2022 February

This jigsaw puzzle reminds me: we got Covid. Jaime generously dropped off three jigsaws as we love that kind a thing. 

Marie tested positive first and was isolated in her room, while I ran up and down the steps to deliver then collect plates, tea, and cook etc. A couple of days later me and Ollie tested positive, so at least Marie could come out with the rest of us.

Ollie missed the first week of school. Then Lou got it a week later, so they both missed the first 2 weeks of school. For it was a worry as this was his first time at the place in year 7, when everyone makes friends.

So after the first day, he didn't seem worried at all. I asked him how it went. He said "they treated me like a God!" When he walked in the class, everyone called out "Louisss!!" (with the hard S). I asked him just now, and he is still Lewis, and has no plans to correct that. 

We went on a walk by ourselves while in isolation with the Covid. Oli gives the usual salute to the camera.

I volunteered for Larissa Penn's campaign for the NSW state seat of Willoughby. She's a charmer as you can see with this shot of her with Aust Fed North Sydney rep Trent Zimmerman. Blue shirts with pot bellies, and kind of casual suits, was the order of the day.

Larissa is known mainly for campaigning against the white elephant, overpriced, polluting motorway that will run up the North Shore to the Northern beaches. I was involved in protesting WestConnex. This project continues the roll out of mega tunnels.

Who are these people? The tasty character in the blue tie here was keeping the young aspirationals entertained. He looks like a "colourful identity".  I didn't bother asking if any of them were locals. Apparently neither is Tim James, who parachuted into the seat, as is the Lib way. They don't get many local volunteers turning up, as even with their own members, the party is on the nose, what with the branch stacking and undemocratic selection of their reps.

I have to say it's such a pleasure when they walk to school together. Lou generally rides to school, because that is too easy. If it might rain, Marie's shown him how to check the rain radar on bom.gov.au. He'll do that then decide.

I often hear them laughing away together just before they come in the door.

Goldie watches Muster Dogs with us, a show about Kelpies bred for work on the farm. I use the word watch loosely.

An old cycle buddy, Anthony New, had time off, so I volunteered to take a day off work and go for a ride. I bought 2 weeks extra leave, which we can do each 6 months, totalling then 8 weeks of annual leave, including the regular entitlement, ie double. How can you say no to that?

We rode out to Parramatta along the river, checked out the parliament house in the park, all v pleasant. I picked up some lunch on the way home, and had a nice lazy arvo.

Picked up a few books from the roof at random, and got this bible, signed by Dig and Pop, my grandparents in 1946. It's funny to be a living link to these people. I suppose it's only 75 years ago now.

Ivana had a birthday at Bents Basin. I had to ride out there, was a really nice ride, about 80kms, but easy cheesy rolling. Lots o interesting things to see, a lot in green paths where you wouldn't know you were in the city.

Went to lunch with my sisters and Peter. We visited mum's grave after. The headstone/plate is not in yet!

Belle, Ceal and Fil munch on almonds.

At Petersham railway station, which gets a mention in a Henry Lawson book.

Speaking about rain in Petersham, we've got La Nina and the rain is pelting down like all the time on and off for the last few months. Lismore was totally under. The local park got pretty wrecked. The wall out the back is turning green. The lawn has totally died in the back yard.

2022 - end of Jan

 

On the 28th, Marie tested positive for Covid. She spent two days in her room getting really bored, while I dropped off food etc for her. Then me and Ollie tested positive, so she came out of there, much to her relief. 

We missed Tess's 21st brithday lunch, sorry. Happy Birthday Tess!

Here's us playing Zombicide in lockdown. Lou got pretty excited explaining everything. Ollie got sick of waiting for a turn and eventually gave up. I think we all one this one.

Damien's funeral at the age of 37. A sad day. We're happy to be there to support.

Marie's got these hotel points that need to be used up, so we booked a hotel in the city. On the  Saturday night we went out for dinner and a drink (see the picture at the bottom). 

Sunday afternoon (I think), I borrowed an e bike from the hotel and cruised around Sydney. It was a blast, so easy to go all over the place. I wondered where to go, then remembered the cats needed feeding Monday morning, so popped home to do that, then out toward the airport, and a quick flip through Surry Hills to get back.

You pedal a bit then the motor assist kicks in, not super smooth, but mostly all helpful. 

Here is the Albert Tibby Cotter Bridge. Not used by many people, and a price tag of $38 million.

Terraces of this style appear all over Sydney at this time.

An older photo of Circular Quay in the Man o War hotel.

We jumped on the tram. Such a nice change for the city here.

In the QVB for a cup of tea. 

This might have been where we got the Covid from on Saturday night, or the following night when we bumped into all the staff, plus Tan, and hugged a couple of them. Don't do that again.

Tan works at the Wild Rover here. We were visiting him, but he wasn't on shift. This photo was sent to say hello.

2022 - trip to Oberon by train and bike

I swear I need to do this more often. Finally organised to go for a 3 day trip to one of the many many places we have in and around the Sydney region. 

Left: Stephane; it was just the two of us. Stephane is also a keen rider. Normally he rides a lot to work, but this time around he tried to come along with no preparation, and a tiny regular water bottle.

Day 1 we got to Lithgow by train, then it was about 30 kms to Tarana (the a in Ta like at, and the a's in rana like runner)

It was quite hilly, up and down the whole way. It really took a bit of effort. It was hot so we needed water. I had about 4 litres, so shared that. The views were fantastic. The weather was not as bad as it could be given the clouds.

The properties along the way look very green right now with all the rain. 

This is as good as this country gets with how green it all is.

Stephane was not feeling so good, and needed a lot of stops to recover.

Tarana Hotel - I'd love to stay here one time. It's a little gem, touristy, rolling green hills around.

The rest of the way to Oberon took the total distance to 45kms. Normally that's so easy cheesy. I selected it for that reason. The up/down is 1000m and this leg was up, up and more up. Stephane struggled, needing regular break stops, and bending over his bike like he was going to throw up. His arms got totally cooked in the sun.

This is the final 6kms into town, next to a rail line, pretty gentle, thank the Lord, for the end of the day.

The Borg panel factory dominates town, still on the path here.

The smell is quite pleasant but probably not great for your health. The little particles of wood are on the ground all around. In town you can smell it when the wind blows your way.

Oberon is quite a nice little town.

On day 2, Stephane stayed in bed all day. We were supposed to do 95km to Taralga, but there was zero chance of that happening. One local told me that road is also up and down like a yo yo, so probs a good one to miss.

Main street.

I had the war museum (pic below) to myself. The local guide (Neville?) told me about each exhibit. In the photo of Australian soldiers (here), there are apparently 2 or 3 dead soldiers in there, if you look closely, who had to be supported by their friends. 

There's some Japanese flags and things from WW2 prisoners of war; a surprise for Japanese visitors who apparently don't get told much about the role of Japan in the war. He said he has to be careful with how he explains things so as to not offend people. 

There's an article about the president Bill who got blown up mine sweeping in Vietnam, and apparently died for a short time while being evacuated out. Some v interesting other stories.

On day 3 we decided to go back down (about 200m down, but some ups as well) to Tarana for the train. We had to get up at 5.30am, so got to see the sun rise. My light was missing. No idea where that got to, or if someone nicked it.

When we got to the station, there was a train in there, which I though was some kind of XPT. It took off as we walked onto the station. I believe it was a regular one and we could have taken it. Instead we sat at the hotel, outside, for an hour and a half more. Oh well.

The train back has spectacular views. It's a single track winding through the rich green hills, bliss all the way, and differently amazing with the sandstone cliffs of the Blue Mountains. Plenty of space on board for a bike.

I loved this trip!
 

2022- visit to Anke and Laurens's place

Anke and Laurens's place is in Copeland near Gloucester. It is a farm where about 6 houses are. Each of the households form up the cooperative. They run cows, share the costs and earnings. Each household will have about 2 acres of space for themselves to plant veggies and do what you want.

Left, Marie, Lou, David, Ollie, Michael, Kevin and Anke.

Kevin and Michael.

Goldie doesn't look great in the photos biting the water, but it seems to be one of her favourite things. She just goes nuts trying to bite the water.

At the stream nearby, Marie, David, Kevin Arush, Lou, seated are Bushan and Archie with Rohan in the front splashing water to Goldie.

The area looks like a tropical jungle after all the rain we've been getting. It is a freak year this year. Very mild, cool and raining all the time.

Ollie helps Goldie dog over the creek. I think Goldie had a great time running around and being outside.

At the the Gloucester river, close to town. It's beautiful and full of water.

Laurens, Archie, Marie, Anke, and Bushan solve the world's problems a few at a time.

The centre of attention. Goldie barked half the way up, but got used to the car and was fairly quiet on the way down.
 

2022-January

 

I picked up a puzzle from Vinnies. Marie complained the whole time about 2nd hand puzzles, and how many pieces are missing, until we completed it and all the pieces were in there.

Popped over to Claudia and Jaime's for a random dinner and watch a movie, Encanto, a pretty good animation musical one.

Goldie and Augie racing around the park near the dog beach at Callan Park.

Goldie levitating.

At the dog beach for the first time with Goldie. She loved it, but didn't go very far in the water yet.

Popped over to Ceals to give some Xmas gifts, and stayed for dinner. Thanks Ceal, a nice time.

The boys at the Callan park.

Callan Park dog beach.

We love puzzles. This one was a cow. The pieces were double sided and turned through a 45, so totally confusing. Got it out eventually.