news from the capital

Hi all, Marty, their the perils of living in the territory I suppose. Moo great to heat your'e coming over again so soon after last time. I had an idea that Kate will talk to you about next time she talks to you. I have been pretty busy since the start of term I have enrolled in a course at CIT (TAFE) in midi and sound recording so I can use my new recording studio at Copland when my music room is re-furbished. It is on Wednesday nights from 6-9pm, pretty tiring especially after a day of teaching. Last week was my first night. I felt about 102 yrs old when I first got there as there were about 5 teenagers, but eventually a few others around my age turned up, thank God. I'm even older than the lecturer! Last week also went to my Musica Viva concert on Thursday night to see the Takacs Quartet-music for my soul after listening to teenage boys play electric guitars and drums all day every day! Steve and I are going to the blues festival at Narooma on the long weekend with Michael and Tina, and are really looking forward to it. Steve and Clare have been unwell the last few weeks with a bad cold and horrible cough. Lucy gets her braces off in four weeks, then the boys will be chasing her. That's about all from me. Dad I'm glad you enjoyed the wedding anniversary joke I sent you. Cheers, Annie.

Harassed by a Crocodile

Today was a public holiday here in the Territory and we were out at Corroboree Billabong doing a bit of fishing with Chappie and Sabina. They were in their boat and we were in ours and were generally having a good time. We pulled up to the bank to have lunch and Claire and I jumped into their boat to share what we had when Sabina said "is that a log over there?" Anyway the "log" just zoomed in next to the boat and hung there waiting for a free lunch. Now I'm talking 4.5 metre croc about 1 metre from the boat and eyeing us off. Anyway Chappie moved out from the bank to get away from it but my boat was still tied up to the bank with the croc right next to it. We motored back in on the other side of my boat and I jumped across into my boat and scared it off far enough to jump onto the bank and untie the boat and get it out of there. It was pretty scary but a good wakeup call to remember they are always about. I'm sure it only did it because others have been feeding it or cleaning fish out on the water.

Cheers
Marty

Greetings from Wales

Hi All
It's been a while since I updated you with our goings ons so thought I should type a few lines. Jules & I had a fabulous night out in Cardiff 2 weeks ago. I won tickets to the Welsh proms with dinner before and a room in the Hilton overnight. We had a lovely time, made more enjoyable because it was quite different to a usual night out for us. Annie, I have a copy of the programme as you are probably the only one to really appreciate the music we heard.
The summer is having it's ups and downs. We have had some glorious days but they are quickly followed by rain. Hopefully the next few weeks will remain dry. Pontardawe festival is in 2 weeks time. I have my ticket ready. Nexy weekend we are attending Clarry's (Laura's Dad) 60th birthday. Karen, his wife & Julian's niece, has organised a party with a cowboy theme. I've got a great new pair of cowgirl boots for the occassion.
Plenty of work for me at the moment so making the most of it. It's school holiday time here now so Jules is no longer driving the school run, which he's not really missing. He's done a bit of work to get the van useable as a camper so we may get a few days away here and there over the next few weeks, if the weather allows.
Finally, we look forward to seeing you all sometime from about the 20th Sept. Jules and I will be housesitting in Austinmer whilst Moira and John travel on the continent. Spoke to John this morning to confirm. Just have to book some flights now!
Hope everyone is well and happy, as we are.

notes from the South Coast

Hello everyone,
So behind with everything, cant even remember last time I got on the blog.
I had the pleasure of spending the day with Dad on his 78th birthday. Never quite got to the beach for a stroll, but did get down to Sandon point for a breath of salt air, as well as catching up with a fair few of the Riordan mob. And he returned safely home on the train without injury!
While dad was in Darwin, Mum and I did a quick trip to Canberra. Found a great op shop in Goulburn which I cant believe I had never found before. Head west for the best op shops, thats my tip, but dont tell too many people- some things are just too good to share.
Oh my god, the feast Annie prepared for us was awesome as always-Yum!!!! And those beautiful girls, are just getting more gorgeous every day, and always up for a cuddle and a laugh. I love them!
The Illawarra fly was a great day out with the canberra mob,not to mention the Robertson pie shop, and it was great to have them drop by home, check out the evolution of the place, and of course meet Mrs Ping and Mrs Pong from Austinmer.
Last week Hasi and I cho0se two of the coldest days of the year to head out to Wombeyan Caves. Mart you probably dont remember not being able to move your arms, because you've got so many clothes on, fog coming out of your mouth as you speak or this stuff falling from the sky called sleet, bloody hell it was freezing! Nevertheless, it was fun and the caves are awesome and we had a great few days there.
O.K. Im convinced I have to get to the cinema to see Mumma Mia. Wonder if I can convince Hasi to come along.
No fishing tales from me, but the garden is coming along, and I cant wait for spring-its going to go off!!
Love to you all, Zak xxx

mamma mia!!

Kate and Moo, we all went to see Mamma Mia yesterday. What a great movie,with all those Abba songs. You two must see it if you get a chance I know you will enjoy it as much as I did, however Pierce Brosnan can't sing! Other than that haven't done much on the holidays, went to Sydney via Illawarra Fly, then Kate's place. When I work out how do to photos will put some of the Illawarra Fly on. Holidays are going much to quick as they always do, I really think we need three weeks, but then three weeks will probably go as quick as two. Lucy and Clare are babysitting Clare's kids for the next two days, I have been getting a lot of gym time in that I normally wouldn't do. That's about all, Love Annie

Marty, what a great catch.
What was your biggest? Did you use the same lure allthe time? Do you think that Lilly Pond is a better place than the 4mile? Did you take your boat or Chappies?
Back to work next week.
Annie Steve and the girls visited after a day through the National Park at tree top level. One of the girls should post a few of the snaps they took.
Jack and Tom came to the races with Joan and I on Thursday. A great day socially but a disaster on the punt (as usual for me).
Dad

Sorry Tjilpi

So sorry old man. Chappie and I went to Red Lily Billabbong last week from Tuesday to Sunday and caught about 40 Barra of which about 20 were legal. The girls Claire and Sabina came out on Thursday night and went back on Saturday and they managed to get a keeper each as well. It was great fun. Hopefully next time we have the same luck. I've attached a photo of Chappies 80cm fish.

Cheers

Marty