We are still here.....honest!!

Sorry for the lack of updates!
We have been pretty busy the last few weeks, so will try our best to fill you in on all the best bits!
Firstly, we finally have a job and can start saving a little bit of money! We are just doing some casual work at a shop called Rush Surf. Pretty easy work, but pretty nice wage to go with it luckily. :)

We have Friday night poker nights accompanied by some pretty good barbies which have become a regular thing now, alongside Thursday night practice poker nights for the three of us. I think it's safe to say we have both drunk more in the last four weeks than we did all year. Why do Aussies socialise so much!!? ;) :)

We have settled in fairly well, and have gone on regular runs around The Goose Ponds a couple mornings a week. These are always enjoyable as theres plenty of wildlife in the area. Theres always some cheeky little bird, a gaggle of geese, or quacking ducks to amuse us whilst sweating in the morning heat. Lovely image? ;)

On the 30th we travelled down to Brisbane. Boy, what a long journey. 14 hours!! I suppose we should get used to those kind of trips though aye!?
Main reason for being in brissy was the Australia v New Zealand Test match at the GABBA, which was such an experience! Having never been to an international stadium before, it was incredible to be there! Despite the game being weather affected on the days we were there, it didn't seem to dampen our days too much! As you can probs tell from photos on Facebook, we were sporting the local team quite nicely with our bright green t-shirts!! Even though the attendance for the game was only approx 14,000, the atmosphere was immense-beach balls flying everywhere, vuvuzelas honking away, chants galore, and of course Mexican waves! It was great to see some of the all time greats play, namely Ricky Ponting and Daniel Vettori. All in all, great time spent at the GABBA! Next time though, must remember to pack a jumper or some jeans, boi, it was so windy and cold! And before you say it...there is NO sarcasm in that you English folks! :-P
On the Sunday morning of the 4th, we wondered through Brissy and went to Roma Street Parklands which was enjoyable, saw the Christmas tree, and wondered through the main streets of the city for a nice coffee and breakfast.
As we didnt start heading back to Mackay till early afternoon, we stopped the night in Bunderberg. Terrible rum.... still no Koalas or Kangaroos spotted though :( maybe next time :)

Mid week this week we put up our Christmas tree :) as you can probably already tell from our photos, we had a bit a laugh doing that! Unfortunately it still doesn't feel like Christmas for us! Hopefully we will be going for a drive to see all the lights around Mackay soon! 

We have taken a couple of trips up to Eungella National Park and Finch Hatton Gorge. It's so tranquil and picturesque as you can all probably tell from our photos. The first visit to Eungella allowed us our first sighting of the awesome kookaburra. :) since then we have seen them quite often! But was very cool when we saw it the first time. Quite cheeky birds too!
We went back to Eungella on Saturday but a lot earlier. Leaving at 4am in the morning, got us to Eungella at about 05:20 where we were planning to watch the sunrise. Unfortunately cloud cover diminished that part of our plan. Thankfully, the second reason for being up in Eungella at such an ungodly hour was far more successful. We saw platypus!! :D :D they are very shy and elusive creatures that's why we had to be at dawn to catch them out and about. We saw three, each working their way up the river. Unfortunately due to the light, we didn't manage to take brilliant photos, but what we have we will post on Facebook. Very cool morning. The day also saw us wizzing through the forest canopy in Finch Hatton, being surrounded by enormous fruit bats which was pretty cool! :)

Think that's us pretty much up to date for now! We promise not to leave it so long next time! This week see's Haz working most mornings and Nick standing around in her nice white hat, long sleeves and trousers and trainers, in the baking heat, waving her arms about....a.k.a umpiring!!

Catch u's later!

Haz & Nick xx