Welsh Greetings

Hi All and Happy New Year.
Hope you all enjoyed any celebrations and aren't suffering for it.
Not much happening here. The weather here has been s**t! It has rained for about 50 days straight. It is mild but think I would rather it be cold and dry. That's the weather out of the way!
Had a quiet Christmas. I cooked dinner though - first Christmas dinner I have done here.
I have a new Kindle courtesy of a raffle prize I won - £100 gift card from Amazon. Also won a onesie in a different raffle. Not so excited about that prize.
Been quiet on the work front over the Festive period. Hope that changes soon.
Not much else to tell.
Enjoy Clare's 21st all who attend - that means you too Clare!
Love to all. xxxxx

Welsh Greetings Addit

Was just wanting to apologize for not sending Christmas gifts yet. Thought we were buying for Kate & Annie. Lucky I checked the list on this blog. We are buying for Claire and Hasi. Sorry Peeps. Will get them to you but will be after Christmas. Good thing I'm a crap shopper and completely unorganised to get gifts in time for Christmas.
Love to All. xxxxx

Welsh Greetings

Greetings to All from beautiful South Wales.Just a quick post to wish you all a very Happy Festive Season. Hope you all enjoy. We have no plans. I am available for work (as they pay silly amounts of money at Christmas). Had a few gatherings to celebrate in the lead up. Had a dinner with a few of the other full time agency staff. A small group but very enjoyable night. Also had a lunchtime Christmas dinner with a few friends, and we had a darts Christmas party. Have even been to a pantomime - although it was an adult version. Not what I would normally go to but Louise had a spare ticket. It was quite amusing actually and an enjoyable night overall.
The weather has been extremely mild for December. Mostly due to the rain! I hate December in Wales at the best of times, but this year has been particularly depressing. Winter solstice today so the days start getting longer!
Not a great deal of news really. Been working regularly, darts on a Tuesday, out for a spin on a Sunday, and the odd visit to the pub! No news is good news though so will leave it there.
Thinking of you all and sending much love. xxxxx

P.S. Great photos from the graduation. Thanks Annie. Very proud Aunty here as well! xxxx

another grandchild graduates

So here are some pictures from Lucy's graduation on Wednesday. It was a lovely day. I started crying as soon as she was in her cap and gown, and on and off throughout the ceremony. It was great that Kate was there as well. Yay for Lucy! Am very proud of our girl!

greetings from the south coast

Hi all
So what amazing bloggers we all are. OK everyone is on facebook, so I should just get with the program, is that it??

Well OK if someone cn think of an incredibly origin and interesting name for me to go by on facebook, I will sign up, but what bout dad and mum, they will miss all the news.

So its a beautiful Saturday morning, and Ive enjoyed a walk and swim on the beach. Very low low tide, great for running on the beach. Now its really a bti too warm to venture into gardening, so will head up to visit friends who have just made tiles  for their bathromm. Give me some inspiration to get cracking with my bathroom tiling. Hasi has started building some retaining walls in the garden so will probably mosaic them first. Actually should visit my friends via the demolition shop to see what quirky old tiles they have on offer.

Thank you to Lucy for having me as one of her guests at her graduation this last week. I was so damn proud of that gorgeous young woman.

Ok off to the demolition shop.
Annie did say she would throw up some grad photos on the blog, so stay tuned...

Love to anyone who is still reading this blog
Long live the blog

Zak

news from the capital (after a long break)

So I finally remembered my password (or probably had to change it because I forgot again!) so now I can contribute to the blog. Not a lot to say at this time however. Lucy home and finished uni. She starts work as an intern pharmacist in 3 weeks. Have had a horrible cold over the past few days, which has taken me quite a few days to get over it. Downhill run now at school. Anyway that's about all, just wanted to let you all now that I am also using the blog (as long as I remember my password!!)

Welsh Greetings

Hi All,
Just a quick post. Looking forward to the final in the world cup rugby today.
Jules and I went to Cardiff yesterday to see the ball in the wall. What a clever installation it is. Looks amazing. So glad we made the effort.
Darts knockouts began last week. We have made a good start by winning our venue for the sixes. That means we will either be winners or runners up when finals come around at the end of the season. Yeah us!
I have three shifts a week booked until the end of November, which is a good feeling. Haven't had any cancelled yet, but that may still occur.
The clocks have changed now so our days are ending much earlier. The joys of winter in Wales!
Hope all are well and happy and enjoying the warm.
Love to all. xxxx

Welsh Greetings

Thought I'd better let you know you are not the only one still using the blog. I check it regularly, just not so good at posting sorry.
All good in not-so-sunny South Wales.
Enjoying the rugby world cup. Australia v Wales this weekend. Always makes for a great deal of banter in the pub.
Jules and I were in Pembrokeshire last weekend , walking and seal-spotting. Fantastic!
Louise is still out of action so I am still doing my care in the community bit with her.
Doing OK in darts so far this season.
That's about it for now.
Love to all and Happy Birthday to Hasi for yesterday.
xxxxxxx

greetings from the south coast

Ive been on holidays for a week, and it really feels like ages since Ive been at work.
Spent a few great days at Wagga with Annie and the girls.
Looks like dad and I need to get on facebook, as I am the last man standing with this blog
But this post is for dad to try a get some photos to him the right way up

Looking OK!!
Have a good long weekend, especially the festival goers
Love Zak

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
what a beautiful Saturday morning. Have read the paper surrounded by 6 crazy chooks, and now getting ready to go and look at a place for sale.
After the last torrential rain, and more dramas with the creek, have started to think about selling up and moving. only 1 major  obstacle... Hasi.
He loves this place. he cant see that we can do to the next place what we have done to this one, its all just adding character to a blank canvas. probably quite pointless even going to have a look without him.
Nevertheless, Im going to have  peak. Closer to the railway station, beach and cycle path, all important features, as well as it being unrenovated, which is extremely rare these days, so gives you even more options.
If the guy behind us, is true to his word, he may buy our place, so we don't even have to go through a real estate agent to sell, how cool would that be.
As well as hearing the chooks each morning, we again have a sheep living behind us. An interesting a lovely sound to hear in suburbia.
So Im off to the inspection. Cross your fingers

Love to anyone who is reading this...
Zak

greetings from the south coast

Hi all
Happy birthday Moo.
So last day of my weeks holiday, and what a beauty it has been. Annie and I had an awesome time in Tassie. The Mona was incredible, not just the art, but the whole architecture and construction of that place, and the trip up the Derwent river to get there. Not to mention the wine tasting!!
Then a whole day at the Salamanca Markets, which was bliss. Managed to try a scallop pie, which is on the must do list for the market, as well as spending a heap of money on some beautiful treasures, including jewellery, clothes, and even the first item for Connors Christmas present.
And did I mention food. We ate our way through Hobart. We balanced the eating with a lot of walking.
Then in rental car out to Bruny Island to our little cottage in the bush. What a beautiful place. I did take my swimmers with the intention of swimming in the heated swimming pool at Rydges, but it was empty, or even a dip in the ocean. The sea looked very inviting and warm, but the truth was it was only 10degrees, so I gave it a miss.
Amazing how a few days away can seem much longer. Change of geography is a good thing. I want to go back!!
A quiet weekend back home, in the garden and the beach. 20 degrees yesterday, and warm enough for a paddle in the ocean.
This morning Ive just been hanging out with the chooks and drinking chai. Ive got the kiln fired up for some friends, so it will be a day at home,and should probably finish the painting of the deck timber.
So I just pick a photo or 2 from out Tassie trip...

 

 

One thing we really had fun with was the fold down bed in Hobart. Annie's got the video,but I couldn't remember how to video on my camera, so had to make do with several photos. We had hours of fun with this. I think it is the prefect solution for small spaces ( like our house).

Ok, will sign off now. Moo hope that parcel gets to you soon, we will have to be more organised next year. Time to get a paint brush in my hand.

Love to you all, Zak

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
what a beautiful winters day it is, or that's what it looks like as it sit cross legged by the heater in the lounge room drinking my morning coffee.
So a mystery saint...Im reading a book called the mermaid chair. in this book is a story of a saint Senara, and a church in Cornwall that has a mermaid chair in it. This saint was  a mermaid!! crazy catholics..and I thought it was just the Hindus who had kitsch gods.
Wondering what the sea temperature is, and if it warms up enough today to take a plunge??

 

So here is the newly painted sunroom, and our collection of coloured glass, that can finally be displayed to show off the wonder of glass. The purple genie bottle is my latest . If this came complete with lid, it would be worth over $400, but without it it is only worth about $50! amazing that whole antique thing and pricing. Purple is the holy grail of genie bottles!!

Now out to the sun...love to you all, Zak

 

Welsh Greetings

Greetings to all, and especially big birthday greetings to Kev on his 85th Birthday. Sending you lots of love and  a huge hug.
Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice, the longest day. It's just as well really because we have a lot to do.
On Monday Ann Margaret, Andy and their daughter, Ruby, arrive for three nights. We throw them out on Thursday morning and we head to the ferry for Ireland to catch up with Ruth Todd and Co.
So today and tomorrow is cleaning and readying the house for our visitors. Jules then has to get the van ready for travel and staying in for two weeks. That's between a few other chores I have for him also.
Well, I survived my Go Ape experience. It was good fun in parts and terrifying in others. Glad I have done it but never again.
Last week we had a new wood burning stove fitted in our fireplace. It looks fabulous. Picture on my facebook page.
The sun has been shining and we are experiencing some summer. Hope it lasts.
Busy day ahead so best get on with it.
Love to All. xxxx

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Half way through june already. Scary how fast this year is flying by.
Believe it or not, I have increased my permanent days from 2 to 3 a week. Took me about 2 months to make this decision, and I still feel sick about it. All psychological of course, because for the past 7 years II have been working there 4 days a week anyway, but its the permanent thing!!

So we dusted down the scrabble board last weekend, with Marty down south. Annie was the winner, I was the definitely the loser, but it was good crack. Then mum decided we should play some trivial pursuit - that just ended in massive laughter.
Beautiful to hang out together, and of course Moo phoned in to the madness, so she doesn't miss out.

So Im just hanging out with mum this weekend. Time to catch up on some Escape to the country together, while sipping on some cream sherry. Oh yes its the simple things in life!

So I"ll leave it short and sweet.
Love to all reading this
Zak

Welsh Greetings

Going on Thursday Kate so will let you know how it goes. Should be great fun. xxx

greetings from the south coast

Hi Moo, just checked out the video of that treetop place you are gong to. Looks like heaps of fun!!
Love Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hi All,
Greetings from beautiful South Wales. The days are stretching out and the weather is warming up.
All good here. Not a lot to report.
Thanks for the photos Kate. It looks fab and we look forward to sitting on the deck and enjoying your space with you.
Jules is extending our hearth to fit a new wood burning stove. Also doing some work on the wet room! perhaps it will be usable for Annie and Kate's visit next year.
I am working two nights a week and the occassional extra afternoon shift. Still plenty of work about.
Darts going well this season. Second half of the season two weeks in. All up, played 11 won 9. Close to the top of the table.
Saw a great band last weekend - Songhuy Blues. An African blues band. Very enjoyable performance. Even Julian sat through it all.
Next week I am Going Ape at Go Ape - climbing through treetops on ropes and zip wires. Should be fun.
Off to work so need to sign off.
Love to all. xxxxx

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Actually this is particularly for Moo and Jules to show them whats been happening at our place.

m

make a space

lots of work to do, Painting, more oiling of deck, but we are going to wait till all the work is done by the tradies. Still need to get roof extended to the north side, to the end of the deck. (see lowest photo)

and Im loving having a front screen door, even if it probably was a bit late in the season, by the time it got put in.

 

So that's it. Im going to text you know so you and Jules can check it all out.

Love to Moo, Jules and all

Zak.

greetings from the south coast

Hi all
Crazy april weather. On asturday it was about 28degrees, then sunday evening it was 12!!
Today its very very wet and windy, and cold.
So the decks done, and amazingly today the guys put on the new sliding doors. Theres quite a breeze coming through the gaps in the walls, but I suppose that will be sorted out in the next few days.
Annie, Clare and I saw Les Mis on Saturday. Oh my goodness what powerful music, and all very dark and sad, but we loved it.
Hung out in Newtown with Annie and Lucy yesterday.
Im looking forward to a whole weekend at home this weekend. It feels like ages since Ive had the whole weekend in the garden, and there is an awful lot, otherwise known as a shitload of things to do.
The creek isn't flooding so it cant be too overgrown down there I suppose.
Hasi is back at work today, but probably already counting down to the next holiday, which is never too far away for the teachers.
I was checking my emails with the hope that yoga has been called off, but unfortunately, no such message, so I will have to put the boots and beanie back on to venture out..
Was great  to catch up with Connor and Liam yesterday. Amazing stories of Liam's south American travels. Never did hear the whole story about the holiday romance. Next time I suppose
Anyway, back out to the storm. Such a dedicated yoga er.
Love to you all,
Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hi All,
It's April so my thoughts are with Annie, Lucy and Clare even more so than usual. Hope you are all OK. I know you will be looking out for each other.
All good here in beautiful Wales. Not much happening to tell you about.
Plenty of work so I can work pretty much whenever I want - not that I work too much!
Four weeks into darts season and we have now won 4games so we are doing well.
Jules has the van back on the road and is now looking for furniture to make it an instant campervan - ready for our trip to Ireland in June.
Weather is still cold but mostly dry.
That's about it for now. Thinking of you all.
Loads of love. xxxxx

Welsh Greetings

Hi All,
Been back two weeks already. Don't know where the time goes. Nothing much been happening in that time. Jules picked up a cold on the return journey so he's been out of sorts since our return. Seems to be over the worst of it now so may get some work out of him soon.
I have returned to work. It's a bit of a shock to the system but it's nice to see some of my colleagues again.
Got back in time for the start of the summer season of darts. Two games in and two wins under our belts.
Weather has been pretty good since our return - quite cold but mostly dry. Clocks change soon so our days will be longer.
The six nations rugby finishes up this weekend. It's still anyone's chance so should be a good afternoon. Will be a long afternoon. Wales game at 1230 so it's an early start.
That's about it for now. Missing you all and sending loads of love and hugs. xxxxx

Christmas List

As Katie indicated in her March  Blog, she and Moo under Mum's supervision did the Christmas List for 2015.
Here it is:      
Kevin (Dad)  buys for   Tom
Joan (Mum)   .............   Moo
Jack               ..............   Annie
Fran               .............    Clare  K
Tom               .............   Jules
Liam              .............   Lucy
Connor           ............    Joan
Marty             .............   Fran
Claire             ............    Kate
Kate               ............    Connor
Hasi               .............   Liam
Annie            .............    Kevin
Lucy              ............     Jack
Clare             ............     Marty
Moo              ............     Claire
Jules              ............     Hasi

It is always an exciting event drawing the names out  of the hat;  listening to the comments; checking to see how long since you last bought for this one.

What a great time the family had over the festive season; all together for a day at Penshurst; the Elvis Festival; Annie's 50th; the Illawarra Festival; Moo keeping house; the "girlies" weekend at Cunjurong; all the "comings and goings", emails, photos. 
Your love, care, concern, interest you have for each other is heart-warming and a great consolation to your aging parents. I thank God every day for such a great blessing.

Love to All
Dad/Tjilpi/Old Man/Kev. 

 

 

 

    

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
How lazy am I . Couldn't even get around to putting on a blog for February.
So Moo and Jules have departed from us, but  no doubt have been warmly welcomed home by all their mates, and of course the darts team.
Moo, Im just letting you know there is a house available in Austinmer from September to November.
I know its the wrong time, nevertheless.
Dad is supposed to be putting up the Christmas draw, but must be having problems getting in to publish. I will check it out when I am up there on Friday.
I just had another glorious weekend at Cunj with Annie, Clare, Michael, Tina and Jen. Don't we all love that place!!!
So we ordered our red cedar and glass doors for the sun room, and the builder will come tomorrow to take measurements for the deck, and should get started in the next week or so. Pretty exciting.
That's all the news really. We will spend the weekend preparing the area for the deck, lifting a few hundred pavers and digging out several plants. Sounds like hard labour to me.
Anyway love to you blog readers,
Zak.

greetings from the suth coast

So many beautiful ladies in one family!!

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
 What a great summer we have had. The sea has been divine, Elvis still definitely lives on in Parkes and that was loads (and loads) of fun and the Bulli folk festival was great as always. Finally got Annie there, after years of nagging, and she loved it. We had 8 folk staying here on the Friday night, which was a bit hilarious. Who says we need a bigger house, the kitchen did fine as a guest room for Jack.
Anyone up for a tamworth country music festival??
And today is a lovely cooler day to get into the creek, so after I eat, that's my plan for the day. I suppose I should put on JJJ for the top 100, and hear if Taylor Swift is in or not! Hasn't that got the whole country talking.
So its fresh egg omelette for breakfast then the creek.
Love to you all, Zak