walaj

Jenolan Caves

2011-09-05T16:16:00.003+10:00

Image by vitualis via Flickr

Meant to put this up last week.

Saturday 27th saw us all up early and out of the house by 6.45am for the 2hour 45 minute to the Jenolan Caves, in the Blue Mountains.

All the way through to the mountains we were in mist/fog, until we cleared the 'cloud deck' to see the sun - and the cloud layer covering Sydney!

We visited the Orient Cave this time (having been when we visited Sydney before we emigrated), and did the selfguided tour.

Picnic lunch then off to Leura for a pitstop before the final leg home.

up north for coffee

2011-08-15T08:51:00.000+10:00

Image via WikipediaWe managed to get out of the city yesterday - put some fuel in the car (did you know UL 95 is now 13c more than plain unleaded! When we moved here in 2006 it was only 4cents more expensive.), and made our way up to the F3/M1)

First stop - Ettalong Beach - home of 'the largest covered market on the Central Coast'. It didn't disapoint being even more tacky and lame than I could ever have imagined. Fair enough we are in the 2nd part of the GFC, and middle of winter, but please!

So out of Ettalong Beach (avoiding the Ettalong Beach Mantra Hotel - looking particularly out of place), and off to Pearl Beach, passing through Umina on way.

Pearl Beach is nice, quiet, end of the road. There is a restaurant, cafe and a kiddy park.

As it started to rain, we packed up and drove to Patonga - but didn't stop.

The plan was then to go back home via Umina for coffee/milkshakes, but having looked quite busy and vibrant on the way in, now in the rain and later afternoon, it looked a little dull and dead. So back to Pearl Beach and the cafe.

Filled up on coffee and milkshake, time to get back into the car for the journey home. Callum to advantage of this to have a little sleep. Amelia was just quiet.

Once home, a quick use of the hoover to remove the excess beach that had come back with us, and time to watch Nemo on the TV.

sweet

2011-08-05T18:05:00.000+10:00

Amelia has a play date next week with one of her classmates.

It's a boy.

On the one hand I shouldn't be surprised - she plays with lots of kids in her class.
On the other hand, I thought she mainly played with other girls.

Oh well, it's not like she's 14.

Yet.

[mini summer heat wave is just about over - 22C and still winter! lovely!]

a sunny morning out, after all the rain recently

2011-07-25T18:56:00.000+10:00

Image via WikipediaSunday morning saw us manage to get up and out of the house at a reasonable time to benefit from the fact that it wasn't raining in Sydney for the first time in about a week!

So off to Ku-ring-gai's Wildflower Garden on the edge of St Ives, and a moderate walk around one of the longer (paved) trails. A &C both took their scooters, but C was much more interested in running everywhere. A wasn't so interested in scooting after she came off her's, and grazed her elbow quite well.

Once back to the main area, a quick detour via the ponds and time to contemplate the frogs - or rather the sound, as we couldn't see them!

back from a rest

2011-06-27T20:33:00.000+10:00

Image via Wikipedia

Well, back at home now after 3 nights away - WITHOUT CHILDREN - in the Hunter Valley. Stayed at Mystwood Retreats (just outside Wolombi) - visited a number of vineyards including Tyrrell's, Tempus Two (UGG! So commercial!) and Allandale (we like)- quite a lot of wine tasting...

Ate at Margan Vineyard restaurant in Broke one night.

Tried the hottub at the retreat (hmm - too much chemicals - know that they are needed but didn't wash off very well).

So, back to work tomorrow - busy week, then work visit to Singapore at the weekend.

Happy Tin Anniversary to us

2011-06-02T09:07:00.006+10:00

Tin years ago today (well, by the calendar, and if you ignore timezone issues), at Donnington Valley Hotel, Berkshire, UK.

getting colder - down to single figures at night

2011-05-10T18:05:00.000+10:00

Image via WikipediaIts getting colder - down to single figures at night - so out come the 2 electric oil filled heaters (2.4kW each), and 4 new hot water bottles. Still, the electric blanket is still in the cupboard (but I suspect it won't be long!)

past events

2011-05-01T18:07:00.000+10:00

Image via WikipediaHad a week off work just before Easter.

One day was at the Sydney Royal Easter Show - A&C are now old enough to appreciate it. And showbags unfortunately.

The other day out was down at Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk which was interesting given my dislike of heights.

slack as ever

2011-04-12T15:38:00.000+10:00

Image by avlxyz via FlickrI had planned to put some posts up over March - and look, now it is April!

On Sunday we managed to get into the city by about 9.30! Quite impressive really. Spent some time around Paddington, then across to Chinatown for lunch at 1pm. Amelia enjoyed the Roti at the Malaysian restaurant Mamak, Callum wasn't so sure.

Then off to Pitt Street mall as the clouds opened, and back onto the train and home for the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix (just noticed the coincidence!)

autumn already

2011-03-06T17:04:00.000+11:00

Where did the Summer go? In fact, other than a couple of weeks, where was the summer??

you know it is hot when

2011-02-06T09:36:00.000+11:00

The carpeted floor feels hot
The lino in the kitchen feels hot
You turn on the cold water tap and it comes out hot
The internal door handles feel hot
Hot food is just too hot

The fan on the graphics card is running 80% - even though the PC is idle
The ceiling fan has only a marginal impact
You wake up during the night thinking you are drowning!

You consider going to bed with all the doors left open (sod the security)
You do sleep with an industrial fan running - even with the noise!

round the world and back again

2011-02-03T18:04:00.000+11:00

Image via WikipediaWell, I'm back at home now (although suffering from the heat!) - in the last two weeks I've been to Dallas for the yearly conference with work, then a quick detour via UK and Dublin, before returning to Sydney - via Dallas.

SYD->LAX->DFW->LHR->DUB ->LHR->DFW->LAX->SYD

I can confirm that American Airlines have the oldest staff, planes, and entertainment system out of any that I've flown on an international flight with. That said, the flight from DFW->LAX did at least have LCD screens instead of CRTs, with a half decent film to while away the hours (The Social Network - quite enjoyed it).

On the plus side I missed the snow in Texas now, and it was above zero C in the UK and Dublin (although it often didn't feel it!).

Travel back was 36 hours or so, and arrived at Sydney International Airport on time, Sunday morning. Through immigration quickly and then had to wait ages for the luggage. Sigh.

Melbourne the next day seemed quite a short hop!

decoro creativity: an evening with kevin

2011-01-20T14:48:00.001+11:00

Image by Matt Taylor via Flickrdecoro creativity: an evening with kevin: "Last night the husband was away, the children were in bed asleep giving me a chance to spend some quality time with Kevin. He cou..."

I don't know - here I am working hard at the sales conference in Dallas, and what is the wife doing? Spending time with another man :-)

New Year's Eve 2010

2011-01-13T10:52:00.000+11:00

Image by Leorex via FlickrFor the first time since we emigrated here, we didn't make it to the harbour for the 9pm family fireworks - sorry kids. But we did hear them round friends here in the upper north shore!

Recorded both sets off the tv - might even watch them!

so true

2011-01-13T10:37:00.003+11:00

So true. and funny - http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/signs-that-youre-a-sydneysider-20110111-19mrn.html

ack - 2011 already

2011-01-13T10:37:00.000+11:00

Image by World of Oddy via FlickrWell, shame on me - was going to do some posts over xmas - just didn't get round to it with the festivities and pool time ;-)

December 15th was Amelia's birthday - twelve 6 year olds running around the garden and using the bouncy castle we hired for the day. Alas they got bored (and hot - fair enough) after about 30 minutes! Lemonades for all later and back on the castle.

One of the Saturdays before Xmas saw the yearly trip into Hornsby's David Jones for the Christmas Photos with Santa. First in the queue (good!), there was little time for A & C to get wound up about seeing him and thus straight into the grotto. And for the first time we didn't have any tears. Although it was difficult to get Callum to actually look in the direction of the camera.

One night before Xmas, we got A & C ready for bed, and then into the car to see the various xmas lights in the area. a couple of large 'installations' in West Pymble, as well as a couple on the next road up (Hesperus Street), but nothing on the scale of Borgnis Street (which we didn't make this year).

Xmas day dinner was a starter of pesto prawns (done on the bbq), followed by steam salmon, then a snooze. Weather was warm enough for the first time to actually get into the pool on Xmas day. How Australian ;-)

been busy - just not on here!

2010-11-29T11:57:00.000+11:00

Image via WikipediaWell, shame on me again - few updates recently, and (until now) nothing in November!

Callum did have his 4th birthday party - with a Pirate theme. Once he got over his shyness, we think he enjoyed it. We played walk the plan, canonball pop (black balloons), and the kids got to eat "dead people in seawater" jelly (blue jelly with jelly babies in bottom) and drink sharks blood (red cordial icecubes in sprite).

Just cool

2010-10-03T18:02:00.003+11:00

take a look - you'll need something like Google Chrome - it will work in Firefox, but it's way slow!

http://www.thewildernessdowntown.com/

when nature attacks

2010-10-03T17:59:00.000+11:00

Image by marcleh via Flickr

So - it's spring - must be time for the local wildlife to attack us!

So far we have had:

two ant nests - one in the hall cupboard (apparently organic leg wax is yummy. And unfortunately very sticky! The other was a little more major - a complete nest, complete with eggs behind a chest of drawers in the kids bedroom.
the dead funnel web under the fridge
and most recently, a live spider (big, black, unsure what it was) in our bedroom. next to the bed.
plus the usual cockroaches coming in....

Joy. Still, it keeps the chemical companies in business.

still here

2010-09-22T18:24:00.000+10:00

Image by alexkess via Flickr

OOPS - suddenly it is the middle of September!

Well, Spring is here - birds are waking us up in the morning, it is getting warm during the day (still cool/cold at night), the lawn is needing cut and we are in the middle of Birthday season!

Callum and Amelia have discovered a new toy in the garden - the Hill's Hoist - 42 tonnes of steel (ok - not quite) used to hanging the washing out on, or small children...

warragamba dam

2010-08-17T20:02:00.000+10:00

Image by superciliousness via FlickrWe decided Sunday was going to be ok weather and time to give the car a bit of a run (rather than the usual urban usage it gets, or just the school run in the rain), so off to Warragamba Dam - primary source of water for Sydney since 1960.

Whilst we were not expecting a thrill ride of adventure, we were expecting it to be vaugly interesting.

But with the weather (very windy) and particularly picky kids, it wasn't the best of trips alas.

So back into the car - a picnic in the boot, and then back to Sydney via Campbelltown, Bankstown and the south.

aroma festival

2010-07-28T22:47:00.000+10:00

Back into the city last Sunday (this time without a bus detour from Chatswood), for the 2010 The Rocks Aroma Festival.

Highlight of the trip for C&A was their trip on a camel - that well known transport option in the harbour!

Lowlight was the Turkish coffee - not really my thing!

Over all, not bad, but VERY busy

A weekend of culture?

2010-07-19T19:32:00.000+10:00

Image via Wikipedia

Well, for a change, we both entertained, and went out over the weekend.

Saturday was (home made) Masterchef style pizzas and white wine. Kids weren't so impressed with the pizza alas, but I think they all had fun.

Sunday we did the family funday sunday travel ticket (only $2.50 per person for unlimited travel in the city), and braved the fact that it was a bus replacement service between Chatswood and Wynyard (Joy! At least there was an express bus going direct, and it might even have been quicker than the train!).

Anyway the first item of the day was coffee and a cake at Renaissance Café Patisserie in the Rocks - very yummy. Then round to the (Australian) Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) - not sure the kids enjoyed much of it, but both Amelia and Callum were very quiet (in a good way!) when watching a film about Lipizzan horses.

After that a walk round circular quay and a stroll up to Pitt Street Mall (for lunch). Louise checked out Myer for kids jigsaws - nothing suitable. We all went across to David Jones - also no suitable jigsaws. By now time to make our way over to the bus stop to get the bus back to Chatswood; Callum and Amelia enjoying a new Doctor Seuss on the train home.

Things Callum likes to eat (without asking, or telling anyone)

2010-07-12T22:27:00.002+10:00

Things Callum likes to sneak into either his bedroom, or the playroom, to eat in secret...

Stock powder
Louise's chocolate cake
Callum and Amelia's saved muffin (crumbled, and hidden under his pillow)
Sultanas
Weetbix (dry - also discovered under his pillow)
Rolled oats (dry)
Jam (half a jar, eaten with a spoon)
Honey (from the jar)
Daddy's breakfast cereal
Sultanas (Again)
Mint chewing gum (except for the piece saved, and put under Daddy's pillow, sans wrapper)

I'm sure there is more...

Bad Ass of the Week - Australia

2010-07-08T11:16:00.000+10:00

It's all true!

http://www.badassoftheweek.com/australia.html

Winter, so it must be cold

2010-07-02T09:21:00.002+10:00

So, like a typical pom, I regularly complain about the weather - it's too hot, it's too cold. It doesn't snow. But most of the time I'm just doing it to keep up apearances.

However, this week (now I'm back from Europe) - IT IS COLD!!!

Lets put this into perspective, in the hallway at the moment - it is 14degrees
In the bathroom, after a hot shower - it was 17degrees

Outside it has been down to about 4degrees in the last couple of days - peaking at about 14d on a sunny day (which today wasn't).

We don't have central heating. We don't have double glazing. I have now blocked the cm sized gap under the front door. The oil filled heater hardly seem to make a difference (except to the electricity bill!)

June already

2010-06-09T15:52:00.004+10:00

Image via Wikipedia

Crikey - is it June already??

It's now very much winter - the temperature is down to single figures at night, but can be nice in the sun early afternoon. Alas it's getting cold in the office (eg the garage!)

I'm off to Dublin with work in a couple of weeks - hoping to stop off in London for the weekend on the way back - this will be the first real visit back to the UK since we emigrated in 2006.

Oo - I'll be there for the Summer!

The price of books in Australia...

2010-05-08T20:54:00.004+10:00

Why are books so expensive in Australia? Yes, I know there are the local restrictions on parallel imports that is there too allow Australian publishers/book sellers to compete (which is why books such as the last Harry Potter were not being sold in the big stores at a $1 with a bag of apples).

BUT what I don't understand is why an Australian book, published in Australia should be cheaper to buy from the UK - even when postage is included.

Etcetra is published by Murdoch Books in Australia, with a list price of $59.95. The cheapest Aussie price is $55.95, plus P&P ($6), thus making it more expensive than going to the local shopping centre.

It is also published by Murdoch Books in the UK (ok - so I stretched the truth a little earlier).
It was listed on the BookDepository.co.uk at £20 (the list price - about $33 at the moment), however they can deliver this to Australia free of charge. Even Amazon.co.uk can offer it for approx $35 - including delivery....

things that make you go hmm.

2010-04-26T15:11:00.002+10:00

Image by young_einstein via Flickr

We are finally returning the garden waste wheelie bin we have been borrowing from the neighbours across the road (whilst their house was being built), so thought I should give it a hose down to clean it out.

Off to the corner of the garden to get the garden hose on it's reel. Oh - lots of leaves and webs - perhaps I should be cautious here?

After using some spider spray and killing the 4th redback spider, I though hmm.

Glad I was cautious.

I have a bad back

2010-04-03T22:58:00.002+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

Actually, I have a slipped disc, or more specifically:

L2/3: Within normal limits.

L3/4: Mild disc bulging

L4/5: Disc bulging with shallow left paracentral protrusion. Minimal impingment on the left anterior aspect of the thecal sac

L5/S1: Large central and left paracentral disc extrusion which impinges upon the thecal sac and the left S1 nerve root which is displaced postero-laterally at L5/S1. This would be consistent with a left S1 radiculopathy and is likely to be the culprit lesion. There is no evidence of sequestration or calcification.

but the tramadol is helping...

(the pic isn't my spine)

ringtail possum

2010-03-27T16:59:00.004+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

Mrs Possum hasn't been seen for a while, but Mr Possum has been here for the last two weeks.

We have a Ringtail Possum spending much of the day sitting on the outside window blind, keeping out of harms way. Eating breakfast we can see it's tail hanging down the shade. In the early evening, we can see it waking up and cleaning itself before going for a run on the next door's colorbond steel roof (ok - that bit isn't good).

did she really just say that???

2010-03-01T19:48:00.005+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

Oh dear - the Federal Education Minister (Julia Gillard) on the 7.30 report really just said "..children are learnt to read..."

Please! I thought children were taught to read... and correctly form sentences when speaking...

working from home

2010-02-25T10:04:00.002+11:00

Image by fensterbme via Flickr

So, I've got a desk in the garage (it's ok), a chair (it will be replaced), the laptop and an aio printer/scanner. And it all sort of works. I get to hear the birds outside (especially when the side door is open to let some cool air in). And I don't get in the way of anyone in the house (mostly)

It is very sweet when I do go back into the house to use the 'coffee machine' (aka kettle) - Callum frequently asks "are you still at work daddy, or are you home". My reply usually being "at work", to which he says dejectedly "oh. Ok, see you when you come home".

The downside is it can be noisy, and I am actually working on my own. In the previous job I might have had headphones on to block out some of the office noise, but I had a choice to interact with others - something I don't really get now. Oh and this chair is really uncomfortable!

On the plus side, I can jump in the pool for 5 minutes if I really want to (which at the moment I don't - it is a cool 19degrees outside, and the pool isn't likely to be much warmer - the rain two weeks ago flooded the pump shed, and killed the solar heating pump - either it is shorted out, or the bearings a re full of crud. Still at least the electrics weren't powered when the shed was a foot deep in muddy water!!!)

(no - the picture isn't of my HomeOffice - my I wish! Still, I'm getting a new laptop and screen soon)

Breakfast at Bronte

2010-02-21T17:05:00.000+11:00

Image by sekundo via Flickr

Louise (and Kids) picked me up a the airport this morning, and we drove up (down?) to Bronte for breakfast. Afterwards A&C got to go for a paddle in the sea, which they really enjoyed. Think A is going to be tired after her school do tonight...

Singapore

2010-02-21T07:03:00.001+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

Racking up the airmiles - just back from a couple of days in Singapore. Stayed at the Fairmont Hotel over looking Raffles. And only minutes away from a branch of Marks and Spencers - they still make great crisps (sorry - chips).

Auckland

2010-02-15T16:46:00.003+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

Just back from a couple of days in Auckland - first time in NZ. Stayed at the Westin hotel which was quite funky - massive rooms!

The harbour area was quite cool too - less touristy than Darling Harbour and better for it.

It's been a little wet recently

2010-02-07T21:32:00.002+11:00

Image by spud murphy via Flickr

My God - has it rained this weekend! It started properly on Friday, and pretty much didn't stop until very early this morning.

In the 24 hours from 9am on Saturday, the nearest weather observation site (Terry Hills) had over 9cm of rain!

Off to NZ

2010-02-07T21:28:00.003+11:00

Image by Squiggle via Flickr

Righty - more travel on Tuesday. Off to Auckland, New Zealand on Tuesday for a bit of training and a customer meeting.

lots of updates!

2010-02-07T21:20:00.002+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

NYE
Saw the 9pm Family fireworks from under the Harbour Bridge like last year. Then off to Sam/Hillary's for midnight.

First week of Jan
a week at the Siera Grand in Broadbeach, Gold Coast. Brisvegas/Ibiza-down-under was different. We took the bus upto Surfers Paradise; Louise went to a spa, and we went up the Q1 tower (very tall).

Second Week of Jan
New job - working from home.

Third Week of Jan
Off to Richardson, Texas (near Dallas) for the yearly sales conference and a couple of drinks (was very strange - crossed the international dateline on the way there, which means I arrived in LA before I left Sydney. And then on the way back, I lost a day - does that make me 1 day younger??)

boxing day

2009-12-26T09:46:00.002+11:00

And we were allowed to sleep in until after 7am! Lovely.

Thanks to Claire/Steve, Nicky/Chris for supper.

Merry Xmas

2009-12-25T09:04:00.001+11:00

A&C were generous - 6am.

"Look Mummy - Santa shops where we do!"

crappy xp

2009-12-21T09:41:00.002+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

Argghh! The pc is stuffed (full) with a really nasty virus - win32:vitro. Which merryily alters lots of files at random so that a) windows never works the same and b) it is nearly impossible to remove it.

So have finally bitten the bullet and done a clean install on another partition - but now the USB WIFI dongle refuses to install.

Oh I hate computers!

Borgnis Street lights, Davidson

2009-12-20T21:55:00.003+11:00

View Larger Map

Well, it was wiggles this morning - I think Callum really enjoyed - not sure about Amelia though.

Wasn't impressed with the access to the car park at Acer Arena though - signage was pretty poor - lots of people over taking then pulling (pushing?) in at the last minute.

This even was a drive out to the Borgnis Street Christmas lights, in Davidson. A street that knows no shame :-)

Actually the lights were quite impressive. But feel sorry for the residents who don't want to get involved, but don't really have a choice....

wiggles!

2009-12-20T07:48:00.001+11:00

Image by lyle58 via Flickr

Just over 2 hours to go - WIGGLE TIME

Pics of the Cake

2009-12-14T11:54:00.002+11:00

the after party, party

2009-12-12T18:18:00.003+11:00

Well that seemed to go quite well - the cake was finished before people got here (pics after the break), and there were very few tears. Everyone got their face painted, and found a goodie bag on the treasure hunt.

But two tired kids now, so into the pool for a little cool off instead of the Ku-ring-ai Christmas Carols at Bi-centenial Park - kids would be monsters by the time it finished...

Count down to the birthday party

2009-12-09T16:38:00.002+11:00

Wednesday, and only 3 more sleeps till Amelia's 5th Bithday Party. It will be a princess and princes theme - with lots of frogs to kiss, and Louise will be making (although it is far past the point where it would have been cheaper to buy it ready made) a fairy castle Birthday Cake - hope Amelia appreciates the effort!

There will approx 10 girls, 2 boys, 1 brother (Callum), and two frazzled parents, running around the garden on Saturday afternoon, many having had their faces painted as they choose...

It's december - and summer

2009-12-03T16:34:00.002+11:00

Horray - Christmas is just around the corner, along with massive queues in the shopping mall car parks, with irate people trying to find the last 3 spaces in a 1500 space car park, the aircon in the car runing overtime trying to keep the inside of the car cool....

Saturday at Chatswood.

2009-11-30T13:50:00.002+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

Eww - the Coles at the Westfield Chatswood is a hole! I don't understand why it is so bad - it isn't much smaller than other stores I've been in, but there was limited stock, the floors were dirty (although that's quite common :-( ) I was especially impressed with the fish counter - the prawns were "thawed for your convienience" - except they weren't even thawed!

Saturday arvo - back into the pool - was very warm again.

Sunday - gardening and then into the pool again. Callum and Amelia both have swiming bubbles now...

And video from the pool

2009-11-24T14:25:00.005+11:00

Pics of A&C in the pool

2009-11-24T14:17:00.003+11:00

Sunday was HOT

2009-11-23T15:45:00.003+11:00

HOT HOT HOT HOT HOT.

My, it was hot in Sydney yesterday. The temperature hit about 41d by lunch time, and it felt like it!

Thanks to Claire, Steve, Liam and baby Ethan coming round (once we had managed to get to Bunnings at Belrose for some more chlorine for the pool) to enjoy the water. The solar heater has done its work - pool was 30degrees and lovely.

Suprise of the day was Callum, who I finally convinced to wear arm bands and after almost forcing him into the pool with them on, he discovered how cool it was to be able to paddle around on this own.

But shock of the day was when Callum decided he wanted to jump in - which he did - and loved it. To the point where he climbed out and jumped in again. After complaining earlier that he had a tiny speck of water on his face, he was now jumping in and being fully submersed in the water!

Sunday morning at the beach

2009-11-16T16:45:00.003+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

Sunday was warm (although not as sunny as Saturday), so up early and stuff the kids into the car and off to Dee Why. But once we go there, no parking - it is usually quite busy Sunday morning, but the good weather has really pulled everyone out for Sunday brunch!

So further north and off to Collaroy and the Deck. Park in the usual place, where it is 2 hours free, before pay and display kicks in.

However, once getting back, I notice a parking fine stuffed under the wiper - $84 as we didn't display a ticket - parking has been changed since we were last there, and now $5 per hour between 7am and 7pm - every day.

crap.

Wouldn't mind if they actually cleaned up the broken glass from the hotel next to the car park!

birthday party day

2009-11-07T08:02:00.003+11:00

Image by infomatique via Flickr

Off to Wizzy World at Chatswood this morning for Callum's 3rd Birthday Party. Louise has made a fire engine shaped cake - with lots of red food colouring - can't wait :-)

first time into the pool this season

2009-11-04T12:21:00.002+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

Yesterday was

Melbourne Cup Day
Very hot (but not overly sunny)

so home a little earlier, and in the pool we go. I was a little disappointed that it was only 25degrees (and still a bit 'dusty' on the bottom - creepy-crawly is now in and running today). But Callum and Amelia both enjoyed it.

After 36 degrees yesterday (and 27degrees at 10pm), it is down to 22 top today!

late nights

2009-11-02T16:21:00.002+11:00

2 'late' nights in a row for the rugrats. Saturday night out at fellow ex-pats (congratulations on getting Permanent Visa btw) for Halloween - A&C both enjoyed knocking on doors and trick or treating...

Then Sunday arvo off for another (kiddy) birthday party, followed by an attempt at an early bath and bed.

solar pool heater

2009-10-18T09:03:00.002+11:00

Here is the problem - we have a solar pool heater. Whilst the 'heat' is solar and thus free, the pump uses electricity and thus isn't. We also don't have a pool cover. So over the last couple of weeks the pool has been slowly heating up during the day, but cooling over night. Most nights are about 15 degrees. Thus the pool hasn't actually got warm enough to make it worth while getting in.

So here is the question - when does it become viable to run the heater?

Finally got my Aussie passport

2009-10-13T18:04:00.003+11:00

Image via Wikipedia

No more (or at least less) queuing to get back into the country! And - oo - it an 'ePassport' - with a RFID chip that can probably be cloned in about 15 seconds... but will get me though the SmartGate at the aussie side.

how very British

2009-10-03T08:15:00.002+10:00

Image via Wikipedia

It's labour day long weeekend - and it is raining - heavily. How very British.

I mean - two days ago it was 33 degrees - now it is only 17 degrees!

And did I mention the rain???

martian dust in sydney

2009-09-23T14:06:00.004+10:00

Image by Christopher Chan via Flickr

Woke up this morning (or rather, was woken up this morning) to the interesting experience of 'red sky in the morning'. Sydney has been engulfed in fine red dust/soil from western NSW, which was hanging in the air as if we were in the atmospheric pollution of Beijing!

The volume of dust, and the sun rising made the sky a uniform red/pink colour (which was quite sureal when looking at the trees). The nearest I have seen before is in the UK when it has snowed/is snowing at night, and the sodium street lamp light is bouncing off both the ground and the cloud (except in this case we couldn't see the clouds!).

It has mostly cleared now, leaving a film of red dust everywhere - over the car (in looks like it has been offroad!), on the roof, and in the bottom of the pool!

2009-09-20T16:33:00.000+10:00

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Up and out early, to get down to the zoo for opening time (or very nearly). Taronga Zoo is still undergoing major renovations - all of which look better. Amelia wanted to see the elephants, chimpanzees, and Luk Chai, the new baby elephant (again).

Just time for a paddle in the artificial beach at the Southern oceans exhibit and run around the penguin tanks (for Callum), then off home (to the rain!).

A brief burst of summer

2009-09-13T21:30:00.000+10:00

Image via Wikipedia

The sun is out, it is 30 degrees (the pool is still far too cold to get into - even with the solar heater), so off to the beach for an hour or two. This week it is the south end of Mona Vale beach. Water was a little rough, but A&C both stripped off most of their clothes and ran in and out of the surf.

Afterwards (and recognising that both of the kids could do with rashies and sunglasses), it was off to Warringah Mall for a look. Alas we didn't get what we went for, but finally picked up a lasagna dish from David Jones. As you do.

Father's Day (aus)

2009-09-06T09:40:00.002+10:00

Today is Father's Day. We got a lie-in, then I got some more lie-in, whilst Louise and the children made special breakfast. Freshly made luxury toasted muesli with strawberries and yoghurt followed by 'toasted eggs'.

Bushfire season is here again

2009-09-02T10:31:00.000+10:00

Bushfire season in NSW has been started early - Spring is here and expectations are for a bad one...

half a day out in Narrabeen

2009-08-28T14:26:00.003+10:00

Image via Wikipedia

Yesterday I took the day off to spend some time with Louise (Callum was at Occasional Care and Amelia at Preschool).

Off to Narrabeen for lunch, with a stop off at the Bahá'í Temple at Ingleside on the way.

Ultimately we didn't get lunch at the beach (but had a nice walk) - Callum wasn't well, and we got called to pick him up early. C'est la vie

a day out with work, then into the city

2009-08-23T21:21:00.003+10:00

Image by sachman75 via Flickr

Today we went down to North Sydney oval for a 'family fun day' with work. Then as the weather was so good, and we had Sunday Funday Family tickets ($2.50 per person aged over 4 in a family group, for unlimited usage of the rail, bus and ferries in Sydney on a sunday), we carried on into the CBD for treats at the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place and a walk around the financial district.

past the city-2-surf, warm weather on the way

2009-08-16T23:48:00.002+10:00

Image by Lachlan Hunt via Flickr

Unseasonably warm weather meant it was 28 in the city today!

Everyone sound asleep after an arvo in the city - train, lunch in Hyde Park, Australian Museum (including watching a street rat run about!!), then back on the train.

some updates

2009-07-29T11:53:00.003+10:00

Well winter is here - and it has been quite cold (down to 6/7 degrees), so the electric blankets and heaters are out!

On the 2nd July we gained our citizenship, joining Callum and becoming really dinkydi aussies.

Over the last 2 months we have all had bad colds/chest infections of one sort or another - not swine flu (thats viral, this is bacterial) - and some of us still have it.

Amelia has been to lots of birthday parties and has moved on from tell us about her 5th birthday party (not until December), and has moved onto her 6th!

I've finally got round to upgrading both the tv computer (new CPU/memory/case/hard disk - I kept the tv cards though) and main computer - it is great to be able to view more than one web page with flash adverts at a time without the whole pc grinding to a halt!

some pics - as usual - at some point.

Still Alive

2009-05-22T17:26:00.001+10:00

Yes - still alive - just not got round to putting anything on here. Although some would argue that is probably a good thing...think of wasted electrons after all!

flights booked - off to Ireland in a week...

2009-03-13T16:48:00.001+11:00

(for work)

problems with blog

2009-03-07T17:28:00.003+11:00

If you were getting "internet explorer can not open this internet web site" or "operation aborted", it was due to Blogger/Google changing the code in one of the 'addon's I had (friend tracker - not that I had any friends).

all fixed - I deleted it.

and they're off

2009-03-07T17:28:00.001+11:00

My parents, back to the UK. It was good to see you.

a day in the city today, on the $2.50 Family Funday Sunday special

2009-03-01T19:03:00.000+11:00

a visit to The Rocks, ferry round to the Yacht Club, then train back to the harbour for a walk around the Opera House. Not bad, given the travel cost on $2.50 each, all day

off to the aquarium today

2009-02-16T16:57:00.000+11:00

cool - dugongs

http://www.sydneyaquarium.com.au/dugong/

/My/ Parents are now here

2009-02-06T23:37:00.000+11:00

We picked them up from Sydney International Airport at 10am today.

(and had to pay for the privilege - there is no arrivals 'pickup' zone like there is in domestic)

life is good

2009-01-31T20:59:00.002+11:00

After doing the food shoping this morning, and cutting the back lawn after lunch, the afternoon was complete with a dip in the pool, beer on the deck, and prawns for dinner.

lovely.

Australia Day

2009-01-26T22:28:00.000+11:00

Happy wet Australia Day...

HOT!

2009-01-24T18:22:00.002+11:00

Apparently today is the hottest day of the year (so far - not that difficult given it is still January, and there is still a month of Summer to go!)

Alas it is HOT - so hot that the metal stair rail outside the back door - which doesn't get ANY sun, feels a little too hot to touch.

So hot that I offered to do the shopping - so I could be in an air conditioned mall

So hot that I've taken the side of this PC before it shuts down.

So hot that we can line dry clothes in the play/sun room!

Its hot!

(ok - so it's nice when it is warm, but today is just taking the micky!)

And their off

2009-01-16T18:21:00.000+11:00

Bye to the first set of rellies...

(next set due 6th Feb)

mmm -toasty

2009-01-07T14:46:00.001+11:00

it is /very/ warm - just waiting for the thunderstorm to break...

Demolition of Number 3 has finally started

2009-01-05T10:10:00.002+11:00

Joy - the (partial) demolition of Number 3 (next door) has finally started, at 7am this morning. Power tools at 7.30am, and a JCB arrived (with a large lorry) at about 8am.

Acutally, I say 'finally started' - they actually started taking the roof down on Saturday, continuing to work past the midday cutoff....

happy new year etc

2009-01-02T20:50:00.003+11:00

This year we spent the evening at Bradfield Park, underneath the north side of the harbour bridge to wait for and watch the 9pm Family Fireworks.

Happy new year etc to all.

Photo day with the rellies

2008-12-27T19:27:00.001+11:00

Off to Lindfield today for photos. Will have to wait a couple of weeks for the CD-Rom though.

Boxing Day - Aussie Style

2008-12-26T19:26:00.000+11:00

Did think it was going to be poor weather, but ended up in the pool today - 2 hours with Amelia and Louise whilst Callum had a sleep. (No rellies in the pool)

Thanks to Claire and co

2008-12-25T23:25:00.000+11:00

For Xmas pudding on Christmas eve.

(no thanks to the mozzies!)

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T00:00:00.000+11:00

rain, rain and more rain

2008-12-12T20:08:00.001+11:00

Anyone would think it was Summer.

(and that we have just put the tree up)

Back from a trip north

2008-12-11T19:53:00.002+11:00

Just back from 6 days at a farmstay at Kookaburra Cottage in Bobs Farm - a hamlet in Port Stephens near to Nelsons Bay. As part of the stay we ventured out to Stockton Beach, home of the largest mobile sand mass in the southern Hemisphere* - AND WE MEAN LARGE!

* or NSW - the web is fickle, and undecided

More xmas lights

2008-11-29T23:53:00.001+11:00

Back from a second set of lights being turned on - this time in Darling Harbour; unfortunately due to rain, far to late, and a bit boring. We left a little after the 'tree' was lit, only to see the second (and more impressive) set of fireworks as we walked back into the main CBD.

Xmas tree lights

2008-11-27T23:48:00.001+11:00

Back from a trip into the city with A&C to see the main city xmas tree lights get turned on. Highlight of the evening for Amelia was seeing Big Ted, Little Ted and HumptyDumpty live on stage...

12 months in

2008-11-16T19:39:00.000+11:00

We've now been in the house for a year!

And whilst it hasn't been knocked down (and the kitchen is still yellow and red, ala McDonalds), bit of it (ok - the garden) are coming on.

Amelia is now accepted for Preschool

2008-11-14T19:28:00.000+11:00

We've had confirmation that Amelia is now accepted for 3 days a week at WestPymble PreSchool, starting in January 2009 (next school term). Originally she was accepted for the two day session (Mon-Tues) but we wanted her in the 3 day session so that she could go with her friends.

All pleased, and Amelia can't wait!

the rellies are gone (for a little trip to Noosa)

2008-11-10T15:37:00.000+11:00

and come back next week...

Birthday Party for Callum

2008-11-02T19:32:00.000+11:00

Yesterday we had a little party for Callum's 2nd birthday at the park - it was supposed to be last weekend, but Callum (and Amelia) were still infectious with Chickenpox).
Callum got a black sit on 'motor bike' trike, which he loves.

Happy Birthday Callum

2008-10-26T20:34:00.000+11:00

Callum is 2 today (only 2?? feels longer!)

we had to keep him inside as he still has chickenpox (not that you can tell).

He really loved the birthday card from Grannie Waland - open it and it plays old macdonald in remarkable good quality (and loud!) audio...

We eventually got him into bed late.

the rellies are here

2008-10-25T23:34:00.000+11:00

so we have moved in to the sewing room....

miniture sydney...

2008-10-24T10:01:00.000+11:00

Beached from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

more sickness

2008-10-22T13:43:00.001+11:00

My ribs still hurt. Louise is still recovering from the pox.

and....

wait for it...

Callum and Amelia have chicken pox as well. So that's the birthday party on Sunday cancelled. And we have to find out if Louise's parent have had it.
(C&A have been vaccinated, but 1 in 10 receipients still get a milder dose....)

EUWWW!

2008-10-15T14:37:00.002+11:00

Just found a (sealed thankfully) pack of 'Kraft French Crepes' down the back of the larder cupboard.

Best before - August 1987.

Labour Day (NSW)

2008-10-06T11:48:00.001+11:00

And Louise has chicken pox.

Callum and Amelia have both been vacinated, and I've had it before.

Hopefully no one at Naomi's birthday has got it from us.

walaj

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