Off to Darwin.......

Wow, I'm loving this life in retirement.  Bill had a couple of days work to do in Darwin and so without any fuss or bother I was going too.  Excitement plus! 

An early start saw us on the plane at 8.35 and we left a chilly Melbourne arriving in Darwin at lunchtime to a cloudless blue sky and 35 deg.  While here we are staying with Nolan and Josie and looking forward to to catching up again after more than two years since our last visit.

Our hosts had planned our weekend and so after Bill had done a couple of hours work we were all on our way to Adelaide River where we are spending the next three days.  Nolan, Josie and Malibu in their caravan and Bill and I in a cabin.  On arrival we both settled in before reconvening for a drink under their awning.

We then joined them in their evening ritual of sunset drinks and so followed them to the top of the only hill in town, just 5 mins away and with a drink in hand watched a lovely sunset.  As we sat there in the afterglow the breeze came in and we enjoyed the cool change.

Back at home Nolan and Josie prepared a delicious dinner of stir fried king prawns and I took control of the sorting the Turkish bread in the 'Virgin' oven.  They have had the van for eight years and never turned the oven on.  Well, it's been done now and works a treat!

Of course our evening was continued with a drink or two and lots of chatting around the table after Josie and I had taken care of the dishes!

After a few quite hours around the table we headed back to our cabin, our air conditioning and most importantly, our bed.

Goodnight all, see you tomorrow..........

Hot Rod fun at Jamieson.......

On our last trip to Jamieson we had seen adverts for the High Country Muster (Hot Rods not Horses) in a few weeks.  We decided that this might be a bit of fun so we booked in to our favorite little cottage and drove up the following Friday afternoon.

We had dinner at Mansfield and arrived in Jamieson around 8pm.  Freddie and Angie took us in again for coffee and we met two of their friends who were staying, another photographer so of course Bill, Freddie and David were lost to Techniques etc. while the ladies enjoyed a natter of a different kind.  It was a couple hours later we arrived at our cottage ready for the Hot Rods in the morning.

The little town was abuzz with all the amazing cars parked along the kerbs and people everywhere.  The Memorial Hall was set up to feed the many Hot Rod members breakfast, lunch and dinner all cooked by various groups like CFA and the local school.

There was a wide variety of models, colours, decals and drivers.  During the day there were a number of other events some involving the cars others not.  The Cow Poo Lotto comes to mind though we did manage to miss this illustrious event.

We drove into Mansfield for some shopping and had a look around town before we returned to Jamieson in time for the main event.  Wokkas Cruise, is a parade of cars driving through the town. This was to run for one hour and I wondered how this could last that long as I can walk around the town in 30 mins.  The cars just drive round and round and everyone enjoyed the spectacle.  

There were many changes of drivers and passengers as they did their laps but I have to say that the most unusual passenger of the day was the Goose in one of the cars with three girls.  And it was quite happy to pose for photos too.

During this time Freddie took me into the Memorial hall where there was a display of all the posters for the previous seven years.  Each year the poster is done by the same artist and always features one of Jamiesons highlights.  This years it was Masters Hut.

Dinner at the completed a fun day at the Hot Rod Muster and then it was home for an evening in front of the fire.  Even though it had been a glorious day it was a very chilly night.  The next morning we enjoyed a leisurely start to the day before saying goodbye to our hosts at 10.00am and driving into town for the final event.  

The Duck race on the Jamieson River was billed as a highlight but I think the waders were the best to watch as they tried to stop all the little yellow rubber ducks getting away.  I'm sure more than one of them will end up in Lake Eildon.  It must have been freezing in the water for the poor girl that fell right in.

After all that excitement it was time to say goodbye to Jamieson again and rather than take the same route home we decided to drive home through Whitfield and the King Valley.  We stopped to look at Powers Lookout and walked down and up to the second lookout.   Since our last visit here many years ago they have put in new stairs making the descents and ascents much easier to negotiate though once out there it is still pretty hair raising looking over the edge to the valley below.  A remarkable view though and well worth the climb.

We stopped at Whitfield for lunch and found a tiny town where all roads lead to the Whitty Cafe.  We drove though to Cheshunt and then followed our noses home from there stopping at Euroa for a quick break.  A couple of hours later we were home again and this time the washing could wait until tomorrow.

During the following week Faye and Ethan met me in town and we took Ethan to see the Dreamworks Exhibition at ACMI.  He enjoyed it, especially the hands on computers where he could change sounds, features and special effects.  I enjoyed it again this time through the eyes of a child.  

After a yummy lunch in Federation Square we returned inside where we had a look ACMI’s permanent exhibition, Screen Worlds, The Story of Film, Television and Digital Culture.  It is here you will see a number of Oscar Winning film exhibits, early Australia TV shows and of course the kids just love the computer games.  Ethan played a Super Mario Brothers racing game with another boy.  Unfortunately the machine won but Ethan nearly caught up.

The next day I met Emily for lunch and then it was home to get ready for our next adventure.  We were off to Darwin for a few days of fun in the sun.

Until then..........

Football and Birdies at Linton.......

This week started quietly with Bill at work and me enjoying the freedom.  Sandra returned from Perth on Wednesday and so joined me on a train trip to Chelsea where we met Bill and his family to celebrate his birthday.  No zeros for him yet!  We enjoyed a tasty meal at the RSL and thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone again.

The next night Sandra had put in an order for something to be cooked in my newly acquired Pressure Cooker.  She had bought me a cookbook the week before and chose a Chicken, Leek and Apple Pudding to be our dinner.  I really was not sure how this would go but nothing ventured, nothing gained so they say, so I shopped on Thursday afternoon and came home to create.  It was yummy, cooked to perfection and so big we had enough to take with us to Linton the next night.  

Sandra returned to Perth on Friday and Bill got away early on Friday and we were on our way to Linton for a weekend with the birdies.   The following morning after a quiet start we drove around to Devils Kitchen to see if the Peregrine Falcons were there.  Just as we were leaving one flew in and entertained us for a few minutes before settling down on the rocks.  

As it was AFL Grand Final day again we decided that we would return to the pub to watch the big event again.  This is our third visit there to see a football game and a couple of the locals recognised us this time.  Not sure if that is a good or a bad thing but we enjoyed the afternoon of country hospitality.  The game however was quite boring and we left at three quarter time and returned to the peace perfect peace of the campsite.

We woke the next morning to a fine but much windier day but before much longer it had really picked up and was blowing the trees around madly.  We went for a walk through some of the many acres of woodlands but the birdies were all tucked up somewhere out of the wind.  We did come across this monument to the man who donated the land to Birdlife, something we had not seen before.

Arriving back to the van we found the wind playing havoc with the awning so decided it was time to pack up and head for home.  The wind continued to get wilder as we went and on the way home we had one tree branch hit the car and take a light out.  A bit scary but all was well and we have fixed the light.

We had enjoyed our first trip out in the van since Kangaroo Island but the wind did not play nice.  Better luck next time!  

Until then..........

It's another BIG birthday....and other things

Yep time creeps up on us all and this year was Maree's ?0th.  Suffice to say she has finally caught up to me but I still won't tell. Mum says she feels very old now that the first of her children have hit the big one!

We had a lovely night with the family celebrating at a lovely Chinese Restaurant in Clayton.  Maree loved her present, one of Bill's favorite photos from Norfolk Island.  Dinner was delicious and afterwards we all drove back to Faye's place for birthday cake and coffee.  The next day we just chilled at home waiting for the working week to start again.  

Bill travelled and I spent the week meeting and greeting folk as they came into the office - sure beats solving all their problems.

On Friday night some of us from work decided that we needed a night out and so enjoyed a lovely dinner at Kitchen Workshop at Crown.  This is a buffet which includes prawns and oysters and deserts to die for.  Of course we all ate too much as usual but enjoyed a fun night out.  For me it was my last night out with the guys and girls I have worked with for many years as I only had three more days to go and then it was 'all over Red Rover'.  Yep, I was retiring!

And so on Tuesday I walked to work for the last time, walked home as usual and felt very strange not having to 'ring in sick' the next morning when I didn't get up!  I did get used to it rather quickly though so no need to worry about me.

My first weekend in retirement saw Cheryl and Shane come to stay on Friday night as we were attending a show at The Palms in Crown.  Two weeks in a row when we haven't set foot in the place for years.  We had dinner first, a yummy Italian meal at Cervo and then made our way to our seats.  The show was a Bee Gees Tribute, Stayin Alive 14, and was excellent.  Back at home we enjoyed a drink before finally going to bed after lots of chatter.

The following morning I cooked breakfast and we just relaxed until it was time for our visitors to hit the road as they had a Grandson's birthday to attend.  Bill and I then walked to the market to shop for the dinner I was to cook that night as Astrid and Hans were visiting from Chum Creek.  Goodness me I was never this busy at work!  

Our guests arrived late afternoon and we enjoyed a drink and loved hearing all about their wonderful trip to America and Canada.  The photos were fabulous and the stories fascinating.  Dinner was pretty good too, even if I do say so myself!  

The next day started bright and sunny so we caught the tram to South Melbourne Beach and enjoyed a walk along the Esplanade to St Kilda.  We ate our sandwich in the park watching the Kids enjoying the pony rides on this glorious day.  

A look at the Esplanade Market as we wandered along, a coffee in Acland St. and then it was back on the tram for the ride home via the city centre.  Leftovers for dinner meant I didn't have to cook again!

The cooking continued the following week as Sandra visited from Perth.  She was here for work and staying around the corner in a hotel on St Kilda Rd.  I cooked dinner for us all on Monday night and then each night after for Sandra and I as Bill travelled to Sydney for the rest of the week.  I thoroughly enjoyed the planning, shopping and cooking and I think I surprised our guest more than once.

So between big birthdays, retirement and visitors I haven't had a moment to stop and smell the roses - I love it.  

Looking forward to what come next............

Weekends in the country.......

are becoming our most favorite thing to do after a hard week at work.  This weekend we were off to spend a couple of  days with Cheryl and Shane in St Leonards.  We arrived on Saturday afternoon and before too long were enjoying a glass of bubbles and a very tasty nibbles platter as we caught up on each others adventures of the last few months.

That evening we all changed into our glad rags and drove to the Jack Rabbit Winery to have dinner in their newly renovated restaurant.  It was a delicious meal and the only thing missing was a view out of the huge windows.  There are no lights on a dark night in the bush!  Back at home we all ate and drank some more as we solved the problems of the world until the wee small hours when we all went to sleep.

Shane cooked us a yummy breakfast on Sunday morning and then we jumped in the car and drove to Barwon Heads.  We enjoyed a walk along the beach and climbed the steps to the top for a walk back through the caravan park.  One to add to the list I think!  For those of you that watched the ABC series Sea Change it was here that it was made.  It is a lovely spot situated on the Barwon River and over the sandbar is the bay.  I think the guys we saw on paddle boards that morning were crazy - it was freezing!

Returning home we had a delicious lunch prepared by the two 'Chefs' Cheryl and Shane and then all to soon it was time to say goodbye again and head back to the big smoke.

The following week we decided that we would escape the city again and so got up early on Saturday Morning and drove to Jamieson.  Our favourite place was all booked out so after a yummy lunch at Deb's Cafe we drove back to Mansfield to find a bed for the night

The first couple of places were full so after a visit to the Information centre we headed to Highton Manor and found a very unusual Castle like building on the outskirts of the town.  We spent the night in 'The Grande Suite' and it certainly was an apt description.  A lovely big room with period furniture, a huge bathroom and a beautiful view to complete the package.

After settling in we drove into town for dinner at the Mansfield Pub, always good food, and not long after we were home again and turning in after a big day out.  We woke the next morning to another beautiful day and after breakfast hit the road again and made our way towards the city.

Our first stop was for morning tea at 'The Giddy Goat' in Yarck.  This was somewhere we usually just drive past but with such good reviews we had to give it a go.  We found a really quirky little cafe in a tiny town and it was packed.  Obviously lots of other people have heard about it too.

From Yarck we made our way across to Alexandra to have a look and from there decided to drive home via Marysville and Warburton.  This was a very long way home but something very different from our usual trips back and forth.  We enjoyed our tour of the countryside but were actually glad to arrive home and be able just to sit for the rest of the evening.

After two weekends away we would be remaining home next week as we had a big birthday to attend.

So until then..........

A flying visit......

After our few weekends at home it was time to hit the road again, figuratively speaking that is.  Bill was going to Perth for work and so I decided to join him for the weekend.  I was concerned that if I didn't go now I would not see any of the kids until Christmas.  We stayed with Anne and Paul arriving about 9pm on Friday night and enjoyed catching up before bed.  We all had a good natter over breakfast the next morning and then it was time for us to hit the road for a day with the kids.

We drove up to visit Taegen and Gareth and loved the couple of hours we spent with them at home.  We all drove down to the Hilary's Marina and had a light lunch before jumping in the car again and heading south to see David, Sarah, Corbyn and Amelie.

We spent a nice relaxed afternoon with everyone, listening to Corbyn learning to play the guitar, hearing all about school from Amélie and watching David and Sarah's first two episodes of the Web series they had made.  

In English Please was written and directed by David with Sarah and a group of friends acting the main characters in this 6 part web series.  We loved the episodes we saw and of course watched the next 4 as they were released.  It was very good and some weeks later was entered into the Indi Webfest in Vancouver where it won a prize.

A few months before this they had won Best Sound Design in the My Rode Reel International Short Film Competition for a short movie on Sound called Boom.

And just last week (October) they have an entry in the Colchester Film Festival with a little 10 min movie called Green With Envy.  Being Mum I have been lucky enough to have a sneak peek of this one and loved the very quirky little piece.  We are very proud of what they are doing and wish them lots of luck in this latest competition.

We enjoyed Chinese take away for dinner with everyone and soon after it was time to say goodbye again and head back to Anne and Paul's place.  It was a great day with the family and only a few months now until we are back for Christmas.

On Sunday we spent the day with Anne and Paul going down to Fremantle to have a look at the Sea Princess which was in port.  They had booked a berth on it's next cruise in a fortnights time and were interested in seeing what the ship looked like. Very impressive on a fine sunny day.

As we walked over the footbridge to get closer we had a quick look at the hot rod show in the car park below.   We had lunch at the E Shed Market and then it was time to head back home to pack and head off to the airport for our flight home.

Back at home it was business as usual during the next week and another reasonably quiet weekend the next week.  On Saturday Bill felt the need to get the camera out so we spent the afternoon at the Werribee Treatment Plant, dinner at the Blue Room finished of a lovely day.

On Sunday afternoon we walked across to The Rising Sun in South Melbourne to see Shiraz play in the pubs first Jazz Sunday for some time.  It was a great afternoon and these young guys are just brilliant.

Back at home it was dinner, bed and work tomorrow- until next time.........

Another big weekend at home.......

Still doing weekends at home but this one was a little busier.  We decided to find our inner child on Saturday morning and made our way to Federation Square to see the Dreamworks Exhibition at ACMI.

We spent a fun filled couple of hours wandering through the exhibits showcasing How to Train your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, Shrek, Wallace and Grommet and many others, some I hadn't even heard of.  One very popular exhibit was an old favorite Madagascar and yes, of course the penguins were there too.

Each exhibit showed how the ideas were taken from a story book to become the animated movies they are now.  Examples of brainstorming work benches, pitching the storyline, matching the music, making the models and lots more were all on display for people to see.  A number of computers allowed the kids to become involved in the process of lighting, special effects and sound.  Judging by the numbers of little people lined up they all seemed to enjoy it.

Leaving Federation Square we made our way to have lunch at Lorca's before coming home via the markets to pick up some things for dinner that night.  Bill was my guinea pig again and The easy Maryland Roast was delicious!

The next morning we were up bright and early as we were having a visit from Jo.  The night before we had a message to say she was in town and would like to catch up.  It had been a few years since we had seen her and we were looking forward to catching up again.  Jo and her family have returned from living overseas in Asia for the last 8 years and home is now 40 acres near Bendigo.

After a cup of tea at home we made our way up to Panette's in South Melbourne to have brunch and a good old fashioned catch up.  All too soon it was time for Jo to leave to make her way back to Trevor and the kids.

Our day was still not over yet.  We made our way into the city to meet our friends from Adelaide for dinner that night.  Grant and Jill were in town for the football with another couple and we were all having dinner together.  After drinks at Young and Jacksons we walked across the river to have dinner at The Blue Train.  Lots of good food, wine and good times as we all caught up again.  It was a fun night and we walked home to help negate some of the damage all of that food would do.

And so as the weekend came to an end and we prepared for another week at work I can only say

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

On the home front...........

Things were back to normal after our big trip.  During the week it was back to work and the next weekend Anne and Paul were visiting from Perth so on Sunday we all met at Faye's place for a barbecue lunch.  It was really great to see everyone again and there was lots of fun and frivolity as we spent the afternoon together.

The next few weeks Bill spent his weeks interstate and I spent my days at work.  We spent our weekends quietly at home. Saturday's were spent in Melbourne where once again we came across 'The Stone Men' performing in the mall.  Really not sure how they could hold these poses for so long.  They attracted quite a crowd!  Our Sunday's were visits to the market and home to create with whatever we bought.  Bill has been a willing guinea pig as I try out new recipes.

During one week the guys and girls from work decided that we needed to have a night out.  We had won an award of some sort during June and had some money to spend.  As there were big changes in the offing we decided not to leave it any longer and organized a night out at Byblos. We had a wonderful Middle Eastern Banquet and enjoyed a night of fun away from the office.   Shame we didnt think of a photo until it was time to leave!

The following Saturday night we visited friends in Rowville and had dinner with Ben and Jennifer and their family of four boys. They have just moved into their new home and it was lovely though very big.  I shudder at the thought of all that housework.  I do like my compact little apartment when it's time to vacuum and wash the floors!

Our third weekend at home saw us wander into town on Saturday where we decided to see if we could get tickets to see the King and I that night.  We could and so we did go and I have to say it was a superb production with Lisa McCune and Lou Diamond Philips playing Anna and the King.  The cast of children were delightful and the whole thing was just an extravaganza of colour and fun.   We finished the evening with coffee and cake at Pellegrini's before going home to bed.

South Melbourne markets, lunch at Panette's and more experiments in the kitchen took care of Sunday and all too soon it was time to get ready for another week at work.  And so on that note I think it's time to leave it here for a while

until next time........

Saying goodbye to Kangaroo Island........

The alarm geese woke us again for the last time and not long after we had breakfast finished and the camper packed down ready for the long drive ahead.  One last coffee and then we were on our way driving straight through to Penneshaw to catch the ferry back to the mainland.

Arriving very early we decided to ask if we could move our booking forward and catch the earlier ferry rather than just hang around until later.  The answer was yes so we only had to fill in 30 mins before it was time to board.

It was a glorious day and the sea was calm this time so we spent the 45 min crossing up on deck enjoying the views both front and back.

Arriving at Cape Jervis we were soon off and on our way up the hill.  As we were earlier than planned we decided to keep driving a bit further and so drove on to Victor Harbour where we found a lovely caravan park right on the beach.

Once set up we took a walk along the beach into the little town and back again.  It was great to stretch the legs after a long day in the car.  

The following morning we set off fairly early and drove back through Goolwa and Strathalbyn before crossing the Murray river at Wellington.  We stopped at Coonalpyn for lunch and found a very interesting history of the area at the rest stop.

Leaving the hwy before Keith we continued our drive through the The Limestone Coast vineyards stopping at Naracorte for a coffee.  This drive took us past many vineyards we recognised and I think we will have to visit again with time to spare.

Our final stop was Edenhope where we made our way to the caravan park and settled in for our last night on the road.  We had time to take a walk along the banks of Lake Wallace and wander out to the end of the pier to see the 'pond' in the middle of this huge area. Apparently kids had been jumping off the pier over summer but now in June the water had receded to just a pond in the middle.

Our final morning was a very chilly start to the day and even though the sun shone the temp had not moved much since waking up.  We packed up for the last time this trip and pointed the car towards home for another long days driving stopping at Ararat for lunch.  Another comfort break in Beaufort had us scratching our heads over the Art Display in the container - a new concept to bring Art to the country towns.

From there it was straight back to Braeside to park our trusty camper and soon after we were back home.  We arrived back on the long weekend so had a day at home sorting ourselves out before having to return to work on Tuesday.  

We had had a wonderful time and even though I certainly had my reservations about camping In winter I can tell you now that I loved every moment of it.  

And so as we return to the daily routine I can only say - until next time.........