Farewell Brigid

Hi All

Brigid invited Kate, Joan and me to a BBQ to say farewell as she is on her way to Antarctica. Clare, Dave, Michael and Tim had arrived earlier in the day from their sojourn through The Centre. Coincidentally it was Michael's 11th birthday so it called for a real "stand up drag 'em out". Aunty Kate, Gerry, Ellen and Genevieve completed the happy gathering. The crew at Davis station are certainly not going to fade away through lack of fine food if we lucky lot sampling her farewell feast can attest.

We wish Brigid a very happy and healthy stay at the station and we will be in constant touch with her through her email and her Blog; not cut off like it was when she did the "Outback House".

Our next exciting episide will be when Annie and Steve arrive back from their Vietnam holiday. There will no doubt be a great pictorial show as Steve is no slouch with that exotic camera of his.

Brigid tells me that the summer temperature reaches a very high 3 degrees at its height. While I admire her venturesome spirit I don't envy the cold.

Enjoy the coming summer!

Love to All. Dad/Tjilpi/Old Man/Kev.

Zacky's Dress

This is the dress that Zacky made out of Gen's african fabric! How cool would it look with a green pair of sandals? With the $100 vase (totally outrageous)

Us and the boys! Zacky in her dress, and me in the one she forced on me!

Lovely Canberra local with the love of her life!!

(Me in the dress Zacky forced on me in the photo she forced me to put up)

greetings from?? the capital

Hi all,
Well Im jigging work this week and hanging out with Lucy and Clare and Brindi and Oscar. Luckily Clare and I have very vivid imaginations and this afternoon we have been floating down the Mekong, looking at temples(another bloody one) and being amazed at the height and flow of the river! The sun was soaking in to our bodies and making us quite sleepy. The dogs are also loving it, and not at all seasick? (riversick??) Only problem is, some of the locals think they might be pretty tasty on the barbe, so we might have to hide them once the grill gets fired up.
Clare has scored a lovely locally made outfit, and Im just wondering about a predinner cocktail.
I wonder where we will decide to travel to tomorrow??
Thats it for now, Zak.

Photos From Vietnam

Here are some photos that mum and dad have put on facebook to keep you in the loop.
A photo of mum in Singapore with her chilli mud crab.

The hotel they were staying at in their first few nights in Vietnam.


The sun deck of the boat they are on for their seven day cruise.

Hopefully they will put up some more soon, and I will post a few on the blog for those that don't have facebook.

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
Wet and cold today, and that looks set in for the weekend, so reading, sewing and maybe cups of tea with friends on the weekend. Chooks have settled in and they are now all laying. We are trading eggs for honey and when Hasi goes back to work we will be trading home made organic bread for eggs!! and of course we have our regulars that drop in with a cartoon to be filled periodically. Share the joy!
Today Hasi and I are off to Newtown. It feels like centuries ago I was there. I dont particularly like shopping with him right beside mefor too long,but we will do a few favs together then separate and meet for coffee, lunch and arvo tea together.
Annie and steve must be getting excited about their travels. I am looking forward to a week with Clare and Lucy in a few weeks. Girly flicks, op shopping, walking the dogs. Im taking my sewing machine for the days Clare wantsto read in bed all day. Beautiful, I cant wait. Its the simple things in life! And while Annie and Steve are away, Hasi and I will be a 2 car family, just like every one else in our street(and half the world). No more begging and borrowing, Im a modern girl!!
Ok time to frock up for Newtown. It never is quite the same frocking up when its raining, as when it is a sunny day, oh well.
Love to all, Zak

news from the capital

Hi all. Well Lucy got home- finally! safe and sound. Now Steve and I are looking forward to our trip in a little over a fortnight!! Due to a big chemical fire in Mitchell on thursday night, Clare and I had the day off on Friday as all northern schools were closed. Bad luck Steve who teaches on the south side! Nice to have a three day week and a three day weekend. I was supposed to take my band kids to band fest to perform- but was called off. I Don't know if it will be re-scheduled, it will be a shame for the kids if if isn't as they were looking forward to it. Nothing much else has been happening- just working and trying to get work organised for when I am away. I have a real music teacher to take some of my classes when I am away-we don't get many of those in our system. I taught with her years ago at Stromlo High and she is an excellent teacher, so I'm feeling good that my kids are in such good hands when I am away. Jenny has invited the girls to her place every Sunday night we are away for dinner- so they will be eating well (probably roast lamb) at least once a week. Bad luck Kate, I don't think you're here for

Sunday night. It's good to know I can rely on my family- Moo to take care of Lucy in London, and Kate to take care of both of them for a week when we are away. Not that they need looking after, but it will be good for Clare, particularly to have company during the holidays. Thanks again, girls. That's about it. Will try to post something short before we go away.

love you all, Annie

Dragon boats @ CullenBay

Had Mum cheering the Dragon Boats in Cullen Bay Sunday. Beautiful day and am enjoying her visit.
Hope everyone is well.
Claire and Mum