The Goldie

The last few years we have spent some time in January out of NZ with our grandie and other family members. Of course when you live at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world you go on holiday to other beaches, Rarotonga, Noumea and this year Surfers Paradise! The choice of destination this year was partially influenced by a mate of Wayne’s who lives in striking distance to the Goldie who is grappling with cancer. A morning visit for two chums who met as ‘primas’ 60 years ago to chew the fat, discuss ailments, but mostly to have a laugh and reconnect in person. The human connection, so important.

The other attraction of the Goldie is its close and easy, with enough difference to NZ to entertain the grandie with some new experiences. Travelling with a gluten and dairy intolerant child can be challenging, but not in oz they have got it going on! With bread that tastes ‘like sponge cake’ and ‘really cheesy’ vegan cheese, vegan and gluten free ice creams, eating became a pleasure.

We chose to stay where we had an amazing pool so that every day we could have at least a couple of hours in the pool. To cool off, 30+ all week, to exercise and to perfect our synchro routines devised by our 8 year old.

We did venture out to the beach to be knocked around by the big messy swell, to be buried in sand and to be stung by blue jellies! We didn’t try the apparently well-known cure for stingers of peeing on each other, although it was painful enough to pretty much try anything!

We also had a couple of trips out to Movie World and Currumbin wildlife park. The latter was certainly my fav and the grandie’s too, although she did like seeing all the ‘famous’ people/characters particularly the Disney’s – Tweetie, Tom and Jerry, Scoobie etc. I was fascinated though by the number of adults who were desperate and pushy to have their photos taken with these ‘pretend’ movie stars, Batman, Wonder women and to hug a person in a big fluffy costume in 35degree heat, bizarre!

We unwittingly timed our trip with Australia Day. A free concert to celebrate and one of the best fireworks displays I’ve ever seen, and a chance to try out my new cameras night function. Ozzies really do enjoy their day and this was a family event, no booze!

We finished off the week with a smorgasbord meal with seafood too. Prawns, mussels, oysters etc to please the big McCready and desserts a plenty for the little McCready. What a week, fun family times.