Saturday, October 5, 2019

Out and About

 Time to catch up on my blog.
This is a family of ducks on the Gordon Pond, this was a day or two after they were born I am sure. I will have to get another shot soon, I love walking down the pond and looking for them, counting that there are still 7 ducklings and then seeing how much they have grown.


 A week ago I went for a walk with my cycling buddies from Shepherds Lookout down to Uriarra Crossing and back up again. It was great to discover a new place in your own back yard and some great views of the Murrumbidgee.





Amy and  I went to Bunnings to get a few things, while were were there I picked up these $10 ear muffs that do a great job of dulling the noise of the macaws when they are in their noisy mode usually around 5pm when I am starting to get dinner ready!



Was out for one of my morning walks when I came across this wombat just sitting outside enjoyind the sunshine.


I have been on the committe organising Trek, had to head out on Saturday to take out some tables for the BBQ, was nice to head out and see them all coming in. Sounds like it was pretty tough. This is my nephew Charlie- I think he was smiling because Trek had finally come to an end.



This is my niece Mia-s he has done two treks now. It was good to see them all coming back after their adventure and catching up with quite a few different people. 


Sunday, September 15, 2019

Busy Weekend- Take A Break

Over the weekend we put on an activty at our church for the women. We called it Take A Break. On Friday night we had supper, Zumba, games and a room to chat and chill. I was responsible for the supper so called on my catering consultant ( my sister in law Bindi) for some ideas. I was rather impressed with myself after following her advice. We had some savoury platters and dessert platters came out rather well if I say so myself!




On Saturday we put on a lunch for all the sisters. My counselor Moana and her husband organised that and did an amazing job. We started setting up Friday night.



On Saturday with the food all on the tables it looked just amazing. Everyone was impressed and had a lovely time. It was nice to spoil the sisters and make them feel special.


Afterwards we had a presentation on Understanding and Caring for those with Anxiety and Depression which went really well. Then we headed back into the hall where the sisters were able to make up care packages for someone they thought would need a boost- it was a really lovely day- exhausting but so worthwhile.


Crazy Blue and Golds


These guys are so crazy and at times rather entertaining- here they are just hanging out!





Sping at Last

Nice to finally see signs of spring in the garden- have been trying to get out in the garden a bit more. On our trip back from Melbourne last month we called into the Yea Visitor's Centre- I brought the Kangaroo and Amy brought me the emu for my birthday and Christmas - I think they look good in my garden.



Couldn't resit this robot man at Aldi the other week, I now have some solar lights for his midriff as well.


Got some lovely hellebores when I finihsed up at work  so have planted them out


Pig face and daffodils


 Fruit tree blossoms


It is lovely walking around the Gordon  Pond and seeing the hills around us, I love where we live.


Spotted a family of ducks sunning themselves then going for a swim

I saw them the day before the little ducklings were so tiny



Sunday, September 1, 2019

Out With the Carpet in with Vinyl Floor Blanks

We have 25 year old carpet that is pretty grotty in our bedroom and in the study. Have been meaning ot replace it for ages but keep putting it off because of the big job of moving out furniture and packing up stuff. Finally got around to tackling the job and last week got the job done and very happy with the results. So much more pracitcal with dogs and birds and untidy humans in the house



 This was the study all cleared out


This was our lounge room full of all the stuff from two rooms- can't believe how much stuff we had!

  
The bedroom all cleared out


Our new flooring- very happy with it


Now it it taking a bit of time to set things back up as we are trying to sort through and get rid of some of the stuff we have accumulated.

Saturday, August 31, 2019

August Catch Up

Things have been a little hectic so haven't been keeping up with my blog. These photos will give an idea of what has been happening this month of August. It has been a rather stressful month, Amy and I both resigned from our jobs after a rather stressful situation with Senior Management. Resigning after being there for 13 years was not a good way to finish but felt I couldn't stay on there after the way Amy was treated. I had to work out 4 weeks notice which was not easy.
On my last day of work Amy ended up in a lot of pain and feeling really awful so I ended up having to take her to see an after hours doctor and then a visit to the hospital for pain killers and fluids- it was a long night.



  Amy at Canberra Hospital- 5:09am, she was starting to feel a little more human after the fluids. We eventually went home about 9am that morning. 


 Here we are 48 hours later- we had a trip to Melbourne planned to visit my mum but after Amy's hospital episode we weren't sure if we could still go. However after a good rest and the fact we were breaking the drive at Rutherglen we decided she was up to it  with lots of short stops to get out and stretch. We stopped for lunch at the Long Track Cafe at Jugiong and enjoyed a yummy toasted sandwhich. It was lovely sitting in the sunshine.


We stayed at Amberesque a lovely Bed and Breakfast in Rutherglen where we have stayed twice before. We enjyoed a lovely cheese platter on arrival and later enjoyed sitting down by the open fire.


In the morning I went for a walk around the town and Lake King. 


Around Lake King there were lots of interesting collections of rocks 


On the Friday we drove to Melbourne. We were staying at Mantra on the Park  up at the top of Exhibtion Street overlooking the Carlton Gardens and the Exhibition Building. Mum caught the train into Melbourne and joined us for the night. We had a very comfortable two bedroom apartment. We had dinner down on Lygon Street.


Saturday morning I walked down to the Queen VIctoria Markets and picked up some supplies for breakfast. We had a relaxing morning in our apartment then walked down and visited the State Library. We walked down the Markets and Amy went for a wander, we enjoyed some time just sitting in the sun and then caught a tram back down Elizabeth Street and walked up Lonsdale Street to our hotel and picked up the car and drove out to mum's at Berwick were we stayed the night.


We caught up with family for dinner which was lovely. Sunday night Amy and I headed to the Yarra Valley where we stayed the night. Monday we visited the  Yarra Valley Chocolaterier, the Yarra Valley Dairy and then called into Yea. We loved how green everything was- poor old Canberra is very dry.



A hot chocolate and chimney cake


I have seen the sign to some Wetland Walks in Yea and finally had the time to stop and explore and were so glad we did. It was about a 20 minute walk with board walks and swing bridges, we spotted some lovely little birds and heard lots of frogs. We chatted with the very friendly ladies in the Visitors Centre and shop and they had some lovely things for sale as well.



 Monday night we stayed in Albury, I went for a walk in the morning and went through the Botanic Gardens and found this magnificent dinasour in the Children's Section.


We headed for home on Tuesday and had a picnic lunch at the Dog on the Tuckerbox at Gundagai


The Dog on the Tuckerbox was recently vandalised and had to be taken away for repairs and had just been put back in place on Sunday so we had to call in for a visit. Has been a traditional stopping off point on our trips between Canberra and Melbourne.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Zonta- Birthing Kit Packing

For a number of years now our church helps out Zonta Breakfast Club- a women's organisation pack birthing kits for women in developing countries. It is such a worthwhile cause and you walk into the room and see people from the community and our church working away packing these kits it just feels so good. Last year they packed 3000 kits and this year the target was 4000 kits and we achieved that. The Zonta ladies are so organised and it is such a pleasure to work with them.