2026 - SHOWTIME | FindPenguins

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Trip start
February 12, 2026
2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
A year of shows?
February 10 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
So far this year we have seen one show and have three shows booked in:-
* January - Lanza and Callas re-imagined in Mansfield
* February - Edinburgh Tattoo in Brisbane
* March - Celtic Thunder in Canberra
* April - Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour
* June - Vika and Linda at Wangaratta PAC

We fly out of Albury on Thursday 12th Feb. for Brisbane

Hopefully a few more trips will be planned…

The Australia Day concert in Mansfield was, as always, excellent - good company, great entertainment and delicious food. One of this summer's heatwaves was in full swing and the temperature was well over forty degrees. Fortunately, our table caught a breeze from one of the air conditioners.

A SPECTACULAR MUSICAL TRIBUTE NOT TO BE MISSED
Step back in time to the golden age of opera and Hollywood romance as tenor Roy Best and soprano Alison Jones channel the magic of Mario Lanza and Maria Callas — two of the most legendary voices of the 20th century, reborn for one unforgettable afternoon.
Enjoy a sumptuous luncheon while these acclaimed artists bring to life the songs that made Lanza and Callas immortal — from heart-stirring arias and cinematic classics to timeless duets that defined an era.
Enjoy an intimate audience with Alison & Roy at the Ros Ritchie – Magnolia Cellar Door / a delicious tailored 3-course lunch
by Mansfield’s finest chef Megan Knapp of the Kitchen Door.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
On our way
February 12 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Left Kevin Cole to feed the cows and do a bit of watering.

Had early (11.30) lunch in Albury, filled the car with petrol and parked at Albury Airport.

We decided that regional airports are 'the only way to fly' - no fuss, no crowds, very easy and calm. And time for a cuppa at the Uiver cafe.

nb - worth googling the story of the Uiver.

Took off on time and had a great 1hour 20 minute flight.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Checked into Brisbane
February 12 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
Took a taxi from the airport to the Park Regis Hotel.

Looks good, views are great, but it is quite tired.

On the receptionist's recommendation, we will walk towards Suncorp Stadium to check the lie of the land. Apparently there is an area called the Barracks on the way where we can eat.

We joined the thousands of people streaming toward the stadium. The route is lined with eateries and they were all busy.

We ended up at the far end of the strip in the Beetson Hotel. Janette had barra and I had whiting.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Showday
February 13 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
Walked to The Barracks for lunch with the idea of planning our route for getting to the show. Theoretically we did this yesterday, but, after looking at the maps and finding that we had to enter the stadium via gate A, we decided there must be a more straightforward route.

After lunch, Janette 'volunteered’ to walk our potential route while I made my way back to our hotel. On her return she gave it the thumbs up.

At 6.00pm, after a bowl of soup in our room, we set off intending to get there by 6.30ish for the start time of 7.30.

The weather forecast was atrocious but to quote the advertising - “the show will go ahead rain hail or shine”.

Our seats were ideal - at the end of the stadium facing the ‘castle’ where the bands enter and next to the bands’ exit from the stadium.

The Tattoo started right on time with a welcome to country…Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
More show
February 13 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
It rained steadily. You had to feel for the performers.

We were soaked to the skin.

It was a great show and we wouldn't have missed it!

There were quite a few tv cameras around the arena so I suspect we will be able to watch it on channel 7 down the track.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Happy valentine’s day 🌹
February 14 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
We were to catch up with Janette's brother, John Lee, for lunch today. He didn't feel too good and I have a bug so we've taken a rain-check.

The stadium is a 20/30 minute walk northwest of the hotel. Brisbane city is a similar distance to the southeast. Janette headed off there while I stayed at the hotel.

For our ‘Valentine Dinner’ we went to the Tiger Eye Hotel at the Barracks. The Tattoo crowds had gone to be replaced by couples out for dinner.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Off again tomorrow
March 16 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
Getting ready for an early start tomorrow.
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Canberra to see Celtic Thunder
March 17 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Headed off about 7.30am. Meeting Trish and Paul at Old Parliament House for lunch at 1.00pm.

Just before Wodonga we caught up with a large semi transporting half a prefabricated building with an escort vehicle in the outside lane stopping any overtaking attempts. There was a lot of traffic following but a lot turned off for Albury / Wodonga.

We got past as we went by Albury only to realise there was another up ahead in the distance. They were doing a good speed and the escort vehicles moved to the left lane to indicate when it was safe to overtake - there were five altogether.

Because of the fuel crisis, we have been keeping the tank topped up. We filled up at Holbrook, got a coffee and ate the rolls we had brought with us.

Back on the Hume, we wondered if we might have to overtake the five trucks again. We didn’t see them again so we assumed they had turned off somewhere.

Arrived at MOAD at 12.30ish to see Trish and Paul waiting at the top of the steps.

After lunch in the Courtyard Cafe, we looked at some of the political cartoons from 2025 and then headed off to check in at our hotel.

Trish and Janette headed into town to shop and Paul and I made do with a beer at the bar.

Dinner was at a Lebanese restaurant, on City Walk, not far from the hotel. We chose to have a banquet. The food was delicious but there was far too much. All agreed to have less in future.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
The Mint and Regatta Point.
March 18 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Show day today. Trish has booked us in for a tour of the Australian Mint at 1.00pm and early dinner at our hotel (the Crowne) at 5.00pm. This will allow plenty of time to eat and then walk to the theatre.

We decided on an 8.30 (leisurely) breakfast in the hotel restaurant.

After a very indulgent breakfast, we moved to the lounge area to revue the Tasmania itinerary. Most of the early part is sorted but the last few days in the east still need some work.

Headed off to the Mint in plenty of time. The tour explained the history of coin making and the changeover to decimal currency in 1966. From the walkway, we could look down at the various minting areas.

The first was where mint quality coins (untouched by human hand) are made. Each coin is made individually, one at a time, by a specialist operator. Each blank is inspected under a magnifying glass before pressing and again as a coin after minting - they have to be perfect.

The coins that are for general circulation are mass produced - each press making 700 per minute. Blanks are loaded from 44 gallon drums into a hopper by a robot called Titan.
He takes a bow to the observation window after each 44.

Typical of Canberra, another interesting attraction for visitors.

We were originally going to breakfast lakeside at Regatta Point until we realised breakfast was included at our hotel. We decided to go there for tea and scones after the Mint visit. So glad we did - great venue.

As we left we saw the Canberra and Region Visitor Centre next door. We went in and were treated to another surprise - a six minute video showing the beginnings and growth of Canberra.

Back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner at five.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
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Dinner and show.
March 18 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C
Dinner was delicious! and timed perfectly for us to enjoy and then walk to the theatre.

The show was a nice mix of chat and singing.
Looks good. What was the show? [Sharyn]
3/22/26Reply
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Phantom of the Opera
April 28 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Drove to Sydney yesterday and arrived at Trish and Paul’s about 4pm. Nikki, Brendan, Harrison and Chloe called in to say hello.

Treated to lamb shanks for dinner 😋.

Tonight we are going to see Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour. Trish has booked us into the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel in the city so that we won’t have a long drive back to Castle Hill after the show.

Nikki drove us to the Showgrounds Metro Station and we trained it into the city. After checking in, we walked ‘around the corner’ to Hyde Park. Back at the hotel we had an early dinner so that we had plenty of time to get a taxi to the show.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
The show.
April 28 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 20 °C
Because photography was not allowed, I’ve ‘borrowed’ some pictures.
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
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Doyles, Watsons Bay.
April 29 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Today was all about lunch at Doyles Seafood Restaurant at Watsons Bay, something that’s on many people’s must do list.

We checked out of the hotel but left our bags there to be collected later. We headed off along Castlereagh St to meet Woz at Toby’s Estate Coffee Shop in the MLC centre, just across the road from his office at Martin Place.

We enjoyed a breakfast courtesy of Woz.

From there we walked to Circular Quay to catch a ferry to Watsons Bay - we love riding the ferries.

We were a tad early so Paul and I sat and waited while ‘the girls’ went for a walk.

Our table at the restaurant was outside with only a footpath between us and the beach. The food was really nice - Trish, Paul and Janette had whole barramundi with Thai salad and I had snapper.

For dessert, Trish and Paul shared a cheese platter, Janette had pannacotta and I had pav.

Then it was back on the ferry to Circular Quay and from there we took the light rail to head to the hotel to retrieve our bags. Back to the Metro and we trained it to Showgrounds station where Brendan was waiting to take us back to Trish and Paul’s - that’s good planning!

After a big lunch, quiche for dinner was just right.Read more
It looks superb. All of it. [Denise]
5/3/26Reply
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Manly for lunch
April 30 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Heading off to Manly today. We’re catching up with Katie for lunch at the South Steyne Hotel. Trish and Paul’s friends, Ruth and Michael are meeting us there too.

We went in the car today as we are going to Atena and Warwick’s for dinner.

After another really nice lunch, we headed off to look at Corunna Manor at 2 Osbourne St. This was great grandpa and great grandma Lee’s house in the 1930-1940s.

Before heading to Atena and Warwick’s, we drove up to North Head. There are expansive views across to South Head, Sydney Harbour and Sydney.

After a cuppa, we headed off.

Had a lovely evening with Atena, Warwick, Charlotte and Madeleine. Atena’s mum, Azar, was there too.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Home again
May 1 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
After a hearty breakfast, we headed off loaded up with food and drinks for the journey.

Traffic heading out was fairly heavy but moving well. The new M7 being open speeds things up.

First stop Goulburn to have a coffee at the Paragon Cafe and change driver.

Janette drove to Holbrook where we had the picnic Trish had prepared 😋

Changed driver again and home by 4.15.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Muster day
May 18 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
May is when the calves are sold so today they were mustered into the yards. They were separated into heifer and steer groups. Two small steers were drafted out to be sold together as a separate lot - so three groups for sale.

Our stock agent, Hayden, brought out scales and set them up in the crush. Each animal was weighed, fat scored and its electronic ear tag number recorded.

Hayden took photos and videos of the calves to be posted online. The calves are sold through the online auction on Auctions Plus.

The auction will take place on Friday.

The calves are sold weaned so they will now be separated from their mothers - that means a lot of calling out for a few days.Read more
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2026 - SHOWTIME Janette and John
Auction day
May 22 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 10 °C
All three lots sold really well

Graham Boone of Mansfield bought the eighteen steers. He drove over to have a look at them this afternoon.
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Trip end
March 21, 2026