housing news

We have secured a lease on the house next to Bec, Helen and Remi, and will be sharing with Simon, Remi's dad, starting in just over a week. We, of course, will be packing up down at the farm, and look forward so much to having a place we can call home, at least for a while. When we get in I will publish some pics of it. I have been over the fence and exploring the badly neglected garden, and today discovered garden beds, ready for weeding and planting in veggies! So exciting. It has 3 bedrooms, so plenty of room for visitors. And a deck on the back with great views. So book your holiday in Brisbane now, folks.

four days on the island

For many years I have dreamt about going to Stradbroke Island and last week my dream came true with 4 days on this beautiful little patch of ground. Having fought off the developers and mining companies, Straddie retains its slow, calm paceand its beauty. Off the beaches are dolphins surfing the waves, and, at this time of year, whales in their hundreds heading north, just off the coast, spouting water and breaching as they glide past.
The first couple of days were glorious, then the wind changed to the s-e and we had to rug up, although it was still wonderful, wild seas with spray whipping off their tops.
We did a trip to Brown Lake which is in the middle of the island, suprrounded by melaleucas in full bloom, underpinned with magnificent rushes whose refelctions I could not resist.
If you want a great holiday, this is the place to come. And they have first class coffee and the best icecream I have ever tasted, home made and different choices every day.

down the coast

When people from Brisbane go to the beach south of the city, they say they are going "down the coast". Well, that is where we are now, at Simon's having a bit of R&R. Here is Charles displaying his version. If you look very hard you can see Cape Byron in the background. It is whale season, so fingers crossed we see some.
Lisa and I spent some hours this morning at Byron Bay doing a small shop (new "handbag" for me, tho it goes over my shoulder rather than in my hand) and a couple of small surprises for you-know who, including a beautifully crafted and balanced yo-yo made in Austria, then back to Brunswick Heads for a late lunch. Charles and Simon caught 3 fish, 2 whiting and 1 flathead, all undersize, but are having another go tomorrow morning.
We are also meeting up with Pam and Ian tomorrow, and Kaye, Peter and Thea later in the week. Very exciting to catch up with friends and we are looking forward to seeing them all.







Work goes on bit by bit at Gladstone Rd, the latest being a new clothes line. This may not seem significant, but believe me, if you had been climbing over wire and through a rapidly growing garden that had overtaken the old line, you would be as grateful as I am. As well, the interior has taken on a totally new look with its new plastering and paint. It was all hands on deck and it looks fabulous, and much lighter now.

what a day

Well, June 24, 2010, what a day. The first female PM took office, replacing poor old Kev who thought he had the right idea, but didn't ask anyone else. Another historical event we have lived through. What does the future hold now for Australian politics?
June 24, 2010, Charles was given the OK to start driving again, and to resume work slowly. His BP is right down, so the new medication is doing its job. Great news.
June 24, 2010, on a sadder note, Helen's faithful old dog, Maxie, came to the end of the road of life. It has been a day of weeping, and I daresay there will be a few more tears before the week is out. Max has been Helen's faithful companion since he was a tiny pup, and has been everywhere with her. He was much loved by us all, including Cosi, but it is a relief that he is no longer struggling as he was for the last few days. Here he is with Remi a year or so ago, still looking youthful. Vale Max.

first kindy concert

Remi had a wonderful time a couple of weekends ago, one Sunday morning in a local hall with all the other kindy kids. They sang a variety of songs with Remi and another boy leading the way with their pure joy and great enthusiasm for singing. One song, "I love you" brought a tear to my eye, and lots of memories of Bec and Mat performing their many concerts when they were children.
We are in the process of negotiating the house next door to Bec and Helen, along with Mitchy, Remi's dad. We are all very excited and full of plans, although the house won't be available for about a month or so. I will keep you posted.

T-Rex and crocodile

Remi shares his birthday each year with his great friend, Cisco. They also share a sense of humour and a physicality born of having acrobatic parents. Here they are in their new birthday hoodies, a T-Rex and a crocodile, having a great time.

an eventful week...not to be repeated

Well, week it's been. Charles gave us all, but most of all himself, a huge fright when he has a stroke (moderate we now know) on Friday night and ended up in the Mater hospital until Tuesday afternoon, our 43rd wedding anniversary. Here he is smiling at the thought of going home, with flowers I had just delivered, unaware that he'd been given the nod to go home. Accompanied by his little offsider who would not go near Grandpa until he got rid of the tubes and hospital gown. He told Mat that grandpa was better because he had a T-shirt on now.
Things are fianally settling down and we are getting our adrenalin overloaded bodies into a state of normality.
Everyone has been so wonderful, sending messages of support and they have really helped. And of course it's been so wonderful being surrounded by family who have been superb through the crisis, whilst going through their own trauma and fear. Bec came in the ambulance with us, whilst Helen stayed with Remi after being the director of us two mad women, really keeping us focussed while we waited for the medics to arrive. Claudia came in to emergency as well, and Mat and Jeff flew down on Saturday, so we were all there.
Charles is doing speech therapy so people won't think he's slightly tipsy all the time, and starting to get a little energy back, tho I think it will take a while. We had intended to go a 10 minute walk today, but it will have to wait until tomorrow.
In the meantime he stays cheerful and in good spirits.