NOT MUCH HAPPENING

Have been working this past week or so, so not much to report. Had a shopping day on the Monday before Ian & Wen headed home on the 17th after having enjoyed themselves house sitting and visiting family and friends and a trip up to Echuca. My camera died when we got back from Darwin so have bought myself a new Kodak ZD710 which I am busy learning to use. It is very different from my Canon so will see how we go.

Managed in between working to do some scrapbooking which was good. On the days that I was working Phil and Simon managed to finish laying the pavers in the backyard, now will leave them sit for awhile before we do the next stage which is to put a timber pathway and seating area along the back fence. As our driver has resigned and finishes at the end of the month Phil won't have any spare time for awhile.

DRIVING THE BOAT

A DAY OUT ON THE HARBOUR

On Saturday afternoon we all went fishing on the Darwin harbour. It was a beautiful day with just a few whispy clouds in the sky. We spent about 3 hours out on the boat fishing but have to say that as usual I didn't manage to catch anything, but Phil using a hand line caught 3 fish, one stripey and two blue tuskers all of a fairly good size, so as you can imagine he was very pleased with himself.

On the way home I had a go at driving the boat, which I have to say was fun, if not a bit stressful when we got close to the wharf, but then handed over to Deb for her to take us back to the boat ramp. It was a nice way to spend our last day in Darwin and hopefully when we get back up there next time I will manage to finally catch a fish.

FISHING HOLIDAY

THE BIG FISH

Phil and I have just spent a week in Darwin staying with Deb & Steve. The reason for our holiday was simple. Phil was going fishing. The last time we were in Darwin he didnt manage to catch anything so we made this holiday one purely for him to go fishing and to catch a big one.

Well his first day out was not to good, he and Steve went crabbing and didnt get any, but somehow managed to get his right foot caught up in a fish hook resulting in him having the barb going through the top of his foot, through two veins, blood spurting everywhere and ending up in hospital after he collapsed and an ambulance was called.

Anyway he was ok and alls well that ends well. The next day the boys were out again and they managed to catch to very big jew fish. The one Phil is holding weighted 17 kilos and he was very pleased with himself. Have to say that it was wonderful eating and as a non fish eater I thoroughly enjoyed it.

TRAINING

Super Clinic

On Monday I started training to work in our new Super Clinic. I spent the morning at Bacchus Marsh learning the telephone system then on Tuesday began at the Super Clinic. It is very different from the community health centre all new with the latest technology and lovely working conditions. Must admit when I came home on Tuesday had a headache from trying to learn all the new systems and practices. Back again on Thursday for more and again today but by the end of today was feeling much for confident so will see how we go in the future.

Had the day off on Wednesday and did some retail therapy at Watergardens with Trish. Managed to get some scrapbook things I needed and then did a quickie of all the shops as well.

Ian & Wen arrive from Tassie tomorrow night and we fly out for Darwin on Monday. They are having a break over here while we are away and will have the use of my car so a good way to have a cheap holiday, even managed to get them cheap flights with Tiger Airlines.

GRADUATION DAY

Congratulations Melanie - Well done!!!!!

This morning we attended Mel's graduation ceremory from Victoria University which was held at Flemington Racecourse. It was an early start for Mel as she had to be there at 8.00am luckily Phil, Craig & I didnt have to get there till after 9. Melanie's grandparents came down from Ballarat for the ceremory and her boyfriend Ben was there too. Ben was running late so Craig got the job of waiting out the front for him as we had the tickets and they ended up with better seats than we did. The ceremory was very well run and the whole thing took a total of about one half hours. After they received their degrees, there was a keynote speaker who was followed by the validitory speaker then it was all over.

Finger food, tea and coffee was provided upstairs in the Viewing Room which overlooks the finishing post and has wonderful views of Melbourne. We left about 1.00pm for home and Mel and Ben headed back into the city for lunch then off to South Yarra to get together with her other uni mates for drinks. A few photo's from the day.

OLD BUILDINGS AND CHURCHES

One of the reasons for my trip to Launceston was to do some more research into my family and I am glad to say that I did manage to find out a few more interesting things about our original descendant James Peters. The most interesting being the confirmation that he was in fact a halfcaste Chinese gentleman. This gives some truth to the story told by my mother that he was the child of a Chinese princess as she put it and a merchant. He married his first wife Eliza Boon on 24 December 1847 at the Holy Trinity Church Cameron Street. The photos show the Holy Trinity Church as it is today whether this fine church was built back in 1847 I wasn't able to find out. I did find out that during his time as a merchant James Peters had businesses in Cameron Street, Patterson Street and George Street so took a few photos of building dating around that time in those locations.

A WALK IN CITY PARK - LAUNCESTON

During my stay with Dearne one of the special things we did was to walk up to the main shopping area of Launceston in the morning to have coffee. We would walk through City Park with its many oak trees which were loosing their leaves and the old Band Stand with its intricate lace work shrouded in the morning mist after the overnight rain. A really lovely way to start the day.