AS: Life downunder

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  • When I think of moving I hate the thought because I've lived here almost 50 years and couldn't bear to go, and leave my winter flowering kowhai with its resident tui.
    But if you've moved more than once it your new place would be quite blissful. Loth, do you feel like having someone bless the house before you all move in? Maybe DIL?
    I have neighbours who share when they bake. I finally made the cupcakes I was dying for yesterday, so when #11 came in with a dish for dinner, a bit like a vegetarian pizza on filo, I had two for her. She was astonished – until now I couldn't bake because I couldn't stand for long, but now I have a thing to perch on.
    Then this morning she turned up with 7 pieces of her brownies. Sounds like a one-upmanship contest but it isn't. (She's the one who appointed herself my shopper when I couldn't drive).
    The sun has set behind #6, the house on our west side. I remember how dashed we were when it was built as 1 1/2 storeys, and we could see it would take our winter sun. I can see the sun on the trees in the street, on #11, and #4 will be in full sun I think. I can't resent the #6 neighbours – I taught her and his sister at high school, they've lived there 40-odd years now, our kids grew up together, but now that they've both retired they spend more time at their other place Up The Coast, so at some stage they'll most likely sell this one. It will be funny having new neighbours after so long!

    GG
  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    edited April 2018
    Lovely descriptions and lovely neighbours GG!

    Exciting news Loth. All the best for the move! When I lived in Sydney I had fantasies of moving to the Blue Mountains. Still do at times. A lovely part of the world. And somewhere where I always took friends visiting Sydney.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Very exciting news indeed. A problem you may encounter is that even with having your family, you don't have anyone you know living near you. Getting a small dog and walking it may well help you make friends. Any coffee shops within a short walk? You may see people there and get to know them. If you're putting any money into the purchase, you should get independent legal advice. Perhaps the solicitor who acted for you in your family law matter, or someone in the firm.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    ... The sun has set behind #6, the house on our west side. I remember how dashed we were when it was built as 1 1/2 storeys ...
    The house where I grew up (which will be sold now that my dad's gone) used to have a spectacular view of the sunset (and they get very spectacular sunsets in Orkney).

    Unfortunately, in the last couple of years, the owners of the plot of land across the road sold it, and two new houses have been built on it. Like your neighbours' houses, they're 1½ storeys - really bungalows with rooms under the eaves - but they're tall enough to block out the sunset (and the view of the spire of St. Magnus Cathedral), and probably knock a few thousand off the resale value of the house as well.

    Not a recipe for a happy piglet. :rage:

  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    So for Australians and NZers, anyone going to a service or march tomorrow for ANZAC day?

    I'll go to the march down the main street of town.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    edited April 2018
    Yes, we'll be going as usual to the local one at 7 am. The march is a couple of hundred metres along a street bordered on 1 side by the park. Then a quick dash over the line to get a table and coffee.
  • PatdysPatdys Shipmate
    edited April 2018
    Hi All,

    Life is busy. But I thought I'd let you know.

    I am delighted to say I am now the handbag* of an ordinand who is in a placement.
    What it means is I always get the last word.....

    ...Yes Reverend.



    * be generally useful, carry all the stuff and try not to get lost.
  • Good news, Patdys. How long are you a handbag?
  • rexoryrexory Shipmate Posts: 39
    Congratulations to the ordinand, Patdys. And welcome to the roller-coaster!
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Good to see you both back.

    We went to our local service this morning, then on to coffee with some friends we met there. A reasonable number again for a small suburban service, I'd say around 1100 or 1200, something like that. This one has not been organised by the RSL, but a much smaller organisation. All the members of that are apparently now well into their 80s and feel unable to continue. In addition to the service at our Memorial, there's another a couple of kilometres away that they've run as well. They've made arrangements with the local Scouts to take it on. Good to keep it going. It's very much a country town type service in a Sydney suburb, even though announcing straight after the Last Post that we'll now observe a minute's silence.
  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    edited April 2018
    Wondrous news Patsy's. Congratulations! As handbag do you need to match their shoes? :wink:

    A goodly number of Albury burghers turned out for the 9am march. I love the horses, and have pity for those with shovels and wheelbarrows behind them.

    I forget how many schools there are around here. They came and they came... As did a preschool.

    The smile on the face of all, elderly and young, is always a joy to behold as we remember them.

    My colleague was telling me during the march that in Darwin an eagle is perched on some brave soul's arm during the march.

    Gee D : may that service continue for many years!
  • LothlorienLothlorien Glory
    edited April 2018
    I am watchin the Sydney march on channel 2. The numbers wearing their medals on the left decreases every year and those with famioly or friends’ medals on the right increases.

    I am impressed by the number of bands this year. It seems to be more than usual. Municipal bands, high school bands, RSL bands and others. State schools and private schools and many of the bands go round several times in the lengthy march.

    I also liked that those in vehicles were driven by members of the SES. Volunteers who are to be found in disasters of all types.
  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    Yes, I love seeing the SES, as well as our emergency services. Good to recognise their service.
  • I have just finished cleaning out the bathroom vanity unit. I suspect my granddaughters who used to be here every two weeks are responsible for the almost used tubes of toothpaste. Get a new tube and old one has not been tossed.
  • My regular morning TV show sometimes has a very handsome prize for which someone in the street has to name ten something in I think ten seconds. It can just happen that the ten are something that the eager volunteer knows nothing about, like books of the bible (I forget how many that poor fellow got, I think three). American states I might do, European countries I think I could get. But the last one was ten items that would be found in a bathroom cabinet, and the woman got it. It was a very superior queen bed. You can imagine her excitement.
    They're not running it at the moment; waiting for someone to come up with an attractive prize. Like, say, a hot tub.

    GG
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    edited April 2018
    I've had an enforced break as my computer went down and has only just responded to my efforts to sort it out. My skills are limited to turning it off and on again. I did this eleventy two times, but it took eleventy three for it to respond. Of course this knocks out the land-line phone too - then I mislaid my cellphone... now found thanks to a friend ringing it when my hearing aids were in :smile:

    I'm glad it finally worked as it's really satisfying when I succeed at something that challenges my usual technopeasantry.

    Loth, that sounds exciting. I like the pool, and I think Georgie-Porgy would like her own space - the other two visiting cats tend to take over.

    PATYDS - (Lady Bracknell voice): "A Handbag!!!"
  • ClimacusClimacus Shipmate
    Welcome back Huia! Here's to happier times with computers, and well done to you.

    That TV show sounds interesting, GG; it'd be just my luck to name 10 sports teams if I was selected -- I can barely manage 2. Books of the Bible were drilled into me in my teenage years - we recited them.

    Getting cooler here. Down to mid-to-low single digits overnight and low 20s in the day. Autumn is arriving.
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Definitely autumnal. The Met Service even threatened us with the possibility of a frost here. Fortunately it clouded over, so it didn't eventuate.

    I must plant daffodil bulbs in the next couple of days - I remember someone telling me they should be planted before the frost.
  • Lothlorien, that sounds very exciting indeed. We went to the local dawn service, and then to Mass. Would much rather go to the 'little' country service than the big show across the border. Only minor hazard was young SES volunteer parking his truck across the in-gate of the church car-park, (i'm sure this was obliviousness not malice) so we had to drive in the out-gate!
  • I've forgotten whether GIN goes in Heaven or Eccles, but this can jolly well go here.
  • Australians all, let us rejoice
    For we are bald and grey.
  • We were at our local main service, 1000 or more people there, not bad for a little country town. The morning had been grey and showery, and the heavens opened at the singing of Lead Kindly Light, mercifully shortening the address by our local NSM, who was reliably reported as waffling-on at the dawn service. Umbrellas sprouted like mushrooms and proceedings continued otherwise uninterrupted. Much involvement of female members of the Defence Forces this year. The colour party for our parish's annual commemorative Evensong was formed by two female medics, one of whom was brought up locally. Female personnel also in the catafalque party for the main service. About time such recognition occurred.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    There's usually a main theme for our services. Last year was women nurses in WW I and the parade was led by some nurses from the San. This year was the Aust Flying Corps, with descendants of local resident, a member of the Corps, laying a wreath, and a brief history of the Corps forming the theme of the address.

    Usually clerical duties are shared around but after a few no-shows by the local rector, this year these were mainly carried by the Catholic priest. As usual he did an excellent job.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Climacus wrote: »
    ... Getting cooler here. Down to mid-to-low single digits overnight and low 20s in the day ....
    It made it up to the low 20s here yesterday, and very nice it was too. It doesn't really need to get any hotter than that ... :smiley:

    <trots off before Zappa comes and sees that post>
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    To talk of piglets trotting is quite ok, but of their trotters - perhaps a bit indelicate.

    Lothlorien, where can you go to church after your move to the Mountains? Glenbrook has been taken over completely by Moore College and even the little branch church at Blaxland is included in that. St Alban's at Leura has had a new rector for the last couple of years. Much has stayed there, but you may not find him very congenial. He's strongly anti-OoW or indeed allowing women much of a role in the church apart from looking after the morning tea. St Paul's at Lithgow is traditional Sydney low church still, otherwise it's off to Bathurst. Heading east, St Mark's at Granville is flying the flag bravely, but we're none too sure about what's happening at Strathfield - see Bib's remarks about the former rector's activities at Launceston. Burwood is still offering good preaching and liturgy.



  • Winmalee is just down the road, very close, but I shuddered at their website. Have been thinking about that problem.. Most of the mountains is very Sydney. Lithgow had a major upheaval several years ago and rector was told he would not get another job in diocese. He now drives trains. I had a pleasant surprise searching family stuff a few years ago. I discovered my grandfather had been a warden there for some years in 1930s.
  • And last I heard he is very happy driving trains! He used to frequent a couple of rail-oriented lists of which I'm a member, but hasn't posted for quite a while.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Lothlorien, is there a bus stop nearby?
  • yes one way, a bit further off the other.
  • Our front yard will be like a small park. One son described it as a soccer field... It is not that big but certainly much bigger than many front yards, even a lot up your way. Pleasantly treed with gums with pines down one end away from the house. Drive is asphalt down one end of the park area.
    The pines hide a large chookpen and yard. 12 yo is looking forward to collecting the eggs. I reminded him he would need to shut them in at night. I am sure there would be foxes around. Same 12 yo will be taught t drive the ride on mower for front yard.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    I bet he'll enjoy that - you'll have the shortest grass in Australia! :smiley:
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Well, you could always get the bus to Springwood, then a train straight through to Central and go to CCSL!
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    Loth, that sounds so airy and spacious! Will you be able to do some gardening?
  • Hopefully but later on. Established garden with lots of fruit trees which are apparently prolific. We plan on observing for a while.
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    edited April 2018
    Perhaps a bit of pruning, trimming or weeding.

    MaryLouise, how's the water supply now in the Cape - still dire?
  • 'Tis a misty, moisty morning in Bundanoon, where we are spending the weekend at a reunion of colleagues, now approaching the 50th anniversary of commencement of training together. About to head out for a hearty country breakfast, and then some touristy things before lunch at a little Italian-owned vineyard over by the highway.
  • LothlorienLothlorien Glory
    edited April 2018
    It’s in the blood Barnabas, isn’t it. Several years ago a group of four of us went to Canberra for weekend for Impressionist Exhibition. We had brunch at the Gallery with Banner Lady and TP. He asked her afterwards if we were all teachers. Something about us, even retired.
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    GeeD, still dire, although we've had some rain this last week. During a substantial downpour the other evening, I ran out into the garden and set out buckets, brought them in filled to the brim, heated water on the stove and treated myself to a half-inch of a bath. Such joy!
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    Piglet wrote: »
    Climacus wrote: »
    ... Getting cooler here. Down to mid-to-low single digits overnight and low 20s in the day ....
    It made it up to the low 20s here yesterday, and very nice it was too. It doesn't really need to get any hotter than that ... :smiley:

    <trots off before Zappa comes and sees that post>

    You areso right Piglet.

    More soup making today, with a bacon hock, pumpkin, beans and lentils and a recipe I'd not tried before. I had to hunt for dried beans though, even the wholefoods shop in town didn't have the ones I wanted. There's a wonderful shop probably just over 5kms away as the crow flies, but much further for those of us relying on public transport that I will visit during the week as schools will be back and buses less crowded.

    I know I could use canned beans, but they don't soak up the flavour in the same way and it seems daft to use a canned ingredient when there is an unprocessed alternative.
  • Feeling younger every day. I met try making half a dozen scones as I used to do, in the bench-top oven.
    My son and his family have spent the school holidays in Sweden. They'll be well on the way home by now; they'll arrive Sunday evening and next morning it will be school for son and two kids.
    I did that once. it was 1964. A colleague had tickets for a concert the next night by Andrès Segovia and there was one for me. We were right in the front row. And I tried so hard to stay awake. Segovia!! InNew Zealand!!!!

    GG
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Good to hear you're well on the mend, GG! :smiley:
  • Gee DGee D Shipmate
    Good news that you're recovering GG. Perhaps a short stay every quarter may help, and soon you'll be a teenager again.
  • Gee D wrote: »
    Good news that you're recovering GG. Perhaps a short stay every quarter may help, and soon you'll be a teenager again.
    That's a terrifying thought.
    Who would want to be a teenager again?

    GG

  • TukaiTukai Shipmate
    Some houses are built for thermal mass. Sydney houses are built for massive mortgages! (I know as our #1 daughter has just bought one. )
  • I think what family group are buying is well priced. Double brick for thermal mass. Even garden shed is double brick and tile! As is garage.large number of bedrooms and multiple bathrooms Ducted aircon, fires, pool, large sauna which everyone else loves but not for me. Large pool with shelter and its own bathroom.we are paying his lowest price in range and a small extra which covers the ride on mower, power tools , some furniture and other bits and pieces. Pizza oven. About 4-5 seasons of seasoned firewood, cut and stacked.And don’t forget the chook run and hens. Around a dozen. Set in lovely grounds with transport and schools very close in pricey part of suburb. Not a fortune over a million. Over, but good value. Probably $2,5 ++ in Sydney itself. Sons will work from home mostly.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    edited April 2018
    I've just done the currency-conversion maths, and it looks to me as if you've got a bargain. :smiley:
  • HuiaHuia Shipmate
    I remember the Real Estate Agent who sold my house to me saying, "Now you've signed up, aren't you excited?"
    "No, I've never owed so much money in my life".

    At that time interest rates were around 20%, but by the time I made my first payment they had fallen slightly and continued to do so. This was pure luck and good timing, rather than an intelligent reading of the market. Before that I had moved around the country, staying in towns where I knew I didn't want to live. The trigger to buying was that my landlord, a nice enough bloke, was planning a holiday in the South of France - and I realised I had contributed to his fare! That was the wake up.

    Also I had fallen in love with Christchurch, and still am - quakes and all.
  • LothlorienLothlorien Glory
    edited April 2018
    Piglet wrote: »
    I've just done the currency-conversion maths, and it looks to me as if you've got a bargain. :smiley:

    We think so too, which is why we jumped so quickly into it, although we have exercised due diligence, lots of inspections and searches etc. helped along by a solicitor who is experienced in the sort of thing we plan. Everything has fallen into place as we move down the track. No one had been interested in it till we came along and owners were planning on taking it off the market. It is too big for most families now.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    edited April 2018
    Huia wrote: »
    ... my landlord, a nice enough bloke, was planning a holiday in the South of France - and I realised I had contributed to his fare! That was the wake up ...
    Absolutely. I can't understand why anyone would rent if they can afford to buy - it's just dead money.

    We've been lucky in that the places we've lived, property prices have been low, so buying hasn't been too much of a burden (and the "peace dividend" in Northern Ireland worked very well to our advantage - we sold our house for twice what we paid for it seven years before).

    It's probably why we resent the "ground rent" we have to pay here (we own the house, but not the ground it sits on, as it's technically mobile), and the landlord (who's actually very nice) is absolutely coining it.

    It's a price almost worth paying for the view though! :smiley:
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    The latest gung-ho plan to solve Cape Town's dire water shortage (@GeeD) is to tow an iceberg from Gough Island, anchor or moor it off Saldanha Bay and somehow convert it to usable fresh water for the city. It sounds crazy.
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