Farewell Steve

No doubt most of you, as with many around the world, would have watched the Memorial Service for Steve Irwin on Wednesday. As mentioned in my last post, I was fortunate enough to get tickets to be there in person. My sister, Cecilia, and I went together. There were all sorts of reports in the lead up to the event that traffic would be a nightmare, so many people all trying to get in at once, but I didn't have any problems and at the zoo itself the staff had everything working like clockwork, busses were shuffling people from remote parking, police kept the traffic flowing and the pedestrians were also cycled through. It actually worked to precision. Once Cec and I met up and entered the zoo we then waited in line for entry into the crocoseum.

We were probably amongst the middle of the 3000 people who had the general admission tickets. Once we were inside the crocoseum we took our seats about half way up
the grandsand and right in the middle - perfect! The dignitaries and VIP guests were over to our right and the main stage to our left.

The audience began clapping and cheeing all Australia Zoo staff as they came out in their Kakhi uniforms and took their seats, then the Prime Minister and other Government reps came out to big cheers as well but when Bindi came out to take her seat, followed by Terri and Bob, the crowd went wild and the tears were flowing. 5000 people on their feet clapping the Irwin family - a very moving experience.

Not long after that, the PM opened proceedings and from that point it was also live to air. Being part of the crowd was humbling. I felt it was one of the moments when I was most proud of being Australian. The Australian way of life, our wildlife and our people were being celebrated. Emotions were running high. Joining John Williamson singing 'Home amongst the gum trees' was invigorating and soul wrenching at the same time. Seeing flashes of Steve on the screen and the catch phrase 'He changed our World' in between clips was very apt.

Everything had been thought through, everything ran to schedlue and everyone was in awe of what we were a part of. I couldn't help glancing over at Terri at numerous times throughout the service, just to see the pain on her face, but also the pride she has for Steve too was evident. Everything was done in such good taste, and the finale of having his Ute packed up with all his favourite stuff and driven out through the 'crocmen' guard of honour was amazing. The heartstings were most certainly tugged. I'm so glad I was there, witnessing and experiencing and sharing in the life of a man who touched so many and acomplished so much in his life. Farewell Steve - a true Aussie Legend.

THE CROCODILES ARE CRYING

Endless visions fill my head – this man – as large as life

And instantly my heart mourns for his angels and his wife

Because the way I see Steve Irwin – just put everything aside

It comes back to his family – it comes back to his pride

His animals inclusive – Crikey – light the place with love!

Shine his star with everything he fought to rise above

The crazy-man of Khaki from the day he left the pouch

Living out his dream and in that classic ‘Stevo’ crouch

Exploding forth with character and redefining cheek

It’s one thing to be honoured as a champion unique

It’s one thing to have microphones and spotlight cameras shoved

It’s another to be taken in and genuinely loved

But that was where he had it right – I guess he always knew

From his fathers’ modest reptile park and then Australia Zoo

We cringed at times and shook our heads – but true to natures call

There was something very Irwin in the make up of us all

Yes the more I care to think of it – the more he had it right

If you’re going to make a difference – make it big and make it bright!

Yes - he was a lunatic! Yes - he went head first!

But he made the world feel happy with his energetic burst

A world so large and loyal that it’s hard to comprehend

I doubt we truly count the warmth until life meets an end

To count it now I say a prayer with words of inspiration

May the spotlight shine forever on his dream for conservation

…My daughter broke the news to me – my six year old in tears

It was like she’d just turned old enough to show her honest fears

I tried to make some sense of it but whilst her Dad was trying

His little girl explained it best…she said “The crocodiles are crying”

Their best mate’s up in heaven now – the crocs up there are smiling!

And as sure as flowers, poems and cards and memories are piling

As sure as we’ll continue with the trademarks of his spiel

Of all the tributes worthy – he was rough…but he was real

As sure as ‘Crikey!’ fills the sky

I think we’ll miss ya Steve…goodbye

RUPERT McCALL 2006

Busy, Busy, Busy

Geesh, I'm not even sure where to start... I think I mentioned last time that we had some relatives out from the UK, they were here for a wedding, well, specifically two of them were here to be married and then 3 other relatives came to witness the event. The visitors started arriving last Friday night with Pam, then on Tuesday some other distant cousins of Dad's arrived (Gillian & Francis - actually only Gillian is related, Francis is her partner) and then on Wednesday the Bride and Groom arrived (Anne & Brian) and on Thursday night we all had a big family dinner at Mum & Dad's including all of us and Alan and Lorelle (Dad's brother & Partner). The Wedding was on Friday night, there were only eleven of us at the ceremony and the photographer and the celebrant, Cec and Joorj didn't arrive in time as they were stuck in traffic in Bris and Cec couldn't get off work any earlier. We were all there for the reception though which was an excellent meal for the thirteen of us.


Yesterday (Saturday) we had the first of our 'next round' of open houses, although we did have two groups through on Wednesday, one of those groups needs to buy something quickly and wants to buy in our area, we just have to see what they thought in follow up. It would be GREAT to get a quick sale! We had seven groups through yesterday, two of which are also very keen apparently.

Yesterday we also had another family meal gathering, lunch at Alan and Lorelle's, it was the last time we'd all be together, although Mum and Dad couldn't be there, but that's another story! This morning Anne & Brian went on their honeymoon to Ayers Rock and Lizzard Island, today Gillian and Francis fly out, back to Canberra for a week before back to the UK and tomorrow Pam leaves - then I'm sure we'll all have empty nest syndome!

It's been great having all the family here and makes me all the more determined to get over to the UK sooner rather than later.

Well I'd better sign off, Hayden should be awake soon and then I'm taking him and Pam out to Australia Zoo - oh, I nearly forgot - I was fortunate enough to get two highly coveted tickets to his memorial service at the zoo on Wednesday - I'll take pix (if appropraite) and post after that.

Big Day Out for a Little Buddy!

What a big day we had yesterday! It was election day here in Qld for the State Government - Dad was on the campaign committee for our local Liberal candidate and I had to go and 'mind' the booth/decorations at one of the local polling stations for an hour before voting opened. Then we had Paul arrive to clean the carpets ready to have the onslaught of open for inspections starting next weekend. While that was happening I took Hayden around to Mum and Dad's - my 2nd Cousin from the UK (Pam) arrived on Friday night so we thought we'd catch up with her. Pam, Mum and I took Hayden and Hershy for a walk to the beach, Hersh was fetching the stick and then Hayden decided it was a pretty good way to carry the stick! He had a great time putting his toes in the water and then laughing as the water sucked past his legs on its way back to join the ocean. He even managed to fall in a couple of times, after the initial fright (and I'm sure the shock of the cool water) he thought that was pretty funny too. After playing down there for about half an hour we walked back to Mum & Dad's, I put Hayden straight down to sleep, all that walking he was exhasted!

After we'd had lunch and Hayden woke up we took Pam up to Point Cartwright to see the view and then up to Perigian Springs where Erin was doing a demo jump into the Arts and Entertainment festival at a school up there. We were there about an hour before the jump so we looked around and Hayden had a turn on the 'Toy Story' jumping castle which he loved, then Mum found Dorothy the Dinosaur singing on stage, Hayden was in heaven! Then Daddy came out of the plane and when they'd all landed Hayden ran out into the middle of the oval to get him, it was very cute! We walked back to the fair and they were handing out cake, wow - big treat, and then it was time to get back in the car and come home - it was after 6pm already!

It was a beautiful day and great to spend almost all of it outdoors.

Finito

Yay - the front is done! Well... apart from a spalsh of paint and some oil on the timber, but you get the idea.

The new couch arrived today for upstairs too so I just need to go and find an entertaiment unit and then we've created the second living area upstairs.

Other than that - I've been sick for a few days, a tummy bug, spent most of yesterday in bed and am only just starting to feel better today. If I walk around too much though I feel like I've run a marathon so I'm taking it easy, undecided on whether I'm going to Uni or not.

Hayden is well but we seem to have had a week of the 'terrible two's'. He's been having tanties in the mornings for no particular (or discernable to us) reason. For example he'll ask for weetbix and yoghurt for breakfast and then if it's not exactly right, or too much milk/not enough, etc then he just breaks down and screams... or if he can't have someone else's food, or if he's not allowed to climb somewhere or go outside or come inside or ... whatever!! His fuse seems to be very short. I'm hoping that his 2yo molars are coming through and I can blame them :-)

That's it for now, I think I might go to uni, at least for the 2hr lecture, dont' have to think too hard!

Carport Progress

Ohh... this is very exciting! I came home to this today, before they started this morning there were two posts up and what's there of the fence. It will all be finished tomorrow!!

Go_kart Racing

Here are some more shots from Father's day. As mentioned - we went out to the Big Kart Track for the afternoon on Sunday. I was going to take Hayden on a 10 min ride on the kids track but Erin forgot covered shoes so he had to wear mine so I couldn't take Hayden on but... oh well. We watched him and Dad instead. Here they are as they whizzed by. Oh - and here's a shot of Erin and Hayden which I thought I'd put down below but forgot - this is when Hayden was eating his dinner before we all sat down to burgers (Hayden refused his burger, he wanted weetbix and sultanas - go figure!)

Father's Day

The big day - done!

We had a fairly busy day, we started early with a bbq breakfast down at the park, it was a beautiful morning and we had the place to ourselves whilst we were cooking and eating. Hayden had a great time on the swings - I love this photo even though you can't see his eyes.
Erin had to leave early to go to work and then we visited the HMAS Brisbane memorial which has just been completed. Dad wanted to go up and have a look. It was quite impressive and a nice tribute to the ship. The funny thing though, as we were sitting in the semi-cirle (as in photo) our voices were amplified and it sounded like we were right next to each other when we were at opposite ends of it - cool!
Then it was sleep time and I took Hayden home (via the 'Doing Dad's Proud' event at Cotton Tree - he loved the mouse circus!). Erin got home during sleep time and then Dad called to see if we wanted to go to the Big Kart Track to use his voucher that we gave him for father's day two years ago!! Finally!!

We went out and Erin and Dad had a half hour go each. Then we had a bbq dinner - Erin wanted burgers with the lot and potato bake which I made - yummo.

So that was our day all in all... have to run now but will do more from the rest of the weekend soon!

Golf Day - ahem... Flog day!

Yes, those of you who know me are quite entitled to laugh! Yes... I played in a golf day. It was for the Sunshine Coast Business Women's Network annual golf day, we thought it might be a bit of fun. It was, well... at least for the first 9 hoels but towards the end (we only completed 14 holes anyway - in 5 hrs - in the rain) we were all a bit over it. I think the rain really was the biggest turn off. And we were all aching as we're so superbly in condition (not!). We decided to dress up for the occasion as there was a prize for best dressed team. Seeing as our team was not from any one company we decided to go with a golfing theme - the Divets... complete with turf on our hats and spades, to replace them of course.

We ended up coming second in the best dressed comp - we were robbed tho - having been told by practically everyone there that we should've won. But still, we had a go, made a day of it and had a good laugh!