Outings

The talk at Mondays at Mosman was - Gardens in the Ancient World by Maree Browne, who is an archaeologist but who at the moment is lecturing at Sydney uni. I had a great morning and its opened a great big section that needs exploring, most probably thru Google.

Wilma and I went to the ABC studios to watch Tuesday Book Club being filmed for the next show. There had to be a retake of one section as Jennifer Byrne squinted as reading her lines. One of the books discussed was Catcher in the Rye, so thats one to be reread as its a long time ago that I turned those pages.

The computer classes stop for school hols, and that means have a bit of homework to do over the next two weeks.

Today we drove out to Bowral as the Throsby home was being transferred to the Historic Housing Trust and it was the first time it was opened to the public. Lovely home which needs quite a bit of work.

Talking and Walking

Two talks this week, one at Mossman and the other at the Mitchell Library. The first was by Prof. Sean O"Neill who heads the research team at Liverpool Hospital into Rheumatology and associated diseases. There is no answer but to eat healthly, keep fit in mind and body. Replacement knees and hips are done when the joints are no longer able to work and pain is unbearable. John's fellow worker, is having double hip replacement in a months time.

At the Mitchell there is a display on Governor Lachlan Macquarie and we had a guide for over an hour giving an overview of his life and his achievements in the colony of NSW.

Walks - Friday with the U3A group we walked from Collaroy, Dee Why, North Curl Curl, Freshwater, North Steyne to Manly. An excellent day in weather, company and what sights. Today John and I walked from North Wanda to Cronulla and back. Again a great walk with a treat of a BBQ sausage sandwich by the North Cronulla surf club. Plus a coffee for John and a Hard Rock icecream for me.

I met the ladies up at Miranda where over a cup of coffee and cake we discussed Louise's wedding and what we were going to do.

Webcam works well

The web cam worked very well on Saturday and so we saw Lucy, Henry, Fiona and Andrew which was really lovely, seeing it was grandparents day.

It was movies again this week with The Ghost Writer on Tuesday with Margaret, before that we went and heard a speaker/writer - Hugh MacKay talk on 'Why don't people listen?' Very Interesting. As I had to go into town to return books at SMSA library, I decided to walk down to the Dendy and of course I was just in time to see 'The Kids are Alright" and then 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed". This last film was excellent and with all the twists and turns, had you guessing until the very end.

The car had to go into the garage so had a couple of relaxing days at home with a bit of cooking/gardening.

At the computer lesson I learnt about mail merge but when I got home I couldn't convert the instructions into Open Office. Will have to spend some more time trying to work it out.

Today a friend of John's came over in his American Mustang and couldn't help myself and took a photo.

Unhappy

John is very unhappy as Hawthorn played badly yesterday and so are no longer in the running for the finals. Its now to look forward to next year. He has gone with Rodney to see the Swans play and we'll know shortly if they are in the semis.

With Monday being very wet, John could not work so we went to the movie - Matching Jack and we both enjoyed it.

Margaret and I fitted in to see The Killer Inside Me before went to Central where we were in the audience of the ABC show - Tuesday Book Club which was to be recorded. One of my favourite authors was on the panel - Val McDermid also they discussed a favourite - To Kill a Mocking Bird. Excellent Day.

I learnt how to make labels at the computer class and then I visited both Hurstville and Riverwood libraries. My intention was to drop off the books at Riverwood and not borrow again from there but was tempted to look and came away with 3.

Thursday I did a bit of cooking with a huge pot of chicken and vegetable soup making enough to freeze for 8 meals.

North Bondi to Watsons Bay was approx 6km ramble along the cliff tops detouring a couple of times when houses got in the way. It was overcast but great for the 12 of us walking.

Fathers Day, John enjoyed receiving the cards and wishes and we both loved the photo album.

Mt Tomah Botanic Gardens

Yesterday it was almost like spring so we went for a drive up through Windsor, Richmond and along Bells Line of Road past Bilpin to the gardens. We wandered about for a few hours looking at plants I wish I could grow but also getting ideas that can be used. I will plant daffodils next year in the lawn under the gum tree, plus I got the name of a new lawn which grows slowly, is very green and needs little water. We drove back through Mount Victoria and Katoomba to home. There is a lot road work about Katoomba and now I realise what the locals are complaining about.

Odds and ends

Met some of the Hurstville post ladies up at the Catholic Club for coffee which lasted 3 hours. Lots to catch up on.
Diane came over one afternoon to pick up part of a parcel for father's Day and we also caught up with news.
John's vest has again been unravelled even though I only had knitted about 4 inches this time, and now it is correct and can continue.
I attended a dietitian at St. George Hosp. during the week who went through a plan and now its having to TRY to stick to it. Already, yesterday there was a breakdown. I am in my 4th week of a 6 week diabeties program where I am picking up info I should have known before.
Mum's news re her breast cancer was not good but now she is on drugs which should reduce the growth and that will be assessed in 3 weeks.
Two chooks are laying and so there are plenty of eggs for us now and a few to give away.
Great news -on Friday I had 7 mins on Skype with Fiona, Andrew and Lucy after a rocky start, so now thats working but have another problem now to work on.

Excelsior Park, Baulkam Hills

We met at Parramatta Bus Interchange and caught a bus (15 min ) to Baulkam Hills. The walk was mainly on good bush track, but there was some rock hopping, several small bits of scrambling over rocks and three creek crossings and these should have been no problem. One person's foot slipped on a mossy rock and down she went into the creek. Other than getting very wet and a scraped elbow, pride was the main hurt. Over 7 kms were covered over hill and dale giving the legs a good workout. A great day.