HOME AGAIN AND SHIFTED no 4

JUNGCEYLON WATER PLAY

THE SIZE OF MY LUNCH IN ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN JUNGCEYLON SHOPPING CENTRE,PHUKET

AT HANDLEBARS RESTAURANT

WE DID A LOT OF FOODHALLS

FAMILY AT PHUKET LOOKOUT

TROPICAL FLOWER IN PATONG MERLIN'S GARDEN

BELLA & CAITLYN , YOU'LL

SEE,WE'RE ALWAYS EATING

zOE OUR NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR AT PHUKET

JUNGCEYLON

Here we go

Off to Phuket for 10 days and Bangkok for 5 days, at 8 am tomorrow morning. Not apprehensive, quite excited. Just hope all goes well. Later today taking our little Mac and Scott's Kiah to their kennel. Bet they are not excited, especially Mac.Hope to work out a way around the no photo bits.

IT"S HILARIOUS

Emails flyiong across cyber space,backward and forward,latenight phonecalls, SMS messages,that's the state of our travel. At the moment we are going toThailand but that could change any time. In the last week the decisions have ranged from Thailand to Malaysia to Bali and have sometimes changed twice in a day. As Trev said, I go to bed thinking I'm going to Thailand, I wake up and I'm going to Bali, For desert at lunchtime., I get Thailand served again.Poor old Vicki even changed her money from Baht to Rupea!!!! Just wish us all luck .

Happenings in August

Well, I have all these lovely pictures on my phone and camera and can't download any of them because I don't have my own computer anymore. I thought I could use another computer but ofcourse they don't have the type of phone or camera disk downloaded. What a shame. We have definitely sold and at the moment are living in the sitting room and kitchen with one double bed,a filing cabinet for a table and some food and , until tomaorrow, a fridge. We have attended lovely birthday events for Julie and for Joh's girlfriend (dinner at Hillareys Harbour) and a dress up night for Jacqueline at Fremantle prison. That was a great night and thank you so much Jacquie and Frank.We all were witches, warlocklocks and other creepy creatures.Mick & Viv went off the next day on their extensive North American tour. Our holiday, which is suposed to start on Saturday, is in an on again ,off again stage because of problems in Thailand. The government has not declared the area a danger so at the moment we are still going because the insurance does not cover cancellations.If Thai Airways cancelled the flight, we would be OK and could go somewhere else. So it is a wait and see situation. The kids seem to be fine with it. Today we took some stuff to Vicki's.I took orders for strawberries fom the village because there are 3 strawberry farms along the way from Vicki & Travis's place. Bought 11 kilos and they gave me a 3/4 punnet for free, which was nice so I shared them with Zoe and Riley. When we return from the ""IF"" holiday, some of our neighbours are staging a farewell at the club for us,which is very kind of them.We move the last things before Sept. 24th so the place can be painted and re- carpeted. We have to pay for all that but we knew that. On Thursday we help Net's dear friend Lynda cel;ebrate her Birthday, she's here from Queensland and needed a break. We wish Lynda hope and Happiness in the future. Sorry about the photos, will need to consult the experts.Wish us luck for our trip.

Sold

Bad quality but get the picture!!!

House is sold and I'm packing. Settlement is 30th September but we have to get out a week before so they can refurbish. As we are going to Thailand for two weeks , from 6 till 22 SEptember, we have to get most of the stuff out before we go. No problem, I can do that. The period in between, while our transportable is being built is the most awkward. Wish I could just fly away for six months or so. What to keep, what to sell, what to keep out. All too hard.

A few phone photos added of sooky wooky Mac, Caitlyn on the toys at Bertram, ducks in our pond as the first sight of spring.

August and Albany

It is still in the thick of winter although the rains have lessened ,it is still bitterly cold.

As we were feeling a bit stressed with the house sale, we decided a few days in Albany would be appropriate. Scott & Jo & the kids looked after Mac and they and Vicki & Trav arranged their own babysitting for a couple of days. We mostly had good weather and the break was good for us. The first day there we headed for the Sandalwood fFactory and I really wish I could afford more of their stuff, but it was lovely. It is an Hour and 1/4 drive to the Lily but we decided on that for morning tea. After all where else but here do you find Dutch windmills? So disappointed because they don't do morning or afternoon teas or lunch any more except for their own guests. We had coffee at the bottom of Bluff Knoll instead.

The Lily

Not a great deal of change in Albany, one new shopping centre, the most beautiful hotel pulled down and a few new holiday resorts and houses. The country is still so gorgeous though, that it does not matter that progress has been slow. We went to the old whaling station, on the recommendation of grandchild , Zoe, and that is well done now. Rather unique is the fact that the huge oil tanks are now theaters and photo diplays,very impressive and the coffee was nice too. We came there via Albany Highway and called in to Many Waters at Arthur River and saw old friend Jean Morrell and sons Neil and Peter. That was nice.

On the way back we went via South West Highway, Denmark. Walpole and North through the forest and apple country. Just beautiful countryside. Always makes one wish one could live there but not possible with family in the city. Our house was open again on Saturday and it appears the people in NSW still want to buy our place and as they have had an offer, have offered for ours. But, let's hope that is it, we'll believe it when they have signed the lease of life contract.

Photos follow in the next blog entry.

August, Winter and Albany

Sheep and Canola in the SW fields. Arthur River, really looks like a river now.

Fields of Canola on SW Highway

It really shits me,this getting old . We had to stop & stretch the legs far too frequently.

Not bad for $ 80.00 a night,All seasons ,Albany,but already messed up with Trev's pillows.

Trev Looking over inlet from bottom of Mt Clarence

The old whaler,(from the top of a whale oil tank)

Unfortunate biker at Toffee

Factory ,Denmark

In the SW forest

Magic ,heading north to Manjimup

Caitlyn Beaded

We made the front page.

That was July

flooded river

Tompoezen & soezen

The Dutch contingent

Serenade for Nellie

Our swinging Cafe staff

Dutch boy Ina

Choir side on

The Dutch singers

Bokkenpootjes,stroopwafel,appeltaart & Amsterdammertje

Mick & Viv

Branch table at the birthday

Mick,the footy star(on cake)

It has been wet and windy and there is more to come.Our Canning River was actually flooded, only the 2nd time I have seen that in nearly 5 years. Does not make good weather for house sales and indeed, have not sold the place yet.

Last Friday was the worst day, weather wise and there was a lot of damage in other suburbs(including Mark's place, where Nanny & Geoff are staying, they lost one side fence) but there was no damage around here. We were all inside being entertained by the Dutch singers and eating Dutch foods. Our Holland day went very well and we have had many compliments. Because I was rushing around my photos are not the best but they are reasonable. With cooking all day on Thursday, I was pooped on Friday night and even had to go to the cardiologist at 5. pm.(Storms and all)

Saturday we shopped and we found out in the paper that our house was open that afternoon so had to do a very quick cleanup as well.

Sunday we celebrated B.I.L Mick's birthday with breakfast at Nicholson's, that was really great and then in the afternoon we went to the football and yes, we won, what a nice change. We won welll but they had a disgusting First quarter.

All the appropriate photos are above.

My medical results were good, the heart is not showing any signs of desease or scarring, which is great, just some minor electrical problems. I had a cancer cut out of my face and the stitches came out yesterday. Although it was a basal carcinoma, Dr Hassan is almost sure he got it all and the report seems to indicate that too. So, more good news.

A drive to York

York's main street

The Avon ValleyToday we went for a drive to York. We rarely do drives any more because it is too expensive. Was very nice and better than sitting at home on what was quite a miserable day. The funny thing was that we had to get out and stretch the legs a couplke of times, both ways. This IS getting old. It is no further than Mandurah where we used to drive to and from daily.

Then on Thursday Denise came home for good to join husband Bruce and daughter Kelly. Nice.

Kristy had her 30th birthday with a nice afternoon tea at Net & Gary's place , last Saturday.

I call this "the Swinging Girls", even though one of them is 30 years old.

Back with Kiah

A few weeks ago Caitlyn & I did Rockigham, a coastal town here ,where I used to work. It is only some 15 mins from Vicki & Trav's house.We bought chips and juice and coffee for Oma. It was a pleasant day between rainy days so we enjoyed it. This weekend I took Sarah & Bella to their dancing while Mum & Dad teamed up with Bruce to check the computers at the Travel Agency. I was even allowed to see Bella dance for 5 minutes so that was nice. More coffee and cake while waiting for each dancing lesson.I took the girls home and then on to Net & Gary's for a celebration of Kristy's 30th Birthday. That too was a nice occasion.This week should be reasonably quiet, though I may get some of the non- perishables for the Holland day at the village. We have a lot of people coming so we'll be flat out.House is open again on Wednesday but I'm leaving the final preparations to the old boy for a change because I am at Scott & Jo's minding the dog again ,while they have gone North to Kalbarri for a holiday.I'll have computer access again without being made to feel guilty!!!Well , it is only 9 weeks until our family holiday in Phuket and Bangkok.Looking forward to it. Caitlyn's fairy Princess Castle Cake

Caitlyn Liked the pram we bought for her

Investigating a sculpture on Rockingham foreshore

SOOOOO BIG

Pure delight on the swing

Just Jottings

Well we have had Karen's & My birthdays,most enjoyable. The cupcakes non-birthday cake a lovely surprise. The site for this innovative and enjoyable business is www.cupcakecreations.net.au. Last weekend we celebrated Caitlyn's birthday and that was enjoyable too.We gave her a pram and she really seems to like it. It is always lovely to see the family and now that Bruce is here, an enjoyable extension. Denise is due home next week.It is to be hoped that it all goes as they wish. We have had a few "lookers" at our house but the most promising seems to be a couple from Parks in NSW who appear to have sold but not settled their house. I really dislike this very much, one is in such a limbo.In the meantime the unit we are building has increased by 10%!!We could not go ahead because we need the money first. I suppose the best news this week was that a friend in the village, diagnosed with in-operable braintumor, was operated on after all and the operation was pronounced a success. Everyone is thrilled for her (Betty) and her husband Jack and we hope for a good recovery. I'm still to have another stress test before they decide what to exactly do re. my heart but my own doctors, Natalie and Dr Hassan seem to be pretty re assuring that it is not overly dangerous and Natalie has already changed some of my medication. Dr Hassan is removing a skin cancer next week so that will be cleared up too. It seems my vitamin D levels are VERY low and I have to supplement them and get more dairy food into me as well as sun. Don't want dementia , do we? But then ,exposure to the sun is no good for skin cancers either and the dairy foods help to fatten me up, so it is just a viscious circle!!!Worst is that I'm no longer allowed the anti-inflamatories and my back is killing me , even with some slow release panadol.The old boy has had his needles now and seems to be improving. Just wish I could get him doing a bit of excercise sometimes. Busy times ahead, test tomorrow, Saturday take Bella & Sarah to dancing and then on to an afternoon tea for Kristy's 30th at Net's. Next week just a few things, Denise arriving back,mind Bella & Sarah Friday, house open Wednesday and mind Kiah all week. Ofcourse I will also have 'Caitlyn" day every Thursday.The following week will be flat out with various things, my face thing and the Dutch day preparations with the day itself on Friday the 18th. About 40 for lunch so far and many more for morning tea. NO PHOTOS TODAY. Left my flashdrive at Scott's.( I hope, unless I am demented again!!!!!)

Birthdays and shifting

The "Baby" I'm looking after. KIAH!

Well it seems that not many people read this blog because I have had no reaction from anybody about our shifting to Rick and Karen's. I guess all the important people know. The family , ofcourse and the people at the village. The reaction from the village has been very nice in that they don't want us to go , which is a bit surprising . One or two even shed a tear, including my kitchen hand . I've asked her to take on the cook's job. I'm told that rumour has it we are leaving because of the Manager that is not true, it is simply because of Trevor. The Manager's antics have not helped to settle Trevor but it is not our consideration for this move.

We had a lovely Birthday, Karen and I. We got a few bits and pieces together for the family on Friday and I had morning tea with Ina and her friends.Then Rick's surprise was the birthday cake that was not a birthday cake, it was just great and they tasted lovely which made it even more delightful.More coffee at the cafe today and then to the Casino where Trevor lost his money and I left $40.00 in front, for a change.We have also had our meeting for the Dutch day and all seems to be well there.Holland seems to be doing well in the soccer and I have had many photos showing all the orange dress ups and house decorations. Scott, Jo and the kids went to see our team play in Melbourne. Last week they had a huge win here but they had a loss again over there, what a shame but Scott said it was worth going to such a great venue.Everyone has rung and messaged me and I got some great gifts. I feel very priviledged. It is COLD. 4 *c in the mornings but about 20*C high. Had two more school friends visit on Thursday, Kay Kovalevs, best friend at school and bridesmaid and Maureen Gathercole. Should have taken a picture but had Caitlyn and forgot again. It wa s very pleasant though. What is not so pleasant is that my cardiac investigations are not finished, there seems to be something wrong at the bottom or back of the heart and I have to have further investigations on Friday week.What a bummer.trevor getting gradually better. Busy times ahead.

NOW SOME BIG NEWS

To begin with, we have the' cats', our former Aqua Aerobic friends, here at our cafe with Nanny in the foreground.( She and Geoff have left for KL and Penang today and Net has just had a wonderful holiday in Phuket) The bi g news is that we have decided to sell our house, or at least the life lease, to be totally correct. Trev was not really happy and with him being sick the last weeks and totally miserable, Rick and Karen renewed their offer for us to build a granny flat on their property. Vicki and Travis were keen for us to do it also and I guess we probably would have done that in the future but now the future has come foreward. Trevor is quite happy about it and it seems to certainly have cheered him up , which is the most important thing.

Biggest problem is the bit in between selling and the granny flat being finished as we can't build it until we have money from the sale. Thoughts are a caravan but Vicki and Trav want us to stay there. I don't know yet, I'd like to be as little nuisance factor as possible. The unit will be quite small but we think also quite comfortable. We have told the family, Viv & Mick still to come and the people in the village. Most seem to agree it is a good move and what's more, said they would miss us.

The Cafe Manager ,Lorraine turned on the drinks last week because we have had some busy days , with 45 cats here ,busy normal days and the 60th wedding anniversary of our backdoor naighbours. Was a very pleasant evening. This is the boss and the other the table of girls.

Just a Memory

This is the new banner for Karen's blog. Brings back lovely memories. She certainly did some interesting things on her tour and packed in a lot. See her blog by clicking her link below.