Christmas 2009

Here are a few pictures (click here) from the family Chistmas celebrations . . .

Moving Up in the World

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.

What a Result . . . .

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!

Best Dressed 2009 - Matthew Bowen - Deloraine

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.)

Going once. . . . . Going twice . . . . . GONE. . . :-(

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.

Testing Times

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.

Triffic Tryfids

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. . . . .

Jumpin Jack

Well, Mick Jagger can't keep going for ever. . . Meanwhile there are more pictures here.

Gorge - ous

The rain stopped and the sun came out long enough to get some photos of the torrents rushing down the gorge. Still more rain on the way according to the weather men :-(

WET . . . . . PAINT . . .

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. . . :-)

Two Little Ducks - 2 2

Cath turned 22 to-day . . . . .

- - Happy Cathday - -

HIJACK

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.

Avskjed Katrine

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. . . .

Osama bin Peter

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 . . . .

Party, Party, Party. . . . .

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. . . .

Liberty for Chris & Alice

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!

Travel News

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)

Boy Bump & Bells

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)

NOEL in February

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 :-)

Happy Birthday Sarah

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.

Heat Wave

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 . . . .

Happy 88 birthday

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.

Family Christmas

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.

7.2 Hills

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 . . . .

Any Campers ?

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!

Pete Bounces Back

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!

Wanderers' Return

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.

Arty Hills

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 . . . .

21 To-day

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.

åtte bakker

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)