ANZAC Weekend

Anzac Day 15 - we had a busy weekend planned, and plenty of people to share it with. Jane's parents arrived on Friday afternoon, and Clare on Friday evening. We had a casual function at the Mess on Friday night that really didn't fly, and then it was to bed early for all.

The alarm went off WAY too early, but we all bounced out of bed fairly well in preparation for Anzac Day celebrations. As we drove into Wodonga for the dawn service, we could see plenty of lightning flashes all around, but didn't think too much of it as we could still see stars overhead. What a difference a couple of minutes make! As the service was about to start the heavens opened. We managed to find some shelter under umbrellas (or fancy colanders, as Jane discovered), and the service eventually got under way.

After the service, we warmed up with good coffee in Wodonga before heading home for scrambled eggs and dry socks. Most had a sleep before heading out to the march. I would have loved to have the opportunity, but we had a full house for dinner and I had a mountain of prep to do (especially if I wanted to stop in at the RSL after the march for a quiet ale or two!). We got wet again during the march, and I decided the only thing for it was to head to the Huon Hill Tavern to stand in front of the fire with a beer in hand. Eventually I headed home, and spent the rest of the day getting ready for dinner, and Sunday lunch.

On Saturday night we served the following menu:

Fresh baked sourdough bread
- Beetroot Carpaccio, with whipped feta (MacK had two helpings)
- Brined and roasted chicken, with parsnip mousse, spiced pumpkin, braised onion and sauteed Brussels sprouts
- Cheese plate (peppered maffra cheddar, aged cheddar, triple cream brie) with quince paste
- Apple and raspberry crumble, with custard and ice cream.

Sunday we did another four course lunch (just for fun...), hosting Kevin and Jenny (our architect - this was the first time he had seen pictures of our construction). Peter magnanimously shared the last of his "Patricia" shiraz. It was really good - lucky we have another couple of bottles in the North wing of the cellar...

Lunch was more sourdough, with:
- Chicken liver and green peppercorn pate, gherkins and aged cheddar
- Roast cherry tomato tart, with goats cheese and cucumber and onion salad
- Spiced pork cabbage rolls with bacon and sauerkraut
- Chocolate chilli tart with vanilla ice cream

Needless to say, Sunday dinner was a bowl of soup... and maybe a slice of sourdough bread with jam. But that was it! It has been a busy weekend, and we were fortunate to be able to spend it with close friends and family. I was very proud to be able to again show my respect for Grandad by wearing his medals for the Dawn Service. I think I will be going to work for a rest this week.

A weekend in Adelaide

 
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2015 is shaping up to be the year of the away wedding. We were invited to the wedding of a colleague I met in Afghanistan last year, but had to decline. As wonderful as a wedding in Yosemite would have been, Adelaide is a bit closer than California – and a little more on budget!

We had invitations to two weddings last weekend, and were delighted to be able to celebrate with special friends. We had booked flights months ago, but saved accommodation until last week. We booked at the Grand Chancellor on Hindley, mostly because of the swimming pool as that would be sure to entertain MacK.

We drove to Melbourne, before flying out to Adelaide. We planned our times so that we would be able to get in a pizza and beer at the Able Baker Charlie restaurant in the Melbourne Airport before departure. Restaurant food certainly ain’t what it used to be – and the prices weren’t too hefty either. We had a couple of really nice pizzas. The dough was OK, with well considered toppings the hero. A pretty good range of craft beers and ciders make this a destination well worth considering. What topped it off was catching up with one of the guys I deployed overseas with. It was really good to have a catch up!

 Jane and MacK with our Able Baker Charlie pizza

The hotel was right in the middle of Adelaide’s sheesha/porn/strip club/dodgy nightclub strip, but very well appointed. The aforementioned pool was kept at a really good temperature and the spa was lovely too. After a swim for MacK and I, and a nap for Jane, we ventured out looking for something to eat. MacK’s only request was for sausages. Would you believe that we walked for at least an hour without finding anything suitable? (Over the next day or so we would see dozens of funky little places tucked away in lanes, but nothing on Friday!)

We eventually turned into a pub called the Woolshed (directly over the road from the hotel), only to find that their kitchen had just closed. The chef directed us to their steak restaurant down the adjacent alley, and we were able to take one of the last tables. The restaurant was called the Little Hunter, and we wholeheartedly recommend it, unless you are a vegetarian (probably won’t be much good me recommending anything in that case). They were able to get the bangers and mash from the pub brought in to the restaurant, and moved us inside when a table freed up. They had an extensive range of beers and ciders on tap (including White Rabbit), and the wines we tried were very good. The steak I had was one of the best I have ever had, and Jane’s wasn’t far behind. It was lucky we were so close to the hotel, as MacK lay down in Jane’s lap and went to sleep (first time for everything, apparently).

We were up early for another swim (0630), and then off for breakfast, a walk and then a visit to Haigh’s Chocolate. Suitably supplied, we toddled off back to the hotel via a gothic/steampunk clothing store. Just perfect, since our next big party will be Simone’s 40^th birthday- with steampunk theme.

 

      

We dressed for the ceremony, with MacK wearing a waistcoat that I first wore 38 years prior at Fred and Raewyn’s wedding. The wedding was at 1:00pm, with the reception at 7:00pm. Both were in the Adelaide Town Hall, which was very close to where we were staying.  The service was lovely, and the break meant we had time for lunch, a sleep and another swim. We ate at the Afghan Charcoal Grill (Hindley St), and the food was sensational. The rice was to die for, and I think we will have to go to California to get Suraya to teach me how to make it.

 The organ in the Dining Room

 The beautiful ceiling in the 'chapel'

You know you are in for a good night when entering a room to see a bottle of Hennessey cognac on each table, along with the wines. The food was excellent, and the wines were well matched. The bride and groom did a cognac toast at each table – and there were 18 of them! MacK was very well behaved, and made a couple of friends at the kid’s table. He took 267 photographs of the night until the battery died. We have a lot of photos of his fingers…

We flew out of Adelaide on Sunday morning, after yet another spa and swim session. MacK fell asleep as we commenced our descent into Melbourne and didn’t wake up until we drove into Wodonga, He was well rested – Jane and I not so much! We had a great weekend, and I am looking forward to going back to Adelaide to explore a little more!

 Us, after the ceremony

MacK, in my old waistcoat.

 We had a bit of fun with the photo booth!

Easter 15, and a couple of cute Pics

This last weekend was a little bittersweet for us. Due to a scheduling change, a family gathering was planned at Mark & Tiff's in Queensland. Unfortunately for us, our travel for this month was already confirmed to Adelaide (for a wedding) and we need to spend what time we do have on the build to get the house to lock up. It would have been brilliant to meet another three or four new nieces/nephews/cousins, but that will all have to wait. It seems as though they all had a great time, even though the party dynamics are significantly changed now that the number of under fives almost outnumbers adults!

In any case, I ended up with a chronic case of Man Flu (obviously near death), and wouldn't have enjoyed flights or been great company.

We had another small party for MacK on Thursday (his actual birthday) with friends from Wodonga, and then left for the farm on Good Friday.

MacK is Ninja Turtle mad, so a freehand drawing of Leonardo was the order of the day for a second cake. Under the frosting we had our go to mud cake.

Our plans were to get the external beading into the window frames (tick), oil the frames (tick), get the glass to the house from storage (tick - saving $110 per month), and install the fixed glass panels (not yet done). All in all we had a successful weekend. Again we couldn't have done it without the help of friends and family. This time it was Clare who helped with the oiling of the frames, Jasmine who played really terrible music (apparently current and trendy - just sounded like the crap we used to dance [?] to when drunk in the 90's), and Leigh. We were responsible for moving the glass, which was emotional. Very emotional.

I put in the beading, while Jane was responsible for sanding and oiling the frames

On social matters, Static Nomadic had a gig planned for Easter Saturday, so rehearsed on Friday evening. And Night, and for a bit of the morning as well. The music was good, but the shed walls are thin. Can't wait to see the acoustic dampening properties of straw bale and double glazing! It was cool enough in the evening to sit around a fire, which is one of the absolute pleasures of country/outdoor living.

Needless to say, as the resident rainmakers for the farm it started to rain as soon as we tried to do anything outside - like shifting glass.

 Can you tell the glass is a little heavy? We are both SO happy to be lifting the glass off the truck. There were 52 panes to be shifted - fortunately not all this big. The largest of the panels weighed 111 kg. We might have gone a little crazy.

On our way home we stopped for fish and chips in Cowra. I realise some will say you can't get good fish away from the coast, but I have to disagree. The fish and chippery in  Cowra is magnificent. They only sell fish - go somewhere else for your burgers - and it is really good. They drive to the Sydney fish markets themselves to get product, and are doing something right if the queues on Good Friday are anything to go by.

 We did get one of the panels in place. It was really nice to know that the window frames actually fit the glass... so far!

 MacK kept himself amused. Totem tennis provided a heap of fun for him and Floyd - if not a lot of coordination! I love the Michael Jackson pose below!

 A hot chocolate break was always welcome - thanks Aunty Clare

 

 And when there was no-one to play totem tennis with, MacK indulged his musical side

Looking through a couple of older photo downloads, I discovered a couple of photos that I particularly love. They are shown below. The one of all of us was taken as I arrived into Albury after an extended return journey home from the Middle East in November. MacK had been asleep, and woke up in my arms. He also hadn't had a haircut since I had been away, saying that a haircut was what he did with me. Very cute! The other is MacK (being impossibly cute) showing us how big his muscles are!

Woolstock 15, Feathertop, Melbourne, and MacK turns four

This post is more a catch up than detailing a specific event. I will get back into the swing of things, but it is proving to be a difficult task so far in 2015. One of the highlights of the year so far has been Woolstock. We went up to the farm for a thoroughly enjoyable weekend, where much wine was drunk, but very little work was done. On the bright side, Riley McGlinchey drove up from Pucka to spend the weekend with us, and Dave Kennedy met us at the farm.

The music was really good, but what was even better was being able to sneak away to the house and lie in hammocks, where we could still listen to the music. Ljuba again brought maple infused vodka, but this time went to sleep clutching the bottle far too tightly for anyone to get any! 

 I have shared some of our sunsets before, and they just seem to get better. When we built the house, we would sit in front of the shed and watch the sun disappear over the horizon. The sunsets were inspirational. In fact, Peter told us he was a bit disappointed in the house once the frames were up. Apparently it interfered with his nightly viewing of the sunset!

Every Woolstock starts with the percussion frenzy!

The theme was born to be wild - Jane and I rode in on the bike. MacK became the self appointed guardian, and wouldn't let anyone near it!

 The next morning MacK took Dave to the beach for a refreshing swim.

 This one is a bit out of order, but never mind. This is the view from Mt Feathertop in Victoria's High Country. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to walk from Harrietville to Mt Hotham, including the Feathertop summit. All up the walk is a steady 22 km. The first 11 km are uphill, with gradients in excess of 38%. It was a really good day out, and a reminder of how much fun you can have in the great outdoors.

 I don't normally post about work, but will make an exception here. On 21 March there was a series of parades held across Australia commemorating the end of Australia's campaign in Afghanistan (Operation Slipper). All those who served in Afghanistan marched. This is me in the hotel, getting ready to step out, and meet up with class mates and comrades. I had told MacK I wouldn't be able to wave to him, but couldn't help myself when I heard him call out "There's MY DADDY!"

 MacK and a mate waiting for us all to march past on our way to the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. The speeches were poor - no recognition of the mental injuries being suffered by returned veterans, and a lack of respect throughout. The Governor sounded like he was half pissed, and couldn't get names or awards correct (apparently we have awards for gallery - not gallantry - in Australia).

Later in the afternoon we went for a walk through the Shrine gardens. This lovely tribute is to the widows. We had a great time until MacK was stung by a bee. At least we know he isn't allergic to them!

 We had MacK's 4th birthday party in Canberra over the weekend. As you can see, he wanted a pirate theme. The kids had a great time with treasure hunts and games of 'pin the tail on the parrot'.

 It was lovely to be able to get a picture of MacK with his god parents - who both love our little boy dearly!

And there you are. Almost up to date.

Our future home...

This post is well past due. Our year to date has been ridiculous, with very few weekends being spent at home. We have done the run up to Canberra and the farm on many of our weekends, and have had to go to Melbourne for events also. It is great fun - but we are not getting a lot of time for a rest.

Summer was incredibly busy. We spent six or seven weeks at the farm building what will be our future home. We had the luxury of a couple of years to plan the house, which meant several completely different plans, and the incorporation of a few fantastic rooms which we will definitely appreciate into the future.

The kitchen area includes a bakehouse, brewery, slaughter room, scullery, cold room, cool larder (for curing salami and prosciutto), cheese cave and wine cellar. It will definitely be the heart of the house! I am also looking forward to spending time on our deck. We have a brilliant view, and should be permanently sheltered from the worst of the weather.

We are incredibly lucky to have the families that we do. Both Tyson and David gave up time to come to the farm over Summer to help with the build. Without their help we just couldn't have done it. I had just come home from a few months overseas, and the build was a fantastic way to get back into the swing of things. We worked long and hard - and had a great time. A picture paints a thousand words, so join me below for a visual stroll through our building journey over the summer gone...

This was how the ground looked when I first got to the farm. The local concrete guys had drilled the pier holes, and were ready to fill them with concrete (Day 2).  In the background of the picture, you can just make out the level lines - level with the timber in the foreground. I really struggled to believe there was that much fall across the block - and wasn't the only one. Until we started to put up the structure, most people struggled to see the fall. Apparently the guys setting out the piers had to calibrate their lasers twice to be sure!

 We used a steel sub floor system. Kind of like Meccano - only much, much larger. Tyson is starting the set out. Some of the main bearers were upwards of 11 metres long - and heavy.

Jane being the technical one - checking the levels for the verandah posts.

As you can see, we did it tough on the build site! This was one of the meals that Tyson and I enjoyed early on...

The completed sub floor. This took us about a week from start to finish. All the panels were computer cut, and pre-drilled. It was a very easy system to work with - and great to see results on a regular basis!

 Tyson surveying the work site - and the view

Showering happened - lucky this was a summer build

The foreman has arrived! Jane was only able to be on the farm on weekends for the first few weeks of the build. It meant a lot of driving for her and MacK, and it was definitely easier when they were full time on site for three weeks.  

Peter spent several weeks on the build - even giving up the golf course. He had a blast, and was a great help. He even got used to sleeping on the floor. Kind of! every now and then he decided that I had worked hard enough, and didn't need to get into the kitchen, and would duck into Canowindra to buy Indian takeaway. The Indian shop in town is less than inspiring to look at, and I only ate there one night when it was the only thing open. The food is authentic, really fresh and full of well considered spices. The samosa are to die for!

We had facilities... Tyson celebrating his plumbing efforts

The frames start to go up. What an education - still not a fan of heights.

Tyson went home for Christmas, and Dave came down from Darwin. His first job was to interpret the truss plan, and to get them laid out on the roof. Apparently a job best done in 'roofing thongs' up on the frame!

The trusses all went up together, without too much hassle

Hi Dave...

We took a break on New Years Eve for a Super heroes party next door. Static Nomadic played, and we had a great time. The next day was a little more difficult, and we didn't get too much done.

Visitors galore... (although these ones didn't wear high heeled cork wedges and carry parasols onto the build site!)

 There was also time for recreation. Tyson here showing off a little... I think the kids were much more impressed when he came running up onto the house wearing his plasterers stilts. He could cover about three metres per step in those. Very impressive.

Mum, Dad, Harry and Summer came to visit for a couple of days. Mum got a little camera shy in this pic!

'Canowindra Coffee' time - We got rained off one day, and I suggested to David that we would go into town for coffee. We asked Peter to drive. As we got into town, he asked us which cafe we wanted to go to, to which I suggested the Royal. Peter asked if the Royal served coffee - I said "I hope not!"

From that time on, every time the rain came in, it was time to stop for a Canowindra Coffee. And cheese, and sometimes even cards.

Everyone had to pull their weight on the build

This was the day we rolled out. We didn't have time to get the roof on (that was done in later weeks by a local contractor). The rain was torrential, we wouldn't have been able to get anything done in any case.

A great picture of David and Jane

This is the view from our deck. I think even Kevin McLeod would be impressed with the way we have framed our view.

This is the view from our bedroom window. Isn't it just beautiful?

And there is that view again...