Frolics on Fraser

So my first week of being back on a very defined track went really well. However we had a few days away planned to celebrate my friend Deb's 50th birthday. I went with the intention of not having any alcohol at all. Silly girl! I got through the first night till our meal was served then I weakened and had two glasses of wine. But after that I had beer and wine over the next few days. But on the plus side I had heaps of exercise and I was pretty careful with what I ate. We got back late this afternoon so the moment of reckoning will be when I step on the scales tomorrow morning. I'll add a tailender to this before I publish telling you how I went.

On Friday - we both now only work half a day - I finish at 11am and Bloss at 12 - we had a new day work roster introduced and so I now start at 6am and finish at 3.15pm and knock off at 11 on a Friday - would be better to have a full day off every second week - but that wasn't up for grabs so I'll settle for this meantime. Anyway I raced in and took Merlin to the kennels and then home, grabbed some lunch and we took off for Hervey Bay - about a 3 hours drive south of us - still on the coast. We caught up with Deb and Ian on the journey and followed each other down to the unit we had booked. This whole trip was to celebrate Deb's 50th. There were 3 couples sharing a unit at this really nice apartment block - I think we got the penthouse - it was fabulous. Anyway we had a few drinks on our massive deck. We were joined by another couple of friends of Deb's who couldn't make it for the rest of the weekend but had driven up from the Gold Coast and Brisbane to join us for dinner. A great night with many laughs.

Saturday morning we caught the ferry across to Fraser Island - about 45 mins and we were staying at Kingfisher Bay resort. There were 11 of us in the party - Bloss and I, Deb, Ian and Deb's two sons with their girlfriends and Nola and Lex and their daughter. Deb and Nola each had booked an apartment - Deb with 3 bedrooms and Nola a two bedroom whereas Bloss and I were in a hotel room - but all on the same resort. But the resort is massive and very hilly. Bloss and I were on the flat but every time we wanted to catch up with the other we had a good 10 minute walk - much of it up a very steep hill. Saturday afternoon we lounged around the pool and generally explored what the resort had to offer then got together for BBQ tea. Sunday we took off in two 4WDs and explored some of the island - you can only drive around in a 4WD and some of the tracks are quite hairy - so we had lots of bumps and laughter. We visited two different fresh water lakes and had a swim in them - fabulous. Wraps for tea that night. Monday was Deb's birthday so we all met for breakfast and she got some of her pressies then but we decided to keep spinning out her birthday so I held on to our gift. Then we took off exploring again - this time to Lake Wabby - this is a lake which is surrounded by sand dunes. It was a 3km hike to get there - down hill most of the way then at the very end - a very steep climb up a sand dune then down the other side to the lake. And the walk back was a real challenge - back up that same dune - which was bloody hot underfoot then a steady climb back up to the lookout and back to where the car was parked. We had a swim in the lake and then opened a bottle of champagne and toasted Deb whilst sitting in the water! That was when I gave her our gift - a matching set of pedant and earrings in silver with pink pearls. And I'm thrilled to say she liked it. Headed back to the resort - and a nanny nap then down to the pool for a swim and a cocktail. Home to get dressed up and back for dinner in one of the resort restaurants. We didn't last long after that as it had been a huge day and we were all shattered.

Today we came back from the island on the 10.30am ferry and then headed back home, went via the kennels to get Merlin and then home - with a mound of washing!!!

The dress had arrived while were gone. Well what can I say - it's beautifully made - a bit on the tight side - but if I lose a few kilos would be OK. But that's not the problem - whilst in some lights it might look like sage green to me it's lime green and so not the shade I was looking for. But I think the worst thing is the lace - I thought it was just a plain lace - but it actually has sequins and silver threads which is just far too ornate for me. In addition the jacket is miles too small - measure two inches side to side smaller than the dress! and is lined whereas I asked for unlined. I've been communicating with the site and they would make me the jacket I ordered FOC but it would be a waste of time - I don't like the look - it's got that very ornate Asian look - which looks fabulous on Asian ladies but is just not what I'm after for Clive and Jo's wedding. So I'll chalk it up to experience and instead do the sensible thing - find a dress - know exactly what it looks like, try it on and know that it fits! Ce'st la vie - it could have been fabulous - but it isn't! I'm not going to complain or cry about it - I always knew it was a gamble.

Now the photos :

Deb (the birthday girl) and I at dinner on Friday night

Bloss and I at dinner on Friday night

Our little deck out the front of our room at the resort

The view from the boardwalk as we walked from our room to the main part of the resort

Wildlife galore

Bloss and I at Lake McKenzie

The beach on the ocean side of the island

Part of a shipwreck - the Maheno - love the textures in this

Me beside the Maheno

This is the view from the lookout at Lake Wabbyn- can you see that little person on the left hand side of the beach - well that's roughly where we were headed for

Bloss and I with Deb and Ian on the night of her birthday

Bloss and I strutting our stuff

Me just outside our room

Me on the shores of Lake McKenzie

Bouncing along the beach - check my wonderful hairdo!

On the beach with Bloss and Ian

Deb and I peeking through a porthole on the wreck of the Maheno

Me halfway down the sand dune on the way to Lake Wabby

The present giving ceremony at Lake Wabby

OK it's Wednesday morning now - did the scale jump - 500g off  (that's in 10 days)- on Friday last week I was over a kilo down so hopefully it will drop down again in the next couple of days as I get back on track proper.  Off to work now - am off to coordinate a recruitment assessment centre - riding shotgun today but need to take it all in as if I take on the Recruitment Adviser role - it'll be me in the driver's seat next month.

Have a great week everyone.

Love Z xx