Weekend away

Last year Peter was kindly given a voucher by a client for 2 nights accommodation at the Duxton in Perth. As it was getting close to expire we thought we had best use it. We met Janelle in Fremantle after her very stressful morning of having to do 8 physical examinations and be assessed on them as part of her yearly exams. She had met the founder of The Raw Kitchen at a food and wine convention earlier in the year and we were both keen to try it out. Basically all the food served is classed as raw as it has not been heated past 46 degrees...

 There was so much choice on the menu - Janelle and Peter both had the raw pizza while I had Nachos. The chips are made by dehydrating not cooking. It was all very yummy...

 Followed by smoothies, raw chocolate cheesecake and the most delicious florentine...

 We then went shopping at the Fremantle Markets...

 After a lovely afternoon we took Janelle back to Trinity and we checked into the Duxton. We then went out to dinner at our friend Jan's house and caught up on 6 years of happenings.
Next morning we decided to have a walk down to the Bell Tower. We found Nicole and Janelles names which were inscribed about 12 years in tiles with thousands of other school children. We then had a look in the new Convention Center then did a bit of shopping...

 After a bit more shopping we sat in Kings Park and had a cuppa. That night we went to a lovely French restaurant with Peter's customers...

Peter's dessert

view over the Swan River from our room

 After another yummy breakfast we went to the Burswood Golf Course and played 18 holes with Peter's customers. It was a long and very hot 5 hours and we even got caught in a thunderstorm and got called into the clubrooms when the lightning came too close.

 Peter had a good day and this is where his 2nd shot landed on a par 4 hole - he was very impressed and managed to sink it for a birdie...

That was my first attempt at 18 holes and with the 36 degree temperature I don't think I would have made it without the cart but it was good fun.

We then drove to see Janelle and loaded up our car with a heap of her "stuff" to take home. Then we were greeted by 2 excited doggies and it was off for walkies. 

Willy Wagtails

Mum and Dad J have spent the last few weeks watching nature in their backyard. A little male willy wagtail has been very busy building his female partner a nest. He has done a great job but not without her approval and satisfaction of the completed project... 

She must have been happy as she laid her eggs and out popped 3 little chicks...

 Eventually making it very crowded in their little home - so cute...

 And Dad still protecting his family from anyone who gets too near...

Great photos by Dad J!!

Nicoles birthday

Nicole turned 24 today. WOW how time flies. She was very happy to receive her fancy camera lense that she ordered overseas turn up on her special day...

As always we celebrated with a Freddo cake... 

And a kiss from her man - sorry boi... 

Janelle was stuck in Perth studying for exams but joined in the celebrations via skype... 

Happy Birthday to our beautiful eldest daughter - love you xxx

Gardening

With the weather starting to warm up it is time to start thinking about our summer vegie garden. We paid a visit to Bunnings and stocked up on some seedlings - tomatoes, kale, cucumbers, capsicum and basil. Peas, beans and beetroot will follow when we clear some space and our storm damaged fence eventually gets fixed.  The dogs like to chew on cat grass so we got them some of that...

 Peter got busy planting it all...

 We have had an abundance of kale over winter which has been made into many smoothies...

 And as always Peter's trusty little helper oversees everything he does...

Adelaide and Ball

Janelle recently had a very busy week. First up was a presentation by her and Emma at the Rural Health seminar about their studies on menopause and Aboriginal women. It went well and was a great relief to get out of the way! 

She then flew to Adelaide to participate in the Uni Games. With her foot being so sore and not being able to do any running training for the month leading up to the games she almost pulled out. But with flights and accommodation paid for she decided to go. Her first event was the 1500m which she led for the first lap but lack of training kicked in but she was happy enough with the result and just running!...

Janelle had a great time supporting the other athletes. She then got chosen to go in the relay teams. She ran in the  4 x 100m and the medley relay where she ran the 200m. Both teams won bronze medals and Janelle was very happy about that!...

With competition all finished it was time to party and dress up for a night out at a Mexican restaurant and clubs (I think the theme was people who help people) Janelle went as Wonder Woman!...

Janelle flew home on  Friday morning and then had a few hours to get ready for the Med ball...

The theme was Soiree in the snow...

With Emma

Janelle and Kyle

A very busy week indeed.

Found

When she is not following me all day and wont come when she is called I know something is not quite right. So I went looking and this is how I found our silly little Bella sitting on Sarah's pile of clothes on her chair. Would love to have been a fly on the wall to see how she got into this position!

A life well lived

We were very saddened to hear that our dear friend of over 40 years had passed away after a short illness. Nanna A lived a truly remarkable and inspirational 98 and a half years. She was a fantastic cook (winning many shows), great sewer, poetry and short story writer, accomplished musician, gardener and used a computer right up until the end. We were very fortunate to have such a wonderful person in our lives and one day we will master that perfect pumpkin scone recipe she gave us! Rest peacefully lovely lady.