Greetings from the south coast

Hi all

Here,s me getting the job done.

Just one the branch to the left of the cage is our beautiful water dragon. O.K. really better start doing something. Looks like a great day for a stroll on the beach!!
Love Zak

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Well its all about bathrooms at present. I spent last Monday grouting. House jobs always take twice as long as you think they are going to. I decided on grout, not cement, if anyone is interested. It looks like I did an ok job, just have to see how long it all stays stuck.
Have to read up today on how to fire up the kiln to fire the tiles I have made.
Everything is a process, and really how does anyone get time to go to work, always so much to do around the house. Just when they cut my days to 2 aweek, and I finally get my head around that, they now want me to work 4 days a week. Bastards.
Well Im going to throw in a few more photos as promised. This lot is my Buddy series.

THis one is buddy looking sad, as Annie and I leave for the airport.

So you guys all have a good week. Looking forward to hearing about the fishing comp at Dundee beach. Beat those shirts were a hit.

Love Zak

Bathroom: Penshurst

Hi All
Here are photos of the bathroom at various stages. I tried to put them on in the order I indicated below, because they appeared in reverse in previous attempts at blogging, but the computer has a mind of its own.

I dont Know what happened to this photo.

Here are a few shots of the demolition, redoing of the bathroom. After the Darwin holiday, Annie had the last shower in the bathroom as you all knew it.

The first photo will be "as you knew it"; then demolished; rendered; waterprofed.
Kate called on Friday and approved progress. The previous week she had vacuumed after the demolition.
Jack and Fran viewed the situation today and were suitably impressed.
Tomorrow the tiler .....and by the end of the week ......fiished!!!
Love to all
Dad/Tjilpi/Old Man/Kev. 

greetings from the south coast

Hi everyone,
Have finally put the photos on the computer, so here are a few shots of our time in Darwin. Stay tuned for more when I have more time

 Really havent got much time today, as I have to grout the bathroom floor, and how time is ticking. The question is, grout or cement on the bathroom floor?? for smaller spaces I have read that grout is better as it doesnt shrink as much as cemnt. However I do feel more comfortable working with cement. Will see what the hardware guys suggest.
Love to you all, zak

addit from the south coast

Hi Mart,
Notice the unpainted timber and metal on the stairs, compared to how it looks now!!
Zak

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Here are a few shots of Mart and Claire's garden I took in 2009. stay tuned for my next instalment, when I get my photos of the latest visit sorted.

Well I never made it to Maffra unfortunately. However I did get to tile the bathroom floor yesterday, and may even grout it today if I can decide on what grout or maybe cement to use. Will cement scratch the tiles?? Not usually when I have used it in mosaicing, and I do like the texture of cement with a little added sand, more than I do grout. Hmm, I suppose Im off to the hardware shop to investigate options. The tiling took about 8 hours, and isnt exactly perfect, but what is in this place anyway. No wonder people pay tradesman to do these things. One day when we grow up and stop playing, we might do the same thing.
Actually, I think Im going to the hardware shop via the beach, as it really is a beautiful day, and the last day of my holidays. O.K. maybe I grout on Saturday, more time for the tile adhesive to dry.
Actually I should go to the beach via the newsagency, because I could have won the lottery while I have been interstate, and not even know it. Then I most definitely would not be on my last day of holidays!!
Looking forward to hearing what you have decided to do with the toilet floor Claire. check out Mosaics by Kaffe Fassett and Candace Bahouth for some amazing mosaiced floors if that takes your fancy. It was my original idea for the bathroom, before we got given tiles. In fact they do a great shelled wall as well, not that you would ever want to get rid of that great old laminate.
And mum and dads bathroom has been pulled apart yesterday. I cant wait to get up there in a few days time and see what's happening.
O.K. enough banter for now. Love to you all
Zak

news from the capital

Wow, what a great holiday! Can't believe they went so fast, and back to work tomorrow. Thanks again Marty and Claire for a great time. It was wonderful to spend some time with you and finally see your home. Was very weird  coming home in the bus on Friday there was snow -quite heavy just outside Goulburn and again when we got onto the Federal Highway. In all my 24 years of coming and going to Sydney I have never seen that much snow- and in October. So I went from sweating on Thursday to freezing when I got off the bus on Friday. Clare and Steve were late so I shivered outside in my cotton cardigan while I waited for them. Much warmer today though - I was able to weed some of the garden. Steve and Clare survived the 10 days without me -it was good to see them. Lucy's exams start on Tuesday and she should be back next Thursday- she has almost finished her first year of uni! Anyway need to go and start cooking dinner- back to reality tonight- grocery shopping and cooking then folding washing! Next stop- Wales- and Moo and Jules. Moo- have already started looking on the net for things to do  in Wales- I like to make lists- just ask Marty, Claire and Kate! And Steve just groans if there is a museum on my list! That's about all for now, bye for now, Annie

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Unbelievable!! Im sitting at the kitchen slab in trousers, woollen socks, beanie, woollen jumper, with several layers under it.It is 9am, and has been pissing rain since I woke up, along with amazing rolls of thunder and lightning. I really dont want to drive for 9 hours to Maffra in this weather, so am just sitting and waiting to see what happens.
Many many thanks again to Mart and Claire for our awesome holiday and beautiful time spent with them.
Moo good to hear Jules is on the mend. I can imagine he may become a bit stir crazy(and a pain in the arse, but dont tell him that) if he as to do the patient thing for too long, and we know you prefer the ones that cant speak. Glad to hear the galah is up with the pelican, as it is in my place. Im wondering if Betty's place sold and if you know for how much, and I really do wonder, what happened to that tv??
The rain seriously is not stopping. Ok I better check out the forecast.
It looks like reading in bed for the day might be a good option.
So cheers from the soggy south,
Love Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hi All,
Kate, it is great to have regular updates on your holiday. Thanks.
Mum, you look fab in that photo. Glad to see decent sized wine glasses.
Jules is recovering well but seems to want to run before he can walk. I have to nag him a LOT to stop and think about his movement. (He loves being nagged really). Don't really want to see the hip dislocate. He has had very little pain though. I have had him out in the car a few times. He gets stir crazy if he has to sit in the house too long.
On Sunday I am supposed to go to a day of racing at our Welsh racetrack, Ffos Las, but don't think Jules can be left all day just yet. Will see how he is as the day nears. Maybe Cynthia could come and keep him company - I'm sure he would love that!
Next week we are booked into the caravan at New Quay again. Will have to see if the bed is high enough when we get there or turn around and come home.
I was speaking to a friend of mine on the weekend. He writes a blog on horse racing. The link is http://theracinghorse.co.uk/category/blog/ He is always keen for comments and I told him I would put the link on our blog so those who follow the racing - Kev, Jack, Tom - may have a look and give him some feedback. Thanks.
Not a lot happening here. I have resumed the role of domestic goddess as I have to do ALL the cooking, cleaning, etc whilst Jules recovers. Am unable to work at present as my caring role takes priority. If we could win the lottery it would make life easier.
Enjoy the rest of the holiday ladies. Love to all. xxxx
P.S. The galah is on the wall. xxx

Greetings from the top end

Hi all,
Well its Tuesday morning, Marty and Claire have left for work, Annie is still sleeping and Im having a cuppa, after yoga, and before a plunge in the pool. The Rapid Creek markets that Claire spoke about were awesome. If you cant go to Asia, go to Rapid Creek markets, no wonder Mart doesnt need a passport.
Yesterday Annie and I just lapped the mall in town, and found the most amazing Indonesian cafe. Just another example of Asia in Darwin.
I was hoping one day this week I would go for a day trip to the Tiwi Islands. Unfortunately there has been a 'government bungle', which are the exact words on the tourist website, so there are no ferries going over. Sounds like they gave the tender to a company which hasnt fronted up. I bet the locals are pissed off. Nevertheless, I overheard Claire discussing the possibility of JoF taking his boat next year in the dry season over to the Tiwis, so maybe I get head back up for that??
Ive probably won the lottery and dont even know it, and will never have to work again, just travel around, garden, pot and mosaic.
As I write I am kept company by Buddy Dog Guy, otherwise known as Bunge, and several other names starting usually with B. The dog rules in this joint, even to the extent that Claire plans the garden around his favourite activities. He has a beautiful placid nature, and best of all, he hardly ever barks!! All the kids in the neighbourhood know him, and you can hear them calling and greeting him on their way past to school. He's off out now to meet one of them as I write this.
Im still trying to decide if I will do a quick trip down to Maffra later this week, Should  contact Mya first, to see what she is up to. As Hasi says, I should take advantage of having Brigid's car for the next month or so, before she gets back. I will just think as the territorians do, and say Whats a thousand kilometres or 2!!
And who cares about having 5 days at home to tile the bathroom, pave, garden, and get a heap of things done.
Well Annie is still sleeping, so I,ll make another pot of tea and take it down to the pool. Today I am getting my first ever pedicure. Im hoping for a big electrical storm tonight or tomorrow, but I think its a bit early in the season for that.  What a finale that would be to our trip in the top end.
Moo, hope Jules is doing well.
Love to all, Zak
P.S. Mum good to see you living it up at some swanky restaurant.

Joan at the Blackwater

 

Penshurst Receiving

Hi All at the Top End
Thanks for your several updates.
Joan, needing a haicut, organised the trip to Bronte Road on Tuesday.
Wednesday, looking a million dollars, we attended the Directors' Luncheon for O'Loughlin Bros at the Blackwater Restaurant at Sans Souci. She wore a lovely pink blouse. Jim McCloud to a photo on his mobile, emailed it to me and try as I might I can't transfer the bloody thing to "My Pictures" and then on to the Blog.
Uncle John and Moira had lunch with us today, as did Friz., We were joined later on by Jack, Fran - who baked a delicious banana bread - and Connor.
Moira is looking a bit pasty --well who wouldn't after a double bypass -- The Uncle his usual "matter of fact" self.
I rang Colin to find out when to expect him and he says Monday of next week at 7am.
Paul Tynan gets his "implants" on Nov 7, just four weeks away.
Love
Kevin and Joan.       

Sunday roast and more

Tonight we are ignoring the temperature and cooking the Sunday Roast. Thankfully it is churning away in the Weber! Joe Faggion and family and Chappie and Sabina are joining us so it will be a nice way to finish off the holidays. Zac and Anne bought exotic tropical fruit for a fruit salad from the Rapid Creek market this morning. Will be a zinger of a fruit salad.
hope all are well
Claire

greetings from Resort a la Claire

Hi everyone,
Yesterday we headed out to Corroboree Billabong. This is a truely magical place. Amazing pink water lilies and lily pads, brolgas (my favourite bird), egrets herons,jabarus, sea eagles and their huge nests perched up in the higher trees, and of course, crocodiles!!
Mart caught a 57cm barramundi, which Claire cooked up for dinner. Claire caught a smaller fish, I cant remember the name, which we had to throw back.
Anne and I just soaked it all up.A very very special day.
This morning (Hasis birthday) we have been off to Parap market for breakfast and a shop.
Mart and I have just been off to an open house down the street, up for auction on wednesday arvo.
The houses in Darwin are coded. This place is a M7, as was the house we looked at.
Its looking like a cruisey arvo on the verandah and in the pool, maybe with a glass or two of champagne.
A special message to Jules- I think you are truely amazing that you are home already and no doubt you'll be up and racing before we know it. We are all thinking of you up here. Of course you have the best nuturer to care for you, although she usually likes the non speaking ones.
Love to all you guys, Zak

greetings from the top end

Hi everyone,
Well amazingly it is already Thursday, how time flies when you are having fun.
We have been out in the boat, up to a creek in Shoal Bay to place crab traps at high tide, which was about 7pm, and went back about 7am the next day to retrieve them. We didnt get as many as we had hoped, but it was heaps enough for Mart to make a chilli crab meal which was awesome.
The last time I was in a boat was the last time I was up here. What a beautiful experience.
Yesterday we went to the art gallery and musuem. Also Claire showed us all the interesting alternative shops in Darwin. Oh yes, we have decided that it will be $100 limit  for christmas presents. Of course less if you find something super for the lower price, and more if you want. Mum we have purchased Claire's christmas present for her already, I will take photos to show you.
Today we have been op shopping. Mart seemed to do the best out of all of us, with some good purchases, which included a great mambo shirt, which you would love Moo.
Tonight we are off to Mindil beach markets where there is great food, great stalls and beautiful sunset. Tomorrow we are off to Corroboree for the day.
Claire luckily has had three days off  work this week so she could hang out with us.
Im now heading down to the pool. Yesterday we spent the arvo, drinking champagne in the pool, how decadent and gorgeous.
Hope all's well with everyone.
Love Zak, Annie, Mart and Claire.