After our disappointing overnighter at Warwick we decided to head for Toowoomba as R had some work leads he wanted to follow up.
We checked into the Toowoomba Motor Village for a night and after setting up headed into the city centre for a look around and so R could go and do some job hunting. The plan was that if he was successful in finding a job we would extend our stay, and if not we would head for a friends place about 2 hours away. R dropped the kids and I in the middle of the city centre with the agreement that he would call once he was done job hunting and we would try and find each other again. The kids and I spent the afternoon wandering around the local shopping centre and up the main shopping street, then made our way to the local Queens Park, just in time for R to call to say he was finished. An hour and a half later and the decision was made - we were staying in Toowoomba. R had secured a job. This was definitely a bit of a relief given the ever decreasing bank balance.
R was now going to be working afternoon shift which suits us perfectly as we have the mornings to do things all together before he heads off to work. The work is casual, and the employers are aware of our situation so are happy for R to have time off if there is something particular we want to do. They have also expressed that they would love for R to stay with them until Christmas. We are not sure yet whether this is what we will do or not.
We extended our stay at the Motor Village for another week and a bit, and have since moved to the Big 4 as it caters a bit better for the kids. There is a TV room and a heated swimming pool with water slide. The kids have been in most days since we arrived here, but have yet to talk me into getting in with them despite the heated water. I have told them that I require the sky to be completely blue, ie no clouds what so ever, before I will be getting in. I'm kind of dreading the day that that happens, I'm not really ready for the swimming season just yet. It may be warmer here than back home, but it's not warm enough!
So, since we have become official banana benders we have checked out several of the parks and gardens in Toowoomba. Picnic Point, the highest peak in Toowoomba is beautiful. There is a giant flagpole which stands 53 meters tall, with a flag that is 40 foot by 20 foot in size. It is huge and can be seen from miles and miles away. The picnic grounds, waterfall area, playgrounds and café in the vicinity are so well maintained. We have definitely noticed that Toowoomba is a very clean, tidy, well kept and proud city. It really is a lovely place.
We have also been to Queens Park, in the city centre, several times. For those Adelaidians reading, it reminds be very much of the Plane Tree Drive park between the Botanical Gardens and the Zoo, if you add a couple of really cool playgrounds. There are some huge grass areas and some lovely tree lined boulevards. The playgrounds cater for all age groups too, there is a toddler playground and middle sized, and a teenagers area. A little further away is an awesome musical playground. All the activities revolve around sound. There is an interactive digital game, a solar powered piano, a giant xylophone and a whole heap of other stuff. It is really cool and the kids love it!
Another park that we have checked out was the amazing Laurel Bank Park. This is a garden park, not a playing park, but it is home to the original clubhouse and greens of the Croquet Club. This is the only ball game allowed within the park. The whole park was stunningly immaculate. It is made up of several sections, there is a rose garden, a topiary garden, a scented garden, a wisteria arch walk, and some garden beds which are planted out with flowers to make pictures and can be viewed from a raised platform. The kids especially like the assorted topiary. We found, amongst other things, a caterpillar with boots on, a spider, a lawnmower, mother duck with her five little ducks, a chair, a go kart, and an awesome Thomas the Tank Engine complete with painted face panel and bench seats in the carriages. We are planning another visit to this park just so we can have another look around, and so the kids can climb some more trees!
To be continued.......
No comments:
Post a Comment