North Stradbroke Island (2009)

Last week we took the kids to revisit North Straddie and not much has changed, apart from the kids themselves and the fact that there are now two ferry companies :) I found myself singing Wiggles songs in the car, but Christopher quickly put a stop to that. We stayed at Amity Point, but drove to Point Lookout and past Pippi Palace for old times' sake. Here are a few photos of the recent visit:

North Stradbroke Island (2000)

Nine years ago, we were lucky enough to spend two months living on North Stradbroke Island in a beautiful home called "Pippi Palace". The kids were four and two years old - driving on the island is forever linked to Hi 5 and Wiggles music. I spent the mornings doing therapy with Christopher, but the afternoons were free time. We joined the local playgroup and library, and had boxes of fresh fruit and veg delivered to our door each week. Family and friends came and went. It was an idyllic time and one that has provided many happy memories. Catherine as a two-year-old was a funny little character, who liked getting into all sorts of small spaces. At four, Christopher was working hard to communicate with us - he remembers that I made him crawl to biscuits during this holiday as part of his ongoing therapy.


Photo #1: Catherine in a large planter pot.

Photo #2: Pippi Palace had marvellous views of the ocean.

Photo #3: As mentioned, we had a number of visitors. Here we see Granny and Uncle Brad on the beach with Catherine.

Photo #4: Tamara and Christopher walking along the beach.

Photo #5: Garry feeding a friendly kookaburra on the deck of the house.

'the losers in every competition'?

Christopher chasing pigeons in his walker

People with handicaps, so limited physically and/or intellectually, are often more gifted than others when it comes to the things of the heart and to relationships. In a mysterious way they can lead us to the home of our hearts. Their handicaps are counterbalanced by a special openness and trust in others. Certain social conventions mean nothing to them. They live closer to what really matters.

In our competitive societies, which put so much emphasis on power and strength, they have great difficulty in finding their place; they are losers in every competition. But in their thirst and their gift for friendship and communication, the so-called 'weaker' people in society can touch and transform the strong, if the strong are only prepared to listen to them.

In our fragmented societies, people with disabilities have a very special part to play in the healing of hearts, and in destroying the barriers which separate people from one another and prevent them from living humanly.

From the introduction to "Our Journey Home" by Jean Vanier.

5-min chocolate mug cake

There's an email going around about making a 5-minute chocolate cake in a mug. Catherine and I decided to give it a whirl, since all the ingredients were on hand. Here are the photos (some a bit blurry, sorry).

Catherine mixing the ingredients:

The mixture in the mug:

After microwaving for three minutes:

The cooked result:

Taste test:

Our verdict: this is a wicked recipe! Main problem - as the email notes - is that we are now only ever 5 minutes away from freshly-baked chocolate cake :)

At the zoo again

Had a really lovely day at Australia Zoo, with tigers and snakes topping the favourites. Christopher ran himself ragged in the walker, and the trio of girls were fabulous. I spent the day juggling wheelchair, walker, wet shoes, jackets, backpacks and hats. Worth every minute! The girls are cooking dinner tonight - whoo-hooo!

Just a few photos: