2022-October

Stockton beach is beautiful. I've always ben curious; last time I visited was 30 years ago. We went up for the weekend. You get a train to Newcastle, then there's a 5 minute ferry to get you to this quiet, natural, historical little place.

Standard holiday thing to do is grabbing a puzzle. Tony, Holly, Vonne and Lola.

We had a tremendous Saturday night. We cycled to the bowling club, then the Gladstone hotel and  ended up at a quiet pub, the Boat Rowers. The owner is the third guy along in the photo. He took music requests and cranked it up. We ended up dancing at the bar. The people were v cool.

More puzzlement with Holly Marie Evonne and Lou.

The boys had a good time cycling around. I got an electric bike to try get Oli into it. It worked a little bit. The others were more impressed with it though.

On the ferry, too easy.

Goldie dog took a bath in the mud.

Card night at our place. Oli is giving a secret signal, lol.

John came with me to check out a couple of places in the mountains. Nothing really suits and it's too damn expensive.

Goldie in the sun.

I took a week off so we could get some home projects done.

First up was the trellis out the front. I'm very glad we thought more and came up with the idea of bolting straight into the wall. Marie spent a few nights drawing and redrawing the wires in different configurations so they would not double up.

The reward att the pub after. Goldie's happy to hang out wherever we are. Usually she's on the couch next to me while I stare at the computer all day. I'll try to get her out 2 or 3 times per day, even for a short walk. 

On 20 November, we went to the basketball court locally with Charlie and my boys. Goldie went mental chasing the basketball. But the concrete was no good for her paws. She bled a tiny bit and Oli carried her home. 2 days later and she's not limping as much and can get around at home fine, poor thing.

We saw this mansion that's about double our budget before you start doing the place up. No go.

At Olivia's first birthday with Carmel, Trish, Sharon, Fil and Marie.

Uncle Ray, Carmel's husband and their daughter.

Steve and Linh with Olivia.

Me at Bondi sewerage plant, sorry, I mean Water Resource Recovery thing. One of the escape hatches brings you out to the sea side, where no-one can go. Not easily anyway. The tunnels are 40m below the surface, or similar depth. From the road you can't see most of the plant. Impressive!

The view along the coast from the top of the cliffs at Bondi.

Lou and his collection of Maths awards. The best one is the Maths comp where he got a dstinction, and 103 points, with most of the rest of the ppl at school getting like 90 I think it was. He said he guessed a couple, still v good!!

Sumi cat brought home a guest to show off. We managed to separate the mouse from the cat, and with a broom handle nudged him down to the ground and back out the door.

Open day at Yaralla at Concord, right on the Parra river. Very impressive grounds. Used to be a dairy farm, then some rich persons mansion etc. The buildings certainly stood the test of time. Shame our modern constructions are so crap house.

Preparing for Halloween! Cutting by Marie, and the design was drawn on by Oli. Man you did a top piece of work.

Oliver Sceats and Lou on the trick or treat rounds. Lou went as a tax collector - thought that was very scary, got a few laughs, and a tonne of chocolate.

2022-September

Claudia and Tim out at Parramatta for Laksa for lunch. This place is the best, amazing.

Me Marie and Jaime at the same lunch.

We went to Blackheath for the weekend to check it out. I think the place is great. It rained the whole time, so not much walking. Local shopping strip was well worth a look.

The boys took it easy, so like the place.

I went on a quick bushwalk. The path was pretty muddy, but the greenery is really vibrant now.

Oli's project - lino cut with a knife.

Happy anniversary hun! We went for a nice dinner. Probs drank a bit much as I've got no idea what I ate. It was delicious, I think.

Back on the tools! Borrowed Tony's 9 inch angle grinder, and cut out a hole for a cat flap, in time for summer.

Lunch at Anna's with Joh, Vince, Zdenka, Paige, Adam, and Tim

Goldie took about 20 seconds to work out the flap door. Now she can get out any time, she was pretty excited about the whole thing. 

Lou's drawing of one of his good buddies Jacob. He suffers depression. Great painting Lou, I'd love to see more.

We had a boat cruise lined up that got delayed for 2 years while we were all in lockdown due to Covid. Finally made it out, and had a really nice day, didn't even feel sick.

This vision is about how we were at this time, shiny, not too bright, enjoying it much so.

At the White Cockatoo, about 100m from where we live a few days later. Took it easy, had a nice chat.

Another one of Oli's works - I think this one is fantastic. Beautiful work Oli.

At Kylee's for the weekend in Vincentia at Jervis Bay. She is full of beans and in good health.

So many beaches all along here. It's a holiday place, weekenders and retirees.

The boys back at the kitchen table at home.

Lou, Esteban and Oli.

2022-August

The train strike meant that trains were all over the place., late, then not showing up etc. Best to get anything going towards home then ride from Strathfield or Burwood.

There have been free train days; pretty weird strike.

Chicken iffy = meal bigger than Goldie.

New table, all from leftover wood, plus two A frames we found in the street.

The finished product.

Oli's drawing of Walter. Very good I'd say! Would love to see him continue his art work.

Firepit at Trish and Tim's

Esteban and the kids doing marshmellows.

July-22

 

My first site visit with the new job! It didn't even smell much. Walked all over the place, saw some equipment.

Sat on the train for an hour to get to site. That means two hours of getting work down instead of staring at the road.Win win.

Dog on the fence, impatient for the walk.

I hope Oli continues with his art. He is very very good. I'll try to post some more.

Me and Lou went to the cupcake shop two times by bike on the weekend. Each time we missed it by a half hour, but was nice to go for a ride and check one of his favourite shops.

Sumi sits in the middle of the road and couldn't care less. Some cars have to drive around her.

Up at Gloucester with Oli, Michael and David.

Lola's experiment: we had to run about 3 big laps, with different music to see what might inspire us. Not sure if the music could budge us too much.

Charlie catching his breath.

At Gloucester, the boys getting some gaming time.

Esteban and Goldie

At Alexandra and Isabelle's 22nd. They had to postpone the 21st due to Covid. 

Fancy dress: Oli and Lou looked awesome.

At Anke and Laurens house, with the friendly cat.

Franky and us at the Jets game at Henson Park. Beer festival brought the crowds.