B's Buzz

2010-03-09T22:32:00.005+11:00

January 2010 looking across the lake to the boat club and Golf Course.

Looking across the Lake to the Boat Club

The bridge crossing over the creek. Mud on the road shows where the flood waters peaked.

This creek peaked at over 2 meters above the road!

Flooding

A tricky chicken recipe

2010-01-09T09:49:00.002+11:00

While I was reading a recipe book I came across this tricky chicken recipe from the 15th century French cookery manuscript Vivendier. Maybe not one to try for the next dinner party!:

To make a chicken to be served roasted

Get a chicken, or any other bird you want and pluck it cleanly in hot water. Then get yolks of 2 or 3 eggs; they should be beaten with powdered saffron or wheat flour and distempered with fat broth or with the grease that drips under a roast into a dripping pan. By means of a feather glaze and paint your pullett carefully with this mixture so that its colour looks like roast meat.
With this done, and when it is about to be served to the table, put the chicken's head under it's wing and turn it in your hands, rotating until the bird is fast asleep! Then set it down on your platter with the other roast meat. When it is about to be carved, it will wake up and make off down the table upsetting jugs goblets and whatnot.

Oh My Goodness! Can you imagine...

Christmas Concert 2009

2009-12-19T21:00:00.005+11:00

On a hot summer evening a chorus of small voices filled the Australian sky.....

Eight crocs a snoozing,
seven emus laying
six sharks a surfing
five kaaaangarooooos
four lyre birds
three red galahs
two snakes on skis
and a cookaburrah in a gum tree.....

Santa was warned not to wake the children by lots of animals

and then they "We wish you a merry Christmas" in song and sign language....

and we heard about six white boomas, snow white boomas racing santa clause through the blazing sun, on his Australian run.

and with that Santa arrived and our baby boys last pre-school concert was over!

GIngerbread House Making 2009

2009-12-19T20:31:00.007+11:00

Once a year we assemble Gingerbread houses at church. It is designed as a fun activity that people, who are members of our church, can invite friends to. There is a brief talk about something gingerbready and Christmasy and then....
the lollies come out, the icing bags loaded and we are ready!

These are some of the wonderful creations that were made.
Great job everyone!!!!

J and L

Melissa

Monkey

2009-12-08T19:50:00.002+11:00

Hi, Well I am alive and frantically busy. I have photographed a sixtieth birthday party and have done a talk on the trip to South Africa. Saturday I am leading a Gingerbread house making workshop for church and next weekend I am doing the games for a combined baby shower! Somewhere between that I need to update the blog and edit photos, go to a final pre-school concert and OH, yes, there is Christmas shopping!!

Someone should really send out warning notifications in June....

South Africa 2009

2009-10-25T20:29:00.010+11:00

Hi

September and October have seen us exploring the magical corners of South Africa. We have driven from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and back via Addo Elephant Park, Knysna Elephant Park (arguably the best tourist destination on the drive!), Oudtshoorn, the Wilderness, Hermanus and back to Cape Town.

We have also had two weeks in Johannesburg exploring what the highveld has to offer.

If you are reading this, STOP, call a travel agent and book NOW!!
Come back and look at the photos later :)

So now, in no particular order: the photographic highlights

Groot Constantia wine estate. Jonkerhuis Restaurant on the estate do a fantastic Cape Taster platter if you want to try some great Cape Malay food.

View from Botlierskop private game reserve

At Cape Point

When you look at the a map of Africa there is that Pensula on the bottom left. Well this is us on the tip of that Peninsula.

Krugersdorp National Park, Near Johannesburg

The early Hoepoe catches the worm

Riding elephant at Knysna Elephant Park

Storms River

Party time

2009-09-05T20:53:00.008+10:00

Spring

2009-09-05T20:38:00.005+10:00

Crazy Hair Day

2009-09-05T20:32:00.002+10:00

Dr Steve Andrews

2009-06-28T21:41:00.007+10:00

This weekend the world lost one of its unsung hero's and a brilliant man, Dr Steve Andrews MBChb(UCT) MCFP(SA) MPhil (Bioethics).

Steve was vocal in the discussion about HIV / Aids, in fact he was passionate about it.
He was once described by Sue Valentine as "the kind of doctor any sick person would like to have: his patients' well-being is paramount, he's committed to the principles of family medicine and he's prepared to take on the world for a cause he believes in."

He was a leading Southern African HIV clinician with extensive experience in the research, design and implementation of the linical, industrial and policy aspects of HIV management. He was an elected member of the Southern African HIV Clinicians Executive committee and a senior medical advisor to various AIDS interventions, including the AID for AIDS Program, The Open Society Foundation, the Road Freight Association Roadside Clinic Programme, Médecins sans Frontières Khayelitsha Antiretroviral Programme and many others.

More than all of this he was a wonderful husband, father and loyal friend. His absence leaves a gaping hole in our lives but
We are blessed to have known him and counted him amongst our closest friends.

Our first Platypus!

2009-06-25T21:21:00.003+10:00

Here is the proof that our friend Jo caught a platypus! Excellent excitement!

2009-06-22T17:42:00.004+10:00

Thanks IHG!

2009-06-22T17:16:00.003+10:00

A beautiful arrangement that arrived on my front porch on Friday!
It was taller than monkey!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-17T08:40:00.001+10:00

2009-06-16T09:47:00.003+10:00

Princess Se Bear

Master JJ

Ayreshire Day

2009-06-16T08:43:00.005+10:00

Yesterday I was able to delight in one of my favourite activities, spending time with my wonderful friend K and getting to grips with nature.
K has recently moved, with her family, onto a property outside of town. It is so beautiful there, with rolling hills and endless southern skies.

It is so wonderful to see her blossom in her new environment. She is a 'see it needs doing, so do it' kind of woman and her enthusiasm is contagious.
Yesterday saw us herding sheep in the 4x4, checking if we could save new born twin lambs, looking to see if any of the flock were in trouble as well as catching and pinning down a ewe to help in an almost failed delivery.
(Not my mothers perfect day, hey Mum!)
K was an absolute hero! Sitting on the ground, gloves on, feet up against the backside of the ewe, hands firmly gripped onto the lambs front feet assisting it out with all her might! One live delivery later we were back in the car and off.... Whoo Hooo!

So thanks for an amazing day and a lunch worthy of a Michelin star!

The 45 Life Lessons of Regina Brett

2009-06-16T08:40:00.001+10:00

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio :

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Do you believe in heaven?

2009-06-15T07:38:00.003+10:00

A priceless quote from last nights sermon was:
"As Christians this (earth) is the closest to hell we will ever come.
As non believers, in Christ, earth is the closest to heaven we will ever come."

Makes you think doesn't it....

Moving forward looking back

2009-06-12T17:05:00.002+10:00

What a week you have all had! There has been a joyous birth, welcome NATHAN; a person free from cancer; snow; rain; new employment as well as some anxiety and sadness. During this week a number of years ago I became a Mrs and God has been and is good!

So today in response to some of your mailings I thought I would chat about LOT. Actually about LOT's wife. They lived with their two daughters in a dodgy city. Bad things happened there! One night they were warned that the town was going to be destroyed because it was so crime ridden and they should escape. (Really pays to have friends in high places!) The deal was they must flee BUT they couldn't turn around to look back....If they did the destruction may destroy them too but Lot's wife did look back and she died.

So that is the background.... But I have been pondering about another type of looking back. Some of you have changes happening in your life. BIG changes. Maybe the answer is to move forward. Turn your back on the bad area where you have been and move, with your family, to new and better places. Places that are not bad for you physically and spiritually. A place you have been told to head for. And, here is the hard part, don't look back. Don't hanker after what has been left behind!

By spending time looking back and hankering after what is left behind you stop moving forward. You choose to faulter and you force your family to choose. They must choose to either move on without you or also stop and be put in harms way. By pausing to look back you imply that the good things that are waiting for you are you not good enough, things that ultimatly are better for you than anything you have now.

Please let me know what you think.

Marysville after Black Saturday

2009-05-31T23:11:00.001+10:00

Here are some of the images taken today in Marysville almost 4 months after the devastating bushfires that almost destroyed the town. The town centre has one building left, the bakery! The rest of the high street is made up of tents and prefabricated structures. Entire blocks of homes have been reduced to rubble. There are very few exceptions!
One of the local BnBs is open for business. (Out of the 3000 beds that used to service the local ski resort there are just over 100 left!) Jacqui and Ian are lovely and would appreciate your custom over the coming months. They specialise in romantic weekends away. Their website is www.delderfield.com.au (and one of them comes from the UK so expect some northern hospitality!)
So Kinglake and Marysville are open for business. It is a beautiful part of the world and although the trip is quite confronting, the locals are wonderfully welcoming!!

Chocolate Maths!

2009-05-25T21:48:00.002+10:00

Don't tell me your age; you probably would tell a lie anyway
-but the Cadbary Man will know!

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATHS

This is pretty cool. My kind of maths....

It takes less than a minute. (Depending on your maths ability!)
Work this out as you read .
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
This is not one of those waste of time things, it's fun.

1. First of all, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate (more than once but fewer than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (just to be bold)

3. Add 5

4. Multiply it by 50 -- I'll wait while you get the calculator

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1759 ...
If you haven't, add 1758.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number

The first digit of this was your original number
(i..e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).

The next two numbers are

YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2009) IT WILL EVER WORK, SO SPREAD IT AROUND WHILE IT LASTS.

A love letter to you

2009-05-12T13:00:00.000+10:00

It's been a third of her lifetime!

2009-05-02T08:25:00.004+10:00

Tomorrow Madeleine McCann will have been missing for one third of her life! She is now nearly six.
I never dreamed two years ago that her banner would still be the header to my blog, neither did anyone else.
Study the new image of her so that if you ever see her you would recognise her.
Please pray for her (for her well being and safe return.)
Please pray for her family.
Please pray that someone will pick up the phone and call in with the information her family need to end their nightmare.

What else is there to say really.

Easter Morning 2009

2009-04-27T14:51:00.002+10:00

Anzac Day

2009-04-26T08:58:00.006+10:00

Saturday was a public holiday in Australia.
I know, a public holiday on a Saturday and no Monday off in lieu!! Liberating isn't it!

Saturday 25th April was ANZAC day.
ANZAC Day (Australia & New Zealand Army Corps) is kind of like 11am on the 11 November to the rest of us. A day of remembering the war dead of Australia and New Zealand. A day of military parades, wreath laying at cenotaphs, two up (a game I still don't understand) and a time of reflection.

There is a dawn service and then at 10.30am there is a parade through town centre. (I think every village and town has a parade.)

The war veterans from all wars march with their medals across their heart; the war widows march, proudly displaying the medals of the men they loved but who never returned; the army trainees march having never seen the front line and then the most amazing thing happens...... The sons, daughters and grandchildren of the deceased take their loved ones place in the parade so that we never forget.

It is a wonderful day! A day of never forgetting the sacrifices and bravery of the generations that came before you. People who fought for our freedom, for our liberty, for the right of some arse to swear at them because he couldn't take a short cut.

At the rising of the sun and the going down of the same, we will always remember them.

Undiscovered Diamonds!

2009-04-12T12:27:00.003+10:00

I am sucker for a story where someone comes from nowhere and succeeds beyond their wildest expectations......
I cry at these stories.
I am also a sucker for talent shows like Britain's got talent or Pop Idol. (Simon Cowell has a lot to answer for!!!)

So when someone has an amazing audition like Susanne Manning or Paul Potts I cannot help myself but be excited for them, especially when people in the audience or the judges have already made a decision as they walked on stage.

So that is why I want you to watch the link to Miss Susan Boyle...
(you should be redirected if you click on the title.)

I wonder how often we miss something beautiful because we dismiss the packaging that it comes in as being unworthy of our attention...

What girls like to see when they come home...

2009-04-08T18:05:00.005+10:00

Thank you!

2009-04-05T07:08:00.004+10:00

I have been told I do not Blog often enough but at the moment not much has been happening... Washing, losing a parent, school run and dishes don't seem captivating enough to write about...

But things are looking up!

Background
As you know, the boy has been home schooling since January. (We have been doing the alphabet, craft, phonics and easy addition and subtraction.)We have studied A for Acorn and O for Oak and B for Bee........

Story
Boy come in from the garden with an acorn for Mummy. This is the conversation...

Boy: Mummy, I have something for you.
Mummy: What is it Boytjie?
Boy: An Acorn!
Mummy: Oooo What does Acorn start with Boytjie?
Boy: (gazing thoughtfully) THE TREE!

I am Grateful

2009-01-17T08:47:00.003+11:00

It is not often that I write here but when a picture is worth a thousand words I would rather save the time...

I have contact with a family of fourteen and to be honest 2009 has not had a great start for them. A week in hospital with two broken bones being the least of their concerns, although the child involved would doubt that. My main concern is the 13 and 15 year olds and how the family relate to them and to each other.
While I was wondering about the whole dynamic I realised something..

I am grateful! Wow that came out of left field! But I am...
I am grateful that I was brought up in a family that respected each other. I am grateful that I was brought up to treat other people the way you would like to be treated. I am grateful I NEVER remember being sworn at by my parents or grandparents and I was never called a Bitch or Stupid to my face let alone in front of other people or my siblings. I am glad I was brought up in a loving home and not just a house. I am grateful I had people who led by example! I was never expected to do something they did not do themselves.

I am grateful I was taken to a church that made God relevant and fostered a personal relationship with Him through times of prayer and Bible Study. I am grateful Church wasn't just something that was to be endured once a week. I am grateful I was taken every week! (Hey, sometimes I even went twice, because I wanted to!)

I am grateful that I have friends who don't do things to excess, except have fun! (Pooparders morning marathon around Prague is the only exception and even he would say it was enjoyable!) I am grateful that there was never any peer pressure to not go to school (bunk, wag, truant), drink, smoke, have sex. In fact we support each others choices even if they are not ours.

I am grateful that at least a hundred years ago my great great grandmother thought certain values were important and instilled them in her children and that all these generations later, they are still prized. I am delighted other families did the same!

I am grateful I am part of a clan that if one person has a real need many will jump at the call.

My uncle used to have a verse on his bedroom door...

I shall pass through this world but once
Any good thing therefore that I can do
Or any kindness that I can show
to ANY human being
Let me do it now
let me not defer it or neglect it
For I shall not pass this way again.

It is nearly his birthday. Thank you for thinking this verse was important enough to stick to that door. It made an impression on me. I try to live it! I see you try to live it too!

As we hurtle into 2009 please pray that love and respect will flourish in homes.
Pray that I may have wisdom and strength of spirit to keep demonstrating a path that is different to the children I come into contact with.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-25T23:10:00.003+11:00

All ready and waiting

Loves the boat and Diego outfit!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

2008-12-13T22:03:00.002+11:00

Today was the SCHOOL CONCERT!!!!!
It was rainy but it all went wonderfully well. There was a poem acted out called There was an old woman who swallowed a bell.... (kind of like 'the woman who swallowed a fly' but Christmassy)

There was also a wonderful medley of songs including Jingle Bells :)

It was a delightful few hours. Thanks to the really dedicated teachers who worked so hard to put it together!!!
Merry Christmas everyone :)

Awesome India

2008-10-14T21:01:00.006+11:00

We have just returned from a wonderful two weeks in India. The first week we attended amazing wedding celebrations. They were so special that they make Disney look like amateur fairy tale wedding planners!

So after that (it really does deserve a post all of its own) we headed to Jaipur where we rode an Elephant to the Amber Fort, Ranthmbhore National Park where we glimpsed a tiger and saw a lota, lota deer and Finally we went to Agra and looked around the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort... Wow!

So a HUGE thanks to Santosh who drove and Drove and drove hundreds of kilometers in some of the most interesting driving conditions I have ever experienced......

And thanks to BRYCE! If you hadn't married your stunning bride we never would have made it to India in 2008.

At the Taj

He thought it was great to run out of shot! Gotcha!

Playing hide and seek at Humayun's tomb in Delhi

Riding an elephant in Jaipur

Happy Birthday

2008-09-03T21:48:00.003+10:00

A not so little Monkey and his birthday cake for school

Gundagai

2008-08-22T07:14:00.002+10:00

Well there's a track winding back to an old fashioned shack along the road to Gundagai...

Rolf Harris sang these words at the 3 Arts theatre in Cape Town in the 1970's.... 3 decades later a little girl who was at the concert in Africa has made it to Gundagai..

Canberra

2008-08-22T06:42:00.005+10:00

Jenny, from England, way up North, is visiting us in Aussie, way out west!
So we packed her in a car and drove to the capital, Canberra, for the weekend. We saw a lot in two days! The old parliament building (with its secret peephole), the new parliament building, the tent parliament which looks like a squatter camp!, the war memorial, the National zoo and National Museum (we even saw Hancock's Basement doing publicity shots for their new album! They are nice guys so buy the album!)

It was a great weekend!

The travel plans for the next weeks are vast and varied, Sydney, Canberra again, Junee, Griffith, Phillip Island, Melbourne, Delhi, Jaipur, Ranthmbourne and Agra!!!

A little Monkey at the War Memorial

The view from the War Memorial across to Old Parliament House (White building in front) and New Parliament House (the one with the flag and grass roof behind)

Well what else is there to do but roll down the roof of parliament!

Congratulations

2008-08-02T16:58:00.004+10:00

This photo is proof that sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone. A few years ago we had a chat about the insecurities that come with moving to a new, foreign place. A new land, new culture, new language, new dress... It is a courageous move to step outside the comfort of the familiar. But he did it, embraced it and look what happened.. He found the woman of his dreams!

2008-08-02T16:43:00.002+10:00

As some of you may be aware we are about to embark on another family adventure. This time we are heading to India to celebrate with a dear friend and his beautiful fiancee on their wedding day.

As you can imagine, travel to a foreign country needs a certain amount of planning and when that holiday includes a child under 5 the plans need to be even more researched...

So my main question is why do web designers have sentences like, " to view this page in (insert foreign language, even better if it has a different alphabet) please click here."

If we could read the language we wouldn't need to "click here"! Surely, please tell me I am not loosing my mind, but SURELY it would be better to have that statement in the language you were addressing??????

Indian websites also have a wonderful knack for stating the obvious.
My best find of the day on an Indian Website goes to Ranthambore National Park.
Under the heading "When is the best time to visit" It has this statement: "

Time To Visit
The Best Time to Visit Ranthambore National park will be from 1st October to 30th June.
Rest of the Time Park is closed for the Visitors

Isn't that just brilliant!! I love it!!

I am getting very excited to experience this amazing culture and country.

Snow much fun!

2008-07-11T18:56:00.004+10:00

We all had an amazing time skiing at Mt Selwyn. This is was taken on monkey's first day on skis and possibly within the first hour. Although there was a slow start he picked up speed quickly as you can see. Sorry it is sideways but I am not sure how to fix that. Any ideas would be welcome....

Fairy Godparents

2008-06-25T21:37:00.003+10:00

We have been asked to be Godparents to beautiful Caitlin. So "fairy" Godparents we are (Caitlin even gave me a wand for my birthday) and we will do our best to direct her away from spindles of all descriptions.....

Caitlin visiting on my birthday, three days old.

Our Backyard Blitz part 1

2008-06-16T11:12:00.005+10:00

I can vaguely remember a time before the back yard project but it is dim and distant.... Back on February 11th 2008 a lovely man, named Matt, started digging a hole in the back garden, demolished our son's play house and destroyed a gazebo in the name of progress. Five months later we are nearing completion and Resort A is nearly finished. Thankfully, we didn't have to resort to Plan B once! The red bellied black snake is hopefully happy in his new home (not one of Aussie's most friendly critters) and the shadow of the council inspector has darkened our door for the last time! After the pool was in the landscaping team from Prior Fox arrived and transformed the dirt into a beautiful play area and garden.

So since a picture says a thousand words....
BEFORE

And AFTER

So to the team that worked tirelessly on this garden,
Aaron, Scott, Matt, Clint, Phil, Wayne, Jamie, Jay & Alex, THANK YOU! TOP Job!!

Happy Birthday Grandpa

2008-05-19T07:40:00.002+10:00

We are sorry that you didn't get a piece of that yummy cake but hope that you had a wonderful day all the same!

Tagged

2008-05-11T21:32:00.002+10:00

So I have been tagged... and I have to write ten random things about myself... THANKS Nix ;)

1. I prefer Twinings Earl Grey tea to any other brand or blend.
2. I have lived in four countries.
3. I was doing the groceries 13 hours after giving birth. (for all the guys: This is a bad thing!)
4. I normally make friends for life. I would rather have a few friends who will be there for my 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th and 80th birthdays.
5. I take photos, preferably portraits.
6. I like to remember the past and look back often and fondly.
7. I love to write and read poetry.
8. I believe that God exists and just because you may not believe it doesn't mean it isn't true.
9. Shakespeare is cool!
10. I am addicted to www.postsecret.blogspot.com Check it out!

So who am I batting this to next... Mrs Wibbz and all lurkers.....

Up the Oak

2008-04-09T19:58:00.001+10:00

March 2008

Beautiful Bogong

2008-04-09T09:21:00.007+10:00

We have just had a lovely weekend away in the Victorian Alpine High Country and Oh Boy is it beautiful!!!! We stayed at a lovely village called Bogong which is halfway between Mount Beauty and the snow fields of Falls Creek. There are about 30 cabin homes there for hire and it is in the middle of National Park, so it is very peaceful. It has lovely walks and lots of places to just sit and marvel... Their website is www.bogongvillage.com

Bogong Village on Lake Guy

On the Bogong High Plains

What a great place to throw stones into the water :)

200 photos later and now I know how to do flowing water, Hoorah!

Tissues required

2008-03-31T22:16:00.004+11:00

In my circle of girlfriends six have lost eight children in four years....
Six of these children were past the first trimester of pregnancy. Two died during the first 48 hours after delivery...

On Easter Monday (which would have been one of these angels' first birthday) I wrote this lyric.....

(Maybe Hubby can write the music when things get quieter.)

I don't begin to understand
The dark mysteries of this life
That are clearly not of man.
I don't grasp the reason why
Your child had to die
Before you held their hand
And the pain that breaks my soul in two is real
But nothing can compare to the pain you feel
And my words they just will never do
It seems there is no comforting you.

As time marches on we still don't see
with any sort of clarity.
Your tears rest just beneath your smile
They are there all the while
All the while...

Did you think I would leave you crying?

2008-03-21T20:09:00.001+11:00

Hormonal Highways and Underpasses

2008-03-03T20:26:00.002+11:00

Well for some time I have been on a hormone induced, emotional rollercoaster. So happy that you would think I was taking something one hour and a tearful reck the next.
Isn't being a woman great! Today is a prime example... A wonderful morning followed a wall street style crash in the afternoon. My Mondays are precious and I love the time spent on me. No visitors, No calls, No body! A day of precious space away from any demands at all!
So this morning I made a cooked breakfast for our workmen. Bacon and scrambled eggs with cream, toast and croissants. Followed by a lunch of roast chicken, mash and veg with Ice cream amd Milo sauce for dessert. YUM! (Don't be expecting that again though... tomorrow we will have lamb ;) )
It was fun getting into the kitchen and spoiling people who have gone the extra mile or 20 during the course of this job.
But sometime this afternoon an extra dose of "sobbing wreck hormone" struck and here I sit a blubbering. The thought of Madeleine McCann is enough to set me off for good fifteen minutes. Sometimes it is not even a thought, sometimes you just have to look at me the wrong way or be so caught up in your world that mine doesn't exist for you....
and there I go. Luckily it only lasts a while and then a surge of " Isn't life amazing" hits and up we go, soaring above the mist and clouds. Up into the sunshine!

Eventually the ballon will run out of steam and sink back into the mist but for now I am going to enjoy the ride. Life is not boring and I am luckier than most, I know what causes my ballon sink and soar. I know that each fall is matched by the rush skyward and that after a few days the fair moves on and someone else gets to experience the high and lows that life has to offer.

But for this moment, could someone please pass me a tissue.....

Werribee Open Range Zoo

2008-02-29T22:08:00.003+11:00

Oh My GOSH Mum
(Nice Derba Nanna!)

Werribee Zoo is lovely and a great day out. They have Safari tours through the animal enclosures and it is the closest thing without going to Africa.
Of all the photos I took that day this one of Monkey on a hippo is my favourite.

A Cheetah

A Lioness

Oh Big Mouth!

updates and preview

2008-02-29T21:33:00.002+11:00

What a month! We have had Australia Day, a trip to Melbourne, four pregnancies (not mine, just friends) and a funeral, and tomorrow we are going to the most haunted house in Australia... did I mention that we are also landscaping the garden.

Firstly Aunty Marjorie, my step-mom's sister, passed away on the 11 February. She was a lovely lady and was always very dignified and never complained despite having more reasons to than most. Her life deserves more than a three line mention and so I will giver her her own post later on when I have had some time.

On Australia Day our whole family, all 3 of us, joined a friends family at their farm and had a picnic and swim in the Mighty Murray river. As usual I sunblocked everyone and managed to miss a bit of my back. I have finally found out why only mad dogs and Englishman go out in the mid-day sun. I wonder, if I was a more tropical nationality, would I have gone golden instead of boiled lobster? ;)

Monkey and I had a lovely weekend in Melboune with T, S and their families. We went to Ikea which was wonderful and cured me of my shopping craving for a few weeks! We also went to the African night at Werribee zoo. T's fiancee is a keen photographer and it was wonderful to be able to just hang back and snap away with someone who has a similar love of photography. Thanks M! I am looking forward to comparing angles and stops with you next trip.

and lastly.... Our pool!
Well after much debate, with myself, it is in and splish, splash, we love it! Matt has been a STAR!!!! and has worked long and hard to make the dream a reality. We have a few pavers to get down and then his part of the work is over. So on Monday the plumber takes over and then the landscapers move in!

So that is what has been happening over the last few weeks since I last posted.
Mrs Wibbs, I love catching up with your news! I must say I hope that pool was heated for your baptism! I don't know: January, England, Full submersion! It must be love :)
Nix: Onward and upward! You are doing amazingly.
Sionic: Happy birthday!
Myles: I cannot believe it is nearly your anniversary!
Jo: I am already counting the sleeps!!!!

For Mrs Wibbs ~ to suprise her :)

2008-01-18T23:12:00.000+11:00

I love to eat: Well that says it all really!! Roast dinner and Chocolate rate highly though.
I hate to eat: I won't eat internal organs: Liver, Kidney, Tripe etc
I love to go: to new places!
I hate to go: without my hubby...
I love it when: my son cuddles, the sun shines and I smell rain on dry earth!
I hate it when: injustice prevails and when people pick on race when what has annoyed them is character.
I love to see: Joy, a new blog from Mrs Wibbs, a completed scrapbook page, CSI, A good ending to a book.
I hate to see: Suffering
I love to hear: nature, my son's laughter, the sound of my husband arriving home.
I hate to hear: verbal abuse, I cannot......

So there you are Mrs Wibbs!

KlimSwim

2008-01-18T21:00:00.000+11:00

Monkey has just completed his 10 day intensive swimming course and, although he will not be ready in time for Beijing, he is following a swimming programme designed by an Olympic gold Medalist, Michael Klim.

Not quite getting the kicking idea, More hanging on like a monkey.

Rocket Arms

Kicking legs

After all that swimming I need a rest!

Santi?

2007-12-25T17:23:00.000+11:00

Even though today is not about Santa (Santi, according to Monkey) I couldn't resist posting this photo.

I hope that as morning wings its way around the world you find some wonderful gifts under your tree. I hope that you ponder on the birth of Jesus Christ and that the affect His birth, life and death has had on the human race. I trust that you will pray for the McCann family and people who have loved ones missing, as they wake up to a day entirely focussed on family and remember them as you go about your day Pray for the people whose loved ones will die today and the nurses and doctors who are on duty and will try and save them.

May you have a blessed day filled with fun and laughter.

MERRY CHRISTmas

Sydney

2007-12-16T19:20:00.000+11:00

Hi, I am sorry that I have not posted for a while but I hope that our exciting few days holiday will make up for that....Monkey and I went to Sydney with two of the neighbours and had a wonderful few days. We shopped at the discount factory outlet, went to the aquarium, Wildlife world, patted a koala, caught a ferry, went around the Opera House and had dinner at the Meat Company. We even managed to spend the day with wonderful friends from Wagga who are spending a year in the Big City.
We had a lovely apartment in Darling Harbour on the 12th floor and the views were beautiful. It was lovely to be back in the buzz of a city and there is still so much more to see.........

No denying it, it is definately Sydney!

Koshie and Mel getting direction

Eating Crispie-Kremes after watching the recording of the morning tv show, Sunrise.

Petting Koali (Monkey speak for Koala)

Mai Mai's Bridal Shower

2007-11-18T21:08:00.000+11:00

On Saturday a few women from our church got together to celebrate Mai Mai's engagement to Deeram. We had such fun playing games and enjoying an afternoon tea that I thought I would share the pictures with you AND so that Mai Mai's family overseas can share in the festivities :)

I was asked to organise the games and so after dressing Mai Mai in a tiara of sorts we got on with playing. The parcel game came first and then I asked everyone to design a wedding dress for Mai Mai. The best design in each of the three groups was then made, on a willing volunteer, out of toilet paper.....
It is a great game! Jo's team was chosen as the overall winners.

Deeram, we look forward to meeting you.

2007-10-29T22:38:00.000+11:00

Home Sweet Home

2007-10-25T22:25:00.000+10:00

While I have been away many, many people have asked what home is like...
We live in a small city on the Eastern side of Australia. South of Sydney and North of Melbourne. We have a high street, a 6 six screen cinema, 2 shopping centres / malls in town and a few smaller ones in the outer suburbs. We have a lake with a 5km footpath around it and lots and lots of friendly people. Rush hour is when it takes more than one turn to get through the traffic lights(robots)on the key cross roads. We have amazing wildlife and exotic birds almost on our doorstep. and Yes, I have even seen a small kangaroo crossing a road on the outskirts of town!
So here is the gem we call home....

"Ah,Cute Baybee"

2007-10-21T05:51:00.000+10:00

While in SA we were lucky enough to spend a lovely morning with new friends. We enjoyed Pamela Shippel's very yummy scones and walked around Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. L made hearts melt by saying, "Ah, cute baybee" as soon as he met C. And he was right! C is a very cute, happy baby!

Out of Africa

2007-10-20T11:43:00.000+10:00

Here I am back at home with laundry on the line! Not bad since I have only been back for 14 hours.

We had a wonderful holiday and amazing experiences!

My beautiful mountain

Blum, Monkey and me

Tilodi

2007-09-23T01:42:00.000+10:00

The last few days have been spent at Tilodi Game Park. It is a little piece of heaven and we are always lucky at game spotting thanks to our brilliant guide.

Once again the Rhino made the trip amazing.. and yes these are my pictures... and yes it was that close!!

Here is a brief selection of the Photos I took while we were there.

(Miss Cordial: Sorry but the Zebra were too far away.)

Rhino

Rhino

Tsetsebe

An African Bush Sunset

Family birthdays

2007-09-23T01:14:00.000+10:00

Last week was my Great Aunt and my Nanna's birthdays. We had a wonderful day celebrating with the family! I was even given a tortoise to take back to Aussie.

The Family

Great-est Unkie

And then he was three!

2007-09-04T16:02:00.000+10:00

Well we blinked and here we are on his Third Birthday.
We had a Pooh Party and 14 friends came to celebrate. It was great! We had a jumping castle and lots of delicious food. There was a Hunny pot cake, with bees, and we played pass the parcel. Unfortunately Australia is still in drought other wise we could have played pooh sticks :)

Wordless Wednesday - Thanks to Tim Gaunt for this photo of a phosphoresing red tide at Bettys Bay, South Africa!

2007-07-25T22:30:00.000+10:00

Nearly three

2007-07-24T10:51:00.000+10:00

I have just realised that in six weeks my baby will turn three! and they say time flies when you are having fun....
Even the last few months have brought changes....
Daddy is now called MummyDad which is an improvement on MumMum! The Simpsons are the Simpsims, is there a new computer game in there somewhere? Shrek and Buzz Lightyear dominate our lives. Elephants are Blumblums. Noddy is Nonnies, Lightening McQueen is Lalo and Nemo is Muno! (very important to know if you are going to keep up your end of a conversation!) He is well into the phase of imaginative play where toys hide, kiss ouches better and have a life of their own. There is currently a helicopter being flown around the house.
He loves school and helping! He even cleans up Mess! (Well done MummyDad!)

But here are some pics of him just chillin....

Birds

2007-07-10T18:22:00.000+10:00

I have sometimes posted pictures of some of the amazing birds we have in the wild here. It is not unusual to see various varities of Budgies, Rosellas and cockatoos while out and about... I have even seen a wallaby hopping across Church Street, near the banks of the river. Church Street is only two roads away from the main shopping street!!

Here a a few of the birds I have seen on recent walks.

Galah

Eastern Rosella

Pelicans on Lake Albert (in South East Wagga)

Budgie on the Golf Course

Even the pigeons here have fancy crests!

Beautiful, aren't they!?

and the Wonders are.....

2007-07-09T18:48:00.000+10:00

A while ago I posted about the move to create the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Today after years of voting the list of the New Seven Wonders was released.

I am delighted to have been to two of the seven.

The wonders are:

1. The Great Wall of China
2. Petra, Jordan
3. Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Brazil
4. Machu Picchu mountain settlement, Peru
5. Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, Mexico
6. Colosseum, Rome
7. Taj Mahal, India

Please go and visit these amazing sites. Of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World only the Pyramids at Giza are still standing....

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

2007-07-04T22:36:00.000+10:00

Melbourne

2007-07-04T22:01:00.000+10:00

We have just come back from a wonderful few days in Melbourne. Hubby was on a course and so Monkey and I had time to catch up with friends, meet family, explore and shop!

First we stayed with our friends in Point Cooke. It was wonderful to catch up and meet the new addition to their family. Monkey really enjoyed playing with his friends and keeps asking for the baby when he see their photos.

Then we moved over to Box Hill and Monkey and I had a day exploring Melbourne. It was great! First we visited the Great Wall of China exhibition which was very interesting. Then we tried to throw leaves into a pond but the wind kept blowing them back at us. We laughed and laughed!

Next we went to the Pixar exhibition. Monkey was thrilled to see Sulley and Mike from Monsters Inc.

On Saturday we headed south to Geelong to meet our cousin. He was charming and we had a lovely two hours together chatting and looking around the local cinema.

Here are some pictures of our wonderful few days at the coast:

Australia Fair

2007-06-14T22:43:00.000+10:00

The Murrumbidgee River at Wagga Wagga

Old home on the Gregadoo Road, just outside of Wagga Wagga

Galahs feeding on a front lawn. They are very common here.

All Aboard...

2007-06-11T19:36:00.000+10:00

Little Monkey and I have had a very exciting weekend while Daddy has been on call. On Saturday we went on a mystery drive with Smoother Princess Ammie and ended up in Junee. There we saw the wonderful 3801 Steam train that we were booked to go on on Sunday. In Junee we were able to meet one of the drivers Bobby Donovan, and we got a chance to sit in the drivers seat and watch coal being put into the furnace. After all that excitement we were taken to the Liquorice and Chocolate factory, mmmmmmmm.

On Saturday night we went to a spectacular fireworks display at a friends farm. More on that another day.

On Sunday we went on the 3801 to Uranquinty. All Monkey managed was "Wow.... TRAINS!" (Well worth Looking at Smoother Princes photos from trackside!)

Today he has been to a birthday party..... I hope that he doesn't think I have something special planned tomorrow!

Driving the train

Bobby Donovan

The 3801 in Wagga Wagga Station.

Almost wordless Thursday

2007-06-07T17:34:00.000+10:00

Monkey throwing sticks into the creek at our friends farm, about 15 minutes from our home.

Yes Mum, he did fall in, but that was much, much later!

More thoughts... Has a priest ever...

2007-06-05T07:57:00.000+10:00

Well, after a little disruption in Church I have done more thinking. I know, I know, I will stop soon and go back to scrapbooking.

Firstly: Should you comment during the sermon. One Sunday our minister was talking about Spouse abuse stats... One man stood up at the back and yelled that they were all hogwash and stormed off!

So if your minister is talking rubbish, what should you do? Do you challenge their mis-interpretation during the sermon or let them finish and say something afterwards. By then the whole congregation has heard the incorrect message....
Mmmmmm

Then secondly: Church Etiquette...
Oh I love this one! We were handed a flyer on church etiquette... Fascinating reading. Here are my top three from the list!

Nobody should wear jeans. (there goes the evening service)

Nobody should pew block! (like that one)You know, those people who have to sit right on the aisle so you have to force your body past them!
and the one that got me thinking..

Woman should must be dressed modestly and not expose her shoulders..

When in Rome, if you are a woman, you are not allowed into St Peter's wearing shorts! and you are not allowed to expose your shoulders! (sarons are great for getting around this.)
But that made me think of weddings..
The latest fashion is for bustier type tops on wedding dresses.

Has a priest / minister ever asked what the bride is wearing before the service, told her it was not appropriate for a church wedding and that he wouldn't marry them unless she covered up?

Opinions welcome

2007-06-02T06:02:00.000+10:00

A friend has been mentioning things like, 'Why doesn't God care?' If he cared he would have......

And that got me thinking.....

What right do we have to ask anything more of God than what He has already done for us.

He created our planet and in it everything we need to sustain us. Food, water, company etc.

He had one child and had him killed, so that His son's death may bring forgiveness, so that we may live eternally.
Just think about that for a second.........

So what gives me the right after all that to say, 'You don't care about me because you let trivial XYZ not go my way!'

We make decisions and have free will. Surely we should pray without ceasing about the Big stuff, Poverty in the third world, Missing children, salvation for the unsaved etc.
Sure, ask His opinion about the little stuff but don't make it a test. I think He has done more than enough to proove His love already!

Philippians 4:18-20
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Not the use of Needs, not Wants or Desires....

So what do you think?

Update

2007-05-29T19:15:00.000+10:00

While Madeleine has been missing life has continued for the rest of us.

I bought the family next door a portrait session for the Mum's birthday and so I went along to practise my portrait photography. I am very happy with my results. For those of you out of the know, they are a family of 14. 12 kids (no twins!) and Mum and Dad. Let's just say life is never dull! But maybe more about them some other day.

Monkey is loving school! We pulled up outside and he started saying, "My Liz, My Liz".
Liz is now a generic term for anyone other than Mum, which refers to me AND Daddy.
He now has a sleep there and so I have 6 hours to myself once a week. As Pud is studying again I really look forward to those few hours to myself.

Besides doing my paid job, I am also compiling a book of poetry. John next door writes poetry and so for his birthday I am typing up all of his poems and making them into a book for him. It has been great for my copy typing and hopefully they will feel that I have done a good job.
The book includes photos of his family and places that he has written about around here so it should be a nice record of life in 2007 in years to come.

I have also been scrapbooking a) my China photos and B) made a sort of advent calendar for a friend who is having a baby. Will post some photos soon.

For all of you people who have had the misfortune of being at a resort with Germans I am delighted to direct you to of todays copyThe Sun, a british newspaper. As you may have experienced in resorts, the Germans sneak out of their rooms at some God forsaken hour of the morning and put towels on the sunloungers to book them for use later on in the day. They then turn up to their "reserved" chair at anytime after 10am. Bloody annoying!
Some heoric British tour guide got fed up with this and collected all the towels and set them on fire!!!!
All I can add is three cheers! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!

Lastly here is my funny story for the week....

Monkey has also decided he is the only one who can open the front door. So yesterday morning he is watching a movie and I think FANTASTIC, quick shower. Just lathered up and the shower door opens, water goes everywhere and he put his little arm into this exaggerated point and says "Liz door!" Great! Please God let it be the lady next door. Forget the towel, grab a gown and dash.... and
there is the courier delivering books for hubby...

Luckily the courier only delivers here about once a week so I have 6 more days to hope he forgets ;)

2007-05-22T08:26:00.000+10:00

It seems wrong to be blogging while Madeleine is still missing. I have decided that the banners will stay in place until she is found, which hopefully will be very soon. The most recent sighting of her was in Morocco and the general feeling is that she is not in Portugal anymore.

If you do see a child with the distinctive right iris it is beyond me why people don't stop the child and call the police... Keep a copy of the banner in your wallet to refer to and to show the attending officer. I think it is better that a few children and their parents are inconvenienced and that we find her! Surely that is better than thinking you have seen Madeleine but letting her vanish again for fear of it being the wrong child?

Why am I keeping this here when hundreds of other children go missing each day? Simply, Because this is more personal to us. We know Leicester! We used to be based at the same hospital Dr McCann works at. We have a child of a similar age.... It could easily be us......

Missing children worldwide have profiles at www.missingkids.co.uk or www.missingkids.com
Children missing in South Africa can also be found at www.missingkids.co.za

News on the search for Madeleine can be found at www.bringmadeleinehome.com

PLEASE FIND MADELEINE!!!!! £2.6 million reward

2007-05-05T11:59:00.000+10:00

Madeleine was abducted from her hotel room in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve area of Portugal, on 3rd May 2007.

UPDATED: There is now a £2 600 000 reward.
That is right, 2.6 million British Pounds!

On Saturday 12 May 2007 Madeleine turned 4. She is still missing.

Madeleine McCann de tres anos se idade, desapareceu na quinta-feira do Ocen Club na Praia da Luz, Algarve Ocidental. Foi levada da sua cama enquanto dormia, depois dum assalto no quarto dela.

IN Portugal call 282 76 29 30 (Lagos Police) if you have any information.
Portuguese Police: 00 351 282 405 400
In the UK Call Crime Stoppers: 0800 555 111
Or call your local emergency number

Please pray for her well being! and for her family!

Thank you!

Family 72

2007-04-29T23:09:00.000+10:00

I had a lovely call today from my cousin in Adelaide. We chatted for well over half an hour and although we have never met it is wonderful to know that I have a relative, albeit distant, on the same land mass as me!

So if his son Robert comes and takes a look at my Blog this photo is for you. It is of our family at Christmas in 1972.

Your Gran is on the left in the green floral dress with the pearls and her sisters are on the right also wearing pearls. Dorothy is at the back and Muriel is in front of her.

I wonder if they ever thought that their grandchildren / great grand children would keep in touch...

Anzac Day 2007

2007-04-25T19:40:00.000+10:00

Today is Anzac Day. A public holiday in Australia and New Zealand.

It is to remember the people from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought against the Turks at Gillipoli during World War One and now more generally for those who have fought for Australia and New Zealand during times of war.

Our friend Jane marching in the parade. She was the first female doctor put to sea by the Australian Navy. She is also my Obs and Gynae.

Wheeeeeee!

2007-04-14T17:29:00.000+10:00

Monkey coming down the slide headfirst 15 minutes ago. Very proud of himself,

"I DID IT!"

For Nix

2007-04-06T16:24:00.000+10:00

A new version of 121 for Nix and all other Rustenburg Old Girls everywhere.

Psalm 121 (The Message) The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Psalm 121: A Pilgrim Song

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.
He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep.
Not on your life! Israel's Guardian will never doze or sleep.
God's your Guardian, right at your side to protect you—
Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke.
God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life.
He guards you when you leave and when you return,
he guards you now,
he guards you always.

Easter song

2007-04-06T16:14:00.000+10:00

We sang this song this morning so I thought I would share it with you for Easter:

At the cross God demonstrates His endless grace. He chose to send His precious only Son, to punish Him for sins we've done.

So be not ashamed of the cross.
It brings salvation to all who believe.
God is revealed. Guilt is removed. Forgiveness can now be received.
So be not ashamed of the cross.
Tell of its power to all who will hear.
Great is our joy.
Glory is ours.
From death we can now be set free.

© 1996 Words by Bryson Smith. Music by Philip Percival.
Plainsong Music Dubbo, NSW, 2830, Australia

Blessed Easter to all lurkers and friends!

Lamberts Bay

2007-04-04T07:04:00.000+10:00

Up the west coast from Cape Town there is a delightful town called Lambert's Bay. It has lots of 'hats', a seaside holiday village, a fishing port, a port for diamond boats, home of a large Cape Gannet colony and it is home to one of the best placed road signs I have ever seen. They also have a wonderful restaurant on the keyside with a shale floor and fantastic food.

Diamond Boat

They use the giant hoses to suck diamond filled gravel off the sea bed.
The work is so hard that the divers only work underwater for 6 days a month.

On the pier

Did they really mean to place this sign outside the cemetary?

A Marriage made in Heaven

2007-03-11T07:01:00.000+11:00

There is something special about a wedding that is celebrated with God as the focus.

A couple standing before friends and family and saying that marriage was designed as a reflection of Christ's love and union with His church.

A couple who, with God's help, vow to be faithful and love each other as God loves.

Who unite and become one, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish each other for the rest of their lives.

So, to the Bride and Groom,

Remember to survey often.

In John 13v34 & 35 Christ says,

"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.
This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

May God richly bless your lives together.

Boulders Beach

2007-03-10T14:41:00.000+11:00

After lunch we headed on towards Cape Point. A few kms down the road take a left at the second Penguin sign you see and TA DA there it is..... BOULDERS BEACH.

This used to be the best kept local secret but someone told someone and now there is a lovely kiosk charging R25 to let you onto the beach to see the jackass penguins. Who's the jackass?

Poor tourists being ripped off again. Now don't tell anyone I told you but... If you go in the early evening entry is free and you will see the penguins coming back from their hard days fishing.

If you have to go during the day, park your car and head back towards the entrance of the parking area where you will see a little wooden gate. Go through it and there are penguins there too. Not the three thousand there are around the corner but enough to take some very decent snaps and of course it is far less smelly!

All these photos were taken on the free side of the beach!

There is a link in the title again.

Just Nuisance

2007-03-10T14:19:00.000+11:00

After a wonderful time in Jowzi ( the new and trendy name for Johannesburg) we headed off to Cape Town. The 4 generations went on a tour of the peninsula and stopped for lunch in Simon's Town. There is one thing that has to be done when visiting Simon's Town, visit the statue of Just Nuisance. He was a Great Dane that was made an Able Seaman in the 1940's so that he could travel on the train. He died on 1 April 1944 and is buried at Klaver Camp, Redhill, near where this photograph of Simon's Town was taken.

There is a link to his story if you click on the title of this post.

Rach, remember this?? One of the first stops we made all those years ago!

Simon's Town from the top of Redhill.

Three generations with Just Nuisance

Next stop......... Boulders

Pilanesberg National Park

2007-03-07T17:57:00.000+11:00

One the way back from Tilodi we took a drive through the Pilanesberg National Park. It is a beautiful National Park just on the outskirts of Sun City.

We saw loads of animals and spotted elephant in the first five minutes, much to my delight.

A Monkey up a Cherry Tree???? Well, maybe not but it is a monkey in a tree!

Tilodi Game Reserve

2007-03-07T13:21:00.000+11:00

Our first stop in our 2007 African adventure was Tilodi Wilderness. A lovely game farm about 30 minutes from Bela-Bela (a town previously known as Warmbaths).

We spent the weekend there and had 3 wonderful game drives. They have most animals with the obvious exception of elephant and lion. We saw Rhino on two of the drives, as well as giraffe, zebra, warthogs and Tsetsebe.

Patrick had a close encounter with a Mozambican Spitting Cobra which resulted in the poor snakes untimely demise at the hands of a game ranger. Apparently they are very territorial and the area outside the Gents toilets wasn't a suitable place to be territorial about.

So here are some snaps taken at Tilodi:

Our Chalet Accomodation

An African Sunset

And not the best but my favourite picture of Rhinos

Blogging at long last

2007-03-06T23:14:00.000+11:00

Hi there everyone,

We have just arrived back from our 7 week holiday in South Africa!

Having just landed after 17 hours of travelling we are all knackered and so I will start posting details of our trip tomorrow. We went to Tilodi Game Farm, Pilanesberg, Boulders, Lamberts Bay, Bettys Bay and Hermanus to name just a few so there are loads of pictures to look forward to.

Nice to be back! The garden is a small jungle maybe we will find a tiger when we cut the grass ;)

First day of school

2007-01-15T17:17:00.000+11:00

Well today was a big day, Leith started nursery school. I had braced myself for tears and howling but he happily gave me a kiss goodbye and carried on playing with the trains.

I collectd him just after lunch time and asked him if he had a good day and he said "YES" and I asked him if he wanted to go back and he said "YES" again!

Phew!

One more week at home...

2007-01-10T07:29:00.000+11:00

I am into my last week at home before I jet off again. Yup that's right another wedding, this time in Sunny South Africa. I will be in Johannesburg from the 20th and then off to Cape Town on the 1st February.

This holiday I have decided to make a few changes to the way I do things. Last time I spent a lot of time going to peoples homes and visiting with them there. Which was lovely but as a result I didn't set foot on a beach. When you live in regional Australia, 7 hours from the nearest beach, this becomes an issue.
Also there was our large and festive farewell dinner that turned out to be quiet and intimate with only 6 of 20 people arriving.
So, this time, I am being a tourist and if people would like to see us they are welcome to come and join us and be a tourist too :) Monkey is also getting older and it will be good for him to have some new experiences.

A few things you could join us in doing are:
Going to the aquarium,
Having lunch at Evita's; Groot Constantia
Day trips to Paddagang or Franschoek,
Afternoon Tea at the Nellie; Kirstenbosch Gardens
Trips to Knysna or Oudtshoorn
Waving at the trains from Fish Hoek beach

Oh what fun, does that plane only leave next week?

See some of you soon!

Happy New Year

2007-01-01T00:20:00.000+11:00

Hi and HAPPY NEW YEAR from Australia!

I hope that you all have a year that is filled with excitement and that you live every moment to the full!

All of you in the west, enjoy the end of 2006! If you are in London have a drink for me.....

Baby Luis has arrived

2006-12-26T16:47:00.000+11:00

CONGRATULATIONS to Rich and Claire on the safe arrival of Luis, on Friday!

We look forward to seeing the photos of the newest member of the Godden family :)

Merry Christmas

2006-12-26T11:31:00.000+11:00

Hi
I hope that your Christmas was blessed. We missed seeing family and friends who are like family, but March is coming soon and we will catch up then!
Some of you have had new babies, some of you proposed, CONGRATULATIONS! 2007 definately will be life changing for so may of you.
We were joined by two families for Christmas lunch and the festivities continued into the evening. It was great to share Christmas with friends!

The family will want to know what presents were under the tree so here goes....
Monkey was spoilt beyond belief receiving a bicycle, gardening kit, books, clothing, DVD'd, helicopter sprinkler and the compulsary additions to his train set.
I received a beautiful necklace! DVD's, books and Shiatsu Massager that goes on a chair!
Daddy received Cd's, Games, Books and a wooden Metranome.
As a family we have some new wine glasses and port pipes!
WoW!

Here are some pictures from yesterday...

Our tree in the library after Santa had come

What is this?

WOW

How grown up am I?
But I must stop listening to "STEPS"

With Daddy

Mummy's gingerbread house we smashed and ate for dessert

Have a wonderful New Year everyone!

Our Mothers Group

2006-12-23T17:52:00.000+11:00

Our group has been meeting to chat and study the Bible for a year. Some Mums are leaving the town at the end of the year to go to the big smoke and some are leaving for other churches. So these pictures were taken at our last meeting.

Monkey, Jack, Juliette, Elizabeth and Titus

Jo, Lexi, Belinda, Wendy, Ruby and Titus and Bernadette

Thanks for a great year girls, you have taught me so much!

Ruby, the brownies rule!!! :)

Rebecca in utero has arrived.

2006-12-19T20:25:00.000+11:00

I would like to Congratulate Wendy and Phill on the safe arrival of Monica, at 6.15pm this evening.
We look forward to meeting her and watching her grow.
May God continue to bless you richly and keep using you in His service! You are such a blessing to so many of us, THANK YOU!

It has been a while

2006-12-06T21:58:00.000+11:00

Hi All

Sorry I have been a bit slow on the Blog recently but the last few weeks have been a bit traumatic to say the least. A friend lost her twins at 34 weeks gestation and my next door neighbours child has third degree burns, which I had to do first aid on. The poor kid is now at a specialist burns unit 7 hours away having skin grafts that, as of yesterday, have become infected and so the docs will have to graft again on Monday. Hopefully they will be home by Christmas, which is looming ever closer....

Granny is emailing asking for pictures of Monkey soo especially for Granny....

May I present Learned Monkey, our little ray of sunshine in a dark few weeks....

Dust!

2006-11-03T23:48:00.000+11:00

Picture by L Smith.

Well yesterday we had our first Aussie dust storm. Our home is just to the right of the hill and it was amazing to see clouds of billowing red dust heading over the hill towards us. That then blew away leaving this fine grey dusty haze that you can see in the picture.

Hi Jack

2006-10-31T19:19:00.000+11:00

I don't know who Jack is but how nice to get a personalised road sign warning of warmth or maybe he suffers from trendy acne.

If you live in Johannesburg maybe you could call the Bryanston Forum and ask them who Jack is? Their number is on the sign.

Kiama

2006-10-30T20:45:00.000+11:00

KIAMA
This beachside town is about an hour south of Sydney. We stayed in a cabin at the Surf Beach Holiday Park. Perched on the Headland you couldn't have asked for a better view!

THE BLOWHOLE
Kiama's top tourist attraction

TRACEY AND ELLIOTT
It was wonderful to catch up with friends from Sydney!

FEEDING THE PELICANS

MONKEY ON 7 MILE BEACH
We had the whole beach to ourselves for most of the time we were there.
Well worth stopping here for a walk!

All in all we had a wonderful few days at the coast. Everything there looks very lush compared to Wagga, where we are praying for rain! Everything is dry, dry, dry and the bush fire season is about to begin.

Oh, if anyone is looking to buy a church there is a beautiful one for sale in Jamberoo!

29 October

2006-10-29T22:42:00.000+11:00

I am delighted to announce that Heather and Alan, our friends in New Zealand, are proud parents of a baby boy.

Timothy Reuben was born at 5.33pm and weighed in at a healthy 3.24 kgs (7.143lbs for us old school types). Heather and Timothy are both well. (I cannot tell you how long I have waited to type that line!:)

Timothy shares his birthday with our Aunty Mary and Greg.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the three of you!!
Our love and thoughts are with you even though we are half the world away!

7 Wonders, Have your say!

2006-10-18T08:22:00.000+10:00

www.new7wonders.com

On the 07 July 2007, in Lisbon, the 7 New Wonders of the World will be announced. This is because only one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World still exists, the Pyramids at Giza.

SO have your say. Voting for the short list is happening NOW at www.new7wonders.com

The Short List is:

01 Acropolis, Athens, Greece
02 Alhambra, Granada, Spain
03 Angkor, Cambodia
04 Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
05 Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
06 Colosseum, Rome, Italy
07 Easter Island Statues, Chile
08 Eiffel Tower, Paris, France
09 Great Wall, China
10 Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey
11 Kyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan
12 Kremlin/St.Basil's, Moscow, Russia
13 Machu Picchu, Peru
14 Neuschwanstein Castle, Füssen, Germany
15 Petra, Jordan
16 Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
17 Statue of Liberty, New York, USA
18 Stonehenge, Amesbury, United Kingdom
19 Sydney Opera House, Australia
20 Taj Mahal, Agra, India
21 Timbuktu, Mali

Let me know what your top 7 are out of that list.