17th August 2016 uploaded 25th August :C

Well time has flown, yet again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is so hard to believe that two months have flown by since our last update.  I was having issues trying to get in last month but that has all been sorted .  My issue today is that we do not have great reception (even with the aerial up in the caravan) so will have to upload this (hopefully tomorrow) when we are in better reception.  I must admit that it still amazes me that there are some towns that have really crappy internet reception – with all the propaganda that we get told that the companies are supplying the best and fastest – only to find 2 coast-side towns with crap all service. 

Any way that has been my whinge for the day   I am sitting out the side of the van, under the awning enjoying the beautiful sunshine, cool breeze and looking at a house that is up for sale for a cool - $1,100,000.00!!!  Just a little over our budget but would have great views of the sea!  – now to let you know what we have been up to since our last update…….

We had been due to go to visit our friends Elaine and Rob in Temora on the 20^th June BUT the weather on the day was shocking and the wind was blowing.  We contacted the police to see if there had been any reports of roads closed along our journey – none to report.  We contacted Elaine and Rob to find the rain had become torrential at their end and a road nearby had just been closed – so we decided to leave it until our return journey from Wagga the following week.

On the 22^nd we managed to get some sunshine at 2pm – which only lasted about an hour – but it was lovely to see.

 sun trying to come through

I continued to go to the Weaving Together group at Condobolin and have met some very lovely people whilst we have been temporary residents.

24^th June we headed to Wagga and passed through a weather front on the way.  More rain.  We could see where the road had had water over it in about 6 section before we even got to West Wyalong – so we wouldn’t have got through earlier in the week.

 We were here this weekend to join in with the joint birthday celebrations of brother-in-law Peter and his friend Jo.  What a great night we had at the ‘Thirsty Crow’ and the birthday cakes, made by niece Pauline, were divine.

 Jo and Peter

On Sunday 26^th our niece Kayla, drove Jenny, Lyn and I out to the Lawn Cemetery and we sat and had a coffee with Mum, until the wind picked up and the sun disappeared and we felt the full brunt of the Maximum 4degree day :D

On the 27^th we headed back to Condobolin going via Temora and seeing our friends Elaine and Rob.  What a great visit – and as usual – the time passed way too fast.  Next time we will have to organise to come and stay in their back yard for a few days so our visit doesn’t seem as rushed.

Managed to get most of the cleaning done on Tuesday (whilst it rained) for the travellers return tomorrow.  During our 6 ½ weeks caring for Wendy and Ian’s home in Condobolin we had 250ml of rain.  The place was very wet for their return from Europe on the 29^th June.  We left Condobolin at 10am to be at the airport in plenty of time for their flight, and also to catch up with our friend Jenny.  We did this at the café at the airport so we weren’t stressing about not being there when the travellers landed.  Their flight actually got in 15 minutes EARLY which was a bonus.  Once we collected their bags it was back to Condobolin – a 2 hour 15-minute drive.  Miss Rosey really loved the extra cuddles and snuggles that were given.

  Ian in his Lederhosen

Thursday I headed into town for my final weaving session with the ladies and we were joined by a group of student Physiotherapists – who had been doing a tour of the outer communities and joined us for some relaxation and learning basic weaving from the group.

Saturday 2 July we headed into Condobolin to do the compulsory voting – Well – Ian and Wendy did, Darryl and I had sent in our postal votes about 1 ½ weeks ago!!! :D  We then did a little shopping and everyone was wanting to catch up on Ian and Wendy’s Travels and then we went to a great exhibit called – Waste 2 Art at the community centre.  What great artistic minds some people have and are able to change WASTE into art works.  A wonderful exhibit and whilst we were there we met some friends at the Art Class and chatted to the ladies who were doing the crochet work.  Wonderful work indeed. Our last day in Condobolin was spent with fantastic company and then we had a great roast dinner to end our sojourn of caring for Wendy and Ian’s home.

On Sunday we headed into Wagga with the van in tow, as we had an appointment on Monday to get two new tyres for the car before heading south to Geelong in Victoria.

Tuesday we headed toward Melbourne, stopping for the day at Seymour – a day of changing weather and ending with pouring rain :C

Wednesday we arrived at Torquay going down through Bacchus Marsh and fog so thick you could barely see 100metres in front to come out at the bottom to an overcast but ‘sunny’ day.

 I contacted Bronwyn Razem (who I was to spend 4 days with learning weaving using local grasses) and she invited me to go with her tomorrow to the Melbourne Museum and learn how to make bush toys.  So Thursday morning Bronwyn and her grand-daughter Aliyah, collected me from the van park and into Melbourne we went.  We spent until 3pm showing adults and child alike, how to make toys using straw/hay and wool.  An exhaustive day considering I only learnt that morning :D

On Friday Darryl and I went and had Lunch with Bronwyn and then Darryl went back to the van.  Bronwyn and I couldn’t go ‘bush’ as had been planned due to someone burning out her motorhome, so we stayed in her unit and wove using raffia.  Saturday we went to the local Aboriginal Corporation Centre – Narana – and had a lovely lunch, before heading back to do more weaving.

Sunday we headed into Melbourne to Southbank and the ABC Radio studio – where Bronwyn was to be interview for the ‘Sunday Sesh’ and somehow I ended up being interviewed as well.  It was a very interesting experience.

Monday we headed to the ‘Saltwater Community Centre at Point Cook’ where we spent the day covering nylon rope with natural raffia, so that we could wrap it around a wooden frame to form a tree.  This tree will branch out and have leaves attached to it and a Gugaa (Goanna) climbing it.

Tuesday Darryl arrived to collect me at about 2pm and we headed back to the van.  Darryl stating that the AC in the van could not keep the heat up to the ARCTIC BLAST that was bashing the coast at that time.  When we got back to the van it was to find that he had all the top hatches open and the Windows in ensuite, kitchen and bedroom were opened about 20cm.  Once they were closed it was amazing how warm the van became.  [Silly bugger].

Thursday we met up with Darryl’s cousin Christine and her daughter Erin at Highton.  Another blustery cold day but at least the sun was trying REALLY hard to get through the clouds.  We enjoyed an hour and half walk along the river front as well.

Friday 15^th we left Torquay at 10am and arrived back in Wagga at about 4.30pm.  Darryl has somehow kinked his back over the past couple of days and it is causing him some real grief.  So out comes the TENS machine and the Fisiocreme and rest.  It will be great to spend some more time with sisters Jenny and Lyn and their families.

Sunday I spent a couple of hours with my dear friend Gail, showing her what I had done over the past week and also sitting and yarning about life and what I want to get out of my weaving.  This was a wonderful time for me.

Monday we headed off to have our pathology needs attended for our Dr’s appointments once we get back to Qld.  We also visited cousins and met the new twins.

Thursday 21^st we headed to Condobolin again, to collect my woven FISH and to see Ian again.  Wendy was on her way to Melbourne for her sister’s – Eva Stimson-Clark – exhibition of art in Fitzroy.

We left Condo on Sunday and headed north toward Queensland and arrived at Jimboomba on Tuesday 26^th – just in time for BEN’s birthday.  Our BABY turned 34 – makes us feel really old :D.  We had a great evening with all the Grandchildren and Ben.

Wednesday night we met with friends Karyn and Peter for a nice dinner at the Park Ridge Hotel.  Was so good to catch up with them.

Thursday 28^th July – WHOA!!!!

Today we had arranged to go and see our dear friend Sue Pockson at Brown’s Plains. All was going to plan UNTIL -----  I was ready and Darryl was cleaning his teeth so I thought I would go and start the car to warm it up.  We had had a 1-degree night and a heavy frost and the car was parked where it was in the shade so I thought it would be good to warm it up.  I went down three steps from the top lawn and the next thing I knew was that I was sprawled on the gravel with grazed palms, right knee and a left ankle that felt like I had done something truly serious to it. :C :C  I called out to Darryl as I could not stand and he came out and said “What the hell are you doing down there?” He managed to get me up and after a couple of minutes I was able to put weight on my ankle.  I got back up to the van and treated the grazes and could move the ankle – so off we went to meet Sue.

We had a lovely morning catching up and we also had Beckie and her friend Ev, join us.

Afterwards we went to the Plaza with Sue and as we were heading back to the car my left ankle REALLY started to pain.  So we called into the chemist and got a brace for it and put it on and continued on our way.  When we got back to Beckie’s though – I could barely put weight on it.  So inside and RICE was applied and swelling was becoming quite evident.

The next morning the swelling made my left ankle and calf look quite crooked.  So rested as much as possible as we were going out with Ben for a birthday dinner…

That night we headed out with me hobbling – dramatically – as it really had increased in pain.  We went to cousin Julie’s house at Belbowrie for a fun filled night with the family and she gave me some Arnica gel to massage into my ankle – which was done a few times during the night and the next morning it didn’t SEEM as painful.  Beckie and us two left the next afternoon (allowing Ben to party on with his Cousins) as we needed to get back to feed the pets.  We continued with the regular Arnica gel massages, elevation and wrapping.

Tuesday we had an appointment with the doctor and because most of the pain and some good bruising, was going up the out part of my leg, he thought that maybe I had given myself a spiral fracture of the Fibia :C.  So off to the local radiology for an x-ray to rule that out.  Finally, we got the word – NO fracture BUT the bruising was a concern.  So we continued with the Arnica gel massages and wrapping but now we were concentrating on the ankle and shin rather than ankle and foot.  I found a supplier in Australia for Arnica Gel and ordered some online along with some pilules to treat it from the inside…….

Thursday (a week after the twist) was a Sports day at the school for Gemma – so off we toddled with a chair and a leg support for me to watch but by lunch time it was time for me to go as the leg was throbbing and I needed to lie down :C.  Gemma did well in her events and then on Friday it was Max’s turn.  He came home with two thirds and a first.  Well done to both the Grandchildren.

Sunday I was booked into a ‘Twined Mat weaving’ day at the Botanical Gardens on Mount Coot-tha and I was so glad that Darryl agreed to drive me there and back.  Without his support it would have been impossible.  I had a wonderful day with about 20 other women and young girls learning this wonderful craft and using pandanus fibres dyed with natural dyes in Arnhem Land.  A big Thank You to Rene Bahloo for sharing her story with us at the gardens.

Tuesday Darryl drove me into Capalaba so that I could meet up with the Jajari Jimbaljin Women’s group and yarn and show them my weaving projects.  What a great day I had and it was so lovely to see the women again.  Tuesday was also CENSUS night – so Bradley came for Dinner and we filled in the census with us all there.  We had a lovely night with home-made Pizza’s for all and the company was great.

Wednesday we headed out again – this time we went south to Pottsville North Caravan Park.  We wanted to stay at Kingscliff BUT the first park with a vacancy was Pottsville north.  We had four wonderful nights there and Darryl managed to do some fishing and I completed my pandanus dilly bag.  I then started weaving a basket.

Sunday 14^th we headed further south and arrived at Brooms Head for a couple of nights BUT this turned into 4 and we are heading northward again tomorrow.  Brooms Head is a lovely council run caravan park that goes right along the beach front and the beach is so lovely to walk along between the tides.  Firm compacted sand made for a good amble for my leg.

We are now 3 weeks post initial injury – the bruising has settled but the tenderness on the outer part of my leg can still take me unawares.  I KNOW!!!! It will be another few weeks before it is anywhere near 100%.  We have so much crammed into the calendar over the next few months BUT promise to take care of it :D

Take care everyone.

3 April 2016

Well......... What an eventful couple of months we have had!!!!

We put our home on the market on the 11th February and the first inspection was at 10am on the 12th February.  Second inspection that afternoon at 4pm with an offer made and accepted by 6pm that day.  We were given an unconditional date of 26th February with settlement date of 21 March.  YAY we thought.

The buyers had put a 'due diligence' clause of  - wanting all final inspections by council.  Not a problem we thought!   HOW WRONG WERE WE?????  

When the buyers conveyancer did the searches it was discovered that the FINAL plumbing inspection from 1979 had not been filed with council.. This meant it was now up to us.

We were actually away in Quirindi, NSW when all this was beginning to unfold and instead of fulfilling all our planned commitments in NSW we had to high-tail it back home so that we could go to council and try and get it sorted.

We were also told (by the buyers solicitor) that council did not have plans and approvals for the concrete driveway from the front gates to the shed, and that the shed was too close to the boundary in one corner.   hmmmm so why was this not detected when we purchased the property in 2006?????  NO-ONE could tell us. Now this turned out to be easier to rectify that we were originally told.  At first the buyers solicitor was telling us that we would have to move the shed --- a 12metre by 7.5metre shed on a metre of concrete - Ahh NO!.  When we went to council they pulled up the Google Earth photo (a very recent photo as the people behind us with the trampoline had only moved in at beginning of January) and after discussion with the people in authority - we were told that NOTHING had to be done as it all looked fine.  This was told to the Solicitor who passed it on and then she rang us back that night to tell us the buyers did not believe what we were saying and they were going to go to council on the Monday morning.  Fine - you do that!!!!.  They were then told the same thing as us. :D

 It also turned out that the upper deck off the dining room seemed to not have had its final done either - so again that was up to us to rectify.  They also wanted us to put a driveway from the kerb to the boundary of the property.  We then had a quite long discussion with the solicitor about how there ALREADY was a sloped driveway and if the buyers wanted anything different THEY could do that when they took occupancy of the property.  Their argument apparently, was that we were using the ‘box kerb’ and there wasn’t a sloped drive – sorry – it looks like this one is the one that was put in before the house was even built.  We had done quite enough thank you very much.

The owners before us had put in extra plumbing downstairs with a shower and hand-basin as well as a kitchen sink.  This plumbing had NOT been approved by council either.  So again it was up to us to get it all checked out and approved.

We were told in 2007 that we DID NOT need council approval to convert the double garage to a rumpus area.  In 2016 this is incorrect - so we had to get a draftsman to come and draw up plans showing the conversion from Non-habitable to habitable.  Whilst he was at it we had to get him to  draw the plans for the upstairs covered deck so that that could be approved.

With all these works having to be done - we could NOT go unconditional until all the 'due diligence FINALS' had been obtained.

On the 22nd March the building certifier came and checked the conversions, checked the construction on the deck and the roofing and YES - passed everything that had been done.  He then sent everything to council on the 23rd and emailed us a copy of the Form 21 which is the FINAL CERTIFICATION form needed by council.

The plumber had been to check all the plumbing for the FINAL inspection and found that some things were not up to the 2016 standard and had to be rectified.  Of course!!!  So $1800 later he was contacting council to come and do an inspection BUT that could not happen until council had processed the paperwork, sent us a form with a number on it and then we could re-contact the plumber so he could re-contact council and book in the inspection.  So our first council inspection was on  the 29th March and - wouldn't you know it - more work had to be done to make it acceptable!

On the 30th March our plumber was back again putting in some AAV (Air Admittance Vents), 

 the AAV from kitchen sink downstairs

AAV from the ensuite hand-basin and fixing the pipe to the wall because it would be too unsafe if not done.  It has coped fine for all the time we have been in the house :C

reversing the hand basin taps (because apparently you CANNOT have the hot tap on the right) and affixing the drain pipe to the wall in the laundry and then putting so much black insulation on the hot water service - it isn't funny.

 there are covers on the relief valves, the pipe from the relief valve had to be extended and run along the wall and then down into the drain.  It is NOT permitted to be released on the ground anymore.  Then the pipes had to be insulated so no one got burnt.

On the morning of the 1st of April the council inspection was booked for anytime between 8am and 12md - and the inspector arrived at 11.30am and checked the work that was done and YES - it was all passed.  We were emailed the certificate at 3pm that afternoon and we then forwarded on to our solicitor. Ahh - now that WAS definitely a weight off our shoulders and we headed off to Beckies for the weekend.  

We were looking after the children as Beck was heading off to the wedding of the young lady who had been her Bridesmaids 8 years ago.  We had a great evening as my brother Peter was able to join us for dinner (he is working at Yarrabilba near Logan Village).  It was lovely spending nearly 5 hours in his company.  Thanks for coming Pete, the grandchildren enjoyed meeting Nanna's brother.

We are now back home and camped in the van in the driveway.  We only have to pack the kitchen things and we will be ready for our removal that has been booked in for 8am on Wednesday.  We have decided to put our belongings into a storage facility (one of the cheaper ones but it also has CCTV and an onsite caretaker with NO access after 7pm at night - if anyone goes in after 7pm then the alarms will go off).  We are then going to go and spend some time in areas where we are thinking will be great to retire and settle - check out the area and facilities and access to medical needs etc and then compare them and make a decision.  At this point we are not going to rush our decision.

We have got commitments for most of this year with looking after Wendy and Ian's animals from May until end of June and then I am meeting up with a fellow weaver to learn about weaving with native grasses before heading back to Brisbane and passing on my new skills to the Jajari Jimbaljin ladies group.

We then have commitments in September and October down in Victoria before heading back up to the children and grandchildren before heading back to NSW and Christmas in Condobolin.

So lots planned and we will keep you in the loop as to where we are and what we are doing.

Ohh and we know have this out the front

28.7.2015

What a week!!!
Darryl's dental work has been giving him a bit of pain and discomfort.  Hopefully that will all resolve once the permanent bridge is in his mouth.  Fingers crossed anyway.
Neville is still back home and his sleep Apnoea results are in - and he will now be getting a CPAP machine.
My brother Peter came to visit on Saturday afternoon - he is working out at Tamborine on a dozer and hopes to be able to go home to Bundaberg this coming weekend.  It has been great seeing him and having him stay.
There is a write up in the Coles Fresh magazine about the sweet potato grower - Brendon Boon - who just happens to be sister Heather's partner.  And then in Coles is a little poster with his picture on it.  So spreading the word about growing sweet potatoes in Queensland.
Darryl, Peter and I headed out to dinner on Saturday night to celebrate Ben's birthday.  We went to a great little restaurant in Sunnybank called Sunnybank Oriental and serves traditional Chinese .  Not a fancy restaurant but one like you would find in Hong Kong streets.  Peter returned to work this morning - leaving at about 4.30am.
I - unfortunately - have been having a Meniere's episode since Saturday afternoon and it is REALLY frustrating. Tinnitus ++++++ but my hearing is super sensitive :C imbalance ++++++++++ (Darryl says that my 'dance' is more prominent) nausea++++   - so all up I am not feeling top notch!!!  BUT I have had terrible episodes before and gotten through it.  It might be a bl--dy horrid illness and mainly invisible - but it WON'T beat me.
Hoping that you are all well.

20.7.2015

well Darryl's Dental work turned out to be a MAJOR problem with a split tooth and a large abscess :C
He had that removed but now needs more work in two weeks to put a bridge in where the tooth has been  removed.  He is on antibiotics for 2 weeks.

My brother Peter arrived from Bundaberg late on Saturday night and spent all of Sunday with us.
He left at 4am this morning to go to a job out at Tamborine where he will stay for the week.  We hope he will be here again this coming Saturday.

I went to a weaving day at Cleveland - Redlands Performing Arts Centre - on Saturday and it was a great day.  There were a total of 9 ladies from the Jajari Jimbaljin group present.

 waiting to learn 'coiling' weave

 learning how to weave a mat

 using recycled products

 Coiling using plastic 'rope' and paper-raffia

mat is taking shape - Sue and Anne-Marie

'weaving' a mobile phone holder using fabric strips and sewing blanket stitch to keep it together

 coiling with fabric strips over plastic 'rope'

 the coiling weaving ladies and children

a mat almost done with Chelsea and Alana

 finished mobile phone holder with plaited strap

There were about 30 women and children there on Saturday and the five hours just FLEW past.

Hoping to get across to Nth Stradbroke Island on Saturday for the 'Whale Festival' where they are going to have more weaving demo's.

This Thursday the ladies from Jajari Jimbaljin will be doing a trip to North Stradbroke to meet up with the Maroomba Milbool (all coming together) ladies group and hoping to be shown how to use natural products for weaving.

Our trip south has been delayed by a couple of weeks BUT we will get to Taree to check on Darryl's brother soon.

Keep safe all

Awaiting Christmas :)

Arrived in Wagga Wagga on Friday and met our new great niece - Charlotte Georgina born at 1341pm AESDT - 8 lb 5oz (3890gm) 51cm long and 35.5cm head with a thick thatch of black hair.
We have spent time with my sisters and their families.  My brother and his family arrived from Condobolin today with Bradley and another brother will arrive tomorrow evening.  Brother Peter is spending Christmas with our step-mum and sister Heather will be with her family up near Bundaberg.
Hopefully our eldest brother will call in on Christmas Day.
Hopefully will be able to upload some photos oafter the day.
Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year (seeing as we all survived the end of the Myan Calendar :) )
Talk to you after Christmas

Manilla and heading to Baradine 8.10.11

Hi all.  Just a quick one......
We have spent three days with my brother Peter at Coolah and were out of reception range with the internet.

Have been in Manilla since yesterday with a friend who I did my General Nurse trainging with at Sydney Hospital way back in 1974.  It has been lovely spending time with Sue and her family.  We have been camped in her Mum's yard.
Unfortunately Sue has had to work each afternoon and she will b working tomorrow morning also.
We are leaving tomorrow to head to Bingara - a whole hour up the road.  Meeting up with our dear friends Doreen and Ken from Raymond Terrace and the rest of our Caravanning friends.