2022-June

Seems we were sick, so missed a concert, lunch at Fils and having the neighbours over. 

Oli and the cats.

When Oli went out, there were a lot of phone calls to check in and be sure where he was. When I went out with the local guys to Petersham pub, it's 0 of that. Came home to Marie asleep and the cats taking my side of the bed.

Managed to organise a bike ride with Jaime, Claudia, Esteban and Lou. Such a nice thing to do. Here we are rolling down Hawthorn Canal and onto the bay run near there.

Stopped at the first park we came to. The boys had a good long go on the equipment, while the adults stood around chatting, working out which buildings were what (we think it was Burwood's appartment buildings).

Charlie in concert doing Mozart's requiem. The solo singers were amazing, deepest bass, and clearly cutting through the whole hall. An amazing collection of musicians.

2022-May

So for the start of May, we flew home from Perth. The view was pretty amazing the whole way home. At the start, there are dirt roads lining farmlands, then some Albany coastline, and gulf heading to Adelaide. Finally coming into Sydney, we could see Holsworthy, the coast and the approach from the sea very clearly.

On my walks around Parramatta, it's clear developer dollars totally f'd up the mall area, and there are a lot of ugly buildings. Big business has no idea how to make a cohesive attractive zone that people want to hang around. There are quite a few colonial era and historical buildings still left.

The view out our ugly building at work. At least it occupies the space ok, and is a practical rectangle shape. The grass where the schoolkids play has been done well.

Me and Marie went to the markets in Balmain, $7 to get in, expensive crafted stuff, expensive food and long lines. Can't say I'll be back!

The Mumma cat.

Finally made it along to the comedy night at the Lewisham Hotel. Anyone who wants to have a go puts their name in the jar for the order to be selected. Everyone has a 3 or 5 minute go. Almost everyone in the audience is also going up to try out their routine. Some of it was pretty good!

Lou's bday. Happy birthday to our dear Lou! You are a gorgeous monkey.

Goldie dog at the Petersham Bowling Club. I take her down here a lot, as it's close, and the space is perfect for a run.

Jason's 40th birthday, a surprise for him. Someone said something that made him wonder.

Also Lou got a happy birthday song as well, just not a huge cake.

Around Narrabeen Lake with Andy, nice idea.

Sumi is definitely Marie's cat.

2022 Maryanne's birthday!

Julia organised a surprise birthday party for Maryanne. We flew over to Perth. We had a really nice weekend.

Here's Oli in the airport, once again confused by his Dad? Not sure what the trouble is with this shot. Maybe he didn't have enough time to do the finger up.

We got in 2 hours prior as there had been problems with the queue, but no worries for us. It took about 15 minutes get in.. Fil, Lou and Oli make the most of the wait, taking it easy.

We got a car from the airport, picked up Ceal and Carl, had a quick lunch, then went to help set up the house. The nibbles were an artwork, courtesy of one of Julia's friends. Who makes salami flowers??

The banner of photos was pretty embarrassing. Maryanne didn't complain though.

Waiting for the guest of honour, Polly the dog aka Pooky or Pookmeister, entertained.

Lou, me, Ceal and Carl taking it easy.

The band was a hit. Joe on keyboard, Juilia singing and Allan making the jibes.

The guests as Maryanne walked in.

Maryanne was open mouthed and speechless, a bit teary. 

Maryanne, Fil, Ceal, and me. So nice to be together.

And onto the long weekend of eating. At Mandoon estate: Oli, me, Marie, Fil, Julia, Maryanne, Ceal and Carl.

Went for a walk to church at 7.30 in the morning. And that was it for the exercise side.

In Fremantle with the boysssss. Went to the markets. Got some new hand made wooden spatulas. I suppose we walked along main street a bit.

Marie met up with RaRa in Maylands.

Pete watching Chelsea versus Everton, 1 nil to Everton and the rest of the game was defensive, so kinda dull. 

2022 Easter Sunday plus Monday

Playing ping pong with Danesh. I've known him for a long time from support, like 3 or 4 years. It's great to see some familiar faces, like him and Charles who I met on the first day. I walked into the office, and Charles is like you what are you doing here? Turns out we were both there on the 11th. I know him via support but like way back 12 years ago he'd gone already, but knew all the old guys.

Parra is awesome with the new public spaces, and odd facilities like this.

We drove back straight to the North Ryde RSL for lunch at 12.30 with Millers, Fil and John. Here we have Oli, Lou, Tess, Belle, and Will.

Ceal, Fil and John. John was telling me a lot of stuff about Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Finland etc with the horrible Russian invasion of Ukraine. Seems they are still very imperialistic. They can come up with BS excuses but it's just a land grab to access a warm water port.

Monday we had a lovely afternoon picnic with Marie, Jaime, Andrea and Lou. The girls went in the car with all the stuff, and us 3 boys rode down. Such a nice idea. It was in Callan Park, near the dog beach.

They gave me a company car for the new job lol. Shame we can't get rid of our regular one, as Marie needs it on odd occasions. Am actively trying to avoid using it.

2022 Easter Long Weekend

Max and Milo the Kelpie/Border Collie mix. Milo barked at Goldie as she was on his territory. They barked evenly, then Goldie ignored him, then she would chase him to show him who's boss, then he'd bark at a distance again.

Then Floyd turned up. Apparently they have a history of barking it up. Then Goldie got in between them barked Floyd away, then touched noses with Milo, then the two of them sat together forming a mini pack.

We all went on a few walks around the place. It is a lovely area, a mixture of woods and some open grass.

The billy cart was v popular.

Around the camp fire. It was pretty chilly. The fire was perfect. 

The bikes came out on the last couple of days we were there. Harley is becoming a wizard, getting some decent air, and breaking traction whizzing around the little circuit.

Charlie put the peewee 50 down.

Max popping the front.

The Prius once again is the master of the dirt. To be fair, the road was pretty good, and has more of it sealed now.

2022 April

Yeah, it's still raining. Goldie had a nice lay down in the mud of the gutter, along with a drink.

Honestly we've had a couple of times where we got say 3 or 4 days without rain. The rest have been raining all the time. Am waiting to oil or coat the bench etc to protect the wood, which is looking a fair bit aged with the rain.

To celebrate Easter we went to Baka's local club for lunch, as many of us will be away. 

Kristie, Isaac, Joshie with Amelia, Lucas in red and Mila, Lou, Charlie, Max with Tobias and Paige, Holly, Baka, Lola and Oli.

The photo takers; Marie, Ang, Kathy, Vonne, John Adam, Stephen, Julie, Kristy, Jason

Our turn for a photo with Baka.

Max wanted to stay at our place, so the boys all had a nice time, a bit of parkour out the front

Max on Church St Parramatta. We went there to keep the festival of food rolling, so he could be picked up by John and Julie. 

We went to some dessert place that had ridiculously large ice cream in a bowl, pancakes, waffles. I ordered a sandwich, but ended up eating half of Marie's, got totally stuffed.

Me on Church St Parramatta on my first day out on the new job! This was like an orientation day before starting properly on the 19th which was the day after the Easter hols. Sydney Water has a really nice feel to the place.

The view from the office on the 3rd floor. There are some real heritage gems hidden in among all the glass and concrete. The office is as nearly close as you can get to the train station.

On following days I rode to work, parked in the public transport storage shed, until one day my Opal card wouldn't open the shed anymore. After a day of trying to get hold of help, they finally opened it for me. Pretty sure that Monday the 25th I got an entry badge so my parking woes finished.

On the 23rd I picked up a company car from the hire co, parked it, and have kept riding because I hate burning oil for transport.