The Big Sort

After Tuesday's efforts with my helper Kim we have now done major sorts in all downstairs rooms except the dining room which is an absolute mess. That is where we dump everything not needed in each room as we find it. The front hall has now gone from this:

To this:

A lick of paint and removal of stuff from corners, some reframed paintings and, hey presto! It is so much brighter and you can actually see when you walk into the house. When eventually I get Council permission for the new clear roof on the front porch outside there will be even more light.

I am slowly finding good homes for a lot of Surrey's treasures like his darkroom equipment, film cameras and botany books which is helping to make a little more space.

Underhill in June

Last weekend Liz G and I drove down to Underhill together and arrived at about 10 am to find Terry and Ellie enjoying their cuppa at the gate while they waited for us. Greg and Ev arrived by about 11:30 am. It was a fine, still day, a pleasant change after a week of heavy rain in Sydney. We all worked really hard on raking and burning off while Terry set to work chainsawing stumps and logs to tidy the area opposite the loos and at our end of the drive.

Lots of time was also spent stacking the cut firewood.

Before dark Terry helped me attach the 12V sockets to an extension cord and, joy oh joy, the lights in the shed and dining area work again, having stopped working when we sold Surrey's old car with the extra battery for our solar lighting. The power now comes from the battery in the caravan which is trickle charged by a small solar panel that we had set up for Surrey's CPAP machine a few years ago.

After an early dinner Terry and Ellie left for home and because it was dark and we were all so tired we had a very early night (8:30 pm!)

Up by about 6:30 am to another beautiful, still, fine day. Once the fires were alight and coffee and tea and breakfast made Greg was willing to try lifting the fallen bee hive while it was still quite cold. Wow! It worked! Some of the bees that later appeared were a little confused but plenty were getting back into the hive after returning from their foraging.

Greg and I spent some time clearing the dead blackberry stems from the dog yard and burning them off.

The whole clearing is now looking much tidier.

We then investigated the runoff line to the top dam and Greg cleared a 'creek line' so that the runoff from the block above us could reach the dam better. We'll see if it works any better next time if the dam fills a little better.

We all left after an early lunch, Greg taking home a very sick Ev who had the flu. Liz and I had an easy drive home but as soon as we pulled into the house in Sydney the rain started again!

Thank you Terry and Ellie, Greg and Ev, an Liz for all your work and for helping to renew my passion for our Underhill.

A Weekend at Jasper's Brush

Last Friday Stef, Gav and I left home at about 9am. Our first stop was to collect my diary which I had left at Ellen's (I'd been without it all week!). Then I decided we should take it easy on the way to Berry and see a few tourist attractions.

Our first stop was at Sublime Point Lookout where, despite the overcast day, we were able to see quite a long way.

On down Mt Ousley to Kiama. There we stopped to have tea at Boat Harbour. Stef was super impressed by the pelicans. We bought prawns at the Fish Market to have later at Berry. We walked up to the Blowhole and it was actually blowing! Lots of fun was had trying to get a photo of it.

Then on to Werri Beach at Gerringong for a lunch of fish and chips for the second day in a row. We'd gone down to Ramsgate on Thursday and sat by Botany Bay on a dull overcast day to remind Stef and Gav why they came to Australia.

From Gerringong we headed to Berry and spent a few hours browsing the shops. I met Janice by chance but she had to return to work. We arrived at Janice and Rauri's by about 4pm and enjoyed an evening together with dinner slightly delayed by dogs chasing cows. Michael and Elaine called for a cuppa on their way further south for the weekend.

Saturday morning was fine enough for Rauri and I to weed the turkey yard while Gav (a carpenter) planed and rehung various doors that were sticking or not closing properly. Stef swept the verandah walls and floor and it all now looks quite tidy. A good morning's work by all while Janice went to Mollymook for another engagement.

The rain in the afternoon meant we spent it indoors chatting and cooking.

After a lot of rain overnight we woke to an overcast and very colourful sunrise.

After breakfast Gav was able to do a bit of chainsawing then we headed home before the predicted big storm actually arrived. In all we enjoyed our weekend and I think Stef and Gav could have stayed for weeks. Maybe there'll be another chance.

A Busy Day

Today Gav helped me hang some of the pictures in my bedroom.

All that remains to be done there is to make some curtains and hang a few pictures on the other walls when I find them amongst the mess in the rest of the house.

Gav even helped me reinforce the shoe rack so it is now quite sturdy and does not threaten to collapse when I put shoes on it.

Note the new blind on the window. I thought it might have been OK without curtains but I think it looks too bare so I will make some up soon to soften the window.

Thanks Gav! I now feel the bedroom is about done. I have tidied it all out, cleaned it and had it painted. But I have left lots of reminders of Surrey including his best hat, his photo, his two huge Snowy River photos he had printed on canvas and the botanical drawings of Austrostipa bettyae and Eragrostis jacobsiana.

One dull Monday

On Monday the boys and I had a day at home. It threatened with rain all day so we had indoor activities but were able to do some shopping for Ma and play on the trampoline for a little while.

There was a little more TV than usually as we had all had a very busy camping weekend and were quite tired.

Mel came with Taisha who just loved playing with the track and trains so we made a large layout together.

A favourite game on rainy days is to make a cubby house with the furniture and blankets so we had a lot of fun with that. Then the boys used the cubby house to play catch over. I had lots of fun trying to get an action shot with my camera that has a long delay as the default setting.

We had a long day together but I left to get dinner at home this time before my choir practice later that evening.

Underhill May visit

We enjoyed a busy family weekend at Underhill this month.

Geoff and Jen and Ellen, Rod, the boys and Jess all came and stayed over. Rod could not make it down until Saturday evening after he had finished work so he came in his own car. We also had Ellen and Rod's friends Belinda and James with their children Ryan (4) and Cara (2). Then there were Stef (Bron's niece) and partner Gav who arrived from Wolverhampton (via Thailand) on Friday. What a crowd! Nine adults and four children! There was quite a nest of cars to bring us all.

The first job was to clear tent sites. Then dinner for all had to be prepared. Ellen and Belinda took care of dinners and lunches and Geoff and Jen brought morning and afternoon teas so we were extremely well fed.

Geoff even made damper in the camp oven and it was delicious.

We spent a lot of time sitting around the fire and playing in the dirt. There were walks and tents and kids camping.

It was strange without Surrey. But to see Alex sitting by the fire in typical Surrey pose, quite relaxed with the whole scene was great. Without Surrey I had to keep thinking about the stove (keeping it alight) and kettles (keeping them full). Geoff rescued me quite a few times with those chores. I also had a lot more washing up to do - Surrey usually did most of that as well.

In all it was a fabulous weekend and I am so glad that we were able to have such a crowd, reminiscent of the crowds of kids and adults we often had when our own kids were young.

Concert this Sunday

Here is the flier for our concert this Sunday. If you would like to come I have 4 tickets to give away. Otherwise tickets are available at the door.

Mother's Days

I was very lucky this year to have three Mother's Days!

First there was dinner with Geoff and Jen at Portobello in Ramsgate. The food was great, the company even greater. We came home absolutely full of delicious food and even found room for dessert. We shared all our choices so that we could taste what everything was like and played musical plates. Thanks Geoff and Jen.

Next there was a day with Mum at her unit. She even cooked the lunch. Thanks Mum. Desley and Cath were also able to come.

Then on Monday it was regular babysitting day with Alex and Luke so I decided to take them by train into Custom's House (City of Sydney Library). Rod only had a few deliveries to do so was able to come in with us too which meant we could fit more into our day than if it was just the boys and myself.

First there was a picnic at Circular Quay of chips, sandwiches (from home) and drinks. We had to keep the seagulls and ibis away from our food.

Then there was the model of Sydney at Custom's House. The boys (all three) thought it was fantastic and were entertained for almost an hour just crawling around the floor. There were also some cool videos by Keith Loutit that made Sydney Harbour look like a model layout.

At that point I had intended coming home but with Rod we were able to continue on our adventure. We had yummy ice creams.

Then Alex wanted to see the Opera House.

We even saw people walking on top of the Harbour Bridge.

Then we followed the red train in the Botanic Gardens to Surrey's tree.

And Alex even sat up high in the branch of another huge tree which was very exciting.

Two tired boys and two tired adults then walked on to Martin Place station and hopped straight on a train back to the car at Sutherland.

After an exhausting day Ellen and Rod cooked a Mother's Day dinner for me - home made meat pie, chips and peas. It was yummy after a long day. Thanks Ellen and Rod.

Then I had to go to Choir practice in the evening so by the time I got home I just flopped into bed exhausted. What wonderful Mother's Days!

Public Service Medal for Surrey

Last Wednesday Geoff, Janice, Karen and I went to the award ceremony for Surrey's Public Service Medal.

There was lots of pomp and ceremony but the best bit was hearing all the stories about why each person received their award. At this particular function there were about 50 awardees.

After the ceremony we were treated to drinks and finger food in the grounds of Government House. After that we were again treated to a beautiful lunch at the Mint Cafe where Geoff's friend Mic is the chef. Thanks Mic for topping off our very special day.

The award included a certificate and an array of medals for different occasions.

Congratulations to Surrey who well deserved this award.

What a great weekend!

Yesterday friends of Surrey's came to retrieve some of his treasures before I dispose of just the few bits and pieces I have sorted out so far. Thank you to all those who came, brought nibbles and wine and stayed to chat for a while. I can get on with sorting the next cupboard and see what it holds now that the floors in the front of the house are a bit clearer.

Today I went to the Mitchell Library for their One Hundred exhibition with friend Robyn. What a lovely way to spend a relaxing afternoon chatting over memories and experiences triggered by the items in the exhibition. Thanks Robyn.