As grown ups there aren't many times when you can sit down at a table full of glue, paint and sparkling things and are told to go nuts. Why is this fun only reserved for kids?? I think this issomething that should be remedied so to decorate our new "big" tree and to celebrate Saint Nicholas Day I enlisted the help of some friends to make ornaments.
It's been eons since I made a clothespin Rudolph but it was just as fun as I remember. We made glitter balls, angels with glasses, paper chains, an alien bird thing and many clothespin reindeer. It was a fantastic way to get the big tree full of decorations.
It was a perfect St Nicholas Day!!
We tried a few new things, i.e. who knew there was a "Danish Style" hot dog?? It has roumalade, mustard, fried onions and pickled cucumber and was very yummy. We also tried a Scandanavian Christmas favorite called JulMust. It's a seasonal soda made from hops and barley. When the JulMust comes out Coca-Cola sales drop in Scandinavia by 50%. It tastes like a bit like a lighter flavored rootbeer. 
We all headed down for the weekend. There was a sausage sizzle break along the way where the nature watching began. A couple of Ravens were hanging around hoping for a bit of sausage. I through a bit and who knew but the raven buried the sausage piece. She buried about three pieces and when another raven came over to her pile to check things out she karate kicked him with her foot to keep him away. It was a David Attneborough moment if ever I have seen one...the sausage hiding behavior of crows.
First let me say Bimbi Park is FANTASTIC!! We had only been there a few minutes when a koala walked by going from one tree to another. He was trying to get the attention of a girl koala 
The kookaburras were out and about and more than happy to take a little snack from Matt. This is Tommy. The owner of the park was walking by and told us he liked to be fed. The two girl kookaburras he was hanging out with picked up a bit of a feed too.
We took a walk through the park and there were the most beautiful, twisted eucalyptus trees along with lots of spider webs. There was a big kangaroo that went hopping by just as the sun started to go down. We cooked shish kabobs around the camp fire and watched the four koalas in the trees around our cabins eating and sleeping. It was absolutely lovely. One little problem,
When it comes to our lovely Irish friends, Matt can't seem to help himself and makes loads of potato jokes. He was snickering to himself when we passed by this "No Potato Material Past This Point" sign so we had to go back for a photo. Rob and Anna were good sports.
The sea around the Apostles was absolutely beautiful. The sun was out and the sea was greenish blue. I should have thought about some sunscreen at this point but alas I am now the color of beetroot. 
On the way to the Rainforest Tree Top Walk there were street signs for Apostle Whey Cheese and GORGE Chocolate. I just can't pass up locally made yumminess so we went on a tangent and what a lovely tangent it was! Julian, who did our tasting at Apostle Whey couldn't have been nicer and after trying 14 different kinds of cheese we came away with a bag full of wonderful cheeses! Once we got to the rainforest Rob was on the menu for the T-Rex.
I kept telling myself that this time I would get to the top of the tower in the middle of the walk. I was going to conquer my fear! Well, no fear was conquered per se but I did get a little higher than I went last time. I seem to like my feet on the ground. It was still worth it just to breathe in the lovely smell in the middle of the rainforest. It was a wonderful weekend with Rob and Anna and we sure will miss them when they go back home. On the upside it makes for more friends to visit in Ireland.
Matt went for a 40's look Zoot Suit pants and all. He even got some cute spectators shoes.
With lots of wagers pending on the ponies there were some "cheers" in order.
I put my hopes on Daffodil but she let me down. Juan Carlos did well in Race 3 though.
After it was all over the hats were off and the lost bets were left crumpled on the table. I do love this Australian tradition...especially the hats!
We had way more people go to Trick or Trunk this year. 3 cars and 12 people in our group. It was great fun! 
Natarsha was a pro at bobbing for apples!
After Trick or Trunk we decorated sugar skulls and ate Halloween cake. Lots and Lots of sugar for one day.
I do love spreading Halloween fun.
I even managed to finagle Halloween at Work. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!
night and eat as much candy as humanly possible?? I LOVE IT!!! So with the lack of Halloween enthusiasts comes a lack of Jack o' Lantern type pumpkins. We found some last year at the Vic Market but they were $50 a piece and that just seemed crazy. Winn Dixie sells pumpkins for $4.99...how could I blow $50 on a pumpkin? Last year we passed but this year at the South Melbourne we found a bargain..$35! Ok so not a BARGAIN exactly but better. It was well worth it for Matt to see his first Jack o' Lantern and have his first pumpkin seeds. Now we are getting ready for Trick or Trunk with other Halloween lovers..WOOHOOO!!! 
Matt organized for me to shadow Judy (the koala keeper who is absolutely lovely) with Mrs. Gordon. I got to help clean up the animal hospital and change over the eucalyptus leaves. I was over the moon happy just to be around the koalas and it gave me such a great appreciation for all of the work the people at the sanctuary do. The big guys above was injured in the bush fires and he is scheduled to be released back into the wild any day now. 
These two dingo pups, Itchy and Scratchy, absolutely captured my heart. Theya re so cute! The little girl got scared at one point and ran in between my legs. I wanted to pop them in my pocket and take them home. In some states Dingo's can be pets but it takes special licences and they are supposed to be big howlers so aren't often popular with neighbors. These two sure are gorgeous. It really was one of the best days ever!!
Matt, Barry and Dad in front of the Talking Tourist Tram.
On the way back to Melbourne we went to the see the cross on Mount Macedon. We also saw a massive kangaroo and a little dark brown wallaby. I was so happy Mom and Dad saw some native animals in the wild.
We had the best time with Mom and Dad and were very sad to say goodbye. At least there was a good entourage to see them off. 
We started out in Port Arthur which is really a very sad place both because of the history of the convicts and the Martin Bryant massacre. Dad was really moved by the depth of human cruelty that took place here. At least now it's very beautiful with gorgeous gardens.
The next event was a bit more upbeat..shopping at Salamanca Market. Yay Shopping!! My sister, Anna, has become a massive fan of a spice mix called Tasmanian Bush Dust. I looked and looked and looked for the dust but found myself in a completely dust free zone. Luckily through some research on my sister's part she has found someone that sells it in Melbourne so I have to pick some up there. 
