Attack of the Magpies II!

Ok, so you are probably saying, “enough with the magpies already!” but this weekend Nick and I were able to capture an attack on camera!  The decoy you ask…my brave husband.  In a way I was happy that Nick was able to experience a magpie attack because I had a suspicious feeling he thought that my stories were a bit dramatic (which they may have been).  Now he has experienced an attack first hand.  Take a look:

Before all the magpie excitement Nick and I were exploring our new neighborhood by bike.  There is a ton of development going on in the area and new houses are being built at an alarming rate.  Gladstone is experiencing an industry boom and thus needs housing to accommodate all of the people moving into town.  Nick and I were saying how we feel bad for the locals.  The cost of housing has risen dramatically and many people can’t afford to live in the area, forcing them to move out of Gladstone.  Another concern is that once all of the projects have been completed in Gladstone and people begin to leave, who will occupy all of the homes that were built to accommodate the initial boom?  Nick and I fear that all of these beautiful new neighborhoods will turn into ghost towns in the future.

A sliver of ocean view

 

Since moving in we have discovered another perk to our new home and that is the fact that we have awesome neighbors!  Jackie and Jason are our age and moved here from Lexington, Kentucky.  We have become fast friends and it is wonderful to have them right next door!

With Jackie in Tannum

This weekend Nick and I hosted dinner at our place for about 12 people.  I had such a great time that I forgot to take pictures.  The only one I have is of our mini apple pies before they went in the oven.  Nick helped me…can you tell what has been on his mind?

Third Time's a Charm

As many of you know Nick and I are in our third house in Australia.  While it has been lovely seeing a variety of Gladstone real estate,  I would like to be done moving...forever.  The good news is that we love our new place!  I am hoping that we will be able to live here the remainder of our stay in Australia because another move might just cause me to loose my sanity.

Last weekend Nick and I drove about an hour north to Rockhampton to do some shopping.  Nick told me he wanted to buy a new pair of tennis shoes so I thought we should make an exciting trip out of this errand.  Nick rarely admits he needs anything so it always very exciting to me when he wants to go shopping (I think he still owns a pair of shoes from 7th grade).  While in the shoe store after bending over to feel for Nick's toe in a pair of shoes he was trying on I said, "Do a lap around the store to make sure that they are comfortable".  He responded with, "Kate, you're embarrassing me".  It is just so exciting to get Nick out shopping!   

After running our errands we drove downtown and were impressed by many of the buildings.  Many had a European feel to them.

On Wednesday evening I walked outside to take out our garbage and saw this huge fire blazing just up the street from our house.  Apparently we have been without rain for over a month and the city is becoming concerned about the possibility of bush fires.  Much to my relief this fire was started by fireman to prevent bush fires.  Fighting fire with fire.   

So we love our new place, the only negative for me has been my new bike path to work.  There are several magpie nest along a stretch I have renamed the "zone of terror" and I have been swooped about every other day since moving to this home.  I now look like a crazy person walking/riding to work because not only am I wearing sunglasses and a helmet, but now I carry an umbrella.  Can't wait for magpie breeding season to be over!  Serenity now!