More fun at Floriade

Bev and I entered the flower basket competition at Floriade yesterday. We had fun but I didn't do such a good job of arranging my flower basket. Don't think I'll win! We brought our finished baskets home to hang and admire!

Floriade 2010

Rick and I visited Floriade on Wednesday 29 Sept. The wind of the previous days had disappeared so it was a pleasant, cool but sunny day. It was not crowded and we enjoyed the walk.










We walked back to the car along the lake.

Choir gigs

Richard has been very busy performing at choir gigs in the last two weeks.
Here are two:


Canberra Men's Cjoir



Strange Weather Gospel Choir.

A week with Carole Anne and Clair

Last week we had Clair and Carole Anne stay with us. They were getting ready for their big trip overseas. Their week was a busy one.... with the hasty packing up from their accommodation, unpacking here and packing up again , travelling down the coast to see friends, working late and doing last minute errands for their trip.

A highlight was when several of us joined them in celebrating Clair's birthday a few days early, on Sunday, September 4. We spent many hours together over lunch and talked until late afternoon!








We enjoyed another lovely meal together, later that week at Roz and Sherab's home.
Wednesday, September 8.

Enjoying the Spring Day

Today has been a pleasant sunny day and Richard and I happened to be home on the same day! We had an outing to the shops and had lunch, as well as doing a few things around the house. Richard is currently working one day a week and I have been working on call, as usual.
This week the work for me has slowed a little. I've only worked one day so far.
I've been working lots ( 3 or 4 days each week) all through the Winter terms. It may be easing off a little, now the weather is warming and most people are over their illnesses.
We have some friends staying with us this week. They are between accommodation only for a week.They leave on Friday for a trip to Europe & USA.

Last Saturday Richard sang in a big choir concert and it was well received.
Stuart and Cherie are well and enjoying life in Seoul. They are in the process of applying for a visa for Cherie and hope to return to Australia to live in February. This is very exciting!
Cameron is on a months' holiday overseas and is currently in Florence. he seems to be enjoying himself and seeing lots of interesting things and places.

I am gearing up for the next check-up with the oncologist next week. This marks six months since I've been on the current medication and almost twelve months since I was diagnosed. That day was October 6, 2009.

It's almost time for Floriade and for the Dragon Boat Regatta. My school has entered two whole boats. I am planning to participate this year, despite a few annoying aches and pains.I shouldn't have these.... being so young and vibrant!

Election Day

I've been busy working these past few weeks. Richard has a one day a week job at the moment. He is catching up on things at home . He is applying for any contracts he's made aware of.
Since the beginning of August I have noticed an increase in my energy levels. I am hoping this means that I have turned the corner!
It's been six months now since my last operation, so I am hoping I have said "goodbye" to the debilitating fatigue and the joint aches. It's been good to be able to earn some money while managing the busy teaching days well.
Stuart and Cherie are safely back in Seoul. They have just told us that they hope to return to Australia for good in February 2011. This is an exciting prospect for us all.
Cameron is the UK. He has gone for a month with is uni friend, Ben. Ben has been able to access free 5 star hotel accommodation for part of the trip! Cameron is in London right now and soon will be visiting Paris and Rome. He's enjoying himself so far.

Today I voted. Richard and Cameron voted earlier and Stuart voted at the Australian Embassy in Seoul. The choice we had to make this time was the hardest one that I can remember.

Stuart and Cherie's visit - July 24 to August 1

DAY ONE: Sydney on Saturday July 24:

Stuart and Cherie arrived in Australia on Saturday July 24. We took them from Sydney Airport to Ma and Pa's for morning tea and then to Deirdre and Paul's house for a special welcome home lunch with 23 other family members. It was a great day. In the afternoon we drove them back home to Canberra.


Stuart and Cherie wore their special Korean hanboks at the start of the special lunch. Sarah prepared a great welcome sign for them.



Ma's welcome sign

Cherie and Stuart gave Ma some very special ceramic Korean people

Cutting the cake at lunch

Having a great conversation with the cousins.



Ma with Stuart and Cherie at morning tea.

Stuart and Cherie with cousins Sarah, Emma and Avril

The whole lunch gang

Road trip: Victoria - Part 4

From Walkerville we headed north to Jeeralang Junction, near Churchill. Richard wanted to catch up with a high school friend. They hadn't been in contact for 39 years. The last time they saw each other was when they were in Year 12. They showed us around their sheep farm and we saw a lamb being born! Richard also liked seeing their pet parrot, dogs and pigeons.




The dog that guards the sheep.





Daughter Merrin playing with the pet parrot.



The next afternoon it was time to return to Canberra. We drove home via Cann River, Bombala and Cooma. We had a good trip with little traffic to contend with.

Road Trip: Victoria - Part 3

Phillip Island to Walkerville: July13 & 14


Venus Bay


Jim and Jane's house at Walkerville. We had a lovely time catching up with Jane. What a beautiful part fo the world! We missed seeing Jim as he was swanning around the country with overseas guests.




Jane's workshop. She started the firing about 6am
and was checking the kiln temperature
every half hour that day. She finished the firing at about 8:30pm.
It was a long and busy work day for her.
We had to leave before we could see the finished products, as Jane had to wait many more hours for the kiln to slowly cool down before she could open it to view them.
Later she told us that she that she had a mixture of successes and disappointments.


We saw the old lime kilns and the beach at Walkerville.
A little too chilly for swimming.



We encountered emus on Wilson's Promontory







Sad to leave Jane... hope to visit again sometime.

Road trip: Victoria- Part 2

Melbourne and Phillip Island - July 11 & 12.

It was great to catch up with Phil and Wendy in Melbourne. The kindly offered us their house to stay in on Phillip Island. We enjoyed a lovely day there.


The Nobbies - fairy penguin area.




Bass Straight