Kate's Birthday 2

As part of the multistranded celebration of Kate's birthday, Kate and Adam had a night out with Travis and Elina.  Elina sent us this photo.

End of the School Holidays Looming

The end is nigh!  School starts on Friday next and the idea does not seem to be going over with unbridled enthusiasm.  The vacation has been enjoyed by all.  Elina sent us a photo of Kassian and Adara with James, Pat and Sophie on a visit to a strawberry farm.  One of the many highlights of the holiday period.

New Car Trial

We tried out the new conveyance yesterday.  It was a very hot day and we had to make a number of visits so we had to take it out into traffic and see how it all went.  The height and size was reminiscent of the old Patrol we had years ago but the comfort and ease of travel was in another world.  It is big but you quickly get used to the dimensions and it is like any other (long) car.  It's looking good as our tourer.

Summer is Coming

There is a strange sky out there today.  It is starting to warm up and the sun is coming through a lot of moisture in the air giving the full circle rainbow effect.  Tomorrow is supposed to be 40 degrees.

New Car

Walked out this morning to the new car. 
First thought - That's Big.
Second thought - Maybe it will shrink after a few washes!

Kate's Birthday

On this occasion, the gathering was to celebrate Kate's birthday. Festivities started with a spot of driver training.

And then dinner and the Cake.

Because the celebration was a little late,  it was decided to pull out all the stops and make it a night to remember.  As a special treat, the kids were able to stay up late then we all went out to watch a specially prepared fireworks display.

The fact that it was also Australia Day was a mere coincidence.

Love at first sight

Sometimes you just know that this is the one that is right for you.  James has found his heart's desire and this is it!!

Nectar of Life

The flowering gums are loving the weather we are having.  As a consequence, so are the birds and the bees.

Sleepover Tips No 4

Consider the option of a picnic in the park.  Food is always an attraction.

Following that, a raid can be made on the local bug population and then there is always the option of playing on the equipment in the park.

Sleepover Tips No 3

Cater for individual differences.

Sleepover Tips No 2

All participants may not necessarily have the same interests.

Sleepover Tips No 1

There is always a place for ice cream

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Lachlan Finds First Gear

After a period of experimentation, Lachlan has finally achieved forward motion.  His primary system is currently the "seal shuffle" rising on his hands and pushing forward however he is experimenting with knees and toes so the next phase is imminent.

Jack finds it all vaguely amusing.

Out with the Old

Well it has been while coming but it has been worth the wait.  We had a last look at Lisa and Justin's old car yesterday.

An hour later they returned with their new machine.  What a beast!  Eight seats, full set of safety features, plenty of grunt to tow the new van and diesel with a 180 litre tank  - they will probably have to refuel once a year!

They should be very happy campers.

More Rain = More Birds

With the rain we have been having, the vegetation has produced masses of new growth and the birds are loving it.  The flowering gums are providing a feast of nectar for the masses of (very noisy) Rainbow Lorikeets in the area.  It's difficult to imagine how they came up with that name.

Origins of the Henge

On the evidence presented below, one could surmise that Stonehenge was just a game being played by the Neolithics that they forgot to put back in the cupboard when they had finished.

Web of Intrigue

With all the wet weather, the spiders must be having a ball.  Each morning there is a new web in a new location.  It pays to wave your arms around as you traverse the pathways in the morning otherwise you are picking webs off your face and clothes for the next 5 minutes.

Birthday Presents Presented

With all the comings and goings over Christmas and Lisa and Justin having birthdays during this period, the presents did not get handed over at the right time.  Amends were made today although we may have to monitor the appropriate use of the materials presented.

Boys morning out

Jack, Cooper and Lachlan came to visit while Mum and Dad went shopping.  Firstly the patio saw a bit of bike action.

With all the energy expended, Chuppa Chups were imbibed for replenishment.

Lachlan is not quite up to Chuppa Chups but he does like a drink.  However he has also decided that the bottle is no longer his preferred tipple.  He will take it from a shot class or not at all!

Dinner

It was another wet day (36mm - making over 100 mm in the last week!) so the planned Picnic in the Park was relocated.  By the time we arrived, the rain had stopped but it was all too much for your faithful correspondent who left his camera at home, so we had to make do with the iPhone.
Jack and Cooper brought their new bikes along and in an act of solidarity, James and Pat pulled out their old bike.













Kate produced a wonderful pasta and we quaffed a 1998 Taltarni Red with it. It doesn't get much better than that!  The after dinner entertainment was provided by Patrick demonstrating his new skills as a magician.

Further entertainment was provided by James who is developing a talent for creative facial art installations.

This is Summer???

After about 75mm of rain in the last week and 43 mm last night, summer looks like it might have missed us this year.  The ground is so saturated that water is flowing underground to the point that it has emerged at a cut under the house and has flooded the store/workshop.  I spent last night vacuuming out seepage.  It might have been a big issue at one time but given the devastation that is occurring up north in Queensland, my problems are totally insignificant!

This is the morning sky today.  It should be bright and sunny but it seems we could be in for another downpour.

UDATE
Yep!  More rain, more flooding and more pumping water out.  Oh Joy!

Raising the Roof

When you have a few days off and can't think of anything to do, Justin has a suggestion.  First you go out and buy a caravan that will not fit under your existing Carport.

Then you are able to spend your holidays raising the roof of the carport.

Until you have provided appropriate lodgings for your new acquisition .

Late Christmas and Birthdays

As some of the family were traveling during the Christmas period, the distribution of Christmas booty had to take place a little later than usual.  None of the recipients seemed to be particularly worried by the late arrival of presents.

Some of the family who shall remain nameless (but have the initials Lisa and Justin) were disorganised enough to have their birthdays during the Christmas period. So the occasion was used to to ensure that the birthdays were celebrated appropriately.

The Wine Man Cometh

Apparently it was necessary to put a deposit in the Wine Bank.  Andrew came across and performed the necessary transactions.  Fortunately Douglas decided to accompany his father on the journey across town and we were able to meet him for the first time.

Kangaroo Island Post Script

While on Kangaroo Island we visited a small winery on the south east coast.  They had a wonderful outlook over the sea and some great wines on offer.  We purchased a selection of their white wines and the carton arrived a few days after we returned home.  Tested at the family dinner, the Sav Blanc held up very well!

Late Christmas

As Jack, Cooper and Lachlan were away from home for Christmas, Their presents were still with Granny and Pa when they got home.  They came across yesterday to catch up.  Jack and Cooper were happy with the new bikes.

But Lachlan was not greatly impressed by them.

Boys always seem to like magnifiers and books on Spiders.

 

They quickly worked out how to use the bikes.

We're Back!!

Our friends were back in the tree yesterday.  As the birds hunt at night, it appears that they select a tree to sleep in during the day.  They spend the whole day snoozing and preening, occasionally shuffling along a branch.  They make a very engaging couple.

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island in South Australia proved to be a great location to celebrate the New Year.  The Crew flew to Adelaide and then hired a Tarago 8 seater to carry us to the Island and for our touring.  While a little squeezy with us and our luggage, it was very comfortable as a tourer for the 8 of us.

We traveled to Cape Jervis and then took the ferry across.  It was an easy trip across but on the return journey, the wind had been blowing all night and the result was that many passengers had the opportunity to re-examine their breakfast during the journey.

It turned out that the locals were very friendly and seemed determined to make sure we enjoyed our stay in the island.

Important to an enjoyable stay was the location of appropriate watering holes.   This was doubly important as the only coffee available in our accommodation was "International Roast" (which the CEO refused to drink!).  Luckily she did not have to suffer too long as we found a number of places that served good coffee.

We had a wonderful venue for the New Years Eve dinner. The Ozone Hotel put on a great spread and we had one of the prime tables overlooking the waterfront.

We spent a couple of days wandering around the many attractions of the Island.  There were beautiful beaches and wildlife but the most spectacular were "The Remarkables".  These rocks almost appeared to have been carved separately and then placed on top of a rock dome on the south west coast of the Island.

Fantastic location and well worth a visit.  It gets a 4 star rating from us.  It will progress to 4 1/2 stars once all traces of International Roast Coffee are removed from the Island.