For the first time in a while, all 7 Hills were "home" for Christmas this year. It was great to see them all together and the Beattie family joined us for Christmas as well to bring back memories of the many the Christmases spent together as "kids". A merry Christmas was had by all. (click on picture for a larger view)
Sarah has obviously been getting ahead in pottery classes and has recently brought home this magnificent statue which is going "straight to the pool room"
As I had not paid anything for 6+ years, our previous ISP eventually denied us access to the old 7hills site so an alternative was sought. Supposedly derived from "web-log", this is where we are at for now. I may convert the earlier years at some rainy day time.
Feel free to add comments to this or any other postings here by clicking on "comments" below. . . . . . or start your own blog and tell us about it.
and no; I doubt it will be updated much more than the old one, significant events, around one per month only, seems to be the norm.
Sarah has been winning races at the inter-high sports again this year, with a first and a second this time.
The switch-board that is. . . she is now back at work, starting a traineeship this week.
As an adjunct to the fishing gear, Dave has bought a Hobie mirage sport. A sit-on-top kayak with a pedal drive system to help get out amongst the fishes. Species to-date include trout, bream, australian salmon, redfin, gurnard, couta, Flathead and pike (snook).
Liz and Rob are tripping around Vietnam. Cath is now back in Tasssie and looking for work to refill the coffers for the next trip.
Cath is now touring Europe on a Contiki camping trip for a month. Have a great time Cath. . .
Dave is now back in Tasmania after completing the end to end cycle tour of the UK. You can read a brief summary or check out the photos. in the "Lands End -> John o Groats" Album
Cath has now finished camp and is staying in New York for a few days, checking out the sights. Then it is off to Wales with a friend from camp before the Contiki camping trip around Europe.
Liz and Rob have been to the South Island to play in the snow and found plenty. . .
Dave has packed up the bike and is off to the UK to cycle from Land's End to John o Groats, climbing the three highest mountains in Wales, England and Scotland along the way. Brother Tony's 60th birthday celebrations in Cornwall seem to have been the catalyst for this cycle trip which seems to have got a bit out of hand.
Cath has been allocated a camp in Florida; Camp Ocala.
She is now swimming in the lake with the alligators and there are bears and snakes in the woods. The camp is near Orlando, so visits to Dizzyland seem to be on the cards for many of the week-ends off.
Sarah is applying for an exchange school year in Canada next year. Plenty of paper work to do, but we do have a passport so far. . .
Cath and Denise have started grape picking to bring in some extra cash. No free samples from the wineries however :-(
Dave took a week off work to pedal his bike along the Great Ocean Road. This route passes many Australian icons such as the 12 apostles. You can read a brief summary or check out the photos.
No they are not all gay. . . Cath has applied for a stint with Camp America, an organisation that provides counsellors and helpers at American Summer Camps. And I thought that slavery was abolished. . . I'm sure she will have a great time.
To celebrate Sarah's 15th birthday, Cath made an amazing fairy castle cake. Tasted good too. . . and Sarah is now part of the mobile phone community. . . number available on request.
The white Honda Accord that has been the 8th Hill for over 20 years was
recently taken away by the scrap metal recyclers. Blown water pump, radiator,
head gasket, clutch and brakes and more than a few dents to add character
(thanks Cath). Cath is now back home in Launceston and has applied for Camp
America, she will probably be doing a bit of grape picking meanwhile. Not
much interest has been shown in the house so it looks as though we will be here
for a while yet. . .
