greetings from the south coast

Hi all So Friday morning, and its warming up to be a gorgeous day.Other than the dentist,Im planning a beautiful cycle along the coast and my first dip of the season in the ocean!! If I had a housecleaner, I could head off to the beach right now. I wish I was one of those people that loved to clean, good for the soul, cleanliness next to godliness, and all that stuff. Unfortunately I see it as a horrible chore, and leave it till I can see scung climbing up the walls. Excuse me for a moment while I go and hang the sheets out. OK. Sheets on the line, 2nd load in. Its a cleaning blitz today. Last weekend I hung out with mum while dad was with Annie and the girls.We had a beautiful Sunday up with Clare, Dave Tim and Michael, as well as Kate,Gerry, Brig, Gen, Elle, and beleive it or not Johnnie Jim, as mum still calls him. (I bet he hates that)and his sweetie, Lara. It was a great day. I love those guys. I plan to garden all weekend, and hopefully fire up the kiln, so I can one day get the tiling in the bathroom finished. Message to all, dont ever mirror mosaic around the shower. Soap scum is a disgusting thing!! Will try to get some poles up, as well, to hook a hammock to, which we have been discussing for ages. In January I told the electrician I would phone him on the 1st February, lucky I didnt specify what year, as that will now be 2014. So as you can see, I am talking complete trivia, and ignoring the cleaning business. Enough is enough. Im turning off the computer and getting started. Oops just need to check out a recipe or two first!! Have a beautiful weekend. Ive voted already, so the weekend is not tarnished. Thats all Im saying about that. Love to you all, Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hi All,
Thanks for my birthday greetings. I had a lovely birthday. It's certainly more enjoyable to have a summer birthday. Had my Australian birthday start with a small gathering in the front garden. On the Saturday I went to a barbecue for another friends' birthday. Was a lovely day.
Am sorry to be missing Liam's 21st Birthday Party but will be thinking of him and his revellers. Enjoy!
Last weekend went to an indoor barbecue (due to weather) at Karen's house (Julian's niece/Laura's Mum) for Clarry's 65th birthday. Jules didn't join me as he has been out of sorts for about a week. Better now thankfully.
Had a few days of work this week. No tickets booked yet but will let you know when we have.
Hope everyone is well and happy. Enjoy the party/Joan Baez/life in general.
Love to all
Moo xxxxx

News from the capital

Since Kate is putting us all to shame with all her posting, thought I should put something on. The big news I received today is I have a two years more at Melba- another 2 year extension. It is good to be in a supportive work environment for another two years, before I think about going somewhere else. Well the musical is nearly upon us- next week, and after that two weeks off on LSL, just got that approved today as well. As Kate said we had a great trip to Wagga, I'm glad Kate came, it was a little weird and sad not going down with Steve as we had in the past. Next time we all go down we are staying a few nights- looking forward to showing Kate the art gallery and also the glass gallery which I know she will love. Also looking forward to Jack and Fran coming- thank God I have a week off before they come, so I can put the back room into some sort of semblance!! Anyway that is about all from me, Yolande lent me all 3 series of Downtown Abbey- so Clare and I will be watching that over the next few weeks. Anyway that's about all from me. And I am VERY EXCITED about the proposed Isaksen road trip to Elvis in 2015!! Kate and I danced around the room down here in Canberra a few times on the weekend!!

greetings from the south coast

Hi everyone, Well just thought I better put something on during August. I hope all the horses had a great birthday on the 1st August, as Moo did on the 10th. That weekend I was down with my darlings in canberra, with a side trip to Wagga to finally see where Lucy is living and studying. It was a great day for a road trip, and as Annie was the driver, I could just sit back and let it all soak in, and sing along to a road trip music selection of about 240 songs put together by Annie, including Neil Diamond, Neil Young, James Taylor, the Carpenters,Joan Baez, and more, more, more. Its amazing how all the words come back to you, after all those years. This weekend just past was spent in the garden, after buying about 30plants at the greenplan sale on Friday. Next weekend Im heading back down to canberra, to see Joan Baez with Annie. That should be a great concert. It is however extremely unfortunate that I will miss Liam's 21st celebrations. That is life,you dont have any engagements for months, then you have 2 on the same day. I know its going to be a great party. Time to get ready for yoga. Love to you all, Zak

greetings from the south coast

Hi all,
My goodness, how easy is this on line shopping. Amazon have all my details, which makes it even easier. So as a result I have finally purchased my birthday present from mum and dad, and am expecting a pair of flylondon red boots in the mail in the next few weeks. Hopefully in time for my next Canberra/Wagga trip.
Ive already started my weekend, and I hope you all have a great one. I have to turn this computer off, before I think about purchasing another pair of shoes I fancy.
Thanks for my present mum and dad
Love to yo all,
Zak

greetings from the south coast

Hi everyone,
Spent the whole weekend mulching, and still only got half the garden done. The tree lobber dumped at least 1 truckload of mulch, free, on the drive way. I do love a mulched garden. It gives definition to all the plants, so you can really appreciate them separately. More to do next weekend.
Tomorrow please be there in spirit for the Nurses of NSW striking for a fair deal, and safety for patients. Not that that arsehole barry O Farrell gives a flying ...... Obviously he has never had a loved one in a public hospital, or needed care in the community.
I hear some future king of somewhere was born??
Dad you should send that email of all those amazing places to everyone, it was amazing.
Thats it for me, have to find a strike outfit for tomorrow.
Love yous all, Zak

Welsh Greetings

Hi All,
Have had a lovely couple of weeks holiday whilst the Todd family were here in the UK.
We collected them from Swansea train station (Wed.) and they picked up a rental care - same as we did with Jack, Fran & boys. The following day was the compulsory trip to Gower and a walk out to Worms Head, picnic at the point, Joe's ice cream from the National Trust shop and a drink at the pub. Next day they left us and went to stay in the Beatles themed hotel in Liverpool for two nights.
On Sunday we joined them again in Bowness-on-Windemere in The Lakes district. Ruth had found had a cottage that was ideally located in the heart of town. We were 5min walk to the site where all the boats left and about 40sec walk to the closest pub! Lovely to stroll by the lake in the evening. Monday morning we were on the first boat to cross the lake and visit Beatrix Potter's house. Beautiful! Had a lovely walk back to the boat. Walked to Windermere town which wasn't really worth the effort but the stroll was enjoyable. That evening we had fish and chips by the lakeside. Glorious! Next day it was Ambleside. Another lakeside picnic and a long walk to the town. Beautiful! Dinner in a pub for our final night. Very enjoyable few days.
The next morning we said our farewells. The Todds headed north to Edinburgh and we headed south to Llangollen. I had booked us a night in a lovely hotel (Manorhaus - Google it!).
It was a lovely afternoon for strolling by the canal, before an hour in the rooftop hot tub with a glass of bubbles. Such decadence! Breakfast was delicious also.
The next day we finally made it to the aquaduct of the canal and walked across, under, over - basically saw it from all angles. Spectacular! Finished our walking just as the rain started.
The Todds returned to our home on Sunday evening. On Monday we went to Cardiff to visit The Doctor Who Experience, and what an experience. Fantastic! Only there for five years so hurry over if you want to experience it. It is well worth it for any Dr. Who fan. The Todds visited the castle while I had a stroll and enjoyed the sunshine. Tuesday was a bitsa day. Not very good weather. Todds sorted luggage, did washing and got organised before a trip to Swansea. On Wednesday we drove to Tenby for the trip to Caldey Island which was beautiful as always. Another meal at a pub for our last evening together.
Yesterday we took them all to Neath to catch the train to London where they will spend a few days before heading home via Dubai. I had an afternoon shift to get straight back into work. Too hard to go back if you leave it too long.
Looking forward to the last Lions test tomorrow. Go The Aus!
Can't finish without telling you that the summer seems to have arrived. Today looks like being glorious and it is set to continue for the weekend.
Hope you are all well and happy. Take care. xxxxxxxxxx