Sorry I’ve been so absent on the blog. It’s really taking quite some time getting back into the swing of things. I’m almost there and hopefully will get back to regular blogging soon.

Yesterday I joined Amy on her AG class excursion to Kiama. We met the class at the railway station and walked the blow hole. It was a very different experience to the last time we were here which some of you might remember. Today it was cool but we had a beautiful blue sky and just a little breeze.

The blowhole in action.

And the class releasing balloons to test wind speed/direction.

We then had recess – just like at school . Mine was even packed in my lunchbox.

I ate a muffin while enjoying the view.

Loved this sign…

We then caught a bus around to the little blow hole – which was in fact blowing bigger than the big blowhole.

And I decided I could quite happily live in one of these homes overlooking the blowhole. Mind you I probably wouldn’t like having lots of people walk past my house and interupting co my view .

Then the main part of the trip…for me at least… a dairy farm in Jamberoo.

The owner, Kerry Burke, showed us around and told us all about how they operate. I’m pleased to say I’m still happy to include milk as part of my lacto-ovo diet.

The milking stalls…

Some one week female meat calves waiting to be picked up by new owners. These lucky girls are going to be used for breeding.

and some dairy calves…

These girls are waiting to give birth…

And these girls were enjoying the lovely day…

We had lunch before leaving the farm. Hmm, I could get used to eating with a view – feels like I’m on holidays again .

It was a truly lovely Winters day.

And of course, no trip to Kiama is complete with an ice-cream.

When we got back home we went over to Nan & Pops to celebrate Pop’s birthday.

So yummy….

Then tonight we headed back out again for Christy to sing as part of the massed school choir. She was so excited and happy to have us all their to watch her.

She’s in the front row, forth from the left, for her school performance.

Unfortunately when the massed choir sung (half is seated on the floor) we couldn’t see her very well – being the little thing that she is.

She had a great night and we were very proud of her.

We started Sunday with a lovely leisurely breakfast overlooking Manly beach. We couldn’t believe how many people were out walking and spotted a number of Goldies .

It was a beautiful day in Sydney and it was nice that the sat. nav. decided to bring us home over the harbour bridge (usually we use the tunnel).

And since it was such a beautiful day we decided to stop at the relative new Wollongong Visitors Center at the top of Mount Ousley and take in the glorious views.

Our last stop on the way home was to the Nan Tien Temple for lunch.

We headed up to Manly (Sydney) yesterday for my cousin Tara’s wedding. We arrived at our hotel at 1pm and checked into our room at the Novotel. Our room was nice, but basic.

But our view….

was not quite as good as my Mum & Dad’s…

We got dressed and had a quick photo taken before we left for the wedding, which was held at the Manly Golf Club.

It wasn’t long before the bride, with my Auntie Irene and her Dad were walking down the aisle.

The ceremony was wonderful. It’s so obvious how much Tara and Josh are in love and it was lovely to part of this special day. Isn’t she just beautiful? A real glamorous, radiant bride.

I love the dress. Quite similar to mine, in fact, but with a nice train.

My littlest princess was looking especially cute tonight.

And Amy looked so grown up she was even offered wine.

More photos from the night…

The bride and I. We’ve always been close even though we don’t see each other very often these days. Tara was a bridesmaid at my own wedding (many, many years ago) and even came to Disneyworld to help me when Christy was just a baby. I wish her and Josh all the best and know they’ll be very happy together – they are both such wonderful people.

Those who know me won’t believe it when I say I even hit the dancefloor tonight for the first time in over 15 years. I had a lot of fun too .

It was such a great night (and Amy even managed to stay awake – unlike the last wedding we attended).

Today we met the Powells at Hangdog – the local indoor rock climbing center.

Don’t you just love the logo?

First up was Kevin…

Then Amy…

Then Christy…

Leanne & Noel  did plenty of helping…

And Noel had is first go of climbing…and did great.

Thankfully this years birthday was a whole lot better than last years (with the exception that Kevin & the girls forgot ).

I had a lovely day out shopping with Mum and we had a little afternoon tea party after school.

The evening ended on a more “exciting” note. We went to get takeaway pizza for dinner (after singing lessons) but our pizza was given to another Kevin. So we had to wait for them to remake our order. Then I got a flat battery as I’d left my car headlights on – thinking I’d only be stopped for a few minutes while Amy went in to pick up the pizza. Kevin had to go and buy stuff and come restart my car. Lucky it was a great tasting pizza – once we’d reheated it in the oven because it was cold.

Sorry I haven’t been around much lately. It’s now just 2.5 weeks till our BIG trip so I’m spending all free time finalizing our plans and putting all the info into tripit. It’s a big job but Kevin assures me it will be well worth it when we can access all our travel info from our phones (even without mobile reception). We’re also watching lots of movies/TV shows in preparation. Yesterday I watched Rob Roy  and later we watched some Kings & Queens of England and finally a History of England. Oh, and we also saw Robin Hood (which kind of counts) on Friday night.

In the last few weeks I’ve been trying to learn to the new DSLR. Slowly I “think” I’m getting it but my mind is very slow to catch on. Here are some of my fav. photos. The assignment to catch moving targets – playing in shutter priority mode.

On Saturday afternoon we had a little afternoon tea party for the pups. Rosie turned 4 last Tuesday and Bailey turned 2 on Thursday.

We were joined by Mum and Dad… who came with edible presents.

Of course there was a birthday cake – lemon syrup made by Amy.

The dogs polished off their portion in no time flat.

We all enjoyed the party, esp. the guests of honor. After eating and playing with their new toys, they were all tuckered out. I swear Bailey is one of the strangest dogs in the world .

On Friday night Kevin and I went to see Robin Hood. I LOVED movie but the extra exciting part was getting to see it in a Gold Class Cinema. It was my first time (Kevin has been before) and we were able to use a gift card we had been given a few month ago – but I was waiting for the right (long) movie to use it. Talk about a movie experience. I love everything about it. (except the cost – though for us it was free ).

Check out the seats…

They are fully reclining lounges and before the movie starts you order the food you want (from a menu) and what time you’d like it bought to you. Our movie started at 6pm so we ordered a dip trio and bruschetta to come out 6.15pm. Food was lovely but overpriced (for what we got). Later we had tea/smoothie. And finally a ice cream sundae – which was a bit difficult to eat in a dark theatre – but yummy none-the-less.

Definitely a wonderful experience and pure indulgence.

Another Thursday, another BIG walk with the dogs. The rain was on and off all morning so I decided we’d stick close to home today. We still had to wait for a break in the rain but when I saw the sun come out we decided to head off.

As you can see the rain clouds where still threatening.

This is the same HUGE lake we always walk near but this area is the other direction to what we normally go.

We follow the path..as you can see this part is very new…

stopping to take photos….

Oops…I think they missed a spot…

Nevermind we keep on going….until the end…

Then we turn around and head back. Hmm…those grey clouds are right where we’re headed…

Look a rainbow…

It amazes me how gorgeous the lake is even on a yucky, overcast day.

Almost home…what’s this..some rain…

That’s our street at the bottom of the lane…we’d best get a move on…

We were about 5mins to late getting home and did get rather wet.

Mind you by the time I’d dried off the dogs and gotten changed, there was a sun shower out the back door.

well the city bush anyway. This morning I was feeling well enough to get out for a walk, but instead of braving the cold before the sun was up I decided to wait until after I dropped Amy off in town (for another excursion). The pups and I embarked on a walk that I haven’t done in around 15 years!!. We started off near the beach and headed off. After about 10mins on the cycle path you head off on the boardwalk..

which eventually gives way to a bush track..

Following along we come to some beautiful views…

You can see the buildings in Wollongong in behind the trees.

Towards to escarpment. Hey, we just walked across that bridge..

Onwards…letting the dogs find the trail…let’s hope those rain clouds stay out to sea…

Ducking under some low branches…hope the dogs know where they are going…

Um…no they didn’t…turn around and go back…looking back towards Wollongong again… that big building is the Novotel where we got married (many, many years ago)…

Onward we trek…back the way we came…eventually taking a wider path…

Then finally the end is in sight…

Oh, no, now we have to turn around and go ALL the way back….

One hour and 10 minutes later and the car is in sight. I’m not sure who more pleased to see it – me or the dogs…

It was seriously a lot of fun (and a great workout). Can’t believe I have NEVER bought the girls here. The poor dogs were so tired. Bailey even feel asleep in the car on the way home .