Monday's update

I sent off 7 of the gaggle for the murder mystery dinner last night while the rest of us made our way to the Blue Bull.  The restaurant/cafe is named after the beef that they use and we had the pleasure of meeting Blue Boy in the paddock out the back – which is the biggest damn blue/grey steer I have ever been up close and personal to!  There were a few hundred kilos of prime steak on his big butt I can assure you – and he was as gentle as anything. We all had really nice meals – and I was especially pleased with my steak and chilli fettuccini – made my nose run so that chilli was certainly hot and plentiful!!! One of the ladies who is quite tiny, needs a walking stick and is very quiet started coughing during dinner.  She is a tee-totaller but I made a joke of her drinking her straight vodka too quickly and that set her off. For the rest of the night she was giggling like a silly school girl and later told JL that she is having the best time and that I am, and I quote “the bees’ knees”.

I have bought one of those ugly ‘signature’ calico bears that is wearing a Norfolk Island shirt. I took it to dinner with us as I’m getting the gaggle to all sign it; and have told them that I am now running a competition for the best name for the bear which will live in my Police Legacy office. I also told them that there was a prize for the winning name – and that I am the sole judge.  So they are all giving me their slips of paper with their suggested name for the bear. That being said, I had to go out today and buy the prize!!!

After our very pleasant dinner most strolled back to the hotel while I arranged the shuttle bus for my 2 slow-coaches. The evening was glorious. Just a light breeze and a full moon. Once again JL and I caught up on our shared balcony for a chardy and ‘debrief’ of the day.  We still managed an early night and I was happy to finally get my kindle out for a read before bed time.  Haven’t even bothered to put the tv on so have no idea what their channels or programmes are.

Awoke this morning to another perfect day – lovely blue skies and hardly any clouds.  They keep saying it is going to be about 24 degrees but I reckon that the sun has more bite to it than that – as my shoulders attest to from yesterday’s outing in the sun.  Anyway after another very nice breakfast I farewell 4 of the gaggle onto a 4-wheel drive tour, put 2 more on the shuttle for down the street and then wandered up the street myself to do my own shopping.  Every store I wandered into a sales person would be ready for a chat. I went and got my Pandora cow charm from Benjamin’s store and managed to buy a bracelet as well!! Then in and out of other shops until I ended up in Vogue jewellers.  Mum and Vicki had better stay in the good books as I bought them each a little something special from there – however I like both items so much I may end up keeping them.  I could always take a photo of me wearing the items and give them the photo.  What do you reckon?

Anyhow, Kia who served me in the store was a lovely lass who told me that she and her girlfriend also run their own skin care products business so I have arranged for her and her friend to set up a table at our hotel on Wednesday morning during breakfast and they are going to offer all the ladies free samples of their creams, etc. along with a free hand massage!  Oh la la... the hotel doesn’t mind at all so that will be something a bit nice for the girls.

Whilst spending the rest of the morning shopping, I bought the ‘naming the bear’ prize, a t shirt and 3 pairs of shoes. Time to head back to the hotel for lunch and a much needed cuppa and then I’m off exploring the other direction from the hotel -no shops but an art gallery and the Cyclorama which sounds really interesting. The hotel is holding a Meet and Greet reception tonight between 5-6 p.m. so I’ve put a notice up on our board for my gaggle to let them know.  A few are heading off for the Glass Bottom boat trip this arvo, so they are all generally managing to find plenty to do.

Time for me to pack up the bag again and head off for more adventures...