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.

Underhill achievements

We had a very busy long weekend at Underhill during October. There was a great crowd including Elaine, Greg, Ev, Anne and Terry.

Geoff, Jen, Keogh, Nathan, Karita and Brad arrived on the Saturday and stayed on till the Monday.

There were lots of jobs done including a chimney repair and extension for the old stove so it is now usable.

The wheels are now off the old caravan and being repaired at my mechanics.

We removed everything from the tool shed and threw out lots of rubbish, removed the bath, and reorganised it all.

Then there was the dead Acacia to fell as it was a bit dangerous. Lots of pulling with ropes to ensure nothing was damaged when it fell. There was also some clearing done along the southern fence line.

Anne found a different ground orchid on the top dam wall. And the blossoms were glorious.

Caladenia carnea

It was really great to be able to entertain so many people, all in shelter.

Neighbours Cal and Mick also visited to chat.

Thank you to everyone. Your efforts in all our achievements are much appreciated.

October update

My harvest is great. This bounty greeted me when I returned from Melbourne a few weeks ago.

And this 'angel' image also appeared on my back window while I was away. I have left it there because it is quite fascinating. The bird was not anywhere to be seen so presumably survived.

The siblings had a great time yesterday preparing Leigha's birthday dinner. This was followed by "The Princess Bride" video during a huge thunderstorm.

Trains, parks and penguins in St Kilda

Friday 26 September
Mornings are very slow in St Kilda! It seems that the fun things, bookshops, playgrounds etc don't open until 10 or 11 am so there is lots of time to sleep in (till 6:30 am!) and take our time getting ready.

Today's adventure was to take a train trip and work out how the Myki cards work on the trains. That seems to be more like Sydney.

We travelled one station north to Windsor station. It is a lovely old station with impressive brick buildings.

 Then we walked north along Chapel St but unfortunately the places we wanted to go were closed so we doubled back later stopping for coffee at Churro's where we had some delicious chocolate experiences. Then back to the comic shop and another book shop with beautiful papers and related products.

Next we went back north to Chapel St Bazzar full of antiques and collectables. We all loved just wandering for quite a while and the boys even found some... Thomas engines and a Buzz Lightyear.

A walk along Greville St took us past a US Milk Bar where Ellen found her favourite mints.

We caught the train from Prahran south to North Brighton where we visited a model train shop. Luke was so sure he saw the train they had caught in the USA. This required a photo and phone call to check with Rod - Luke was right.

Back on the train to home for a quick sandwich for lunch. Ellen and the boys then caught the tram down to Luna Park to meet her friend Mel and family for the afternoon. I did the food shopping and browsed a bit before returning home.

Cath, Foti and Alexandra called in for a cuppa and chat then we all left in time for me to catch the tram down to Luna Park.

We walked to the pier and out to the breakwater to watch the penguins at dusk. Luckily we were able to see a few at the mouths of their burrows before the boys started to fall asleep.

Back home on the tram for a very late dinner and bed. Wow! What a walking day - nearly 18000 steps.

Saturday 27 September
We started out on our adventure walk this morning but just after we crossed the main road we came to a hairdresser that looked quite empty so Ellen had the boy's hair cut. They look great. The young lady that did them was Vicky at Val's International Hair Salon.

We then continued on our way north along Westbury to Alma St Park, another great kid's playground.

We spent some time there then walked south along Chapel, some shopping on Carlisle and on to Dickens and west to St Kilda Botanic Gardens again. There we played in the playground for a while then found the giant chess set where we had arranged to meet Surrey's cousin Pam and husband Ross.

Pam and Ross brought a delicious picnic lunch so we enjoyed a few hours together catching up on family news and retirement activities. We had not seen one another for perhaps 20 years or so and then only at a similar family gathering.

After our time in the gardens we said our goodbyes and returned home by tram stopping for another frozen yoghurt on the way. Home then to shoes off and a Smurf movie.

Sunday 28 September
We woke to an awful wind and even my antihistamine tablet has not stopped the hayfever completely.

First outing today was to St Kilda markets which were so blown out that we decided to catch the tram into the city and visit the Queen Victoria markets. I bought a new wallet that fits a few more cards and holds them tighter. It might also fit in my vest pocket. On the way back we made a stop at Luna Park for the boys to have another go at the Motorbike game - they even won an extra 4 free games.

Back home for lunch of all our left overs from the fridge ready for going home tomorrow. Then our last visit to Cath and tiny Alexandra. We skyped Gram and Desley while we were there which was fun.

Back home for our dinner and we've decided that because the wind is so horrible still we would just have Yo Chi for dinner and toast if we want more.

Visiting grand niece Alexandra

Wednesday 24 September
After a very early start to the day I met Ellen, Alex and Luke at the airport at about 5:45am. Unfortunately our flight was then delayed due to some cleaning issue.

We had a reasonable flight to Melbourne-Avalon airport then Ellen had arranged a private limo transfer right to our apartment. What a great apartment - Esspresso Apartments in Westbury Close, just a block from Cath and Foti's home.

Our first task was to do some grocery shopping and find some lunch. We found a great cafe - Capitan Fracassa - and all enjoyed our early lunch while playing chess.

Back home to deliver food then off to visit Cath and tiny Alexandra (6 weeks old). The boys provided entertainment for some time but she eventually threw a wobbly then Cath settled her off to sleep.

I think she looks like my Dad. 

Foti arrived home and so we had a catch up chat but we had all had such a long day we headed home and spent the rest of the afternoon watching TV to chill out and wind down.

Spag bol for dinner and a very early night for us all.

Thursday 25 September
Up by 6am and eventually set out on our adventure morning. First a tram to the waterfront at St Kilda then a walk north along The Esplanade, south along Ackland St and there found a cake shop for our morning tea.

We visited a great bookshop where the boys spent some of their money. We eventually found the St Kilda Botanical Gardens and enjoyed a bit of a walk there.

We then walked north again to the St Kilda Adventure Playground which was worth the long walk. It was a really adventurous park with tree house, real trees to climb, a billy cart run, flying fox, fort, in-ground trampoline with its own timing and turns system. Everything was a test for the boys and all ages were catered for. In all a great experience.

A short walk returned us back to the tram stop and we then had lunch at Capitan Fracassa's again.

Back home to regroup and then we took the shortcut walk to Cath's. She is such a patient mum, spending a lot of time on the exercise ball "rocking" Alexandra to sleep.

Foti came home while we were there and later Foti's parents arrived for a visit.

Back home then to chill out for the evening and to sort out what to do with our Myki Travel Cards.