The Latest Exploits of the Chissell Family

Warm greetings to you all from another glorious day in Brisbane folks!

We hope you and your loved ones are happy and well. The stores are bedecked in festive froth and the Chrimbo ads are in full swing on Oz TV! It still feels weird for us considering we are heading into summer. The Chissells have had a lot fun since our last update which included seeing one of the great wonders of the world, visitors, a birthday and lots of dressing up. Hmm…. where to begin?

Over the half term break in September, we headed up north to stay with friends in the spectacular rainforest of Kuranda. Located just outside of Cairns, we travelled around North Queensland – as far as the Daintree Rainforest (deemed the oldest in the world in the guidebook blurb) and inland to Atherton and the Tablelands. We also sailed over to Green Island and swam with the exotic fishes on the Great Barrier Reef. An incredibly exciting and unique experience, which was truly beyond compare.

  

Flying out from Brisbane Airport.

 

 

An  awesome view of the Great Barrier Reef from the window of the plane……

 

Welcome to Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef……..

 

 

Our semi-submersible boat was so much fun, we captured some amazing underwater video footage of the reef. We also had fun on a Glass bottomed boat and caught sight of Nemo and the gang….

  

  Getting up close and personal with the locals in Cairns…..

 

We travelled a fair way north, as far as The Daintree Rainforest.  Port Douglas is truly gorgeous.

  

The view from the Captain Cook Highway…..

  

A typical Queensland Sugar Cane Plantation and the Mossman Gorge…

  

The Chisslets cooling down in the infinity pool in Cairns. Followed by a scrummy meal and a stroll through the late night markets along the Esplanade……

  Having a great time at Palm Cove….

  We stayed with some good friends; the Norths in the beautiful Kuranda Rainforest……

   

Riding on the Sky train up to the top of the  Kuranda Rainforest and down again on the Heritage Train Trail…

  

A timely ice cream to finish off a lovely lunch and a quick play in the park before heading home…

 

Having delicious fun at the Coffee Works Plantation and Museum in Mareeba. We each sampled a huge range of Coffee, Liqueurs and flavoured chocolates from across the world. Before heading into the Atherton Tablelands for some rural fun…

 

 

Some of the North children and their Grandparents who were also visiting from the UK…

 Goodbye North Queensland, thanks for a fab holiday xx

Tim and Paul then came to stay at Chez Chissell (following a fab week in Sydney) and the Chisslets were absolutely thrilled.

    

 

 Having a fab time in the city…..

  

Visiting the Daisy Hill Koala Sanctuary……

 

Checking out the view on from Mount Coot-tha…….

 

All aboard the Chissmobile and heading out to Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast…..

    

   A fab day followed by a sumptuous rock and roll dinner…..

 

Picnic fun in Toohey Forest…..

  

The view from Mount Gravatt. Can you see the Gabba? Phil will be visiting there shortly to see the first Ashes test……..

 

A gorgeous sunset at Cleveland Point.

 

Poor Conor slipped over in the sand during a stroll over to King Island at Wellington Point. We had sad goodbyes at Brisbane Airport. Au revoir uncles, come back and see us very soon, we love and miss you very much xxx

Olivia celebrated her 7^th birthday on October 10^th and she definitely did it in style. A huge thank you to everyone who sent such lovely presents and cards, your generosity and thoughtfulness is truly appreciated. She is a very lucky girl indeed.

      Happy birthday little lady xxx

The Chisslets attended another Aussie Bush Dance Fundraiser which was hilarious fun and both Olivia and Conor won prizes for their respective costumes and funky dance moves. Ryan joined in whenever possible and the video footage is priceless.

 

Do you like Ryan’s funky blue hair?

      

As you know, the Chissells never miss an opportunity to dress up and October 2010 was no exception. We were recently invited to attend a 40^th (fancy dress) birthday party of our dear friend Steve aka ‘Forty Man’. The theme of the event was heroes and villains, with creative licence allowed.

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 



The following weekend, we got to dress up all over again to celebrate Halloween. It is definitely getting bigger and better in Australia each year.  Phil had a chance to reprise his outfit!

 
     
 
    
     
 

We got up to some apple and Candy bobbing games, tripped the light fantastic to ‘The Time Warp’ etc. and generally terrified all Trick or Treaters that happened by Chez Chissell.

Coincidentally ‘Chil’ Phil and Olivia got to dress up again last weekend! The Cleveland Joey Scouts had a Pirate themed sleepover at the Den. She recently achieved her ‘Caring and Sharing’ badge and Conor is currently progressing well to achieve the advanced ‘Silver Boomerang’ badge. He is also attending ‘Pack Leadership Training’ at weekends too.

  

Meanwhile, I got to see the fantastic, breath taking, awesome ‘Valentino’ Exhibition at the GOMA (Gallery) in Brisbane with my dear friend Lucia. Being sooooo close to all the haute couture gowns worn by Hollywood stars such as Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett, Jackie Onassis and all the 'original' Super Models, dribble dribble dribble!

Ryan enjoyed a ‘Prep’ meet and greet morning at the School last Saturday and is jumping at the bit to start formally.

Fortunately with all our gadding about we have not had time to spy any critters in the garden as our usual sign off. But we are pleased to report a second bumper crop of lemons and oranges are ripening in the garden right now, accompanied by our first crop of chillies. We will post some photos in the next update.

Thank you also for your lovely letters, emails, photographs phone calls and Facebook chats. Keep them coming as they mean a lot to all of us.

In the meantime folks, best wishes for a bonzer Christmas and a beaut New Year. xxx
With love and much affection Mr and Mrs C xxx