KTP

I'm almost clamping with my trendy apron and fancy coffee making kit that Lauren gave us. Slept okay, actually got hot with two doona covers, sleeping bag and blanket, but had a rotten headache in the morning. The foam overlay over the mattress made it much more comfortable. A couple of coffees got me going though. We were relaxing at the end of breakfast and the weather turned, and we had to madly pack up in the rain.  The tent is definitely much easier to use now, or maybe we have just had more practice, and more practice organising our stuff and who does what.  Tim found a leak in the water tank so he has another project to work in before we head to Cape York.  And then the view from Ardrossan at our morning tea break on the way home. We loved Hardwickes Bay which was on our way to Minlaton. 

Just what we needed! A great day driving through Yorke Peninsula.  Would have liked to stay at Marion Bay and go through the National Park, but it was forecast to rain there so we turned early and ended up in a sweet caravan park at Minlaton. The electric throw rug was just what I needed to stay warm. Birds were chirruping madly at sunset. We're now at the local pub for dinner.  Lunch at Yorkstown. And warming up at the caravan park with a glass of red.

Spotted a few blossoms and leaves on our trees this morning. And yes, hopefully the pond will be dug in or around by next winter.

Oh hooray we made it to Friday!!! I knew it was going to be a long week. Didn't get home until somewhere between 8 and 9pm all week. Stirling Hospital Board on Monday night, then late nights at work preparing the Q2 (quarter 2) forecast for where we think we'll end at the end of FY18 year. Lots of ups and downs to get to final numbers. And then the first meeting at Flinders Hospital as part of the Local Health Advisory Council. At least that is a paid position, and good exposure to Health and govt.  We're heading away with the camper for the night tomor and we're both really looking forward to getting out. Will be cold!! But I insisted on staying at a caravan park so I have access to power...will take the electric throw rug to keep me warm. Pictures of our happy Friday date drinks before dinner. Friday regular dinner at Kopi Tim...

Topped off yesterday's run with the Adelaide Half Marathon this morning.  I think my feet are off the ground!  Bitter wind but a pretty enjoyable run otherwise.  Church greeting and then home for lunch and cooking up a storm for the evening meal and weeknights.  I think I'll be working late this week, so wanted some easy stews for the man to heat up if I didn't make it home in time to prepare anything.  The bitter wind got worse, so he was happy to have some hot mince with his toast for lunch. We sorted out the bedding for the camper and got prepared for a quick night away next weekend.  If its as cold as this weekend we might end up in a cabin anyway.  We had our last church bible study tonight.  Tim thinks the trailer is ready now after his last lot of tinkering this weekend.  What's he going to do for the next 12 months? 😀😉

Another good, full weekend.  A Friday afternoon meeting went from 2pm to after 6pm, and by then I was well and truly drained.  It was also a freezing cold evening, with a bitter wind.  Got the market shopping done, a drink with the beloved and then our usual dinner at Koppi Tim's.  Saturday was a sunny, still cold, but the sun was delightful.  Our usual Sat morning and then off to Masters for the 10km Champs.  Finally getting some fitness back, and knocked nearly 3 minutes off my predicted time, so came home with a bottle of champers.  Nearly the end of the winter season of running, but one kind runner bought out some warm mulled wine to share.  Oh delicious.  Then the husband has a birthday coming up so I bought him some sand trax...like these....  He didn't think we really needed them, but after the Simpson Desert experience, they are worth every cent when you need them.  I'd rather lug them around and never use them, than be caug...

Someone had a nice lunch in the park earlier this week when the weather was nice. Thermos with tea.

The weather was just divine today. Sunny and warm, probably 20 degrees. Mild and a spring feel in the air. Complete contrast to last weekend when we felt like we had been hit with the greyness of winter. I really hope we have a short winter. Today was just what we needed to open up the house, do lots of washing and generally perk up the spirits.  Made it to church and a coffee date with the husband after. Then afternoon nap, bliss!

A day in Melb for Carolyn's 40th birthday. I'm at the airport now waiting for a flight home. Had been looking forward to a girls day out for the last couple of weeks, and it was just what I needed  Lots of champers, cheese and cake. Met Hannah, Carolyn's nine month old baby, who is just delightful. A sweet, happy baby. My birthday present to Carolyn - edible blooms bouquet of love.  With Hannah Birthday celebrations

Sunday was another good day. A fun run in the city, the weather was threatening but it stayed dry. Then I cooked a tasty pumpkin-ish soup (pumpkin, sweet potato, potato, carrot, parsnip and onion), put a lamb stew in the Dream pot for dinner and finished my Bethlehem baking recipe. Mum/dad came for lunch and enjoyed the soup, and we had a good catch up as the winter weather rolled in. We hadn't seen the folks since their Europe trip so it was good to hear more detail. A lovely calendar present came back with them.  The afternoon was a bit blah with work stress but Tim finished pottering on his trailer so he was happy.  A good Bible study with Pastor Fraser put things back into perspective and a hot stew to come home to was delicious.  You can hardly see her head...I caught Tim putting on the electric throw rug for her the other night 😲! And I weakened and let her stay inside last night. I'm getting soft !

Tim relived the weekend over dinner and announced it was a good weekend, and so it was. A fitness session Saturday morning followed by our coffee date (with John...trying to steal my coffee card points 😉....it might take us 6 months, but I still enjoy our free bag of coffee beans for home if we buy enough coffees from Kicco). Then we both got some chores done (haircut, lawns, washing etc). Then it was a Happy 2nd Birthday to Eloise, who was a bit overwhelmed but it was lots of fun with all the family there. Then it was off to see Seinfeld which was good clean stand up comedy. No swearing or vulgarity which made it pleasant and a good night out (with 8000 other Adelaidians braving the wind and wet weather. My biggest concern was making sure we got our 200yen umbrella back from security at the end of the night, that Japan umbrella has served us well. 😀 Dad playing rough and tumble with the grandchildren. Eloise not so sure what is going on. The entertainment centre filling up for Jerry...

One of my favourite photos. From May 2016 in Rainbow Valley. A sparkling wedding ring, happy faces and beautiful scenery.

Well we made it to Friday!   Hooray!   Late meeting Tues night with the UK and then Bethlehem Church Council last night, plus end of month reporting stresses, has made it feel like long week.   Going to be a busy weekend, with a couple of fun runs, Eloise’s birthday, Seinfeld, church, bible study and mum/dad visiting.   Looking forward to it all though. So my favourite shop at the moment is the Soap shop at the Central Markets.   I started by buying dishwashing detergent and laundry detergent and have now ventured into the soaps, face cream, body lotion, shampoos and conditions.   The face cream is divine, I bought one they made up with honey, royal jelly, coconut and nice things in it.   And the body lotion I got made up has cinnamon in it.   My skin turns red if I put too much on as it warms it up.   Anyway, they reuse the bottles so I have a rotating supply.   As one detergent bottle runs out it goes next to the trolley to take...