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.

everything grows so fast up here

Well, the garden bed see in construction in my last post was planted out a week ago, and within days little green shoots began to appear, much to everyone's excitement. Our mornings begin with close inspections, lots of oohs and ahs, and big smiles, and for Charles and me, gasps of amazement when we see broad bean shoots coming up in a week. We have planted peas, beans and broad beans, tomatoes, rocket, parsley, beetroot, carrots and bok choy.
Remi is right into it, especially as he helped plant the seeds.

back in brissy

Well, WE are back, both of us. Had 10 mad days in Vic, including a night at Apollo Bay before going to Gillian's for 2 nights, round the Great Ocean Rd, which I haven't driven in many years. It is beautiful. Then back to the farm for a final pack. Went via Sydney where we had a couple of lovely nights at Mat & Jeff's, then here via a night at Simon's where we caught up with mum. We are now residing upstairs at Bec & Helen's, and Charles is spending lots of time catching up with Remi - "Can we have a wrestle, grandpa? is the favourite request of the moment. Jill was over from Vermont (USA that is) arriving the day after us in Brisbane, and by that time my sore throat and headache had added to it a shocking cough, which I am still grappling with. Other than that, everything is wonderful now Charles is here.
We've had lots of rain which is perfect as we are about to plant out the first vegie bed. In the pic here Bec is putting the last layers of the no-dig garden in place, and it now has a solid covering of bird netting to keep of the possums, bush turkeys, rodents and othe hungry critters. We can't wait to eat the produce, and the rate things grow here, it won't be too long.