A long time between blogs

the kids have gone their own ways

Ant is in Perth learning to be a solicitor and Em is studying medicine in Townsville

We still arent sure what Ian and  I said that upset them both so much that they have travelled to opposite ends of Australia to pursue their dreams

We went and visited Ant and jess earlier this year and had a fun time exploring Perth including a winery tour down the swan river

Em managed to visit Perth for a couple of days as well

We have visited Em as well

Ian has been a couple of times and we met up this past weekend when Ian stopped over in Cairns on his return from Japan visiting the new grandnephew, Tatsuki phonetically Tatts key I think, according to Ian

Last weekend we were in Palm Cove trying to attract some warmth and sunshine - the temps were in the low to mid 20s and we managed sunshine on the saturday and then it was overcast. Em said that she had had blue skies for the past 4 weeks. We did however manage to enjoy the increase in temperature after a miserable damp winter in Melbourne and Ballarat.

We are heading off to Perth this coming weekend- Ian has a conference and Jess invited me as well - so i invited stella and Tony. They need a trip away. Poor Tony has had a horrible episode of ophthalmic shingles which has lasted months and months- hopefully a trip away will improve the spirits of both of them.

Jess and Ant have acquired a new dog - Scout - 1/2 dachie and 1/2 corgie - we get to meet him soon

As Ross has disappeared overseas for 6 months we have had to break in new dog and bird sitters - We have been using the son of one of my nurses and his mate. They have been doing an excellent job and lucy seems to have become quite fond of them. Em's mate Zoe is going to house sit while we are in Perth. We are lucky to have these people around - it makes travelling so much easier.

The birds are continuing to entertain us and produce the occasional egg. The chooks havent done their part over winter but we have had ongoing duck eggs and we are now starting to get goose and chookie eggs again now that the day light hours are starting to extend themselves

Cheers