Happy New Year! :) Cassie

Happy New Year! :)

Cassie asked in the comments yesterday why Australia has so many "big" things. I wasn't really sure myself, so I went all around the mighty 'net and searched out the answer. It appears that the Big Banana was the first one built. Coincidentally, it had it's 40th birthday the day before we visited. After people saw how popular it was (and how the tourists visited it, with money in hand!), they jumped on the bandwagon and started building them all over the country, although they seem to be found mostly along the NSW and Queensland North coasts. Where the tourists are ;)
The gallery of our holiday pics is up on my DH's site, and can be found here. There are a couple of sub albums in there, and there are 241 pics - you have been warned! :)

And here is the good stuff - my goodies from Nundle!

A cone of DK weight pure wool in pale pink. There is around 430g here, around 8 and a half balls. I grabbed it not knowing what I wanted to do with it, then later I remembered the cardigan in a previous issue of Creative Knitting that called for this yarn. But I need 12 balls for that. Damn. I'll have to go back ;)
Or I can use this for a sweater for Em, and go back and get something else for me! :)

Some roving for my spinning. I still wish I'd picked some up at the goat farm. Maybe I'll call him and order some. No maybe about it, who am I kidding?

My sweater kit! I loved it, but I hmmed and haaed about it before I bought it. I have so many sweaters waiting to be knitted. My DH looked at me, saw I was about to explode from indecision and said "Oh go on, get it!". I love that man :)

This is the sweater.
I also got a bag of half balls and mill ends for Em to play with, for only $10. I could easily have bought far more, but as I said yesterday, we arrived at 3.45pm, and the mill closed at 4. The lady was lovely, and she kept the shop open for us, but I just couldn't decide, and I felt like I was keeping her there. So DH said we may make a weekend of it later in the year. It's around 4 or 5 hours drive from here, but there's quite a bit to see and do there. There's goldmining and other historical stuff. You can have a tour of the wool mill with morning or afternoon tea included for a measly $AU5.
Yes, $5. I'll be back, and next time I'll plan ahead!

This is the mohair/wool blend I got from Wagtail Yarns. It's gorgeous! I want to go back there, too. No plans for this yarn yet, either.

This is as far as I've gotten so far on Clapotis. The colours are not photographing well at all. I'm ready to start the drop stitch section. Drop a stitch on purpose? I'm looking forward to that :)
Today I decided it was time to catch up on some of my sewing stash. I have enough fabric for 3 pairs of pyjamas for me, and a pair for Em, so I got it all out. Twinky wants to help. :)

I feel a little bad at my assorted riches when so many are in need around the world right now. Being on holiday, I didn't even know about the Tsunami until the day after it happened. My family's chosen charity is Oxfam International. I'd like to give a lot more money than I can, but every little bit helps!