Vale Surrey Jacobs

Today it is 5 years since Surrey died leaving behind a host of bereft family and friends.

John Williamson's song "Flower on the water" was played at his funeral and could have been written for him. Surrey loved frangipanis and I had them in my bouquet when we were married. Listen to it again at http://youtu.be/itjYcO9Jsx0

We will not be visiting his tree as a family today but must find time to seek it out again soon. It is still doing well. And so are we... there are many things I need to talk to Surrey about and I just have to make up the answers. Maybe my answer is wrong but I do my best and hope he accepts it. However, I'm sure he'd love the new roof down at Underhill and all the consequences of that. I'm also sure he'd love to see how wonderfully Ellen and Geoff's families are progressing. I'm not so sure he'd love all the tidying I've done at home though.

The thing I miss most is just him, being there to have a hug, getting that all-knowing smile at something I've done (like tidying up or moving the furniture) and always a word or two of sense. I think, between us all we are still doing OK.

Rod said it all on facebook today...
"Today marks 5 years of the passing of my father in law and Mate Surrey.
He left a big mark on a lot of people's lives and I'm proud to say I was one of them. Today my thoughts go out with extra meaning to his immediate family today as I'm sure we/they will all shed a tear.
There is so much more I could say but I believe the song below says a lot it."
 http://youtu.be/itjYcO9Jsx0  

A busy time of year

If you are wondering why I've not been very communicative for a while it is because I now belong to four choirs for Christmas and have three students in the middle of exams and final projects (in fact last week I had five for two days).

Then there is also the garden to keep alive as it is my source of vegies and flowers for the table.

If you'd like to come to any of the choir performances just ring or email and I'll let you know what, where and when.

It is all fantastic but very very busy.

The Caravan saga ends

Last weekend the caravan was moved into place under the new roof at Underhill! The tyres were fixed but one went flat in the process so it was pumped up again. Then there was a mad rush to get the caravan moved before the tyre lost all its air again.

With a bit of landscaping around it, the caravan will look less raw.

Elaine and I met Geoff down there on Friday and busied ourselves with other tasks while waiting for the others to arrive on Saturday for the big caravan move. Elaine stockpiled metal scraps and black hoses. The next day Ev and Greg helped her clear fallen timber from the clearing. It is all looking a bit tidier now.

Nat and Karita came and Nat and Geoff had an interesting time slabbing the pecan trunk from my place.

Of course there was the usual comaraderie at meal times and another cute little flower was discovered by Ellie. I have not found what it is yet.

What about a Comesperma sphaerocarpum (thanks Karen)?

Thanks to all our friends for the help that made it all possible.