styling in a Getz

He has lost the tie, the Beemer and the stress frown.  This is the new Rob!  It's still a coupe!

hot, hotter...

The mercury hit 30 degrees today and it's set to keep on climbing.  So far we are loving it and are spending our days at the river and beach.  Yesterday we went down to the river at 10.30am and returned after dark.  We met up with three other families and had a braai on the communal gas burners for lunch.  The children and adults took turns on the various kayaks and everyone chilled out.  Hugo spent most of his day running down a grass embankment and diving head first into the river!  The water is warm and clear and we even spotted a beautiful dolphin 10 metres from the shoreline at sunset. 

The sun is harsh and I have never needed hats and sunscreen more.  We are enjoying the full day out this holiday because by December we will be indoors in the middle of the day, hiding from the harsh rays.  Great news is that Hugo can finally pedal a bicycle.  The emphasis is on pedal, as he never got that right on the hills of Fernwood.  The fairy wheels are still in place but he is doing a stirling job and is so proud of his efforts.  He pedals happily along the river path, desperately trying to catch Adam. 

For now, I am having a cuppa with you.  Hugo is asleep and the big boys have walked two streets over to visit their friends.  The holidays are stretched out ahead of us - Oh happy days.

summer is here

The sun is really giving it horns now and I am told it gets much hotter than this!  We are into the summer pj's, t-shirts and shorts which means less laundry - yay!  Today is break up day at school and the next two weeks are going to be filled with kayaking, surfing, swimming and lots of playing.  We can't wait!

Russell had International Evening at cubs on Wednesday night.  In addition to visiting different countries and learning a bit about them all around the cub hall, each child had to dress up in something beginning with a letter they had pulled out of a hat.  Russell pulled Q and did a double whammy - he taught them about the extinct Quagga - half zebra, half buck - native to South Africa.  He was very amused with the South African table and was able to give the group lots of extra information.  The best part was eating some biltong!!

home sweet home

Well, it is very temporary as our lease ends at the end of February but for now it is home.  We have unpacked our boxes and have surrounded ourselves with things that are familiar and loved, so we are home, for now.

We live in a four bedroom, three bathroom quite modern house.  It is a panhandle which means it is shoe horned behind another house.  The plots (or blocks as they are called here) are very small so we are quite spoiled to have a garden!  Upstairs is a lovely living area with a good sized study and our ensuite bedroom and walk in cupboard.  Downstairs are three bedrooms and two bathrooms with a lounge, tv/games room and an open plan kitchen/dining room.  There is also the standard Australian laundry room.  So we have enough space.

The best part is that it is right next to the school which really helps as the boys can walk home when Hugo is asleep or I can lock him in for five minutes.

bitter sweet

On Saturday night we had our first dinner party.  It was so great to be entertaining again and filling our home with friends and fun.  This weekend Gavin Kerr, Rob's friend and colleague from Macquarie, came over from Sydney for his 30th school reunion.  He stayed with us for for the weekend.  Simultaneously, Hannalie and Dirk spent the weekend here so our house was full to bursting!  Having Hannalie here has been so special for me.  Our friendship has lasted the distance of 16 years and many kilometres.  We have laughed and shared a lot.  It was a great weekend of good food and wine and lovely river walks and outings.  On Saturday night Koos and Liezl joined us for dinner with Hannalie and Dirk. 

It was quite weird.  I really had a good time but also felt twinges of sadness.  I thought of Kim and Loraine as I served the red lentil soup.  I longed for Lara as everyone complimented me on the lamb youvetsi.  I wanted Cullum and Bev to be here for the apple strudel.  Where was Vonnie when I poured tea from my pot?  We danced around my living room without Charl and Celina!

So while I continue to pedal uphill I can see the plateau in the distance and the road is lined with beautiful trees.

faction carnival

Yip, that's what they call inter-house sports day here!  Russell and Adam are in the Blue faction (as opposed to green or red).  They are not very original about the house names!  After a few weeks of time trials and practices the carnival day arrived on a gloriously sunny Friday.  Hugo and I dressed in blue and headed to the school oval to join in the fun.  I had volunteered to help and was given the job of "first place line judge" for the year 1 to 3's.  This entailed standing at the finish line and keeping an eye out for the winner of every running race.  I had to run over and give him/her the winner's ribbon and escort him/her to the scorer's table.  It was great fun and yet another opportunity to meet some parents and get involved.

Hugo was left to play on the side lines and watch the races.  He kept asking me on the way to school when his race was going to be and I tried my best to explain that he was only a spectator.  While doing my duties I noticed the kindy class coming past to get ready for their race and Hugo had snuck into the line and was heading off with them!  Before anyone noticed, he had lined up with the four year olds and ran the 80 metre race, smiling from ear to ear!  He loved the experience and was so pleased to get his sticker at the end.

Adam ran in one of the preprimary groups and won his race!  He was so proud.  Russell had qualified for the first division year 3 race and came fourth.  Russell then took part in the relay and tabloid sports which involves fun games and obstacle courses much like survivor games. 

At the end of the day the Blue faction won which really made the day very special for the Wilson boys.  The only downer was for Hugo who couldn't understand why Russell ran two races and he only ran once!

photo update

I have added pics of the boys to the blogs about each of them.  Here are some good ones too.
School Uniforms - casual golf shirts, fleece tops and black shorts all year round

Near Margaret River down south. George, the monkey, is now our faithful travel companion.

Playing at Point Walter Beach