Geocaching - an exciting new adventure

Over the weekend Jim and I had our first experience of Geocaching. For all you muggles out there (muggles are what we Geocachers call the non-believers), Geocaching is a treasure hunting game that is played all around the world by adventurers who use a GPS to locate hidden containers (called geocaches) then you go online and share the experience of the search with other Geocachers. It is a fun, outdoor activity that the whole family can enjoy and people of all ages can participate in.

With my friend Ellen, we headed out Saturday to look for the first cache hidden in the Whipstick forest not far from where we live. We had no luck and realised that the GPS that finds the streets was pretty much useless. We had a dodgy old handheld GPS and this was very handy. We had a trip home to get the GPS instruction book, then back out but still no luck and eventually we ran out of daylight. Home for tea and more strategy discussions, then we were out bright and early on Sunday morning. This time, our homework paid off and we found three caches in around an hour. Now we are hooked and searching the website for our next adventure. Have you tried geocaching? What do you do for fun on the weekend?

Helen and Jim

An update on my veggie garden

I went into the Veggie garden tonight to pick some spinach for tea. Remember a previous post, Success in the Veggie Garden?? Well anyway, this post should probably be titled 'Disappointment in the Veggie Garden'. Bloody kangaroos. They have come in overnight and gobbled up all of my spinach. There were 6 glorious clumps, all full, rich and looking very healthy after a little rain yesterday. I know it was the kangaroos because they left their droppings - I had considered posting a photo of evidence, however I thought that might be in bad taste. Grrrr.

Happy Birthday Meghan

Happy Birthday Meghan. Today is Meghan's 9th birthday - Meghan is my niece and unfortunately we can't be with her today for her birthday, but I am sure she will have a fun day and I know she reads this blog. Hey Meggie - please save me a bit of cake!.

This is a photo of Meghan when she was on holiday at my house in December - she was weating a CFA helmet and goggles and looked pretty funny.

And this is Meghan's sister Alice, who is also wearing the CFA goggles and helmet. You look great girls.

Spectacular Fiji

Jim and I have just returned from a long awaited holiday to Fiji. We have always wanted to visit Fiji and Jim's sister Cheryl is teaching there for a while, so it seemed like a good idea to visit Simon and Cheryl and see Fiji.

This was our first look at a Fijian beach, from the Sheraton Hotel at Denarau. Nice huh!

Friends had recommended that we stay at Mana Island, which was absolutely spectacular. We especially loved swimming in the horizon pool - it was awesome to look out across the pool and see the ocean.
The weather was perfect, the water was warm and teeming with colourful fish- in all shapes, sizes and colours, colourful coral and the most amazing blue starfish. We swam out to the edge of the reef and were stunned at the colour and depth of the water as the reef dropped away. We treasure our time at Mana Island and will definately return.

There is something magical about a Fijian sunset ... or maybe that comes from the rum in the cocktails at Happy Hour! We enjoyed Fiji and had a wonderful, relaxing holiday. The Fijian people were so friendly and kind, and beautiful people.

Where is your favourite holiday destination and why did you enjoy it so much?

Helen and Jim