24 August, 2005
an evening of art
A couple of my favourites from the exhibition were not however, related to flowers and included noah's ark, Christ turning water into wine (for no religious reason, they just made me laugh), and a still life of fish.
B has agreed to get me the catalogue, so when he does I will upload the pictures.
15 August, 2005
nephews
This weekend was little Will's Baptism. Here he is resplendent in the christening gown that mum got when I was christened 35 years ago and that my sisters and brother (his dad) also wore.
Big brother Max also wore the same gown 3 years ago.
13 August, 2005
neighbourly
We couldn't believe it, the neighbours have 6 sons and 3 of them came bearing dinner just as we were about to head out the door. It was quickly decided that it would look rude of us to head off for the movie straight away (eat dinner later), so a raincheck was made on the movie.
How different it is in our house in the 'burbs as opposed to the townhouse development where you would think people would be more neighbourly.
PS. Dinner consisted of some sort of homemade sausages, seafood salad, lebanese bread, a very garlic dip, and some other sort of dip, and the best green salad ever (it was very lemony and even had tiny bits of lemon with the skin intact in it). YUMM! and thank you neighbours.
10 August, 2005
locked out
I had been invited on the trip, and clad in pj's, socks and a jumper (I wasn't getting out of the car) I didn't have my handbag/keys. I did the responsible thing though of asking B if he had his keys when I was waiting for him on the front steps, and he said he did. However, just as he closed the door, he realised he had his car keys and no house keys! TOO LATE.
Out in the cold a phone call was made to the only person with a spare, but since that call went to voicemail we had to think of another way in...cutting a long story short, thank goodness for the poor maintenance undertaken by the previous owner and the use of silicon to hold in the window panes (in the only window without key locks), and thanks to dad for leaving the window repair tools with us. We managed to break in without too much effort, at the same time as cleaning up one of the three panes that need the silicon removed before the putty can be replaced.
03 August, 2005
Office Cat
02 August, 2005
validation required
Compounding my mood:
~ the WWW (no, not the world wide web) has struck again. My message to this person is - we are over it, OK. You won. We are getting on with our lives and you should too. I cannot be bothered by your latest stunt - it's just mean.
~ I would like to give my friend P a hug, her dad has been diagnosed with a terminal illness, I think it's cancer.
I am hoping to return shortly, with a more positive post. I am knitting a scarf, I might share some pictures of that with you next time...
26 July, 2005
I am still here
In addition to all the unpacking, I have spent the last 3 weeks at work and on weekends working on the house, namely replacing glass which I would have given up on if it were not for dad (and mum providing the sustenance). The glass is all replaced now and after a productive weekend the light is replaced in our bedroom (brought with us from the old place), we have wall lights in the dining room, an austrian blind and curtain material has been purchased for the bay window, a new letterbox is in place, and more of the privet has been chopped down.
We have met the neighbours to the South, and that is another story......
14 July, 2005
On the buses….
Then today, the day started early with the technical tours and for me it was off to Edgebaston Cricket Oval, where in two weeks will see the Test match between the Australian team and England in the ashes battle, and toDunstalll Park Racecourse. We had an additional stop that was not advertised to Birmingham City Football Club, and wow what a stop.
So, after a very long day, here are some more pics….
12 July, 2005
This must be a dream…
If so, please do not wake me up! I feel as though I am in the French Riviera, Monte Carlos or some other exotic location. In fact, in today's welcome by the Lady Mayoress and fellow Council member, we were told that this place is the 'Preferred Resort Location for many Brit's' and it is not hard to see why!
This morning, after waking at around 5.30am local time, I went for a walk along the Promenade. It was already so warm that I went for a swim in the little pool at the Eastern end. Then upon returning to the hotel and showering and getting dressed, I went downstairs for another hearty breakfast before heading to the first day of the conference. You know, what I actually came here for!
The day lingered on and on, and I finally got to meet two of the absolute gurus of the Turf world. They are Jim Beard and Prof. Bill Adams. Two of the worlds most highly regarded Turf Scientists in the world.
Anyway, the day continued on until 5pm, which marked the end of the day, so it was now time to hit the town, beach or what ever. I took the swimming option after getting some more pics of the place. Remember though, it is still daylight here until 10PM! That is, the sun is STILL up, so a walk along the Promenade quite late is very comforting indeed.
So here are some more pics:
11 July, 2005
Tremendous view
What a beautiful day….
So off I went downstairs where I met the lovely owner’s wife. She was commenting to the head of housekeeping to my size (6’3”) and so on, and after about 20 mins or so, it was all about me the colonial lodger whom needed a longer bed! Not that there was anything wrong with my bed (or view) apart from the fact the wardrobe at the end made a lovely stop for my feet!!! So, they decided I needed better and I was moved as a ‘Person of size’! Can you believe it? When I have watched Airlines on TV, they use this line to make a person pay for two seats! I hope they are not going to charge me for two rooms!!! But, seriously though, they are truly lovely people here as they even offered to do my (small) amount of laundry, and I get to use their Internet connection!!!
Why I here you ask? Because the stupid Department of Environment and Conservation gave me a laptop with NO Internet to connect to, bloody idiots!
A comedy of errors…
Next thing you know, we were pulling into Manchester Piccadilly, where I had to change trains (huh) to the airport. Upon arrival, I was informed that I had to go out and catch a bus, which is when I panicked as I had to catch a shuttle to Llandudno at 2.30! Well, out I went and catch the bus I did which seemed to go on for ages. I arrived at the airport at 1.45 and tried to find out where I had to go to catch the shuttle. After looking around for a while, there was nothing to see that might indicate where I was going so I went to the information booth for some help and was told that there were a few other delegates here and we would be called.
Move ahead to 4 pm when there was no sign of any shuttle so we huddled together and decided that we now had to get our own way there. I went off to the car rental people, where 4 of the 5 had nothing and the last had one for 86 pounds. The lady from Sygenta had a driver and a mini bus for 156 pounds and off we went.
After arrival I found the hotel (very VERY nice) and unpacked. I then went off in search of dinner (1.20 pounds of chips) ate dinner, went for a walk, SMS ‘L’ and off to sleep.
10 July, 2005
while you were sleeping addendum
Glass replacement lesson no. 1
Measure the frame for the window pane twice ..... did that to the nearest millimetre for no less than 15 window panes.
Measure the frame from the outside ..... or you will be out by up to 1cm .... and this is where I went wrong.
Have a first aid kit on hand (pardon the pun) .... for the repair needed for the slicing of finger whilst handling freshly cut (and wrong sized) glass .... something I didn't have on hand (pardon the pun), so am now sporting a strip of old flannellette nightie from the rag bag wrapped around finger with masking tap holding it in place (thank you, mum).
Stay calm when all goes wrong (thank you, dad) have a cup of tea and piece of sweet bun, continue to spend the rest of the day chiselling out putty, measure windows twice from the outside and with a metal ruler (dad came prepared, he had a feeling about this job), and if you're as pathetic at the home handyperson stuff as I obviously am, and have a great mum and dad, they will come back during the week to finish the job.
Next weekend ... 'pointing 101' or remortaring brickwork.
while you were sleeping
B, I must apologise for the dozen or so SMS's I sent you this morning (your night), it was lovely to get your SMS to say goodnight/morning. I did try calling but the number you gave me at the B&B went to a fax machine. I should have tried the mobile (by the way can you please get that 2 card thingy for your mobile) however, I just do not know which number to call. It took me some time to work out the area codes and Miss Jas (the little witch) had left me a wet present on the floor, so that by the time I rang and got the fax machine, and sent the SMS's, I was quite worked up.
Anyway, so far whilst you have been sleeping I
- have moved quite a few of the pot plants off the front lawn and out back, including the lime, it looks quite good.
- mopped the floors, I figured if I had to clean Jas's mess I might as well do the lot.
- got the ladder out and attempted to reach the gutters out front (it looked like rain) but gave up when I realised the ladder was about a metre short and I could do myself an injury.
I am now waiting for mum and dad to arrive so that we can cut down some of the privet and replace the broken window panes. It is not going to be fun, it is a really horrible day, with howling winds that are icy cold. I have the heater on and am huddled under a quilt at the computer at present.
On a pleasant not though, I have discovered that sitting at the computer and looking from this window I can see Centerpoint Tower. Another reason why the Liquid Amber must go.
I will ring you around 6ish my time, I am guessing that they might switch the phones to fax after a certain time. Although could you check the number you sent me?
L
09 July, 2005
a day of mixed fortunes
When I did get back to Liverpool, I had a 'date' with Auntie Pat to go to the Bingo here at the Retirement Village. It would have been a hoot except for the fact that I had a 'quick' lie down at 6.20pm which ended up being a 2am wake-up!! WOW I must have been dog tired.
Today, in about 20-30 mins actually, I will be off back to Liverpool Lime Street station to catch the train back up to Manchester Airport. It is from here that the conference organisers have put on a shuttle bus service into Llandudno. So hopefully there will be some spectacular scenery that I can get some photo's of. And I promise that when I get to the hotel I will send across some pics!!
Oh, before I go, today marks the return of summer here with temperatures ranging from 26-28 degrees!!!!
08 July, 2005
what happened to summer????
After all of the good news from yesterday with London being granted the Olympics, it went into chaos this morning with the bombings in Central London. Big news over here really, but we were still to hear about it when my brother 'D' called here to see if I was alright! Mind you, Liverpool is nowhere near London!!!!
Today, we walked along the Mersey River where there are about 30-40 bronze statues positioned along in the sand. Very weird really with all these statues either well out of the water, just in or way out in the 'surf' so to speak!!!
We also went up to my Uncle Joes place who has recently come out of hospital. After that, we came back to the flat and I had a 'quick rest' which ended up being a full on sleep with Auntie Pat knocking at the door at the time that we were due at the restaurant for dinner!!
After a yummy dinner, I am now back at the flat and about to go and have a well earned sleep.
06 July, 2005
my god it's wet in Japan!
I arrived after the night flyer of QF21 to Narita. I was really lucky in my seating, as I changed my pre-assigned seat, in an attempt to get an exit row. The seat I was assigned was 20C (aisle) but when I got onbord, there was almost no leg room as it was up against a wall!! The lovely check-in agent gave me 65K, which was not obly a window seat, but 2 window seat!!! There was a tonne of leg room, even though the child in front was for the most part of the first 3-4 hours, putting here seat up then down then up and then down. Thank goodness her mother finally got jack of it and told her to stop it or the plane will fall out of the sky!!
Looking out the window here in the internet cafe, all I can see is rain, rain and more bloody rain. The approach was almost not visible due to the low cloud (rain) and it was a bit bumpy.
Note, Japan time is 1 hour behind!
05 July, 2005
off to warmer climes....
Passport..... Check again (I am British too you know!!)
Ticket(s)..... Check
Greencard to exit Australia..... Check
Bags packed..... NO!!!
Well, guess I know what I have to do over the next couple of hours then!!!!!
Well one and all, it is off I go, but it will be a couple of days until I get back (almost) full time online. So until then, it will be a matter of internet cafes and the like. Actually, I recall that in Tokyo airport, there is a nice window view in the Internet cafe, maybe I will go there again whilst I am in transit!!
Hoo Roo until I get to the other side!!!
02 July, 2005
lost kitty in first time out of the new house....
Upon my return, I was thinking "god am I glad to be home, 'L' was going to have cooked dinner to which we could sit down and rest afterwards...... NO"!!
'L' came out to me with the engine barely turned off FRANTIC......... "she's gone, we've lost her"
Oh god I thought, this is the last thing we (I) need, as on Tuesday, I am off to Wales... Did I tell you I am going overseas, No? I will later...
Anyway, back to the story, 'L' told me she looked EVERYWHERE!! And everywhere included under the new bed (thanx Stevie), in boxes, cupboards EVERYWHERE!!
She had been outside calling her, I went outside call her (god knows why as she doesn't like me, and why would you go to someone you don't like???), and the best I could say to 'L' was "lets not get stressed here (Outright LIE as I was stressed out about how stressed 'L' was going to be!!!), lets just let it go for a little bit, and see what happens.
Well, 'L' had cooked dinner, a roast rack of Lamb, YUMM! But, the stress she was under, and the fact that the new house has a fan forced oven, meant that it was now well and truly cooked and there was no sign of any thing else to go with it (potatoes, veges etc)...
'L'' started to get some rice cooked and some peas, and I snuck out around the block which would have been particularly nice if it wasn't for the circumstances, calling for Jasmine. I even snuck out the back when I got back, with her full bowl of food, tapping the side of it with a spoon which normally gets her into the house double time!!
So we sat down for dinner when all of a sudden L got all excited and asked if I had heard that??? You see, this is new to us as Jasmine has a new collar on with her name and phone number that tinkles a lot.... So I listened a bit, and upset her with all I could hear was a cricket *sigh*
Well after an hour, L was in the rear lounge room and I got an SMS from my friend Josh, the other 'B's brother and went to my mobile to get it, read it, answer it and send it on its way. I thought, I will go outside in the cold (glad to be going to the UK where it will be warm) and have another look, when at the door was our little white ball of fluff sitting waiting patiently to gain her entrance pass. Apart from wanting to kick her to kingdom come (something I would NEVER do by the way) I let her in without saying a word and followed her to the rear lounge. It wasn't until she shook herself that 'L' looked at her and just stared at her for about 20 seconds before realising that she was actually looking at Jasmine. Needless to say she was very happy to see her again, but also cross with the fact that she had gone on her own little holiday at the same time. Tears were now flowing.....
A happy ending after all.
Now, with me going overseas next Tuesday, I am off to Llandudno Wales to attend the 10th International Turfgrass Research Conference. I am going via Tokyo Japan, then onto Copenhagen Denmark before landing in Manchester, where I will go to my Auntie Pat's place in Liverpool. After the conference, I will be going down to London for a couple of days (4-5), and I might catch the Eurostar across to France for a treat before heading back home. Can't wait to get on the plane, but I will miss the lovely 'L', who as we bought the new house, can not come along, but she has until Tuesday to change her mind, so stay tuned!!!
Gotta go and unpack my bag so as I can start packing for my trip hey....
'L'' how can I help.......
22 June, 2005
bring on the removalist....
Let me take you through the process...
We originally had our first meeting with the bank about this house on the 8th Feb, just a couple of days after looking through it for the first time. Since then, Sam had been calling us almost every week if not day. But we had told him (numerous times) what we wanted him/vendor to do...
Eventually, things were completed by the previous owner and we signed the contracts just after I got out of hospital, and we hadn't heard a thing from him since! Now, on Monday the settlement went through thanks to the lovely solicitor and her legal sec, I called Sam to arrange collection of the keys, and he said that he will leave them with the girl in the office as he will not be there!!
Ok, me thinks and thought nothing more of it, but when yesterday he arrived at the new house to collect the signs out the front, and all he was interested in was the fact there was one 'SOLD' sign missing and did we know where it was????? No, "Congratulations on your new home" or "Are you happy to be moving in, when are you moving in??". NOTHING!!!!!
Oh well, that's all I have time for right now, so see you from the new house. Oh by the way, after tonight, we will be off the WWW for a couple of days, so sorry for delays in posting...
21 June, 2005
valet Brian Strutt
packing up the house
Here's some photos of the packing in progress.
20 June, 2005
90 next thursday
*As a postscript - I hate it when people from the eastern suburbs say they will get a nose bleed coming out to the western suburbs or even crossing the bridge, grow up and don't be so boring. You should be ashamed of yourself at your age, you stupid woman.... and your eyebrows are too thin!
18 June, 2005
i'm in need of a cure for insomnia
- accompany B to get a haircut, I have cancelled the eyebrow wax, and manicure (what was I thinking),
- shop for presents for the youngest cousin (she'll be 15, a straw pole of acquaintances with teenagers tell me they want money most of all, so that will be easy) and a present for my (grand)Pa, and this one is proving difficult, he'll be 90 - and the grandmother has stipulated it must be "consumable, nothing that means she'll have to find a space in the house to put it",
- make a Bailey's dip and accomanying fruit platter for the birthday celebration on Sunday, and
- attend birthday celebration (not before a cucumber or cold teabag eye compress, and I am going to sleep Saturday night right through to Sunday morning).
As it is now almost a reasonable hour of the morning - I am back to bed and will wake just as the bread finishes baking (I can smell it now and it smells pretty good) , and I will not look like I am allergic to the littlest sister's cat ( I am, and my eyes are still sore, but it was fun visiting them yesterday), and will be able to string sentences and thoughts together which I am struggling to do at present.
Ciao
11 June, 2005
in need of a cure for ebay?
I know I should be studying but the occassional visit to my favourite blogs breaks the monotony.
boofhead of the week goes to ....... b
Boofhead of the week goes to B who was so adamant it was A's (of BMJ fame) birthday on Wednesday (when really it was Tuesday) that both Natski (of Rock the Kazbaar) and I (who should have known better and really did) didn't ring A until Wednesday to wish her a Happy Birthday.
B has known A for longer than either of us (20+ years???) and he has a range of excuses that A seemed able to forgive him, but I am not going to be so kind. You made Nat and I look like idiots buddy! So I am awarding you 'boofhead of the week' twice!
And how was this for trying to score points.... last night B cooked a special birthday dinner* for A and for entertainment dropped his trousers to reveal his new blue monkey boxers. The strategically positioned bananas got a laugh.
04 June, 2005
boofhead of the week goes to....... L
Now, I have not really been sleeping that well, and I have generally be awake until about 3.30am. On the said morning from L's last blog regarding the toilets, it was around 5.20am when a very dejected L came back to bed, rather cold I might add. I asked as to what she was doing, and the conversation went something like this:
L: Nothing much....
B:Ok then....
L: But there is something, do you promise not to be cross?? (who me??)
B: Ok, what is it (Thinking she had been at the now banned website eBay)??
L: Umm, you know how you fixed the toilet in the bathroom by bending the float arm to stop it overfilling into the bowl....
B: Yes????
L: I did the same in the downstairs one as it was driving me mad....
B: Well done honey that's great...... (Thinking about going back to sleep).....
L: Now you DID promise NOT to get cross right....???
B: (Now VERY awake) What happened?
L: I broke it!
How to go from this.....
The irony of all this was that today, both F.I.L and my M.I.L (Father In Law & Mother In Law) were coming over that day for the F.I.L to fix it! So, we got the correct part and went home, installed it and then found out, it was correct, but the original center bit that controls a half/full flush would also have to be replaced as it was not allowing for a smooth action of the replaced other bit that fills up the cistern!!! We had lunch and said our goodbyes to the F.I.L and the M.I.L and went back to Bunnings to replace the next bit as well.
Finally, after 3 trips (the original one to get the 2 washers and the 2 trips to get 2 different parts), we now have proper functioning toilets!
No! It has now become apparent, that the toilet that L originally broke that fine morning, is leaking from where the tap meets the pipe that goes up to the cistern. So after another trip to get a braided piece of hose to install tomorrow, hopefully it will now be fixed. If not, I will move out. Hang on, I already am!!!!!!