Easter in OZ

Easter in OZ and we enjoyed a park BBQ, the local tradition. Our neighbours, Helena & Derrick invited us to share their family BBQ. They are experienced at Aussie BBQs, having owned a hotel/restaurant. Their son (a former Chef) gave Lewis a break from cooking as he served up sausages, onions, peppers & shrimp. Their daughter, married to the Master Chef at Noosa’s #1 rated restaurant, & their daughter-in-law (also trained in hospitality) supervised. We and the 6 grandchildren had only to eat, drink, and play bocce ball. It was a marvellous way to spend Easter with a substitute family.
Easter Sunday ended Daylight Savings Time down-under; putting us in a unique situation for time change: “Spring Forward” and “Fall Back” in the same week! The weather is fall-like; cool clear nights, warm-to-hot days and a constant ocean breeze. Each afternoon the foreshore is dotted with surf-gliders; colourful parachutes filled by ocean thermals propel the surfer over the waves & into the air. It is fascinating to watch! Here young and old embrace the outdoors.
On our daily boardwalk stroll we were surprised to see a miniature Cave with a round rock rolled away from the entrance, 2 bunny rabbits and a vase of purple flowers. Apparently, it is another local custom to build this structure using beach rocks & sand; positioned to catch the sunrise ray on Easter morning. Visible reminders of why we celebrate Easter!
Monday, yesterday was Lewis & Elsa’s last full day in OZ. We made a trial run to the airport and then went shopping at the mall. The crowds were overwhelming; school break means mall-visits on both continents! Lewis & Elsa surprised us with a smoked salmon for dinner; what a treat! Elsa had a nearly full bottle of Crown Royal & had promised our neighbour Aiden a drink. Well, needless to say we drank the CR; perhaps not our smartest move with a 3am airport trip and a 20-hour day for L&E – but it was fun! Thank goodness everything worked out well and Lewis & Elsa are now flying over the Pacific Ocean to Vancouver & then home. Hard to believe we have only 3 days before we begin our trek back to Toronto via LA. It’s been and is an amazing trip!
P.S. the derelict house next door continues to shrink. When we returned from the BBQ on Sunday the owner had blocked our driveway with his car & trailer, and shortly thereafter drove away with a load of windows crowned with a bathtub. Yesterday the interior doors, previously removed and neatly stacked on the ground floor by the demolition company, were suddenly missing. Earlier today a shouting match ensued on the street, likely a neighbour impatient with the gawkers, thieves and other interested parties that frequent the site. Time to break out the Dobermans.......

BTW: This most liikely will be the last blog update from Down-Under! We hope to get online in LA ... otherwise when we are back in Toronto. Thank you all for sharing our trip with us ....... LOL