Pilot Mound on deck again.

Happy Australia Day to me !! Just took this snap from the deck......it looks SOOOOOOOOO good flying in the wind. I boned a leg this am.....Ken or John, I NEED YOU!!! When I finally got the bone out, took fat off, I had a very small leg! Wish I had some Queensland blue to go with it ! Got a couple of bottles of 'Little Penguin'.....South Australia I think.....and Bill and I will drink to her health. Got back from Alberta on Saturday. Took a flying trip over to surprise Lyn and Laurie and it worked ! Saw Kell and Peter the night before, to Montana on Tues. am., stayed till Wed. afternoon, back to Alberta stayed till Fri. am and set out for home. Drove for about 10 hours and had to hole up in a motel....snow storm.
We managed to get away early ....that is first light, about 8-30 Sat. am and drove on very heavy roads, home. We were both glad to get here safely. Our last trip, at Christmas wasn't so good. We started home early but drove into a blizzard and spent 8 hours sitting on the shoulder of the road in the middle of the storm. All the big trucks were pulled over, it wasn't good. A nice man in a 4 wheel drive diesel truck finally came.....he had been sent out by the RCMP to get another lady who had already gone, he saw us in our car and stopped and took us into a small town 25 or so miles away.....we got the last motel room in town. a bus load of people came in after us and someone opened the school so they could at least be warm and have access to bathrooms. We were luck, we always travel prepared for the worst and had warm blankets, water, etc. with us. I left the car and didn't take my pills or Insulin with me !! Managed, learned a lesson....they go in my purse from now on !!
Just checked my lamb...looks and smells SOOOOOO good !! Put the taters on. Do carrots and peas and make gravy and we have a meal!!
Kell is having a really tough time. We notice a big change in Peter. I think he knew us after a while, but not when we arrived. But he is sleeping all day and up all night. Kell isn't getting enough sleep. It will be good when he is able to go into the facility and she can rest.
Must go. Bill is out doing meals on wheels, will be home soon and we will drink a toast to the home country. Love to all. I am not reading over this to correct, so any mistakes, tough !!
Take care all. Much love. God bless. Mona

Welcom to Bat Town. (Maclean)

This is the greeting both visitors and locals get as they drive into Maclean.

Thousands of Fruit Bats have taken over the Southern end of Town, our end. They are just four hundred mtes away from us.

Very noisy and extremely smelly when wet. They roost all day, then at dusk the sky is black as they go in search of food, leaving their young behind, returning again at daybreak screeching for their young, fighting to get room to roost as the tree branches are over loaded and snapping off. It takes a couple of hours for them to go and the same time to return and settle. I am usually woken around 5am every day.

The High School is surrounded and have been told to keep the noise level down so as no to disturb the bats. Air Conditioning has been promised so the windows do not need to be opened.

The smell gets into your chest and you can actually taste it, nothing gets rid of it.

They are a protected species and no one wants the responsibility of removing them.

Oh what a sight.

Surfer Gir

Where have all the big waves gone Dad?

Nyah 21 months old.

Precious Moments.

Sundy, 24th Jan' in Belmore

Hello folks, it's been a while again, sorry. There is no real news to tell as our holidays consist of 'not going to school', other than that they are like any other day. Although Mum did come for Christmas so that was lovely. We were going to drive Mum home but we barely drove a couple of suburbs when the car over heated. Stuff it! We turned about and went back home. I put Mum on the bus the next day and she made it home safely. A few days later Mum organised with Greg and they drove down here to collect the kids and I and took us back up to Mums.

That was a Monday. While we were away Tony replaced the radiator and made a few adjustments then drove up on the Friday and we went s furious as he'd expected we'd stay a couple of weeks for a little bit of a 'holiday'. "NEXT time" he said "you'll be stay'n for the WHOLE two weeks". Well, that was that and I agreed we most certainly would.

Mind you, Angelina was suffering a severe bout of 'home sickness'. Sounds ridiculous but it's true, all she wanted was to 'go home'. She started having extremely high temps, no vomiting or diarrhea just 'hot'. Once she knew that "Daddy will be here in the morning" she settled down and was fine. She just wanted to go to 'the big red house' (ours, red brick). She'd better pull her head in, I don't want to go through that rubbish every time we go away!

My baby bird is coming along very nicely, weening now. The other little bloke died (think I already mentioned that).

We've had a couple of hot days lately, real corkers. For the Canterbury/Bankstown region Thursday was supposed to be in the mid twenties, it was mid thirties here. Friday was supposed to be 32, it was 42 here. Saturday was supposed to be 39, was 44 here. Naturally I had the a/c on but now it's given Tony a cold. If it's not one thing ...

Poor little Ange is bored to tears. She wants a 'birthday cake'. I told her 'when it's your birthday'. Nah, that's not good enough so I told her to ask Daddy, he's the one who likes to cook cakes, but we have no cake mix. I told him to make up a butter cake. "Butter cake? What's that". "Oh, it's what they used to make before cake mixes came about". I have pulled out Nans recipe but will duck out and buy a mix anyway b/c I know the cake might actually get made then. So I'd best go as I only have 40 minutes before the shops shut.

Ciao, back soon, I hope,

Sara xxxxx

Bernice Back 14/1/10

Hi all hope all are OK..its been awhile ..we had a great xmas i had a Niece, a nephew and a 6yr old great niece here over xmas and for a week it was really nice..we then went to Dubbo for a nite and then onto Bourke for new year had a great time up there only it was flooded !raining and sloshy wet ground specially around Johns place..John and Vickie are good. We also went around and seen Bob & Trish they are in Bourke for awhile before they start their travels again they both look well..( Kell ,yes Trish has a computer but not good or if any internet I don't think..not quiet up with what she does have internet wise..Paula would know) Speaking of Paula also Paula Rowan and Kids were in Bourke too so it was lovely to see them too..Kids have soo grown..didn't get to see Jen only went that way to see the flood waters in other people car once. Shame..but we were only there one and half days ..we had a wedding first day...The Tullys were away so didn't see them either..My mind was in Dubbo the hold time I was there anyway as My Mum was in Hospital when we went thru to Bourke and it was her second admission. Then we went back to Dubbo Mum was home we stayed there to help her do a few things then the second nite..or 3.am in Morning Mum took a turn slight stroke but I found her and it was so scary she couldn't move ,talk or walk..we called an ambulance and I stayed on a couple more days ..she is better now but she has been thru a lot,tonsilitis, chest infection, urine infection, so therefore couldn't eat probaly and she is a dibetic so it put her poor little body totally out of whack, she has a murmur of the heart and a irregular heartbeat also..but it was the low sugar that caused a lot of this..thats been in the last six weeks..so we are looking into homecare and "a Vita Call' for her as she insists she wants to stay in her own home, Aged care agree with her at this stage but its a worry. we are lucky she has kept good health up to now, we are not used to her being unwell but she is 85 so I guess it has to happen. sorry to rave on but its all I have been thinking about lately.

Kell I so feel for you with Peter..but there does come a time for a nursing home care or you will end up in a nursing home yourself..You have done all you can..but i know it will be hard for you. Just know we are all thinking of you..Say Hi to all the family for us..it wouldn't hurt them to get on the "blog now and then niether. So where is Belinda now she wrote and said she was going to Montana on the 9th ..is Montana anywhere near any of you? Say Hi to her for us if she's there still..she's getting about Thailand for xmas now Canada...Go belinda!

Lisa How has Ronny's dad settled in..I'd say Happy..hope so..did u get my email on Craigs Chrissy lights' magic aye.

Sara..i think you are up the coast but maybe still check in..Tell greg to check his emails I sent him a photo Of "Alma Jean he wanted..I was just talking to Meg she is in Coffs with boys and Tullys on Holidays.
I have Lamb Shanks cooking (Big Huey's recipe} smells delicious!
Mona ..how are you and Bill what are you up to now...are you coming back in March too? when do you get ordained?

Well folks I have to get off now just thought I would drop a line and let you know what we are up to...so I wil say bye for now ...Love bernice xx

Winter blues.

Dear Family,

It seems I have been tardy of late. Never mind, the day will come when I have LOTS of time. I have seen the Dr. (with Peter), seen the "home care" nurse, & she has "intervued" (???) Peter.

He is now on the waiting list. I have a few feelings of guilt, but my old body just can't hang in there much longer. I am busy ALL day, & at the end of the day, DON'T ask me what I did, for I will have to tell you, NOTHING. Day in & day out. He is visibly worse every few days now, whereas before, I noticed changes every few weeks.

I am planning on taking him up to Calgary on Wed., home Thurs. Then to Whitefish on Friday, home Sunday or Monday. Dan leaves again for Arizona on 18th, so I want Peter to see him & the others before Dan leaves, as it might be the last time Peter would see him. Of course, we will see Lin then too. Winter is a VERY busy time at Markus's, with Drews' hockey on every week end.

Peter is VERY healthy physically, is just his mind that has left him. He will probably be around for quite some time, but at least the grandchildren will see him in time for him to "recognise"

them, more or less.

I am HOPING to get to Manitoba for Mos' induction on March 13th. I have booked a flight, but of course, if Peter is still here by then, (one never knows when a space will be available,) I will

probably not be able to go, as there is no family close to leave him with, & he CERTAINLY can't be left alone.

I am looking forward to a "normal" life, but will feel a bit of pressure for the first few weeks. Once he is "settled in" I will feel more comfortable.

It was good to hear from you Lisa. Stew rang a couple of nights ago. We yaccked for over 40 minutes. It was great to hear from him. Also talked to Cookie a couple of times. I will ring Cec as soon as I finish driving Peter around.

Also, always good to hear from Sara & Bernice. Thanks to you two, for being so faithful. It would be nice to hear from the Tullys, to see how things are going with their new jobs???

My friend Marg Harris (Kanahooka), has left today, to visit her grand daughter in Paris. She will be gone 2 weeks. She keeps me up on all the Aussie news. We have had no word of the fires lately, but have heard the news of the floods.

I tried to ring Johnno for his b'day on the third. Talked to Vicki 3 times, but never did get Johnno. I'll ring again in a few weeks. I didn't get Marg P. for her birthday either.

Has anyone talked to Bob or Trish? I think Trish has a computer, so may be able to log on???

No news, it's late, so will say hooroo for now, & look forward to the posts from whoever.

Hello family, Grafton here...

Merry Christmas, happy new year and wishing you all lots of summer fun (winter fun for Canadians!)
Ronny and I got back from the Woodford folk festival the other day and it has been all systems go since then. In short, we are very excited and relieved - as Ronny's dad is on his way to Grafton as I type. Ronny flew down to Sydney this morning, got a hire car and drove to the horrid nursing home in Liverpool and picked him up. He will live in the nursing home that Aunty Wyn lived in, it is a lovely one. I am very aware that it is two years today since Aunty Wyn passed away, rest her dear soul - rather uncanny that Ronny's dad moves in on the same date. All the same , it is a good thing. He can sit on the balcony of the nursing home and watch us waterski ( will be out on the water on Thursday, when Anthea comes for a visit).
We have been trying to get Ronny's dad up here for ages, such a relief that it is finally here. Ronny and I will drive to Sydney next week some time, when the family can gather to clean up and empty his father's place. Other than that, we intend to waterski and wakeboard, and go camping here and there for the rest of the school holidays.
I am very excited that Anthea is coming to visit for a few days. Will be lovely to have her to ourselves. As she teaches in north Queensland, we don't get to see her much so it will be lots of great fun.
Our Christmas was not so great. Ronny's dad was in a horrid nursing home and we took him out for the day, but it was all very emotional. We are just relieved to get him out of there, and so are a few others, but one sister in-law objected irrationally. Ronny's brother's wife wants him in Sydney so she can visit him - On Christmas day, fathers day and his birthday! She said it is a ritual with her and her boys, and we are taking that away from her! Not once has she thought of Ronny's dad - I don't even know if she visited him in the nursing home? we did not say a word, but Ronny's sister let it out! So from a large family, only one objection was not bad. we are only trying to do what is best for him. Just spoke to Ronny and he said his dad is excited!
Woodford folk festival was absolutely fantastic. Stewart and Brydie joined us for 4 of the six days, and it was all brilliant. The workshops, the music, the food, culture, just love it.
Zappa missed us - we had to leave him with Ronny's brother in Lenox Head for 11 nights. He did have three other dogs to play with, but boy did he carry on when we returned! He yelped and cried and then ran around very excitedly for ages. Very funny to watch. When we walked to the van, he jumped straight in- he was not being left behind again! He has not left either Ronny or my sight since our return. When we got home I thought his tail would fall off he was wagging it so hard!
Mum and dad are doing ok, mum still on her exercise kick. She loved being at Jane's for Christmas as she could exercise in the pool.
Not much else to report.
Cheers to all,
Love Lisa

2:48pm 4th Jan, Belmore checking in

Hello Family,

I check the site most days but I'm still the last to make an entry so rather than wait any longer I will jot a few lines while I have a couple of minutes.

I lost a baby bird last night, poor little chap was just starting to feather up nicely too. I think it caught a chill as the bigger one spent the day out of the box with the older birds. I almost lost him just now too. I came into the office to get his box and took it to the kitchen where I sit to feed. I heard him chirping when I came in to collect him so assumed he was in the box, which he wasn't. I commented to myself that I'd best go get him before Pussy Cat does and as it turned out, not a moment too soon. I came in the door and there's puss, streamlined going under the shelves where I could here the squawking chicken. I grabbed Puss by the tail and hurled her out of the office, Mum locked her in a room and the chicken got fed safely. Male cat is at the vets being 'fixed'.

Bugger, I haven't taken any meat out for dinner tonight. Oh well, 'sizzle steak' from Woollies will do, defrosts easy & will make schnitzles out of them.

Tony's out the back hosing clean the pool cover then has to clean up the small bird cage if he wants to keep this young'n as a house pet (mind you, I'll be the one who has to train it)!

kids are out the back on the trampoline, Giancarlo keeps bouncing near Angelina and knocking her off balance. I can see a blue comming on real soon ...

Well I have absolutely no news and I'm just filling space so I'll sign off. We should be going back up to Mums in the next day or so. She's been great company chatting at night once the kids are asleep. I ask her about when she was a kid and about Nan and Pop. I've put in point form a few things that I'd like to put up here to get a bit of feedback on from you Aunt Mona and Aunty Kell. I won't do it now because I've just noticed Ange' has no undies on so I will go now and make her decent.

Take care everyone and love, as always,
Sara XXXXX