Sunday Lunch

 On Monday that is.  Bianca was determined to get some cooked food into these grandies so the chef swung into action.  Everything was cooked and arranged even the place settings.  We did give those grandies a run for their energy but there were a few adults needing a nap as well.  We related to Asher the story of the secret compartment that was placed in the house. So now there is a time capsule like message and drawing in there. She says other grandies can leave one in there as well. We got out some old games like battleship and dominoes, which calmed the farm. I'd forgotten the concentration needed for battleships, we were at it for at least an hour.  

PS A winner was picked for the Cup for good measure. 

new games

budding IT workers

shall we shell

old games

Walking with Grandies

 The exercising only seems to step up more when the grandies arrive.  Today was a walk to the Dell and by the time you have the compulsory shell stops, grass ball throwing, lizard removal, and poo examination then you have filled in the morning just nicely. At the same time as keeping one eye on the clouds and sometimes moving at a snails pace. There was also the Kaia bike ride on Estelle's old bike. She got the hang of it quickly and will be up to speed with the rest. Finally there was Asher's skipping rope sessions with her Italian rope from the Clancy's. Phew.

Spring Pay Back

 There is a rule of nature around here that I just made up.

    For every beach worthy day in Spring you must pay five days of rain.

Yesterday we had our beachy day.  The water was a bit cool, it was churned so also a bit cloudy however at 30° was quite pleasant and with a slight breeze.  Today has not stopped raining. At least it is the steady kind, the drenching kind, not the deluge we got last week.  That particular storm has opened large cracks and undermined our asphalt path to the beach. Also there are some very large, almost landslip quality openings, on either side of the lookout.  That area needs stabilization.  I have half a mind to go out now with full wet weather gear, to see what this rain is doing to those chasms. 

snoozing

its hollow under here

Monumental Shift

We have had a major relocation of concrete pedestals around here.  I wonder how often the Romans moved their columns.  We have a few here and they are heavy and always topped with another concrete ornament. Since the well has been filled and the half submerged amphora removed it seems there were other urges to redecorate and relocate.  So the seraphim has moved to a new location, the bowled succulents have taken its place and finally the living dress sculpture has crossed the courtyard. Phew. 

note bubbling amphora is now louder than the pump.

What floats your boat

 Most people retire to their garden after hitting the road for a while, not this guy. We have seen this boat from time to time over the years and I have mentioned him in previous posts.   However one of the neighbours just had to ask, so he paddled over to have a chat. He has lived on the boat by himself for 15 years and travelled a lot further than Australia in that time.  It seems that age and expensive fuel are now keeping him to Australia only.   You would have to be confident in your boat and another thing, how do you take a dog for a walk when it is living on a boat?

MV Kele II

Corio Gulf Stream

Yes that is my new claim to fame and contribution to the maritime lexicon by inventing a term to describe the current running around the edge of the bay here. The groynes that have been built deliberately interrupt the flow of this current mainly to stop erosion of the shoreline. I have maintained that a side effect of this is more seagrass.  I have confirmed my October swimming status by taking to the water the other day even though it took a while to adjust to the cool.  The water was so clear I had to give it a try. However getting out past the groyne I entered another world. There was this stream of particles in my face from the East, that discoloured the view. It was disorienting and hazy.  I turned back behind the shelter of the wall and the clarity was returned.  It seems the runoff from the storms the day before can still have an effect.  No fish to be seen except the jellies and shells.

It's upside down, so floating not swimming

Shelter Shed

 The Euro travellers have returned and brought me back a genuine Italian summer beret. It seems that eating out here is a bit cheaper than recent prices in Europe. Breakfast at the Shelter Shed for $30 a head is very competitive.  We caught up on the latest European trends and of coarse there is no place like home.  The Shelter Shed has changed from the days we rode bikes there from Collendina. The whole outdoor section, sitting at tables under trees, has been replaced with a huge canopy covering the entire yard making it a function venue. You can't stop progress.  Not to forget the Port Arlington Pub now renovated to the point where it features as a luxury escape. Well I never.

Shed

Port Arlington Pub