Rain, Holes and Eyes

This week I have spent a few days with my cousin Susan who as most of you will remember has been very sick in hospital. Well she is now home and on her way to recovery. She still has a fair way to go but is a lot better than I thought she would be at this stage. It was so good to spend time with her and have a conversation. On Friday it was Victoria's turn to get heaps of rain and while I was driving back from Traralgon (2 1/2 hours) I was  in the thick of it the whole drive. I must say it wasn't an easy drive as I couldn't see the road for most of the journey.

Not a fun drive!!

When I arrived home all was OK, except Bosco had decided he was going to try and dig to China!!! This photo doesn't show it properly but this hole is about two feet deep!!

Hole to China

I was pretty angry with him until I realized he had a sore eye - oh poor Bosco. So off to the vet we went, got some cream and forked out $90. Mmmm I guess I will be getting that back from his owner - my son Shane - although I won't hold my breath waiting for the money. 

Bosco's Sore Eye



What is going on in Australia...........?

What is going on in Australia? We have bush fires about 100kms south of Perth in Western Australia and devastating floods in a huge area of Queensland. Is sickens me to read that the bush fires in WA are believed to have been deliberately lit. What possesses someone to light a fire that has the potential to not only damage a persons property but take lives. I know they say that firebugs have a mental condition but I just don't get it.

WA Bushfires - news.com.au

On the other side of the coin the devastating floods in QLD are an act of nature. I feel so much for the people up there, they have had so many years of unrelenting drought and now it is like all the water is coming down in one fail swoop. It is sad that so many will loose houses and businesses but the real tragedy is that some will and have lost their lives. My heart goes out to all who are suffering not only at the hands of others but also at the hands of nature. Whats going on in Australia............?

QLD Floods - Brisbane Times

Successful Challenge

This week I have joined some online friends in a week long challenge. I love and thrive when a challenge is placed before me. It's like I play a game with myself to complete something in a specific time frame. One of the things I wanted to do was to make myself a shoulder bag in the style of one I saw at the night market last Wednesday night. It has lots of pockets to fit all the essentials us girls need but still small enough for me to hang across my shoulder and still have my hands free. Having been a quilter I certainly have no shortage of fabric, so my challenge for my Monday was to start my new shoulder bag. I am now sitting here satisfied that I have succeeded in my Monday challenge. Not only did I start my bag but I finished it. It is amazing how doing anything creative with my hands I am so amazingly as peace.


My new Shoulder Bag - Front



Back of my shoulder bag.



Sunday Road Trip

Today Shane and I ventured out on a lovely "Sunday Road Trip". We didn't have anywhere in particular we wanted to go, we just decided to get in the car and drive. The first place we found ourselves was a small farmers market in Yarra Glen. Shane got his nice hot coffee and we bought the tastiest cherry's I have ever had.


Shane's Coffee

Where to next - we then drove up through Healesville but there were just way to many people. On the road again we drove up through the "Black Spur" which is such a beautiful area to drive through. Two years ago when Victoria went through it's devastating bush fires the "Black Spur" was one of the areas that was hit. The landscape is now quite amazing with the trunks still blackened and the fresh green shoots seemingly just poking out the sides.

"Black Spur"

Lunch was next on the agenda, so we stopped of at the "Black Spur Inn" which is in a small township called Narbethong.

Black Spur Inn

For our return trip home we decided to make our road trip a circle rather than back track. So it was onto Alexandra, then Yea and just before we got back home we stopped of at Sugarloaf Reserve to check how much the water has risen since we were last there. Sugarloaf is a very popular waterway for recreational fishing and the first five minutes we were there a young boy and his Dad caught three Yellow Belly Fish. Sugarloaf is also one of the major water catchments that provide Melbourne with it's water. The last time we went to Sugarloaf Reserve was when we took my dear old Dad there and we sat and ate fish & chips for lunch. I was amazed how much the water had risen I would say probably about 20 metres.



Sugarloaf Fishing



Sugarloaf Reserve

Now back home I am a bit tired but have really enjoyed a great Sunday.

Suzuki Night Market

On Wednesday night Shane & I went to the "Suzuki Night Market" which is held each Wednesday night from November until March on the grounds of Melbourne's famous Queen Victoria Market. This market is a hive of activity consisting of over 150 stalls selling everything from unique clothing to jewellery to original prints. There is a huge range of eclectic choices. This year I have a friend who has a stall selling the most original summer foot accessory I have seen in a while. Kristy sells her original creations "Fancy Feet" and they are comfy and fun to wear.

Kristy's Fancy Feet

The market also has a huge array of international food stalls, ranging from French to Vietnamese and quite a few bars as well. So while sitting, eating and enjoying a nice cold beer you can also listen to music from bands on one of the two stages. For anyone in Melbourne of visiting our fine city between November and March I would certainly recommend a visit to the "Suzuki Night Market".



Mmmmm Paella for dinner.



Yummy cookies & fudge stand



This stand was filled with items made from waste.



Suzuki Night Market


Goodbye 2010 - Hello 2011

Goodbye 2010 - what did the year hold for you?

As with every year, the twelve months are filled with good, bad, happiness and sadness. I love the celebration of finishing one year and love looking forward to the adventures in the new year. 2010 for me was one of many emotions, it was the year I became an orphan when I lost my beautiful Dad in February. It was also a year that I got a brand new sexy black "RAV4" car, I had a wonderful holiday in "Far North Queensland" spending some time just indulging myself in myself, which was exactly what I needed at that time. I decided to leave my career in travel that I had worked in for 15 years and just do casual work when I wanted to work. I spent some wonderful times with my family and friends. I had a great holiday in Bali with a great bunch of girls. I realized just how much I loved and relied on my cousin Susan when she was very sick and now that she is on the mend, I am even more aware of just how short our lives are. 

2011 - What will the next 12 months hold for us?

 I know my 2011 is going to be a fantastic one as I already have a few things on the horizon. Shane and I have a cruise organised to some of the islands of New Caledonia and Vanuatu in April. In May I start an exciting 12 months looking after friends Bed and Breakfast in Daylesford. Then my very exciting news for the year is that I am going to become a Grandmother!!! Yes a Granny - to two babies - both my children are expecting babies. Rachel and Luke are due in June and Shane and Stacey are due in July.

I am very excited!!!!