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