Today was spent pottering around. We started with a trip to Engadine for some groceries and to get a SIM card for the phone Mel had lent me. Also needed to top up our opal cards and get a new one, get Mum's watch fixed, then we headed to Kirrawee to try and get a new element fro the oven. Unfortunately that was a bust - after circling for ages trying to find somewhere to park the place wanted to charge over twice the price you could buy it for online - I don't think so. We then went back to Sutherland to meet up with Dad's solicitor. I needed to sign Dad's Power of Enduring attorney and Guardianship whilst I was here. luckily about halfway through signing I realised that he was getting me to sign the wrong papers - so it took longer than expected cause then he had to go and find the right papers.....
Home for lunch than about 1pm Dad and the kids headed back down to play trains and Mum and I drove down to Miranda Fair so I could update my Australian Drivers license. Amazingly I was in and out in 10 mins so we decided to check out Lincraft which was right next door to the RTA (or what ever they call it these days). I didn't expect to find anything but I did - A beatuiful velour fabric in a fantastic jungle print. Unfortunately it rang up at a higher price than I expected (based on the signs at the table) so I only got 2 meters of it rather than 3..
Mum and I wandered down the lower floor of Miranda fair just so I could see what it looks like these days - wasn't really tempted to go in anywhere, then we had to find the car and head home. Spent the afternoon watching old videos of ourselves. Spaghetti for dinner.
Day 6 - Tue 2nd July 2019 - Band Fest
The plan for today was to go see Eddie play in his Bandfest concert, but first some trains...
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| Still couldn't get Mum to drive a train but at least she came down to watch |
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| Lots of derailments happening this morning |
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| Lexie like driving the Galloping Goose |
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| Some slight track work required |
At 11am we walked up to Loftus train station and caught the train to Kogarah.
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| A whole train carriage to ourselves. |
We had hoped to have lunch at Kogarah before the concert but despite being lots of places around, finding something were we could sit down and get something Gluten free was hard. We finally settled on a Fish and Chip shop, we figured the grilled fish would be gluten free, but when it came out it had be covered in flour too! such a pain.
The band fest is a concert where the school bands can come and play for an audience no matter what their level - we only stayed for three bands all primary schools (3-6 graders).
Eddie's band played a Queen Medley and skyfall - not too bad.
After watching the Adjudication for Eddies band (They don't get scored just a brief description of what they did well and what needs work) we headed back to the station and caught the train home to Loftus.
Day 7 - Wed 3rd July 2019 - SeaCliff Drive
We tried to get the washing done today, but it decided to rain in the morning - managed to get some of it done and dried but did have to resort to the dryer.
Lexie found my old roller skates in the closet and wanted to try them out. A bit more practicce is required.
Mum's not feeling too great today after the gluten yesterday so took it easy. Had to do some grocery shopping so decided to go to Menai for a change. Stopped at Loftus bakery on the way home for Pies and sausage rolls for lunch again. Got goodies this time too - neenish tart, passionfruit tart, apple pie and rocky road.
In the afternoon the weather cleared a little and Mum was feeling a bit better so we decided to go for a drive. We headed down to Waterfall and into the National Park. We stopped at Otford lookout.
And then again at Bald Hill. No one was out hang gliding today though so there was nothing to watch. Just one hang glider on the ground.
But there were still stunning views down over Stanwell Park.
Finished the drive down the coast to Thirroul
And back up Bulli Pass.
When I finished putting the kids to bed I came out to the lounge room to this - Have to love a couple who still hold hand in front of the TV after 45+ years.
Day 8 - Thur 4th July 2019 - Laughing Goat
The plan for today was to go and See Eddy get an award at his school assembly. We started off the day with a Pancake breakfast, then fixed the oven with the new part that had arrived yesterday - luckily it was easier than we had expected.
We decided to head over to Mels early and get her to meet us half way at an antique shop and cafe for lunch. We got to the antique shop at 11 and browsed for a while - some really cool stuff - Dad got some new Thermos' 1950's style and very cool. Mel joined us about 11:30 and we went to the attached Cafe - the Laughing Goat for lunch. The food was really good - but I forgot to order Josh's fish and Chips - oops. also their service wasn't great in that the drinks didn't arrive till after the meal had.
Mum and I drove back to Mels place with her - so Dad let Lexie sit in the front seat of his car - I see nothing - I know nothing - Just don't get used to it!
At 2:15 we walked from Mels house to their local school and Mel showed us around the playgrounds. We sat through the Assembly - Eddie got an Certificate of Excellence for English, then back to Mels house where we were serenaded by Eddie on flute and Nick on Saxophone and Ernie on Tuba. Josh had fun trying out the instruments especially the tuba.
Day 9 - Fri 5th July 2019 - Bruce
We headed back to Mel's again today - this time to meet up with my cousin Bruce. He had been working last weekend when we had the big get together and couldn't make it, but he was flying to China tomorrow so had come down early and could spend the day with us.
We left early to get to Mels house and stopped at Spotlight on the way for some fabric shopping - I didn't find anything I was willing to buy - but did get a new ball of sock yarn, and the kids each got a build your own stuffed animal kit to give them something to do.
Had a great time catching up with Bruce - he really had caught the travel bug - he's the last person I would have expected to go to China - let alone going back a second time! We walked up the street to buy lunch, chicken, chips, pies, sausage rolls - Lexie and I really like this being able to walk to places so easily Stopped at the greek cake shop on the way back for some goodies too! yum!
The kids got home from school around 3:30pm Ernie was really not feeling well and went straight to bed. We ordered pizza for dinner then got Dad's old movie projector out and watched some old home movies from the early 80's . The kids weren't too excited about the movies (except the one of 2 year old me trying to dance but just turning around in circles) but they loved being able to use the old projector and take turns feeding in the film.
Day 10 - Sat 6th July 2019 - Margot and Davids
We packed up out bags this morning and headed for St Ives. I drove Mum and Dad's car and dropped them off at their friends place They were going to have lunch with them and then catch the train home. We headed on to Margot and David's.
After catching up on what everyone had been up to, Margot, the kids and I headed up to the village to have lunch at the Sushi train. Kids had 5 plates of sushi each! it was good, but different to what we get at home. lots more cooked options and less raw fish.
We wandered around the village, bought some drinks at Woolworths and then spent the afternoon simply catching up, watching TV and getting ready to tomorrow.
Lexie started making her teddy bear kit.
Day 11 - Sun 7th July 2019 - Ryerson Party
We got treated to a good display of Australian animals this morning - Kookaburras, magpies, butcher birds, lorrakeets - the lot.
Sue was the first to arrive for the big party - she just bought a new car and wanted to show it off - a little blue mini cooper - very cute! Tim, Anna, Sophia, Jack and Peppa arrived at about noon. Lex and Josh had fun playing with Peppa, but really aren't very good at socialising!
we had a great lunch - prawns and oysters and party pies and sausage rolls for entree, steak sausages, wings and salad for mains and pavlova, lime tart and carrot cake for dessert. It was Sophias 19th Birthday so we sang happy birthday.
Josh had a great time with Tim and Jack - lots of joking around going on.
Josh had a spa bubble bath before bed - so many bubbles!
Day 12 - Mon 8th July 2019 - Back to Mum and Dads
Another easy morning - Josh is really into his Australian football - all codes - this morning he found a league match to watch. We left Margot and David's around 10.30 and had an easy drive back to Loftus. Drove past the old Turramurra place and down Lady Game Drive for old times sakes. Got back to Mum and Dad's in time for lunch.
Mum and I went grocery shopping in the afternoon whilst Dad and the kids played trains again, the some trip planning and game shows before dinner (found a gluten free enchilada kit) , Watched some Australian Ninja Warrior before bed.
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