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.
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!
