Week 395 “March – May 2015 – Family and friends

I haven’t forgotten about the blog –  have had several trips away with the family – Nagambie Caravan Park, a couple of trips to Eildon and a few to look after Riley & Lucas. Jill would have said you should be more careful and probably had a small laugh to her self. Early in March I was cleaning the pool and I accidentally fell in and struck my left knee in the process.Some 8 weeks later it is still very sore. I have had a X-ray which showed a possible fracture but was told only treatment is rest. I have finally had an MRI this week and waiting for the results. Fingers crossed they will say more rest etc. My first thought about the fall was a memory  some 15 years ago I fell into the display pool at my shop and the next evening I had a heat attack and then a triple by pass. I always thought that that event may have been a cause go Jill’s MSA . We were told early on that it may have resulted from a traumatic event in Jill’s life and I know that really was difficult on Jill as she thought I may not make it.

The first weekend in March – labour day weekend the family had decided on going to Eildon so not to be left out I went sore knee and all – I as usual had a great time with my family and grand sons – The boys had great time as the park has installed a jumping pillow.

Visitors at Eildon

Visitors at Eildon

Visitors at Eildon

Visitors at Eildon

Visitors at Eildon

Visitors at Eildon

Visitors at Eildon

Visitors at Eildon

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A couple of weeks later I had the Caravan serviced and  a small addition of 12volt outlets inside and out. I also added a TV through the wall fitting for my satellite to connect

Easter is here and we are off to Eildon Caravan Park again – 8 days with Jill’s sister and Gavin. Arrived on the Wednesday before Easter and first thing was to set up satellite and was amazed at the clarity of my picture. The family arrived over the next couple of days. The boys were constantly talking about the Easter Bunny and  just couldn’t wait for him to arrive. I thought a walk may help my knee so set off around the bottom pondage (7k) – Jill would have said I told you not to go. I spent the next few days being quiet sitting around the fire.We had some great nights around the fire talking of all the past visits.Easter Monday was  even harder this year as it was 2 years from Jill’s passing – we had a coffee for my beautiful Jill.

"Jill's Gym" at Eildon

“Jill’s Gym” at Eildon

My two firemen

My two firemen

Riley and the CFA

Riley and the CFA

Lucas, Riley and Easter Bunny

Lucas, Riley and Easter Bunny

After Easter I had a quick visit to look after Riley and Lucas – I love the time I can spend with the boys and help Chris & Nicole.

Lucas and Dad at Swimming Lessons

Lucas and Dad at Swimming Lessons

 

Back home and my first time to the New Age Owners Caravan Club Meeting at Nagambie Lakes Caravan Park. It was amazing to see some 40-50 New Age Caravans of all models collected together. I got to meet like minded friend from all over. The even was well organised with various activities which covered new caravan owners and those that had vans for a long time. We spent 4 days and evenings discussing and talking about our vans and made new friends. I found the time great but also felt lonely in the evenings when I went back to my van. Just wish Jill had been there with me . I think I was the only single caravan member. They demonstrated a couple of new items available for caravans . The most interesting is the ALKO – Anti theft system which gives you a real time location go your van. With the theft of caravans on the rise this is a must.

New Age Owners Club - Nagambie

New Age Owners Club – Nagambie

"Jill'sgym" at Nagambie

“Jill’sgym” at Nagambie

I also purchased a “Chuffa” which is a wood heater manufactured out of a 9kg gas cylinder.  I have looked at this several times but – how to transport it has always stopped me. One of the members had solved this for me. He has attached to the rear bumper of  his van a 9 kg gas bottle holder and there fore is able to carry his there . I arrived home with a Chuffa and on Ebay found the best holder and am having a braced welled to support it. No more cold nights .

I was back at the doctors this week complaining about my knee and my blocked ears. I had an MRI and get the results on Friday  1st May about both. Fingers crossed.

See you soon on the Net

 

 

 

 

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Week 386 “MARCH IS MSA AWARENESS MONTH”

MARCH IS MSA AWARENESS MONTH

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Week 382 “Christmas – New Year & Family”

I feel very guilty that I  have not been here for about 8 weeks but it has been busy. I have had several trips to Melbourne  prior to Christmas and for Christmas. baby sitting and then the chance to wake up on Christmas morning to watch Riley & Lucas’s excitement to see what Santa had bought. Jill and I loved seeing the faces on Christmas morning.

Over the past couple of months my great neighbours & I have shared some great meals and the odd wine together. Their company has been invaluable to me. I know Jill will be looking down and saying “it’s your turn – cook something really nice”

Christmas 2014 lights

Christmas 2014 lights

My family at the christmas lights

My family at the christmas lights

Prior to Christmas we and been to see the lights and if it did not amaze the kids ( I’m sure that it did ) it certainly amazed me. Had to park several streets away ad walk with hundreds of other parents ,grand parents and kids . There were several houses close together  competing for the best illuminated  house. Music, lights , dressed up people and singing every thing you could imagine. Riley and Lucas kept seeing something different and even at 10pm didn’t want to go home.

The only disapointment was the non arrival of Riley and Lucas’s major Christmas present from Santa. A Cubby House. Ordered in August there was always a problem with delivery and this had been promised on several occasions. On Christmas eve  the phone call wait 3pm at 5pm – “there’s been an accident and the cubby has been destroyed and I cannot deliver it until after New Year when the suppliers open ” Fortunately Santa had left other things to cover up the problem.

My Birthday - I'm 2

My Birthday – I’m 2

Lucas's Dinosaur Train

Lucas’s Dinosaur Train

Birthdays galore – first was Chris’s , then Lucas followed a fews days later by Nicole – I think Riley and I felt a bit left out but we all enjoy those days with visits to Werribee Zoo  and  the Eltham miniature railway. The kids were extremely excited and so was grandpa as he had never seem them before. Jill would have loved to see their faces as we were driven through the zoo in a huge train and well as through the tunnels in the miniature trains at Eltham.

Riley on the train

Riley on the train

Riley & Grandpa at Zoo

Riley & Grandpa at Zoo

Riley & Lucas at Werribee Zoo

Riley & Lucas at Werribee Zoo

What's that at the Zoo

What’s that at the Zoo

Eltham Miniature Railway

Eltham Miniature Railway

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chris , Nicole and the boys went to Eden  ( Sth Coast NSW) in the caravan – swimming, building sand castles, fishing  and having a great time. while they were gone we had a call about the cubby and it was decided that I come back to make sure that it arrives and is erected as promised. He arrived about 6.30am and by lunch time the cubby house was erected and it looked great. I headed home and my only wish was that I could have been there to see the boys faces. I came back a few weeks later to help paint and do a couple of modifications – catches on doors etc. The boys love it and are always wanting to be outside in their cubby.

At Last CUBBY has arrived

At Last CUBBY has arrived

Lucas playing in Cubby

Lucas playing in Cubby

Riley helping paint his cubby

Riley helping paint his cubby

Lucas putting the finishing touches to the picket  fence

Lucas putting the finishing touches to the picket fence

CUBBY alms finished

CUBBY alms finished

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While all this Michael & Amanda were hard at work setting up their new Coffee & Hair Lounge “STAFFORD BROTHERS COFFEE & HAIR ”  named after their two Staffy dogs

Stafford Brother Coffee & Hair

Stafford Brother Coffee & Hair

Stafford Brothers is OPEN

Stafford Brothers is OPEN

Our next venture was to Nagambie Lake side Caravan Park . Allison & Chris had taken delivery of their new caravan – a Lotus Freelander Off Road Van . This gave us a chance to spend a weekend together . We were booked in for three days and had a great time. It is a large busy park ,but has lots of space and things for the boys to enjoy. The family packed up and were gone by midday Sunday and I stayed until Monday .

Another trip to babysit the kids on Valentines Day while Chris and Nic went out for Dinner.

Valentines Day

Valentines Day

 

Before leaving I collected a red rose from my neighbour and went to visit Jill. I was the only person at the cemetery and it was pouring rain.

 

 

 

While in Melbourne Chris & I also visited the Caravan & Camping show a their new venue – The Royal Show Grounds

Caravan Show in Melbourne

Caravan Show in Melbourne

 

I’m home again with Jessie , she is  miaowing wanting my attention so I had better go .

See you soon on the net.

 

 

 

 

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Week 374 ” All my Love”

 

My Darling

 I think of you in silence

I often speak your name

But all I have are memories

And your picture in a frame.

Your resting place I visit

And put flowers there with care

But no one knows the heartache

As I turn and leave you there.

All my love

Mac

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Week 373 ” Jean’s Never Fail Sponge”

Just arrived – hand delivered

Thank you card from Aunty Jean’s Family with a twist.

Jean's Thank you card

Jean’s Thank you card

Jean was famous for her Sponge’ssponge cake which appeared like magic on all occasions. Bake your own and enjoy

Jean's Never Fail Sponge

Jean’s Never Fail Sponge

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Week 372 ” Happy Birthday Allison”

Here I am again- since last blog I have been away more than at home.My first adventure was in “Jillsgym” ( Caravan). My great friends and neighbours invited me out to Gentle Annie Caravan Park about 50 k from Wangaratta. They have a permanent cabin on site. We set of on the 27th of November and a couple of hours later I was fully set up. The park was quiet only 4 vans there when we arrived. My  first impression – met by two barking dogs which quickly quietened. The park needed some TLC i.e. grass mowed and following a storm early in the week lots of branches down. The King river flows past the park and I have fished it above and below the park on many occasions – when I think about it that was probably 20 – 30  years ago. I actually taught at the Edi school  about 20 k down stream in another life time  1963-69. There is lots of bird life – small wrens, parrots, galahs, cockatoos & kookaburras. the sign at the back of my site says Snakes Live here – only saw one a black snake curled up in the sun. We had a great time – cooked on the open fire and my webber – talked about our families and things in the past, peter entertained us with his guitar and the time passed quickly . I attempted to catch a fish each morning and evening but with no luck as usual. Took lots of photos of the river and surroundings. While sitting on my own I heard a cracking sound on the other side of the river and while watching a huge gum tree dropped a large branch with a terrible thud. It reminded me never to camp under a Gum tree at any time. Finally on the Tuesday we packed up and headed home as I was off to look after my boys – Riley & Lucas.

Jillsgym on site

Jillsgym on site

Cooking on open fire

Cooking on open fire

King River at Gentle Annie C/P

King River at Gentle Annie C/P

Gentle Annie camping Ground

Gentle Annie camping Ground

Mac's webber

Mac’s webber

Mac & Peter

Mac & Peter

Sun set over King Valley

Sun set over King Valley

camp fires along river bank

camp fires along river bank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next few days I was in Doreen , with Chris, Nicole and the boys – as usual it was great to be with them – picked the boys up from day care and they were excited to see me. Stories in the evenings and on Saturday of to swimming lessons. The boys love the water . It amazes me how quickly they are learning even Lucas. Lucas is also stringing several words together and I got “Come on Grandpa” when ever he wanted me to do something with him. Quickly Monday arrived and I was on my way home.

Grandpa & Lucas

Grandpa & Lucas

Spiderman

Spiderman

Look at my Farm

Look at my Farm

We play together

We play together

Look what I can do

Look what I can do

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While I was away a very large storm had hit Wangaratta – 61mm in one hour – not including the large hail stones and wind. No damage at home but the pool was full – almost over flowing

 

Lotus home in Strathdale

Lotus home in Strathdale

Inside the Lotus

Inside the Lotus

Allison & Chris’s Lotus has arrived to much excitement. Also arrived for an early birthday present.

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALLISON

The last few days I am back out to Pat  & Keith’s farm to help clean up for the auction on Saturday, 13th December. My fingers are crossed.

Let you know next week on the net

 

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