After a weekend on Fraser Island with just the two of us we had the following weekend on my absolute favourite island in the whole world - North Stradbroke Island ('Straddie') - with family and friends. There were 19 of us in three houses celebrating not only my birthday but also the wedding from last December. Although it rained on the Friday, the rest of the weekend was sunny and bright, although a little cool.

Rene (above) is climbing up from having watched the blow hole working a treat due to the heavy swell. Earlier we had watched four whales cavorting out to sea whilst we had breakfast at a cafe. They were the first of the season - running from June to November.

Here we saw a pod of dolphins (actually, very amorous dolphins) plus a couple of turtles and a few rays. This island is just 50 minutes by barge from Brisbane. Heaven on Earth!

My lovely sister in law Adele 'on the rocks' at Straddie. My brothers Steven and Mark plus their wives joined us for the weekend and helped make it a very special occasion.