A birthday to remember

Larry is sitting back tonight with a big smile on his face and he says he has had a lovely day......so that is all that matters! It started by visiting a dear friend (who is now 93), of my late mother followed by a wonderful place that I've been lucky to visit before - Picnic Point. I've wanted Larry to see this beautiful place and it seemed a perfect way to start his special day. We thought we would go for a walk first.........

 We came across these unusual plants and for you again Karen as they have a cactus type stem and leaves.......

 and the bonus at this site is a stunning cafe with spectacular views for a morning coffee (where the young waiter happened to recognise me from appearing on TV two nights ago!)....

 I also wanted to show Larry some of the beautiful Queensland style homes.........

 I wonder if this doctor changed his name especially??!!........

 how I would love these windows......

 A massive display of poinsettias........

 We decided to head to the city centre for lunch starting with views of some iconic buildings......the Art Deco Empire theatre.......

 The police station and alongside it floral tributes from the recent tragedy of an officer killed while on duty.........

 This is the old Court House now renovated and used as a private residence.....wow!........

 More wonderful old buildings.......

 Only two nights ago Toowoomba experienced a Serious Fire right next door to the Quest apartments. All guests were evacuated and so very lucky, unlike the terrible tragedy we have been watching unfold in London. The front of this apartment block is in fact a renovated gothic church.........

 You can see how the heat of the fire melted the sign and there is only rubble left of the adjoining building.........

These wonderful tiles appeared on the pavement........

 Tonight we popped in to the local shopping centre close to where we are staying for a light tea and I was delighted with the quilt designs from some of the tiles on some of the walls..........

 I bought Larry a rugby top, socks and undies....how boring but it was what he wanted and then we went searching for a string of pearls for yours truly. I was told I needed to head back in the city to visit Toowoomba Pearls so off we set where the bonus was 50% off everything! The centre is quite large and I found these delightful child sized caravans for children to play in.......

 and a huge photographic mural of the cotton fields that we drove through some days ago.........

So thankyou Toowoomba....we will be back. The finale to the night was birthday phone calls from family and the most delightful video and photo of Beau and Maisie singing Happy Birthday to Poppa! Life is good........

We now have four days of driving before we reach home so more of that soon x