4th July and Jude is working a night shift!!

Yes although we are in Oz, I would still like to have been off to celebrate the 4th July as we have family living in the good ole US of A!

Looking back through our previous posts I realised I neglected to mention celebrating our third wedding anniversary by going to Rottnest Island for the weekend. The weekend was actually organised by Ray's work social club but as it was a few days from our anniversary we decided to celebrate on the island. Ray had never been before and it was about 20yrs since I had been. We had a fantastic time and very little has changed which was great. The weather started off stormy but ended up blue skies and sunshine. We walked round parts of the island, caught the bus round other parts, ate some fantastic food, stayed in a top class room overlooking one of the many lakes on the island and just wished we could have stayed longer. We will go back for sure!! Check out the link to see what a fantastic place this and just where it is situated off the coast of WA.

Can you believe - One year in Australia!

Yes, on Sunday 14th June we celebrated exactly one year since arriving in Perth. Wow, where has the time flown? It has been a fantastic year and we have accomplished so much - we have been very blessed. We both have great jobs, have managed to buy our own home, have tremendous friends and family and love the outdoor lifestyle Australia has to offer. We had a fantastic 3 wk visit from the kids who loved it as well. That is the only downside, not being able to see Rebecca, Ben, Kia, Carol and Malcolm and the rest of the family as well as our wonderful friends. Ray even manages to keep up with his beloved Chelsea via Foxtel and SBS - and since moving to our home has been able to watch it on the big theatre screen which makes him feel he is right there on the field with the rest of the team!!! He is still hoping for a boat - all things come to those who wait!

Other exciting news is that Rebecca and her Ben are engaged and expecting their first child together in December - we are so thrilled for them both and think they make a wonderful couple and Ben is great with Kia. Our Ben and girlfriend Claire moved into their own place a couple of months ago and are doing well in their jobs. Carol and Malcolm's son Justin and his partner Jade are also expecting their first child in September.

We are looking forward to some overseas visitors - Mary from the UK will be here for three weeks from July 26th. Annette, Jock and Kirsty will visit from the USA in September for 10 days.

We are in our new home!!

Well, we have certainly had a busy few weeks but we are now settled into our new pad - our home, not just a house - we feel so comfortable already and just love being able to potter and do bits and pieces to our home!! We have had visitors already - Jude's brother Wayne stayed Fri and Sat night and family friends Lynore and Peter stayed Sat night - it was lovely. Click on the pics to enlarge them.

Bushfire in our area!!

This weekend there was a rather nasty bushfire - about 4km from our house. We had ash and burnt gum leaves falling in the front and back garden and the smell of smoke was very strong and at times made you choke. Felt so sorry for those who had the fire come right up to their fence line, made us think again of those in the Victorian fires. This is the closest we ever want to get to a bush fire!!!

Our fun weekend in Perth and York

Friday night Ray and Jude went to Gloucester Park with friends Sue and Doug. We had a great night but didn't win a thing, the horses had the last laugh!! We stayed overnight at the Parmelia Hilton Hotel in Perth which was a real treat and very relaxing. The next day after a yummy breakfast we ended up driving to York which is the oldest inland town in Western Australia. The weather was beautiful and we strolled along the cobbled streets and went in and out of shops and museums. We then slowly made our way back home. A wonderful time had by us both.

Dim Sum with some not so dim friends!!

Half way through March - where did February go????

As the title says, where did February go to on this blog??? Well, it is down to some regular followers of this site that we realised we had let our busy lives overtake and not update!! Thanks to LDC repairs, its great to know someone cares!

As a follow on from January, Jude had her gallbladder surgery and is now fully recovered and back at work. Her mum and dad continue to be in good health and are enjoying making the most of every day. They have their regular activities of cards, bowls, knitting group and recently enjoyed outings to the Mandurah Greyhound Races and at Burswood Casino where they had a very nice win. These being two places Ray and I have also attended in recent weeks.
February also saw us take to the beach for some fishing - Malcolm and Isla joined us on one trip and the boys caught enough fish for a lovely meal the next evening. Jude had a great lunch out at the Greenwood Hotel for Sue's birthday, while Ray went looking at boats that he can't afford to buy!!

Now to March where there is some very exciting news - we have put an offer to buy on a house which has been approved by the bank subject to valuation of the property. We don't foresee any problems there and if all goes according to plan, we shall have the keys to the new place by late April. We are both very excited about this development and about the house itself. I have included a couple of pics of it and when all is signed, sealed and delivered, will update with more.

DON'T FORGET, CLICK ON ALL PICS ON THIS PAGE AND THEY WILL ENLARGE.