Making Plans

Mr. Smith and I have been busy making plans to see more of Australia.  In a couple of weeks we are going to Kangaroo Valley for a long weekend.  It's only a couple of hours from Sydney and it looks gorgeous!  We are staying at Cedar Cottages in their Yurt.  Hopefully we will get plenty of opportunities to commune with the local wildlife.  There are miles of trails to walk.  Can't wait!

We also have a trip planned to Uluru in July.  You may have just seen the footage of the Royals in the area.  Uluru, aka Ayers Rock, is basically a tourist attraction and that's it.  The whole area is dedicated to tourism (so I've heard).  We are staying in a Deluxe room at Desert Gardens.  Here's what I've discovered about the accommodation and restaurants in the area.  They are mostly owned by the same company... a monopoly, if you will.  Everything is quite expensive and they know they've got you.  There's nothing else around.  You are in the middle of the desert.

We've read that you should avoid wearing white, as the flies really like light coloured clothing.  You should also make sure you have head netting to keep the flies from your face.  They don't bite, but are numerous and annoying.

There is a bit of controversy over climbing the rock.  Obviously, telling people that they can't do something makes them want to do it more.  It's a bit of a steep climb for an hour and chains have been installed to help you get to the top.  Mr. Smith and I have not decided if we are going to climb the rock yet.  We'll wait until we get there and get a lay of the land.  The locals request that you not climb because they consider it to be sacred.  Anyhoo.  We'll see.

So that's what we have so far.

I would also like to spend a weekend at Jenolan Caves and maybe a few days on Kangaroo Island.  I have heard rumours that I don't get the two weeks off at Christmas at my new job, so not sure what we'll do for a holiday.

Do you have any plans coming up that you're excited about?  Tell me in comments!

Seasons Change

My favourite thing about the weather is that it changes.  And in some places, these changes are more prevalent than in others.

It's time again for our monthly blogger's challenge.  And thank goodness for the challenge!  Otherwise, I may never blog.  :)

Our topic this month is a photo challenge involving our changing seasons.  I was meant to have posted this on Wednesday, but that was never going to happen so I apologize to C. for turning in my homework late.

I loved living in Connecticut for the changing seasons.  My only complaint to Mother Nature is that she never gives us enough of the good stuff, which for me is Spring and Fall.  There is entirely too much Summer and Winter!  

But back to where I currently reside.  We are technically in Fall, but I would just call it our rainy season.  I don't remember it ever raining so much in the past two years we've been here.  It feels to me like it's been raining for months and months and months.  I usually don't mind the rain too much, but this is overkill.  Here are some pics during our lunch/shopping trip in Crows Nest yesterday:

My initial idea was to take photos of ladies in scarves or whatnot, but it's been too rainy.  Every time I'm outdoors, I'm carrying my purse and my umbrella and sometimes bags and such.  It would be awkward trying to take photos.

These photos weren't that easy to get and I finally just had to take any ole pics.

I'm so looking forward to winter.  I'm ready for layering and scarves!

Please let the rain stop...