Yes Viv is 60 now. She still does not look anywhere near 6o . She is Trevor's younger sister and we are just a bit fond of her!We had a lovely dinner at the Mussel Bar in Fremantle, to celebrate and she celebrated in style with her family and best friends.She is always pleased to be with her family and it was good to see the latest addition, Ella , there as well. Wishing you many more years in happiness and health , Viv.
We went for a walk yesterday,quite a long one and during that,Rick emailed me from Bali re a rash that Bella had contracted.Ofcourse as I can't see very well with a huge cataract on my eye,I stopped to try to let them know I would SMS properly when I got back to Vicki's. It appears, at that time, while I was not looking Caitlyn chucked her gorgeous pink cloche hat out. I did not discover it till we got home, unfortunately. So she was put down for her nap, slept 2 and 1/2 hours and had her lunch I decided to see if I could find her hat so re-traced our footsteps. Wonders never cease, I found it, clumped under a small shrub, across the road from where we had been walking. That is why she is on show wearing THAT hat.
Today we had to take some clean clothes to Riley at school because he had spilled his yoghurt all over the others. So we went to see Pop and came back to school because Riley's class was doing assembly.The Assembly item was great and so was our little Missy. She entertained the kids, teachers and parents alike with her antics and had everyone in fits when she cheered after the National Anthem.
Well , just take a look at our boy, can't help but love him.
Then we have Lorraine in her cafe uniform. She is also one of my Mah-jong mates on Wednesday nights.Also overview of our Waterways cafe.They have now prettied it up with tablecloths and vases of our Lavender.
Well we had a lovely day at the Casino today. I started winning but after going back after lunch,(had Chinese for lunch and they were very generous servings) we both,"done our dough". but it was a nice day anyway.People all around me were winning but we had the typical Branch luck. Net came too and did not do well either.
We have also decided that we would keep our car
because they would give us so little for it that the extra we have to pay does not justify the extra petrol.So we spent some money fixing what the mechanic thought we ought to fix and he says we now have a good car. Ellie, if you are checking this site, we have not heard from you!!!!
Well the holiday is nearly over. It was nice to be able to go to craft and do the extra long walks and do some work in the Library.There is still more books to accession but that is an ongoing thing.
We had a day at Carousel shopping Centre with Vicki & Caitlyn and I also caught up with a few bits of sewing & doing things like cleaning the oven( Ugggh).
Our new cafe ,"Waterways", run by residents is going very well financially. Myself ,along with a group of residents cooked cakes or biscuits each week but now we are going on a roster. Yet others work in the cafe to help out those who were trained to use the coffee machine. Tomorrow we have a treat with a Casino trip and since I am free ,we are going.It is good value because for $A 10.00 we get bus transport to & From the Casino, lunch, $2.00 coins for the pokies and a turn at the chocolate wheel. the meal alone is worth it.Ofcourse, they expect and hope you will spend more of your own but that is one's own choice.We had a lovely Christmas in July at the end of last month and quite a few events are planned such as a Kareoki night, quiz night and another bus tour. The old boy won't go to any of those so I stay home too.He did go to Xmas in July and really enjoyed it.
Just had my hair cut at the new hairdresser. She has been in the village for a few weeks now and it cost me $ 15.00 , which was still less than where I used to go, so that's good and she seems quite skilled.
Kids all came over for tea last night, silverside, cabbage, carrots ,potatoes and white sauce with a caramel,apple tart for sweets. We had a nice night.
One more from my walk, the half way big tree(That is the 1/2 way point on the 5-6 km walk, not the longer one.In summer I sometimes walk up to there instead of doing the round trip because it is more shady. By the way, I hear the Hollanders are doing it hot, more like here ). Then ,2 of my five rebels , also Zoe & Caitlyn walking and Oma ( me with the hat & grey top)helping with training (Rick,not seen , was behind me catching the strays) while Riley takes a catch from Oma. In the background is the Primary school that Zoe and Riley go to.
Sunday and we were up early for grandparents day at Riley's Football. Well Riley was well represented because all the Branch family was there. Uncle Rick and Oma helped with training and Uncle Travis helped play in the last 1/3 rd. We went back to Scott & jo's for fresh scones and cream and choc. cake with morning tea.
Trev and I then went to Viv & Mick' to bring presents and we had lunch with them. Their house renovation is looking great.
Then onto a car yard to look for a car, petrol is too expensive for us so we are looking for an economical smaller 2nd hand car.
Back home, took some picks of cafe and then to finish my Library work.
I also will upload my walk pics. I'm pleased with them.
I have just noticed that some of the football ones did not save so will do them again later.
From the top left we have the lake which reminds me of Laapersveld a bit with the big grass bit for Mac to run on, then 2 of my spoonbills,these were further north up the river,makes my walk about 2 Kms longer , but well worth it and the last, the frost on another doggy park along the river, north of Royal St Bridge.
Vicki & Travis treated us to Chinese at Yangebup. it was a long time since we ate there and it is still really good. The little restaurant was full to the brim and takeaways were queing up. Caitlin has just started to stand on her own and performed her new feat nicely.
When we came home, Mac was all over his dad, literally. There is also a photo of our little Mac seeking the sun in the corner of his own , 1 and 1/2 x 1/2 meter lawn.
This morning took some photos on my walk again and did get the spoonbills . Will put them on another day as it would take too long on this so will do them on the Arcadia Waters site.
The West Australian police force are very lucky to have two great young men in their midst. Yesterday Rick rang to say he got his promotion to sergeant and Scott, who is already a sergeant, is waiting to be offered a position as Senior Sergeant. (he is "acting "at the moment). We are very proud of our two sons and congratulate them both.
Have had a few extra babysits with Zoe & Riley this week because of the holidays but Bella & Sarah were minded by their dad. They'l come on Monday as well because Bella has a pupil free day.
Met up with my friends from East Waikiki (the Wacky Group) for coffee on Friday at the Dutch Windmill. That is always most enjoyable.I have to organise the next one . Will have to think of something unique and enjoyable.Suggestions are welcome but Cananda or U.S. or Holland or Xmas Island are no good, too far away. Somewhere in Fremantle area is most desirable or between Freo and our area I suppose.
No great events happening basically,babysitting. The house was one that the daughter of Rick's neighbour had transported to a block on a farm near Harvey, a small town about 100 Km from here. The men helped the Electrical Contractor, Charlie ( a friend & client of Trev's ) do the connection, so that she could have it done for almost nothing.
Scott, Jo & the kids went back to Kalgoorlie to see baby Anna and for a memory trip . Had some great photos of the superpit, which I could not save so I'll check with the kids why not and try again. Nice pic. of Jo and Zoe and Riley in front of the superpit though.
Then we had our new Waterways Cafe open this week , it is now run by the residents and went quite well this week. Hope it continues to be a success as it would be great to have a cafe again. Their prices are really affordable and my Dutch appeltaart was a great success and the most popular, so they tell me anyway.Nice though.
The girls all had "Nutrimetics" parties because Kelly has taken up a distributership to help her study income.The three of them can now also be home shoppers which means they will get their stuff cheaper. Nutrimetics is an Aussie cosmetic Co and it is a very nice product.
We have had a little rain these past few weeks, some very cold days also, one night dipping to - 1 1/2 degrees!!!! and day temperatures as low as 12 and 13 degrees. But still, nowhere near the amount of rain we need.
With Israel and the surrounding Arab States trying to blast each other off the earth again, we have once more world tensions and increased prices. Just what is wrong with people and Governments?? The majority of people don't want all these horrors to happen, either at home or further away and still they do. How can these minorities terrify the world so much? It seems so unbelievable.I guess it is no different from the people who kill innocent citizens and innocent children at home. Sick, sick.
This is James, at my '20 minutes to go 'spot. He is very old but dearly loved by his owner.Underneath, Burslem Bridge, across the Canning River with our village to the right in the background.
A lovely rainbow over the white gums and above the morning sun on a stand of eucalypts
Typically the Aussie river view, paperbark, a young palm and eucalypts.
Firstly Royal St Bridge,I pass over then under, very old above but so solid underneath
Whenever I get the opportunity I go walking early in the morning. I often think I should bring my camera because there are some very peaceful,interesting and for people who don't know Australia, typical sights.This morning, the kids were arriving a bit late so I walked and I actually remembered my camera . So.... what happened? It was still too dark for a lot of the photos. I left before 7 and the sun does not rise till well after. Such a pity because for the first time I saw TWO spoonbills with a white heron and another spoonbill on its own. I photographed them but they were too dark. Bet I won't see one of them next time I bring the camera and it is lighter!!!So I'll postwhta I hope will give some idea of why I just LOVE my morning walk.My pedometer says it is 6 km but I think it is a bit less because I take quite small steps.Here goes.
Anna Patricia, 7 weeks now , Came to Caitlyn's Birthday too. It was her first meeting with us. She is so cute.
Today we also had another baby come into the Donnes side of the family, to Mat and Michelle a healthy 6 lb 12 ozs baby girl. I'm still waiting to have the name confirmed but it is great news and Congratulati to Matt and Michelle and Nanna ,Pop and the rest of the family.ons
She was not really feeling that well but still looked cute and got lots of cuddles.
Unpacking all the lovely pressies with Pop 
That icing is sticky Mum and I love my Butterfly cake. Caitlyn was one on Friday and Vicki & Travis asked us to come & celebrate on Saturday. We had lots of friends & Family to say Hello to, lots of food and altogether a lovely day was had by all. Poor old Travis and even Caitlyn were not feeling too well as they are still affected with colds and side effects. However, the rest of us had a great day.
They all came for tea on Wednesday(except Scott, he was on nightshift. We had casseroles, a beef one, spaghetti Bolognaise,Frittata, Butter Chicken (Rick's) and small chicken pies, with salad( Vicki's). Sweets provided by Net, (white choc cheesecake) , Karen (baked ricotta cake) and Jo (sticky date pudding). All in all was very nice and plentiful also got very spoiled and the lovely gifts were much appreciated. A BIG thank you all.The pics are taken by Karen on the night, Kids jumping as they are not supposed to do ,in the spare room ( but always do!!),Caitlyn with Aunty Net, getting bigger and Jo.Net,Viv, Travis, Gary and Trev, waiting for their dinner.
On Monday it was Karen's Birthday and though I saw her when she dropped Sarah off in the morning, I forgot to wish her Happy Birthday. When I rang in the evening, she was at a staffmeeting so I missed out again and I passed on my apologies. So now , once again Happy Birthday Karen. We'll see them all tonight as kids, grandies,sisters and brothers in law , are coming for a casserole tea tonight at our place for both birthdays.
This Pic of a lion dance . I took it at the Chinese New Year exhibition of the Lion Dance at the club and rather like it.
Well how's that. Your home team wins its first World cup soccer match ever.Here are the celebrations in Melbourne's Federation square. They say there are 20 000 fans in Germany and there must be thousands in London by the sounds of it.Still there are thousands celebrating here.How wonderful if they won against Brazil too.Anthony Franken is their goals coach and his parents, Ina & Frank are justly proud of him.Bet it is something he'll never forget.
To top it off , Holland has won their first match also,gosh I almost wish I was a full time sports fan.
Here are the library pics as promised and if I don't run out of time, our waterway as well. This is the main bookcase and at the back,one of the new ones 
. In the second picture,we have the main bookcase and that acts as a wall. Behind that is a cumputer ,which I use for the library, a printer and a photocopier. Opposite that is another bench with 5 computers. They are being quite well used lately , which was the aim. It is good to see people helping others to get used to the system. The library borrowing system is very simple and I have some great volunteers to help. The other picture is part of the waterway at the end of our street.Our street, it's internal name is Spoonbill close, comes in where one can see the Foxtell dish on the roof. I have actually seen a spoonbill several times on my morning walks around the river lately but I bet if I carried my camera I would not see it!
Foundation Day Holiday today ,that is to celebrate the settling by Europeans of Western Australia.The year was 1827 so , it's been a while.
Not a great deal of happenings . Mostly the reorganization of my life. Vicki was asked to work 41/2 days a week ,which financially she could not refuse and also because then it might not be available when she was ready. Consequently Trev and I decided that we would cope with the babysitting and to and from school runs , between us. We thought Caitlyn was too small to go to childcare just now, so wait till next year or perhaps try the 1/2 day when the new Childcare centre is open.
Thus, on this long weekend I cleared up some of the Welcome Committee work and now we'll just have the ongoing new residents to go. I also did a good bit of work in the Library. All the books have been re-shelved ,as we were given 2 sets of shelves and I have accessed a great load of books and will ask the others to shelf them.I'll have to take some pics of my library and post them.
I guess it is a good thing I don't get up-tight anymore, just take it as I go and I think I still get loads of stuff done. 
Here's a close-up (Karen's work ofcourse) of the Missy I'll be minding full time. Sarah is just 2 days and Zoe & Riley 1 or 2 days depending on Scott's shifts.
