E-BLAST - 29 NOVEMBER 2015

Christmas tree ready for when the entire family visits - it's our turn this year - they all come to Tweed Heads for Christmas. Boxing Day is a beach morning and then usually a barbecue tea at Wesley's Miami place (20 min north on the Gold Coast). Delma when doing the Christmas tree found in a large carton (under the steps) so many decorations so had a big clean out. 

NATIVITY

Delma is big on the true meaning of Christmas and half way up the steps on a landing area are placed the nativity settings. Dad joke coming up: there appears to be a couple of sets of everything - I assume it's in case I miss one lot. (Not game to ask).

LAGUNA QUAYS RESORT

The ponds at the entrance to the Laguna Quays Resort are a lovely sight to behold - in 2016 the entire resort is getting a billion $ facelift and refurbishment. The Laguna Quays Respite cottage backs onto resort land. There is a dirt road separating Marine Pde and resort land, Council calls this a vermin break.  

TURTLE VILLAGE

Turtle Village (ie Marina Pde) the Laguna Quays Respite cottage street - but in 1992 it belonged to the Laguna Quays Resort to be an upmarket residential area for senior staff. When the project went into receivership Marine Pde's individual blocks were sold off. But the Turtle Village large stone plaque was retained. 

MIDGE POINT SHOPS

Midge Point shops are a focal point for the community and for mission people visiting Laguna Quays Respite. There is a fish & chip shop, laundromat, hairdresser, post office, general store, plumber, real estate office.   

DELMA'S FULL COMPLIMENT

Delma's full compliment of hand crafted cards she completed while at Laguna Quays Respite this last visit 2-19 Nov. It can take up to 5 hours for a very detailed card.

E-BLAST - 22 NOVEMBER 2015

High Tea at Point Tavern - Delma honoured the ladies of the Midge Point (Laguna Quays) arts group an afternoon of cakes, scones, diced sandwiches, cream puffs (you name it) on Sun 2.00pm on 15 Nov. Delma was not able to visit when Basil Sellers and Mark lunched the art finalists. This was the next best thing. The ladies all want to come again next year!  

LAGUNA QUAYS RESPITE - DELMA SEWING

Delma sewing her hand crafted cards on the sewing machine the children all put in and gave her for 2012 Mothers Day. Listening to that sewing machine is like hearing the angels sing - Delma enjoys her sewing. Happy wife, happy life!

SPICK AND SPAN

Laguna Quays Respite - the cottage inside the lounge and dining area - the morning we left it was thoroughly cleaned ready for the following mission visitors - each mission visitor cleans it for those coming in next. The system works well. We visit 4 times a year for a full spring clean monty.

LAGUNA QUAYS RESPITE

Laguna Quays Respite cottage - from the time that Mark and Delma returned to Tweed Heads on Thurs 19 Nov, there is essentially a full house of mission visitors right the way through to 3rd week of January. Such a blessing, thankyou to our faith finance support network.

MARK 64 - THE BARBECUE

Mark turned 64 while away (5 Nov) and one of his celebrations on the final Saturday of our Laguna Quays Respite visit 2-19 Nov Mark fired up the barbecue and cooked for everyone. There was some talk of a new calling!

MIDGE POIINT BEACH STORM

Storm clouds - The final week of our November 2-19 Laguna Quays Respite visit there were several days of good steady rains (on and off) and one morning on our 7.00am beach walk these storm clouds were heading our way. 

E-BLAST - 15 NOVEMBER 2015

Mark on his lap top communicating with the young writers as is his custom. He is on the veranda of Laguna Quays Respite cottage with the beautiful on-shore breeze and a view of Repulse Bay. He might enter the 2016 Clergy Attire Award with the caption: "Rev Cool as"

REPULSE BAY

Repulse Bay - the view nearby Laguna Quays Respite - we view Repulse Bay through some palm trees. There is currently concern that commercial fishing trawlers with up to 4km long nets are damaging the fish stock in the bay. 

MIKE AND MARK

Michael Kent and Mark on the veranda of Laguna Quays Respite. Michael was for all these years our lawn mower man and has now sold his business to Alex - like Michael, Alex too is having Julie do the Laguna Quays Respite lawns.

TRACTORS AND TRAILERS

Midge Point Beach the tractors and trailers are lined up - we have seen 18 at one time. The boats are taken to the water's edge, dropped from the trailers and then parked at the top of the beach. During our visits to Laguna Quays Respite we walk each morning on this beach.

DELMA AND HER "SMILIES"

Delma drawing a "smilie" in the sand on her morning 7.00am Midge Point Beach walks during our Laguna Quays Respite visits.

DELMA'S CREATED CARDS

While at Laguna Quays Respite Delma spends a lot of her time enjoying creating cards for her ministry. This is a selection from this visit.

E-BLAST - 8 NOVEMBER 2015

Midge Point Tavern - lunch - yesterday Saturday 7 November with Dr Roger and Julie Van Der Veen. Julie is a Mackay girl, Roger is a dutch Canadian who did his doctoral studies in counselling and social work at James Cook Uni, worked in the university sector at Southern Cross Uni (Coffs Harbour) where their two girls were born now 20 and 18. Called to ministry, returned to Mackay as the professional counsellor at Mackay Baptist. Their vision is to established a professional missionary counselling service based from Mackay for those who require more than rest-recuperation respite as is Laguna Quays. A great day together.    

ROGER AND JULIE

Roger and Julie Van Der Veen visiting enjoying a cuppa in the entertainment area at Laguna Quays Respite - Basil Sellers funded this barbecue car port area with its open sides, brilliant sea breeze, view of Repulse Bay ...  Basil Sellers on his visits bee hives for this area, it's quire remarkable.

WILL AND MARGARET

Will and Margaret Pearce called in for a cuppa - they live opposite adjacent - Will did the hand rails on the front and back steps - Margaret won the 2015 Basil Sellers Midge Point Art Prize. Bruce lives in the duplex behind Will and Margaret, an 80 year old gentleman, a delightful cuppa all round. 

AIRLIE BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL

We visited Airlie Beach on Friday - this weekend its the Airlie Beach Music Festival. We visit Steve Payne most times we're up - he owns the music shop Leading Edge, his octogenarian parents live 2 streets from us in Tweed Heads. 
pic - Delma outside Shoe Biz. Yes bought a pair of sandals.

DELMA ON BEACH WALK

Each morning at 7.00am Delma and I got for a 30 min walk along Midge Point Beach. We have seen up to 18 tractors and boat trailers along the beach - they take the boats out, drop them off and return to the beach. pic - Delma on her walk

MIDGE POINT BEACH

Midge Point Beach from the car park - very flat and goes out a long way before it gets into deep water. Great for walking, surf-kiting, fishing club, horse trials and the like. It is a few minute drive from Laguna Quays Respite.