Underhill February Visit

Another day visit to Underhill after a month with 135mm of rain!

 

Geoff and Jen came down with me and we were met there by Terry and Ellie. It was nice to see the grass starting to grow a little and some of the fruit trees still alive. Unfortunately we have lost the Granny Smith (one of our earliest plantings) and one I have listed as a Court A. Plat apple (perhaps Court Pendu Plat) (planted in 1987).

  

In some places the grass was quite lush and green.

 

The big job of the day was to remove the metal pile for recycling. Terry and Ellie brought their trailer and Cal from nearby brought his front end loader. Between us we loaded the trailer and front bucket of Cal's tractor a few times and drove to a nearby block to add it to the stockpile ready for the recycling man to call. There was all the metal in this photo and an old fridge.

  

before 

  

after

Geoff and Jen went for a walk to the far dam which has at last come above the rectangular hole again. Perhaps something will now grow back around its edges?

  

Our total crop of fruit this year was one very small peach - it actually tasted beautiful but was tiny - and one quince which I forgot to pick before we left. Perhaps it will still be there next time. We don't usually pick them until March anyway.

 

My next visit is in March. Feel free to contact me and let me know if you'd like to come down any time.

Luke loves bubbles

 

A few weeks ago Luke and I had some time together at my house. One of the best activities was chasing bubbles in the backyard. The grass was Oh so Long but has now been mowed. Luke's hair has also had a cut and looks quite stunning in this photo.

 

Alex and Luke and I will be having some time together again soon, and even more time together after I retire.

Berry Show 2010

I have just returned home from a wonderful weekend with Rauri and Janice at Berry. It was the Berry Show weekend. Leonie and I went down Friday morning and between rain squalls were able to see the cattle judging, animal nursery, craft exhibits and promenade around the circuit. We spent a little time watching the ring events.

Rod entered the photography this year and received firsts and seconds as well as a 'Best in show' award for his portrait of Rauri asleep in his winter house. Unfortunately my photo of it only shows the certificates and ribbon, the flash reflected in Rod's beautiful photo.

  

  

The Friday night ring events and rodeo were cancelled due to rain so we returned to the farm to await the arrival of the Fussell family. Dinner was a wonderful meal of a chicken tagine and horissa made by Leonie. Iain arrived on the late train from Sydney. A game of trivial pursuit entertained us for the evening.

Saturday was very wet but we all ventured in to the show to see what we could. The boys were really interested in the woodchop event and animal nursery.

 

Lunch at home was Ellen's chicken and Greek salad accompanied by Moroccan leftovers. Most Saturday ring events were cancelled but we did see the last of the heavy horse trials and the bullock team sheltering in the grandstand.

  

 We then returned home to another wonderful dinner, this time Roger's moussaka and a game of Uno.

Leonie and I presented a hat to Janice so that she could feel as well dressed as Roger in his new hat.

Sunday morning it rained very heavily but by the time we had a great full English breakfast cooked by Roger it had eased enough to pack the car and Leonie, Iain and I headed for Sydney where the rain had obviously not been quite so bad.

Janice's Birthday Party

The Jacobs clan had a get together last weekend for a significant birthday party for Janice.

 

The grand-children were able to enjoy their annual play together, especially eyeing off the cake, flying kites and generally keeping busy.

The older ones had a little time between watching their offspring to chat and browse through the photo album I had made for Janice with pictures spanning each decade of her life.

Happy birthday Janice, Aunty Janice and Great Aunt Janice.

Underhill January Visit

Geoff came with me to Underhill this month. Luckily he remembered his camera because I forgot mine.

Our first stop was to visit Cal at Cal's Rock to enquire about getting our scrap metal pile to a metal recycler. We also dropped off Surrey's warmest clothes that are excess to requirements to use for fundraising at the next Bungonia Market. We had a cuppa and a chat then unloaded the clothes before heading on to the block.

We made an even bigger pile of scrap metal and sorted odds and ends before Cal dropped down to look at the pile.

We decided it was too hot to move it all this time but next time he'll bring down the scoop and take it all up to his place ready for the metal man.

Geoff watered the berry yard while I measure rain and noted other records - 72mm rain in the last month and the temperature range was 10-50 C. The only fruit this year is going to be quinces and desert limes if they hold on the trees and we have lost one of the better apple trees, eventually succumbing to the ringbarking by goats a few years ago and the following dry.

The drive back was really hot arriving to Geoff's in 44 C heat. Thank goodness for the car aircon.

Public Service Medal for Surrey

Today, Australia Day, Surrey's Public Service Medal award was announced. He knew about this award as he accepted the nomination back in September 2009. However, I am yet to see any evidence (certificate or medal) so cannot give you a picture here. None of the family have been invited to come and get it so I'm not sure when and if we'll see anything. He was listed in the Sydney Morning Herald and apparently there is to be a story in the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader today. I cannot find any reference in either newspaper online but have actually seen the Herald listing.

Congratulations are due to such a dedicated researcher. I will visit his grave today.

Beach Holiday

Last week I had a great summer holiday at Gerringong as we have done for maybe 15 years and before that at Mum and Dad's when they lived at Gerringong. We had the same two units we usually book. Geoff stayed down the whole week this year. Jen and Brad were able to spend a few days with him as well.

Ellen, Rod and the boys came for Saturday night and then were able to rearrange work commitments to come again from Wed. to Sat.

Karen and Alastair, Pernilla and Leonie also spent time down with us and Roger and Janice came for their 'annual beach holiday'.

 

Nola and Gherry came for lunch one day and we even met Dane and Bron at the shops this time.

There was the usual jigsaw puzzle set up but the corker was Janice's globe puzzle.

 

 

There was also a Take Two Tournament. But most of all there were lots of swims with some people seen in the surf for the first time in decades. Alex and Luke enjoyed rock pools, surfing and the river at Gerroa .

 

 

 

There were lots of fish and chip meals and other tasty meals together at a couple of different local haunts but most of all we had time to be together.

Surrey would be pleased that it all worked so well. Geoff and I remembered him as we threw some 'flowers on the water' - frangipani from the rock platform at Gerringong. There were a few shared tears.

 

A Tree Planting for Surrey

Yesterday Surrey's family, friends and colleagues planted a tree to commemorate his 38 years of work in botany.

 

It has been planted near some bamboos (one of Surrey's groups) and can be found using this map next time you are in the gardens. On Surrey's retirement a book of reminiscences was collated and presented to him when he was in hospital. I was able to read all the entries too him, a few each time I visited. He was astounded at the number of people who were able to contribute and loved the various stories. You can download a .pdf of this book here.

The tree planting morning was beautifully overcast but fine even though it was a little humid. The boys really did enjoy the planting part.

 

 

 

Surrey's family was represented by Betty (with Ellen and Geoff and grandboys) as well as his sisters Janice and Wendy (with Jim). Many dear friends were also able to join us.

The planting was followed by a wander down to the lily pond (another of Surrey's groups) where the boys were amazed by the huge carp that came to say hello.

Then there was a time for everyone to join us for morning tea in the herbarium ...

... and a last minute sort of a few things in Surrey's now very tidy room.

 

Thank you to all those who made the day so significant to many both now and for the future. We will certainly enjoy the excuse to wander through the gardens to see how Pa's tree progresses. I hope it lives long and strong. Thanks also to Leonie and Pernilla for these photos.

The Journey Begins

2009 was a long and difficult year! If you'd like to know more click here. This is a new blog for a new journey. I have also put a link to the old blog in the links column on the right. I also have a new email address but you will get a message from my old address and your messages to that address will be forwarded to me anyway so I won't miss them.

Today is our wedding anniversary so I intend spending the day with Surrey by sorting out our bedroom. I'm sure he won't need most of the things I find but I will be careful not to give away treasures and will look carefully so I don't miss hidden things.

Ellen and family and Geoff and Jen will come over later today and we'll share dinner together.