Blankets and Soccer

Mom and some of the sisters have been crocheting baby blankets to donate to a worthy place--and finally found a hospital in the Newcastle area which cares for premature babies and babies with birth defects. We loaded up with Elder and Sister McLaughlin on Satuday--and off we went.

First stop--"The Entrance," a small little village on the shore, where we wandered through the village, visited their craft fair, and enjoyed the sun and blue skies.

Mom and Sister McLaughlin pause to visit with a little "knitting" lady......



The "Fairy Floss Cottage" - cotton candy!

And a little traditional carousel--which has been there for 75 years!

We saw a little boy having a game of chess with his grandpa---

A very "family-friendly" environment...................all on the shore overlooking the ocean.

And--all kinds of little shops! We loved this fishing one.....

Every town in Australia--large or small--has a memorial to their soldiers who have served. They are always labeled, "Lest We Forget," and list the names of soldiers from the particular town who have served.

(Note the reflection of Dad and Elder McLaughlin....)

ANZAC stands for the "Australia-New Zealand Accord"--and the joint army formed for World War I from the two nations.

There was a little train tootling about the area--and the kids love it.

Here we are with the McLaughlins--waiting for our lunch of fish and chips.............

We finally arrived at Cave Beach--a suburb of Newcastle, and met Cassandra Malone, who is president of the women's guild for the children's hospital. She has had five pre-mature babies, all of whom made it! She will see that our little contributions reach the mothers and babies there.

Near Cassandra's house is the beach--of course! Here we are--looking to the right. You can see two ships on the horizon, but we counted 16, all lined up across the horizon, waiting to get into the Newcastle port to load coal, which is mined in the Newcastle area.

And--looking to the left. Beautiful, beautiful!

We ended up at a soccer game, where one of our former elders (Peter Watts) was playing. He was instrumental in helping to form Christian league (from various churches in the area) of teams who wanted to play on Saturdays, rather than on Sunday. "Our" team--the Latter-Day Warriors (in the orange and black), were ahead 2 - 0 when we left.

With Peter at half-time.