Power Station Finalised

There is now no more room on the roof so Mark has stopped installing panels. We are going to be interested in seeing the stats for a full day of production.
Yes the stats are in - 25 kilowatts for the day, enough for two small houses!

Claire's Birthday

It was an ideal day to celebrate Claire's birthday.  The builders were working, the steel girders were being delivered for the garage and the brickies were putting the finishing touches to garage brickwork. 
We left them to it and headed into Melbourne to see the Aquarium.  But lunch came first at one of the little cafes in Degraves St.

We last visited the Aquarium shortly after it was opened many years ago so we were interested to see the huge changes.

Of course the highlight was the penguin installation that alone made the visit worthwhile.

Louie Has Landed

Today Kate and Adam announced a new addition to the family. Louie has decided to join the Donvale Reids. He certainly is the cutest German Shepherd we have ever seen.

Youth Group??

We were all members of a youth group and although we all went our separate ways about 50 years ago, we still catch up occasionally and it is just like old times.  It was a great night for a barbeque and a chat.

Basketball - Jack

It was a warm afternoon and the stadium was oppressively hot for the boys basketball match.  It has been a while since we had seen Jack and he put on a good show for us.  They did not win but they pushed every step of the way. It was a valiant effort and Jack worked hard for the whole match and contributed a number of goals to the final tally.

Basketball - Cooper

We had the chance to see Cooper with his new team today and they put on quite a performance winning 33 to 16.  Cooper was a major contributor to the team effort today with his anticipation and passing.

And The Build Goes On ..

Masses of wood are now in the air as the frame approaches completion for the new house.  The brickwork has been underway all week but is still some way from completion.  The brick walls of the garage have to be completed before the frame of the upper storey can be finished as it rests on the garage walls.

The brickwork of the garage is still incomplete

We are starting to see the internal layout.

Netball - Ebony

After winning Grand Finals two seasons in a row, Ebony's team has been pushed up four divisions!  In Ebony's words, "things didn't go well" last week so we were not sure what to expect this week.  However while the girls did not win, they acquitted themselves well and the higher standard of play was evident to the spectators.  Ebony was only Goal Shooter for one quarter but in that time the team took the lead as she kept putting the ball through the ring.

Netball - Holly

Although the second game of the season, the opposition forfeited last week so Holly's team played their first game today.  If their form continues, they could be in line for another Premiership as they were not greatly troubled today.

The Garage Grows

The slab for the garage was formed up with lots of plastic, reinforcing and wooden retaining walls.  It was a complex build and took about a day to construct

  The concrete was poured under perfect mild conditions yesterday. While all the concrete was in by about 9.30 am, the rest of the day was spent smoothing and polishing the surface and removing all the form work.

The remainder of the retaining wall foundations were also completed.

Then the rest of the roofing trusses arrived.  It was a day of frantic activity all over the site.

Swimming Sports

It had to happen this way, the Swimming Sports were held in the Croydon (outdoor) pool on one of the coldest February days for years.  However our little fish performed well .  Both Sophie and Lachlan won two ribbons each in their races.

One of Lachlan's ribbons was a first.

Sophie ended up with a First, two Seconds and a Third.  Not a bad day's work!

Jack's off to Camp

Jack has just settled into his new school and now he is off to camp.  It is a great way for all the new students to mix and get to know each other.

Elida's 75th

Elida, a friend of long standing decided on a big celebration for getting to three quarters of a century.  In her words, it was an insurance just in case she did not get much further.  It was a big lunch at a hotel in Richmond and she welcomed friends from all facets of her life to the occasion.  Needless to say it was great to catch up with everyone.  We had a good afternoon - as did Elida!

Moving to the Next Level

The new build is progressing with work proceeding on the second level and the preparation for the concrete of the garage.  Typically, it is the weather that may slow us up as Melbourne is now in a cooler cycle that may bring rain.  The garage floor needs to be complete before the additional foundations are built and the upper storey frame completed.

Frequent Flyer

Cooper and Lachlan both got scooters for Christmas and they both commute to school on them.  Lachy showed me his prowess last night.

Garden Goodness

Brett's zucchini were bountiful but underappreciated as the family had decreed that cucumber were to be the replacement crop next year.  We tested one in a pasta, pork and zuccchini dish and pronounced it good!

Football Training

As the Football Season approaches, the teams are now getting into more serious training.  James was training today  although it was definitely not football weather with the temperature likely to approach 40C.

The Panel Wrangler

Lisa and Mark have decided to cover the house in solar panels.  Mark found a friend who was offering a good deal and he has subsequently been installing their new power system.

 The new Ringwood Power Station is nearly complete.

Saturday Barbeque

It had been a warm day so the barbeque at Adam and Kate's was preceded by a cooling dip in the pool.

 Lachlan preferred the alternative pool.

Frame Flies Up

As the frame starts to take shape we are more able to visualise the internal space of the new house. We can now see the high ceiling of the living room.

Here We Go Again

James, Patrick and Sophie are all now back in harness for the new school year. We hope they all enjoy the year.

Max had a lonely day without his family.