evaslittlebook

dream me a loving family for every child...

2011-09-11T00:03:00.001-07:00

dream me a world where every child has a loving family by dream-me on Polyvore.com

dream me a bookshelf of reclaimed timber and pipe...

2011-09-11T00:02:00.001-07:00

dream me shelves of reclaimed timber and pipe... by dream-me on Polyvore.com

Ski New Zealand

2009-08-01T03:20:00.000-07:00

VIEWS FROM THE SLOPES OF CARDRONA
We have just come back from a very successful skiing holiday in the south island of New Zealand. This area just may be Gods own Country as they say, it is spectacularly beautiful and amazingly empty of humans. It is a rare treat to see a truly untouched place of such astounding beauty.

VIEW FROM CARDRONA TOWARDS WANAKA

We started off at Cardrona which had wonderful snow and a scary steep drive up to the base every day. Ella was very happy in the kids club and with two lessons a day, unlimited flexibility and no fear was soon whizzing down the slopes past Brendan. I was still snowplowing for my life down the easier of the green slopes having survived the lesson from hell with a crazy Bosnian instructor. Brendan picked up where he left off and by our final day at Coronet Peak had skied down a steep blue run from the very top of the mountain! Impressive stuff. I haven't tried a blue run yet, just when I had worked up the courage a stiff wind made the slopes icy and closed the lifts for the day - so it will have to wait for next year.

VIEW FROM CARDRONA GREEN SLOPE TOWARDS QUEENSTOWN

One day the snow started falling and conditions became almost totally white. I have never seen anything so blindingly bright. The snow became one dimension with no slopes or contours, the only thing we could really see was the red flags marking out the slopes. By the end of the day we could see only one flag at a time and were skiing by feel because it was the only way you could tell which way was down. It was like being in a superreal film where the contrasts almost blur all detail.
ELLA COMES IN WITH SKI SCHOOL (GROUP OF LITTLE PEOPLE BOTTOM RIGHT)
THE WEATHER CLOSES IN

SNOWFIGHTS!
And there will definately be a next year. My mom and Sim have definately introduced the ski bug to the family! and I would go back to New Zealand ski any time just for the pure panoramic splendour.

THIS PERSON WAS SKIING UP THE MOUNTAIN USING THE KITE AND THE PARASAILING DOWN

The snow at Cardrona was wonderful, squeaky, soft and plentiful and our first two days were gloriously sunny and blue skyed. The only draw back is the drive up the mountain. Its narrow, slippery with ice and grit, and has yawning chasms at its edges. The second day there a bus going down the mountain in the afternoon skidded and ended up with its back facing the cliff wall and its front wheels hanging over the abyss. Thankfully the passengers were safely off loaded and the bus towed back onto the track, I am sure there were some sleepless nights that night. But once we were down our cottage was in a complex with a heated pool and was a 100m walk to the local hotel which serves wonderful mulled wine and pub dinners around roaring log fires.

AT THE FIRE SIDE AT THE CARDRONA HOTEL
Ella was delighted with the idea of swimming outside in the freezing cold with steam rising off the warm water and I was only to happy to immerse my slightly battered body in the hot water.

We all loved the local, infact it was the thought of that first reviving mulled wine at the fire that got me through several afternoon sessions, food has never tasted so fantastic, and Ella couldn't wait to stroke the resident pub cat, Whiskers. We reluctantly left Cardrona after four days and spent the afternoon driving to Queenstown via Wanaka and Arrowtown. Wanaka is on the shores of another splendid mountain ringed lake and is surrounded by the valleys where Lord of the Rings was performed. We drove up these valleys past acres of vineyards, each field equiped with giant fans to keep the frost off new grapes, rolling pastures and slopes with forests of amazing textures and colours. Although the grass land has been burned golden brown by the frost the pines on the slopes are a rich deep green and the hills are covered in scarlet berry laden bushes, or with stands of birches that are stacked ghostly grey. Milky blue rivers wind from the snow to the lakes through tortured rock ravines, we passed the exact place where the nine Wraiths are washed away in the Lord of the Rings. I have never seen textures and colours quite like it. And above all the towering snow capped peaks ring the landscape. Yes I know I am going on a bit but it was glorious.
ARROWTOWN MAIN STREET
MOUNTAINS AROUND ARROWTOWN

Arrowtown is tucked against the mountains in one narrow valley. A charming old hamlet with all its historical building intact or restored. We stopped for mulled wine and hot chocolate before heading past Coronet Peak to Queenstown.

VIEW ACROSS THE LAKE FROM QUEENSTOWN
If I liked Arrowtown I was blow away by Queenstown. It sits on the bank of a blue blue lake under startling rugged mountains. It has been carefulyl developed and the result is some wonderful architecture of stone and wood, old buildings and new joined by pedestrian laneways filled with restaurants and shops. Unfortunately by the time we had discovered it we had almost come to the end of our stay. We had enjoyed skiing so much that we didn't set aside much time for exploring. We had several lovely meals out and on our final morning Ella and Brendan climbed an amazing willow tree on the lake shores. I would love to see this area in spring.

CLIMBING THE WILLOWS

VIEW TOWARDS GLENORCHY
All in all it was a wonderful holiday. I discovered several things I really like about skiing, mulled wine at the end of a long cold day, the rush of actually skiing down a slope without fear of falling, the pride of being lapped by my daughter (who was singing and dancing as she waved and went past), the way food tastes really really good in the evening, the joy of learning something totally new.

We had a lovely lovely time.

Walking Manley to Spit

2009-06-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

One Sunday Brendan and I walked part of the Manley to Spit walk, lovely bush reserve near the bay. I had been inspired by Graeme's photograpy of patterns on his blog and tried a few of my own. I also couldn't resist the beautiful wildflowers that have come out with the recent rain.Lime moss up close

Flax flower

Lighthouse and its fence

Sydney winter lights

2009-06-06T05:09:00.000-07:00

The Sydney MOMA came up with and idea to brighten up winter, the season where we all seem to bundle up in shades of black and gray and so does the sky, by having a light festival of circular quay. Both the Moma building and the Opera House are illuminated with changing images of bright colours and patterns and scattered around the wharf are little displays like the rainbow washed walls and glowing neon lit white suited men with umbrellas and rollerskates. A wonderful idea to brighten up our early winter nights.

in late summer in chinamans

2009-06-06T05:06:00.001-07:00

pink sunrise

The last Thursday night regatta for the season coming back as darkness falls.

photo of lanterns by Ella

Ella goes street

2009-06-06T04:56:00.000-07:00

One bucket of sidewalk crayons.

One industrious artist.

One very happy girl.

Two very proud parents.

Becoming Aussie citizens

2009-06-06T04:45:00.000-07:00

After a lot of forms, and I mean a LOT of forms, and several years getting used to life down under we have finally passed the citizen test (and yes I am serious, there is one!) and had our ceremony welcoming us as citizens of Australia. It was a moving and welcoming ceremony and we were really touched by our many Aussie friends who phoned to say they were glad we were becoming Aussie too. The citizen was presided over by the local deputy mayor who we later discovered was Rob's aunt (my brother in law for those who are wondering)!! Turns out its a small world after all.

To celebrate we had a barbie in the local park with games of cricket going all around us. Kim and Brent kindly let us wheel their gas barbie across the road. Snags, lamingtons and beer all round (well not beer for the children). We were thrilled to have so many special people come and spend the day with us.

Ella and mates eating icy poles while watching the cricket.

All our really lovely friends under the trees - the same kind my granny had outside her home in far off Rustenberg under which we had picnic lunches every Sunday - she would love this place.

discovering the web cam!!!

2009-01-10T00:25:00.000-08:00

Ella and I discovered the webcam and its great effects today.

Enjoy!!!! I know we did.

New Years Eve 2008

2008-12-31T21:06:00.000-08:00

We were lucky to have Allie and Graeme join us for a sleep over (to Ella's total delight - grown ups for a sleep over) and we enjoyed a quiet New Years eve with walks on the beach - a highly illegal beach fire (to the delight of Graeme and Brendan and my own neurotic conviction that the water police would arrive at any moment!!)

I overheard Ella telling Pat about it this morning "we had a fire on the beach, and we stayed up till midnight, and the police didn't come"

Our own very teeny sparklers compared with the $5 million show that the people who braved the traffic got.

Brendan with halo - looks intact too!!!A lovely evening followed by a wonderful new years morning swim.

Best wishes for 2009 everybody!!!!

School concert

2008-12-31T21:02:00.000-08:00

The school put on a dinosaur spectacular - Ella was a sparkly eyed brontosaurus (with Noah on her left below)Bringing the first year of school to a close with a noisy and exciting day - phew its the holidays!!!

Patonga revisited

2008-12-31T20:44:00.001-08:00

Back to Patonga - in summer this time - for a week of holiday with the lovely Saville-Isaacs clan.
The first day Ella, Levi and I made frangipani garlands in the shady lawn. Its such a beautiful spot and yes I did feel like I was in some kind of glossy lifestyle magazine!

The finished product in its scented glory

Levi shows off his newly built super duper lego world plane!!
Fishing boats on the Patonga river banks
Ella and Levi spend a morning creating team drawings in the gorgeous light of the living room.
Bestest friends

Ella feeds Rafi icecream at an evening at the local pub!

I AM the prettiest chocolatiest girl!!!

Looking forward to another visit in the future!!

surfs up

2008-12-31T20:38:00.000-08:00

Ella and nine of her little K-Red mates spent a day at Manley in late November learning to surf.
With the patience of the instructors she is UP!!!

And then on her way again - look at the smile!!!

This is what growing up in Sydney is all about!!

A day out with Heather in Sydney

2008-10-18T03:46:00.001-07:00

Brendan and Ella give Heather smooches!!
Sitting in the clover on the lawn outside the gallery.

Today was on of those magical Sydney summer days which started with swimming at the beach, meeting up with fellow beach rat friends, both olds and new, at Chinamans and general lazing in the sun by the adults and leaping around in the water and off the rocks by the kids.

After lunch we went to the National Gallery to see the Monet exhibition which was wonderful, a real treat to see such treasures. Then we had a lovely walk through the botanical gardens in the afternoon sun, tripping our way through the many many weddings that were also enjoying a wonderful sunny afternoon.

We ended the day with dinner at Jimmy Liks. Ella was terribly excited to be in a "very fancy" grown up restaurant and was very well behaved. It was amazing to be able to order off a single menu in a non-family restaurant and we look forward to doing much more family exploring like this.

We can't believe its almost time for Heather to go back already, its been so wonderful having her here and such fun.

Ella's 6th Birthday Party

2008-10-18T03:25:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Ella's party with lots of special friends and ofcourse Granny Heather as our special guest!!! Cheeky the clown entertained the kids with games and magic and otherwise there was a lot of running around and playing in the ashes of the firepit. Ella had a blast!!! and so did the rest of us. The birthday feast before the arrival of the guests. Home time treasures waiting to be given away.
Lisa, Levi and Heather enjoy a quiet moment in the meadow.
Ella thinks the breaking wand is hilarious - even funnier was when she figured this one out and fixed it and then handed it back to the magic clown!!!

Ella gets lot of help from her friends blowing out the unstoppable birthday candles (so unstoppable that they set off the smoke alarm!!).

Ella turns SIX!

2008-10-18T03:14:00.000-07:00

She is just as gorgeous as ever, she makes us laugh and adore her, she has no front teeth and Ella is SIX!

Ella came up to our room at first dawn and opened her presents in the golden morning sunrise light. She is a pleasure to give things to loving each thing in its turn and rejoicing in each surprise, but she was particularly happy to open the much longed for baby white tiger.

Ella then spent a very happy day with her friends at vacation care but came home to a lovely birthday dinner cooked by Brendan and finished off with candles and cake. And as you can see also much general silliness and fun - observe the three generations of cheeky faces below!!!

First skiing holiday

2008-07-28T02:38:00.000-07:00

Learning numbers

2008-06-06T21:41:00.000-07:00

Our little Ella is loving school and at the moment is spending every minute either writing words, numbers or drawing elaborate pictures. Today she practiced and amazed us by writing all the way from one to one hundred on the blackboard.

She was thrilled to suprise us and show off her expertise and declared she now knows all about numbers and doesn't need to learn anything else. As usual we are very proud of her!!!

Patonga weekend

2008-05-27T03:34:00.001-07:00

Detail of the front door.

We had a very special winters weekend away with the Saville-Isaacs family in the little lost village of Patonga. This cute little place is on a spit between the Pittwater and a creek and is about three blocks deep of teeny tiny little fibro cottages. And we stayed in the best weekender ever - trust Lisa and Steven to find this one!! A tiny fibro ingeniously restored into one of the most relaxed and liveable living spaces I have ever been in. Truly inspirational and an amazing reminder of how simple and small houses can be. I can be sidetracked by a desire for bigger houses and it was lovely to experience how little we need.

Rowing on the creek against a very strong tide!!!

Banksia and eucapytus arranged on the outside table.

As ever spending time with Lisa, Steven, Levi and Raphaela was lovely, Ella and Levi played and played and we just relaxed. We did go for a few little excursions, a row up a VERY strong river which was very funny, my side kept letting the team down and we were often doing circles, and Brendan and I nipped out to watch the Warratahs play the Queensland Reds in the local. Great fun on a chilly night - cheap whisky and very feisty locals.
It reminds me how much I want a home of my own to play in and mould, and also an escape from the hustle of the rat race. Definately to be repeated!!! Playing boule in the backyard.

Fishing on the Pittwater side of Patonga with a view out the heads to the sea.

Mothers Day

2008-05-27T03:29:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely mothersday with lots of cuddles and kisses from my precious Ella child.Ella had made me some gorgeous glasses at school - rainbow legs and a sparkly glittery front."Funky glasses for you mum" she said.

How lucky I am!!!

Dunk Island holiday

2008-04-23T20:17:00.000-07:00

We escaped Sydney's rainiest school holiday in 77 years and headed up to Dunk Island for a much much needed family holiday. Dunk is just south of Cairns at the top end of Queensland but close to the coast, a good hours boat trip from the Barrier Reef. Not ideal for those of us who would have liked to do more diving, especially since you can't swim off the beach because of the stingers, but the smallest Burgess was delighted with the resort pools and the constant supply of other children to play with. Ella swam for literally HOURS every day and after wolfing down dinner ran around on the lawn in the dark with the other kids until she literally fell asleep standing up.

We all had the break we needed, lots of rest, lots of sun, lots of playing for Ella, lots of cocktails by the pool and even lots of golf for Brendan. Even I played a game of golf! I have always believed that I am a left handed golfer and we hired some lefty clubs and amazingly I have discovered that I can smack the ball around a bit. Actually I totally enjoyed it much to my surprise and was amazed just how satisfying it is to get that little white ball flying along the fairway. Brendan is more than delighted and we plan to go to the driving range and practice for our next round soon.

We did do one trip out to the Barrier Reef which ended with the most unbelievable snorkeling but started with a hellish boat trip. It was ROUGH and I would say that at least half of the 40 people on board threw up and the remainder stared fixedly at the horizon and felt very queasy - all that is except Sea Dog Burgess aka Ella who talked the ears off the crew, as they ran around with buckets and towels, or played in the front galley and even read a book!!! Actually I think she enjoyed the boat more than the snorkeling. When we finally got in the water she was a little nervous. The boat anchored in about 10m of water and the visibility was alright but that depth can be a little scary the first time. The reef itself was as spectacular as usual with many giant clams, truly gorgeous coral, clown fish in brilliantly coloured anenomes and schools of really enormous fish patroling along the edge. Brendan was (no suprises here) the first one in and the last one out, I was cold hours before, and Ella called it quits when we saw a largish White Tip Reef Shark. I think she prefers sharks from the safety of dry land!!! She doesn't realise how lucky she was to see one on her first ever dive!!

Luckily the return trip was fine and calmer and we sat on the top deck and enjoyed being on the sea. As ever we can't wait to get back for more. All in all a most successful and enjoyed trip away.

The last of summer 2007/08

2008-04-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

After a very wet summer we have had some gorgeous early autumn days to enjoy. We recently discovered Shelley Beach near the more famous Manley and have been there often to enjoy its amazing snorkeling. Its in a little bay with wild jungle park on one side and houses on the other and across the water you can see the Manley beachfront towers. The bay is wonderfully sheltered and we have had the most amazing swimming and snorkeling just off the beach, schools of large fish and squid in about 5-6m of crystal clear water. Now that Brendan has a surfboard I can see we will be there even more often next summer!

Below: on the rocks with Lara and Patrick at Shelley Beach.

We have also been snorkeling off our rocks (see photos below) and seen balls of baby catfish, millions and millions of fry, octopus and cuttlefish. Ella is getting better every time and has learned to dive down and clear her snorkel properly. She is so confident that she doesn't hold onto us anymore and floats and swims on her own, very brave considering she is metres out of her depth. Except when she spotted a jellyfish that is - then she tried to climb on Brendan's head! The evenings have been magnificent, no wind and warm but not humid with the skies glowing pink at sunset. The fishermen have been out in full force on the rocks below the house catching flathead, trevalli and the occasional octopus or shark. Ella delights in chatting to them and inspecting their catches. One evening Brendan was home a little early and went down with his rod for a few casts with Ella hugging his leg in her little red pyjamas. One of those special moments.

A weekend in Broke

2008-02-24T00:01:00.000-08:00

We have just been away for a weekend in Broke, a less developed part of the Hunter Valley, where we stayed in a gorgeous little cottage and vineyard with the whymsical name of "The Cockfighters Ghost". It was wonderful to be away from the big bustling city with its hectic pace and never ending noise. Wonderful to be in a place where the only thing we could hear was birds and the song of the wind, smell the dust, a place so remote that we hardly saw another person from the verandah. Its sometimes easy to forget that such quiet still places exist.
It was blistering hot for the first time in about six weeks so we spent most of the weekend lying on the verandah and enjoying the hot still shade. We did a little exploring and while its no Franschoek or Red Hill it has its own beauty and it was wonderful to be out among farms again. I miss our farm still.
The cool shaded verandah at the Cockfighters Ghost.

The foot hills near the vineyards reminded us enormously of African koppies, we half expected to hear baboons echoing in the evening stillness.

An evening walk through the vines.

Happiness is a bare feet and sticky schloopy mud!!!

Mud socks!!!

Morning mist over the vineyards.

The truly gorgeous Crinklewood cellar door and vineyard gardens. This place is only ten years old and gives me hope that I can build something like this too one day.

First day of school

2008-01-30T02:04:00.000-08:00

Our big school girl getting ready for her first day at big school!!!!

Putting on her school bag (very heavy with lots of books for the first day) ready to go.

Finally at school and about to go in for the day.

Hooray all my buddies are here!!!! Bothe boys believe Ella is their girlfriend!

Ella and Patrick rushed into the classroom and sat down and started "working" as soon as the door was open.
Well could we be prouder of our little girl, I never think we can and then she grows a little and amazes us even more. The first day of school Ella was up just after 6am and fully dressed in her uniform (white socks shoes and blazer on a very hot morning) and ready to go by 7am. We only had to be there at 8:30 and she couldn't wait to leave, asking every few minutes if we were ready.
Once we arrived she was delighted to see her friends, especially Patrick and Thomas Fox, and then couldn't wait to get inside. As soon as she saw her teacher, Miss Angus, she shot over and asked if there was a dictionary in the classroom (she can't read yet but is very keen). Then she and Patrick sat themselves down and started playing with the activities set out. No tears, no fuss, just excitement and delight. It was quite emotional for us seeing our baby taking her first real steps into the real worl but once again it is a real pleasure to be a part of her life.
After school we were chatting about the day and she pipes up "It was the best school ever!"

Long may that feeling last. Her only question was how soon we can drop her at the drop off zone on her own and not come to the classroom with her. Beautiful!!

running in the park

2008-01-30T02:01:00.000-08:00

Running in the reserve with a rainbow ribbon.

Chinamans beach buddies

2008-01-27T22:39:00.000-08:00

Isn't the beach the best when you have lots of buddies who can get together for breakfast!!!

Australia Day

2008-01-26T16:12:00.000-08:00

Our second Australia Day in Sydney was marked by totally gorgeous weather, blue skies and clear still water. We were sitting inside when we hear a faint "Ella!! Ella!" from outside, look over the balcony and there are the Cody boy's in the inflatable wanting to know if Ella wants to come for a ride. This has to be the ultimate pickup for a play date I have ever seen, off the rocks by rubber duckie - life jackets required.
So Brendan and Ella went down and jumped aboard for a quick ride around the bay.

We thought back to a year ago when we had been in the house only a week or so and realised how settled we are, what wonderful friends we have made in the area, and how marvelous it has been to reconnect with old friends also in Australia. It has been a busy year, we have achieved much of what we set out to do, mainly just settling and finding work, consolidating our experience here. I look forward to seeing what 2008 and has yielded in a years time - hopefully we will be citizens then, we have just discovered that we are eligible!

Katie Lee's Birthday

2008-01-17T15:54:00.000-08:00

We were very lucky to be able to join in Katie Lee's 8th birthday while the Lee family were visiting. We celebrated by visiting Luna Park which the children loved, and here Kate and Ella blow out the birthday candles after dinner.

All Aboard!!! Opera house ahoy

2008-01-15T15:50:00.000-08:00

No the captain is NOT under the influence officer!

The wonderful Lee family have come to stay with us in Sydney for a few days, and as promised once before, we hired a yacht and Captain Lee sailed us under the bridge, past the opera house and all the way to our house in Chinamans Beach and back. Lots of wine and food along the way.

The children had a wonderful time, either scuttling around the deck or playing in the giant cubby house that is the downstairs of a yacht. Kate and Julian have done this before in the Whitsundays, and at Red Hill, but I was amazed at how at home Ella was.

The opera house and bridge were quite amazing to see from the water, I know we have done it on a ferry but a yacht makes you feel like one of the rich and famous!!! We look forward to sharing the experience with friends and family who come and visit!!!

Under Tony's tuition Brendan took the helm, glass of riesling in hand, just had to show you all this one!!! And we cruised sedately (to my relief) along the harbour, avoiding the rather scary Manly Ferry which has right of way at all times and is beeeeg and fast. Past the zoo, past Rose and Watsons bays, along Balmoral and all the way past Cyprian street. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

"I would never ask you to buy a store bought sandwich darling!"

We always seem to do the most amazing things with the Lee family, and I look forward to many more adventures around the world in the future.

Eva's Birthday

2008-01-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

Well as usual I was spoiled rotten by family, from the time before 6am that Ella woke me up with "Happy Birthday Mummy your presents are under the bed!!" and lots of kisses.

One of my presents was a wonderful new camera and I took this shot of the early morning sun through the leaves outside our window still sitting in bed. Then I was treated to a lovely dinner by my wonderful husband and the next day Levi and Ella gave me a party, complete with champagne, wonderful cake and candles and glorious dinner, at the ever fabulous Saville Isaacs home. You will see a photo of the family water fight on their deck below, unfortunately I have had to remove most of the photo so that there is no rudie nudie!!

This is the happiest birthday I have had in years, feeling more settled and peaceful at last and with my beloved family. Throughout the day I received messages or spoke to all those dear to me, both near and far, once again showing that distance is no barrier to true friendship and closeness.

New Years Eve 2007

2007-12-31T17:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everybody.

Hope your evening was as good as ours, we spent the evening in Kirribilli with Sussane and Neil as hosts and our dear O'Flynne's up for the holiday.

Below - Eva and Andrea at 6 o'clock on the deck.

We walked to the bridge for the family show at 9pm and then put the kids to bed and watched the incredible midnight display from the deck. Sydney fireworks are incredible!!!

The photo's just cannot capture the feeling of being under the fireworks but I have had a try, there were one million people clustered around the bay for a view, but it was all fairly well behaved and our designated driver (Mark) managed to get us all home safely.
Andrea and Eva at 9 o'clock, thank God for soft focus.

Above - Walking to the bridge with hundreds of other families.

Below - Fireworks over the opera house as seen under the Sydney bridge.

Midnight on the balcony.May it be a peaceful and prosperous year for you all.

Boxing day - Sydney Hobart race

2007-12-25T23:08:00.000-08:00

In true Sydney sider style we celebrated boxing day with a leisurely start and then a picnic while we watched the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. What the photos just don't show is the number of boats that were in the harbour to watch the race, every boat bigger than a kayak was gathered round the starting track and created a whirlpool of waves around the heads as the big boats left the harbour for the open seas. We watched from Middle Head where we could hear the starters gun and see the boats do the full turn around the heads and south along the coast to Bondi.

Below you can see the boats curving to the right around the South Head and heading out to the open sea. The white water is not surf!! Its the wake caused by the hundreds of pleasure craft that watch the start.

Hot summer in the city

2007-12-21T00:03:00.000-08:00

(For those who still remember Billy Idol!) and today it was a blistering blue sky day in the city centre. Ella and I went to see the all singing all dancing (and this is not a joke) Wiggles - I survived, even singing "mashed potato mashed potato", and consider myself totally naturalised!!

Well afterwards we went for a stroll around Darling Harbour and Ella discovered the many fountains around Cockle Wharf, and before I could say "skippity bip" (a recent Ella saying) Ella had most of her kit off and was the only person in the entire city feeling refreshed.

This is a spiral fountain at the bottom of the Darling Harbour basin. You can see Cockle Wharf in the background and Ella and lots of other children cooling off in the waterfalls.

The Myburghs bring Christmas

2007-12-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

A collection of reindeer and Christmas elves came to visit last weekend.

And even better they brought roast lamb dinner!!! Christmas can come around any day!!

So good to have these guys close by.

Redlands North Harbour 2007 concert

2007-12-07T20:28:00.000-08:00

We have been very sad to say goodbye to Redlands North Harbour campus, even though Ella will be joining some of her classmates at the Cremorne campus next January.

We have loved the teachers and they sent the kids off with a fabulous seaside inspired concert. All the artwork is the hardwork from the last school term. It has been a wonderful year with lots of fun, friends and new skills learned.

My favourite books

2007-12-04T12:51:00.000-08:00

The New York Times just listed its top 100 books for 2007 and it got me to thinking about how many of them I have or haven't read, and also what my favourite books are.

I am starting a list, please add your ideas because I am sure I haven't remembered all my favourites and I am always looking for new books to read.

The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit JRR Tolkein (ofcourse)
Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen (still read it every now and then)
Possession AS Byatt
Midnights Children Salman Rushdie
The Moors Last Sigh Salman Rushdie
The Power and the Glory Graham Greene
The Quiet American Graham Greene
Sidarttha Herman Hesse
I Claudius Robert Graves
Life and Times of Michael K JM Coetzee
The Man who ate everything Jeffrey Steingarten (because food will never be the same again)
My Brilliant Career Miles Franklin
The Earthsea Trilogy Ursula Le Guin (read and loved many many times)
The Cornish Trilogy Robertson Davies
The Deptford Trilogy Robertson Davies (also much reread)
100 Years of Solitude Gabriel Garcia Marques
The Famished Road Ben Okri
Alias Grace Margaret Atwood (also Cat's Eye & Oryx and Crake)
A Stranger in a Strange Land Robert Heinlein
Catch 22 Joseph Heller
Slaughterhouse 5 Kurt Vonnegut
To Kill a Mockingbird Harper Lee
One Flew over a Cuckoo's Nest Ken Kesey
1984 George Orwell
Gone with the Wind Margaret Mitchell
Captain Corelli's Mandolin Louis de Bernieres
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain
A Picture of Dorain Gray Oscar Wilde
Middlesex Jeffrey Eugenides
Anna Karanina Tostoy
The Dark is Rising Susan Cooper
Birdsong Sebastain Faulks
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe CS Lewis
Perfume Patrick Suskind
Miss Garnet's Angel Sally Vickers
Illusions Richard Bach
Goodnight Mister Tom Michelle Magorian
Lord of the Flies William Golding
Die Swerfjare vanPoppie Nongana

Books that might make it and are excellent:

The Life of Pi Yann Martel
The Book Thief Markus Zusak

Great holiday reads and authors:

Anything by Minette Walters
Ian Rankin's Insptector Rebus series

Favourite childrens reading:

Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit (ofcourse) JRR Tolkein
The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (whole series ofcourse) CS Lewis
Just So Stories Rudyard Kipling
Danny the Champion of the World (and anything else by) Roald Dahl
My Family and other animals (and anything else by) Gerald Durrel
White Fang Jack London
Call of the Wild Jack London
Treasure Island Robert Louis Stevenson
The Faraway Tree Enid Blyton
Puck of Pooks Hill Rudyard Kipling
Rikki-tikki-tavi Rudyard Kipling

cute kids quotes (ella & friends)

2007-11-24T22:46:00.000-08:00

Every now and then either Ella or one of her friends comes out with an absulute pearl of a saying, they really can make you laugh until you cry sometimes.
I have decided to keep a list of them so we don't forget them!

Bacground: Opening the curtains on a sunny Sunday morning in late August I commented "Summer is on the way" to which Ella responded "I wonder where it went on its holidays?"

Background: Lisa and Levi are telling us about the "dummy tree", this is a tree where Levi is going to hang his dummy, then he will get a present and another child who needs it more will get the dummy.
Lisa "we are into recycling"
Levi "but I am not ready to recycle yet"
Levi age 3 and a half

Background: Matthew wakes up scared in the night and Jo goes to him to soothe him.
Jo "Don't worry the angels will protect you"
Matthew wailing "But Mummy I don't want the angels I want ADT"
Matthew Boting age 3, get a South African to explain

Backround: Ella and I are lying in bed having a cuddle just as see falls asleep.
Ella "Mum, do you miss me when I am in my dream?"
Eva "You don't go anywhere, we are both still here in the bed, so I don't have to miss you. You are just having a dream in your brain inside your head"
Ella after some sleepy thinking "Goodbye mum...I am going into my dream... don't worry I will come back...in a minute"
Ella age 4

Background: Ella is thoughtful at the dinner table one evening and is asking us about how people get married, she has recently seen photos of a wedding.
Ella "Who is the man who says 'your awful wife'?"
Ella age 4

Background: One day after school Ella asks "Mom, do French poodles speak French?"
Ella age 5

Background: Pat Cody is taking Patrick to his first day of kindergarten and he asks him what he thinks he will be when he grows up. (First he says he will marry Ella.)
PJ "I am going to be a builder."
Pat asks what made him think of being a builder.
PJ "Because I am going to build a house for my bride."
Patrick is 5

Background:Cindy is getting ready for a wedding and is all dressed up in her formal dress and is putting on her makeup.
Emily "Mum you look so beautiful! The prince is going to be so pleased with you!"
Emily age 3

Background:The O'Flynne family is travelling in the car and Keely is fussing with his shoes.
Keely "Mummy, take shoe off."
Andrea "No Keely keep your shoes on"
Keely "Mummy, something in shoe"
Andrea "Whats in your shoe?"
Keely "Foot Mummy"
Keely age 2

Snorkeling at Manly

2007-11-18T01:51:00.000-08:00

We have had another fabulous Sydney weekend with sun and sea featuring high in what we were up to. And this weekend was extra special because Ella had her first snorkel with Brendan!!! We have been waiting for her to be big enough to fit a mask so she could try and finally we found one small enough for her little face, and guess what she is a natural!! Face straight in, breathing and floating like she has always done it, even ducking under the water to get closer to the fish.

We celebrated with a snorkel at Manly's harbour side beach where there is a large netted swimming area. We had been told this was fabulous, not because you need the nets for safety, but because the bottom of the nets are filled with sea life and most particularly the Leafy Sea Dragon, a sea horse type creature without the twisty tail but with lovely dragon like lacy wings.

In th picture below you can just see Brendan's bottom on the surface as he ducks down for another look.

Well unfortunately no Sea Dragons but there were sea horses which we have never seen before and wonderful to see out of the aquariums. Also a cuttlefish snoozing on the sand, a pineapple fish and various other harbour residents. I am constantly amazed at the sea life in this very utilised and busy harbour! Well so many swims to look forward to in the future, so many islands and pools we can now explore as a family, how marvelous!

Ella's first day as a Balmoral Nipper

2007-11-05T23:31:00.000-08:00

Brendan and I were so proud of Ella on her first outing as a Balmoral nipper!!

The beach was filled with nippers and lifesavers as far as the eye could see and our little group raced around filling buckets with water, crawling through tunnels on the obstacle course, doing tug of war, and racing for batons in the sand. Sand flying everywhere!!!

Getting ready for the baton race.

The O'Flynn's come to visit

2007-11-05T20:27:00.000-08:00

We have just had a wonderful visit from Andrea and Abbie!!!

We all picked up right where we left off, Ella was so excited she just about burst on the way to the train station to fetch them.

We have had lots of fun touring around sydney with visits to the Aquarium and the beach, trips on the ferry and lots of fun, food and laughter.

Come back soon!!!

Pastels

2007-10-21T03:43:00.001-07:00

Foxeys Lookout vineyards

These are getting to be a rather long time ago now, I haven't managed to get drawing time for a while but I am going to post them as a reminder to myself to arrange some lessons and do more.

Two Bays - the view of the vineyard from the cottage

Ella's art

2007-10-21T03:19:00.000-07:00

Just when I think I couldn't be more amazed at how Ella develops and views the world, she starts drawing like this. This was after a school outing to the airport to talk about travel.

The beginning of summer

2007-10-21T03:07:00.000-07:00

OCT 2007:

This was a magical late spring day - just warm enough to want to be on the beach but not hot enough for swimming yet.

Making the day really specialPatrick took Brendan and the kids for a spin in their boat, but while they were away I saw a school of dolphins playing just off the beach.

Spring has come to the rock pools too. We spotted a massive school of tiny fish from the balcony, literally thousands of finger size fish swarming around the rocks and being hunted by four persistant shad. The photo really doesn't do the volume of them justice.

At the same time we spotted these sea slugs in the rockpools, hundreds of them where a week before there were none, wonder how long they will stay around.

GO BOKKE!!!! We are the champions!!!

2007-10-21T02:49:00.000-07:00

Up before dawn (you can see the sun coming up over our shoulders) to support the Bokke at the World Cup Final. We were joined early by Graeme, Ally and Kerry and at half time by the entire and very supportive (one Kiwi one Aussie) Cody family.

AND THEY WON!!!

This is a good way to start the day. Even better when its followed by a delicious hot breakfast and then a swim in a warm clear sea. We are really living in paradise here!!! Then it was time to try out the new family kayak which was a hit with friends and family. Later on we explored the coves at Clontarf, I am LOVING summer.

Ella's fifth birthday

2007-10-21T02:42:00.000-07:00

Look what happened to our little girl!!!

She is growing up so fast and celebrated her fifth birthday with special family and friends and enormous excitement at the Manly Aquarium.

We couldn't be proud of our happy and sparkling little treasure!!!

Bottling our Red Hill Pinot

2007-06-19T05:12:00.000-07:00

Well our Red Hill winemaking experience has come to a final close when we bottled the 2006 Red Hill Pinot Noir.
It would not have been possible without Tony who both gave lots and lots of advice during the picking, fermenting and pressing and then looked after our precious barrel at the Foxeys Cellar door for a whole year.
Then he very generously let us invade his winery again, at harvest time when he is hectically busy, and lent us all the equipment to do the bottling by hand. So now we have several cases of Burgess Red Hill pinot ready to drink and I must say it is delicious!!!!
We hope that its not the last time we go down this road and that there are other vintages of various types in our future.

The proud wine makers first glass of his vintage - not every day a dream comes true

So it was a bittersweet end to an amazing adventure. Quite hard to be in the great beauty of Red Hill and with our much loved friends, but not at home any more. I really do love that part of the world and the people that we connected with during our time there. But it still was an immensly satisfying day and I think we all enjoyed our tasks on the production line. Andrea, Abbie and Keeley joined us for the day, so they saw every part of the process too, and were also roped into working - no such thing as a free lunch - and even the little girls got in on the act, very seriously putting the caps on the bottles one by one or putting the corks into the machine, and at other times ran around and climbed the barrels or treehouse with Katie and Julian.

The bottling line up for the day - Eva, Brendan, Ella and Abbie, Tony, Andrea & Paul - & Keeley observed enthusiastically!

It was an amazing day and reminded me what a huge experience it has been, what wonderful friends we made, what incredible memories we will always have. Red Hill will always hold a special place in my heart.

Necklace lessons

2007-06-19T03:44:00.000-07:00

Allie has introduced me to a new type of jewellery making and perhaps a new obsession. We went to a bead shop for a lesson in crochet necklace making, and before you say something rude about needing a crochet doilie for the back of the couch or loo roll (like Brendan) take a look at the results! I have been wearing mine ever since and dashed back the next day for more beads to make a present for Andrea. Need a job to feed my desire to make bead necklaces.

Allie and I are plotting to have an Alison and Jo style home open day, for those who don't know an open day at somebody's house where all the creative people have stalls and try and sell their stuff to long suffering friends and family. Ok so first we need a slightly bigger circle but I can see by then we are going to have a LOT of stock in the jewellery stand!Orders anybody?

Luna Park Expedition

2007-06-19T03:33:00.000-07:00

As a treat we all went to Luna Park for a day of tummy twisting rides and general frovility.Ella loved everything, especially the stuff that goes round and round and makes Brendan very dizzy!!!I have forgotten just how scary even the smallest of rollercoasters can be.

Lots of fun and definately to be repeated. The park is on the harbour right next to the bridge, see the second pic, and that little red dot at the top of the rollercoaster is Ella and Brendan!!!

Mussels and rainy weather

2007-06-19T03:22:00.000-07:00

Spent a fabulous lunch with Allie and Graham today, went to Bungalow 8 on the Kings Wharf, just off Darling Harbour for their house speciality, kg pots of mussels in different broths, yummmmmm!!! Great company and food and we were sitting under the eaves outside as the rain was just bucketing down, lovely warm tropical rain. It has been really rainy today with gorgeous lightening displays over the sea last night. But don't get the wrong idea, it has been lovely beach weather the whole week and to prove it I am posting this photo of Ella jumping off the rocks into the sea near Manley (photo by Graham).