The Doyles weblog

Overflow...

We are very fortunate in North Queensland to have suffered no water restrictions.  Our Burdekin Dam often has spillage (enough to regularly fill the Sydney Harbour during the wet season).  So it's a great place to grow some beautiful plants.

As most of you know, my knowledge of gardening stretched to doing everything Mark would tell me to do, ensuring lovely plants.  I have always been good at deciding what I want but getting someone else to execute my plan.....ahem.

Well, I have started a little balcony garden here in the apartment above the hotel.  It's really sweet and we have such lovely plants!  Most of them have been lovingly cultivated from either seed or cuttings that I have grown on my very own.  The mulch is mine, the time taken is mine and the garden is MINE!  So, in a vain attempt at some photographic art I tried to capture the beauty of my little garden.

Some even made it into a vase.

Oh, and don't get Mark and I started on the possibilities of sharing our precious resource with you all down South.  I simply can't understand why it isn't happening.  As the Nana's would say "they can put a man on the moon....but". 

Gorgeous Melbourne

I am finally getting around to updating the blog regarding our Melbourne trip in August.  It was just gorgeous!

We stayed at The Coachmans Quarters in East Melbourne.  It was just divine.  Exactly what we needed, some pampering in luxurious accommodation.  I have included some photo's, they just don't do the place justice.  Our hosts were lovely and accommodating.  Wendy makes the most scrumptious cakes and goodies, presented in French Provincial surroundings.

We managed to sneak in a Day Spa at Endota Day Spa - Richmond where we had a couples massage and facials, followed by sparkling wine and a lovely hot spa!  It was freezing to us North Queenslanders so warmed us up nicely.

Garry and Liz's surprise wedding was great!  It was a fantastic night and they both just glowed with happiness.  I wish John could have been there but he was trapped in hospital after contracting a very strange skin disease, they might even name it after him if they ever work out what it was.  For us the wedding was like a family reunion.  The family were all together for the first time in a year.  The kids have all grown, the adults were all enjoying a few drinks and we heard all the stories we miss out on being all the way up here.

We managed to squeeze in some clothes shopping.  There's no place like Melbourne for shopping, really.  Mark very patiently traipsed with me up and down the streets of Richmond, Fitzroy, South Melbourne and of course Melbourne CBD.  Lucky we had under-packed as we needed another bag for the return trip.

Every Hotel we drank at got a full review.  We now find it impossible to go out without closely studying Menu's and drink ideas and pricing.  It's quite embarrassing actually and we have to make a conscious effort to STOP before we get boring.

We had time this visit to get up to Warburton and see Megan, Jimmy and the kids new place.  What a gorgeous spot!  The views are to die for.  A great huge cottage garden and just charming to boot.  A really great home.

Catching up with the boys was the best.  We have seen them up here and of course last year for Jan's funeral, but not in Melbourne for "fun" in 3 years!  yes, it's been over 3 years since we left!  The time has flown.

The Living Room at the Coachmans Quarters

The Kitchen with Home Made Cakes and Slices, cereals and fruit.  Delicious pastries for breakfast, freshly squeezed juices and fresh ground coffee....yum!  We found heaven!

The view from Mark's sister Megan's house.  Aren't they lucky ducks?  The views and gardens are just spectacular....it also helps that Megan is such a green thumb!

They're a Motley Crew!  On Megan's balcony.

All in all a great week and we look forward to getting back again soon!

Our Gorgeous new Glycol Taps

We recently had Glycol Taps added to the main bar.  They look really great and keep the beer ice cold!  I think they are fantastic and brighten up the bar a little.

We also had post-mix guns installed and make service so much easier!

All is good, we are getting busier and busier.  People are starting to book their Christmas functions....the year is just flying.

It's Mark's Dad's 80th birthday next month.  Fingers crossed we can get away to attend his party.

Congratulations to Shane and Kathryn on the birth of their baby boy!  We miss so much of the good stuff up here.  I feel as though we are completely out of the loop.  Wish we could see your new addition.

Otherwise all is good! The weather is really heating up now, the Crushers unfortunately lost the Grand Final and the Tourist Season is coming to an end.

Lots of love to you all!!  We miss you!

xoxoxo

Up, up and away!

Timbo is currently touring Europe on the trip of a lifetime!  We are so proud of him and are just hanging on every word when he rings us with the details of his travels.

We made sure we were there to take him to the Tullamarine when he left.  He was so excited and nervous.

I managed to get some shots of his plane taking off.  he was really excited because he was travelling on the new A380 from Singapore to Heathrow.

Catching up with the family

We were lucky enough to attend Garry and Liz's surprise wedding.  It was great to catch up with everyone and we had a fantastic time.

Unfortunately John wasn't 100% and spent some time in hospital so was unable to attend.  He's out and about now though!

Got some great shots with the family though!!

2 Weddings and a few days off....

We finally manged to get a few days off.  Dad came and took care of the Hotel and Mark and I went back to sunny Melbourne for Garry and Liz's wedding. Congratulations guys!

I managed to find the most gorgeous place to stay and we looved, loved, loved it!  Many coffee's, a few wines and plenty of yummy food.

Wen then came back to FNQ and drove up to Millaa Millaa Falls and attended our nephew Stephen and Mel's wedding.  Congratulations guys!

Altogether it was a wonderful week and here are some pictures!

Family ties..

What a family oriented weekend!  Some good and some bad.

It's funny how things work out....

Garry and Liz came up to see us on Friday and left Sunday afternoon.  It was so fantastic to see them (although they did get delayed in Tully/Mission Beach due to flooding).

Then on Friday night Belinda received the bad news that her Nana had passed away.  Immediately after she found out that her cousin Trent was in Townsville Hospital after having several operations and his Mum couldn't get there as she was in Brisbane (some 3500 Km's away) organising Nana's funeral.

What a coincidence that at this time in our lives we happened to be living just over an hour from Townsville.  So Belinda has been able to see Trent every day and they can be together up here during Nana's service down south.

Trent is well on the road to recovery and as cheeky as ever!

Some famous guy...

Mmmmm...still not really a QLD'r.   Apparently I suggested to a very famous ex-footballer that he had "had enough".  He was paid a large sum of money to come to Ingham for a Sports Award event.

I have no idea who he was but assume he played Thugby...

Oh dear.

It will probably make it into the local paper.

The joys, the joys...

Some of the changes to the Pub...

Here are just some of the changes we have made to Lee's in our 2.5 years.  We think it looks loads better!

They are before and after shots!

 

Decisions, decisions...

After almost 3 years away from "home" we have decided to up sticks and move back!  We will be taking over another Hotel in Victoria.

Why I hear you ask?  A number of reasons.  One is, I guess because it's been almost 3 years and we have probably achieved what we set out to.  Secondly, we are missing our friends and family soooo much.  Thirdly, is we need another challenge!  Another hotel to build up as we have this one.

Lee's has still so much potential and we are very proud of the work we have done thus far but it's time someone else had a go.  We are losing our desire to be here and so far away from everyone.

So keep your eyes peeled for updates.  When we have a deal signed and sealed we will let you know!

Over the next few days I'll update the blog on what's been happening the past few months.

Lots of love to you all!

PS - It's raining again!!