Exhausted Aunty and Uncle

Philip and I had little Lauren stay with us last weekend. Phil picked her up after school on Friday and took her home Sunday. We had a very busy weekend, and the most important thing is that Lauren had a ball.

Friday night Phil cooked a wonderful roast chicken and we sat outside and had dinner. On Saturday we took the boat out. Lauren had never been on a boat before and was a little worried as she couldn't work out how it was going to float and stay on the water.

Phil left the boat ramp nice and slowly so she could get used to floating - then she loved it. We took her to our special little private beach up the river where we had a picnic lunch. I had bought Lauren a little floating ring and she just played in the water all day. Phil had our lilo and he would drag her out into the deeper water. She had no fear at all. She loved it when the boats came past - (she would yell out - "here comes another wave maker") and she would let them take her back to the shore.

When it was time to come home, Phil picked up the speed and we were flying down the river. Lauren was squealing with delight.... "this is soooo much fun.... I loooooove this boat". It was really nice to see her have so much fun.

Saturday night - we went to a friends place for a BBQ and had a very late night (11pm). It didn't stop her getting up at 7am though. I was so tired.

Sunday was more action. We went to Grandmas where Lauren's little sister Ella was staying over night and we went next door for her cousins birthday party.

By 5pm it was time to drive Lauren and little Ella home to their mum and dad. Within 2 minutes they were crashed out in the car - I couldn't wait until I could do the same.

We were an extremely exhausted aunty and uncle - but had heaps of fun..

Creative Writing

I started my creative writing course last night so you may see my blog writing improve...

We did some freewriting which I love. I tend to blurb everything down on paper anyway. Freewriting is getting into the subconcious and just writing without thinking or stopping for say 10 minutes. You pick a phrase or word (for example) 'I had the strangest dream.......' - then you just let it all out - like verbal diarrhea. I of course have no trouble - what with all the stuff in my crazy head!

My initial desire is to write a memoir - maybe of nans life, or base a fiction novel around her life story. The other is to write about my own life. Who knows, I could move into a whole other tangent. Stay tuned.....

This is your captain speaking....

Phil went for his first madden flight after ~ 7 yrs absence from flying. He originally was to fly to Cessnock, but due to bad weather was unable to do so.

It proved however to be an opportune time for him to practice his false landings and stalls, along with take-offs and landings. He flew out to Hoxton Park and has been able to add another 1 hour flying time to his log book.

The instructor was extremely impressed with his flying skills and the way in which he handled the plane - (especially after such a long absence from flying).

He is on cloud nine (literally) and is so pleased he took to the controls with such ease. He needs to catch up on radio calls and navigation as they have changed a bit.

Overall - it sounds like there will be a very skilled pilot coming you way on your next international flight.......

We are all proud of you Phil...

Farming

Phil and I spent the weekend on my boss's lavender farm. He was helping Michael build a large shed for equipment.

There were major problems with the footings as the supplier didn't provide the correct drawings. But it was a very enjoyable weekend all the same. We worked so hard and were exhausted by the days end.

It is not until you go out into the country that you realise what a city slicker you are. Getting dirty, ditching the designer clothes, driving trucks, being ever so aware of the many dangers on the land such as equipment, snakes, spiders, ditches and sore backs and knees.

The peace, serenity - I'll quote from the movie "The Castle" Ahhh - the serenity - can you just hear the serenity.. That's it alright. It was so wonderfully quiet and the air is fresh and crisp. The sky is so blue, you feel it has just been born from the universe. It is so quiet I could hear the locust's hopping on the ground and the slight breeze in the trees.

We took a trip down to the Snowy River which was flowing nicely and saw Eagles and a beautify Kingfisher bird. The long native grasses were just flowing in the breeze and the river ever so gently found its way through crevices through large granite bolders that look as though someone has come along and placed them.

The farm is such a beautiful property with rows of lavender ever so neatly curving down the hillsides like a beautiful painted picture and I took myself for walks quietly on my own just being in awe of the creation of nature. I truly believe there is a great God who had to be responsible for all of this.

We had lots of wonderful food and wine and many laughs and the weather was just cool enough to have the fire going each night which was perfect.

The weekend has left Phil wondering if perhaps that farm life may in fact be for him. Perhaps that is where we are meant to be in the future - on our own little property. He was quite impressed that I drove myself 30km into Berridale in the truck. Those of you who know me - I am a nut case when I have to drive. I only had to pass about 20 cars. No traffic - it was great.

It is a long way from Sydney though. 5 hour drive back home and we were so tired. My knee was aching, I dropped the dinner all over the floor, Phil had to go to the shops and buy dinner - I then pulled the fabric softener down from the shelf and the lid was loose and it went all over me. It was surely time for bed.

Ngapartji Ngapartji

Mum and I went to the Belvoir Theatre yesterday to see Ngapartji Ngapartji, an aboriginal play about one mans history back to the 1940's begining with the nuclear tests in their backyard, then a stolen generation and the consequences of white man's wrongs culminating in the form of alcoholism and lost identies and placement of our aboriginal people today.

It left you with a lot to think about. I recommend people go and see this play.

http://www.belvoir.com.au