Three new residents at my place

Arianne has added lots of green/blue/purple hues to my back room and has introduced another two residents as company for Bertha.

It is now the countdown to the due date and there is lots of sewing happening. Arianne's line of evening dresses with a 'theatrical twist' is stunning.

A long weekend at Underhill

Last weekend I broke with my usual pattern and stayed down at Underhill for two nights. We (Geoff, Jen, Ivy, Ponyo and I) were joined by Elaine (who did all the washing up as well as helping with other jobs). Nathan and Karita, Brad and Mic also came and joined in.

Ivy just loves being at Underhill and there was only one short cry one night when Jen got up to the call of nature.

Mic is always fabulous with Ivy.

My project for the weekend was to finish tidying the Tool Shed so that now you can actually walk in to retrieve the tools needed and PUT THEM AWAY.

In the process I was able to get some of the tools stored in the Scullery and Geoff and Jen's shed. Geoff put up a weldmesh wall lining in the Scullery and we cut lots of hooks for cups and utensils. This means that the Scullery is also looking orderly. There is still a lot to go in there though.

Unfortunately I did not remember to take photos of those two achievements.

One of Geoff's project for the weekend was to set up more solar lighting in the Living Area. This achieved we had to wait extra long in the evening to test it as now daylight saving time has started and it does not get dark quite so early. I even have light in the Scullery!

His other project was to dismantle the stove area end wall and remove the old stove. This all meant that we started using the chimnea for cooking. It is really a great way to cook. We were able to produce a camp oven roast, fluffy rice, toast, barbequed sausages, and even porridge. In fact it is much better than any of our stoves have ever been.

Geoff is now playing lego with bricks to see how his new rocket stove construction will work.

One surprise when we arrived was to find that the eggs in a nest in the second loo had hatched and were well looked after by mum - a Grey Shrike Thrush.

We are all really pleased with the achievements of the weekend and feel that the whole area is becoming more liveable.

School Holidays

During the recent holidays I had a great time with the grand kids.

The boys helped me carry and load bricks and did a lot of work around the house when we were at their place. At mine they did sewing for a little while and drew lots of pictures.

Ivy now has a tiny white tooth. She loves chatting, singing, doing pelvic rises and kicking those tiny legs.

Visitors

I've had lots of visitors lately including Trish and Leigha, Rauri and Janice, and just last night I had Zoe and her two very large dogs Blake and Ness (siblings - great dane, lab crosses) for a sleep over. When Ponyo visited this afternoon she had a great time reading the doggie news on the lawn.

The two dogs were very well behaved but large and excited to be in a new home. I think they will be glad to be home in Brewarrina tonight though.

Fun with grandkids

Grandfriends day at school meant that I got to see Alex at his first concert on drums (after only about 3 weeks learning). I also saw Luke and Alex singing in their choirs and visited their classrooms. Of course there was the compulsory Library visit and purchase of books for the boys.

Then there was a visit by Ivy and family.

Whenever Ivy comes Ponyo comes to enjoy her personal play park in my back yard.

I have started my official babysitting duties (about 1 day/week) while Jen gets back into the workforce. As Ivy is almost sitting up I decided to give the old high chair a good scrub.

I then worked out a strapping in method until she no longer slurps out of the chair. She just loves her high chair.

Ivy loves sleeping all swaddled up in the old picnic rug. She has a bit of a cuddle and a song from me or 5 minutes watching TV. As soon as she is off I wedge her between two pillows on the floor (the safest place at the moment).

We have lots of fun now that she seems to be coping without Mum and Dad - for a while anyway.

Ivy loves the picnic rug and trying to reach the lemons I pick.

Here is Geoff on the picnic rug at about the same age.

And here is Ellen at about the same age. She also loved the picnic rug and lemons which she called Ellen's ellems.

Family gathering at Underhill

Last Saturday we had a day trip to Underhill. I collected Ellen and the boys and drove my car down. Geoff, Jen and Ivy came with Ponyo in their car. Evelyn and Greg came down too.

Alex and Luke had a great time doing what kids do at Underhill...

Exploring the caravan

Playing some of the old games we have there

Finding treasures

Wrecking termite mounds

Enjoying time with Mum

Enjoying time with cousin Ivy

Ivy just loved having so much entertainment and of course loves her trips to Underhill.

Ellen's success meant Ivy had a good sleep.

Ellen, Ev and Greg helped with lots of burning off with two fires going. Greg also helped Geoff get the tank at the toilet up on its new tank stand and actually catching water again.

My one focus for the day was to get the hoses out of the tool shed. Once out I was able to dismantle the plinth that the bath stood on and Geoff and Greg used the pieces to build the new tank stand.

Next time I will actually be able to sort the far side of the tool shed and clear the door side so we can actually find things in there.

The dams are quite full but also with a good green algal bloom. The wattle is out too.

It was great to have Ellen and the boys down. I do hope we can arrange it again soon. Such fun to have the cousins enjoying the block together. And thanks Ellen for some of these photos.

Boys and Girls come out to play

I arrived home to two happy birthday boys and some babysitting duties for Ivy.

And then there was my big girl who had redecorated my dining room with green.

All wonderful to come home to.

NSW Outback Tour - Homeward Bound

Tuesday 1 September

On our way out this morning we left Albury after a short tour of the main street. There was a thick morning fog which made the deciduous trees look majestic in silhouette. Once we got to the top of the range the fog was instantly gone revealing a clear blue sky with patches of fog in the valleys.

At Holbrook we stopped at the submarine park for our morning tea break and a bit of a wander watching some crimson rozellas, magpies and plovers.  There was a little poddy lamb in an enclosure, obviously being fed during the day but enjoying the little corner of sunshine.

On again to Gundagai to have lunch at the Niagara Cafe, a quaint pre-war art deco cafe. The meal took a long time to come but was well worth the wait even though it was only a toasted sandwich. Barbara and I also had time for a bit of a walk down into the park as well to find a toilet without a queue.

Our next stop was at the home of Helena and Doug Painting on their farm “Deepwater”. They had made scones for us all that were delicious with jam and fresh cream. Helena is a BCA worker in the area.

On again into Yass and checked in to our room in time to take a wander past some of the old houses on the hill. Tonight we are sharing our 3-bedroomed unit with Joan L at the Swaggers Motor Inn. John busied himself with our bags, keys and milk distribution.

Time then to catch up on diaries and charging. No need to do washing as tomorrow we return to Sydney.

Dinner was great and I even won a lucky door prize – a box of favourites chocolates. Back to our room to finish up typing the diary.

Wednesday 2 September 

Up and out early again this morning through fog, past windfarms and marvelling in the standing and running water. The rain has obviously beaten us all around NSW leaving puddles, full dams and green grass in its wake.

We pulled in at Goulburn Anglican Cathedral to meet Brian and Ali Champness who work in the Goulburn area with youth groups. The cathedral and its organ are absolutely stunning. There is even a hole in the front door for the 'church mouse' to come and go at will.

Next was a stop at Bowral where we had time to find our own lunch and do a bit of shopping where we could afford it. Here we met Rob and Jenny Stubbs who John knew from BCA. I could not resist a photo opportunity of Neil under a Mr Fixit sign. I thought it was most appropriate.

On then driving to the airport on familiar roads. First drop was the domestic airport then Central Station where many of us left the bus before it continued home to the Blue Mountains area.

What a wonderful trip Barbara and I have had. The crew were all most caring and the other passengers were a great mob. I am very happy to recommend the trip to others. I'll go on another Christian Fellowship Tour anytime.