May 2024

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May 1st - the locals are anxious having heard that Paulie & Stephen were planning to head off again. They want to get inside to discuss... Meanwhile in Oxford, it was May Day. The population gathers in the wee hours (see 2017 May album to see the Magdalen College choir singing in the season) Nothing like a Maypole team's antics James is always happy to join in.
3rd- Olivia flew up to Brisbane the night before to catch up with 2nd Cousins Jess and Claudia and to attend her pal Megan's 30th birthday in Kingaroy. Claudie cuddle. Stephen's pal John Web dropped in for dinner to cook a dish. The girls look on in anticipation.
4th - Mother and Child out for a run at the University And off Olivia went to the party Birthday girl Megan (now teaching in Kingaroy) was joined by pals Olivia & Michelle 7th - Paulie's sister and bro-in-law, Jan and Jim, moved into their new home in Noosaville.
. Worth celebrating. Although there was to be weeks of unpacking and home refinements to go. Cheers 11th - for Southern Hemisphere Mother's Day, the Turnbull/Dunlop mothers - and 4 possible future mothers - united
24th - Paulie & Stephen headed to New Zealand for two nights to see Paulie's brother Pete and sister-in-law Marg Jumping into a hire car they head 90 minutes from the airport to Pete and Marg's new home in Te Aroha 12th - a morning walk To the wetland park at the end of the street
. Beautiful 13th - Sammi was ready for his morning walk. En route to Hamilton the crew stopped to see Paulie's nephew Justin's earth-rammed home.
. Pete tried, but failed, to stop his visitors from sampling so much of Justin and Liz's orchard Whilst Pete was at a medical appointment Paulie, Stephen and Marg sat near the lake in Hamilton .
Back home via Morrinsville, home of cows aplenty . 16th - back in Brisbane the guys offered to have Lottie Atherton stay over a few nights. She clearly knew Paulie and Stephen were not only unpacking from a quick New Zealand trip, but were packing for 6 months away. She started a peaceful protest.
The autumn light in the forest on Paulie's Mt Cootha walk Reluctant bather 18th - Lottie's cave 20th - Paulie headed up the Noosaville to join Jan in a spa treatment.
A great way to unwind in teh midst of unpacking. . Noosaville itself has a great calming effect .
22nd - a busy day. Before pals Anne Louise and Jacko dropped in Storm & Daniel called around. Alas, they won't be seeing Paulie and Stephen in France as was planned. Then Clan Traynor joined the St Lucia Athertons... ...and Pete and Shari... ... for a farewell meal and mucho wine at St Lucia...
. Olivia and Andy took Andy's dog Ruby for a sunset walk in Adelaide. 23rd - last chores completed and the next day Paulie and Stephen headed to Adelaide 25th - After a night staying with pals David and Jane Barker, the guys collected a van from Olivia's pals Patrick and Hannah who are heading home to England for a family catch up.
. First stop was Tanunda in the Barossa Valley where Olivia will be running a half marathon at the Château Tanunda Barossa Marathon Time to work out the van facilities Certainly a comfortable sleep.
Breakfast time 26th - Paulie and Stephen met Olivia and Andy at the starting point where literally thousands were ready to run the various courses. . Read, Set...
Go. VIDEO -2 hours, 7 minutes and 35 seconds later... made it! . .
. Worth popping a champagne cork back at Van HQ A hot shower back at their hotel and Olivia is ready for a tasting at Jacobs Creek (owned by France's Pernod Ricard) .
27th - The next day it was time to leave Tanunda and the Barossa but not before a breakfast... ...and morning exercises Into the Clare Valley. First stop Auburn opposite a house we saw for sale. But too isolated. Isolated but pretty
The next camp was outside of the town of Clare 28th - It was time to hit the "Riesling trail" on some hired mountain bikes. . They stopped off near Auburn at O'Leary Walker Estate
Followed by a quick stop off at Sevenhill to find a Jesuit priest to take confession for enjoying ourselves too much. Must be a sin. The oldest vineyeard in the Clare . VIDEO- picking up the spiritual vibes
29th - The team headed to the Adelaide Hills and settled in at the Belair National Park near Stirling The locals . .
Outside the first South Australian Governor's Adelaide Hills retreat Off on the 3 hour walk up to the high waterfall which despite some rain, was dry. . Through a tunnel and back to Van HQ
30th - Paulie attended a session with author Catherine Mckinnon at the Matilda bookstore in Stirling 31st - a cosy toast to celebrate the end of May.