2012 Comes To A Close...

As 2012 comes to a close...

The year that was -  Duncan Julia and I head to Tassie for Poppy's 1st Birthday. How great is that!

Duncan qualifies as a soccer referee.

Julia and Duncan turn 18

Duncan and Julia get their learners licenses.

Julia travels to Spain on a language tour.

Duncan, Percy and I spend Easter with Toby, Poppy, Henry, Sam, Lu, Robert & Kara - Perfect.

Percy headed to Redmond, Washington for EMUG conference.

Looking through the diary I see nearly every weekend from February to August is taken up with soccer,    really?

Percy is still playing tennis every Saturday, and loving it.

August Year 12 Trial Exams, and the fun begins.

Louisa joins the Country Women's Association, and loves it!

Year 12 Graduation for Duncan and Julia.

Sam, Lu and Henry come to visit.

Brother Tim is diagnosed with lung cancer, everything stops

                                     and stands still.





Big Hopes

It's only a small plant but look at these blooms.

I gave Percy's mother, Frances, an hibiscus when she lived on Ohope Beach, NZ.  I couldn't grow them in Tassie and hoped she would foster a plant for me.  She did of course, but as it happens, she and Paddy moved to Whakatane and I like to think the plant grew into a beautiful bush.

Now I can grow my own, in a pot of course so it will travel with me.

Touches of Summer

Frangipani flower found on our walk to the lighthouse in Newcastle.

Looks and smells just like summer.

Newcastle Trip

Day trip to Newcastle about 160 km north (2hours)

Quite a hot day - 35c, just a beautiful area.

We travelled on the Pacific Highway, avoiding the freeways, and staying close to the coastline.

Duncan drove, getting his hours up.  He did well as it was a fairly long stint behind the wheel.

Nobbys Beach Lighthouse

Walking out to the lighthouse on the causeway.  Goofy kids.

Looking back to Fort Scratchley

http://www.fortscratchley.com.au/

Nobbys Beach

I had always heard of Nobbys Beach, and now I've been there.  It was a happy accident really.  I saw the lighthouse as we drove through the city streets of Newcastle and thought lets take a look.

Quite an interesting area.  Huge port area.  We found a cafe in the beach pavilion and watched as huge storm clouds rolled in, lightning, with just a sprinkle of rain.

Great day out!

Julia's Gal Pals

Christmas get-together.

Anna, Julia, Monica and Sammy

Costco Cake.

Clarks took a trip to the new Costco.  Unfortunately they are not close enough for regular shopping trips. 

We found a familiar friend, slab cakes.  Nothing comes close size wise in Australia.

We also found Hershey Kisses, Nuggets, and Peanut Butter Cups. (American Chocolates)

 WooHoo!

Julia's friends were amazed that a cake could come this big.

We did our best, over a couple of days, but less than half of the cake was eaten.  Still it was worth it if only for the trip down memory lane.

December Starts

Pelican on the Hawkesbury River.

The CWA ladies, of which I am a member, decided a cruise on the Hawkesbury River would be a lovely way to celebrate Christmas. 

We boarded the Postman River Boat, leaving from Brooklyn Wharf and sailed up the Hawkesbury River.  Just beautiful scenery, a great running commentary from the captain highlighting historic points of interest on the way.

Jacarandas still blooming early December.  View from our deck.