Welcome 2012. According to the Mayans (and Hollywood), we might need to make this year count! We had an excellent end to 2011 (although manic as always) and have a few projects and plans to look forward to in the year ahead.
We flew to Canberra for the Christmas period, and rejoiced in slightly cooler weather. It might seem like a small thing, but being able to cuddle your nearest and dearest without breaking out in a blind sweat is a wondrous thing! We thought that we had the Canberra trip well planned with plenty of time to get everything done and leave time for relaxation. Not a chance!
We had given Clare (Jane's sister) two days of labour for Christmas, and I spent a long day prior to Christmas on a dingo (digger) scraping off her front yard. The last couple of hours were on the old fashioned shovel and barrow, and I was most relieved when Leigh (friend of Jane and Clare) pitched in. Made the last bit a LOT easier!
Speaking of Leigh... Back when I first met Jane, she told me about a long running joke in her family, whereby the kids all talk about putting personalised stickers on the furniture so there are no arguments over who gets what in any future family settlements. On my second visit to Jane's parents, they had had a lovely carved antique sideboard delivered. I whispered (sotto voce) into Jane's ear that she should put a sticker on that piece. She started laughing, and much to my mortification told her Mum that I wanted to put a sticker on the piece. Clare was indignant when she found out, and the sideboard has pretty much been known ever since as the 'not-the-Quentin-cupboard'. By Clare at least...! When we visited this time, there was a sticker on the front door saying "Leigh: First in, Best Dressed". Leigh is currently staying at Jane's parents, and he had stickered the house prior to our arrival. It was one of the funniest things I had seen in ages, until we went into the cellar to retrieve a wine, to find that Leigh had also claimed all of our wines! (Lucky for him he doesn't drink wine!!!)
We had a lovely, quiet Christmas with Jane's family. She gave me some excellent books and DVD's, and the very best of the Pogues. I gave her some earrings to match a favourite necklace, and a piglet. I bought it through Caregift Australia, and it goes to a woman in an emerging nation. The gifts are designed to aid in breaking the poverty cycle by providing support and small business opportunities. MacK got everybody's wrapping paper and was more than happy!
We did get up to the Farm, but didn't have the time to overnight on this trip. We now have a very clear idea of how we are going to develop the farm and house block, so watch for that next set of plans. New Years was a lovely relaxed evening spent with good friends and family. Not a bad thing really, with a wee one thinking about walking and getting into everything. We were back to Townsville on the 3rd of January, and were very much surprised to see that the wet season hasn't yet made an appearance. It is hot, sticky and there isn't the relief that is provided by late afternoon thunderstorms. I am sure that they will come!
We do have some plans for 2012. Some are tentative, few are locked in stone, and all will depend on my work commitments this year. So, here goes:
- 15 Jan - I am doing a cheesemaking course, focussing on a goats milk brie and a cows milk cheddar
- 23 Jan - I head back to work... (could get used to holidays!)
- 2 April - MacK's first birthday!
- Easter - Sunshine Coast is a possibility if MacK gets a chance to meet Ethan, or we might take him to the Mt. Garnet hot springs. They are about 4-5 hours from Townsville, and are thermal springs. Apparently a shovel is an essential piece of kit, as you can dig your own 'spa' beside the river.
- Early April - Jane's parents and niece will be visiting us. I am trying to get Mum to come up also.
- 12 July - My 40th Birthday. Nothing planned, and will depend on work commitments. Early indications are that I probably won't bother too much with a party, as we are too far away from everybody!
- Second Tuesday in July - Posting orders due out, so we will know where we might spend the subsequent two years.
- Mid-July - The Townsville 400 V8's are on. We don't indulge, but have plenty of beds for those that do! First in, best dressed, and we would love to have you!
- August sometime - One of our favourite cousins is getting married on the Gold Coast. We would love to be there, and are tossing up driving down from Townsville. From there we might keep driving south to Perisher ski resort and spend a week or so in the snow. Depending on a couple of other things, we might also spend a week fencing the farm (Time for a road trip Dad?). if Ethan and MacK don't meet at Easter, this could well be the first time they clap eyes on each other. At that point, the seven weeks age difference will pretty much have ceased to matter, which will be good for both of them.
- 13 Dec - Jane's Birthday.
- December - Hopefully we are packing the tropical bungalow in preparation for a drive south.
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