Denise's sister Rosemary oraganised a surprise birthday celebration for her 60th birthday to-day. All went well and she didn't twig that anything was going on. Many friends, old and new, and relations from all around the state were there. Well organised Rosemary!
. . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY DENISE !
Dave has been a bit more productive fishing from the kayak lately with good runs of mackerel, Australian salmon and a few pike from the river.
Chris and Alice have just returned from a trip to Port Douglas in Far North Queensland.
From the pictures (click here) it looks as though they had a pretty good time.
It could be that global warming has prompted Liz and Robs' move to higher ground. More likely the need for more room for the extending family with Miff and Jack. It looks fantastic and should prove a wonderful family home for them all.
The new house is at 5 Bettong Place, Howrah
There are a couple more pics here.
Sarah has received her exam results and she has done exceedingly well. She has been offered a place at Hobart Uni to study pharmacy, starting in February.
Great effort Sarah. . . Well done!
Matthew Bowen seems to be enjoying himself at the Disco night at the end-of-year camp at Camp Clayton. Looking "most popular" as well as best dressed. . . .
Onya Matt !
If I keep repeating Matthew Bowen, Matt Bowen, Deloraine, Tasmania, Matthew Bowen, Matt Bowen, Deloraine, Tasmania, Matthew Bowen, Matt Bowen, Deloraine, Tasmania, Matthew Bowen, Matt Bowen,Deloraine, Tasmania.)
Chris and Alice are trying to buy a place to live in Sydney and have even resorted to the stress of bidding at auction for one. No winning bids yet however :-( so still looking.
See if you can find them a 2 bedroom unit, preferably with Garage, near the beach ! up to mid 300s.
After two weeks of study and final exams, Sarah has now finished school at Launceston College. She put in a great effort and we are sure this will show in the results. . . . GOOD JOB Sarah. . . . :-)
Now its time to relax and unwind. . . you have earned it.
You may need to take care entering and leaving 5 Edward Street.
The door is guarded by this magnificent plant species.
Not known to have eaten a whole human . . . . . yet. . . . .
It's been raining nearly every week-end for the last month and more. The paddocks are awash and vast torrents of foaming water tumble down the gorge. Dave has made use of the inclement weather by doing some interior re-painting. So far completed is the study (Katrina's room) Guest Bedroom (aka Chris's room), guest bathroom and the master bathroom. All have high ceilings with awkward angles. Thank goodness for Z-fold ladders. . . :-)
As in Hi Jack . . . . the newest member of the family. Congratulations to Liz and Rob on this beautiful boy. Doubtless he will feature here from time to time :-) . Meanwhile there are more pictures here.
After a year in Tasmania, Katrine flies back to Norway to-day :=( . She has been a welcome member of the family and will be much missed by us and her many friends in Launceston. I'm sure we will meet up again at some time. . . . . meanwhile happy travels and best wishes for your next adventures. . . .
Peter is home from Melbourne for the week-end for a costume birthday party. . . . something begining with B . . . . Not looking so happy here but I am sure a great time was had by all . . . .
Here they are. . . the party girls. . . thats Janina (Finland) and Katrine (Norway). In the year that they have been in Launceston I think they have been to almost every 18th birthday party going at LC (Launceston College) And who would not like these Scandowegian beauties at theirs. . . Tonight it is Katrine's 18th and they are out on the town. . . . . . we are not waiting up. . . .
Subaru Liberty that is. . . . . Chris is back at work and now they have wheels so Alice can get around for her job and they can escape from Manly at week-ends. Only a short few weeks for Liz now and we should have baby pics to share!
Liz and Denise have just returned from a trip to NZ. . .Cath & Sarah have just spent the week-end in Sydney where they managed to catch up with Chris. . . and Katrina sets of on a Tour around Australia with the other exchange students for three weeks on Friday.
You can read more of Katrina's Adventures in Australia on her blog here. (Translated by google from Norwegian)
Liz's baby bump is growing and ITS A BOY. . . so time to get cracking with the blue booties. . . . ETB is early June.
And it looks as though Denise will be a mother-in-law next February as Liz and Rob seem to have decided on a date for the ceremony. . . . (20/02/2010)
As in no L plates on the car anymore as Sarah has passed her driving test. Well done young lady. Cath knows who to text msg to get a ride home from work now :-)
Our "baby" Sarah turned 18 to-day!. We went out on the town to celebrate. Starting at the Prickly Cactus restaurant where we enjoyed a mexican meal and a few cocktails as you can see in the picture . . . Followed by a several other hosteleries until the early hours. Liz, Chris, and Pete were all here to celebrate and a good time was had by all. Followed on Sunday by a family lunch with many relations from around the state.
With temperatures of 39C for several days, the Gorge has been a popular place to swim, sunbathe and drift around in Cath's rubber ducky. Even tempting Dave into the water . . . .
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.
