiona

Scrubbed up well again !

Dog on a Cold UTE Floor

This dog passed us while UTE was moving ! Surfing at about 40mph.

Only Ellie by DM and Emma

Only Ellie by DM and Emma

Strawberry Fields For Ever

Strawberry Fields For Ever

Make Mine a XXXX

Make Mine a XXXX

Glass House Posing

Glass House Posing

Lunch at Ettamogah Pub

Lunch at Ettamogah Pub

Glasshouse Mosaics

Glasshouse Mosaics

Glass House Mountains

DM took us to The Glasshouse Mountains, north of Brisbane today. These are huge sheer rising volcanic plugs with very fertile land at their feet which allows for all kind of fruit growing. We managed to get some pineapples and some pick your own strawberries- delicious.