Saturday 16 th June 2012

After a very restful sleep in a bed, we got up at 6 am, dressed and then headed North to the field day near Hamilton. Over night there had been a strong frost and the car was covered as was the rest of the country. The scenery was stunning with bare trees in a nearly white environment. Gradually as the sun warmed up the frost started to lift. It took 2 hours to get to the Mystery Creek Field day. The parking was well organized and we made a point to remember where we had left the car. Keeping six people together was quite difficult.




The first event we watched was a tractor pull. Here are some
other images from the event.











We had a great time and arrived home about 6pm. Just enough time to change and get ready for tea. We all went to a local restuarant called "The Bay". I had garlic prawns and a pork tenderloin. Yummy! We also managed to watch the rugby international match on TV. new Zealand narrowly beat Ireland. It is well under zero tonight, so time to get under the covers.

Location:Taupo New Zealand

Friday 15 th June 2012

Today was a very long day. We let Perth at about 1am and arrived in Sydney for breakfast, except we didn't get any. By the time we transferred to the International terminal and found our gate, it was nearly time to board our flight to Aukland. After another three hours, we were landing. We got through customs without issue, picked up our hire car, sorted out a new sim for my phone and then headed off South. We missed the motorway turn off, so after a quick detour we were off.
Luckily Kevin knows the way home. We avoided Hamilton, planning a stop at Cambridge for a coffee break. We got caught up in the traffic build up from the Mystery Creek Field Day. Eventually it thinned out and we changed drivers. Garrett was keen to drive, so he took over. I continued to catch up on my lost sleep in the back seat. We arrived at MIL's house at 8pm and sat down to fish and chips and NZ hotdogs- battered red sausages on a stick. BIL Simon arrived from the Mount and finished off the leftovers. After lots of catchup, it was time for bed. It was 11pm (7pm WST).




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Location:Taupo New Zealand.

Packing

There was no time for a sleepin this morning. I had important things to do in preparation for our holiday in New Zealand. Some clothes needed a turn in the drier as the weather has been wet. Suitcases were opened and filled. The fridge was emptied. The cat food was organized . We had lunch and then it was down to the last bits and pieces. I hopped into the car and did a mental notes of what I had packed and then realized that we had not put in the passports. Luckily we did this before we left home. My new suitcases both weighed in under the limit, so there will be room for shopping.
The trip up to Perth was very wet and windy. I had the back seat, so just hung on and read my Ipad. We had tea at DD's and then tried to watch some telly. At ten oclock we finally set off for the airport and we got through the formalities very quickly. Now we are just sitting and waiting for our boarding call. I think I will be asleep very soon as it is way past my bedtime.



The latest announcement was that we will not be leaving until half past one in the morning.

Location:Perth Airport

The day after the Storm

The winter storms that have ravished the South West of WA have really put a dampener on our holiday plans. It started on Sunday afternoon and we were blacked out until late evening. On Monday you could see the number of trees that been felled or branches that had been ripped off. A lot of homes were still without power. Local schools decided to close early on Tuesday and some were closed all day due to lack of water or storm damage. I do not remember ever having school closed, except for the day after Cyclone Alby went through many years ago. I think it is funny as I am on long service leave for four weeks, so my relief is the one coping with all this uncertainty.

Last night we experienced another bout of wild weather, but managed to watch telly while others nearby had blackouts. We started worrying about our little flock of sheep, but it was rather too late to consider building a shed for them when it was already dark. This morning they were happily grazing in the back paddock. The bark was the result of Sunday's storm.
Today I have a few more jobs to do so that I can pack tomorrow, so I had better finish this off.
I think this piece of sculpture is stunning. I wonder if I could do something similar in paper and cardboard.

Location:Colie WA

Sunday free for all

What a day it has been and it's not over yet. It started out with a sleep in and then after breakfast I printed out some photos and cut a few hexagons with my silhouette. It was time to pack the car for today's crop but the rain was teaming down. I backed the car right under the eaves of the shed and then put everthing in the boot. When I got to the shop there was a creek running down the road which I had to hop over to get to the footpath. Once we were safely inside we got onto the business at hand-scrapping LO's for the Chookscraps competition based on the block. I braved the rain and the trucks on the road to go over to Maccas for lunch. About 3pm the lights started flickering and the mobile sign took off down the footpath. I rescued it before it hit my car. The wind and the rain got louder and at about 3 .30pm the power went out. After glueing all my pieces down, I packed up and loaded everything back into the car. Driving home was OK to start with , but then the roads were covered in ripped off branches. I even had to drive off the road to go around a fallen tree before I reached home. My route was relatively uneventful. There were fallen power lines and trees down on several other streets nearby. I just hope that there are no homes damaged in the storm.
I have been using my Iphone tethered to my Ipad as every thing else needs electricity. I wonder how long we will have to wait for the power to come back on. DH has just lit some candles, but I think it still be a while yet as there is no sign of Western Power. I might just have to find my knitting.

Location:Collie

WA Day

Happy WA Day to all those West Aussies enjoying a day off. Someone decided that we needed to change the name. I never had a problem with Foundation Day. At school we would celebrate for the whole week, but now we are too busy. Most teachers are working on their reports or procrastinating about their reports. I have managed to complete some of my classes, but still have a few to do during the week. As I am still trying to shake off a cold, I am not that energetic. We had two visitors this weekend, so I have cooked most nights.



This was a slow cooked shoulder of lamb, which we ate on Saturday.
We had pumpkin soup for lunch today. I think tonight will be left overs.



This was the view from the back door this morning. The leaves are just starting to fall off the apricot tree and the sheep were wondering if there was any bread for breakfast.



This is my latest entry into the Chookscraps competition "the Pen". There are more photos under the main photo and the list is there as well.

Location:Collie

Winter has arrived

The last week has been cold here in Collie. Luckily the frosty mornings turn into beautiful sunny days, once the sun shines.
I am doing a lot of procrasting at the moment. Maybe it has a lot to do with report writing. All those jobs around the house or classroom get done instead of the reports. Trouble is, I really need to get them done so that I can go on holidays. I am taking some Long service leave so that I can go to New Zealand for a family holiday.


Today I bought a new suitcase and a smaller version so that I can wheel my suitcase, rather than carry it. The butterflies make it quite distinctive. It has a 7 year warrantee, so should be OK. It is also very light.


This is where I am heading. Lake Taupo is home to my DH's family. I have been many times. This is the first time I have been at this time of the year. I hope it is not too cold.
I think I need to finish this and get back to marking science books.

Location:Collie. WA