I can't remember the last time that I had a cheque to pay in, until last week when Telstra saw fit to give me a refund on an old account. But Bank of Queensland only has two branches in the 'Ville, one too far away (like a 20 minute drive, a marathon 😊) and one in a nearby shopping centre which is horrible to park - and horrible to shop, for that matter.
But ... this is prob old news to everyone except me, AusPost has a facility, Bank@Post. So I just toddled, well, coddled, toddled in my car, along to my local PO and paid the cheque in with even less hassle than at a bank branch. I imagine this is a Godsend in a country town where all the bank branches have been closed.
I just had a quick look at the childhood country town to see if there were any banks left there, far western NSW. It appears two that were there back in the '70s are still in operation. I also remember there being a Rural bank branch, but that had a name change and then was absorbed by another in the mid 2000s. I was surprised to see that two different banks were still operating there. The hours appear to be reduced, but that's expected given there is also an ATM available.
I am astonished at your being sent a cheque @Foaming Draught , I had anticipated that doing a bank transfer would be the way to go!
... I am astonished at your being sent a cheque @Foaming Draught , I had anticipated that doing a bank transfer would be the way to go!
You'd think so, wouldn't you, esp since they have my bank details because I pay them by direct debit each month. Ah well, it was a nice retro moment, made easy by Bank@Post. I haven't issued a cheque, nor even had a cheque-book, in the 30 years I've lived in Australia.
NZ got rid of cheques years ago, which I don't think was a brilliant move. If I want to send money to anyone I have to use internet banking. which is when my neighbour steps in and helps. I can deposit money in a business account, but not in my brother's bank account even though it's in the same bank as mine.
The young tech genius at Tech Mate turned out to be an older man who was very helpful and now both my phones are sorted, so if I lose my usual one I can ring it on the spare one.
I also sorted out my rates payments, which is a great relief. The next thing to sort out is the paperwork so I can claim a bit more money for the earthquake damage. My claim was settled early and there was a successful court case after I was paid out so I am owed money by the insurer. While it will be welcome I'm feeling a bit punch drunk from the flurry of financial stuff.
Just heard from eldest Beaky daughter that they they've received a Tsunami advisory in the Far North of NZ.
Thinking about all of our Antipodean shipmates.
Heading down to chilly Katoomba for a few days. I do like the mountains. Even in winter.
It’s lovely in all seasons! We’ve recently bought a place there and visit frequently. Never tire of the walks and the views - and the fresh air. Love to hear how your trip went, always keen to find out good places to eat and see.
I’m resting this week under instructions from the skin dr who took a chunk out of my scalp on Monday. Camping trip planned for this weekend postponed due to the forecast cold and rain.
Hope you're recovering well, mr curly. I've sent you a message.
Had a nice time. Did a few walks, Scenic World (overcame my fear, terror, of heights and went on the cable car) and wandered around. Very relaxing which is what I was after.
Had a nice time. Did a few walks, Scenic World (overcame my fear, terror, of heights and went on the cable car) and wandered around. Very relaxing which is what I was after.
I lived at Blackheath from 1985 to 2005 and loved every minute of it. However, I don't think I would handle the cold now I am over 70!!
I loved the cable car as a much younger person @Climacus. I'm glad to hear your time away was relaxing.
Good to hear of your rain @Gee D, we keep getting promises of rain here, but the odd heavy shower and the rest just enough to keep any dust down. We must have had a couple of big gusts of wind early this morning as I noticed our side gate had been blown open. Looking out the window it's grey and dull outside.
I hope your scalp is healing up OK @Mr Curly and @Huia, am I right to think all threat of Tsunami has now passed and that you and the southern Beaky family are all safe?
I'm starting to get excited because I will be reaching my preservation age for my pension this month. Having worked for so long and battling to keep my job when cheery son was unwell, I'm very relieved to have made it. It will be very minimal, but it will free up some money for Cheery husband to redirect into other things and it will allow me to do some things for the house (a water tank), and maybe over time some kitchen facelift jobs. I'm trying not to make too many plans, but am looking forward to the freedom that this will bring.
After a very stressful time on the telephone Husband Beaky (He's a bit of a luddite but it had to be him who made the booking as he had the airmiles!) managed to book our flights and we will leave the UK late September to spend a few weeks with eldest Beaky daughter and kids in the Far North of New Zealand.
Life is not easy for her atm so hopefully we geriatrics will recover quickly from the flights and be able to do our bit to support them all and have some fun.
We have yet to decide whether to hire a car in Auckland and drive north or book onward flights to Kerikeri and try to hire a car there.
Either way, looking forward to being back in beautiful NZ for the first time in six years!
My attempts to circumnavigate the Big Red Western Isle, attempts about which I haven't posted, are so far proving a little unsuccessful.
Having purchased a car I have driven it (and others) myriad (it seems) times between Melbourne's Northern Suburbs. Plus an experimental excursion to Kinglake in the Dividing Ranges. The latter was an attempt to see if said vehicle was working properly.
It was until it wasn't.
The back story to that was that it died 120 kms after purchase, as I headed out to KuruZapplette #5's farm in the Macedon Ranges, ready for departure. The dealer agreed to have it fixed, so I limped back in, warning light on, to a mechanic in Tullamarine. Who gave it a new turbo. At the dealer's expense.
So I drove it back to the Macedon Ranges via Kinglake, but it died, this time achieving 150 kms.
Back to Tullamarine.
Several trips back and forth, between Woodend and Tullamarine. Ensconcements chez KuruZapplettes ## 2, 4 & 5. Currently freezing in Preston (inner northern suburban Melbourne), freezing because KuruZapplette #2 doesn't do heaters. The car is now receiving a EGR* overhaul or transplant - which I told them was the problem in the first place. Sigh.
The circumnavigation is going to be very tight for time .,.. by the time I leave on Wednesday I will have lost ten days. And there's no guarantee there world be more, er, malfunctions. But needs must.
Not least because I'm bloody freezing and need to get north.
@Cheery Gardener The problem with an earthquake the magnitude of the one that spawned the tsunami threat is that there are likely to be aftershocks large enough to spawn other tsunami. However with the epicenter being so far away it gives us enough time to evacuate if necessary. Warnings come through the cell phone network and I have no trouble hearing them even without my hearing aids in.
My house is within a kilometre of the sea and at most 2 metres above sea level. The Anglican Cathedral (further inland) has an engraved sign that says it is only 11 ft above sea level, so a reasonable chunk of Christchurch could be affected.
Thanks for the explanation @Huia, I have only been dipping in and out of the news over the last week.
I am sorry to hear about your car troubles @Zappa, that is a right royal pain. I hope it can be fixed properly this time.
Today has been phone calls to the local hospital in anticipation of preadmission clinic tomorrow for Cheery son. After about 3 phone calls I had a helpful person to speak with, information about covid precautions (none) and advice that I can ask a staff member to wear a mask (I wonder if they will comply with a request). So husband and son will be going off with personal HPA, N95s and a couple of spares as well as all the required notes and drugs. Bler, however, the good news was, he has been allocated the number 1 appointment slot of the day, so a silver lining has appeared. We'll see what is happening after tomorrow.
While they deal with the serious stuff, I have the joy of going for an eye test in order to renew my licence next week. I don't anticipate failing the test, but will be glad when it's done and dusted.
So warm here today, I almost (but not quite) broke out a summer t-shirt. Very soon we will be in the season of needing the heater at night, but being too warm during the day when it's on (it runs off-peak).
@Cheery Gardener I didn't realise about the long term effects of being treated for cancer as a child. I hope Cheery son's appointment and subsequent admission go smoothly.
No frost today which means the morning is warmer but we miss the warmer sunny afternoons we have been enjoying. As a child I always wished it was possible to have a summer's day in the middle of winter. It didn't seem fair that we could have numerous cold days in summer but no warm days in winter.
Thanks @Climacus and @Huia. The preadmission appointment has gone pretty smoothly. Now to wait for a date for the actual procedure. Hopefully he can get on the list soon-ish. I don't know whether having a complex history will bump him up the list a bit or not.
Most kids cancer centres have a survivorship program, serving a couple of purposes. It's a data collection point re complications of treatment and a way of checking how families are doing after the stressful nature of therapy.
It also is an opportunity for staff to talk to the kids themselves about their treatment, and health issues that might result from that, so fertility issues, need for sun safety, additional screening they might require.
Most of the checks son has are annual, one specialist we saw was possibly not factoring in the treatment son had received and so we have moved to a different specialist seen privately ensuring annual follow up rather than every second year as Children's Oncology Group guidelines.
As treatments have improved guidelines have been adjusted and those adjustments probably work for the kids who have the straightforward treatment. Our son's treatment is probably closer in toxicity to that of the kids treated before the 2000s, therefore I think the gudelines are probably not really for him, therein comes the exhuastion - having to remind people of details and constantly be an advocate is quite wearing and I don't have a lot of patience these days!!!
Thanks @Climacus and @LatchKeyKid it does get wearing some days. It was very nice to be at the GP yesterday and have him saying what an excellent job we are doing in getting attention for our son. Nice to see too that GP now has a hepa filter running in his surgery. There is a lot of flu around at the moment and son and I will get a vax for that tomorrow.
In good news Cheery husband was given a date over the phone for son's procedure which will roll around pretty soon. Other good news is that husband can attend the pre and post procedure area with son to help reduce his stress and also be an emotional and information back up for him.
Less good was the staff member who wanted husband and son to remove their masks because he had a hearing issue, saying that they didn't need to be masked because son's blood counts are good. GP told me 4 hours later "there is a lot of flu in the hospitals". Heaven help us!!!
Glad things are progressing for your son @Cheery Gardener . I do have a certain amount of sympathy for the staff member with hearing loss though. As a deaf person I really struggle to understand people wearing masks and ask them to remove them if possible.
Echoing my happiness that things are progressing well, Cheery Gardener.
Thanks for the information Sarasa; I had not considered that.
Is anyone unemployed, retired, on home duties, ... like me (the first) and enjoying British Tipping Point? I find it breaks up my day and is enjoyable enough. I watch our version as well. Perhaps I need to get out more.
I completely get that perspective @Sarasa, Cheery son would probably have complied except Dad told him not to. I felt frustrated because a while ago I had bought a sample pack of a variety of different masks and one of those included had a clear front so that the wearer could still be safe but it would help those who need to lip read a bit. Had I known in advance, I would have sent it with them! I will now order a box of those as we might need to keep one or two in our hospital kit as another option. I am not sure whether it was because it was a sample, but the elastic at the back of the head was not terribly good though!!
... GP told me 4 hours later "there is a lot of flu in the hospitals"...
One of the members of my last church is immune-suppressed. She has just been sent home almost immediately after an op for a broken femur. Physios visit each day. The hospital said, "It's not because we need your bed, it's because you're safer at home" 😳
@Foaming Draught, I can absolutely believe that. There are days when I think about the kids who attend our cancer centre and wonder how their parents are coping in this time of additional risk. I have to really distract myself because I start to get really upset about families trying to juggle (as we did) travel, jobs, hospital, siblings, minimise potential infection contacts, attend school. It's a lot.
I got my days mixed up and thought Cheery son and I were having our flu shots this morning, but it's actually tomorrow!!! Had a dry run of getting up early and ready this morning, should be fine for tomorrow and I've already set my alarm so as to not oversleep.
It appears to be a beautiful day outside, but I've not ventured out as yet other than to collect the bins. Presently enjoying a chat about Leonardo Da Vinci, on the "You're dead to me podcast". very enjoyable and educational.
Wet and windy in the Hunter. After more job rejections I decided to take a day off and make the most of my unemployment $2.50 all day fare and caught the bus and train to Muswellbrook and back. Nice scenery. Plus the occasional mine and power station ha ha. Which have their own appeal. The bypass at Singleton looks in full swing.
Hope all goes well tomorrow, Cheery Gardener. Thank you for reminding me about You're Dead To Me. I used to listen to it and my podcast listening dropped off for a while and I didn't check if it was still going. Good news it is! I see Curious Cases, another favourite, is too, though with a different cohost. Need to get back into them. Thanks again.
We were supposed to have 7 days of rain. Come sunrise it stopped and today has been a nice day. I walked to the former WWII gun emplacements then up Tomaree Head, one of two hills flanking the entrance to Port Stephens. Great views.
No tennis today because the court has puddles.
I woke to rain. There was a break in the middle of the day while we had a meeting with others from refugee support groups, and then rain resumed late afternoon.
The writers festival being held locally was washed out and people had to abandon or suffer wet tents.
Thanks everyone for your kind words. I do appreciate your warm thoughts. We now have a date for a procedure middle of next month and we are hoping that will be straightforward. The letter indicated one parent can accompany cheery son to the procedure so that's a relief. He is ok at the moment, but we know he will be getting quite anxious as the day draws closer.
This weekend has been very nice, all at home together. This afternoon Cheery daughter is going ice skating with a friend for her birthday and is taking the day off tomorrow as that's her actual birthday. We have been given an order for her birthday dinner and the type of cake she would like, so that's all in hand.
This morning started out very pleasantly, but I notice a whole heap of grey clouds moving across and blotting out all the blue. I have been racing around this morning for last minute birthday shopping and getting organised as a friend is coming for coffee this afternoon. They have started a new job and I am looking forward to hearing all about that.
I'd better head off and grab a bit of lunch and finish up my preparations, but I wanted to post to say thanks for you support of Cheery son and me.
Thanks @Piglet! I've already answered the question twice today about how many days it is until the procedure occurs. I suspect it might be a long month!
So warm this afternoon. I couldn't remember how long it is since I watered my pot plants, so I've been out and given everything a good soak. Rain is supposed to come at the end of the week, but that might change and having a bit of spare time today, that made for a very pleasant job in the garden enjoying the scent of the daphne which are flowering like mad.
Husband and cheery son have just headed off for a driving lesson, we might manage to squeeze a few lessons in this week as husband has a few days off work and daughter will be home just after lunch, which gives son access to the car.
Other than that things are very quiet here, which is how I like it!!
The car and I made it as far as Parachilna in outback SA (via Mildura and Peterborough) before failing again. I was able to nurse it south to Adelaide where, after a two day delay, it is going into the local Mitsubishi specialists for further investigation and application of healing hands.
Thank God for Cusanus of the former Ship, who has patiently housed me these last few days, and offered me a roof until the jolly mule is on the road again.
Oh goodness @Zappa, glad you were able to spend time with a Shippie, but what a pest of a reason to be doing so! I do hope that this time the car will be sorted properly. It just makes life so difficult when a vehicle is out of action, or has ongoing unpredictable problems.
I had a really nice day yesterday. Cheery husband is home and daughter too as well as son. Cheery daughter and I have birthdays over consecutive days (poor husband), and we have had the loveliest time chilling at home and sharing meals all together and having downtime. Yesterday was warm and sunny so I had lovely garden time and a card arrived from my best schoolfriend and her enclosed note was just beautiful. Cheery husband cooked the dinner and cleaned up afterwards, which was such a treat for me.
Today is grey and coolish, so I won't spend much time in the garden, but I'm enjoying looking out at the work I did yesterday and that is really satisfying. Just a nice slow day!
That sounds lovely, @Cheery Gardener. Yes today has turned out to be a grey day, after yesterday’s lovely sunshine. @Climacus, I had to double check that Parachilna was where I thought it was, even though I grew up in SA. (It was).
Glad to hear that Cusanus is hospitable, @Zappa and hope he is enjoying life.
Hope that chariot repairs may finally be successful.
Successful visit to optometrist yesterday to check that floater in left eye wasn’t symptom of anything sinister. Prescription also changed slightly, even though last visit was only 9 months ago. So new glasses in my future.
Our travel plans to go and visit WitG junior in the UK next year are beginning to take shape.
Very glad to hear that it's just new glasses in your future @WormInTheGrass and nothing more complex. Cheery son has a floater in his eye too, but he hasn't mentioned it for some time, I must check that out. Fingers crossed for you that all travel plans go smoothly. I can't believe we are already past halfway this year. 2026 will be here before you know it!
Happy travel planning, WormInTheGrass. And glad the optometrist appointment went well. Hope Cheery Son's appointment goes well.
I'm thinking of applying for a Qld working with children check. I filled in the interstate form for a transport department number which I need, got the form and my IDs witnessed by a JP, sent it off in the post... Then realised I forgot to include my photos. :bangs head: Need to fill in the forms and get it witnessed again.
@Cheery Gardener My mother and I had birthdays on consecutive days too. My birth was induced and Mum refused to be admitted on her birthday so I was born the following day.
Good news today - I visited the heat pump installers today and discovered I am eligible to have a replacement heat-pump installed under a government "Healthy Homes" programme. Even better, 90% of the cost will be covered.
I know this is at the wrong end of winter a very cold winter, but I didn't realise the scheme covered replacement units too so have been managing with an inadequate fan heater.
@Huia, so glad to read you can get a heat pump through this scheme, that is wonderful news!! So happy for you!
Glad to hear that you had a similar birthday story - our daughter came 3 weeks early. I had been unwell, and on antibiotics at the time, a bad chest infection. I had to stay in hospital for 24 hours before she was born as staff didn't believe my waters had broken. She is not a morning person and I think she began life as she meant to continue, being born just after 9am. Having 2 birthdays so close together has been a mixed blessing, especially for poor Cheery husband having to get 2 lots of pressies!
back on the road to Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre tomorrow. The fix was unbelievably simple and cheap (<$200). I'm not sure I trust it though after four failures.
Comments
But ... this is prob old news to everyone except me, AusPost has a facility, Bank@Post. So I just toddled, well, coddled, toddled in my car, along to my local PO and paid the cheque in with even less hassle than at a bank branch. I imagine this is a Godsend in a country town where all the bank branches have been closed.
I am astonished at your being sent a cheque @Foaming Draught , I had anticipated that doing a bank transfer would be the way to go!
You'd think so, wouldn't you, esp since they have my bank details because I pay them by direct debit each month. Ah well, it was a nice retro moment, made easy by Bank@Post. I haven't issued a cheque, nor even had a cheque-book, in the 30 years I've lived in Australia.
The young tech genius at Tech Mate turned out to be an older man who was very helpful and now both my phones are sorted, so if I lose my usual one I can ring it on the spare one.
I also sorted out my rates payments, which is a great relief. The next thing to sort out is the paperwork so I can claim a bit more money for the earthquake damage. My claim was settled early and there was a successful court case after I was paid out so I am owed money by the insurer. While it will be welcome I'm feeling a bit punch drunk from the flurry of financial stuff.
Thinking about all of our Antipodean shipmates.
However tomorrow will be cold & wet but unfortunately have to venture out to shop then visit Aged Friend in nursing home,like it or not.
It’s lovely in all seasons! We’ve recently bought a place there and visit frequently. Never tire of the walks and the views - and the fresh air. Love to hear how your trip went, always keen to find out good places to eat and see.
I’m resting this week under instructions from the skin dr who took a chunk out of my scalp on Monday. Camping trip planned for this weekend postponed due to the forecast cold and rain.
mr curly
Had a nice time. Did a few walks, Scenic World (overcame my fear, terror, of heights and went on the cable car) and wandered around. Very relaxing which is what I was after.
I lived at Blackheath from 1985 to 2005 and loved every minute of it. However, I don't think I would handle the cold now I am over 70!!
Good to hear of your rain @Gee D, we keep getting promises of rain here, but the odd heavy shower and the rest just enough to keep any dust down. We must have had a couple of big gusts of wind early this morning as I noticed our side gate had been blown open. Looking out the window it's grey and dull outside.
I hope your scalp is healing up OK @Mr Curly and @Huia, am I right to think all threat of Tsunami has now passed and that you and the southern Beaky family are all safe?
I'm starting to get excited because I will be reaching my preservation age for my pension this month. Having worked for so long and battling to keep my job when cheery son was unwell, I'm very relieved to have made it. It will be very minimal, but it will free up some money for Cheery husband to redirect into other things and it will allow me to do some things for the house (a water tank), and maybe over time some kitchen facelift jobs. I'm trying not to make too many plans, but am looking forward to the freedom that this will bring.
Life is not easy for her atm so hopefully we geriatrics will recover quickly from the flights and be able to do our bit to support them all and have some fun.
We have yet to decide whether to hire a car in Auckland and drive north or book onward flights to Kerikeri and try to hire a car there.
Either way, looking forward to being back in beautiful NZ for the first time in six years!
Having purchased a car I have driven it (and others) myriad (it seems) times between Melbourne's Northern Suburbs. Plus an experimental excursion to Kinglake in the Dividing Ranges. The latter was an attempt to see if said vehicle was working properly.
It was until it wasn't.
The back story to that was that it died 120 kms after purchase, as I headed out to KuruZapplette #5's farm in the Macedon Ranges, ready for departure. The dealer agreed to have it fixed, so I limped back in, warning light on, to a mechanic in Tullamarine. Who gave it a new turbo. At the dealer's expense.
So I drove it back to the Macedon Ranges via Kinglake, but it died, this time achieving 150 kms.
Back to Tullamarine.
Several trips back and forth, between Woodend and Tullamarine. Ensconcements chez KuruZapplettes ## 2, 4 & 5. Currently freezing in Preston (inner northern suburban Melbourne), freezing because KuruZapplette #2 doesn't do heaters. The car is now receiving a EGR* overhaul or transplant - which I told them was the problem in the first place. Sigh.
The circumnavigation is going to be very tight for time .,.. by the time I leave on Wednesday I will have lost ten days. And there's no guarantee there world be more, er, malfunctions. But needs must.
Not least because I'm bloody freezing and need to get north.
* Exhaust Gas Recirculation
Stay warm til then!
My house is within a kilometre of the sea and at most 2 metres above sea level. The Anglican Cathedral (further inland) has an engraved sign that says it is only 11 ft above sea level, so a reasonable chunk of Christchurch could be affected.
I am sorry to hear about your car troubles @Zappa, that is a right royal pain. I hope it can be fixed properly this time.
Today has been phone calls to the local hospital in anticipation of preadmission clinic tomorrow for Cheery son. After about 3 phone calls I had a helpful person to speak with, information about covid precautions (none) and advice that I can ask a staff member to wear a mask (I wonder if they will comply with a request). So husband and son will be going off with personal HPA, N95s and a couple of spares as well as all the required notes and drugs. Bler, however, the good news was, he has been allocated the number 1 appointment slot of the day, so a silver lining has appeared. We'll see what is happening after tomorrow.
While they deal with the serious stuff, I have the joy of going for an eye test in order to renew my licence next week. I don't anticipate failing the test, but will be glad when it's done and dusted.
So warm here today, I almost (but not quite) broke out a summer t-shirt. Very soon we will be in the season of needing the heater at night, but being too warm during the day when it's on (it runs off-peak).
No frost today which means the morning is warmer but we miss the warmer sunny afternoons we have been enjoying. As a child I always wished it was possible to have a summer's day in the middle of winter. It didn't seem fair that we could have numerous cold days in summer but no warm days in winter.
Most kids cancer centres have a survivorship program, serving a couple of purposes. It's a data collection point re complications of treatment and a way of checking how families are doing after the stressful nature of therapy.
It also is an opportunity for staff to talk to the kids themselves about their treatment, and health issues that might result from that, so fertility issues, need for sun safety, additional screening they might require.
Most of the checks son has are annual, one specialist we saw was possibly not factoring in the treatment son had received and so we have moved to a different specialist seen privately ensuring annual follow up rather than every second year as Children's Oncology Group guidelines.
As treatments have improved guidelines have been adjusted and those adjustments probably work for the kids who have the straightforward treatment. Our son's treatment is probably closer in toxicity to that of the kids treated before the 2000s, therefore I think the gudelines are probably not really for him, therein comes the exhuastion - having to remind people of details and constantly be an advocate is quite wearing and I don't have a lot of patience these days!!!
In good news Cheery husband was given a date over the phone for son's procedure which will roll around pretty soon. Other good news is that husband can attend the pre and post procedure area with son to help reduce his stress and also be an emotional and information back up for him.
Less good was the staff member who wanted husband and son to remove their masks because he had a hearing issue, saying that they didn't need to be masked because son's blood counts are good. GP told me 4 hours later "there is a lot of flu in the hospitals". Heaven help us!!!
Thanks for the information Sarasa; I had not considered that.
Is anyone unemployed, retired, on home duties, ... like me (the first) and enjoying British Tipping Point? I find it breaks up my day and is enjoyable enough. I watch our version as well. Perhaps I need to get out more.
I got my days mixed up and thought Cheery son and I were having our flu shots this morning, but it's actually tomorrow!!! Had a dry run of getting up early and ready this morning, should be fine for tomorrow and I've already set my alarm so as to not oversleep.
It appears to be a beautiful day outside, but I've not ventured out as yet other than to collect the bins. Presently enjoying a chat about Leonardo Da Vinci, on the "You're dead to me podcast". very enjoyable and educational.
Hope all goes well tomorrow, Cheery Gardener. Thank you for reminding me about You're Dead To Me. I used to listen to it and my podcast listening dropped off for a while and I didn't check if it was still going. Good news it is! I see Curious Cases, another favourite, is too, though with a different cohost. Need to get back into them. Thanks again.
We were supposed to have 7 days of rain. Come sunrise it stopped and today has been a nice day. I walked to the former WWII gun emplacements then up Tomaree Head, one of two hills flanking the entrance to Port Stephens. Great views.
Weather where we all are
I woke to rain. There was a break in the middle of the day while we had a meeting with others from refugee support groups, and then rain resumed late afternoon.
The writers festival being held locally was washed out and people had to abandon or suffer wet tents.
Not often on board recently and just came across this. Best wishes from us also
This weekend has been very nice, all at home together. This afternoon Cheery daughter is going ice skating with a friend for her birthday and is taking the day off tomorrow as that's her actual birthday. We have been given an order for her birthday dinner and the type of cake she would like, so that's all in hand.
This morning started out very pleasantly, but I notice a whole heap of grey clouds moving across and blotting out all the blue. I have been racing around this morning for last minute birthday shopping and getting organised as a friend is coming for coffee this afternoon. They have started a new job and I am looking forward to hearing all about that.
I'd better head off and grab a bit of lunch and finish up my preparations, but I wanted to post to say thanks for you support of Cheery son and me.
Just saw on the news there was a local mediaeval fare at the botanic gardens. I heard about it and promptly forgot. Sorry to have missed it.
Took the dog for a walk after church in what seemed like a break in the weather. Halfway it came bucketing down!
So warm this afternoon. I couldn't remember how long it is since I watered my pot plants, so I've been out and given everything a good soak. Rain is supposed to come at the end of the week, but that might change and having a bit of spare time today, that made for a very pleasant job in the garden enjoying the scent of the daphne which are flowering like mad.
Husband and cheery son have just headed off for a driving lesson, we might manage to squeeze a few lessons in this week as husband has a few days off work and daughter will be home just after lunch, which gives son access to the car.
Other than that things are very quiet here, which is how I like it!!
Thank God for Cusanus of the former Ship, who has patiently housed me these last few days, and offered me a roof until the jolly mule is on the road again.
Hurrah for Cusanus.
I had a really nice day yesterday. Cheery husband is home and daughter too as well as son. Cheery daughter and I have birthdays over consecutive days (poor husband), and we have had the loveliest time chilling at home and sharing meals all together and having downtime. Yesterday was warm and sunny so I had lovely garden time and a card arrived from my best schoolfriend and her enclosed note was just beautiful. Cheery husband cooked the dinner and cleaned up afterwards, which was such a treat for me.
Today is grey and coolish, so I won't spend much time in the garden, but I'm enjoying looking out at the work I did yesterday and that is really satisfying. Just a nice slow day!
@Climacus, I had to double check that Parachilna was where I thought it was, even though I grew up in SA. (It was).
Glad to hear that Cusanus is hospitable, @Zappa and hope he is enjoying life.
Hope that chariot repairs may finally be successful.
Successful visit to optometrist yesterday to check that floater in left eye wasn’t symptom of anything sinister. Prescription also changed slightly, even though last visit was only 9 months ago. So new glasses in my future.
Our travel plans to go and visit WitG junior in the UK next year are beginning to take shape.
Happy travel planning, WormInTheGrass. And glad the optometrist appointment went well. Hope Cheery Son's appointment goes well.
I'm thinking of applying for a Qld working with children check. I filled in the interstate form for a transport department number which I need, got the form and my IDs witnessed by a JP, sent it off in the post... Then realised I forgot to include my photos. :bangs head: Need to fill in the forms and get it witnessed again.
Good news today - I visited the heat pump installers today and discovered I am eligible to have a replacement heat-pump installed under a government "Healthy Homes" programme. Even better, 90% of the cost will be covered.
I know this is at the wrong end of winter a very cold winter, but I didn't realise the scheme covered replacement units too so have been managing with an inadequate fan heater.
I am going to be warm = bliss.
Glad to hear that you had a similar birthday story - our daughter came 3 weeks early. I had been unwell, and on antibiotics at the time, a bad chest infection. I had to stay in hospital for 24 hours before she was born as staff didn't believe my waters had broken. She is not a morning person and I think she began life as she meant to continue, being born just after 9am. Having 2 birthdays so close together has been a mixed blessing, especially for poor Cheery husband having to get 2 lots of pressies!