Welcome and come on in. It is hard to believe that one week of the New Year has already passed and already I’m feeling as though it is going far too quickly. What would you like to drink. Coffee or tea? or perhaps a cold drink. We aren’t getting the heat wave that they are to the south of us but it is still warm. Hot our German visitors would say.
If we were having coffee I’d tell you that we saw the New Year in with a bang. We had ringside seats for the fireworks down by the river and as a result I think they were the best fireworks I have seen for years if not ever. It may not have rivalled Sydney and their use of the harbour but we didn’t have the crowds and were right in the thick of it.
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
With visitors we are going out and about to some of my favourite places. Noosa Botanic Gardens which sits on the edge of Lake Macdonald is always appreciated by anyone I take there. Unfortunately (but lucky for me) very few locals know of its existence and you can always be assured of peace and tranquility even in the height of the Summer holidays.
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
We’ve walked the National Park, gone surfing, lunched at Cotton Tree visited the Ginger Factory and discovered an unexpected gem at Maleny – the Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World. This is a private garden and aviary and it was spectacular.
© irene waters 2018
There were ponds and waterfalls scattered throughout the gardens which gave fantastic
views to the Glass House Mountains.
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
The Mountains got their names “Glass House” as for some reason Captain Cook seeing them from sea was reminded of glass houses back home in England. I fail to see the similarity myself but they are spectacular to see.
© irene waters 2018
Turkeys of some type roamed the gardens
© irene waters 2018
and the flowers were both colourful and sometimes unusual.
© irene waters 2018
We finished at the aviary where there were parrots and finches to delight.
© irene waters 2018
© irene waters 2018
My brother-in-law lost his hat button
© irene waters 2018
thanks to this persistent lovebird.
© irene waters 2018
The Macaws were something I had not experienced up close before and they were heavy and one drew blood on my arm with its claws. They armed those that did not want an up close and personal experience with feather dusters.
© irene waters 2018
My niece enjoyed the lovebird
© irene waters 2018
but was not so sure about the Macaw.
© irene waters 2018
She did get used to it as you can see.
Having 7 people in the house gave us much laughter and conversation. Meals became an event as Roger served different meals to cater for different tastes despite me telling him it was not a restaurant. He was happy and enjoyed it.I learnt some new internet things such as roblox and tictock. The eleven year old was stuck with all the oldies as we didn’t know any children for her to play with but she managed well despite a tinge of homesickness at times.
The last three left yesterday and the house feels quiet and empty. I hope that I will again have time to be regularly blogging as that took a back seat over the last few weeks. I have a book signing organisied for my book next Saturday and I have a bit to prepare for that.
Now I think I have taken enough of your time – over to you. Have you read any good books or seen any films that should be seen? Looking forward to seeing how your week has been. Thank you for dropping in for coffee, it is lovely to see you. Thanks to eclecticali who is our host of the weekend coffee share.
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
It sounds like this year has already been busy and eventful! May all you wish for come true this year!
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And you to Corina. Have a great year and to start with a lovely week.
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It’s only the second week of the New Year and you’ve been busier than a – what? – I can’t even find a comparison. The photos are wonderful, I’ve enjoyed all of them. Wishing you a fabulous book signing event. Happy New Year to you and your family – may the rest of the year be as exciting and rich.
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Thanks Sharon. It has been a great start to the New Year. We rarely have so much family together at one time and with a youngster in the mix it was a lot of fun, even if it was a bit tiring. Mum certainly enjoyed it as well. I hope you had a lovely holiday period and let the New Year start in earnest – lots of writing for both of us and some goals fulfilled for us both I hope.
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Your photographs are always lovely! Company sure can be nice, the bustle and conversations… Great coffee post, thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for coming over and sharing coffee. Glad you enjoyed the photographs.
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What a fun post to read, Irene. No one worry about birds do their thing on the top of his head?
Have a wonderful day.
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I think the look on my niece’s face was because I jokingly said I thought it had just done something. Surprisingly though not one person was used as a toilet. Have a great week.
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Oh how wonderful to spend such good time with loved ones in such a gorgeous place! I’m glad you had a nice visit with everyone and hope you enjoy the calm that’s come after 🙂
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It feels quiet but I love it as much as I loved having them visit. Have a good week.
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It sounds like a great time, though I am sure that you are enjoying the peace and quiet! The pictures are all wonderful. The aviary looks fun. I hope you have a great week!
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You too Trent.
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Souds like you had a wonderful time. It is always pleasant to catch up with people that you love.
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So true. It doesn’t happen often enough.
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Great pics Irene! Happy New Year and have a great book signing!
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Thanks Russell. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
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Fabulous pictures. You can see all the fun and beauty.
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Thanks. Yes it was a lot of fun.
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Hi Irene,
I always love catching up with you here and being in the same country and your also experiencing the heat, just as I also like coming here and chatting with everyone overseas especially the ones in the snow.
We’ve just returning from staying with Geoff’s sister at Newrybar not far from Byron Bay and just down the road from Bangalow. No doubt you know this part of the world and I feel so alive wherever we come here. I particularly loved being in Byron on the Saturday night when we went to the night markets and then walked up to the beach and the streets were lined with clusters of buskers and the music was incredible. The whole town was so alive and creative and I feel so at home there.
We’ve also done the whole family thing, mostly seeing Geoff’s family. We’d drifted away a bit over the last couple of years and I was sick when the rest of the family went up last January and stayed home.
I love your bird photos and would love to go there but might wear a jacket.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Yes it is lovely having a fellow Australian making comment on a culture we both live and understand but like you I also love that we can experience other’s worlds in some small way.
I grew up in Casino and know Bangalow quite well. I can understand you feeling alive when you visit. A lovely part of the world. It sounds like your holiday period was just perfect.
Have a good week Rowena.
Cheers Irene
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I knew you came from around Northern NSW but wasn’t quite sure whereabouts exactly. I don’t recall going to Casino but have been out to Lismore and Nimbin and it wouldn’t surprise me. I’ve been posting more about Bangalow and wrote today about a red flame tree at Bangalow Public School which I photographed in detail. My last point of call will be Nureybar.
Best wishes,
Rowena
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Casino is unchanged from when I was there but places like Bangalow and Mullumbimby have had a revival and combine rural and creative together well. The red tree is gorgeous.
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I’ve have to check Casino out. We’re probably heading back for Easter.
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You certainly had a lovely festive period, Irene. I would not want a bird on my head. One pooped on Greg’s head once and it was a bit of a turn off for me. I would not take the risk. Beautiful fireworks.
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You’d have to be one who went armed with a feather duster then Robbie. The fireworks were the best I’ve seen but it was because of our clear vantage point. You looked lovely in that photo with your niece and I guess you have had a lovely family time also.
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Yes, we did have a very nice time, Irene. It is lovely to have a new niece.
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