Taylor and bits

Janelle and I took a day trip to Perth on 11th Dec. We went up for the Taylor Swift concert and decided to fit in some shopping as well. First up we went to the concert venue hoping to be able to park the car early and then go into the city. We couldn't believe our luck when we found one empty carpark under a big shady tree and only 100 meters from our gate entry and best of all it was only going to cost us $10 for the whole day! Having sorted the car problem out we then walked into the city and wandered around for a few hours just buying a few bits of clothing. We had heard of a new health cafe called Solomons which we were keen to try for dinner. It was a bit of a walk but well worth the effort...

 We then walked back to the stadium, got changed in the car and met Janelle's friend Lexi. We also caught up with my lovely friend Mel from Geraldton.

 Our seats were not elevated and quite a way from the stage but with the great zoom on my new camera I managed to get a few good photos...

 Half way through the concert Taylor came down to another small stage only a few meters from where we were seated and sang a few songs. It was great to see her so close and I was able to take some fantastic photos. We were able to stand right in front of her and all of a sudden we were very gratetful for our seats!...

 It was a great concert with lots of teeny boppers there with their parents. And with our car parked so close we were able to make a very quick getaway!

Sarah is continuing to be spoilt with flowers from Nathan

Caught scrounging in bins!

Peter and I had a nice weekend in Perth thanks to an accomodation voucher for the Duxton from one of his clients. We were also taken out to dinner at Rockpool in the Burswood resort.   Loved this giant Christmas decoration inside Burswood...

 After booking her surgery way back in March the day had finally arrived for Janelle to have a Pterygium removed from her right eye. The operation took 1hr and 40 mins by the the time they removed the Pterygium and stitched the graft into place.  She was not very well after it and I became her full time nurse administering 5 different types of drops and ointments at all different time intervals throughout the days...

 Thankfully it is healing well and one day she will go through it all again and get the other eye done!

Augusta and happenings

Its been a busy few weeks with the end of the girls uni year and exams etc. It also meant time to shift Janelle back home from her year in Busselton. It took a few trips over to get everything and then lots of sorting in our house to fit her now 5 years of accumulation into our house -  until we pack it all up and shift it to Perth in March!...

She spent some time filling our bins and making piles for the Salvos...

 Nicole started her new job at a local recreation centre. She starts at 5.15 am and finishes at 1.20pm everyday. After nearly 8 years working in settlements she was ready for a change...

Sarah also finished her nursing exams and then spent 2 weeks on prac at a large mental health hospital in Perth. She found it very depressing but interesting (she was in a mens locked ward). Luckily she was staying with her cousin and her son which cheered her up and provided some good fun (and food)...

 We took Mum and Dad J for a drive down to Augusta. Janelle had recently worked in a clinic down there and wanted to have a look around. It was very disappointing with lots of the shops empty and many many houses for sale. We had a picnic lunch...

 Then went for a drive around the coast to see the new Marina being built...

And then onto the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse which you can't even get up close to anymore as it is all fenced off unless you pay $8 per person to walk into the grounds!...

Water Wheel built in 1895

 We then traveled back to Margaret River and had a beautiful afternoon tea at the Berry Farm Cottage Cafe. These sweet little birds are so friendly (especially when fed sugar which you are not meant to do!)...

 We were lucky enough to have a beautiful Blue Wren land on the table next to us. He is a little blurry but I had to be very quick to get a photo...

On the way home we stopped at Cowaramup and took some photos with Moodolph. Cowaramup is now home to a wonderful herd of 42 life sized fibreglass Fresian cows and calves scattered around the streets, parks and shops. They look great as you drive through... 

We managed to be able to get all the girls and their partners together for dinner and put the Christmas tree up on Dec 1st this year. They all seemed to be behaving themselves and we didn't even get a "silly" photo this year...

 Janelle got into the spirit with some festive cupcake making...

 We hooked up Daisy van and took her around to the caravan service centre for a checkup and service before we eventually decide to go away...

Happenings

A few things that have been going on. Janelle found this photo of herself on the official Tough Mudder site and at a ridiculous price she was able to buy and download it. She is running through the electric wires here..

Nicole and Daniel went to a dress up 21st party with an Aussie theme - love this photo  (they went as bogans and the smokes are for the photo)...

 Nicole and some other photography friends took a drive out to Wellington Dam one night to test out their skills at night photography - great shot of stars by Nicole...

Peter and his fellow Bankwest workers formed a team to do Relay for Life - non stop walking around the oval for 24 hours taking it in turns to keep the team going. It was a huge turnout for the event and Bunbury raised the most money for cancer research in Australia... 

 With so much juggling of caravans in the back yard it was time to give the bottle brush a huge trim to make maneuvering a bit easier (and get rid of some pollen that gets up my nose). We hired a stick with a chainsaw on the end - well thats what it looked like to me but I am sure it has a name...

Dad came over for a visit and bought along his dulcimer.  He handmade it over 7 years and it was well worth the wait as it makes a lovely sound - if you can play it correctly... 

Nicole having a lesson...

We took a drive out to Harvey Dam. With all the rain we had had over the past few months the dam had overflowed for the first time since it was built. It had stopped overflowing when we visited but it was good to see it so full...

I think all our caravan purchasing has rubbed off and Dad decided to join us and purchased his first caravan. We looked at this Avan for him back in February but it sold now those buyers are  unwell and it was back on the market. So it was meant to be and now he is the proud owner...

We spent some time on the weekend learning how to set up the awning and annex on our van...

Mum and Dad J came over for the day and had a good laugh at us trying to work out all the bits and offering us lots of advice...

 We also tested the shower/toilet tent (ensuite)...

 It was all good fun and we are getting closer to go on our maiden voyage one day.
It that time of the year where our cactus plants flowers - stunning flowers that don't last very long but are very beautiful...