Spotlights

We've installed some spotlights outside our dining/lounge area, which has a dramatic effect at night. Unfortunately this photo is a touch blurry, but you get the idea!




This second photo (taken by mum when she and dad were staying here) really shows how high the house is set. It's ideal for getting up close to the birdlife - all throughout dinner last night we could see a bird sleeping in a tree just outside the window.

Truck Trouble

As you can see here, the removal truck had a little trouble negotiating our driveway!

Thankfully Christopher was overseeing the entire operation from our carport/shed area.

Even so, our driveway and lawn suffered some damage in the process :(

Wildlife Encounters and Australia Zoo

Moving to a more rural area has certainly increased the amount of wild creatures we encounter each day. Two butcher birds arrive on our verandah rail each meal time to take their share. We have named the male "Butch" and the female "Cassidy". There is a wonderful gecko that emerges in our lounge room at night - he has acquired the name "Gordon". Less favoured, and therefore unnamed, are the mozzies and spiders. However, we have handled them gracefully so far (even Catherine).

I was fortunate to visit Australia Zoo last week to hear the Dalai Lama launch Kindness Week. It was a beautiful day, the zoo was a great venue, and Terri, Bindi and Bob Irwin were there to welcome His Holiness. Now that we are so close to the zoo, we've splurged on a family zoo membership that will allow us to visit as often as we like. While the kids are both being home schooled, this means we can pop over to the zoo in the afternoons when it won't be too busy.

Huge sigh of relief!

We made it!!!!!!!!

Yesterday, after an increasingly frustrating phone call with our internet service provider, we finally made it online (but still not broadband). So here we are.

The move went very smoothly, with rain welcoming us to the Sunshine Coast last week. Only three boxes are left to unpack. Things are slowly coming together and we are starting to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of our new home.

I have already begun composting and planted eight little lettuce seedlings yesterday. The soil here is sand on clay - so lots of organic matter is needed before planting. The lettuces are just to satisfy my urge to plant something. At least all eight were still there this morning.

We have had some interesting adventures on our little acreage already. Catherine in particular has shown uncharacteristic boldness in her explorations. I am tempted to fit her with a personal alarm for when she gets herself into trouble. On one occasion she decided to ride her bike down our rather steep block, and didn't stop until she ploughed right into the fence.

Christopher has also had some fun. He has enjoyed watching Opa cut down trees and assemble furniture - with great hilarity when things went wrong. Yesterday Garry and Christopher set off with our wheelie bin in the van, to try to find a nearby dump (we thought we'd missed the collection day and our bin was overflowing). Much sooner than expected, the van returned and the boys sheepishly emerged to say they met the rubbish collection truck on the road and were able to rush home in time for it to be collected after all.

I have lots of photographs - too many to put on the blog. I will try to make them available another way. Meanwhile, here are my baby lettuces and a picture of our lounge/dining area before furniture (just to show off the view):

Today's the Day

Yep - moving day is finally here!

Garry was wandering about the house like a restless ghost early this morning. The kids were awake and excited early this morning. I am tired. LOL.

No really, things are all ready for the truck to arrive and load. This afternoon we're driving to the Sunshine Coast, to stay in a motel for two nights. Tomorrow is Christopher's 11th birthday and we will be having the day off (no boxes!). Then the truck arrives at our new home on Thursday for unloading, and the unpacking will begin.

Although originally unplanned, it's quite a nice idea that we get the day off tomorrow. So things have worked out well. Wish us luck, coz' here we GO!

Farewells and Fudge

As our countdown to the move steadily decreases, the number of tearful farewells increases. We've had our final Women's Circle, Book Group, family gathering, birthday party, lunch with friends, school day, dinner with other friends, et cetera et cetera et cetera. As one of our goodbye cards says, however, "Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened".

For Women's Circle, the kids and I had lots of fun doing up colourful gift bags (see photo above). They included candles, notebooks, and our very first attempt to make chocolate fudge. After all, what good is Women's Circle without candles and chocolate? The fudge was delicious and remarkably easy to make. I don't have a photo of the end result because we ate it too quickly. We will certainly make more soon, though.

We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and thoughtfulness of all our wonderful friends as we leave. It's a great way to find out what people think of you, although rather drastic and therefore not generally recommended! At least we'll still be within range of visitors who feel like heading to the beach for a while. That's something we're really looking forward to. I'll keep you posted...