tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89288516358883918272024-03-12T21:32:02.135-07:00Hancocks In AustraliaNick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-63557537328964174412010-05-11T20:35:00.000-07:002010-05-11T21:17:57.539-07:00Alex's Birthday<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-opn3cM-WI/AAAAAAAAAVE/f7SeJTguUDU/s1600/IMG_3107.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470230462268766562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-opn3cM-WI/AAAAAAAAAVE/f7SeJTguUDU/s400/IMG_3107.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-opNijP-DI/AAAAAAAAAU8/9emj5mmP4IU/s1600/IMG_3101.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470230009984579634" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-opNijP-DI/AAAAAAAAAU8/9emj5mmP4IU/s400/IMG_3101.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-oo18I2-dI/AAAAAAAAAU0/UocMAOlpbRs/s1600/IMG_3088.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470229604536351186" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-oo18I2-dI/AAAAAAAAAU0/UocMAOlpbRs/s400/IMG_3088.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We decided that rather than have a big party we would have a mini one with a few close friends and then have a family outing at the Aquarium. Alex still does not know lots of kiddies yet. He only started at his preschool last week. <a href="http://www.thespotpreschool.com.au/">http://www.thespotpreschool.com.au/</a> .<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div>We had a little party with Laura's girls, Amelie the oldest is good friends with Oliver at school and Alex adores Poppy the middle girl. Ed is quite content playing on his own and watching the entertainment around him. I made a rocket cake. Thank goodness for melted chocolate icing as it covers up even the worst cake. Alex loved it. We had a tea party outside played the usual party games including pass the parcel and the Mums had a chance to have a glass of wine. Very civilized. </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470229155861459762" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-oob0sbczI/AAAAAAAAAUs/8u9ATSUY2IQ/s400/IMG_3095.jpg" /><br /><div>Unfortunately the day after we all got a bit sick (not from the food!)and on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Al's</span> birthday we were all a bit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">achy</span> and flu like. Did managed to walk around the Aquarium though which had a few good displays. The sharks and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">gudongs</span> were the highlight. And for the first time in years we had a meal at a restaurant and the boys were so well behaved. We sat at 'Nicks' overlooking Darling Harbour and watched the boats go by.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Onto Alex's preschool. Well Nick and I have discussed at length whether he really needs to go but being that he is going to start at school next year we decided that he needed to make some buddies of his own and get used to spending some time away from me. The debate really came about because of cost. Here it is £50 a day for preschool and two days is the minimum. It is going to be a large cost as we wont get any rebate being on a temporary visa. To be honest he is lucky to get a place as there is a shortage of schools and long waiting lists. We think it is the right thing to do though and despite the tears in the morning he is very happy when I pick him up. The preschool he is at is run by a lovely couple. They are originally from Africa and have a medical background. The guy calls <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">himself</span> 'big Dad' and is so warm to the children. The school <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470228784374148642" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-ooGMy87iI/AAAAAAAAAUk/mX5_BUXyDCI/s400/IMG_3096.jpg" />has a lovely feel and is very structured. Lots of play but also the usual 'learning time'. He came home the other day telling me about letters he had learnt and stories they had read. I just hope he makes some little friends too. Whenever <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ol</span> has a friend back to play Alex always tries to hug them and become a part of what the<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">y</span> are doing but usually ends up side lined! It is tough being the little brother. Hey they call Alex the 'lawyer' at preschool. Isn't that funny!! Apparently Steve used to be called the 'see lawyer' as whenever he was told off he would say 'n<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-onmCioWwI/AAAAAAAAAUc/YigkAh2MtG8/s1600/IMG_3066.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470228231865522946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-onmCioWwI/AAAAAAAAAUc/YigkAh2MtG8/s400/IMG_3066.jpg" /></a>o but you see...!' Well Alex is exactly the same. Anyway check out the school website and let me know what you think.</div><div> </div><div>Here is Al on his first day of school, he insisted he needed a hat and bag just like his big brother. As an aside, Ollie has been so lovely in helping Al get over his anxieties in the morning. I heard hem telling Alex 'don't worry I used to be scared of school too!. Alex gave him a huge hug and kiss on the lips today at drop off. Little moments of brotherly love. Just a shame they are so short and infrequent.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-70229048290404927242010-05-11T20:22:00.000-07:002010-05-11T20:35:15.485-07:00The day we lost Alex!!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-ohx_WM2-I/AAAAAAAAAUU/3GypjR8X-pE/s1600/IMG_3070.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470221840096746466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S-ohx_WM2-I/AAAAAAAAAUU/3GypjR8X-pE/s400/IMG_3070.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Well it was Anzac weekend and a public holiday on Monday. Nick was planning to go into the lab to work but I managed to talk him into a picnic at the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Botanical</span> Gardens. We caught the bus to Circular Quay and walked towards the Opera House. The weather was beautiful and the place was heaving with people. Nick needed to get some money and I wanted to have a quick peek in a shop so he took Oliver and Alex hand in hand downstairs to the lower concourse of the Opera house Plaza. I was waiting upstairs when I heard shouting. Nick was calling Alex. He suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs and pushed through crowds to tell me Alex had gone he was by his side and he had just disappeared. Before I even got the chance to say anything Nick ran back down stairs and started shouting again. You can look down onto the lower concourse and there I was completely stuck with the pushchair. Watching Nick run up and down pushing through masses of people with a growing audience. Soon there were security guards involved and police on their radios. I was in tears. Ten minutes later and it felt like half an hour a lady had found him wandering alone near the water. He was totally not fazed. We <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">didn't</span> know whether to hug him or scream at him so we did both. Nick later said he thought someone had taken him because it was seconds between him being there and vanishing. He is such a confident little boy. I am not letting his hand go now though!</div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-55871727891547219542010-04-29T04:34:00.000-07:002010-04-29T20:27:12.800-07:00Jervis Bay<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9pNKWqqTvI/AAAAAAAAAUM/Jitr_czKT6U/s1600/jb+grand+pacicfic.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465765938046062322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9pNKWqqTvI/AAAAAAAAAUM/Jitr_czKT6U/s400/jb+grand+pacicfic.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9l-FqycyDI/AAAAAAAAATU/7h_dkCypWYw/s1600/jb3+grand.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465538258641143858" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9l-FqycyDI/AAAAAAAAATU/7h_dkCypWYw/s400/jb3+grand.jpg" /></a> Jervis Bay is home to Booderee National Park and also, or so the record books say, home of the whitest sand in the world. The location of the white stuff is Hyams Beach and one Mum told me today that she once complained to the local council that there should be warning signs to state children should wear UV protective eyewear before playing on this beach because of the danger of the <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9mEuLYEi_I/AAAAAAAAATc/GG1jIsnoRPw/s1600/jb10.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465545551653407730" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9mEuLYEi_I/AAAAAAAAATc/GG1jIsnoRPw/s400/jb10.jpg" /></a>reflective properties of the sand. In retrospect I am thinking she was having me on!. Still the sand is whiter than white and the sea azure blue and the bush a dense yellowy green.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We travelled along the scenic drive South from Sydney taki<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9mFeHWunwI/AAAAAAAAATk/4LPE-QFacRA/s1600/jb20+hyam.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465546375207755522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9mFeHWunwI/AAAAAAAAATk/4LPE-QFacRA/s400/jb20+hyam.jpg" /></a>ng in the coast through the Royal National Park and then past Wollongong to the Shoalhaven region. We stopped in Kiama, home to the famous blow hole. The tidal surges have formed an underground path and chamber with hole. When there are good storm surges and waves the resultant spout apparently can reach 60 metres with a massive thwuump and has swept spectators to their death. Well we waited there or a long, long while and the most this could manage was a mini thud and a micro mini spurt, took a picture though!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We rented a lack lustre apartment with a good deal of resident cockroaches ( I am learning new techniques of killing the critters though) and stayed in Huskisson. The redeeming features of Huskisson are the jetty where Nick and Oliver spent a good deal of time fishing, the fish and chip shop where we purchased our shrim<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9mGRHpF8sI/AAAAAAAAATs/Evqs_LWbVAA/s1600/jb22+hyam.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465547251458110146" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9mGRHpF8sI/AAAAAAAAATs/Evqs_LWbVAA/s400/jb22+hyam.jpg" /></a>ps to slap on the barbie and finally the oldie worldie cinema where Ol and I had the best night eating mountain of popcorn and watching some dragon movie.</div><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9pJ3ZNocRI/AAAAAAAAAT0/IefeIfqPfGc/s1600/jb33+cave.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465762313777213714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9pJ3ZNocRI/AAAAAAAAAT0/IefeIfqPfGc/s400/jb33+cave.jpg" /></a>We spent almost every day going into the Booderee National Park which is now co run by the Aborigines of Wreck Bay and the National Park Authority. The park houses <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9pK5qRv9YI/AAAAAAAAAUE/UrGPugk13fc/s1600/jb43+kang.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465763452229252482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9pK5qRv9YI/AAAAAAAAAUE/UrGPugk13fc/s400/jb43+kang.jpg" /></a>a pretty fantastic Botanical Garden where we sighted out first two kangaroos, unfortunately in the middle of procreating. Caused a bombardment of questions as you can imagine, the male then followed us us the road, coughing which made Al pretty nervous!. It was all quite confusing for the little guy!.<br /><div></div><br /><div>We also spent a day to the West in Kangaroo Valley. The village is very pretty and the country side lush and green with, again, steep sandstone escarpments. We had a leaflet that gave us a bush walk to do that was supposedly on the level. We walked along a fire trail in deep bush for about an hour and were disappointed when it suddenly came to an end. It was meant to take us to a fabulous view point on the top of one of the sandstone cliffs. Nick decided to push through the bush in front of us and there it was. Two rocky-out crops before the most crazy precipice into bush far below. It was safe for the boys as we kept them far back. This was where we had he most peaceful of picnics. Nick had the binocs and spotted some native birds. I had three boys and spotted dirty nappies, naughty behaviour and the odd ball biter!.</div><br /><br /><div>Talking of ball biters.... imagine a red ant with a black tail and mean saw like pincers for mouth parts. You will have the red bull ant in mind. Now on our trek back out of the bush we saw a few of these and then Nick found a hole...he stuck a stick down it and gave it a go<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9pKSE3roLI/AAAAAAAAAT8/7aFRtg5DFVo/s1600/jb48+kang.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465762772172906674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S9pKSE3roLI/AAAAAAAAAT8/7aFRtg5DFVo/s400/jb48+kang.jpg" /></a>od old wiggle. Well there we all are. All eyes eagerly peering and jeepers, you have never seen anything like it, at least a couple of thousand ants come after us. These things are an inch and a half long and they didn't look friendly. I am not joking they chased us and Ed and I were the first running. As we left Nick told me that he had read an article in a medical journal that stated you could use these ants to close a wound. Just get them to lock their big jaws either side of the injury and pull the head off when the jaws have closed pulling the two edges of the wound together. Since returning home I have found an excellent short film on these little critters, you should take a look. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDRFTcNW0go">www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDRFTcNW0go</a> Won't be getting to close to these ones again!!</div><br /><div>Whilst in Kangaroo Valley we decided we should see a winery and chose the one closest to us, Yarrawa Valley. I didn't read that visits were by appointment only. We drove a long way and finally reached a narrow track that headed up a steep hill. It was here that we were stopped by another family looking for the same wine estate. We followed them and arrived with our noisy boys and intruded slightly on this other couples tasting session. Nick and I took it in turns to sample a few of the vintages whilst entertaining the boys in the garden. It was all very relaxed and unpretentious and we came away with a few inexpensive bottles. Good memories!.</div><br /><div>The week went far too fast and now it is back to school runs and work. Nick has completed his first paper and has a few in the pipeline so fingers crossed for publications. The other fellow ,Anthony, has become a good friend and comes to dinner regularly so I am trying to improve on the old cooking skills. Still I am taking solace from the fact that Australian Masterchef has started and the contestants were wowing the judges last night with lasagne, meatballs and fish fingers, all staple recipes in the Toni Book!.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-5664973008957811672010-04-18T20:44:00.000-07:002010-04-19T04:36:10.251-07:00Port Stephens<div><br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wkaXxDItI/AAAAAAAAASc/-UQBWcOsLEg/s1600/map_port_stephens.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 348px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461780483568509650" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wkaXxDItI/AAAAAAAAASc/-UQBWcOsLEg/s400/map_port_stephens.gif" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461773728408512322" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8weRK1Zp0I/AAAAAAAAASU/ok_ga4RNyck/s400/port_stephens_big.jpg" />At last Nick was given some leave over Easter. We had the long weekend to go and explore and, as the weather forecast wasn't that good, we booked a little cabin rather than camp. The forecast however was wrong and we were blessed with beautiful sunny days.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Port Stephens is three hours North of Sydney, about 250km away. It is a beautiful bay with numerous wonderful beaches and a national park making up the southern headland called Tomaree National Park. Our cabin was very cosy, small living area with kitchenette, a double bedroom and a bunk in an alcove. We took the boys bikes and they cycled around the park safely. Ollie is pretty much confident on his bike now. </div><br /><br /><div>If you look at the first map, we stayed on Shoal Bay, just to the West of Tomaree Headland. The beach was fabulous as it had a gently shelfing white sandy beach protected from<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wmo14jF0I/AAAAAAAAASk/8_EAyBSbOqo/s1600/shoal1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461782931194451778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wmo14jF0I/AAAAAAAAASk/8_EAyBSbOqo/s400/shoal1.jpg" /></a> swell as in the bay. The water was totally clear and teaming with fish. We hired a kayak and Ollie and I were lucky enough to be joined by dolphins, there is a resident pod inhabiting Nelsons Bay.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Here is Shoal Bay and behind you c<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wpVpeDldI/AAAAAAAAASs/NX2NaUvxGAI/s1600/shoal2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461785899979478482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wpVpeDldI/AAAAAAAAASs/NX2NaUvxGAI/s400/shoal2.jpg" /></a>an see the peak that is Tomaree Point. We climbed to the top of this on the second day but had to leave Ed and Alex behind on the last stretch as, step metal staircase at the end. The views were well worth the climb. From May to November you can see humpback whales on their annual migration North. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>This is the view of Shoal Bay from Tomaree Point</div><br /><div>We spent a lot of time playing on the beautiful bea<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wq-A7n0sI/AAAAAAAAAS0/_PNLYuElx1o/s1600/IMG_2024.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461787692983898818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wq-A7n0sI/AAAAAAAAAS0/_PNLYuElx1o/s400/IMG_2024.jpg" /></a>ch and swimming. Oliver and Nick also spent many hours on the jetty trying to catch fish, unfortunately with little success. Nick is very happy as he has discovered Oliver is happy to sit for hours staring out to sea and daydreaming so is perfectly suited to fishing. Something I have said we already knew taking into acount the proportion of his day spent sitting on the loo!. Alex, on the other hand, is your worst nightmare<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wuK1BMzGI/AAAAAAAAAS8/3vRLfXMz52A/s1600/shoal7.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461791211659250786" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wuK1BMzGI/AAAAAAAAAS8/3vRLfXMz52A/s400/shoal7.jpg" /></a>, hands everywhere, all over the hooks and bait, charging all over the place, hence the life jacket!.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We ventured over to Stockton Sand Dunes, the biggest moving sand mass in the Southern Hemisphere. Amazing to see as the sand stretched to the horizon. Also the boys enjoyed watching the camels taking tourists for a ride. </div><br /><br /><div>All Australians out of the cities seem to own a big 4WD and access is open to these dunes to take your vehicle out and mess around. So there was lots of noise and we didnt stay too long. We are gradually identifying the things that Australians hold close to their hearts and big is definately in here. Macdonalds is massive, tattoos, pie eating and Holden Utes ( imagine a Vauxhall Vectra cut in half with the back end replaced by a covered trailer you won't be too far off). Also they are not afraid of loud. Favourite car colours are bright red, vivid green and sky blue. Ok I have swung off on a tangent as per usual. Back to the weekend...</div><br /><br /><div>What I have failed to mention is that for the first time since Edward arrived in our lives he chose this weekend to be a little ill. His illness luckily revealed itself to Nick whilst I was out taking Ol and Al to the park. He stayed behind and fed Ed his supper. When I returned I found a whole load of food over the floor and walls and could hear Nick shouting help in the distance. On arrival at the shower room I found a smiling naked baby in the arms of his equally clothless father both covered in poop. 'What do I do, what do I do??'. 'Looks like you are doing well to me Daddy!!' I said. Edward was placed on a strict no food only fluid diet for the rest of the weekend and, in his usual way, he did not complain and this seemed to do the trick. </div><br /><br /><div>We also did a dolphin watching little boat cruise<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wyVSQEYgI/AAAAAAAAATE/FAMqsF3nsz0/s1600/IMG_2221.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461795789351444994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8wyVSQEYgI/AAAAAAAAATE/FAMqsF3nsz0/s400/IMG_2221.jpg" /></a>. Fabulous. This is where I took the following pictures. I have never seen dolphins in the wild and it really took my breath away. Oliver was equally impressed.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>On our last day, and having seen so many signs warning of koalas on the roads, we decided we would go on a koala bear hunt. We headed to Lemon tree Passage as according to the guides this was where you were most likely to have success. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We entered the reserved and Nick then spent the next two hours looking up into the leafy canopies above us . At the end of the two hours we opted to have our picnic on the most peaceful beach. On our way we bumped into a friendly local who said chances of seeing a koala were pretty much zero as locals had been letting their dogs out overnight and these had pretty much wiped out the koala population. The best time to see koalas is at dusk when they come down from the safety of their trees. This ultimately had been responsible for their demise. Whilst we were listening to this tale we didnt pay attention to big eared Alex who wa<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8w-1kREThI/AAAAAAAAATM/a6Kn7e1g5Co/s1600/IMG_2305.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461809538082819602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S8w-1kREThI/AAAAAAAAATM/a6Kn7e1g5Co/s400/IMG_2305.jpg" /></a>s avidly taking this in. And because the man used the word die and dogs he then spent the rest of the afternoon stopping every passer by to tell them with lots of hand movements and great expression. 'All the koalas have died, they are all gone because of the dogs!!'. He still recounts this story even now if he hears the word koala. Here we are on the beach after the above said hunt.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-71345926938459262582010-03-02T02:58:00.000-08:002010-03-03T02:40:04.218-08:00Killalea Camping<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4zysk6DzsI/AAAAAAAAAQk/ojywU8rDRdU/s1600-h/camp1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443992897219448514" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4zysk6DzsI/AAAAAAAAAQk/ojywU8rDRdU/s400/camp1.jpg" /></a> Finally managed another weekend camping at last. The weather was looking good so we headed two hours South of Sydney to Killalea State Park near to Kiama. I had picked up this camp book from the local library and this site came recommended. You have to drive through a milton keynes style development before you get <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4zzTl3mbxI/AAAAAAAAAQs/NzloL4NZtg8/s1600-h/camp6.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443993567492468498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4zzTl3mbxI/AAAAAAAAAQs/NzloL4NZtg8/s400/camp6.jpg" /></a>there though. Suddenly though horrifically ugly houses give way to beautiful rolling hills, green fields and bush. The campsite lies alongside two great beaches, locally known as Mystics and The Farm. They are supposedly good surf spots. You can't see the beach or the sea from the campsite though but <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S448GhSZV8I/AAAAAAAAARk/uf_otQ9xmv8/s1600-h/ed1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444355082249918402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S448GhSZV8I/AAAAAAAAARk/uf_otQ9xmv8/s400/ed1.jpg" /></a>you can hear the waves. The space at the site was superb and despite being alongside many other people it felt remarkably private. We set up camp and went to find the beach with pushchair in tow. We were directed down a small path from the camp which rapidly became <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4zz8fW_9VI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/uyAu4vVoRUc/s1600-h/camp4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443994270119753042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4zz8fW_9VI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/uyAu4vVoRUc/s400/camp4.jpg" /></a>very steep and fell away to steep steps down a rocky face and then steep rocks alone. We were stopped on our arrival on the sand by a Scottish lady who had been watching us and stated we were crazy!. The beach was pretty much empty, unsuprisingly. We had a relaxing afternoon exploring rockpools, <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4445rGA9kI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/O41KWhK99LU/s1600-h/Mystics.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444351563009160770" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4445rGA9kI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/O41KWhK99LU/s400/Mystics.jpg" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S445XzkFBkI/AAAAAAAAARE/69VpT1ejHjY/s1600-h/Mystics2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444352080678815298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S445XzkFBkI/AAAAAAAAARE/69VpT1ejHjY/s400/Mystics2.jpg" /></a>catching crabs and fish and sleeping. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4456b8igYI/AAAAAAAAARM/sq3vd0YNHIA/s1600-h/taichi1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444352675634381186" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4456b8igYI/AAAAAAAAARM/sq3vd0YNHIA/s400/taichi1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S447aV8yQhI/AAAAAAAAARc/pYcvojSzQPs/s1600-h/crab.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444354323292242450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S447aV8yQhI/AAAAAAAAARc/pYcvojSzQPs/s400/crab.jpg" /></a>Well Edward and Nick mastered that art the most effectively. W<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S446fZ6gO5I/AAAAAAAAARU/_IgvFIoJudM/s1600-h/min9.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444353310744132498" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S446fZ6gO5I/AAAAAAAAARU/_IgvFIoJudM/s400/min9.jpg" /></a>e returned to camp for supper and used one of the fabulous electric BBQ's and had a gourmet meal of meat and salad. Ollie enjoyed the novelty again of wearing a head torch and stayed up with us reading his space book and looking at the stars. There was a great smell of food and woodfires and burning mosquito coils, a mix of music playing too. Nick and I even managed an hour to ourselves with a bottle of wine. The boys slept so well and didnt wake until seven. We had a quick fry up before taking the tent down and heading to the Minnamurra rainforest just inland on the slopes above Jamberoo. The attraction here was the boardwalk and paths accessible to a pushchair for the 5km circuit. Well worth a visit, the waterfall at the end of a steep trek beautiful too. We saw huge figs and gum trees, palms and waterdragons as well as lyrebirds. We now just keep having to push ourselves to get away at weekends everytime the weather looks good as there is so much to see. We are starting to feel we won't manage to fit in all that we wanted to do in the year alone.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-89337116752812615882010-02-24T03:11:00.001-08:002010-02-24T03:58:01.191-08:00Messing Around<div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4URQNtKasI/AAAAAAAAAQE/IC39uXnZvbM/s1600-h/IMG_1334.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441774695001778882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4URQNtKasI/AAAAAAAAAQE/IC39uXnZvbM/s400/IMG_1334.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Whilst Nick is working very hard and driving all over the city every day I am enjoying the daily school runs and finding new things to do with Alex and Edward. Already our days are very busy. There is a playgroup every day in Coogee and Randwick so on Mondays we go to a church playgroup near the sea. It is incredibly well <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4URmgD9UmI/AAAAAAAAAQM/OAQMiwcguQg/s1600-h/IMG_1348.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441775077886349922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4URmgD9UmI/AAAAAAAAAQM/OAQMiwcguQg/s400/IMG_1348.jpg" /></a>run by lovely ladies who volunteer. You pay a little bit more per child to go in but all the toys are laid out, there is a baby room and cars and ride on toys, a sand pit, all the coffee you want to drink. The kids can paint or do play dough and Alex loves it. The best bit is at the end when all the ladies get the children singing church songs and dance and clap!. It has been a fantastic way to meet other Mums and everyone is so friendly!! They even sent me a post card after my first visit encouraging me to come on Sundays. Here is Al getting stuck into painting. I have met a french lady Marion, from Quebec, who is over studying with her husband and son for two years and she has started to teach Oliver some french and if Nick and I can find the time we are going to have some lessons too. She has a little son, Romain, who is the same age as Alex. Unfortunately he only likes girls and so he has struggled a bit with Alex who wants to be friendly with everyone. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><div>Oliver has also started tennis and has an incredible teacher called Julie who he is just desperate to impress. He now asks everyday if he can have a tennis lesson. Primarily just so he gets another hour with this lady. She is so full of praise for <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4USMiFPugI/AAAAAAAAAQU/22JpmgizZkI/s1600-h/IMG_1157.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441775731263650306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4USMiFPugI/AAAAAAAAAQU/22JpmgizZkI/s400/IMG_1157.jpg" /></a>e<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4USw_JVBYI/AAAAAAAAAQc/qa59bOnNZY0/s1600-h/IMG_1158.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441776357540693378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4USw_JVBYI/AAAAAAAAAQc/qa59bOnNZY0/s400/IMG_1158.jpg" /></a>verything he does. In just a few weeks he has learnt how to catch, something I have been trying to do for years and he can now return a ball forehand and backhand with his racket. Check out the concentration on the little guys face and the tongue hanging out!. I have also started having lessons down on the beach courts. They run a mothers group on Thursdays and have a little creche on site and so for two hours of the week I am childless. It is fabulous. I have never played before and am worse than terrible but am having a great time.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Olivers behaviour has improved so much since he has started school again. Mind you I have found some excellent punishments that keep the naughtiness away. Here he is changing a poopy nappy, an experience no one would wish to repeat, forget the naughty step, this is the way forward girls!</div><div> </div><div>The other thing that Nick and I are trying out is sushi. There is so much fresh fish and Japanese in Sydney that there are sushi bars everywhere. I always thought that Sushi was tiny bits of raw fish on top of rice. ( I quite like this sort) Well Nick went and got ?sushimi? the other night and came back with platters of sliced raw fish for our supper. Well I already had the wok heating up ready to cook the stuff. Ollie, however, embraced the concept and dug in. He loved it. We didnt however emphasise the raw!!. The swordfish was ok but it was just all to big and cold and uncooked for me. I will have to keep trying I guess.</div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-92017413565065422702010-02-24T01:01:00.000-08:002010-02-24T02:07:20.160-08:00Weekend in Killcare<div><div><div><div><div><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441737861178143074" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4TvwNBRMWI/AAAAAAAAAPM/DekQy6BELuk/s400/IMG_1178.jpg" />Nick is working for Professor Warwick Bruce and he invited us up to his holiday home for a weekend.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We were <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4TwKwoC2uI/AAAAAAAAAPU/QUAfKFafwrc/s1600-h/IMG_1175.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441738317412621026" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4TwKwoC2uI/AAAAAAAAAPU/QUAfKFafwrc/s400/IMG_1175.jpg" /></a><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441738724709689938" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4Twid7O6lI/AAAAAAAAAPc/afep0dNtva4/s400/IMG_1177.jpg" /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441740642780344898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4TySHS6ckI/AAAAAAAAAPk/DOqrBuGTv70/s400/IMG_1190.jpg" />both feeling a bit nervous about how the boys would behave but as it turned out they were brilliant and he seemed quite relaxed. He is however the father of six!.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>His holiday house is on the hillside in a village called Killcare in Bouddi National Park just North of Sydney. It has a panoramic view of Putty Beach, the only South facing beach in NSW. Completely stunning, Nick says almost as good as Gulls!. Here are some of the views from the balcony and looking down towards the beach.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>We were lucky enough to be sleeping downstairs in a self contained apartment. Also Judy, the Professors PA came with her husband and nine year old son and also another family came with there two boys, seven and three. Ol and Al had a ball, they spent there time on the beach and in the bush chasing a bush turkey. This was a good plan until Oliver returned splatered in blood. I tried to find the source but soon discovered the boys had been squashing big fat mosquitos and it was their blood!. They were both covered in bites, yuk!.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4T4s5zMNMI/AAAAAAAAAPs/ND0ihJNH86c/s1600-h/IMG_1184.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441747700083864770" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4T4s5zMNMI/AAAAAAAAAPs/ND0ihJNH86c/s400/IMG_1184.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4T5WTVuywI/AAAAAAAAAP0/ZPByE4uC4vw/s1600-h/IMG_1285.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441748411314260738" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4T5WTVuywI/AAAAAAAAAP0/ZPByE4uC4vw/s400/IMG_1285.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We were well looked after and ate fresh fish, steak, oysters and drank a very special wine...check this out...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4T5yb9GUQI/AAAAAAAAAP8/DT8m34Xc8FM/s1600-h/IMG_1289.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441748894663201026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4T5yb9GUQI/AAAAAAAAAP8/DT8m34Xc8FM/s400/IMG_1289.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We spent both days on Putty Beach, Nick got a mini surf in with mini waves and Oliver and Alex made friends on the beach and both gained confidence swimming in the sea. A very beautiful place.</div></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-37505432668433531322010-02-21T01:35:00.000-08:002010-02-21T02:26:39.825-08:00Around Randwick<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4EJtOtBYII/AAAAAAAAAPE/gpFY3rJ7aWQ/s1600-h/mears.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440640497485963394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4EJtOtBYII/AAAAAAAAAPE/gpFY3rJ7aWQ/s400/mears.jpg" /></a>Here are a few pictures of the suburb in which we are living. Randwick is a popular place to settle but is also very expensive. Mind you Sydney real estate is now said to be more expensive than anywhere else in th<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4EFfVWiM2I/AAAAAAAAAOs/bOW6dav73NM/s1600-h/spot.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440635860706014050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4EFfVWiM2I/AAAAAAAAAOs/bOW6dav73NM/s400/spot.jpg" /></a>e <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4EG4TYGTpI/AAAAAAAAAO0/hyTtixGN4gs/s1600-h/IMG_0957.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440637389184061074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S4EG4TYGTpI/AAAAAAAAAO0/hyTtixGN4gs/s400/IMG_0957.jpg" /></a>world!. It is fantastic mix of buildings, victorian terraces, art deco blocks of apartments to ultra modern very plush houses. Most people drive four wheel drives here despite being in the city. Parking is a premium and off road parking a luxury. At the top of our road Mears Avenue is Avoca Street which is long and runs south towards Botany Bay. On this and at the topof our road is a shopping centre that contains the most amazing fresh fruit and veg market. We have had the worlds best nectarines,mangos and bananas from there. Around the corner from us is The Spot where four roads meet at a roundabout. On each road centering around the spot are restaurants and street cafes and the Ritz Cinema, the oldest preserved art deco cinema in Sydney. We have now found two trustworthy baby sitters and have managed a couple of nights out here too.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div>The Prince of Wales Hospital is just at the top of Avoca Street as well, five minutes walk from us. Nick's lab is based there and so far when he is not operating he is spending his time in the lab preparing research data. After we went to dinner last week he took me to the eighth floor of the hospital to see the most amazing view of the city skyline at night!. We did encounter an Xray technician in the lift who, I think, wondered what and earth we were doing. Who says romance is dead!</div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-34301407965523680132010-02-19T03:44:00.000-08:002010-02-19T04:11:10.204-08:00Rainy Weekends<div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35-FhgX5-I/AAAAAAAAAN8/Fq7uVMHxr-Q/s1600-h/IMG_1034.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439924033268738018" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35-FhgX5-I/AAAAAAAAAN8/Fq7uVMHxr-Q/s400/IMG_1034.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Can you believe it... the last two weekends Sydney has had more rainfall than it has had in the same period for he last fifteen years. It has poured, crazy rain and thunder storms. I slept with Alex one of the stormy nights as the thunder was so loud it made the house shake. Whe<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35-ehcVA-I/AAAAAAAAAOE/0BuzkMemoP8/s1600-h/IMG_0984.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439924462748500962" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35-ehcVA-I/AAAAAAAAAOE/0BuzkMemoP8/s400/IMG_0984.jpg" /></a>n <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35_GvQSjiI/AAAAAAAAAOM/u02ik5LPfG8/s1600-h/lovbro.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439925153650871842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35_GvQSjiI/AAAAAAAAAOM/u02ik5LPfG8/s400/lovbro.jpg" /></a>we awoke in the morning the TV wouldn't work. Nick shook the adapter and it rattled. When he opened it up the inside was toast, crazy!. Luckily the TV survived but we are unplugging our computers now at night. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The storms are frequent here. The weather has been extreme and you can see how it takes its toll on the cities buildings and roads. Nick and Al ventured out for a haircut in one of the heaviest down pours and they returned as drowned rats. The water runs down the hills so fast that it spray up and arcs off the parked cars. The water opened up massive potholes in the major routes through the city and brought down loads of trees, even some houses or so the news headlines said. The hat that followed made the humidity unbearable. On one day I had to take three sucessive showers after walking with the pushchair, drenched in sweat. Really very attractive. The rain has meant that we havent been able to camp. There are however many things to do when it does rain though. On the first weekend we took a trip too the Powerhouse Museum that bases its exhibitions on the industrial era, advent of steam power to space travel and so on. It had a great eighties exhibition with mainly Kylie and Neighbours memorabilia...pretty cool! Unfortunately I lost my pictures of our trip there though. We manage to teach Ollie how to ride his bike with out stabilisers though on one of the gaps in the rain and we have also been doing a lot of cooking ( cake variety mainly!)</div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-28033731843027378172010-02-19T02:07:00.000-08:002010-02-19T04:19:30.690-08:00Exploring Coogee<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S353o1mv52I/AAAAAAAAAN0/4ZO25cZnbGQ/s1600-h/coogeesurfclub.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 408px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439916943378212706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S353o1mv52I/AAAAAAAAAN0/4ZO25cZnbGQ/s400/coogeesurfclub.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S350C6g0_WI/AAAAAAAAANU/IssL_AbiNB8/s1600-h/coogee.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439912993325645154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S350C6g0_WI/AAAAAAAAANU/IssL_AbiNB8/s400/coogee.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Whilst Oliver has been at school Alex, Edward and I have been exploring Coogee and its surrounds. Coogee is in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney and is centered around Coogee Bay Road that leads directly East to the beach. Olivers school is on Coogee Bay Road so we can drop him off or pick h<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35p5Qqp_8I/AAAAAAAAANE/UChFbL6059c/s1600-h/coogeesurfclub2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439901832357478338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35p5Qqp_8I/AAAAAAAAANE/UChFbL6059c/s400/coogeesurfclub2.jpg" /></a>im up and walk on to the beach. The beach is lovely, yellow sand, very clean. It has the backdrop of hotels and beach bars, fish and chip shops and a Macdonalds so lots of hub but it also has headland either side through which the coastal path runs. Here you can find wonderful coastal reserve with beautiful plants and birds and<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35zjHKoonI/AAAAAAAAANM/OJ9dX1JlscE/s1600-h/coastcoogee.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439912446966407794" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S35zjHKoonI/AAAAAAAAANM/OJ9dX1JlscE/s400/coastcoogee.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3525fyA4DI/AAAAAAAAANs/0avQ-MhmJl0/s1600-h/wylies+Baths.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439916130066030642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3525fyA4DI/AAAAAAAAANs/0avQ-MhmJl0/s400/wylies+Baths.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S36ArkTvOCI/AAAAAAAAAOU/7lwhJaJXbrc/s1600-h/forlorn.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439926885879330850" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S36ArkTvOCI/AAAAAAAAAOU/7lwhJaJXbrc/s400/forlorn.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S36BWlJ1JPI/AAAAAAAAAOc/w3RPkfJe-lM/s1600-h/edswing.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439927624840586482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S36BWlJ1JPI/AAAAAAAAAOc/w3RPkfJe-lM/s400/edswing.jpg" /></a>amazing insects. Heading South towards Maroubra, where Nick thinks the best city surfing is, is the <span style="color:#ffff00;">greatest </span>kids play park. It sits on the headland with a view of the beach and the sea. It is surrounded by park and communal BBQs and picnic benches. Below the headland lie the three coastal pools. The first is by the surf club right on the beach, the best for the bo<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S350zYahsQI/AAAAAAAAANc/g9BN5670ZZY/s1600-h/alswing.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439913825985999106" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S350zYahsQI/AAAAAAAAANc/g9BN5670ZZY/s400/alswing.jpg" /></a>ys. The<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S351680CNLI/AAAAAAAAANk/GMS1-qNp6CI/s1600-h/oe2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439915055527376050" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S351680CNLI/AAAAAAAAANk/GMS1-qNp6CI/s400/oe2.jpg" /></a> second is the women's only pool but I haven't managed to get down there as there are so many steps and impossible when you are on your own with the boys!. Wylies Baths are at the end and are almost 100 years old. You can just see them here in the bottom left of the picture. This is looking from the coastal path heading South towards Maroubra. The kiddies park is just to the left of this picture too with barbeques in the park for use too!. Here is Al on the swings and Ol and Ed enjoy the park too</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-88611271813981580372010-01-30T02:21:00.000-08:002010-02-13T04:10:26.182-08:00Nicks Birthday<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aDlBnTLhI/AAAAAAAAAL0/aHl9Qp4FcpI/s1600-h/IMG_0698.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437678272208121362" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aDlBnTLhI/AAAAAAAAAL0/aHl9Qp4FcpI/s400/IMG_0698.jpg" /></a><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436561180061036626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3KLltE3cFI/AAAAAAAAALs/s1AyoXXpqxs/s400/IMG_0678.jpg" />Wow, I am behind with this blog....the usual daily routines are taking over and occupying most of the days and evenings now. I am almost on top of the washing!. Chores remain the same where ever you are in the world!.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have been meaning to summarise Nick's Birthday as we had the most wonderful day. Originally we were going camping but the forecast for the weekend was not so good so we decided on a weekend in the city. The plan was to not tell Nick where we were going. However the cat was let out of the bag well before we were even dressed. We caught the bus to Circular Quay and then the ferry <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">across</span> the harbour to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Taronga</span> Zoo.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Taronga</span> Zoo is almost 100 years old and is on the Northern shore of Sydney harbour in the suburb of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mosman</span>. It has its own ferry wharf which makes the journey <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">across</span> the harbour from circular quay the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">preferred</span> method of transport. The zoo has all the usual zoo mammals and reptiles with, perhaps, a slight preponderance of spiders and snakes. The boys loved it!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We decided to treat ourselves to a lunch at the restaurant there and for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">first time</span> saw Kookaburras in a tree not to far away. I have since read that they are quite common and it is easy to recognise their laughing call. Well I got this shot after about ten minutes and our food arrive. Oliver was sitting on the outer edge of the<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aIq0-VprI/AAAAAAAAAME/ri8SLthxAdg/s1600-h/lizard.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437683869452445362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aIq0-VprI/AAAAAAAAAME/ri8SLthxAdg/s400/lizard.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aGg27KBZI/AAAAAAAAAL8/NB_UL3RMQ4E/s1600-h/KOOKABURRAS.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437681499154023826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aGg27KBZI/AAAAAAAAAL8/NB_UL3RMQ4E/s400/KOOKABURRAS.jpg" /></a>table when there was a loud clank like noise, right in front of us sitting on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ol's</span> plate was the Kookaburra I had photographed. They are big birds with chunky beaks and very fluffy dense plumage. I just wished I had the camera in my hand then. Both Ollie and I jumped and half the restaurant turned to see the bird escape with a whole fish finger. Have since learned that they often scavenge. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Hmmm</span>,not so exciting after all!. Nick has ticked another bird off in his book though, the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">twitcher</span> in him has recently re-emerged. Oliver also spent a lot of his time at the planning strategies on how to pick up a lizard. At our apartment in the garden he has been managing to catch them by the tail, however these ones are about 5cm long. The ones on the paths in the zoo looked at least 50cm long potentially with teeth. This <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">didn't</span> seem to deter him though as you can see.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aV7jddguI/AAAAAAAAAMs/GNgnxk5eiig/s1600-h/love.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437698450460082914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aV7jddguI/AAAAAAAAAMs/GNgnxk5eiig/s400/love.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />By the time we headed home the sun was shining again and the return journey <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">across</span> the harbour was just perfect. We had sushi for supper, there are some good <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">restaurants</span> with take out at the top of our road and we also had the chocolate cake the boys had <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">made</span> their Daddy for his birthday, great combination!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aMDH9IYhI/AAAAAAAAAMU/mDI5vXDO_5g/s1600-h/IMG_0880.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437687585399398930" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S3aMDH9IYhI/AAAAAAAAAMU/mDI5vXDO_5g/s400/IMG_0880.jpg" /></a>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-612489342644150232010-01-29T02:07:00.000-08:002010-01-29T02:31:38.601-08:00Ollie's first day at Coogee Public School<div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2K2XPKdGvI/AAAAAAAAALM/e-eC0pGro9A/s1600-h/olsch1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432104610885868274" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2K2XPKdGvI/AAAAAAAAALM/e-eC0pGro9A/s400/olsch1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Well there was excitement and chaos in the Hancock household this morning as it was Olivers first day at his new school, he could not wait to get into his new uniform and get down the hill!. The uniform is lovely but very different. All the children have wide brimmed sunhats here, Ol calls his a cowboy hat and they all have massive rucksacks for school bags. Was a bit nervous I would end up with this and the double buggy but no Oliver did not take that thing off his back until he was in the class.</div><br /><div></div><div>His school is huge and goes all the way up to year 12 with 650 children attending. T<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2K3CM5WBbI/AAAAAAAAALU/RoejqAU4zZA/s1600-h/olsch.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432105349011604914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2K3CM5WBbI/AAAAAAAAALU/RoejqAU4zZA/s400/olsch.jpg" /></a>he kinder year has six teachers with approx 20 children per class. They have not been allocated their teachers yet, apparently that happens next week???!!. It is much less formal than I expected and when I popped in yesterday with Ols epipens I was greeted by a lovely lady, Lynda who gave me lots of advice on playgroups for Alex and good local GPs. I later found out she is the Assistant Principal of the school. It seems a friendly place!. All I have to get over is the steps at the school, impossible with the buggy and the mountain to climb on the two returns home per day. Well here he is, totally different<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2K3n3T2oTI/AAAAAAAAALc/3RaJEaCbyYg/s1600-h/olsch4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432105996052242738" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2K3n3T2oTI/AAAAAAAAALc/3RaJEaCbyYg/s400/olsch4.jpg" /></a> to Marchwood but very cute all the same.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2K4qNclzuI/AAAAAAAAALk/ErZACli2-ic/s1600-h/olsch3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432107135865835234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2K4qNclzuI/AAAAAAAAALk/ErZACli2-ic/s400/olsch3.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-90935564602209784832010-01-28T01:49:00.000-08:002010-01-28T02:38:49.322-08:00Our First Camping Trip To Budgewoi<div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FjifOvXzI/AAAAAAAAAKU/Ptw0ii9A70E/s1600-h/IMG_0544.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431732069735554866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FjifOvXzI/AAAAAAAAAKU/Ptw0ii9A70E/s400/IMG_0544.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Budgewoi is just to the North of Sydney, about two hours drive. We set of early on Saturday morning for one night in a campsite on the edge of Budgewoi Lake. We though we were armed with every thing that we would need., we had a lot to learn!!!</div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2Fj0u1qpVI/AAAAAAAAAKc/pIpeUFywMF8/s1600-h/IMG_0546.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431732383163000146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2Fj0u1qpVI/AAAAAAAAAKc/pIpeUFywMF8/s400/IMG_0546.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We chose the hottest day so far this Summer as temperatures reached 40 degrees!. Nick set up the tent whilst I rounded the boys up. As soon as the tent was up we headed for the beach as even though we were minutes from the lake no one was swimming th<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FkLayij7I/AAAAAAAAAKk/pL2Ubg4Blq0/s1600-h/IMG_0547.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431732772918169522" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FkLayij7I/AAAAAAAAAKk/pL2Ubg4Blq0/s400/IMG_0547.jpg" /></a>ere... bizarre! We later found out the lake is full of stingray and a number of children have drowned getting out of their depth there. </div><br /><div>We drove just a bit further North and found Tugerrah National Park and Fraser Beach, absolutely beautiful, a white sandy beach, clean with turquoise sea and a gently shelving bay safe for the boys. We had a wonderful day.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>At about 5pm, one of the very nice life guards came up, I though just to be friendly!. But in fact he had come to warn us of a huge storm that was brewing just south. He said we should get home as they were reporting 100km winds with thunder/lightening. Ok so we packed up quick and thought about how well we had tied down the tent. We raced back to the campsite and already our neighbours stuff was on the ground. Nick battoned down and we tried to cook some sausages. What a night, thunder and lightening until 2am and crazy winds. Alex finally slept with me next to him. </div><br /><div>The next day was cloudy but still very hot and humid, Nick got in his first surf in about five years and we are now planning our next trip. Things to remember next time are washing up<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FmDH3tCXI/AAAAAAAAAKs/i9Y0zYbrhYI/s1600-h/IMG_0552.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431734829423855986" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FmDH3tCXI/AAAAAAAAAKs/i9Y0zYbrhYI/s400/IMG_0552.jpg" /></a> liquid and bowl alonside many other essentials like torch , batteries!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2Fmxs3siQI/AAAAAAAAAK0/eVVk9jzQrPM/s1600-h/IMG_0554.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431735629629917442" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2Fmxs3siQI/AAAAAAAAAK0/eVVk9jzQrPM/s400/IMG_0554.jpg" /></a></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2Fnd3qMHDI/AAAAAAAAAK8/BvaYREW-MMQ/s1600-h/IMG_0557.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431736388440300594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2Fnd3qMHDI/AAAAAAAAAK8/BvaYREW-MMQ/s400/IMG_0557.jpg" /></a>Here is Edward the morning after the night before. Bright and breezy as had slept 12 hrs without a care in the world!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And here is Nick having a practise surf and preparing himself for the bigger stuff!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FoVnXYSBI/AAAAAAAAALE/Feyzpk9jRsY/s1600-h/IMG_0563.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431737346139113490" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FoVnXYSBI/AAAAAAAAALE/Feyzpk9jRsY/s400/IMG_0563.jpg" /></a></div><br />And finally gorgeous Al on Fraser Beach.Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-76122533540197979952010-01-28T01:03:00.000-08:002010-01-28T01:46:53.426-08:00Centennial Park<div><div><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FVmIZTcoI/AAAAAAAAAJk/dJFlKt3Vj7s/s1600-h/IMG_0516.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431716739162534530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FVmIZTcoI/AAAAAAAAAJk/dJFlKt3Vj7s/s400/IMG_0516.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Well the boys and I went for our first picnic with other Mums in the park. </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FZ2_kN30I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/QBZ9TW30jq0/s1600-h/IMG_0532.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431721426896674626" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FZ2_kN30I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/QBZ9TW30jq0/s400/IMG_0532.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Centennial Park is huge. It is just South of the harbour and is a massive green space with lakes and tropical plants. The birds you see are ibis'. They are the oz version of a duck??? and are everywhere. At first we couldnt stop looking, Now we dont even notice them. Grand Drive in Centennial Park travels as a circumference aound the park and is almost 4km. The Sydneysiders are fitness obsessed and run and do aerobics and yoga all over this place. As I arrived in the park after a half hour walk from our house there were Mums everywhere running with their pushchairs. They were immaculate, lycra clad, no sweat, ipods on, crazy. I quickly said to Ollie to run as Mums in the park must have to do this. I tried to immitate this mad crowd. After a few hundred metres, sweating and gasping I admitted defeat and accepted that walking was the only thing possible!. </div><br /><div>This is Lindy, who is married to the Gavin, the brother of a good friend of Nicks from med school. It has been wonderful to get to know a lovely lady who has a little girl, Gemma, the same age as Edward. We also have had a BBQ over at their house as they only live around the corner from us. Pam Wertheim, Mikes mum is also her from Cape Town and Pam, Lindy and Gemma came over for some lunch today. Yippee some adult conversation. </div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FbOhDab-I/AAAAAAAAAKM/y4F9zMMvbtM/s1600-h/ted2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431722930534510562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FbOhDab-I/AAAAAAAAAKM/y4F9zMMvbtM/s400/ted2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FTiXnfccI/AAAAAAAAAJc/J7mPNAJVkQ8/s1600-h/IMG_0489.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431714475505840578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FTiXnfccI/AAAAAAAAAJc/J7mPNAJVkQ8/s400/IMG_0489.jpg" /></a><br /></div>We had a lovely cup of tea in the park whilst the boys explored (after being told not to play with spiders!). The other pics show some more park views<br />And Ed chilling out!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FaftgiieI/AAAAAAAAAKE/XDme3udCFKQ/s1600-h/spider.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431722126424050146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FaftgiieI/AAAAAAAAAKE/XDme3udCFKQ/s400/spider.jpg" /></a><br />Only a garden spider apparently but it was big and its web was like a metre wide. <div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FZN6IoVAI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/It4NS1WHCH8/s1600-h/IMG_0540.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431720721064154114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FZN6IoVAI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/It4NS1WHCH8/s400/IMG_0540.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FYkylcAeI/AAAAAAAAAJs/qBTalI7aOJs/s1600-h/IMG_0528.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431720014662861282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FYkylcAeI/AAAAAAAAAJs/qBTalI7aOJs/s400/IMG_0528.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-1985752346305722142010-01-26T22:17:00.000-08:002010-01-28T01:02:23.382-08:00Coogee Walk<p align="justify"><img style="WIDTH: 572px; HEIGHT: 369px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431347799958197810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2AGDCwbljI/AAAAAAAAAI0/w1GqT7w44Jo/s400/IMG_0424.jpg" /></p><br /><br /><br />Well Nick came home early from work for once and we decided to go and have fish and chips on the beach. We also had a good look around Coogee, which at the moment is full of back packers and students, it's not really a family beach at the mo. Wow I am sounding old! The walk down to the beach is along Coogee Bay Road. This is quite a steep hill and Oliver's school lies just where the road starts to level out. I am already noticing how ton<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2ADW5AB6pI/AAAAAAAAAIk/E6bfNAMCHjM/s1600-h/IMG_0428.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431344842401770130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2ADW5AB6pI/AAAAAAAAAIk/E6bfNAMCHjM/s400/IMG_0428.jpg" /></a>ed my leg muscles are getting. No need for the gym here!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431347019860688098" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2AFVoqsPOI/AAAAAAAAAIs/Z1-STBNExs0/s400/IMG_0433.jpg" /><br />Th<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FQ-iEPeGI/AAAAAAAAAJU/Pm87tsoRFdw/s1600-h/IMG_0478.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431711660812236898" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2FQ-iEPeGI/AAAAAAAAAJU/Pm87tsoRFdw/s400/IMG_0478.jpg" /></a>is is facing North up the beach and there is a beautiful coastal path fro<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2AHCItgboI/AAAAAAAAAI8/M_SsJGQKZWQ/s1600-h/IMG_0464.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431348883888303746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2AHCItgboI/AAAAAAAAAI8/M_SsJGQKZWQ/s400/IMG_0464.jpg" /></a>m <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2AJL8d1y0I/AAAAAAAAAJE/KWMbo_KmTYI/s1600-h/IMG_0483.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431351251423316802" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2AJL8d1y0I/AAAAAAAAAJE/KWMbo_KmTYI/s400/IMG_0483.jpg" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2AJ1kkHSPI/AAAAAAAAAJM/ZwnxWHDCXcE/s1600-h/IMG_0473.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431351966561683698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S2AJ1kkHSPI/AAAAAAAAAJM/ZwnxWHDCXcE/s400/IMG_0473.jpg" /></a>North Bondi down to Marouba beach in Botany Bay, most of it is pushchairable, yippee. And this one is looking South along the beach. The coastal path takes you past this sculpture/memorial to Coogee residents killed in the Bali bombing. This happened just a week after Nick and I left Bali and we had drinks in the bar where it happened. It was sad to see the ages and just how many young people lost their lives just from this particular suburb.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The boys loved running around this though as you can see.</div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-52217220566797444992010-01-26T03:05:00.000-08:002010-01-26T03:49:32.073-08:00Our place in Randwick<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17RWyP6iPI/AAAAAAAAAHs/6GoO3jjVAiA/s1600-h/IMG_0402.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431008390031247602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17RWyP6iPI/AAAAAAAAAHs/6GoO3jjVAiA/s400/IMG_0402.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Finally we have moved into a lovely ground floor three bed apartment in Randwick. It is located in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney just south of the Harbour and ten minutes drive from the centre. It is on a beautiful leafy stre<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17STWpHblI/AAAAAAAAAH0/f9Pvgi28FaY/s1600-h/IMG_0375.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431009430592777810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17STWpHblI/AAAAAAAAAH0/f9Pvgi28FaY/s400/IMG_0375.jpg" /></a>et just off Avoca Street which is where all the shops are located. Ten minutes walk down a very steep hill takes you to Coogee beach.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>This is the study area in the front porch which is very spacious.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17S0vtyr_I/AAAAAAAAAH8/JI_ce7el_6U/s1600-h/IMG_0379.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431010004258959346" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17S0vtyr_I/AAAAAAAAAH8/JI_ce7el_6U/s400/IMG_0379.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>And this is Ollie in the living room</div></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17TQw9bWmI/AAAAAAAAAIE/8HnSynrowKM/s1600-h/IMG_0381.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431010485629311586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17TQw9bWmI/AAAAAAAAAIE/8HnSynrowKM/s400/IMG_0381.jpg" /></a>The dining room and kitchen open on to the back garden which is wonderful as the door is always open and the boys can run<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17UMH-Kc5I/AAAAAAAAAIM/GdLekz18m_Y/s1600-h/IMG_0377.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431011505418695570" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17UMH-Kc5I/AAAAAAAAAIM/GdLekz18m_Y/s400/IMG_0377.jpg" /></a> in and<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17UpvOAXGI/AAAAAAAAAIU/4xWU0vWoPVM/s1600-h/IMG_0373.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431012014170332258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S17UpvOAXGI/AAAAAAAAAIU/4xWU0vWoPVM/s400/IMG_0373.jpg" /></a> out.<br /><br /><p></p><p>Edwards bedroom and the playroom is above and our bedroom here. It is completely furnished all bills linen, everything and so has made our lives easier. The family who stayed here before us, also doctors, left us lots of things including school uniform, tents toys, even a bike for Ollie. The landlady Thalia is also very kind and helpful and loves her garden so I am doing my best to water and nurture all the beautiful plants!</p>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-35061577519701639092010-01-25T02:23:00.001-08:002010-01-25T03:15:58.018-08:00Australia Museum<div><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S111okIA4CI/AAAAAAAAAFs/k65k9ZsaV1g/s1600-h/exterior%2520260907_small.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 195px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 120px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430626065431191586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S111okIA4CI/AAAAAAAAAFs/k65k9ZsaV1g/s400/exterior%2520260907_small.jpg" /></a> Nick started work on the 16th of January and I had a week before moving to our apartment in Randwick with the boys on my own. We decided to explore the city on <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1111hbX99I/AAAAAAAAAF0/h9Hkt6CasZQ/s1600-h/detailed_sydney_map-804x713.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 498px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 462px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430626288045389778" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1111hbX99I/AAAAAAAAAF0/h9Hkt6CasZQ/s400/detailed_sydney_map-804x713.jpg" /></a>the bus and got a <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1132ATW7TI/AAAAAAAAAGU/1MXJh-1giWw/s1600-h/IMG_0361.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430628495356521778" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1132ATW7TI/AAAAAAAAAGU/1MXJh-1giWw/s400/IMG_0361.jpg" /></a>weeks bus pass. </div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1163LyI3CI/AAAAAAAAAGs/VykdLBNIM10/s1600-h/IMG_0358.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430631814153165858" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1163LyI3CI/AAAAAAAAAGs/VykdLBNIM10/s400/IMG_0358.jpg" /></a>Australia Museum. The family who lived in our apartment before us said their children had absolutely loved this place and we quickly discovered why.<br /> </div><div>Here is Ollie posing with some of the infamous Sydney Funnel Web Spiders, notoriously the most poisonous spider in the whole world. Let me tell you I have read a lot about these ones and they are actually quite interesting. The males are the problem ones in that they become very aggressive during the mating season (which is now by the way Summer/Autumn) and overwhelmed by hormonal surges they lose all of their senses, other than one that is, and go on the hunt for females. Occasionally during this time they come in to houses. The males have serious fangs and these hide underneath their mouths. About the size of your thumb nail, pretty impressive. Well the Australia Museum loves this sort of thing and has many ways of looking at alsorts of scary insects, down microsopes and up close. Oliver loved it, and so did I. Alex was slightly more cautious. They also had the most impressive dinosaur exhibition alonside the biggest dead insect collection I have ever seen. We have already been back twice!! The map was to show the location of the museum just to the right of Hyde Park, put your specs on to see!<br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-88594352885030119982010-01-19T01:25:00.000-08:002010-01-25T02:23:03.227-08:00City Walk<div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S11tVJPe9EI/AAAAAAAAAFc/Z7hWQisL1pE/s1600-h/darl2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430616935704228930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S11tVJPe9EI/AAAAAAAAAFc/Z7hWQisL1pE/s400/darl2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Our next adventure was to take the boys on the bus to Darling Harbour and walk along the Rocks and end up at the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It was meant to be a cool cloudy day but as we are finding out here the weather forecast is often wrong. The only sensible thing to do is to wear factor 50 every day and a hat. Otherwise you burn your scalp and your nose, I speak from experience<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div>Buses are great in the city, pretty much where ever you want to go you can go and every other bus on the route has disabled access so easy for our monster pushchair, this is now my main mode of transport now Nick is working fulltime.</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1V_skBlIlI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8gbXlztF1Qc/s1600-h/darl.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428385329426276946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1V_skBlIlI/AAAAAAAAAE0/8gbXlztF1Qc/s400/darl.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We walked to outskirts of Darling Harbour and were greeted by a fun park for children and glitzy high rise offices.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 377px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428382058816314514" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1V8uMDZnJI/AAAAAAAAAEk/U29jZBKt_7c/s400/darl3.jpg" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1V-6D8KanI/AAAAAAAAAEs/lePMtu216WY/s1600-h/darl5.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428384461820160626" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1V-6D8KanI/AAAAAAAAAEs/lePMtu216WY/s400/darl5.jpg" /></a>Darling Harbour has the Sydney Aquarium, Maritime Museum and some very swanky restaurant and boats moored. It also has a massive IMAX cinema ( never been to one, not sure what it is but maybe will find out some day). </div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>As we left Darling Harbour we trekked up a road called the hungry mile, we soon found out whyas the boys decided that they were similtaneously hungry and thirsty and both in need of wees, fun!!. The walk was worth it as we wandered through another beautiful quay with plush apartments, the final one presented this view of the Harbour Bridge, amazing...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 409px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428394955547037650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1WIc4HnT9I/AAAAAAAAAE8/XEx7ZOp2PXQ/s400/bridge.jpg" /></div></div></div>It was incredible to watch the bridge walk people high above on the arch of the harbour bridge, something I would love to do. Oliver was most impressed with the size of the bolts as we walked undernea<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S11o74FHjiI/AAAAAAAAAFE/uMuIXUXZrDc/s1600-h/olbolt.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 229px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 359px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430612103554108962" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S11o74FHjiI/AAAAAAAAAFE/uMuIXUXZrDc/s400/olbolt.jpg" /></a>th.</div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S11sHrFvh-I/AAAAAAAAAFU/XSR6SmtLjts/s1600-h/famop1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430615604760381410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S11sHrFvh-I/AAAAAAAAAFU/XSR6SmtLjts/s400/famop1.jpg" /></a></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> After passing beneath the bridge you enter Circular Quay and from here you can catch ferries to the North Shore, Manly, Taronga Zoo etc. You also get fabulous views of the Opera House, which is where these pics were taken.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S11ubPlQ_AI/AAAAAAAAAFk/rimp5oRcVXY/s1600-h/famop2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 286px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430618139997043714" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S11ubPlQ_AI/AAAAAAAAAFk/rimp5oRcVXY/s400/famop2.jpg" /></a> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Our walk ended after climbing the steps of the Opera House and walking through Sydneys botannical gardens. A total of six kilometres with Oliver in tow on foot and he didnt whine. Can you believe it. I think that the enormity of everything stunned him. </p></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-12615716197521391122010-01-19T01:06:00.000-08:002010-01-19T01:24:52.552-08:00The Blue Mountains<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1V4x6bSrQI/AAAAAAAAAEM/hRdYu7gIsFY/s1600-h/wentworth.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428377724757650690" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1V4x6bSrQI/AAAAAAAAAEM/hRdYu7gIsFY/s400/wentworth.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>The Blue Mountains form part of the Great Dividing Range just inland and to the West of Sydney. When the first settlers arrived in Sydney many of them tried to travel West through the Blue Mountains as they believed China and freedom was on the other side. It took many years to find a route though and now this single route remains from Sydney to inner NSW. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Wentworth Falls is supposedly where the Blue Mountains begin in earnest. They are said to be called this because of the blue haze that shimmers over the green bush that carpets the valleys here. This is form by evaporated eucalytus oil from the trees, I read this as we were driving up on our first proper road trip and it really is true, not that I will convince you with these pics.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We walked around here and enjoyed seeing cockatoos and rainbow lorakeets in the trees, special. (Have since found out however that these are equivalent to blackbirds in Sydney!)</div><br /><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1V5r0jIxPI/AAAAAAAAAEU/D77YJRX_bfo/s1600-h/3sis.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428378719612355826" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1V5r0jIxPI/AAAAAAAAAEU/D77YJRX_bfo/s400/3sis.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We then drove on to Leura and the Three Sisters, incredible, deep lush green valleys as far as you can see with steep sandstone peaks. It really took our breath away.</div><div> </div><div>If anyone comes and stays with us this is a definate must see, the picture doesnt really manage to convey the enormity and vastness of this landscape.</div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-57942129750398240332010-01-16T15:38:00.001-08:002010-01-19T01:05:36.529-08:00New Years Eve<div><div><div><div><br /><br /> </div></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1JPFUDTCUI/AAAAAAAAADU/pwRnR4tjpLQ/s1600-h/cbd.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427487453635348802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1JPFUDTCUI/AAAAAAAAADU/pwRnR4tjpLQ/s400/cbd.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Our first proper outing was to see the New Years Eve fireworks in the city at the harbour the day after landing. We followed the botanical gardens to Mrs Macqueries Point where we joined thousands <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1LfohfBHtI/AAAAAAAAADc/3DBKp3h_MtU/s1600-h/cbdnight.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427646388211097298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1LfohfBHtI/AAAAAAAAADc/3DBKp3h_MtU/s400/cbdnight.jpg" /></a>of people to watch the show over the opera house and the bridge. Unfortunately we only arrived four hours before the event. Hard Aussies were camped out in the best spots with their tripods and cameras set at least from the day before. So we found a space where we could sit rather than stand and sacrificed some of the view. The atmosphere was great though and the city really looks spectacular a<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1Ls-4Q4jqI/AAAAAAAAADk/w6lm8xz_cgs/s1600-h/IMG_0056.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427661065934114466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1Ls-4Q4jqI/AAAAAAAAADk/w6lm8xz_cgs/s400/IMG_0056.jpg" /></a>t night </div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>The boys were so jet lagged they all passed out on the grass. The fireworks woke them up though!.<br /><br /></div><div><div>My photos of the fireworks are pretty disappointing. There was a great<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1LyRD35ePI/AAAAAAAAADs/enWGnN1kuX8/s1600-h/IMG_0073.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427666875846326514" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1LyRD35ePI/AAAAAAAAADs/enWGnN1kuX8/s400/IMG_0073.jpg" /></a> surge of people moving forward to see the event, keeping hold of two little guys became a bit more important to us than getting good shots. (Any excuse)</div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1Q9oWPsHWI/AAAAAAAAAD8/gLBLrbDuh_w/s1600-h/IMG_0093.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 267px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428031214263737698" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1Q9oWPsHWI/AAAAAAAAAD8/gLBLrbDuh_w/s400/IMG_0093.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1Q-n7CmdTI/AAAAAAAAAEE/b1WVRG1cgcg/s1600-h/IMG_0098.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428032306472711474" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1Q-n7CmdTI/AAAAAAAAAEE/b1WVRG1cgcg/s400/IMG_0098.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Hmmm, you can just about convince yourselves that these fireworks might have been in Sydney and that that is the Harbour bridge and opera house!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-7893210503723433852010-01-16T15:15:00.000-08:002010-01-19T01:04:20.501-08:00Arriving in Sydney<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1JL_i_FanI/AAAAAAAAADE/zOK3C_WKddQ/s1600-h/wavcar.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427484056030112370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1JL_i_FanI/AAAAAAAAADE/zOK3C_WKddQ/s400/wavcar.jpg" /></a> The Green Machine<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1JJcqCa49I/AAAAAAAAAC8/KdfQ1XujYBc/s1600-h/Wav.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427481257604473810" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/S1JJcqCa49I/AAAAAAAAAC8/KdfQ1XujYBc/s400/Wav.jpg" /></a>Holiday Let/ Retirement Bungalow in Waverley<br /><br /><br /><div>We arrived in Sydney on the 30th of December. We had to spend the first few weeks in a holiday let in Waverley close to Bronte beach in the Eastern Suburbs of the City. The place was cleanish apart from shed loads of cockroaches (which I am growing to love!) and small and only ten minutes walk down a very steep hill to Bronte beach. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The flight was much better than expected in that the boys were fabulous, they slept most of the way other than Ollie who couldnt believe he had his own TV and could watch all sorts of cartoons. He did this for almost 16 hrs!. The only mistake we did make was bringing so many bags as the walks to customs and out of the airport were the longest walks of our lives. Nick carried Alex and bags whilst I did the same with Edward in my arms. Lots of back ache afterwards. To get out of the airport to the taxi queue we had two trolley with six suitacases hand luggage and car seats, one each for Nick and I and Oliver became the driver of the pushchair with Al and Ed inside. It took a long time!</div><br /><br /><div></div>Nick went and collected our car just after we arrived at the house. A 1999 Ford Falcon Estate, it is huge and I think that I am not going to drive it as who knows how you park it. We have named it the 'green machine', It is so long you can only just see the boys in the distance when you look back, perfect!. The road system in Sydney is a bit like America, subdivided into blocks with hardly any roundabouts. There are plenty of traffic lights though which means moving through the city takes a lot of time. Nicks journey to Concord Hospital has a total of 72 traffic lights and can take over a hour to cover the 17km...fun.<br /><br /><div></div><br /></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-13487624308609310782009-11-18T05:16:00.000-08:002009-11-18T05:55:07.268-08:00Lyndhurst<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/SwP8L_1cWzI/AAAAAAAAABY/w3A0eM8nii8/s1600/1050647.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405441260819077938" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/SwP8L_1cWzI/AAAAAAAAABY/w3A0eM8nii8/s400/1050647.jpg" /></a> Boltons Bench<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/SwP2dIyd2lI/AAAAAAAAABA/fJLpiXLvsgw/s1600/baytree.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 407px; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405434958210521682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/SwP2dIyd2lI/AAAAAAAAABA/fJLpiXLvsgw/s400/baytree.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center">Baytree Cottage</div><br /><div align="center">We managed to find this lovely cottage in the centre of Lyndhurst. It is very cosy, the boys are sharing two beds pushed together and Edward has his own tiny bedroom at the back of the house. We can walk straight into the village centre and have already been to the local fish and chip shop. Boltons Bench, a landmark in Lyndhurst or small hill with a circular bench on top, is also a ten minute walk, and has been a great place for Ollie and Alex to fly their gliders from. The cottage was the only place we could find with WiFi and was reasonably priced to as we managed to get a special deal. Nick continues to go to work until the 14th December and Ollie we take to school, about a 20minute drive. Definitely preferred being able to walk to school. </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8928851635888391827.post-54659379659809332592009-11-17T03:52:00.001-08:002009-11-18T05:58:05.934-08:00<div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/SwKRrsyEs2I/AAAAAAAAAAM/kC90J0YuYXw/s1600/IMG_9232.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405042682739602274" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/SwKRrsyEs2I/AAAAAAAAAAM/kC90J0YuYXw/s200/IMG_9232.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Well we are not in Australia yet!. We moved out of Marchwood on the 7th of November but have stayed local to Marchwood so that Oliver can continue to attend the infants school. The picture shows how resourceful Ol and Al were on the last morning in Oxwich as the movers had taken pretty much everything! A treat for the boys to watch TV whilst eating!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We then spent a week in Woodlands in the forest in a beautiful detached house belonging to a friends parents. Slightly nervous whilst there as you can imagine!. The boys were well behaved though and looked after the house. It was so quiet at night we all slept really well. We also regularly saw deer in the morning and were able to walk straight into the forest. </div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/SwKUWbNhlyI/AAAAAAAAAAU/0kjUrmd69mU/s1600/am1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 460px; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405045615780534050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0Ow9Vv0_1aY/SwKUWbNhlyI/AAAAAAAAAAU/0kjUrmd69mU/s320/am1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>The view in the morning from our bedroom.</div></div>Nick Toni Oliver Alexander and Edwardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05021984751568310239noreply@blogger.com0