Guy and Barbara flew out from the UK to spend a couple of weeks in Tasmania, including Guy's birthday on Christmas day! They spent a few days with Liz in Hobart and are returning via LA, New York and Boston.There are some more christmas photos here.
All the family made it home for Christmas this year. It's always great to have them back if only for a few days. Guy and Barbara joined us from the UK and Katrine from Norway is still with us so we had quite a house full. Peter is now back in Melbourne as a chef at the Mint Bistro. Chris has returned to Sydney (Manly) with Alice where she is now working for the Gourmet Traveller . magazine. Liz is back in Hobart. There are some more christmas photos here.
After several years making babies for other peolple at the IVF clinic, Liz is having one of her own. WOO HOO. . . great excitement all around. Although it seems that Denise would rather be a Mother-in-law than a grand-mother. ETB is June so get knitting . . . .
Cath is currently interviewing prospective candidates to be counsellors at Camp America next year. She got a lot out of her stint there and is still in contact with some friends she made. She is getting paid for the interviews so. . . roll up. . . roll up. . . get your summer camp enrollment forms here!
On a much deserved holiday in New Zealand after completing his apprenticeship, Pete has been hitting the heights, and mostly jumping off them. Together with a bit of white water rafting and a few days in the snow it seems he has been making the most of the break. . . onya Pete!
After 9 months working in London and 3 months touring around Europe, Chris and Alice are back in Tasmania for a while. Pictures from the trips can be seen here.
Chris is currently planting 1000 trees a day in order to regain some carbon credits after so much travel. No. . . well more likely for more funds for the next trip. He is also booked in for a coxswains ticket at the maritime college in November and Alice is chasing jobs on food publications, probably back in Sydney.
None of this family can hold a note, but it seems the girls have more talent holding a paintbrush. We now have two more interesting works to adorn the walls. And this months competition is to guess which was painted by whom . . . .
Cath has turned 21 and we held a party to mark the occasion. Many family and friends gathered at the Northern Club in Launceston. It was especially nice to catch up with Pete who came over from Melbourne. The Beatties were all up from Hobart and many other friends and work collegues all enjoyed celebrating with her. Some pictures of the day can be seen here.
Thats one additional to the company of hills when all are at home which is not so often these days. We are delighted to have with us Katrine from Bergen, Norway who will be with us for a year if she can put up with us. After a late arrival and the usual luggage mix ups she seems to be settling in well and has completed her first week at a new school in a new country and language, 'onya Katrina! (or in Noske: Bra gjort Katrine)
You can read what she has to say here (Translated)
Dave is in trouble again. . . . this time for the dripping paint house number on the front of the house. I did try one with Garfield rather than the Banksy rat, but it did not have quite the same effect. It does seem to provoke an emotive response. . . even if in the negative. I have offered to replace it if anyone comes up with something better, but no takers so far. . .
Cast your vote by clicking on the "comments" link below. . . 2 ayes, 1 nay and 1 fence sitter, all anonymous and no alternatives sighted. . . yet
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Chris & Alice have finished work in London and are now touring Europe. After some time in France they are now in Spain, next stop Portugal. Pictures here.
Meanwhile Liz and Rob have completed the Inca trails and are now in the UK catching up with family and friends. They will be back in Oz in time for Caths 21st birthday celebrations early in July.
We are also looking forward to the arrival of a Norwegian exchange student on 2 July.
Dave had an interesting birthday weekend this year. A three day circuit hike around Freycinet Peninsular, one of the prettiest parts of Tasmania, including a night camped at winglass bay watching the dolphins frollic in the moonlight. Being lulled to sleep by the waves gently breaking on the shore was a far cry from the traffic and sirens heard in city life. On the last day a kayak trip around the bay was intended to produce a feed of fish for tea, but far too distracted by the playful pods of dolphins and then the awesome presence of two humpback whales just metres away. Very inspiring as they dived directly below me causing the ocean surface to burble with the activity. Altogether a special and memerable day :-)
Liz and Rob are now in South America. Enjoying a trip to the Galapogos Islands, treking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and checking out Lake Titicaca. Its a tough life for some. They are returning via the UK and Ireland to catch up with family and friends.
Also in the UK this week is our soon-to-be exchange student from Bergen, Norway; Katrine, celebrating her 17th birthday in London. Happy Birthday Katrine.
Well after 6 months in the new house we have put a bit of "art" on the walls.
First we have a striking image of a 3D wall sculpture. The original is made from MDF and acrylic paint by the husband of one of Dave's work collegues. You can check out more of his magnificent work here I'm not sure if he would be flattered that we decided to hang it, annoyed that we downloaded the image from his site, or annoyed that we did not ask for a high resolution version; probably a bit of each. It does not hold a candle to the original but still has a striking 3d effect.
Next we have a copy of a portrait of Peter painted by a girlfriend. I'm in trouble for hanging this one too from the girls as she and Pete are no longer together. It certainly looks like Pete though in one of his waking moments.
Adding a small dash of colour to the black and white is a Banksy stencil (downloaded legally from banksy.co.uk ).
All hung as fairly large canvas-art. (upload the image, quote plastic, and it arrives printed on canvas already stretched on frames to be hung)
Having a permanent job in Hobart does not seem to have slowed Liz down too much. She & Rob have just got back from walking the Milford Track in New Zealand and are now preparing for the Inca Trail in Peru in a month or so. Its a hard life for some it seems. I am very envious and hope to get there myself before too long, but moving house has taken a bit of time and money. . . maybe next year.
While Liz is in in Hobart making babies at the IVF clinic she has 12 friends and relatives with newborn or young ones on the way! Congratulations to Mat & Jen with young Thomas and here is a fantasic scan of a great-niece-to-be. . . Little Miss Ganley will be arriving in New York in June. . . nice one Emma.
Chris's low opinion of London took a dive this week when his flat was broken into. His laptop computer, digital camera and many clothes were stolen :-(
On the brighter side they are off to Amsterdam for easter, with a trip also planned to Budapest. Their current plan is to escape from London and find work in the mediterranean for the summer. Sounds good from here !
As a consequence of Sarah's recent successful year in Canada and our currently shrinking family we will be hosting an exchange student for 12 months from July. Early indication is that it will be a 17 year old girl from Norway. We are looking forward to the experience and trust that it will be interesting and rewarding for us all.
Since "downsizing" to the new house we have bought 2 new double beds, 2 new lounge suites, 2 new TVs, 1 reverse cycle air-conditionar/Heat-pump, and various other bits and pieces. I think that only leaves a new fridge on the list and replacing the hot-water system. Its just as well I am still working. . . .
Sarah (17 to-day) is certainly catching up on the driving time she missed by being in Canada! In Tasmania, learner drivers need to complete 50+ hours of instruction before taking the driving test. Sarah has clocked up 30+ in the last month and her skill level is much increased. She must be OK as Liz and Rob trusted her with the WRX :-) If she can master the "reverse park" she may yet be the first of her year group to pass the driving test. 'Onya Sarah !
