Final of the last week of leave

Here we all are at Alice's house in Coledale, just before Wollongong. Helen drove and we spent the day catching up with everyone's news. The house backs onto the beach and sea, so it was a wonderful view plus able to hear the sea all the time.

Sunday was catch up day and here I am now, ready and dressed for work.

Last week continued

Thursday was another visit to town to go up the City Tower and observation deck but when we did get there you had to change into the special clothing and have a lesson on the ins and outs just like the bridge climb. So we decided to do it another time. We wandered about for a while, then the monorail to Darling Harbour for lunch and the IMAX show. You wouldnt believe it, John fell asleep during "Under the Sea"and did not enjoy it, as he had seen something similar on telly re the sardines and the predators. No matter, the icecream we had in the park made up for it.

Last week continued

Wednesday we visited the art gallery to see the Archibald, Wynne & Sulman prizes after wich we walked through the old Australian section. Look at all the wonderful paintings behind John. Lunch was in the peaceful setting of the cafe in the botanical gardens.

Last week of leave

We finally did the bridge climb on Tuesday and enjoyed every moment. Its wonderful to see the city of Sydney in a 360 degree view. After the climb we had a fish and chip lunch with a nice bottle of wine at Doyles.

7th week

The week began with having lunch with Diane at Gardens R Us in Moorefields Road and what a delightful couple of hours. I didn't buy anything as it is a bit on the pricey side. Wednesday went to the movies at the Dendy at the Quay and saw Easy Virtue and Dean Spanley which was excellent. I might go and see it again with John.

Friday went into the Chinese Gardens at Darling Harbour, plus went for the first time to IMAX which was really, really good. The feature was on Under the Sea and it felt that the animals were coming straight for me. It was scary when the sea snakes shot out and felt they came directly at us; I think I even put out my hand to stop them

John worked on the shed again and put in vents; here he is at the back of the shed standing on the neighbour's 6ft brick fence. I worked in the strawberry and raspberry bed and scored 12 raspberries. The bait has to go down for the snails and slugs as they are having a feast of the strawberries

continued

working weekend

John has bought two bottle fridges, one for storage and the small one for everyday use. He has plenty of 'overs' which we will drink first. He had to put vents in the room plus the door as per the instructions of the fridge booklet. There is a lock on the large one. Here he is painting the middle roomed door .

6th week of leave

The weather played a big part this week as it was overcast so did alot of indoor things. Movies - The International and Rachaels Wedding at Bondi Junction cinema but didnt enjoy these as I thought I would. I did have fun window shopping.

I spent a day with Margaret to see what we could do with her photo filing system but it seems Ok but needs an expert to condense the big file. We looked at other bits and pieces and even set up blogger for her. Margaret will also be able to send albums thru Kodak Photo to save uploading them on an email.

One day I did spend in the garden and planted beetroot, lettuce, egg plant, and collected the pumpkins so now the lawn can be mown back to normal. Its knee high in parts.

Met up with Norma and Margaret to hear of Norma's travels to the Eastern Europe countries over the past month. Norma and Maryanne had an excellent time and didnt miss us at all.

I had my hair streaked but it didnt turn out too well. No one has noticed other than John, - its a little lighter on the crown.

5th week of leave

A new pair of white trousers were splashed with spagetti bol. and after soaking, the stain did not come out so I used some bleach. Big mistake. The bleach took out the white and it became a pale yellow patch, not only where the stains was, but on the back and further down the leg. So I bought some navy material dye but the pants came out a pale dirty blue with patches of lighter colour where the stain was. So now they are to be worn in the garden.

On Thursday I met Margaret, Helen and Shirley at Miranda where we went to the movies - Last Chance Harvey. It was a lovely movie we all enjoyed and then had a couple of hours over lunch.

The weather is not good enough to go next door to their pool, so have spent time in the garden plus down the back reading.

Dentist

An overcast day was just the ticket to go and visit the dentist. I am going to the dentists conected with the health fund as its alot cheaper but the draw back is they are in Central which takes a bit longer to get there. After the molar was filled the last time and then a band put around it, I was to wait a while for it to settle. Unfortunately it didn't and so another trip. Today he filed the tips of the molar to see if that stops the pain. Hope so, otherwise its root canal or extraction.

Yesterday I went to the movies at the new cinema at Beverley Hills and saw - Doubt and Australia. Doubt was distrubing and what all the hype about Australia was I dont know. Nothing special at all but the scenery was very spectacular.