Pre Christmas catch up

Again- A catch up.

It seems like all that we do is write catch up blogs. It is true that we are not always as punctual as some, but I would like to think that we have excuses. They may not always be good excuses, but excuses nevertheless! (Isn’t laziness an excuse?)

In any case, this time around, we did have an excuse. For a while there I couldn’t write a blog entry, as I am hopeless at keeping secrets and we had news that I wasn’t allowed to let out of the bag. Then I was away in the bush with work for a good couple of months with no access for blogging type stuff. I also like to think that anticipation is a sweetener.

So- a lot has happened since the last time you may have tuned in. Jane and I are going to have a baby (uber-yay), my new posting order has us remaining in Townsville for at least another year (hot and sticky), and we are slowly building enough furniture to keep our library in check. Even if we are on a perpetually losing battle on that front!

Jane is pregnant, and due to give birth to ONE baby on April 11 2011. Tentatively nicknamed ‘Sparrow’, the scans to date confirm a healthy heartbeat, and a baby who may be a bit of a showboat (always turning his face towards the camera during the ultra sound). Not sure who he/she gets that from- must be from Jane’s side of the family!

Above and below- Jane with 'Sparrow'! 

You may wonder about the name ‘Sparrow’- My rugby team is the Wellington Hurricanes, whose mascot is Captain Hurricane. Jane’s team is the Brumbies, and their mascot is Brumby Jack. Combine the two mascots, and you get Captain Jack: ergo Sparrow! It was all Jane too- she deserves the congratulations for this one!

We are also very lucky in that Jacinda (my sister) is a month behind us baby wise, so I dare say they will be cousins able to get into trouble and face the world together. We are starting to settle on names, but you will all have to wait for those until after the BIG DAY. After all, what if your wee baby just doesn’t look like an Evangeline, or a Hubert? Have to keep them secret for now just in case!

We have just come back from Perth. We went over for a friends wedding (great day, great party, and Matt & Steph looked fabulous), and stayed with Jacinda and Jason. Good to do, as Jane had only met them at our wedding, so brilliant to let them get to know Jane a bit more. Two pregnant ladies were able to swap stories and provide support as well. We were met at the airport by Jason, and proceeded to sleep for most of Thursday arvo before dinner and a few beers. Friday we trolled through the central city and got seriously hung up in a couple of book shops. Elizabeth’s second hand bookshop was fantastic with a range of old, rare and newish books. I was particularly taken with a first print of Mrs Beetons guide to household management (printed in 1869), but didn’t have the luggage space for that sort of thing. Boffins was also brilliant. Lots of great technical books, and if lucky we will win the Christmas Eve draw for 170 books, valued at a little over $6500. Have no idea how we would get them over here. I guess we have to win first, before worrying about that little hurdle. We also walked through Kings Park, which has the war memorials, and avenues of awesome gum trees.

One of the Kings Park Gum trees, silhouetted against the beautiful Perth sky 

The eternal flame, overlooking the Swan River

Jacinda- a very professional amateur photographer

Saturday dawned beautiful and clear. Apparently the temperature was hotter than what we had had in Townsville, but when there is no humidity the heat is quite pleasant. We walked and then went to Fremantle. Jane wanted to catch up with Ljuba at Little Creatures Brewhouse so we lunched there. The Staff truly are odd ‘little creatures’. I don’t think you can work there unless you are a little- or a lot- odd. I had a really good pork belly with apple chutney, and Jane had chermoula spiced chicken tenders. I drank White Rabbit dark ale and Pipsqueak cider. Very happy boy.

In the afternoon, we went to a kitchen shop and bought Jac & Jase a pizza stone and paddle. I cooked pizzas for dinner, and worked through the vagaries of their BBQ to make a quite good pizza. Jason had requested a cheesecake for dessert, so I obliged, with the following recipe:

Raspberry, Macadamia and White Chocolate Cheesecake.

Base-

Sweet Biscuits (eg shortbread) Crushed 200 gm

Butter Melted 100 gm

• Mix biscuit crumbs and butter together, and press into lined springform pan. Chill

Filling-

Cream Cheese 750 gm

Sugar ½ cup

Eggs 4

Vanilla Essence 1 tspn

• Beat the cream cheese and sugar together until the cheese is smooth and the sugar dissolved.
• Add the eggs, beating each one in until smooth, then add vanilla
• Add filling. Use approx 1-1 ½  cups of filling (check taste). For this one I used raspberries, chopped macadamia and chopped white chocolate.
• Pour into pan. Cook at 160 deg Celsius for 70 min.
• Check readiness. Cake should be set around the edges, but still wobbly in the centre.
• Leave to cool in oven before chilling if possible. Fast chilling may cause the cake to crack across the top.

Other flavours- Lemon and Raspberry/ Dark Chocolate and Cherry (black forest)/ roasted plum and caramel/ butterscotch.

We went for a swim in the ocean on Sunday before the wedding. The water was so refreshing, and even Jane got in- slowly. She reckons that when I splashed her, Sparrow climbed up the inside of her ribcage to escape the cold. Hopefully Sparrow wont be a complete tropical baby, as we do not intend to make a long term life up here! (Could never afford the air conditioning bills).

Jason also had cheesecake for breakfast…

Jacinda had the Monday off work, and we had a leisurely lazy day. We went to Hilary’s at Sorrento, and had a nice lunch out. A little more snoozing in the afternoon, and we were almost ready for Jane’s birthday dinner. Oh yeah- Monday was also Jane’s birthday. I think she was twenty-thirteen, but am never sure. She only looks about 25, and surely someone in their thirties would have to have at least some grey hairs? Must be due to the care and attention I lavish on her. I started the day with a chocolate milkshake in bed, and a stack of presents. She got a pair of men’s running shorts (long story, but it might stop her stealing mine…), a heart rate monitor, a couple of books, and the Michael Parkinson DVD. Very spoiled.

The view at Hilary's (Sorrento)

Jacinda cooked a fabulous dinner for Jane. Roasted chicken (and how can anybody say that ordinary supermarket chicken can even compare with a decent organic free range bird) with veg, and a cauliflower cheese (she answered one of Jane’s only pregnancy cravings to date). For dessert, Jane could choose between three different flavours of Magnum ice creams. Anyone that knows Jane will know how hard that was for her, but the peppermint won out in the end.

Tuesday was another lazy start before heading into the city for lunch with Ljuba and another stroll around the (book) shops before heading home to cook dinner for our hosts. We did a penne carbonara with romano cheese, asparagus and courgette. We had to catch a flight at midnight, which wasn’t quite as much fun, and didn’t get back into Townsville until mid-day. Perth’s climate is fantastic, and coming back into the moist sticky humidity of Townsville was quite depressing.

Other than that, we have finally finished out Christmas shopping, and look forward to a road trip to the Sunshine Coast next Tuesday. We will spend Christmas with family there before heading to Canberra for a catch up with Jane’s family, and a chance to snuggle under the covers (a rare treat not often experienced in the tropics!). I think I am going to spend a little time excavating more wine cellar, and hopefully enjoying a couple as well.

We have run out of time for Christmas cards this year, and I am prepared to put that down to ‘mum-nesia’, but will endeavour to get something out in the early new year. To all- festive wishes for the weeks ahead. Be safe, enjoy the company of family and friends, and know that our thoughts are with all, even if we can’t spend time with you.

A first step to the Good Life

Again it has been too long between blogs. And again I have no real excuse for the tardiness, save a combination of extreme busy-ness, and just not being here. We have had a very busy few weeks, starting with a trip to Brisbane on the weekend of 24 July for the Springbok/Wallaby test. It was a surprise for Dad, and Tyson drove in from Chinchilla for the game too. Bloody good to see him again! The game was a good one (Suncorp Stadium), but was never going to stack up against the brilliance of the All Blacks over the previous two weeks!  


Somewhere we also fitted in a camping trip with a work colleague of Jane's. We drove inland to a lovely old gold mining town called Charters Towers, and camped by the Burdekin River. The river was full of perch (no rods), and cold, as Harley and I found out the next morning. We lit a fire, and cooked good steaks and drank a couple of bottles of good red. The sky was superbly clear, and it was incredibly peaceful. The next morning we walked down to the river, and saw the tracks of the deer, wallabies and wild pigs going down to the river during the night.

We drove to Cairns (4 hours north) for another weekend to compete in an outrigger paddling regatta. It was  my first time back in a canoe since I hurt my shoulder, so heavily strapped it to make sure. We had a good time, and I won my first ever paddling medal- a silver in a mixed marathon crew. We had a beautiful hangi and spit roasted pig to finish the night off before heading into town to watch the first Bledisloe test. Not a bad way to spend a weekend really!

Other than that, I have spent the last three weeks in the throes of bronchial misery. Just when I thought I had kicked it, I then got hit with a sinus infection. Not a happy boy just now!!!

Jane went back to Canberra last weekend to catch up with friends. While she was away, I decided to give her a surprise, so built a chicken coop. It is only a small one, as we intend to let them run about the garden during the day. I picked up the chickens today, and we had our first egg tonight!!! Very happy! This truly is our first step towards the Good Life!

The girls happily ensconced in their new home!!!

As for the next couple of weeks- I will be leaving Jane pretty much alone for a month or two as I am away for work. Then we will be in the run to Christmas- I really can't quite get over just how quickly this year has gone!

All Roads lead to Atherton part 2

Dinner at Eden House was great. I had an onion and cheese tart for entree, slow grown and slow roasted pork belly for main, and a fabulous vanilla cream with poached quince and gingerbread men for dessert. Jane had a creamy prawn fettuccine for entree, grass fed beef fillet for main, and cheese for dessert. 

There was way too much food, but it was so good, we just had to try everything! The cheese was from a local maker- Gallo Cheeses, and we resolved to visit them the next day. The servings of cheese were enormous. We decided to take the cheese back to bed and nibble on it with the complimentary port! The pork was also stunning. There was little fat, flavour was brilliant, and the meat was rich and moist. Jane really enjoyed it too, and it gives her a first benchmark for how good ethically grown pork can taste.

On Sunday, we ate a leisurely breakfast (not that we needed it) before getting a list of 'must visit places from Susie Chuck. First stop was the 'Curtain Fig' followed by the loop of all the villages that would take in Atherton, Herberton, Milla Milla and Malanda. The area prides itself on its dairy, and apparently there are fantastic views to be had. As you can see below, a little Taranaki sunshine prevents the vista... or maybe the Tablelands are just shy!

      

We went to the Curtain Fig, which is the amazing predatory vine that has used an existing tree to create a support and food source for itself- and then killed the host tree. From there we tried to drive into Atherton, before realising that all roads up there lead to Atherton. We just happened to drive past Gallo Cheeses, so had to call in. We realised (to Jane's excitement) that Gallo also does chocolate, and has a window through into their chocolate room. We would have liked to have bought cheese, but not with the drive we had ahead of us. All was not lost however, as we did buy chocolate, and found out that we can get the cheese in Townsville. 

We also went for a drive to Lake Eacham, which is a lake in an old volcanic crater. The walk around the edge is 3 km, and the lake is apparently 65 m deep. They have some very funky fish, including the Archer fish, which shoots a stream of water to kill low flying insects. Clever little buggers! We also saw turtles! Don't think it really matters how often you see turtles, they are always really cute! The most bizarre thing though had to be the preponderance of divers- even if you are not really supposed to!

From there we drove to Atherton (inevitable by this stage!), and had a bit of a look. Nothing really to see, except the Crystal Caves which are the country's largest collection of crystals. We were feeling a bit tight, so didn't stump up with the $20 (each) to go underground. We drove into Herberton, which is a strange historic tin mining town that boasts a spy camera museum. And some dodgy looking locals! It is only a short drive, but the change in vegetation and terrain is immense. In the space of only twenty km or so you go from lush, green vegetation (and on our visit slightly misty) to dry, rocky country with eucalypt instead of rain forest. Our last port of call for the drive part of the day was the Hypipamee Crater and Dinner Falls. Again part of a volcanic formation, they are just fabulous.

All the photos are at the link below- There were just too many to put on the main page. (Click on the picture)

Atherton Tablelands July 2010

When we got back to Yungaburra, we spent the last part of the afternoon looking for platypuses in the local rivers, and were finally rewarded with sightings of two of the ancient little mammals!

On Monday we began the drive back home to Townsville, but had plenty to keep us excited for the journey! Our first stop was at Milla Milla, where we stopped at the waterfalls. I hadn't seen falls like these since leaving NZ, and can only imagine how busy they are in Summer!

From there, it was a stop at Mungalli Dairy, which is a biodynamic organic dairy farm that produces lovely soft cheeses, yoghurts and milks. Good product, but I probably wouldn't put it on the must see list! From there we thought that we might stop at MaMu, which is a rainforest canopy walk. Very nice on a fine day I am sure, but we just didn't see the need to pay $20 each to walk in the clouds!

We did decide however to visit Paronella Park on the way home. To get the full history, it is worth doing a google search. The photos are at the link below (again, click on the pic), and don't really do the place justice. Jos'e Paronella was a Spaniard from Catalonia who came to Australia in about 1913. He had dreams of owning a castle, and eventually built one for himself. He didn't live in it, but opened it to the local people. He built Australia's first hydro electric power generator, and had power 13 years before the rest of North Queensland. The concrete balusters you see in the photographs were all cast by him- some 8000! He built everything from materials on the property. The Kauri avenue is simply majestic. The property is magical- everywhere you walk there is another building, another path, or another set of stairs. The property has been ravaged by flood, fire and cyclone, so is now largely in ruins, but the old photographs showing the cinema and ballroom in full swing are just wonderful.

Just shows you what can be achieved with a dream!

Paronella Park July 2010

The photo below we took in a small town on the trip back- someone has a similar idea to Jos'e, but without the same finesse!

You can't see it in this photo, but this place has a couple of domes on the top, fashioned out of pvc downpipe. Still, the world needs its dreamers!

All roads lead to Atherton part 1

Jane and I packed our bags last weekend, and headed high into the Atherton Tablelands for a weekend getaway. (The Tablelands are about four hours north of Townsville, and an hour south of Cairns, in the hinterland. There is little or no humidity, and the climate is typically quite kind- enough rain, and enough sun!). We had booked an indulgence package at a place called Eden House in Yungaburra (check out their website- www.edenhouse.com.au) and were definitely looking forward to getting away. The package included two nights in a spa villa, a spa treatment each, two breakfasts, and a three course dinner.

On arrival, we discovered that Eden House is owned by the Chuck Family, who had the misfortune to lay one of their sons to rest last Thursday following a helicopter accident in Afghanistan. We both so impressed by the ability of the family to just keep going through what must be a truly horrific time. 

I was reminded by a poem I have seen, and thought I would publish it here-

'The Final Inspection'

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and
said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough,
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here,
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod,
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well,
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

God bless the Chuck family, and may Ben rest easy. His job is done. 

One Year On…

It seems a little odd that only a year ago we were living in Canberra, and waiting eagerly the arrival of friends and family as we prepared for forthcoming nuptials. Sunday was our first anniversary, and we celebrated the weekend in style by spoiling each other and doing little of anything else! We found a cute little French restaurant inside walking distance from home, and had lunch on the Saturday. Saturday night was reserved for the rugby, with both the All Blacks and the Wallabies getting out for a trot. Sunday was the actual day, but we did gifts on the Saturday night (it is true- I just couldn’t hold out any longer!). I bought Jane a book on farming pigs (future inspiration), and then departed a little from tradition. I got her paper patterns for knitting (and a VERY handy how to guide), and needles and wool to go with it, as well as chocolate (she deserves it) and a very sexy top (because I deserve it!). Jane went very traditional, and got me a box full of paper- a fabulous baking text, baking paper, note paper, and a lottery ticket. All round, a box of winners except for the ticket!

Sunday was a bit of a lazy day, and I cooked. I did a twice roasted duck with balsamic glaze, set on savoy cabbage and glazed baby carrots. As a side, I did Lyonnaise potatoes, using Tony Bilson’s recipe from this month’s Gourmet Traveller. Just gorgeous. Steamed potatoes, sautéed with garlic, onions and thyme in butter and duck fat. Rich, unctuous, glorious, and screaming celebration!

Dessert was the mud cake we had for the wedding. Jane asserts she never had a chance to try it, so she made it again yesterday. We served that with a warm chocolate ganache and new season South Queensland strawberries.

A dinner like that needs a good wine, for which we must thank Boris. Old, red, lots of gongs and expensive was how he described the 1997 Orlando Lawson’s Padthaway Shiraz. Definitely at it’s peak, but a very nice complement to the duck. We were very happy when we went to bed!

We got lots of congratulatory cards and calls, for which we are thankful- Good friends and family are hard to come by, and we are certainly grateful for the ones we have.

Us- One year on, and still a couple of very happy little vegemites!

A Tropical Winter

I had to travel to Canberra in early June, to give a presentation at RMC. It was a shock to the system to travel from the 25 degrees of Townsville down to the -5 degree mornings of Canberra. We packed everything we could find, and off I went. I expected to suffer a little, but in the end really enjoyed the freshness of the frosty air. I even went for a run in shorts and a singlet at -2 deg. I was fine, but people were looking at me as though I was a bit funny!

Because it coincided with the June long weekend, Jane also went down, and we had the weekend with family. As always with rush trips, it was packed from beginning to end, but I think we got most of the things done that we wanted to.

We shopped. Didn’t spend any money, but just took the opportunity to walk past ‘real’, grown up shops. Here in Townsville, there are very few quality shops. Certainly no DJ’s, Myer, Jacqui E, Country Road, Rodd & Gunn, etc… Instead there are a range of junky shops that sell to the tween set (I know I sound old, but it is true!). It was so nice to just be able to walk and see quality stuff. Maybe one day we will be able to do that again.

We also had the idea that we might be able to consider buying a property and land banking it for the next few years, and slowly develop it. There were a couple of likely properties on the internet that we thought we might be able to look at, so off we went. It seems that the best place to take photographs from is the property boundary- looking in any direction but at the property you are trying to sell, if the properties we saw are anything to go by. I get the impression that a lot of the 100 acre properties for sale are on the market for aging farmers who can no longer work the hills!

The property photographed below was one that we did quite like, although not for practical purposes. The road in was about 15 km of 4wd track, and the nearest power is 3 km away (definitely a concern when power is $35,000 per km to connect). 

The views are certainly lovely....

The House just might need a little work. I think that the combined talents of our chippie brothers might just pull it off!

The woolshed is OK. Boards are springy...

The timber is lovely (what is left)

And THIS is the kitchen.....

Looks Ok from the front

At least the chimneys look sound!

We have decided to leave it for now- a purchase that is. I will certainly keep looking at property, and bugging Jane!

As for the rest of the weekend, we brunched with Pete and Katrina at Cream, had chinese with Pete and Melissa, and caught up with old friends for the rugby at The Southern Cross Club (The All Blacks won, in a sterling game of footy!). On the Sunday, we cooked for family, and had a nice relaxing day before flying home. Jane decided it is time to indulge her crafty self, and took a knitting class. She does need to practice now though!

About time we got back in touch!

Hi All!

I know it has been a while since we posted, but it seems that the time has just flown by. Since the crash heading home from Airlie Beach, it seems as though only moments have passed, rather than months!

So- by way of catch up, I thought I would just post a quick catchup update with some of the highlights, and I PROMISE to get better at staying current!

We had the good fortune to be able to go down to the Gold Coast for Easter to celebrate Fred's 60th birthday. We cooked at Mum & Dad's first for the family (with the exception of Jac & Jase). I love it when we get together as a family- it would have been perfect if the 'Perthies' could have been there too, but those that were there still had fun. It was a shock to Jane to find that she could be cold on the Gold Coast- but then again, it still hasn't got below 23 degrees at night here in Townsville. Just ridiculous! Fred's party was a ripper! He did Hangi's in old kegs that were fantastic. only problem is that Jane isn't too keen on me 'liberating' a keg so I can make a hangi for us too... Might have to wait until the next time she goes on holiday!

Jane's cousin Paula came and stayed for a couple of nights, which was lovely. She was up for work, and has just been nominated to walk the Kokoda track. Lots of training ahead, but what an experience.

On the travel front, we have managed to escape Townsville at least once every month since we arrived. Jane had to go to Brisbane for a week for work, and managed to get to a Wiggles concert while there. I secretly think that the Wiggles was the real reason she pushed for the trip! I had to go to Darwin to support an exercise, and then spent a couple of weeks at a charming seaside resort called Cowley Beach. If anyone ever suggests that Cowley Beach might be a pleasant place to retire- take a line from the Castle, and 'tell 'em they're dreamin!' Plenty of water there- and most of it comes in horizontal to the ground. It took a couple of weeks to get the sand out of everything, and getting into wet sleeping bags every night isn't my idea of a holiday either.

I had to go to Cairns last week, to provide support to a senior planning conference, and then I am off to Canberra in early June to give a presentation to RMC. Jane is planning to make the trip with me too, as we can spend the long weekend with family, and look at a couple of blocks of land!!!

Yes- The first big ticket item on our life plan may soon be in the bag. We have identified a couple of small farms that we want to have a look at. They are all about 100 acres, and have some sort of water (we think). If they look alright, we are planning to 'land-bank' them for the next few years that I am in uniform. We will develop and plant the land, and get water and fencing sorted out. Just prior to leaving the Army, we will build a house and bakery onsite. The future plan is for Jane to breed and 'husband' rare breed pigs for sale to a select and discerning clientele. I will run a bakery from home and we will sell at Farmer's Markets- again, only to a discerning audience! We will have a farm shop and eventually augment it with a B&B accommodation setup. Very much planning to live the 'Good Life'!

Again- apologies for the tardiness, and the lack of photographs in this blog. Promise to sort it out for next time!

Queensland drivers are idiots! (except me of course)

We went to Airlie Beach for the weekend for an Outrigger Canoe regatta and on the way home on sunday we were run off the road by a @#%#$@#!! 4WD that was going in the opposite direction to us and decided to overtake a sedan doing the 100km speed limit.

We were travellling north on a single lane each way highway, he was travelling south and pulled out into my lane heading straight for me to overtake the sedan. He didn't have room to get there safely so floored it and kept coming at me so I was forced to pull off the road. Thankfully I was able to wash some of the speed while still on the road and hit the wet grassy embankment (sloping down and away from the road), travelled 34ish metres, hit the concrete expanse connected to the drain pipe that was running under the road, went back onto the marshy grass travelled another 34ish metres before coming to a stop. Very skillfully missing both the concrete covering of the drain on the right that would've flipped us and the few trees on the left. Thankfully Kim (a friend and co-paddler), Quent and I were all able to get out and walk away from the car.  The car however was pretty well stuck in the mud and wasn't able to be pulled out with the help of a good samaratan ute that stopped to help, so we, or more accurately Quent, waited for the tow truck from Townsville. We're now waiting on the insurance assessment to decide if my beautiful big blue Brumbie mobile will be written off or repaired. There wasn't any damage done to the panels but the brakes and wheels aren't in a good way - even I could tell that from looking at it and I'm not at all mechanical.

The @#$@#%#$%#@$!! 4WD driver stopped long enough to see us all get out of the car and then he jumped back in his car and took off. He'd stopped too far away from us to get his rego plates and funnily enough I didn't catch it when he was heading for us - I can tell you he had a bloody big silver chrome bull bar!

So, a couple of other paddling friends turned their car around and came back to "rescue" us and return Kim and I safely home. Quent was delivered to the door about 3hrs after I got home by a very friendly tow truck driver who didn't want him to have to call and wait for a taxi at the closed holding yards on the other side of town at 7 o'clock at night.

Our rescuers, Linda and Adrian took a few photos and if they show the scene as I think they will we'll probably put them on the blog site in the next few weeks for all those who need to see it to make my above description make any sense!

So in summing up, we had a very near death experience. Are bloody lucky to be alive and I can't express how grateful we are to be alive!

Since then have been rather reflective and wish I could see each of you now to have a chat and make sure you and yours are alright too!

Take the very best care of yourselves.

Love Jane & Quent xoxo

Our first tropical wet!

Hi!! I will keep this one short, as the pictures really do tell the story.

Last weekend, we got hit by Cyclone Olga, which was a most interesting experience... We had a phenomenal amount of water, and watched the flood waters rise around us. 

It was incredible to watch the hills turn green- previously they had only been a very dusty brown. Cycling home from work in water that is up to two feet deep is all kinds of wrong- think that might almost prove to be a challenge for my sister, Jacinda!

So- the pics-

The frogs had the right idea- the drains were a much safer place to be.

This is generally a trickle

This isn't... The day before this was just a mass of dust

Somewhere in there is a cemetery

And somewhere up there is a mountain!

Ditto with the dust

See- Told you there was a hill in there!

Once a walking track

Navigation wasn't easy at all

That is the footpath- and people's driveways

The view left from the back fence

and right- those poles normally stand about 4 foot high

The same view a day later!

What a difference a day makes!

See you in a dryer moment!

2010- A New Year

Jane and I are both back at work, and loving it. Not! Since we wrote last, we have both taken a much needed three week holiday, and have spent some time with our respective families.

Before we left, life at Chez Dalziell was a little chaotic. In addition to cyclone proofing the house and backyard, I was frantically trying to get three big timber projects finished. Not content with the softly softly approach, I decided that I should get everything made at once. Not a bad idea if you have a big shed, or you know where everything is, or… But - we live in town, with everything crammed into a garage, and no surplus space. However, we needed a storage unit and bench top for the kitchen, and bookshelves. Bookshelves so that we can finally unpack the last of our boxes, and the kitchen unit because we just don’t have any bench space in the kitchen!

The bookshelf finally put together

... But lets go back a couple of days!

Bookshelves standing, and Jane contemplating how the top might go together!

We managed to get it all done, and then locked up the house (offering silent, but heartfelt prayers that the power would stay connected for the duration of our three week sojourn away, and that the wine and kitchen fridges would still be running on our return!). Our plan was to drive to the Sunshine Coast, and to fly from there to Canberra. We would spend the Christmas week with Jane’s family before spending New Year’s and a glorious week of mild (when compared with tropical Townsville) sunshine with my family before toddling off back north to the tropics.

The best laid plans of mice and men…… The trip started ok. We drove to the Sunshine Coast, with a stopover in Rockhampton. I had booked a bed and breakfast package with one of the local hotels. Arriving late, we had plans for a midnight check in. That was smooth enough (once the receptionist eventually came back from her rounds), until breakfast. I won’t say anything more about it - can’t really. It was just awful.

We got to Mum & Dad’s mid afternoon and enjoyed a couple of very welcome festive frothies. The next day we travelled to Brisbane to look at property (wait for a future Blog for more details!), and then stayed with Raf and Susan in Brisbane. We had a lovely night. I was fuelled by Fat Yak, and Jane by ‘baby cuddles’ with Lachie!

... Jane may have struggled with the trip south...

The flight to Canberra was uneventful, even if Jane did engage in a little attempted manipulation of the time/space continuum. Based on her instructions, our pick-up was waiting for us in Canberra before we left Brisbane. It would have been nice, but we still had to do the travel the old fashioned way!

We were able to catch up with many great friends in Canberra (more baby cuddles for Jane) and attended the world’s hottest, muggiest and least inspiring Mass on Christmas Eve. Mind you, I am sure that attendance was pre-penance for the 6 dozen oysters the Crawford clan consumed post mass. The Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc was also particularly fine!

We had a couple of fabulous days of festivities over Christmas, with several treats from the cellar. I cured salmon into Gravlax, and stuffed turkey breast with camembert, garlic and dried tomato before wrapping it in bacon. Not bad at all. We again discovered that there is nothing that a good garlic sauce doesn’t go with. Except perhaps, kissing!

A good fun Christmas, with John running the table!

I also made a batch of tomato relish for Clare- hers still sitting on the floor on the Sunshine Coast.

I was well and truly spoiled, particularly by Jane (Thank you Darling) and I tried my best to spoil her in return.

Our week in the Sunshine Coast gave me cause (yet again) to suggest to the Premier’s Department that they engage in false advertising where the north coast is concerned. It does nothing but rain up there! I know they need it, but surely you have to deliver what you advertise!

Mum and Dad’s house is coming along brilliantly. I love seeing the progress every time we visit. The garden is spectacular and a real credit. It was a real treat to see the Dragonfruit flowering at night. I can see how that would become a real attraction for people.

The Dragonfruit flowers only come out for one night. Just beautiful to look at, and you can see them growing and opening up.

We had a nice week, even if it did rain. New Years Eve was spent on the beach with nieces and nephews, and was most pleasant. No sore head on New Years Day, which is always nice.

We spent a day touring the hinterland ranges, which are really beautiful. I look forward to taking Jane back when we can actually see the view!

We decided that we needed a vacuum cleaner and that we would take advantage of a Myer gift card we had to buy it from Myer (there being none in Townsville) in Maroochydore. I don’t know how, but we walked in intending to buy a vacuum, and walked out with that and a flat screen TV. Just as well we drove down!

Our car seemed full on the trip down with suitcases, an esky and a welder (I was planning to fix Dad’s trailer until it rained). The trip back had the same, as well as a case of wine, chainsaw (thanks Sunny!), TV, Vacuum cleaner, vice, workbench, teddy and some other stuff I ‘liberated’ from Dad’s workshop…..

We weren’t able to do some of the stuff we wanted to do because of the weather, but we were able to help. We pulled the old ceilings down, ready for Tys to install the new ones, and I rewired Dad’s trailer. It works too….. Don’t worry; I was surprised too!

The interior of Mum and Dad's new house. Starting to look really good.

Just love frangipanis!

Butter wouldn't melt in their mouths!!!

We also managed to take a day into Brisbane and saw Shaun and Kirsten’s (marvellous) new house, had beer and cheese with Keren and Louis, and dinner with Jamie and Lisa at the Story Bridge Hotel. Great day out!

... So that's how trees do it!!! ...

It rained all the way back to Townsville, but was good to be back. We had a fabulous time away, but there is no bed like your own bed!

These shelves hold 17 boxes of books. I now have to build more shelves to hold the other 12 boxes.

The back of the bookshelves is the family gallery

My new kitchen bench!! Very excited.