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 !
Peter has now finished his apprenticeship and is still working as a chef in Melbourne. He managed to get home for a few days over Christmas before heading off to a music festival on Phillip Island.
Sporting a Snowboard and a mild Canadian accent, Sarah is now back in Tassie settling into the new home. Her bedroom wall is festooned with Canadian flags, Teeshirts and many photos from the great adventure. We are all delighted to have her back and some adjustments are being made all round.
We are most delighted to have a Welsh friend of Caths staying with us over Christmas. They met on summer camp in Florida. We are all enjoying her lovely smile and sweet disposition. Merry Christmas Hollie. You have made it one that we shall always remember.
With much help from friends and a truck from Hertz, our worldly possessions are now in the new house at 5 Edward Street. Many thanks to all those that contributed. Some pictures of how it looks are available here and below is the view from the balcony:
Thats how many times the wheels on my Moulton have turned in clocking up the 11.5 thousand km milestone passed during the recent Canadian Rockies ride. The bearings have not been adjusted. . . 3 sets of tyres, 3 chains 3 sets of brake shoes and a few cables. . . . The Brooks saddle should be broken in by now too. . .
Dave has recently returned from a hiking and cycling trip taking in parts of Alaska and the Canadian Rockies. Highlights included: Hiking on glaciers and trails around Juneau, Alaska; encounters with bears; a ferry trip down the inside passage to Canada; Cycling the YellowHead Highway; A weekend with daughter Sarah in Prince George. Cycling the Icefields Parkway from Mt Robson via Jasper and Lake Louise to Banff. Several hikes in the Rocky mountain parks, and a quick visit to Vancouver Island. All in all a great trip.
Dave's plan was to sell the large Danbury Drive property and buy a smaller, cheaper place a bit closer to town. The resulting funds might go to towards another yacht or retiring a couple of years early. BUT. . . the girls wanted to live right IN town and not squeeze into a smaller place. SO . . we are buying a 4/5 bedroom, 3 bathroom house minutes walk from the city centre, costing significantly more than we sold the other place for. . .Ah well. . . . no yachts or retirement for a while, but no lawns to mow here. . . :-)
Chris has finished his American trip with a quick visit to Munich for Oktoberfest. He seems to be enjoying himself :-)
More pictures here.
They are now back in the UK seeking gainful employment to replenish the coffers. . . .
Would you cross this bridge? . . .
This situation confronted Dave on a recent trek in Alaska. And he did cross the bridge. . . but only after back-tracking down the trail and meeting some other walkers. On venturing back up the trail, the mother black bear and her two cubs had saunterd off into the scrub. . . :-)
Chris is back in Tassie for a week or so before heading off to the UK via the USA and Dave is setting off to Canada via Alaska to bike down the Rockies and catch up briefly with Sarah in Prince George.
Chris is posting pictures from the trip which you can view at: http://picasaweb.google.com/krshilll/ target = "blank"
Chris has now left Sydney in preparation for the next overseas jaunt. By the look of the pics on the right he did have some problems moving out of his flat in Manly :-)
We are expecting him in Tasmania for a few days before he heads of to the UK via the West Coast of the USA.
Cath turns 20 to-day and had a good day with family & friends. A lovely meal by the log fire at the Gorge restaurant was enjoyed by all and sister liz joined us for the ocassion. Many more of them Catherine . . .
Also a few pics of the new place and stuff here
Well with a bit of help from Hertz with a Truck and manpower from friends (Thanks Rob and Maurice) we have moved all the worldly possessions to the new (rented) place. If the heat pump worked we might be cosily settled in. . . .Luckily there is a large garage under the house to store all the unopened boxes, but there are still a couple more trailer loads of excess to take to the Auction house and some still for Vinnies and the tip.
On a brighter note we are having broadband connected, so you may be able to Skype us at "se7enhills".
After 17 years in the same house with 5 kids there is a lot of stuff to sort through, many treasures to be packed away in boxes and more than a little going to Vinnies or the tip. . .
We are moving to a rented house on the 30th June. We will be at 27 Riverview Road, Riverside 7250.
Liz has a new baby. . . . an eight week old golden retriever puppy called "Miff". Dosen't she look cute! All going well as far as we know at this stage. She has not made the journey up to Launceston yet.
And it looks as though we have found somewhere to rent a bit closer to town until other plans are formed.
