WE"RE OFF

This is the latest of the Barkla family, taken last week.Nice eh?
Tried to upload some Vietnam clipart but once again the blogger failed me. You'll all just have to wait for the real pictures.

WELL, AT LEAST WE ARE ON SUNDAY EVENING, AS WE LEAVE HERE AT 2.05 MONDAY MORNING. Scott is going to take us to the airport, save booking a taxi and hoping they come in time. They are quite expensive as well, so thank you Scott.


For once we are packed. Usually we pack on the day but because we had put away most of our stuff for a while, we needed to check in case we had to buy anything before Sunday.


Really looking forward to this too, it is always great to see something you have not seen before. Karen & Rick bought Trev a tour of Hanoi for his Birthday and we do that on the first day so a good orientation. We return on the 7th of November.


Booked a Tupperware party at Vicki's last week, it is on the 13th,at 7 pm. Have not done anything like that for years. Any of you want to attend, leave a message, you're welcome.I did it to help out Vicki and her friend Renee. Asked my neighbours so hope at least a few turn up.There is some really great stuff now though it is expensive. It does last . I must admit.


OK Vietnam, here we come.

The kids

Front of calendar

Caitlyn Sarah

February I think
back of calendar

Riley & Caitlyn


Zoe

Bella

Zoe is nearly 10,on Nov 21st,Bella is 8,Riley 7 ,Sarah 5 and Caitlyn 2. here they all are, dressed as Island kids for Geoff & Johari's Birthdays. An extra of Riley & Caitlyn, she was telling Riley that she loved him . Also a few pics pinched from our Arcadia Waters Calendar,Caitlyn & me at the cafe, outside with Ina & others and the back of the calendar has the mosaic, which I organised, on it.

Some Good Times

Time with the family is always a good time for me and we have certainly had our share in the past few weeks. It is one thing the old boy does not gripe about so doubly enjoyable. We started with an absolutely wonderful dinner at the Roxby (or Roxby's ? ) at Willeton. It is a Thai Restaurant but also serves european dishes so there is something to please everyone. Trev, Travis and the kids had things like steak and Parmegana while Karen, Jo, Scott, Vicki and myself shared Thai food. The 5 dishes each had their distinctive taste and it was an epicurian delight. Slightly more expensive than our normal treats but not TOO expensive. That was Friday the 5th, to celebrate Scott's 40th B'day. On the 6th we went all the way into the Swan Valley for a sausage sizzle and 7o's party to celebrate Ryan's 30th.Kelly and he have a nice Granny flat next to Ryan's parents house. Everyone dressed appropriately and it was amazing what they came up with. My favourites were Rick and family. He was the Bagwan (from the orange people)and she had striped velvet pants and shirt with scarves in the girl's hair they made a good 70's family. There were some good wigs and suits and Ryan looked good.On the Sunday Viv & Mick visited , still for Trev's birthday and their company is always nice too.Had just made some mulberry pies and slices as I found just the biggest Mulberry tree on one of my walking treks. It brough back some memories as Nanny & Pop Branch had a mulberry tree from which fruit I always made mulberry pies. I still see the boys as youngsters, absolutely covered in mulberry juice because they also used the fruit to bombard each other. Johnny Howard finally announced the election for November 24th. We went to Kristy's for the Xmas draw and on Saturday we had a nice Island Party at Nanny & Geoff's to celebrate Geoff's and Johari's Birthdays. Food was lovely thanks Nanny. The following day we had the Birthday bash at the village, Rick & family and Nanny & Geoff came for that. The coffee machine blew up which caused a big backlog but the girls managed very well. I worked on the craft stall because I worked in the cafe on Saturday. The stall went well but we had far too much stuff. Had 2 of the kids at their place yesterday and I took them for a long walk and then they had a swim as Zoe's friend came back with her after Zoe played there. Today bought some jeans for Trev for our trip at the Belmont shopping Centre and went to pick up my lotto syndicate winning. Wish I'd been there when they sold the first prize that day but I got a whole $1.70!!!!! Now we have just less than 2 weeks before our trip, it can't come soon enough. They've just released the Arcadia calender, gosh it is just great and I'm even in it and so is Caitlyn. Really would like to buy some more, if the boy lets me.Have taken some photos of the grandies to show they are growing up, will publish later. That's it , better get on home.

THE NEXT INSTALMENT

As promised,the other CATS photo and thought I'd throw one in from 'OI', Rick & Karen's puppy who is nearly too big for the chair. Photo by courtesy of Karen's Blog.

SO SORRY CATS

Nanny just emailed me asking where the photos were that I had taken at the CATS "s visit. Stupid woman, I forgot ofcourse. It is something called short term memory and a lot of other 68 year olds (and I believe even younger ones and certainly older ones) seem to suffer with the same problem. Here they are, only 2 were really good.
ust say once more ,we really enjoyed your visit.

For those who know Kathy , who was unable to attend, she is not well at all and not really improving. I'll try to keep you updated.

So sorry again, won't let me upload the other one and I'll try again tomorrow.

The Photos ,I hope

view from the verandah

View from our Sebel Hotel apartment The lounge/kitchen

Rick , Karen and girls arriving from Bali

Mother duck with her 5 babies. She was back on the weekend and the babies are nearly as big as Mum

Visit from the CATS

Trev and I had our 2 nights at the Sebel in Perth and boy, was it nice. All the staff knew about the circumstances that sent us there and they could not do enough for us. We had an absolutely beautiful apartment overlooking the little harbour. lots of restaurants nearby and it was just great. We visited the Egyptian exhibition from the Louvre, went to the casino and to the outlet shops at Harbourtown. It was most enjoyable. Today we had a group of some 27 ladies from our old Aqua Group visit for morning tea and some stayed for lunch. It was just great to see all the old friends again. It was a great pity that Kathy Fulton , who also lives in the village, could not be there alongside Ina and myself because she is in hospital with her leukemia problem, has a lot of infections. Most of these ladies said they would do it again with Kathy when she is better, perhaps early next year. Tonight we're off to tea with just the family for Scoitt's birthday and tomorrow we celebrate Ryan's 30th at his and Kelly's place. should be enjoyable also. More to come, Nanny & Geoff's 70th and Johari's 21st, next week as well as the village birthday bash. Ok Trouble with downloading photos. I'll try again another day.

Trevor is 68

Yes, today we are the same age once again, it is Trev's birthday and I am cleaning up and packing up at Rick's because we have a 2 day holiday at the Sebel Hotel . I had already taken my sewing back home but did not realise one person could have so much stuff for 2 weeks. It did include some food & diet food though. I think I've only lost 1 1/2 kilos which was disappointing but I was naughty just a couple of times.

For Nanny's Birthday ,on Monday, we had a dim sum lunch at Melville, that was nice. Vicki & Kristy and their girls came too , apart from the 3 sisters and husbands.

I have this terrible feeling that I did not send Adrie a card, or did I?. Zo Adrie liefs en onze Hartelyke felicitaties voor je verjaardag. Heb de kaart van Trevor gekregen en bedankt. Je moet eigenlyk niet een zilvere pen gebruiken voor het address want by de tyd dat het hier komt is het moeilyk te lezen en ik denk dat ze daarom zoms niet aankomen. Deze werd zelfs in de verkeerde box gestopt, gelukkig wel by Arcadia. Have a good day also.Kan niet bellen want zyn dus weg.

It is not much use wishing the old boy happy birthday because he does not read these anyway.

Rick & Karen due back tomorrow.

We were going to try Mac "Home Alone as we had to call in for Rick's car tomorrow anyway but now it appears the painters are coming to paint the outside so he will have to go to Scott & Jo's.

Ok I'm off home.
Sorry about the huge space again, it is the Carla insert that causes it because it inserts multiple copies which I then have to delete but it leaves the space.

FOUND IT

Found where Oi got out. Saw him blithely walking across the road and when I called him he came in where he'd gone out, right at the neighbour's corner on the right. Now I am a real country bumpkin, I have mended the fence. It now sports bits of wire and some gorgeous bright orange brickies rope. I sport cuts and scratches and bloodblisters. Hope the repairs hold. These blogs are really confusing, based on US time so it is Wednesday here, not Tuesday.

The walk that wasn't

The sun was shining this morning so after such a long spell of no walking decided to seize the opportunity before the clouds re appeared. Selected to walk south towards Mundijong . Half way

down the road......the sound of big feet and panting, I was being pursued. Not by a human but by the big boofhead,OI. Still don't know where or how he got out but that was the end of taking walks in the country. I think Rick needs to create a confined space, with plenty of room, so the dogs can be left safely,still with access to shelter.

The rest of the family is not faring too well. Scott is off work with the flu or bad cold. Caitlyn had the huge ulcers and now a cough. Made Mum Vicki get run down with lack of sleep, she now has a mouthful of ulcers. Trev is home with sore throat and coughing too. That always concerns me because he, in his wisdom, refuses to have the yearly flu injection. Last 2 weeks it was Zoe & Riley with conjunctivitus, I think that's enough now.

The birds are very noisy while the weather is still fine. Had a honey eater around the back varandah ,a parrot which was on a low branch out the front and let me approach without moving and there is plenty of chirping and fluttering around the trees. Such a shame I can't walk and see more . Mind you, by now clouds have just about covered the blue sky. The weather bureau (or the waterboard ) has just informed us that there will not be tougher water resrictions this year because the dams have filled considerably. One would think the Government would implement some strategies to save any excess water we get, for next year.I know we have the dams but perhaps some underground storage facilities`would prevent us losing so much to evaporation in summer.

I think most of us are now ready for a bit of Spring, yet we have more rain on the way.

Vicki started the Tony Ferguson diet, is being very good and lost some kilos already. We decided that I would try as well because stomach surgery is prohibitive, financially and can be a bit risky as well . This is not without its cost because though one saves on normal shopping, having to buy the sachets and lots of extra veges makes it more costly. It is just such a catch 22 situation. Anyway, if I lose weight in the next 14 days I'll continue, if not, I'll give up ever trying again. After all, I am 68 and apart from the health factor and the appearance factor, who really cares? My Doctor does but then she is tall, slim and beautiful. I guess there could be the time when my Grandchildren don't want to be seen with me! I hope not.Basically, I would like to lose enough so the bloody aeroplane seat belt fits and the tray table does not hit the stomach.

And then there are all the birthdays

Many ,many Happy returns with our Very Best wishes for Love and prosperity and Happiness most of all.

Bruce on the 23rd (thanks Denise for your nice mail and yes,will dogsitAngel any time)

Nanny on the 24th

Trevor & Adrie on the 26th (the terrible twins,one here and one in Holland)

Michael on the 27th,

Scott and Ryan (both a big O year) on the 6th

Geoff on the 13th of October (A VERY BIG O) and

Johari on the 14th (becomes a real adult)

What a wonderful bunch of people.

A LITTLE LIGHT READING

For any of you who have not read Rick and Karen's blog, have a read of it now. Rick has a very amusing style of writing and it is a bit of light entertainment as well as photos and lots of information about Bali. If you don't have their blog site, comment or email me and I'll pass it on.

It's access that makes it easier

Rick,Karen,Bella & Sarah have gone to Bali for a fortnight , with friends so Oma



has gone "country" to look after the two big dogs,Oi and Nova. Well, the first full day started `with having to take Oi to the vet with a case of kennel cough and infected tonsils. It was and still is my intention to be completely lazy while I am here, do the essentials only such as eat, make coffee, wash up, make the bed and for the rest, do embroidery, sewing bits for the village stall on the 14th of October and watch foxtel. Then I'll do lots of internet watching since I'll have constant access to a computer, I do miss not having internet at home but it does seem excessive when we are already paying for the village internet.Why not, the weather is lousy, wet and cold so not much else to do and we are certainly not complaining about these lovely rainfalls.

Trev kindly came over and chopped the wood into smaller pieces 'cause I could not get the fire going. Cleaned up the dog poopies while here, which I really appreciate,as I don't like that job,especially when my dog is only a little feller.

Zeg Ger & Goos, hoe was de vacantie? Was alles OK voor Chantal & Edwin ook?

As for the last month or so, I am getting too old to remember details but it seems to just be the usual routine, babysitting, village things like Mah-Jong, worked`at the cafe again and make a cake about every fortnight. Don't get on the computer much because it is a pain having to go to the club each time and the internet room is in the Library and it hurts to see it not functioning as well as when I ran it.( not showing off, it's a fact)

SEPTEMBER 11TH.

That date has just passed and it is certainly still a painful rememberance. I clearly remember sitting up in bed and seeing those planes fly into the twin towers and then Vicki running in telling me what was happening. Then a little later the Bali bombings and so on to Spain and LOndon. What a horrible piece of History that was and it affected everyone.

Much better to remember is that that date is also the anniversary of our arrival in this wonderful country, 55 years this year.

Trev,poor soul has not had a good time as he had a spur in his heel and has been having physio which seems to have improved it` a bit. The he got a sore throat and took a n anti-biotic he'd had for his infected toe and came up glowing and itchy because he reacted to it. He's OK now. I got the sore throat and
cold which makes life a bit hard because it makes it hard to use the CPAP
Riley and Zoe have had conjunctivitus so I've had them home from school.Caitlyn goes to childcare on Fridays and loves it( it is a home day care) while I still mind her Thursdays and Karen got another` day work at the Travel Agency (Jacquie's) and loves it.Jo has dropped Thursday's work because Scott got his promotion to Senior Sergeant in his own division which he got on merit so that was well done. The pay is better hence Jo's reduction in work. Makes it better for the kids and Oma does not have to jiggle the time any more on Thursdays.Well appreciated.

There is a huge space to the next Blog, I don't know how to take it out so sorry everyone.

That's it for today, that's

Footy again

Went to Riley's footy this morning early and Aunty Nanny & Uncle Geoff came also because there was a visiting team from Christmas Island there. They had the chance to meet up with people they knew. Went for coffee at Scott & Jo's.

To Julie

A Very Happy Birthday.

Dog Show

Almost like the old days in the 60's when we used to show our Labradors ( and tried to get them to do the right thing in the trials). They were good times. So just showing off a little because Rick & Karen have a new dog in their lives, Nova, who belonged to two radio announcers with Nova Radio station but because she was a few seconds too slow, was left to be ignored in the kennels. Then there is that beautiful miniature dachshund, Mac. Much admired by everyone ( except Travis and Rick because he barks at them) but all the people on my walk love him and everyone passing him in cars smile at him. Just look at him, it's no wonder. Early next month I'm minding Rick's dogs again while they go to Bali. There is also a pic. of the galas picking at the grass roots in the doggie oval , which is my shorter walk and caitlyn in the pram. She goes walking with me on Thursdays. Lastly, there is one of Friend Nick(on the left) who lives in Calgary, canada.

Just raving again

Bottlebrush

Had a couple of fine days after the rains and the river had spilled its banks.There was still much dampness in the air with droplets hanging precariously on the large grasses alongside the paths.The birds are singing and twittering and the bell frogs ring out their mating call. The ducks are chasing each other , the mushrooms are prolific (people picking bags full) and the wild flowers are beginning to blossom.All is well with the world until you...( notice Trav, not "one") ... come home or read your emails and you have to face the reality of terrorism, Muslem domination attempts, political lies and Nature's and humanity's destructive forces.

Then again, kids are all well now, Rick & Karen have adopted a neglected greyhound which was , it seems, owned by two radio personalities and Scott starts his duties in his promotional position.As of September, the babysitting will be easier because Jo is dropping work on Thursdays so I'll only have Caitlyn. I have also dropped all voluntary work at the village because I did not like the Manager initiated politics so I'll have some more time. Herewith my photos

Rain, rain and more rain

Yes, lots of rain. You would never find any other country where they enjoy having rain as much as here. Everyone loves it and our little trickle of a river, the Canning River, is now actually looking like a river, certainly not one you can jump over any more.We just hope that it fills our dams to a reasonable level.

At the village all is well.

My dispute with the Management has come to a head because I wrote to them and to the owner as I was sick of the whole situation. We met and shook hands and the wife actually apologised which was great. I know he would not but again, we shook hands and he gave a hug and all is over and done with.

Life with the Branches is just the usual business but Trev is home most days now . He is doing a large job for Jacquie and she has paid him by giving us a huge discount on a trip. We go to Vietnam and Malaysia at the end of October. A great way to get paid eh!

Have heard from the US that Nanny is really well after all that drama,which is terrific. They leave on Monday.

The kids are all well and , touch wood, there has not been much 'flu in the family, just a few colds and it appears that Riley has a dose of bronchitus again.

The worst we have had was Travis , who had a tummy wog, fainted , then fell in the shower, cutting his forehead open ,needing 8 stitches, and also injuring his nose. He too is on the mend but will be left with a jagged "Harry Potter" scar.

Our Footy team had its worst loss yesterday and it was soooooo disappointing.

I am including some photos, one a rather nice one from the river along a new path I found .

One of Mac, as I see him when we're walking. Then one of him cuddling his dad. Then Kiah, whom we minded, asleep in the catbasket in the bedroom.(Not bad for ad dog that sleeps in the garage normally at home.) Lastly some from the village.

Well, I really came here to do some library work because Gary has finished our new shelving ( and everyone is most impressed)but I'm not getting very far. I'll have to come back tomorrow if I can find some time , Mah-Jong takes till 1 pm and if not that, I will probably have Riley to look after.

.Happy Birthday to Travis and Andrea for Tomorrow!!!Best Wishes and good health.