Aaaaaarrrrrgh Kids!!!!!!!

Sunday 16th September, 2012

Friday afternoon we went and picked Katie up.  She filled us in on her trip to Perth and it sounded as if she had a wonderful time.  She got to know a couple of the kids from the school they visited.  They even prepared lunch for them which impressed her.  She said the flight was very bumpy and her ears hurt.

On Saturday morning Tony had to go into work to do some fire testing and so the plan was for Katie and I to catch the bus in to meet him when he finished.  While having breakfast Katie went on and on about wanting Taylor to come over.  "I haven't seen her for a very long time Nanna".

In the end I relented and so Katie rang her.  In no time at all Jodi had Taylor over here.  We caught the bus, met Tony and went off to have some lunch.  As we couldn't get the car out of Tony's work (due to some crane operator parking his crane in front of their access driveway) we decided to have a walk through the Mall and down to Elder Park.

The girls did some shopping at Diva and then we went off to the park. They went on the paddle boats, while Tony and I enjoyed sitting in the sunshine watching them.  When they finished we went off and had coffee, they wanted something to eat as well.  

Owl necklaces from Diva

While they were eating Taylor was telling Katie about the dramas she was having at school.  A few of her friends made up this club and they called it the Glee club but then she got kicked out.   I asked her what was a Glee club and she said it was just some of her school friends who were going to sing at school assembly.  "Why did you get kicked out?" I asked her.  

"Oh Maddison said that I was too pretty,  but now she let's me be in it because she said that she's prettier than me and all the boys look at her anyway."   I had trouble not to burst out laughing.  Oh dear, what 8 year old girls have to put up with these days.

We made our way slowly back to the car but then decided before we got there to catch the tram down to Glenelg and have some dinner.  It was a nice evening at the beach, not too windy so therefore it wasn't too cold.  As they were laying pavers a lot of the foreshore was closed.  We ended up having Chinese for dinner (not as good as the one at Murray Bridge).

After dinner I rang Jodi to let her know where we were and what we were doing and to find out when to drop Taylor off at home.  She suggested I perhaps let Taylor stay the night.  I wasn't too thrilled as I knew that Katie and her would have some issues with each other.  They are great for a few hours together but then they start bickering, one doesn't want to do what the other one wants to do and on it goes.

We caught the tram back into the city and went and got the car.  And the girls started.  They decided that they would each sing a song.  The other one wasn't allowed to sing   along.  Well, that didn't happen.  Taylor chooses her song, Katie sings along, and then vice versa.  When we got home it continued.  They couldn't agree what to play on the Wii.  In the end I got them to turn it off and sent them to bed.

Thankfully Taylor fell asleep almost instantly. Katie complained of being too hot.  Within half an hour she was asleep as well.  Peace finally!!!!!!

This morning we decided to go to Monarto and see the new baby chimp that had been born there on the 21st August.  We didn't take Taylor with us as Kahra and Darrin were going on a bike ride and it was finishing closer to their place.  We thought that we may have to take Katie nearer to home to be dropped off which would make it rather late by the time we got Taylor back to her place.  

I rang Jodi to let her know that we would take Taylor home on our way out.  Thankfully we did, because this morning started a bit like the way last night ended.  First thing they were OK, but after breakfast and while they were getting themselves dressed it started.  Maybe Taylor was upset because she wasn't coming with us.  I spoke to both of them about how they can make the visits more enjoyable, things did improve and let's hope they both take on board what I said.

"Not happy little Jans", in happier times they would be doing each others hair

We called into Hahndorf on the way and then went off to Monarto.  Katie was excited about going to see the chimps and so we made our way down there.  Zombi, the mum, had the baby resting on her while she was sleeping.

Most of the other chimps were outside in their enclosure but once they realized there was a crowd of people trying to catch a glimpse of the baby they slowly came inside.  A few of them tried to touch the baby but Zombi would lift her head and they would quickly take their hand away.  One chimp thought he would get away with touching the baby if he groomed Zombi...........hehehehe.  OMG they are just so beautiful to watch!

Katie wanted to take some photos with my camera.  Two of the males were sitting on the ledge by where we were standing.   Katie went to the other side of the glass with the camera and this one male quickly turned his head away as if to say, "you're not taking my photo!"  When Katie came back around to the other side he looked at her and gave her what we said looked like a smile and then a laugh, or maybe he was telling her off. She did this a couple more times and he did the exact same thing.

It brought back memories of when we took her to Melbourne and went to the Melbourne Zoo.  We were in the monkey enclosure and as we walked into it Katie made a noise to one of the monkeys that was sitting outside.  We stood at the glass watching the monkeys and then this monkey that Katie "spoke" to came over.  He came right to where Katie was standing.

As the crowd became larger I got Katie to move away and we walked to the other end where no-one was standing.  Suddenly this monkey became agitated, was looking around and saw that we had moved to the other end and he came down there to where Katie was.  Not one of the other monkeys bothered, only this particular one.  

It was as if there was a connection between the monkey and Katie.  He put his feet against the glass and Katie was "tickling" them with her hand.  When she stopped, the monkey tapped his foot against the glass wanting her to keep doing it.  It was a real "spiritual" experience.

We left the chimps and went back to the cafeteria.  Katie wanted something to eat, Tony and I had a coffee. We all shared some wedges and she had a hot dog.  We had called into the bakery on the way and so Tony and I weren't that hungry.

When we were finished we caught the bus that goes around the park.  Maybe because it was late in the afternoon a lot of the animals were very active.  We actually got up very close to the black rhino, he's normally back closer to his sleeping quarters.  The Zebras walked alongside the bus.  One of the females is due to have her baby any day and the white rhino were running around.  The kids that were on the bus got excited as the young rhino looked as if it was racing his mum and so they were yelling for "Digger" to win.

Pregnant mum at the front

The cheetahs were waiting to be let into their night quarters, the male lions were in their sleeping quarters pacing, while the females were still out in the park lying in the grass.  The ostriches also got up close and personal with the bus.  

We left Monarto just after 4.30pm.  Kahra and Darrin had finished the bike ride earlier than they thought and so we arranged to meet them at the usual place.  After leaving them Tony and I went off and had some dinner and then home.  I'm appreciating the peace and quiet!

Katie Loved Perth

Wednesday 12th September, 2012

I spoke to Katie this afternoon.  Sounds as if she had a great time in Perth.  She wants to go and live there!

She said they went to a school and then to a hill to look at the city of Perth.  She meant Kings Park.  From what I remember of Kings Park when we went to Perth for our honeymoon nearly 40 years ago, it was a beautiful park set in the Botanic Gardens not far from the city centre.

Perth skyline from Kings Park

We will no doubt hear more about her trip over the weekend when she comes to stay.

Hi Ho Hi Ho It's Off To Perth She Goes

Sunday 9th September, 2012

Tony and I got to the airport around 1.15pm and we soon found Kahra and Darren.  All the kids that were going to Perth were also there, 5 in total.  Katie could still not believe that she was going.  Can I say she was excited?

Tomorrow and Tuesday there is no school at Katie's school as most of the teachers have also taken the opportunity to go as well.  There were 22 people in all going.

With the principal, Ian Filer

Time for a quick bite

Time to board

Off to the plane

The plane left around 3.00pm.  Scheduled time of departure was for 2.45pm. Apparently there was luggage taken on board but the people who were supposed to be travelling had not shown up.  The baggage handlers had to remove the luggage from the plane.  Just as the plane was taxi-ing on the runway the two people showed up for the flight.  Sorry, too late they were told.

The city as seen from the airport

ready to take off

Perth....here we come!

Katie sent these photos she took from the plane:

What she was eating

They arrive back in Adelaide at 10.15pm tomorrow night.

Fields Of Gold

Saturday 8th September, 2012

Last night we decided to go to Hahndorf and to the Pizza House for dinner.  They have just won "Best Pizza Outlet" for 2012.  Here, you won't find the run of the mill Ham and Pineapple, or pizzas like you get at Domino's or Pizza Hut.  

Tony ordered the "Special" with cacciatore sausage, semi-dried tomatoes, roasted capsicum, fetta cheese and I had the Pollo Fungi, roasted chicken breast, mushrooms and gorgonzola.  Yum! Yum! they were delicious!  

They do mainly gourmet pizzas, like duck, crab meat, squid and yes, Robyn they have dessert pizzas too, but only two.  One is a Cherry Ripe and the other one I can't remember but I think it may be apple and cinnamon with cream and icecream.  We will try one next time.

Tony and I decided to take a drive into the country today and see the "Fields of Gold".  What a truly beautiful sight!  Just a few months ago when we were there all the paddocks were either just showing signs of crops peeking through or else had just been sown.  

Today the canola fields were full of yellow flowers and the green of the grain crops really brought out the true colours of Australia....green and gold.  There were also lots of little lambs frisking about in the paddocks.  Spring truly is the season of new beginnings.

We stopped at the Grasshopper Roadhouse in Tarlee for coffee and scones.  The Roadhouse is a quaint little cottage.

I knew it was a bad decision to go to the country.  This evening my eyes are so itchy, watery and my nose is running.  Yep.....hayfever!

Just before we left Jodi and Taylor called around.  As we were about to go out, they didn't stay for too long. Jodi said that Tori has found a unit, and so I can go through my cupboards in the coming days and see if there is anything that will be suitable for her.

Whenever I have a clean out I donate it all to charity so I don't have too much that I don't use anymore, but there may be some thing that she might be able to use.  I know I have a canteen of cutlery that she can have.

As Jodi was leaving Katie rang to let us know what time she will be leaving for Perth. She sounded very excited and so we will be heading to the airport tomorrow.

Let The Show Begin!

Friday 7th September, 2012

Over the last 48 hours we have again suffered through some very damaging winds.  Mostly this time trees have blown over, tiles and iron lifted from roofs of houses and power outages.  Along with the wind has come some heavy rain and hail.  The ferries at Tailem Bend, Wellington and SeaLink were suspended until the winds subsided. 

A good Samaritan was trying to help the SES and now he is in hospital:

" A primary school teacher is in a critical condition after being crushed by a tree at Ironbark last night as he was helping SES crews remove another tree from the road".
                                                               Taken from Adelaide Now

I just hope and pray he makes a full recovery.  This was the only human casualty of the last couple of days.

Why did we bother cleaning the patio area last weekend, this morning it looks just as bad?  Looks like another job for this weekend, if we get no more wind.

Today is also the start of the Adelaide Show.  Nine days of family entertainment when the country comes to the city.  We have decided that this year we won't be going.  Katie was happy with that when we told her.  

As a sweetener we have decided to take her to Sydney in January.   Tony is taking a couple of weeks off work then.  She is really looking forward to that.  Fingers crossed that our plans work out. 

Take A Bow SA Schools

Wednesday 5th September, 2012


Yesterday was an awesome day weather wise and last night was an awesome night.  The temperature yesterday got to 26C and even at 1.30am this morning the temperature was still 24C.

Last night was the Festival of Music at the Festival Theatre.  Katie and some of her fellow school students (including her best friend Maddi) were invited to participate in the combined Primary Schools choir.  There were some 455 students in the choir representing 17 Primary Schools.  And what a beautiful sound they made!

Now I understand why, over the last few months when she came to stay she would ask , "Nanna, have you heard the song Footloose, or Iko Iko, or Twist and Shout or He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"?  She was quite surprised when I would reply, "Yes Katie we have got those songs on CD or record".  Then she would ask me to put them onto my IPhone or IPod so that she could listen to them and sing along in the car.  These were just some of the songs sung by the choir.

This Festival is run over twelve nights with students from over 230 schools represented.  More than 6000 students are involved over the 12 nights.

We didn't know what to expect.  I thought that each school's choir sang a song or two but it was nothing like that.  The massed choir was backup to several of the performers.  This State has certainly got some very talented young people.  The Orchestra was made up entirely of Primary School children and sounded amazing.  If you were non the wiser you would have thought it was a Symphony Orchestra.

I wasn't aware that the Education Department played a big part in teaching Music and Drama in schools.  Listening to some of the solo singers gave me goosebumps.  They were truly awesome, especially a young classical singer who sang Figaro.

The program consisted of a classical pianist, show band, a flute ensemble, an awesome Irish folk band, drama group, and several soloists with help from the choir.

Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take any photos inside  the theatre but we will definitely be ordering a DVD of the performance.  To everyone involved, from all of the teachers, the conductors, the choreographers, the organisers and all the students......TAKE A BOW!!!!!!!!!!

Festival Theatre

After the concert we waited for Katie and she was very excited about having performed.  She said that before it started she was very nervous and when the curtain rose and she saw the audience she wanted to collapse on her knees.

I spoke to her earlier and she is still coming down from the high of last night.  Now, she says, she is ready to go to Perth on Sunday.  I got the days mixed up......she leaves on Sunday and comes back Monday evening.

She is really becoming the Social Butterfly!

Katie and her BF Maddi  

You're Welcome to Stay, Spring!

Monday 3rd September, 2012

September made it's grand entrance and brought with it some gorgeous weather.  The weekend for us was spent gardening and Tony washed the car.  How nice it was to spend some time outside in the sunshine.

After my nail appointment on Friday I went into town as I had to do some shopping.  I met Tony for some lunch and coffee.  He went back to work and I went off to do what I had to do.  When he finished work for the day we decided to go back to Murray Bridge and have Chinese for dinner again.  It was just as nice as the week before.

On Saturday he cleaned the car while I cleaned up the courtyard.  Sunday we spent the day in the garden. Cleaned the patio area as well and washed the outdoor setting but they say we will get the winds back again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Yesterday was Father's Day here in Australia.  Like Mother's Day, we don't celebrate it.   For your children to say they love you and come armed with gifts on one day of the year is not for us.   We're happy if we get a phone call.  

Yesterday was also Jodi's birthday and so last night we went out for dinner.  She had booked to go to Caffe Aqua. 

We weren't very impressed with the meal   I ordered Saltimbocca and one piece of Veal I couldn't cut, it was so sinewy.  Tony ordered the Veal and mushrooms.  The serving sizes were so small, more like entree size, no salad or vegies came with the meals. Yes, we did let them know we weren't impressed, to pay $21.90 for each meal it definitely wasn't worth it.

We were both hungry when we left and so we went to McDonalds for a burger.  What is it with eating out at the moment?  The quality of the food has definitely dropped lately.

I know I go on about how cold it is here during Winter.  We don't get the freezing temperatures like the Northern Hemisphere, but when it gets to 14 /15C, for us, that's cold.  Occasionally, we may get one day during all of Winter where the temperature may drop to a single digit, 8 / 9C.  Our weather is often likened to the Meditteranean. 

The weekend temperatures were 19/20C and by Tuesday they say it will get to 26C (which is perfect, even though it will get windy), but then on Wednesday the rains come and the temperature drops to 16C.  Still that's what Spring is all about, variable temperatures with a sprinkling of rain.  At least we will get more warmer days than cold ones.

my newest solar light