Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year

Dear Family and Friends,

     What a wonderful time Duncan, Julia and I had in Hobart.  I thank my youngest ones for the joyful, fun times we have together and so very grateful they both still want to 'hang out' with me.  I admit it is difficult covering everyone's needs, and this trip, at least, we managed to do that.  

     Thank you to my boys and their families for cutting into their Christmas schedule and making time for us.  Duncan, Julia and I have so many fond memories from this trip- the way Henry's eyes light up when Poppy comes to visit;  the full body hugs from Toby, such a friendly, confident, lovely young fellow; Poppy so contented and full of joy, then, Poppy the whirlwind, all wrapped up in a curly headed poppet.  

     Thank you to Percy for staying home and looking after our Martha.  13 years old or there-abouts, our Martha has always had issues but we love her and try not to stress her un-necessarily. Reading between the lines you will realize Martha is crazy and life, for all of us, is better when she is calm and quiet.

     We thank Peter and Loris for stopping over on their return trip from Darwin.  Words can not really express how wonderful it is to spend time with family.  Unfortunately our family is spread far and wide. Tassie, Victoria, Sydney and New Zealand.  Funny where life takes you, and funny how the older you get the pull to be nearer to family becomes stronger. Or is that just me?  

     Well the Percy Clark Family have had a calm year.  We moved into Morris Ave January 2014 and it looks as though we will be here for another 12 months - how wonderful.  Percy is settling into his new position, though I have the feeling the goal posts are constantly moving but he is managing issues very well. Duncan is an enigma, well that's what I say, as he only appears at meal times and then only briefly, or is in a panic rush out the door to the train and off to Uni.  Julia is full of life, enjoying Sydney Uni and all it has to offer.  Her planned trip to Spain in January worries me as much as excites her. Each trip I make to Tas renews my crafty/arty side and I feel 2015 will bring some changes for me.  

     It is the end of one year and the start of a new year full of hope and wishes.  

Wherever you are we wish you, and yours, all the very best for the coming year, you 

are in our thoughts always.    

Love,  

Louisa, Percy and Families...

                                                         

     

     

From Our House to Your House - MERRY CHRISTMAS

WELCOME

You know me...I love to decorate the front door area.

Tim's Akubra hats as well as lovely faux berries collected in the US

 welcome everyone as they enter the front door.

Henry meets Santa 2014

MERRY  CHRISTMAS  ONE  AND  ALL

This year I've gone for a 'woodsy' theme in the dining room. 

It would not be complete without a sweet little squirrel... or a minor bird nest 

from the tree in our front garden.

A sweet little make your own diorama we found at Salamanca Market.

At LAST I have one ! 

 I have been looking at these wonderful cheese boards from The Drill Hall Antiques in 

New Norfolk for a few years now, and at last I have one - the start of a new collection I think.  : )

Looking from our back door to the undercover area.  

Unfortunately a palm frond fell onto the trampoline this morning, I think it adds to the image of 

a Sydney Christmas.

Our house wreath from Woodinville is put to use in the under cover area.

Thinking of you all and wishing you a 

Very Merry Christmas 

and a 

Happy New Year

Picnic Day at Montagu Bay

Poppy and Henry having fun with the soccer ball.  

These two little cousins get along so well, wonderful to see.

(Henry is 4 and Poppy will be 4 in January.)

MONA

This trip the Cloaca didn't smell as badly as previous visits,  even so...

Left to right, it is fed each day at 10 am... and you can guess the rest.

MONA is becoming a must see for each Tassie trip.

Duncan and Julia in front of  Sidney Nolan's SNAKE.

Mock Christmas Day hosted by Rob and Kara...

Our Little PopStar - Poppy

Duncan and his dear shadow - Toby.

Christmas Elf Sam and the grandchildren.

Henry, Poppy and Toby.

My Three Boys.

My Beautiful Daughter and Clever Toby, sweet freckled face young fellow  X

Bellerive Beach - Our Beach...

View back to Hobart from Bellerive Bluff area.

Checking out all our 'old haunts' - Eastlands Shopping Centre, our old street and house in Rosny,  

Bellerive Beach and Blundstone Oval (Bellerive Oval).

Then around the point to look back at beautiful Hobart, nestled in the foothills of Mt Wellington.

As we travelled through Malaysia and on to the US a favourite book for 5 year olds, Duncan and Julia was Our Beach, Our Magic Beach.  This we always referred to as Bellerive Beach, our beach.  It's been 15 years and worth a walk down memory lane.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Early Christmas in Tasmania

A day trip to New Norfolk is a must for any visit back to Hobart.

The beautiful Derwent Valley.

We met Sam, Lu and Henry at a small cafe surrounded by lovely antique shops and historic buildings.  

Henry and Julia found this old pond perfect for floating sticks.

 Henry enjoying ice-cream while the rain pours down.

Special Delivery..... Henry the Dinosaur

Now this would be a Special Delivery...

Express Post?

The Apple Shed - Huonville Tasmania

 Who is that behind that giant slice of pie?

Building the Set for Pomegranates...

The Bitterness of Pomegranates...

A new Australian play by Julia Clark

- # # # # # # # # # # # -

Here we are with the wonderful Chris, black t/shirt to re-build the flats to form the kitchen walls.

3 hours into Sunday.

(as Julia orders Pizza -whoops no that's my credit card...she is ordering The Last Tango in Halifax for me)

Discussion on how to build a door frame....

(as Julia checks something...)

Slowly, slowly it takes shape.

Looking good.  Julia is painting the walls before we place the benches.

Dad takes a deserved break. As the lighting checks are taking place.

Basics in place.  

A few more touches to be added the following day as it is nearing midnight now.

I'm back..

Curtains in, utensil rod up, painting finished, door done, sink sealed.

All ready for Opening Night.

A fun fact...my dear old doll, Mandy, is debuting in her first stage show as, Andrew, the youngest child.

She is thrilled and happy to be included.  

At the age of 50, she is holding up very well and doing a marvelous job.

Well done family.

Sunday Drive to Huonville

There she is - Sleeping Beauty.

As you can see, Poppy was too fast on the slide and I only captured the top of her pink hoodie.

Toby was off and running as well, but caught him in full flight.  

Poppy and Henry.  

Taking photos at a park is like herding cats.

There you are dear boy, got you!

What a wonderful way to end this trip to Tassie.  So many memories of time spent in the Huon Valley. 

From football games, to days spent with Dad on his business trips to apple orchards all through the Huon.

A quick trip to Franklin, then a slow trip through Sandfly and up to Pelveratta.  Blast from the past!

I know I drove Samuel mad with my remembrances.  Ah well...

Thank you everyone for indulging me.  x x x

Swim Lessons for Henry

I love these pensive looks from Henry.  

What thoughts are going through your head little one?

...................................................

This maybe.....

Where are your pants Dad ?

....you are so embarrassing !  

Foggy Tasmania

Waking up in Tassie with an old favourite - The Bridgewater Jerry.

No idea where the name came from, a good question for 'Then and Now' website.  The Jerry is fog bank that accumulates in the Derwent River Valley, north of Hobart and rolls down river to the city where it sits-a-bit before dispersing at around lunch time.
A 'good ol' pea souper'.

The Apple Shed

Sam and Henry

We stopped at The Apple Shed - on the main road into Huonville.

Lovely venue where you could order the largest slice of apple pie I have ever seen or

 sample a variety of apple ciders all set in an old apple packing shed.

Lots of memories for me.  I would often go with dad, I really did not like primary school and pestered dad into letting me go on his sales trips down the Huon.  

I remember watching women wrapping and packing apples, they were so fast you could hardly see their hands move.

My reminisces drove Samuel mad.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 

X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

() () () () 

Salamanca Market July 2014

 >>>>>'Donut Time'<<<<<

I love the idea of random bean bags for visitors to sit and people watch on the lawns in front of  

Salamanca Market.

Hobart, Tasmania.

< : >

Well Done Henry

<<<<<<Ready set go!>>>>>>

Thank you Henry for letting me come along to your swim lessons.

You did really well!

Daddy no longer needs to get in the pool with you - you are growing up.

(yes - H is in the lime green top)

Family First...

Josie, Peter, Loris, Ian, Elizabeth, Julia, Louisa, Duncan, Percy, Sam and Lucy

Photographer, Tim.

Taken at The Royal Botanical Gardens, Hobart, Tasmania
(missing - Robert)

I found this photo on Tim's screen saver.  We all gathered in Hobart for Sam and Lucy's wedding.
Sunny Spring day, 2004

Winter in Sydney

8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

It was a chilly but sunny winters day in Sydney.

We had heard about Fagan Park, Galston, and decided today was the day to check it out.

We were surprised at its size. 

Lots of paths, open grass areas, plenty of picnic tables tucked away in secluded areas.

We walked from the North American Garden, around a lily pond, across an open paddock to a country dam.  Plenty of native hens, and ducks. On to the Japanese Garden, thru to the Australian Garden, hugged a Boab Tree (the pic isn't me, but you get the idea) 

We zig-zagged our way thru South America, South Africa, and on to Italy, above pics.  

I'm sure we didn't cover all that was offered, but it was getting late and quite chilly.

Next trip will be in Sept, I'm guessing the cherry blossoms around the Japanese Tea House will be beautiful.

x@x

x@x@x

x@x

            !    x x x

       !  x x

   ! x