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.