Trees and Balloons

Over the past couple of years we have lost a few large branches from this Black Wattle in the back corner of our yard. The trunk is made up of three solid branches from the ground, one of these came down during a storm in January, we were lucky it came down parallel to our fence. Bill spent a number of weeks cutting it up, having his friend Bruce from work coming over with his chain saw to help, it was taking forever! Lachlan and I figured the rest of the tree needed to come down as it was not looking very solid. Bill had someone at work that did tree trimming on the side, but he decided it was too big a job for him. So Bill and Bruce figured they could hire a cherry picker and do it themselves. I knew that was recipe for disaster so called Trees are Us, got a quote on the Friday which was very reasonable and the following Friday they were came and cut down the tree. In two hours it was cut up, branches mulched and left behind for me to spread and a load of firewood for Bruce to collect! Our fence was still intact along with the neighbours and Bill was in one piece- would not have been if he did the job! These guys were very efficient and a job well done.

Monday morning was a holiday in Canberra so after walking the dogs went for ride into the lake to see if I could spot some of the balloons. It was a lovely morning and I found quite a few, there were lots of people out and about.

The Beagle Balloon was very popular and looked lovely up in the sky and then was tethered for a while.

Long Weekend at Avoca Beach

For probably the last 20 years the Australia Day Weekend has usually been spent in Bright, however this year we broke with tradition and the kids and I went up to Avoca Beach to visit Jos and Steve in their new place up there. Amy hadn't been so she and I drove up on the Friday in our new Hyundai i30 which was very comfortable. Lachlan joined us on the Saturday and we left Bill at home to look after the birds and the dogs. We had a very relaxing time up there but I didn't take many photos!

Friday night we enjoyed a cheese platter on the balcony overlooking the sea while we waited for Chris and Siobhan to arrive from Sydney- you can see it was a tough ask!

Charlie and Chloe are a bit tired after their walk down to the beach.

Saturday was Australia Day- we had a lamb roast on the BBQ- very Australian and very nice!

Chris,  Amy and I went for a walk along the beach one night so Amy at least got to see the beach.

We had a lovely relaxing time, nice to see the kids relaxing and enjoying cousin time, it was a lovely weekend.

New Car and Other Stuff

Lachlan brought Amy these cute little felt parrots for Christmas- they are so cute- I love them and Amy was delighted!

This is our little red Getz that we have had for around 8 or 9 years and the car Amy learnt to drive in and the we have shared for that period. There were a few things that needed fixing and we were tired of tying up the sun visor with a piece of string so decided it was time to upgrade. We got a 2016 Hyundai 130, we are very happy with it, it has a reversing camera, bluetooth, cruise control and a bit roomier- most importantly the sunvisor stays up and I can listen to ABC Canberra on the radio.

I was asked to go down for a speaking assignment at Merimbula Branch at short notice this week. So Bill and I drove down to Merimbula on Saturday and stayed overnight. It was 22 degrees in Merimbula and when we went for a walk on the beach I needed to put on a long sleeve shirt, it felt wonderful after a week of 40 degree days in Canberra! I spoke and Merimbula Branch Sunday morning then Bill and I headed back to Canberra, it was a nice little break away.

That is Bill in the water- too cold for me!

 Each time I go down to Merimbula I enjoy a walk along the boardwalk around the edge of the lake. It was a lovely morning.

Mallacoota

Bill, Lachlan and I went down to Malacoota for three nights between Christmas and New Year. Bill's two sisters and their families hire holiday houses down there over Christmas and January so it was a good chance to go down and catch up with them. It is approximately a 4 hour drive.

One morning Bill and I did a lovely walk along the edge of the lakes near Hilary and Stuart's house. It was a warm day but there was plenty of shade and being close to the water helped keep things a bit cooler as well.

While we were out walking, Lachlan went out on the boat with Hils and Stuey. They spotted us walking along the lake so pulled in close to say hello.

Bill walking in his fluro gear- no wonder they didn't have any trouble spotting us.

While they were out on the boat, Lachlan took over driving the boat so Hil's and Stuey did some trawling and caught 8 Taylors- they were very impressed with the good luck that Captain Lachlan brought them!

We did some other walks including one along the open ocean beach. It was a nice little break away and nice to catch up with Bill's side of the family.

Bird Themed Presents

Amy brought me a lovely scarf for Christmas, I wore it to church today. Has lovely bird wings over the scarf.

Lachlan gave Amy these very cute felt birds for Christmas that look very much like Beau and Lyra.

If Beau and Lyra ever have babies this is what they might look like!

Christmas 2018

I really like our quiet Christmas's at home and not having to go away- must be getting old! Not sure if we will ever have any grandchildren to bring the magic that little kids bring to Christmas but enjoy this stage of our life. For the last few years we have gone out somewhere nice for dinner Christmas Eve as a family. This year it was Blackfire in Braddon. A Mediterranean style cuisine, cooked on a fire pit or in a wood fired oven. I use the kid's board money to pay for the dinner, it is a present to them and a present to me not having to cook Christmas lunch. We then came home and opened presents with the 'grand birds'. Bill has always been a bit of a humbug about Christmas and never very enthusiastic about presents, but the last couple of years there has been a bit of a bird theme to his presents, so if you give him something with a macaw on it he is usually pretty enthusiastic!

Birds helping to unwrap the presents!

 Even Luna came to join us and see what was happening!

 We had Christmas Brunch on Christmas Day, nice and relaxed and nothing too difficult. A friend of Amy's who has recently moved to Canberra joined us. Mars was a real character, she had lots of stories to tell about working for Air Services and her life in Indonesia before she came to Australia for her schooling.

Christmas Lights at Sydney Temple

I was supposed to go up to the Sydney Temple on Friday night with my friend Louise but she came down with a sinus infection, I still went but on my own. I left Canberra around 5pm and the traffic on the road was pretty quiet. Once I arrived at the temple accommodation  I walked up to check out Temple Christmas Lights which I have been wanting to do for a long time. It was lovely seeing the temple all lit  up and the displays. 

I then headed back to the accommodation and had a good night sleep before heading to the temple early the next morning then driving back to Canberra, there was a lot more traffic on the way home. I enjoyed the time away by myself, a bit like a mini retreat, felt a lot more relaxed and ready for Christmas after having some time alone.