After terrible fires, scorching heat, and dry-as-a-bone days, it is pure bliss to celebrate Australia Day with hour upon hour of glorious rain. Apparently Australia is known as “the land of flood and fire” and now I know why! In spite of the crazy, sometimes scary weather, I love it here so much.
Bear and I drove out to Stanthorpe this morning, thinking that the perfect way for us to honor this day was to drive the countryside that we both love. Our road took us up into the hills over terrain transformed by rain from dry, golden mounds into scenes straight out of Ireland: craggy rocks glistening under cascades of water, vivid green grass and glossy leaves.
We met up with some old friends and total strangers to take an Australian weapons licensing test – Bear for his crossbows and me for firearms – and we both passed with flying colors. Yippee!!
It was so interesting learning the Australian rules for weapons use and safety. Some things are similar to the United States, but others are vastly different. I was intrigued to learn that wanting a weapon for personal protection is not a lawful or accepted reason in Australia for getting a weapons license. I asked the Aussies what you’re supposed to do to protect yourself from bad guys here and they burst out laughing and said, “Run!” Duly noted. 😉
To reward ourselves for passing our tests, we headed to one of our favorite stops, Vincenzo’s, for hot drinks and a visit.
Then, of course, we were ravenous, so I happily tucked into a rather marvelous steak pie while Bear got sandwiches and we shared a plate of piping hot chips. It was so nice chatting and eating and sipping as the rain pounded on the roof and the occasional gust of wind showered us with raindrops.
Then we drove home again, stopping to treasure hunt at one of our favorite thrift stores before donning boots and raincoats to feed the animals in the downpour.
Now it’s time to cozy in for the night with hot coffee and a stack of movies from the library.
Happy Australia Day, dear Aussies! (And happy weekend everybody else! :-))
Terrific post, and Krista! Love the pictures, I am especially impressed that you colour coordinate your gumbys and raincoat! Such style!
Baha! 🙂 I didn’t even notice that they coordinated until I saw the picture. 🙂 So glad you liked the post. XO
It makes me happy that Australia has gun laws similar to Canada, it makes for a much safer place to live. Owning a gun is a privilege and not a right, that is the Canadian in me talking:D. With all the controversy about it in the States it is a touchy subject. I can understand after how you’ve had such a hot dry spell that the rain would be cleansing for the spirit.
“a privilege and not a right” is a good way to put it, Val. 🙂 I really enjoyed attending this course and feel prepared to use our guns in a safe and responsible manner. It was so great seeing all those rough and tumble blokes who LOVE their guns but love safety even more. It’s a good thing. 🙂
Beautiful post Krista. You look so relaxed and happy. Happy Australia Day! It looks like you had a marvellous day 🙂
Thank you, dear @wanderingsheila:disqus 🙂 I feel relaxed and happy, and we had such a fun day together. 🙂
It seems you are not so far from where I grew up (an hour south of the Qld border). Having driven through Stanthorpe many, many times, I would never have thought to stop to eat there, but that pie pastry looks wonderful. Enjoy the rain and the break from the heat.
I’m not far at all, @79c1ea390746a4474cff5fe075cd89aa:disqus 🙂 I live about an hour from Stanthorpe. 🙂 Stanthorpe actually has some fantastic restaurants!! I was very pleasantly surprised. 🙂
Love love love love!!!!! What a lovely day! And you two are so adorable and perfect together! And I do think that blue sundress is gorgeous on you and that slicker and polka dot boots are the best! I’m smiling ear to ear and will all day as I think of you.
Thank you SO much, dear @37854c7777b9b21d0ae36d3aa8184779:disqus 🙂 We had such a fantastic day and will definitely take you and Gibbs adventuring here when you come to visit. 🙂
what a lovely post… I love the ‘Bear and you’ photo… friendship and love shared is truly one of God’s most marvelous gifts… loved every part of this right down to the downpour get-up, chores, and settling into a movie together!
I love that picture of us too, @62001814d9d7e41ffc94251e56fa448f:disqus 🙂 He is such a treasure to me and I love our life together. 🙂
Krista you have such a gift for making me smile, I just adore the pic of you in your wet weather gear and hearing your take on our very Aussie day! I love the blokes who said ‘Run’ that is just classic and they aren’t kidding luckily for our country. It is belting down here and we are snug and safe upstairs. Both fire and flood continues as does life, my brother and his family went through the Black Saturday fires in Kinglake and this time of year always has us on edge. Loved your post and a big hi to your ‘Bear’ xxx
Those blokes cracked me up too, @9ccdd92ba0f85fdb96c0b104bfa57f1e:disqus 🙂 They were such a jolly, hilarious bunch. I stuck out like a sore thumb, but they were very welcoming and I appreciated it. 🙂 Ohhh, I can only imagine how awful those fires must have been. I hope we all stay safe in this crazy, scary weather. XO
You have a knack for picking the perfect way to celebrate! That is one of our favourite things to do, drive through beautiful countryside and eat yummy food. That coffee looks delish! And you look SO good! 😉
Gorgeous drives and delicious nibbles are absolutely wonderful things, @facebook-100001665607063:disqus . 🙂 So glad they make your heart happy too. 🙂
OK, diggin the polka-dottie wellingtons and OH MAN! THAT PIE!
the whole gun discussion……as you might know, we’re having it in the states for all the wrong reasons. all i can say is, more weapons seems to beget more weapons. for right reasons or wrong. so bravo les Australiens for keeping it simple, straightforward, safe. xo
Isn’t the pie awesome?? I nearly swooned at the sight of that crust. 🙂 I really enjoyed the weapons course. I feel prepared, knowledgeable, aware, and SAFE. It’s a good thing. 🙂
You look so glowing and happy here, Krista! This post makes me smile.
Thanks so much, @SevenGreySweaters:disqus 🙂 My spirit feels lighter than it has in a very long time. 🙂
Oh yay, I finally get to see Bear! =) You guys look so happy! That pie looks delicious – you know, I actually miss them…I didn’t think I would. We’ve been watching the floods and fires from over here and I cannot believe the rains you got up there. I thought our summer when the huge Victoria bushfires happened was bad but wild weather seems to be a trend now in Oz…
Hooray!! 🙂 I didn’t realize I hadn’t sent you a picture of us, Andrea! 🙂 As much as the floods scare me, I’d rather face them than those horrible fires. 🙁 I’m so glad you came through them unscathed. XO
It is so good to see in the photos and read of your happiness in Australia, Krista. xx
Thank you so much, @google-9c2cabc6737d76d3ba841e28d670a9c0:disqus XO It feels so very, very good. 🙂
love your rainboots!
Thank you, @twitter-82747769:disqus 🙂 They are awfully cheerful, aren’t they?
Haha, I love your rain gear! You look so happy even though you’re all soggy!
Aw, thanks, @8c55800e368a37aa499c24f6424eb7b2:disqus 🙂 There’s something quite marvelous about doing chores in the rain and puddles. 🙂
You sure are experiencing all the extremes of our weather! It’s been quite a year so far, and quite a summer.
I sure am, @bcdeb9873aa58892d29aa565c71353f5:disqus ! Can’t let your guard down for a minute around here. 🙂
Oh that pic of you in the raingear is absolutely adorable!! And I had to laugh about the Aussie solution to dealing with bad guys. Wish it were always that simple and easy 🙁