Happy New Year

Goodbye 0 nine- the nine key on this keyboard has been missing for a good year now, '10 will be so much easier... what a year! first birthdays, new homes, new community, - all in a happy and healthy year we have had. Trip to Capetown, Thailand, discovery of a wonderful 3 yr old girl who makes her large personality known to all that pause long enough. And the amazement of watching a newborn become a 1yr old character, with stronger opinions and feelings than most adults, so comfortable in her ways of communicating that only she understands, but still continually communicating with unwavering conviction. Watching her strong, healthy and very ticklish body grow has even been fast for me who sees her every minute. The emo hair is also too cute for words.

to travel

I look at these beautiful slides taken by my father as he and my mum traveled through Morocco, Zaire, and through many wonderful countries on their journey to South Africa. It was only last night as steve and i sat by the bbq cooked our yummy steaks, talking of all the amazing places we have travelled to. Our favourite last night, as it always changes, was Samuc Champay -not sure of spelling- but it is a little town in the hills of Eastern Guatamala, as has become a tourist spot because of this rare formation of sandstone rock that has been worn away by a raging river so the river now goes underground, and above is the mineral rick water that seeps through the limestone and creates aqua blue, tiered pools that are surrounded by cool rainforest walks. The backpackers there was memorable. It was about then that we started to talk about opening up our own.. It was run on a volunteer basis, so plenty of people feeling very important, but still very organised. You put your name down for the vego meal each night, and as the dinner bell rang you sat and ate a beautiful set meal. The rooms were funky and the river ran straight past the backpakers and ran really fast, so that all they had put there was a rope to hang onto or you could catch a ride upstream and hire a tube. Hence the need for the rope as we soon found out you quickly get sucked into a very low bridge downstream..My favourite memory is the fireflys. At dusk there were hundreds of them in the grass. Absolutley amazing! A warm night, some local rum and to sit and watch the fire flys that just fascinated me makes me smile.

And while I am on the random subject of my travels, another favourite shot of mine, that makes me smile from the tips of my bare feet to the top of my sunburnt head.

Ahh Carisbrooke

What a few relaxing days we have had. It helps that the car has been broken and will take a week or 2 to repair. Lots of swimming, making chain decorations, catching up on cooking and planning the very fancy christmas dinner that is creeping up on me. Have found pleasure in sitting outside at the finish of the day, listening to the galahs and watching the bush turkeys eat steves grass seed that he so lovingly put down on the weekend. mm fat bush turkeys but no grass to replace the patch of weeds.

Miss Pip 1!

What a weekend! not a chance to put up photos of my lovely one year old, but we certainly partied on her behalf. So much fun and the best reason to celebrate such a healthy, happy tittle one, that is at a stage where she recognises and shows she loves her family, plays games with you, 'kisses' are an open mouth moving towards yours, trying to walk, sometimes like a crab to get over the rough stuff, will laugh with you for hours on end, and copy EVERYTHING! her sister Eva does. Happy Birthday my little one, you are such a squidge.xx



The week has taken a turn for the annoying today as I drove sister back to Canberra, came to visit my 93 yr old nana and car decided to break down in the country. Fly country that is, no mobile reception mmm I did swear alot. Waiting for my husband in his shining armour (hair) and on his dark horse (Audi) to come and rescue me. In the meantime, liking the forced exile playing on the lawn with the dogs, walking to the shearing shed, and enjoying the hospitality and cold beer of my Aunt Sue.