Mon, 23 Jul - It is early morning Seminary day - oh boy it was hard to get my eyes open, let alone get my body out of bed. Oh wait a minute - today is a school free day, so no seminary. Hurrah, time to go back to bed. Sister Haley went on to declutter for 4 1/2 hours. One more declutter Monday after this one. Elder Haley stayed home and did some ironing and cleaning of the flat.
Tue, 24 Jul - Now we had seminary. 5 am comes awful early and quickly. A real shock to the ol' body after a 2 week holiday. Oh, boy - today is the day. It is Platypus hunting day - only hunting to see them. We are going with Joyce Wallbank to Nymboida (the home of the platypus). Our first stop was a dud - the place is locked down and no one is allowed to cross the property to see the platypus. We go to one of the camping grounds and talk with a friendly bloke who tells us that one of the best places is where Margaret and I were 3-4 months ago - we just went at the wrong time of day. So off we go and we can see a platypus flopping around in the water as we walk the cliff down to the bank of the Nymboida river. 👍😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 We spend roughly the next hour watching the little fella swim and play in the river. We also saw 2 of them playing together and it is on video which is posted on FB, since the blog will not handle video. It was the best day!!!!! Then we stopped at Coutts Crossing for dinner and then took Joyce on home. We are one of the few people who have been privileged to see platypus in the wild.
Wed, 25 Jul - Early morning seminary - it was easier today after the great day we had yesterday. We called and talked with Mike's mum and one of our daughters. We drove out to Tucabia and visited with Sarah for a bit and were able to see & play with her new daughter, Rachel. It was pretty country there - just west of Ulmarra (in case you want to know where it is 😂😂) Then home to make French Bread before the primary activity, FHC and Young Women.
Thur, 26 Jul - FHC in the morning, plus a bunch of phone calls to find out who we can visit when. Then off to the Blue Goose for lunch with the Prices. Then run some errands. Dinner is at the Leach's - Shane is cooking spaghetti Bolognese for us. It was good and went well with the french bread.
Fri, 27 Jul - visits and more visits. A welfare good run. Went with one of the sisters to help evaluate a financial advisor. We stopped by the South Grafton Aged Care facility and visited for quite a while with Dorothy Legwidge (Margaret Leach's mum).
Sat, 28 Jul - Elder Haley played handyman this morning for Margaret Leach. We got finished in time to head out to Poley House road and have lunch with the Paewai family. To our surprise, Joyce Wallbank was there also - hurrah. We had a grand tour of the Paewai farm and had a really good time.
Sun, 29 Jul - A normal Sunday - almost. Sister & Elder Haley gave talks in Sacrament. Elder Haley pinch hitted for Gospel Doctrine class and Elder Haley lead the 3rd hour discussion on Ministering. Sister Stiller came by the flat later in the afternoon to get debriefed by Sister Haley. Then final preparations for teaching seminary tomorrow.
Relief Society activity. Don't waste a thing. Either use it up or make it into something else.
A soap holder and shower scrubber
Elder Haley, Sister Haley, Joyce Wallbank - afternoon tea while waiting for it to get late enough to go find a platypus
On the lookout for a platypus
He is there. upper middle right of the photo. you need to zoom in a bit
Platypus ahoy - middle of the photo
Broadside picture of the platypus
Another broadside photo
And one last shot
Elder Haley and Joyce Wallbank along the Nymboida River
Hey, what are you doing down there on the river. Get a move on now, this is my territory
The gate into the platypus viewing area
The ladies room at Coutts Crossing Tavern
Sarah & Rachel Rapmund with Sister Haley
Manahi Paewai
Some of the kids playing out back of the branch meeting house
Shane & Margaret Leach. Sister & Elder Haley. Taking pictures and letting the food get cold
Typical Aussie country house. Also known as a Queenslander. Note the large porch/veranda all around the outside of the house.
A new mailbox compliments of Handyman Haley
Poley House road
The cattle dog is herding the ducks
A partial view of the Paewai farm
Garlic. these will be pulled up and used for seed for a retail crop next year.
Baby Pine cones in a cluster that we have not seen before.
The creek on the Paewai farm. The water is a bit stagnant at the moment due to lack of rain
Manahi checking out some of the holes in the rock along the creek bed
Tui, Stafford Paewai, Joyce Wallbank, Manahi Paewai, Elder Haley. The two holes in front of us are aboriginal grinding holes.
Tui, Margaret, Joyce, Manahi, Mike
The grinding holes made in the rock along the creek by aboriginals years ago.
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