July flies by....

It only seems like yesterday since Bill returned to work hale & hearty once again, but as I sit here thinking about what we have been up to during the last few weeks, I realise that July has gone and we are a week into August already. Where does the time go and is it really a myth that is speeds up as we get older. Who knows but it sure seems that way.

We decided that after our month of rest it was time to get back out into the big wide world and so on the following Saturday we put on the walking shoes and the extra layers of clothes and headed off to explore the Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve. This park is not far from Bacchus Marsh and that was our first stop where we had a coffee and hit the Information centre to get some up to date trail maps. This done we continued just out of town where we stopped for a look at Merrimu Reservoir. It was lovely here overloooking the lake and with no one else to disturb us we had a lovely time soaking up the view, the sun and the peace. Lots of birds as well to keep Bill busy with his camera. The Robins and Galahs were the most colourful. From there we drove into the reserve itself and spent a couple of hours wandering around the walk tracks. The area here is famous for it's forest of Bull Mallee, the only Mallee south of the Great Dividing Range and a it is a very different forest to most I have seen. A wander round the Happy Valley track finished our day and once home we walked across to the Rising Sun for a good steak for dinner. We decided we had earned it. Sunday was a day of housework, broken by a visit to the markets to pick up something for dinner, before returning home to the heater for the rest of the day.

The working week saw Bill in Sydney for a few days and with the weekend coming up fast it time to decide what to do next. A very chilly forecast had us looking for indoor pursuits this time and we decided that the Comedy Theatre might be just the place to stay warm. We went along to see the Matinee performance of the Rock of Ages on Saturday. Just imagine mixing 'the 80's, a musical, a rock band & a comedy all together and see what you get. This was it and well what a hoot it was. Oh and very loud. So if you were a fan of the 80's check it out when it comes to your corner of the world.

Sunday was family day as we all gathered at Maree's place in Bonbeach for a welcome home lunch for Faye, Rem & Ethan who had just returned from their four years in the Netherlands. It was good to have them home again and we look forward to many more happy times together.

We had a bit of a reprieve from winter as the sun shone for a few days during the week breaking records for warm winter days & nights. It was a nice change from the very chilly weather but winter has returned and the coats and scarves are still on. We had a busy Saturday starting off with breakfast at Berth in Docklands. A look around Harbourtown and some shopping at Ken Duncan took care of the morning and we almost beat the rain as we headed home for the afternoon. We retraced our steps later that evening as we were meeting some friends for a night at the football. Essendon vs Sydney and boy what a game. Surely not good for any one's blood pressure but with a one point win to Essendon at least the four of us went home happy that night.

And so with July but a memory and already a week into August it's time to leave you all for now

until next time...........