2024-April

Left: finally got to put the stepping stones down in the back yard. The grass is looking really great as it thrives when not crushed when muddy.

Mumma cat had an adventure. No idea how she got down here. It could not have been graceful. I couldn't reach her at all. Shoved this old little ladder down, and after a lot of meowing, she finally just climbed out on it.

The Golden Strangers - really excellent musicians, all with a LOT of training.

Bike ride with the work guys, from Granville out to Prospect Reservoir, then only Canley Vale for some fantastic authentic Vietnamese food.

Me and Oli at the local Chinese in Lewisham. The chili plate was hot as hell.

School holidays! Oh Lord I have to say these are so nice. We rolled up to The Entrance on the train. The 1st train was a 3 stop express but the boys wanted to stop for pizza, as it was dinner time, to be fair. So we passed up on the fast train, got the all stops to Hornsby, spoke to the owner of Mad Toppings at length. He'd just broken his foot on some steps in the dark. I worked on my laptop while the boys played games. The trip goes very fast. 

Did a paint and sip at Emily's place with 5 girls. Learned about how often people have sex these days and about their desire levels. There were a few apologies but i don't really care. There was a lot of laughing, good times. 

Mohammad came the following day for a ride around the lake via Long Jetty. Yesterday was enough rain to put the path about 30cms under in places. After rolling in the water to meet him at the station i advised him to take his shoes off to get through easier. All good, and some v nice photos too. Farnaz, his wife, called from Iran. She got to see the sunset over the water.

Saw Dune. It was awesome. 

We did a lot of lounging around and sleeping. I have to say; it was a real holiday, too good.

To the right: Anzac Day march at the Entrance.

Oli has 4 friends up, Curtis, Felix, Oli and Julian. We all went to the dog beach for a swim. They were about to go in when Marie niftiest the rip. She said to go between the flags. I came a bit later.  As me and Marie approached Lou looked like he was being dragged deeper and away from the flags. The life saver in the tower was coming down, one was already in the way, 2 more were running in.

One said, the girl in the head dress keeps going under. The young guy Sean straight to her. One on the pale board went to Felix and surfed him into shore. I started to worry immensely about the girl in the headdress who then had to wait for the same guy to get out there again to get her. Oli pushed Lou along back into the safe zone. He put his hand up while being hit by more waves. Felix lounged out on the sand exhausted. It was a great relief that the girl in the head dress was next onto the paddle board. I didn't notice but the girls gather and someone else had to get rescued. The rest of our boys made it back in, but Curtis said the drag was strong and tough to get back in. Marie thanked the life guards but i was a bit to embarrassed to express my gratitude. The girl in the head dress did not take on any water and seemed unfazed by it all.

Claudia, Jaime, Andrea, Akemi and Esteban came up.

Went for a very pleasant ride to see the sunset over the lake with Akemi.

And on the next day, this time we went a bit to the north. There are heaps of paths around here.

After months of being a long haired hippy, Lou chopped it all of for a laugh. We were very happy. he looks magnificent. 

The champions of table tennis at work. Left Mohammad versus Nima to the right. Kheli khoub e.

2024-March

< This is probably just lunch with Mohammad. I think his mum thinks he does nothing but eat.

Went Tony and Evonne's to babysit the kids. Saw a movie Friday night, had a big sleep in. Had Mohammad over on Saturday night. Met Farnaz for the first time, talked about moving to a new strange country, leaving friends and family, language exchange, cooking tips, saw her birds. A brief chat about Engineering.

 

Went to the go-carts for something to do. Lou was impressed that I actually had some skills. I tried to explain that it comes after 30 years. I can drive around in circles.

Quiet Fri, watched some movie or something. Went to the coast, mowed lawn, edged them. Saturday night went to Mixtape, Philter, Bob Hawke Breweries with Justin. Good times. Sunday went to Robbie's for a games day, played gin rummy on like dominoes with cards on them. V fun! Met Rob's sister Mandy, hubby.

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Marie told Felix's mum Wendy that we were going to the PBC "tomorrow". So we had the unexpected pleasure of meeting her on Thursday night. Lucky she is free Friday as well, so she can come along to the main event with the other parents. The others being Julian's folks Enno and Andrea.

Marie is busy doing a 888 form to help Mohammad bring his wife over from Iran to here. He is a lovely fellow.

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Left: finally got the palm trees nearly all chopped down in a day.

Friday, we tried again to go to the local bowlo. Had v nice time w other parents Enno, Andrea and Wendy (again). Boys included Oli, Oliver, Julian, Curtis and Dekux. Me and Marue went up the coast while the boys stayed and played some kind of blind his and sell with wire shades on. Too fun.

Saturday, Simon and his team of 3 chopped the umbrella tree and non natuve palms. The yard is bizarrely empty and light. Need to plant replacements. 

At Long Jetty. We had a weekend away with Tim and Trish. All v v good.

Plenty of rain, means the tanks are full. I think we burned out the pump, so it's not doing much...

The En Trance...

At right: artwork by Oli... pretty good, and recognisable sketches.

Came back for Carmels afternoon tea for Anne Sophie with all the Barberos plus Ellen. 

Sunday lunch was at Fils. We picked up Ellen and Anne Sophie to take them there. A nice idea.

Happy Easter Baka!! The usual family get togethers at the Triglav club next to the retirement home.