Greetings from the Welsh visitors

Hi All
Fab photos Kev. Well done for getting them to post.
We want to send a huge thank you to all for our Christmas gift which we used yesterday- A walk on the Illawarra Fly, followed by lunch, and a souvenier fridge magnet.
We had a fabulous visit accompanied by Kate, Hasi and their German visitors Annetta & Klaus. What a fabulous experience! Many thanks to you all for such a wonderful and very greatly appreciated gift.
We followed up our Illawarra Fly experience with a walk around Carrington Falls - a hidden gem.
Jules, Cynth and I then left the others and did a quick drive through Robertson to show Cynthia the Big Potato. She was overwhelmed.
Saw the fireworks over Wollongong harbour from Bellambi Beach before going to Kate & Hasi's place to see in the New Year. Agreat day!
Happy New year to you all. See you soon. Take care. xxxx

Christmas

Hi All

Thanks Moo for your hospitality on Christmas Day.

A very BIG THANK YOU to all of you for your support and encouragement during my operation and the aftermath.

A special vote of gratitude to Kate and Annie who took time off work to minister to Joan and me. Kate gave Annie the necessary instructions to work the rehab exercises (torture chamber) and Moo arrived to complete the trio. Kate and Moo did extra service getting the house up to scratch before Christmas. I'm trying to include a series of photos leading up to and including the exchange of presents.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I successfully put on the photos and in the right order too. I've been battling all the week to do this but the computer was not doing what it was told. Geronimo!

The computer nurd has done it. Send some of your happy events as the holidays unfold.

Love to all.

Dad/Tjilpie/Old Man/Kev

Post Christmas greetings

Thanks to everyone for a great day yesterday. It was lovely to all get together. See you all again soon. Look forward to the photos being posted Kev. xxx

Late Christmas Day from the top end

Hello every one
we hope your day was great, ours sooooo improved with the monsoonal shower in the morning and just did even more (@ 9.00 pm) with the cherry on top biggest lightning/thunder strike I've experienced here.
Marty said you all sounded great, I couldn't hear Joan for the background noise so I apologise Joan.
Merry Christmas guys and much love from us
Claire and Marty xxxooo

Year 12 results

Well it looks like the results are pretty good allround. have spoken to Liam and got a text from Lucy. Well done guys. I had good results as well. 12 out of the top 20 in the NT were from Darwin High School. Our completion rate was 90% and I can't remember how many scored over 90 but it was quite a few. There were 15 perfect scores(20). I am pretty pleased and the boss is over the moon. She keeps congratulating me for a great year. I feel like I am finally on Holidays. The monsoon is here, the surf is up, the beer is cold.

Cheers
Marty

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Beautiful and clever girls!
But what im really impressed about, is the vehicles they choose to travel in!

P.S. Moo, Jules and cynthia are here!!

Love to you all,
Zak

. . . and the Dinner Dance ( NOT formal #2 )

Then there was Clare:


here with the make-up artist

ready to go

with the girls

and with her friend Emma and the car

Steve

Steve
Send me an email steve from your nominated email account and I'll add you as an author! Any one else we've missed? Please yell.
Claire

Formal number 1

Steve here ( should I have my own login ? - nah, use Annies' and blame her )

we're almost at the end of Graduation/Formal season here. Thought all those fashionistas might like to see one of our beautiful girls all dressed up on Friday night at the National Museum, remember we're VERY biased !

Look out for more to follow from Monday at "The Lakeside"

Here's :

Lucy and her "olds"

Lucy and her friend Lauren





and
Lucy and her friend Sam

more bragging from the capital

Our two clever girls have done very well. First, Lucy won the biology and legal studies prize at her graduation last night. She also got a prize ($100) from Snedden, Hall and Gallop a local legal firm who give a prize to the first student in legal studies at each college. Then this morning at

Clare's year 1o graduation, she won the mathematics prize. First in maths out of around 200 students- who's have thought it a daughter of mine coming first in maths. Steve and I are both very proud and telling everyone in earshot! Tomorrow night is Lucy's formal, Monday night is Clare's. Then on tuesday, we get rid of both girls- Clare till Friday, she is going to South Durras with some friends and a mum, and Lucy is off to Kiama for a week for coasties. Zac has threatened to go and spy on them! Have finished all reports- what a wonderful feeling, now only have to entertain kids with DVD's until next Friday. Activities week for a few days then all over for another year. Only two more lessons with my SOSE class!

big news from the capital

Hi all, by now most of you have heard that our beautiful, clever Lucy has been accepted on early offer into pharmacy at Charles Sturt Uni at Wagga. We are very proud and I even shed a few tears on learning the news! Kate I need to bring my seniors work and enter marks and work via the internet as they are due at the end of the week. I will find the time. I am trying to finish my juniors before Friday but have so much on I think I'm going to have to pull a late night!!

Bye for now, Annie

greetings not from the south coast

Hi all,
Yep that sounds like enough excitement for both of us!! Where were the crocs-cause you would have fed half a family Mart.
Im still hanging with the olds, learning new torture treatments for dad, everything we see the physio.
Dad,s tomatoes are looking good, next some lettuce and beetroot, and he will be a real garden farmer.
No time to write and rest, next lot of torture just minutes away.
Annie, dont bring too much work to do, because this carer gig is full time.
Off to dry his toes...
Love to you all, Zak

Swimming with the Gaiters

Well Zak if you want some excitment you could always come fishing with me. Chappie and I went out to the mouth of the Adelaide River yesterday (sunday) for a day of fishing. We weren't doing so well but some mates of ours in another boat had caught about eight barra and after keeping the first one had been throwing the others back. Anyway the next one they caught they gave to us. Whilst in the process of bleeding it over the side of the boat I managed to drop it and then in the process of trying to grab it before it sank I fell overboard. Lost my prescription sunglasses. Almost lost my $500 rod and reel. Then I had to ask Chappie to stop laughing so he could get me back in the boat. I think I need Claire back here to look after me.
Sorry Old Man...no photos

Cheers
Marty

greetings not from the south coast

Hi all,
Well Ive been up with the olds for the last week. A quiet Friday afternoon- scrabble to the back of me, and golf and races to the front. The Snake Gully cup is just about to start!!
Scrabble was invented by Alfred Mosher Butts in 1938.
There are 124 2 letter words in the english language.
The amazing facts that I never knew before.
A little bit of Banjo Patterson poetry at lunch.
Oh My god I think the favourite Morosi is going to win-yep No 7 has it!!
So can anyone beat that for an exciting Friday arvo?
Love to you all, Zak

Greetings from Wales

Hi All
Not much happening in beautiful South Wales really.
My friend, Louise, had her baby boy amonth ago. Samuel Jac is gorgeous!
Jules and I had 5 days in New Quay, Wales (not Cornwall) last week. It was lovely to be away for a few days and visit some different op shops.
Gail has left the Gwyn Arms and is greatly missed. The place really isn't the same without her but we are all happy for her to have a life back. She is very busy re-decorating her house and trying to fit the possessions she's collected whilst living in an enormous space into a 2 bedroom semi.
Cynthia is very excited about our impending visit to Australia (We arrive in 6 weeks in case anyone had forgotten). Any dates for Christmas dinner at Bulli yet?
There is loads of work around for me at the moment so I can pay the bills whilst we are away.
Darts knockouts at the moment -no league games for another four weeks. We won at our venue in the 4s knockouts on Tuesday. We have another team in 4s again next week. Let's hope we do as well. (I play next week).
Hope all's well with you all. Thinking of you.
Moo xxxxxx

Hi all,
Only saying one thing
Claire of the desert - go girl!!
Love zak

my Alice stay

Well the journey is more than one week in and much has happened so here is the story so far...

I was wide awake when the alarm went off. Being tired just didn't come into it; I was out the door insanely early with a kayak, a swag and an overdose of adrenaline.

Boy it didn't take long to dampen that enthusiasm. Long driving stints take practice and I was way out of touch despite the Batchelor commute from hell every morning. About five hundred kilometres into the one thousand four hundred and ninety eight kilometres I finally kicked in - and then I could have driven straight through.

Commonsense prevailed and I pulled up and camped on a concrete table. why a table you ask? Well, prickles mainly. With all the glorious rain the iconic bindi-eye was in full, spiky bloom and I have better things to do than pull nasty, pointy plants out of my rear end all night. As it turned out when you camp on a concrete table squished between a road inundated by thundering road trains and a railway inundated by kilometre long freight trains with a wind straight off the Antarctic tunnelling its way through the middle your sleep tends to be a little dodgy whether you have prickles or not.

But that adrenaline kicked in again and I was in Alice before lunch on Sunday. Yey.

A week of work happened next, routines to get into the habit of, jobs to do etc etc. Then the weekend came around and all that water minus the chompy, stingy things beckoned. The Western Macs seemed like a great place to start. I drove 300 ks Saturday renewing friendships with place and country. The kayak had a Central Australian christening in a long waterhole just off the main drag and all was good with the world.

Then it got better, Will and his flatmate cooked me a Sunday roast! How cool is that?

Can't wait for what happens next.

Hope you are all well

Claire (of the Desert)

news from the capital

Hi all, am typing this on my brand new macbook! Though a student did tell me he thought I was to technologically low to have one! Not much happening here. Steve and I went to the home show today. We go every year because we get in free, thanks to Michael who is on the show society. Raining again, I think the drought is well and truly over, considering the amount of rain we have been getting. Have been extended another year at Melba-Copland, the boss seems to like me because he is very supportive of everything I do. Two of my good friends have left, one for good the other on maternity leave, so am a little lonely at work at the moment. Clare did a guest spot with my band last weekend when we played at a local fete. She knows all about the going gig rates- breakfast and a book. She is away today at Cooma with her school band playing in some sort of festival. I don't think she was very happy this morning leaving home at 7.15 and not getting back till 6.30 a big sleep-in for her tomorrow. Lucy is well and looking forward to finishing in two weeks. She is headed to Kiama with her friends for 'coasties'.Steve is well, and I am sure is looking forward to helping me use this computer! I have started walking three mornings a week with a friend, and trying to go to the gym at least once a week, in the never ending battle to lose weight. I blame Nana and her sweet tooth which she has obviously passed on to me. I had better go now and learn how to use this machine! Love to all, Annie

darwin News

Hi all

Well not long to go now before the end of the year. Another week of year 12 classes, a week of study leave, then the exams, a graduation and formal and then it's all over. Except that I have the year 10 cohort next year so I will have to start the orientation process. No rest for the wicked.
We had Lana, the German exchange student who stayed with us last year come and stay again for a week. It was lovely to see her again and do some of the tourist things you only do when you have visitors.
Looks like a great party and time was had by all. I will need to come to the next one as no one seems to have got the gear off.
Claire is going to Alice Springs this weekend for work. She will be away for 5 weeks. Unfortunately Mark has decided to move to Perth for an unknown period of time and he is leaving just before she gets there. Luckily he was here only a few weeks ago.
Looks like we will be staying here for christmas, trying to save some money to do some work on the house.
Anyway thats about it from up here. I think it has rained for a bit of the Masters in Alice this week so it's probably good you didn't go there Old Man.

love to you all
Marty and Claire

Following Zac's erudite description of the J/F 50's party a few pictures may brighten the scene.

A great night was had by all.

Love to All

Dad/Tjilpi/Old Man/Kev.

Greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
10am sunday morning. Jacobite has just left with his mob after coming up for Jack and Fran's 50th frivolous festivities last night.
Great party!! said the jaffa to the fisherman, and Flora agreed.
You look so hot when you dance, said jacobite to the jazz musican, although there were sniggers from junior flora and fifties gal.
Flamingo and flapper and flower pot had the dance floor pumping.
The jackaroo and fj holden guy (not the fj holden couple) told some grand tales of JFK and his flapper wife of 24 years!
The franciscan and the father gave their blessings to all. The jockey joyfully accepted her jellybabies, and the jasmine fairy looked radiant.
The frog did a fine job as official photo girl as did JFK and flapper fran,s son, another jazz musican with the video, which will no doubt capture some great moments of a special night.
So for those of you who coudn't be there in body, but we know were there in spirit you get a bit of a feel for the fab night. We await the DVD with baited breath.
Im slowly heading south, via the hindu temple for breakfast then some live music by the sea! What a great weekend!!
Only 9 weeks till Moo and Jules are here!!
Love to you all, Zak

It's Here

Thank you One and All for the Fox!
It arrived today just in time for me to pick up the first from Pakenham.
Mum watched Lifestyle while having her pre dinner nipple.
Thanks again. I'm going to love it.
Dad/Tjilpi/Old Man/Kev.

where the hell am I?

Hi all,
8pm Saturday night- Lucy's 18th is going off!! Gals are on the cruisers and boys on beer or stolis.
I am believe it or not, being a quiet observer. Its way too much for an old girl like me out there.
Oh yea, dance floors pumping. Everyone is frocked up- fairy tale characters-cinderella, little red riding hood, captain hook, alice in wonderland, mad hatter, the clock from beauty and the beast, jasmine-from aladdin, pirate, Annie is the old witch, Im Karen from the redshoes-with my beautiful new red shoes from London.Steve is setting up projector/ computer as some of Lucy,s friends have done a slide show and speeches.
I better sign off now, dont want to miss any action.
Love to you all, from all of us here. XXX Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hi All
Hope Tom had a fabulous birthday.
Happy 18th! to Lucy Grace. Will be at the casino in spirit. Have a great time.
Had some visitors from Australia last weekend. A couple we met from Cobargo when we were there for the festival last year. they spent only two nights with us. So they were introduced to the Gwyn of course, and we did a trip up over the Black Mountain. As they arrived Sat afternoon and left Monday morning, we didn't have enough time to show them the Gower as well.
Am trying to add my photos of the high tides here but don't know if they will upload.
Moira and John arrive on Saturday for 4nights with us. Genevieve said she may join us for the weekend as well, but that's not confirmed yet.
Hope everyone is well and happy.
Love and hugs
Moo xxxx

Huge Tides this Weekend

We have huge tides in Darwin this weekend. Yesterday, Saturday, there was over 7 metres of movement. The first photos are looking towards Shoal Bay from down at Buffalo Creek.

The next two are at the boat ramp.

So many eighteenths. Wish I was there to enjoy them with you all however I always make sure I have a little celebratory sip up here.

Marty and Claire

greetings from the south coast

Hi all, Really all I want to know is what's the dress code for an 18th celebration at the casino for a middle aged aunt??
And are we hitting the night clubs later??
Love to all, Zak
p.s. photos are great-Claire looks so carefree just floating about -you guys are living the dream!!

Hi everyone,

Steve here. Big Kevs' birthday present is booked and happening.

Lucy is 18 a fortnight from today - we have a family tradition of taking the birthday "ADULT" to a place where under 18's cannot tread - if you happen to be in Canberra on the 24th, and you're an Aunty, Uncle or Cousin of legal age ( them's the rules - dating back before I was 18, sorry grandparents ) please join us at the Casino to celebrate from 6.00pm.

I'm a visual kind of person so here goes...

Continuing

Hello again
I must have pressed a wrong key and the Blog was posted before I finished. I took a photo of Annie and the band which I tried to post but lost it.
Kate, Hasi, Mum and I had an enjoyable afternoon celebrating Liam's 18th birthday with several of the Faggions. Fran could give those tv chefs some hints.
The O'Loughlin women had lunch here on Sunday to farewell Moira as she and Uncle venture OS again.
Mum is still the Scrabble Champ despite the combined efforts of Frz and Aunty Kate to topple her.
Love to all Dad/Tjilpi/Old Man/Kev.

Penshurst calling

Hello!
What a thrill to have communications from Marty.
How's the new job going Deputy?
I told a mate at the TAB that I had ducked up to Canberra to see a Musical that my daughter had put on. "Will you do the same if your son puts one on at Darwin?"

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
How do you get in a kayak without putting your feet in water where crocs cruise??
The flannel flowers are nearly out, the grevillias are looking gorgeous in the front garden. Ive got only one more coat of floor varnish in the kitchen, then we can finally move the dresser out of the middle of the kitchen. My hand made tiles for the kitchen are stunning, and ready to go up on the wall. Im dreaming of the tip shop in Darwin that had heaps of old tiles-wish I could find some down there. I will definitely be making more for the bathroom.
Foxtel has been negotiated for a twelve month trial,(remember the present idea, some months back?) and steve is finding out about the finer details.
Spring is in the air.
Thanks to the mountain mob for a great arvo for Liam's 18th. Every man should have a pair of cufflinks!
Time to sleep,
Love to you all, zak

news from the capital

Hi all. Well the musical is finally over! It really went well and we got rave reviews from everyone who saw it. The boss shelled out a lot of money to hire proper sound with radio mics the sound was fantastic. It is great, but strange to be leaving school at a reasonable hour and to be at home on Sundays. Today I actually baked biscuits! Last night we went to Michael's for a bbq birthday party.Nothing else much has been happening here. Marty I ran into Diana Harvey at St Francis Xavier (her son is in the same year as Clare) and she said she would love to get in contact with you and catch up. I think I can get her email address as I know someone she works with. Anyway that 's about all the news. Annie

Happenings in Darwin

A good week in Darwin this week. Mark is up from Alice which is the first time he has visited since we moved up here. We are both at work but he is getting around and having a good time. Hopefully he will find it not so bad and visit on a more regular basis although humidity is in the nineties already. Not much else is happening we have a constant stream of Alice boys staying, josh is here for trade school and another one flies in on Sunday for a couple of weeks of trade school. It's good for them as accommodation in Darwin is crazy.
Claire has her sea kayak but hasn't used it much as she has a bad back. I might give it a run this weekend just to see what it is like.
I'm a bit out of touch with the whole neice and nephew thing. Are both Lucy and Liam doing year 12 this year?
Went to Joe's last Saturday for an election party......not much of a party.....
Anyway Love to you all
Marty and Claire

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Yep, Im truely blonde on the inside, as Moo tells me. Im not mucking round with the list anymore. Only one change Fran buys for moo-last bought for in 2004. Hope this is Ok.Sorry annie you only get one present like the rest of us.
I,m with mum, while dad is in the canberra seeing Annie,s show. He,s the leader of the Blackie Iso fan club-never missed a show yet!!
Looking like its a good weekend for a party!
Cheers to all,
Love Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hello All
Who'd have thought that I could win money playing darts? That's exactly what happened last night when we entered a pairs tournament run by the league.
My partner, Pauline, and I made it to the quarter finals and won £15! Unfortunately, we had to knockout our own team mates in our second round match but they were good losers.
Have been tweaking the home furnishings and decorating. Hopefully the house will look almost complete when John and Moira visit.
Pontardawe Festival is on this weekend. Looking forward to some good music.
Hope you have a great 18th birthday Liam. We will be thinking of you. Let us know what you would like as a gift from Wales. Enjoy the celebrations on Sunday and good luck with the election work.
Best of luck with the musical Annie. I'm sure the opening night was fantastic and will be the same for all performances.
Hope everyone is well and happy - as we are.
Love to All
Moo xxxxxx

Hold all tickets

Greetings to all.
Katie worked for several hours to siphon out those who had bought for others so many times while not having bought for others at all. Pages of spread sheets littered the table when I arrived home from golf. We had the dickens of a job to get onto the Blog but the result appeared. Kate had not got home when Moo texted her. She rang me in a panic to get onto the Blog and call all bets off. Moo had beaten me to the punch.
Next week watch this spot for ammended results. Let's hope you will be as happy with the ammended list.
Kate entertained Joy, Aunty Kate Joan and I with photos from her trip featuring Steinen, Berlin, Wales (starring Moo and Jules), Gen and London. Just plug the camera into the USB on the tele and away you go for a slide show. Out with the screen, loading the slides and the projector. How modern technology has made life more amenable!
Love to all. Dad/Tjilpi/Old Man/ Kev.

Welsh Greetings

Hi All
It seems that Kate has to return to the drawing board next Friday when she returns to 39. I have been left off the list for receiving a gift. Annie is getting two! Sorry Annie, I spotted that!
All good in Wales. Had a lovely birthday. Thanks for all the calls. Great to speak to everyone.
Take care all.
Love Moo xxxx

Greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
After being completely inundated with so many ideas for christmas from you all, I,ve organised it myself. Just let me know as soon as possible if you do not want to be included, in case I have to do it all again.
After a discussion with moo, I have found that in the last 11 years we have been doing the "draw" some people have never bought for some and others have bought a few times for the same person.
So here's what ive come up with...

Dad buys for Steve last bought 10 years ago
Mum " Mart " 9 years ago
Jack " Hasi " 9 years ago
Fran " Annie " 9 years ago
Mart " Zak has never bought for her before
Claire " Mum has never bought for her before
Zak " Fran last bought 10 years ago
Hasi " Annie has never bought for her before
Annie " Jules has never bought for him before
Steve " Claire has never bought for her before
Moo " Jack last bought for him 10 years ago
Jules " Dad has never bought for him before

So go spend up - lots of time to get yourselves organised

Cheers Zak

greetings from the south coast

Happy birthday Moo!!
Its going to be a good day for sure for Moo-she was already on to her 2nd glass of champagne when I rang her at 9am!!
Im not writing much as I want to get to bed soon.
Hope all,s well with everyone.
Anyone want to be in or out of the christmas draw, speak up, as I will sort it out this week with mum. Do the kids still want their own? any ideas, speak up now!
Hope everyone is safe and well
Love zak

greetings from the south coast

Hi everyone,
Well here i am sitting back in my kitchen, drinking chai, and feeling sick at the thought of going back to work tomorrow. I,m going to buy $100 worth of lottery tickets today, then i'm sure to win, so i can just travel forever. And how amazing how many weeds can grow in the middle of winter in 5 weeks. And how bloody cold and windy is it today! How many layers of clothes can you wear, and still be able to bend your elbows? Mart and Claire you wont know the answer to this question, as I see it was 34 degrees in Darwin yesterday. Really I should just go back to bed, but the entire contents of my pack are thrown all over the lounge room floor, so I really should get a bit organised today. Thinking a thai massage may be a good idea actually. What an amazing 5 weeks in Europe!! Perhaps Im not really back, and Im just dreaming and any moment now, i will wake up in my bed in Ponty, or in Evie,s bed in London, or in Sabine's flat in Berlin, or cycling along the Weisse River to the ice cream shop.
Congratulations Claire on finally finishing your studies. Good luck with the sea kayak, wonder how long it would take to paddle to Timor-could be acheap option for a travel plan.
Enough blah blah blah.
Love to you all,
Zak

It's been a long time

It's 5.15am and I'm just having a cuppa before I go for a fish. I'm trying something new mackeral and tuna fishing. Hopefully I'll at least pick up a few more ideas. Will has just been up for three weeks of trade school which is always good. It's been really windy so we didn't get out for a fish but last weekend we went to Surprise Creek in Litchfield NP. It was a great swimming hole. A waterfall that cascaded into two deep swimming holes before the pool at the bottom and because you need a four wheel drive to get in there hardly any people.
Claire has finally finished her study!!!!! She had technical difficulties on her last major assignment so it wasn't as flash as she would have liked but the lecturer was so impresed with the idea that she is going to continue with it and send what she does to the lecturer. She is going to test paddle a couple of sea kayaks this morning. She has been meaning to do it for a few weeks but with Skinny being here and then Will she has been putting it off. I think she will enjoy it.
Anyway better run I need to get out on the water myself.

love to you all
Marty and Claire

Welsh Greetings

Greetings to All
Kate and I had a fabulous few days in London Town. Genevieve is a great hostess and it was lovely to catch up with her.
Only today left for Kate's visit. It may take her that long to pack! Ladies lunch today with Louise and darts practice tonight - what a way to finish a trip to Wales.
After we drop Kate at the airport tomorrow, I have a shift. Need to get back to it as haven't worked much in the last 2 1/2 months.
August soon which is always a big month with my birthday and Ponty Festival. Looking forward to it all.
Hope you are all well and happy.
Love to all
Moo xxxxxxx

greetings from ponte

Hi everyone,
Really havent got time to write, because Moo and I are off to London in half an hour to spend the weekend with Gen!! So exciting!!! So have a good weekend.
Love to you all, Zak

greetings from Ponte

Hi all,
I have arrived in Ponte! I left 32degrees in Berlin, then 21degrees in Amsterdam and arrived in cardiff-16degrees, gale force winds and pissing rain! Welcome to the welsh summer.
Nevertheless its nice to be back at no 70 with Moo and Jules.
Oh yes, and my luggage has just arrived after being couriered from airport today, after being lost in transit.
Today moo and i have checked out a few op shops in Neath. The forecast is looking good for tomorrow, so we are discussing a walk somewhere along the pembrokeshire coast.
Hopefully I hook up with Gen in London next weekend!!
Hasi should be arriving back in Sydney in the next few hours.
Hope all,s well.
Love Zak

Back from the Races

Hi All
Great to hear from both Kate and Moo you are keeping us well informed and you are the only users. Marty has promised us a report on his Kakadu trip with Luke and plenty of pictures.
Ron and I had a couple of great days at Grafton. We are both struggling with knee problems which curtailedour walking somewhat but we were able to scoot around the racecourse and back a few winners although we didn't finish with a big return. We didn't win a horse in either Calcutta but we enjoyed the activity at the auction. An ex-student of mine from Belmore Boys High recognised me in the crowd and we had a good yarn.
Bede Murray had three horses in, which returned two firsts and a second.
Annie was able to get mine and Murray's ticket to the Ashes test in Sydney. Thank you Annie; it was better than a win at the races.
Best Wishes to all and enjoy your return to school next week
Love Dad/Tjilpi/Old Man/Kev.

greetings from Berlin

Hi everyone
Im guessing all,s well as there is no news on the blog - yep Ive just checked in with Moo, Annie is in sydney and hopefully dad is winning big bucks at the races.
We are still sweating it out in Berlin, and loving it. Sunday was the hottest day in Berlin in 51 years-38.2!! We have been catching up with friends and enjoying the summer. Amazingly i havent bought anything while Ive been here, as the heat is not conducive(spell check) to trying on clothes. Perhaps London will be a bit cooler, and no doubt Moo and I will find a few op shops around the valleys. I did check out the camper shop here Moo, but nothing really jumped in my face.
Tonight is our last night in Berlin, and we will have a picnic in the park with all our friends. Then Hasi is on his way back home to the girls, and Im on my way to Wales and hopefully to London to catch up with Gen. I didnt get myself sorted to get to Romania, so that,s now for next time, but it will be great to catch up with Jules and all the mob down Ponte way.
Thats it for now, time to get out and walk the streets-boy have we clocked up some kilometres in Berlin.
So stay safe and enjoy the rest of your holidays
Love Zak

greetings from berlin

hi everyone,
Firstly, it is very interesting using a german keyboard. The y is in the left bottom corner for a start, and the z is on the top in the middle.
Hasi and I have been having a great holiday. Swimming everyday in the Weisse river in the south, eating italian ice cream and drinking beer. Hasi,s parents are well, and mostly enjoyed us being there. Lance, Trish and Kain came to visit which was fantastic. Annette and Klaus also came to visit-and they hope to visit us in oz later this year. Amazingly there is now a second hand shop in Steinen, and I scored a great pair of boots-new! Lucky I got them, as boots were high on my shopping list for europe, but being summer there isnt a pair of boots to be found in the shops.
So we arrived in Berlin on Tuesday, and have been catching up with friends and walking the streets. Yesterday we visited my oldest german friend, Duffy, who I first met in Sumatra in 1993. It was so great to spend time with her.
And its hot. everyday has been in the 30s since we arrived in Germany. And the days are so long-still dusk at 11pm and the sun is rising again at 3 or 4am. This is the summer the berliners have been waiting for after a very long and very cold winter. No wonder Jules doesnt want to leave europe in the summer.
So thats it for now. Better get sorted out for the day. Greetings from Hasi.
Love to you all, Zak

Greetings from Wales

Hi All
Lovely to back in Wales and enjoying the glorious summer! Yes, we are actually having a summer. Had a lovely "ladies lunch" with my friends on Friday.
Back in work to start saving for the next visit. Jules is getting on with the house. We won our darts last week (7-4).
Have been in touch with Kate - all well. we are not, however going to Morocco. Neither of us could find affordable flights. Kate is reviewing her options for alternative travel.
Garden clearing time again. One level complete. Going to buy a camellia today Mum. Have found a space in the garden that should be ideal.
All for now. Have a great time at the races Kev. Take care and have fun.
Remember Christmas in Bulli! We will make more plans as it gets closer. Cynthia is very keen to share an Australian Christmas with us all.
Bye for now
Moo xxx

news from the capital

Thanks Dad, not a dry eye in this house after reading your blog!! Have only completed my senior reports today. Have to put my moderation portfolios tomorrow for moderation day, which will probably take me hours, another late day at work. tuesday and wednesday we have two 12-hour rehearsals for the musical, Emma the director usually pulverises the kids on these two days!! Had a productive day with the musical band on Wednesday after a rehearsal with them for most of the day. A few dodgy songs but we should iron them out next term. Moo, the school nurse lent me the music to wicked, so definitely will be doing 'For Good' for graduation. Am now trying to figure out a chance to take Clare as I am sure she would love it she's like her mother, loves the musical!! Last night went to Jenny's for Christmas in June, great food, great wine and didn't have a hangover like last week. Damian is looking great he has lost 16 kilos, nothing like a heart attack to motivate you to lose weight. Anyway that's about all really looking forward to Friday, and holidays finally. Clare's off to Tassie on Saturday for a week. Moo hope you have a great time with Kate if I don't post again before that. Marty and Claire great to see you guys, I really miss drinking champagne with you Claire. See you soon Mum and Dad. Cheers, Annie

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
I just burst into tears reading dad's blog. He had the hardest job, saying the final farewells to everyone. Airports will do it to you every time.
Yes what an amazing celebration!!
I completely hit the wall on Monday at work, and today am only a little better. So early to bed for boxing at 6am tomorrow. And still then Moo wont even be quite home. No doubt Jules is restless with anticipation.
Love to all, Zak

A Great Time Was Had By All

What a wonderful Birthday present you gave me by your coming for the day!
This was the first time we had all been together since Nana's 100th birthday and we didn't get a photo! I dropped Moo at the airport on Monday morning, Annie at the train Monday night and Marty and Claire at Mascot Tuesday and as they walked away I burst into tears and had to pull into the curb to wipe my eyes when one of the security henchmen hassled me off. Such are the problems of an octagarian.
Your presence does wonders for Mum's spirit.
Thanks again and love to all.
Dad/Tjilpi/Old Man/Kev.

Pre-Welsh Greetings

Hi All
Just a quick post to say goodbye and many many thanks for a fabulous visit. I have had a great time and don't know where that five weeks went - it's the Railway Pde time warp. Wonderful to know I will be back in less than six months (escorted by my husband next time). Looking forward to it.
Remember..... Christmas in Bulli!
See you all soon. Take care and fun.
Love you all loads
Moo xxxxxxx

The travellers return

Hi All
Kate & I have returned from our road trip. We had a fabulous time and were very lucky with the weather. The op shops got a hammering and we came back with more than we really need - but that's usually the case.
It was great to catch up with our friends and we were grateful for the accommodation they provided.
Next weekend should be a great one as well. Looking forward to it!
See you all soon
Moo xxxxx

Revisit Kate's

Hi All

Thanks Moo for the update.

I tried to put some pictures of Kate's place on the blog; after a frustrating hour, I gave up (Sunday night). I'll try again. Compare these pictures with the ones I posted in October '09.

The third picture is Kate's new shelving. What GENIE will appear if the stopper is lifted?

Great work Katie!

We await your next travelogue Moo.

Love to all Dad.

Travels

Hi All
Kate and I thought we should give a quick update whilst we have the opportunity to access a computer - Thanks Mel.
We have a lovely greeting at Hervey Bay airport when we arrived on Saturday. Jules hasn't changed a bit. Her four daughters have grown into lovely young women. Saturday afternoon was spent having a long walk along the beach and the esplanade in Hervey Bay. Jules has a lovely home and we spent the evening there.
On Sunday we had a day trip to Fraser Island. What a magical place! It was lovely to return there.
Jules was driving her Dad to Brisbane on Monday for a hospital apptmnt so we forego the five hour bus ride and travelled in comfort and good company to Brisbane where we dropped at Melissa's door.
As Mel wasn't in, we found a couple of op shops to browse. Mel made us very welcome and we have spent a relaxing morning with her. She will then take us to collect our hire car.
I have spoken to Linda Ward this morning and we will meet up with her this evening after a leisurely day on the coast - and prob. an op shop or two.
Hope you are all well and happy. Take care.
Love and hugs
Kate and Moo xxxxx

Moo is here

Hi All

Right on schedule Moo arrived.

She is getting out of the cab.

She is enjoying a much needed cuppa.

We will all enjoy her stay.

These are the first pictures.Many more will follow.

Love Dad

Greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
How fast did that weekend go??
This time next week Moo and I will be in hervey bay!!! I cant wait. She will be on her last leg of her trip to sydney now.
Dont worry about the invite Mart and Jack, mum and I have sorted it.
Have a good week-only 4 days and Im on my way up north!!
Love Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hi All
Just over 24 hours and I'll be leaving the house to head over to Australia. (About 34hours of travel to get there). Today I need to pack!
Saw a great band last night in our local arts centre - The Bad Shepherds. They do punk classics in a folk style. Fantastic! have bought their CD so will bring it for you to have a listen to.
Not a great deal of news really. Too excited to think what has been happening.
See you soon xxxxxx

greetings not from the south coast

Hi all,
Having another long weekend, this time up with mum.Doing the big spring clean, or whatever you call it this time of year, before Moo arrives.
Havent heard from the boys what they are thinking about the invites for the party. Annie says the elephant and Moo says the masters games-come on guys!!
Im now wondering if I can find a photo of every year of his life and scan them and put them on a disc/dvd or whatever. Probably way too complicated for a technophob like me, I couldnt even get the slides the right way up in the carousel last year. Mart saved me from a big freak out with that one.
Well really thats it for me. Have a great weekend
Love Zak

news from the capital

Hi all. Have just spent a great week in cunj! It's been great that ACT hols are a week later than NSW's Weather was glorious, mid 20's every day, and no-one on the beach but us. Yesterday I was the only person floating in the lake at 3pm. Spent four hours on the beach. The girls bought two of their friends with them. Lucy did a brilliant job driving down and back. she drove all the way. She went really well down the mountain, it's such a horrible road the king's highway. Luckily not much traffic on the way down. A lot coming in the other direction today, as the long weekend is this weekend. Back to school on tuesday and straight into musical preparation, as the musical is on next term in week 2. busy, busy! I also have two bands to prepare for the eisteddfodd (is that the correct spelling, Moo) in May. See you all in June at Dad's 80th. Kate if you need at hand with anything give me a yell. love Annie

greetings from the south coast

Thank god someone's out there!!
Have just been looking at old photos of K&Js wedding etc. Found the one of the elephant and dad playing golf. What does everyone think of using it as an invitation-let me know, or any other ideas. Times ticking. The one from Masters games in Alice springs that was in the local paper is pretty good as well, but I m not keen on the optus on the tshirt.
Moo I cant bear it if you cant fly and we cant do our road trip. We need to book in a night stay in Maclean. Can you tell me your definite stay overs, so I can organize itinerary.
Mum just bet me at two games of scrabble!
I havent started the third book of Steig Larsson, as Ive now got the bloody 4th book of twilght-I wish I could speed read.
Nearly 2pm, time for lunch-such a time warp at the olds place sometimes.
Cheers Kate

Welsh Greetings

Greetings! I'm here Kate, checking daily to see what everyone is up to.
Also keeping an eye on the Icelandic volcano to see if I will be able to fly in three weeks and three days. Watch this space!
We have been enjoying fabulous Spring weather. giving us the opportunity to cut Cynthia's lawn as well as ours.
I have read the whole Steig Larson triology in the last few weeks. It is lovely to sit in the front garden being warmed by the afternoon sun. What a fabulous series. It is a great shame he is no longer alive to write more.
Stuart, our pub landlord passed away last week. Gail is devastated but getting on with things. She is fortunate to have close relatives who are mucking in to keep the pub open. The funeral is next Monday.
We are doing well in our darts - played seven won four. We were third on the table before the last game (in which we beat the team on top of the table 6-5).
Heading to Builth Wells this weekend for a craft show at the showground. It's called Wonderwool Wales which is a great play on words. Check out the website. We will take the van and stay overnight probably. The weather is supposed to stay fine so should be a good weekend.
Not a great deal happening. Worked three days last week and only one so far this week. it's not so bad to have no work when the weather is good.
May get one more post from me before my departure.
Love to All, Moo xxxxxx

greetings from the south coast

Is there anybody out there??
Too busy?
Are sunsets more amazing this time of year?? different/changing light. Amazing clouds. The last two mornings have had the most amazing sunrises. The tide has been low early morning so I make the most of it. Warm enough for just shorts and singlet, and the water has been so calm lately,(unlucky for the surfers) and still very warm. Most mornings now, i am the only one on the beach, it is awesome. Today I shared it with an old fisherman, with a broken front tooth. I hadnt seen him before. Only one bite in an hour, but he wasnt too perturbed.
The lucky mob from canberra are sure to be enjoying brilliant weather at Cunj this week.
Almost finished the third book in the Twilight series Lucy, then I can start on the third book in Steig Larsson's trilogy-The girl who kicked the hornets nest.
Hooray for the long weekend-three days in the garden!! Mr Yates would be proud.
Love Zak

greetings from the south coast

Hi All,
Weather is looking divine for the weekend-water is still about 20degrees!! Hasi has pulled out more of the kitchen, and we finally have a new front door with a beautiful ocean godess handle-Mart and Claire will know the one. I love it when Hasi is on holidays as so many projects get done. And you can get the tradies in as well.
Next week the door I picked up off the cleanup, stripped and lacquered ,goes into the bathroom at long last.
I made a mould for my own handmade tiles for the kitchen last night, will start pumping out some tiles next thursday!!Thats the news. Love to you all, Zak

Greetings from Wales

Hi All
Just wanted to say "hi" as it's been a while since I posted. Haven't really got any news to report. We had a bit of snow yesterday - didn't stick, but it was pretty watching it fall.
We have hung two bird boxes in our garden and I am waiting to see if they will have any residents.
Have been getting a bit of work - need to boost the coffers before I run away to Australia for five weeks!
Summer league has started in the darts. I am team captain this season. Currently we are won two lost two.Hopefully we will win more as we go on.
Really can't think of anything to tell you so won't bore you any longer.
Hope everyone is well and happy. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Love Moo xxxxxx

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Only 7.5 weeks till Moo is here, which means only 8 weeks till our road trip!! Glad to hear Will is on the mend, and I for one will not believe it is Claire's last semester, because I think she has been studying since I met her. The Roper should be great, I'll be hanging on the coast with Mya, Im not sure what Hasi is up to, but he's sure looking forward to the break. And I know I say it all the time, but it really doesnt seem that long since he was last on holidays. I'm sure Jack would agree with me.
Well my neighbour is still alive and his tree is out of the creek. I remained polite and appropriate at all times during my discussion with him, and he had the tree out of the creek within the next half hour!
There's really not much happening in my life, but Im happy and healthy, and saving hard for holidays up northwith Moo and later to Europe. Cardiac boxing tomorrow 6am, theatre tomorrow night and pottery thursday. Im hanging out in Penshurst today, and thinking about a quick cruise down to riverwood op shops.
The weather on the coast has been divine and the water is glorious. The chooks are laying and the cockatoos screeching.
Hope all,s well with everyone, LOve Zak

No Fish Dreaming

Hi All
Claire and I spent all day Sunday fishing the Adelaide River and didn't even look like catching a fish. Anyway it was a good distraction. We rang Will on Friday night only to find he was in emergency with appendicitis pains. He was in pain and pretty drugged up. Rang him again on Saturday morning (after a not much sleep kind of night) and the drugs seem to be working. He didn't talk for very long as he was getting ready for surgery. Johnny Appleseed went to visit him about 11 but he was on his way to surgery. Anyway it all seems good and spending a day on the water getting sunburnt was a good way not to worry. Rang him on Monday night and he was down the pub getting a feed so I think all is good. A stressful couple of days none the less.
Chappy and I are going to Roper for Easter but it looks like the Alice Spring mob can't make it. Claire will be studying. This is her last semester (till she decides to do a masters or something).
I replaced the wheel bearings on the boat trailer a couple of weekends ago getting ready for Roper with both Chappy and Joe as support crew which is pretty much the once a year service.
Although I seem to be working a 10 hour day every day I'm still happy and enjoying the job. It just means the weekends are pretty full doing the washing and cleaning stuff and trying to enjoy what Darwin has to offer. The good news is Skinny had such a good time last year he looks like comong up again in the middle of the year. I think we will plan a two week assault on the Kakadu billabongs.

Love to you all
Marty and Claire

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Well our weekend at Honeymoon Bay was divine. What a beautiful spot, in the middle of a military zone!! quite bizarre. We found this amazing fishing spot near point perpendicular- agood walk down a track in the coastal scrub, to a steep metal staircase that took us down to a cliff face where a dozen fisherman had camped in swags and were fishing for marlin!! One of the few places in the world where they fish for marlin off the mainland.A more determined bunch of fisherguys I had never seen. Quiet, beerless, it completely blew me away. And yes a marlin have been caught just the day before. This place is a hidden treasure. They bring all their gear down in prams and wheelbarrow and lock them to a tree at the end of the track. I'll take you there Mart if you are ever in the neighbourhood.
I was well rested for my six days of work to follow- the things you do for a few extra bucks for a air ticket.
I have booked flights for myself and Moo to fly to Hervey Bay in May-can't wait for that. now just have to plan the road trip south back home. We both have people and places we want to catch up with on the way south.
My beautiful friend Mya is coming up from Victoria with some of her family at Easter. I'm really looking forward to hanging out with them.
And then there's work, the chooks and the garden. Im pretty pissed off that the neighbout to the south has cut a small tree down, and dumped it in the creek area. Looks like its damaged a few shrubs i have planted on the way down. He's really going to get a piece of my mind next time I see him. He's already been dumping palm fronds on top of a lily pilly Ive planted. I only just finished telling him a week ago that that was our property, and all the bloody work I'd done in the creek. He's really in deep shit. I better stop dwelling on it otherwise Im going to get very angry.
Well now time to do a little travel research.
Hope all's well with everyone
Love Zak

news from the capital

Well I suppose I should write something since everyone else has. The term is flying by- already it is week five. This year I have a line allowance for band, but am still down a line (all you teachers will know what I mean) because the deputy put me on a class with no students. Still negotiating about what to do, tried to start a Year 7 band on line but all too hard as kids want band when they want! It's either internal relief, something I really don't want to do, or maybe an English class with special needs kids in year 11 and 12. Am unsure about whether I can teach it, but people at school reckon I could. That would give me three lines a t the senior campus which would be good. I have forty students doing music in year 11 and 12- 20 in each class!! Am quite proud of myself for having those numbers. And yes it is true,Lucy got her license, and is driving round town, though she is not allowed to have passengers for a month. The kitchen is finally finished with the splashbacks going in a few weeks ago. Have had the official approval from Mother. just waiting on the painting which should start in the next few weeks.

Had a bit of a shock a few weeks ago when Damian, Steve's brother had a heart attack- only 47. At home and recovering, and as this weekend is the Canberrra Day long weekend and the Tynans beat us to Cunjurong we are headed down to Pambula to visit. Gave Steve and Michael a wake-up call. The next weekend, Stephen and I are off to Melbourne to see Burt Bacharach, finally! We did have tickets to see him when he came out three years ago, but his concert was put off to july- the year we were going to Alice springs, so now we finally get to see him with Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. So that's about all from me, good to see lots of entries on the blog, and especially from you Marty. Will see you soon, and Moo as well. am looking forward to June and Dad's birthday. Annie.

news from the south coast

Hi all,
Moo you are so lucky to have had a weekend in London.Now Im wondering if I should head there myself in July. So many options. And Camden markets and the lock, my heart is aching. I can imagine Gen being very comfortable and at home in London.
Hasi and I are off to Honeymoon Bay this weekend camping. We are pretty excited, as we havent been camping for ages, the weather is looking OK, and several of our friends tell us it's one of their favourite, and most beautiful spots on the coast. Its on the north side of Jervis bay, a little south of Currarong, in the point perpendicular region.
Good to hear from you Mart- the creator of the blog. I thought Claire was finished her studies, but it really does seem to be never ending. That girl's got stamina. And congratulations to Buddy for completing his program-what a great laugh that must have been. You can compare notes with Clare, as she is taking Oscar to lessons. She commented mostly on how weird the owners of the dogs were!!
Im off to lunch, and to get sorted for the weekend. Im with the olds and they are doing well. You would all be amazed at how long mums finger nails are-never before have they been so long.
So much trivia!!
Love to you all, and have a great weekend, Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hi All
What a great weekend I've had! Gen and I shared a very full and enjoyable time.
It started on Friday, I caught the train up and Gen met me at her local tube stop of Leytonstone which is east London. I was taken to her home and, after a quick tour, she served our dinner - a lovely green Chicken curry. We were leaving the house again within the hour to head for the Apollo Theatre in Victoria to see "Wicked".
It was a fabulous performance! The leading characters were brilliant and it was a great story.
That finished at 10.20 and we were back home by 11.25. Had a glass of wine and a chat before retiring to bed. I had a mattress on the living room floor.
Next morning Gen cooked us bacon and eggs before we set off for the day. We headed to London bridge where the famous Borough markets are situated. They are food markets and the aromas were very tempting. We bought a few provisions for later, had a stroll about and then boarded a bus for Covent Garden via Trafalgar Square. I love Trafalgar square and just wanted to stroll there. It was as busy as always so lots to see. Had a stroll around covent garden and a cup of tea before boarding a bus to Camden for the markets. Thought about you Kate as we were enjoying Camden. Remembering our visit there.
Finally, we had to find a pub, which wasn't difficult in Camden. Had a couple of pints in a couple of pubs, picked up a few more provisions and headed home for a snack and a bit of drinking.
Was dreading waking up on Sunday fearing the hangover I would have, but my fears were unfounded. I was actually OK - unlike Gen who was suffering somewhat.
We were a bit slower starting out on Sunday. First stop was the London Eye. Gen had bagged two free tickets for us. It is a great view from up there.
We then strolled over Westminster bridge and pass the Houses of Parliament. Stopped off for a cup of tea then walked to Victoria where we got a bus for Knightsbridge. Had a stroll through the designer area of ladies fashion and while Gen marvelled at the designs, I marvelled at the prices.
Then we met up with Gen's friends Corin and David. We had a drink whilst they had dinner. It was great to finally meet them after hearing so much about them. They are a lovely couple and have been very good to Gen. She is lucky to have such friends.
Leaving them, we jumped on a bus which took us along Oxford street and onto the tube for home. Gen cooked dinner, I opened a bottle of wine and we settled in to watch the BAFTAs.
Am now back in Wales awaiting another fall of snow. We were very lucky with the weather in London. Bit of rain about Sunday morning but had mostly cleared by the time we set off for the day. It was raining this morning in London but we managed to avoid the showers on our walk to the tube station.
It was avery full weekend but still managed to feel relaxed and unhurried. I am looking forward to my next visit - Australia first though!
That's it for now. I have praatled on long enough.
Hope everyone is well and happy.
Love to all
Moo xxxxx

News from the Top End

Hi All

I am trying to think what has happened since last time I posted. Buddy graduated from obedience school, but i am not sure how. The garden is looking good even though we haven't had any decent rain for weeks. It's actually like the build up really hot and high humidity. Even the locals are saying it's too bloody hot but the rumour is we will be getting another monsoon burst soon. I hope that is the case because I am planning the annual trip to Roper at Easter and the runnoff will be finished if we don't get another blast.
Claire is about to start studying for her final year so she will have her head down pretty much for the next 9 or 10 months. Will has another block of trade school after Easter so he may come to Roper and drive up with me.
We had the house insulated thanks to Mr Rudd but i think we need whirly birds in the roof to really make a difference.
It sounds pretty boring but not much has happened over the last month or so. However Claire is at Batchelor tonight and she is bound to get home, look at this and remind me of all the fab stuff we have done.

Cheers for now
Marty and Claire

greetings from the south coast

Hi everyone,
Hooray Moo, you are almost on your way!!
Hasi and I are also booked to head to Germany on 26th June. We will be catching up with family and friends for 3 weeks then Hasi will head back to Oz, leaving me another 2 weeks in Europe.
So many places to choice from, but today,s idea is Poland, and hopefully Moo will be joining me.
Who knows what my next idea will be, and actually how many I will have before June!!
Mum and I spent last weekend with the girls in Canberra, as well as Oscar and Brindi of course. They are complete in house entertainment. The wettest weekend on record for Canberra, and what a trip home it was, especially when the light started flashing for no petrol,Oops!!
Tonight Hasi and I are in Sydney to see the Necks. If you dont know this amazing australian band, you should all do yourselves a favour and listen to their stuff.
Mart, Buddy Guy and Taj Mahal are in sydney soon, I may have already mentioned this. They will also be performing at the Byron Bay Blues festival.
Congratulations Luc on your licence. I had a drive with Luc in the rain in Canberra last weekend, and she was very competent.
Im jumping off now, so dad and I can get into the garden for some pruning.
Mart, I know July is a beautiful time in Darwin, but our place will be free if you and Clare are interested-let me know.
Cheers to you all,
Love Zak

Greetings from Wales

Hi All
Just a quick greeting. I am off to London this weekend to stay with Genevieve so thought I would post next week with all our adventures.
Have booked my flight to Australia. Flying with Asiana Airlines again. Arrive in Sydney at 0730 on Monday 17th May. Depart at 0910 on Monday 21st June.
That gets me home on Tuesday evening, giving me one day to recover before heading to Cardiff on Thursday for the one day international cricket England v Australia.
Hope everyone is well and happy.
Have a great birthday on Monday Kate.
Congrats on getting your Ps Lucy!
Will post again next week.
Love to All
Moo xxxx

greeting from the south coast

Hi all,
So much fun was had by all over the summer break that no one had time to get on the blog.
I've been lapping up the summer. Up at 5.20am every day to walk/run on the beach and watch the sunrise. This last week I have been the only one on the beach before 6am, and loving it.
However the sun is rising later each week, so I may be going with a torch before long.
Where are all the fisherpeople I ask myself. Years ago, no matter what time you were on the beach, day or night, you could always meet a fisherman to yarn to, and didnt they always have the best yarns, of course mostly ofthe ones that got away.
I spoke with Moo last night to fill her in on ideas for dad's 80th. Im so looking forward to our road trip we are planning- May cannot come quick enough for me.
we now have a beautiful slab of tree trunk in the kitchen, in place of that digusting thing that people call a breakfast bar. It is suppoted by a beautiful piece of tree trunk. Too bad Im no good at photos on the blog, so you all have to just drop by for a viewing at some stage.
Its 8pm, and no dinner cooked, so I need to get cracking.
Hope you are all safe, well and happy
Love to you all, Zak

Photos

Hi All

As a back up to Kate's note which is not complete without a photo.

Here we are enjoying the meal and the company. Some of the decorations are still there from Christmas. The cousins enjoy their games together. The usual goodbye shot.

Thanks for a great day. Dad.

Greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
My heart missed a beat and my eyes swelled with tears when I saw the empty space in the yard where the boat lived for all those years. Nevertheless it was definitely time to move it on, and another lucky family will no doubt have years of fun with it.
Now for the vege garden! dad and I should start planning it today over lunch. Im happy to say the boys have offered to put their beatiful young muscles to good use, once we get the design organised.
Im off to the Illawarra Folk Festival this arvo, and in fact will be there most of the weekend thanks to moo and Jules winning free tix! Im really looking forward to it.
Even though I bought 30 plants today from the greenplan sale to put along the creek, I wont be doing much gardening this weekend, just soaking up the music and the atmosphere.
May I say what a beautiful day we had in Glenbrook last week. The day flew by, with lots of laughs, chatter, stretches in the quiet room, great food, book reviews, some games of pool and just hanging out together. It was fab!
That's it for now.
Love to you all, Zak

Going Going Gone

Vale The Boat

We were worried for several days that the ad on the internet was all to no avail. One caller arrived with a devil's advocate; one rang from Lithgow but could not get cash on a Saturday; Joe rang Monday night, viewed it 8am Tuesday before I went to the cricket, rang at 7pm, collected the boat at 8pm having spent the day viewing others. The three pictures show its exit from Railway Pde. So many great times; so many memories; so many families involved over the years. It was a sad departure but a very happy buyer who could see only good and didn't bellyache about it needing a paint, rusty trailer..........would you believe the phone has just rung and Joe told me the axle on the trailer snapped on his way to work this morning. He thanked me for telling him the trailer was rusty. He has a new axle and springs and is very happy and thinks he got a good buy.

Now for the veggie garden!

Happy New Year.

Love Dad/Tjilpie/Old Man/Kev.

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Well it sounds like every one had a great festive season, and more importantly, a safe one. Not all families have been so lucky.
Im reading the 42nd edition of YatesGarden Guide, a gift from dadalong with wheelbarrow(and family). Mr arthur Yates says 'an englishmans house is his castle, but an australians backyard is his kingdom!'
The wheelbarrow has been a hugh success for carrying pavers, to pave around our gorgeous outdoor shower, which we are greatly enjoying. Except for today, because its pissing rain. Oh my god, what about the cricket?
Darwin is sounding pretty exciting this time of year, if not a bit scary-keep safe you guys.
Any takers for the Parkes elvis festival next weekend?? Check out the website parkeselvisfestival and dont be boring!
Moo looks like there is a pickup depot for wicked camper vans in Hervey Bay-how convenient!!
Looks like no cricket today-as yet.
A good day for digging.
Love to you all, Zak

New Year Greetings from Wales

Hi All and Happy New Year! Hope everyone brought in the New Year on a high and the year continues the same. I brought in New Year Sydney time with a glass of bubbly and watching the fireworks over the harbour on the news channel. We then brought in the British New Year in the Gwyn. An enjoyable night, not a huge crowd but everyone present got into the spirit - karioke! I, of course, did not sing but Jules got up to perform a few times both on his own and with others. Home and into bed before 3a.m. Jules is still there (in bed I mean, its nearly midday here).
No news, just wanted to send my greetings for the New Year.
Hope everyone has a fabulous 2010.
Love to all xxxxxx