Tiki Beat with Marcus Thorn...

Aloha blog readers... One of my "things" that I've been following while in Australia is Tiki Culture. If you're thinking "What on earth?" then you need to check out Tiki by Wayne Curtis. ....Right now that you're back ... last weekend I traveled down to Sydney for a two day carving workshop with Tiki Carver and all round nice guy Marcus Thorn.

"Tiki carver and painter, Marcus Thorn of Tiki Beat has been carving tikis for the last 15 years and painting and drawing since his early teens. Born in Papua New Guinea and then raised in Tropical Queensland in Australia Marcus has always been drawn to the Polynesian appeal of all things tiki. Marcus is fast becoming one of the most highly respected tiki carvers in the world and his carvings have featured in various Magazines and movies for NBC Studios New York and Warner Bros Movieworld Gold Coast, Australia and carving in Hawaii for hotels and developments."

It was great to spend a couple of days doing something creative and I hoped that with Marcus' help I could become a chip off the old block. I've really not done any art since leaving University so I was really excited when this opportunity came up. It was a four hour drive each day but well worth it.

We started out will half a log and our own set of tools started carving. It was about 35 degrees so it was tough going!

... don't try this at home kids!

It was amazing to watch him go at this piece of wood and make it do exactly what he wanted to to do. I'll never be that good but he seemed to think that my Tiki was a "good effort"  for the first one. It still needs to be finished up but I'm confident that one day it'll be good enough to hang with all the others I've collected from charity shops etc in the bar.

An awesome weekend, I learned a lot, came away with my own tool set, something closely resembling a Tiki and plenty of ideas to help me fill the summer holidays.

Nice article about Marcus.

Summer's around the Corner ... still!

It seems like every time I post on here I say that I'm busy and that the weather has been ordinary... well ... we've been really busy and the weather is still ordinary but there are signs that Summer is just around the corner ... in fact only seventeen days if you use the end of term as the benchmark! Not that I'm counting at all! ;0)

Still with a warm day this week we all got outside to eat our diner, we enjoyed the fresh air and the fact that you can pressure wash the deck and the kids when they've finished!

... yes its an inflatable Kangaroo!

Month by Month...

The changing faces of Alfie and Charlie ... 

From little things ...

... big things grow!

Alfie is certainly shooting up and growing in so many ways. He is quite a character with a vivid imagination, we thought he was a little slow on the uptake with the talking but he's making up for the slow start. He asks a myriad of questions and won't accept I don't know as an answer - "Why you don't know?"

He remains a wonderful big brother to Charles and sociable generally. We were at the local pool last weekend where there is a park area for the kids to play. A large group of slightly older kids were playing together when one of the group who obviously all knew each other said "Let's get back into the pool.""Yeah!" they shouted and made for the pool, Alfie who had yet to introduce himself to the group also shouted "Yeah" and followed them much to their bemusement!

It was only this week that I looked back at some pictures of him as a baby, its amazing to think that it was such a tough start for this little seed. He's become quite a sweet little seedling ... hopefully with the right amounts of water, nutrients and sunshine the boy and teenager stages will be as strong healthy and positive.

Park Pals ...

Some fairly ordinary weather of late, Summer keeps us waiting! Still this week it was jumpers on and down to the park for some fun and fresh air...

Terrible twos were fine ... Threes well!!!! Viewers with a keen ear will detect an Aussie twang!

Little monkeys!

Charlie gets into the swing of things...

Toot Toot .... all aboard!

Last weekend it was "All aboard and ticket please" as we visited the miniature steam railway. Apparently these guys run their pride and joys around the track every weekend but once a month they give kids and their parents a go around the tracks...

We got there nice and early for a picnic and parking spot. Just as well we did as the place was packed within the hour. Its a great day out for kids (and parents!) as they get to ride all the different trains for a Gold Coin donation.

I managed to upset the driver (complete with drivers cap!!!) on my first trip almost tipping the carriage because I stepped on the wrong spot! The old guys do the trains, the ladies do the baking and they all stop of a cuppa halfway through the afternoon. All quite quaint really. A perfect day out for the whole family and friends, on this particular occasion we were joined by the Allen's and the Murdoch Clan. 

I recommend Lake Macquarie Live Steam Society and their website which currently features a genealogy tracing 130 years of steam locomotive evolution by Neil Carlson. Enjoy!

Newcastle, Australia - Ninth best city in the World!

It's official our very own Newcastle, New South Wales Australia is the ninth best city in the World!

 

New York topped the Lonely Planet list, I'm not sure who was awarded second to eighth place, but I'm sure that Plymouth would have been well up there. Newcastle is one of those quite unfashionable places for Aussies and international travelers... long may it stay that way I say... but it seems to be building a great reputation as a great place to live and visit but then we knew that anyway!  

Link : NBN News.

The Amber Necklace...

Now if you read the title of this post in your normal inside your head voice we need to stop right there... back up think about magic, wizardry, Lord of the Rings etc and then read it again in your best movie trailer voice.... That's it much better!

Right moving on. It would seem that there is more to mothers group than lattes and caramel slice/raisin toast... I know this was a shock to me! It is apparently also an opportunity to share the most bizarre child rearing tips and tales. Apparently the more distant your relationship to the person who has tried (insert tip here) the better. It goes something a little like this...

"My cousins, friends, sister in law twice removed was having real trouble with her child not sleeping because he was cutting teeth. Well one day she accidentally smothered him in Vegemite and guess what now he sleeps twelve hours straight. She's done it every night since... Maybe you should try it... "

Additional points can also be scored for the least scientifically plausible solution to a problem. I'm an open minded person when it comes to complementary medicine but an Amber Necklace! Purchased from a (still laughing now no doubt...) seller on eBay this special necklace, which incidentally has each bead double stitched for safety, cures tooth pain...

The result: Does it work ... maybe!

... however if it does then the effects of the Amber are long lasting as he was still able to get some shut eye while it hung in the bathroom for over a week!

If you are reading this and thinking hey maybe we should try that, then we have one for sale. One careful owner all reasonable offers considered. ;0)

Show me the way to Armidale ...

Much to our disgust (but with our full support!) Amy and Mitch the SPAREnts have moved to Armidale leaving us to look after our own kids! ;0) Having given them some time to settle in and find a home for everything it was about time we packed up half of our house and paid them a visit! Now Armidale is a country town about five and a half hours away... not too far when you remove the fact that we have two young kids and we're English and therefore consider a yearly trip to Butlins Minehead from Plymouth a road trip. Still I diligently went to Google maps, scribbled something about left and rights on the back of an envelope and jumped in the car.

How hard could it be? Newcastle to Armidale ... its just up and a bit left!

We reached half way, let the kids out for some fresh air and had lunch. After the stop we checked out the Barrington Tops which are beautiful at this time of year. However this was a good two hour inadvertent detour in the wrong direction, on dirt tracks in the rain, no phone reception, no food and half a tank of petrol in an area where New South Wales' serial murderer and most wanted man has sought shelter and is yet to be found!

If you stare at this image long enough you can almost hear the sound of hysterics coming from a black 4x4!

Beth and I were thankful that our relationship is a strong one as we slipped and slided out of the mountains and back to the town we had rested in about two hours earlier! Having seen the error of our ways we eventually arrived in Armidale after nine hours. Yes that's a nine hour .... five hour car journey...

Anyway moving swiftly on we had a great time with Amy, Mitch, parents and friends. We checked out Mitchell's new work place (conveniently a bar/club!), some of the sights and an indoor play center. There we managed to do some bowling and escape from the rain which seemed to fall throughout our visit.

We didn't let the weather dampen our spirits and we had great time, and we came away feeling that Armidale isn't that far away... I mean it's not like its nine hours or anything! See you soon guys.

Check out the Armidale Tourist Information Centre.

Chick, chick, chick, chicken...

The two chicks that Alfie and I looked after for a couple of weeks are doing well, in fact they are already getting their adult feathers. Last weekend we went across to see how they were going...

Now what I forgot to mention last time when posting about the chickens is that it proved to be an excellent opportunity to have some father and son time. I took the opportunity to explain some Rooster and Hen stuff. I waffled on about boy chicken and girl chicken for a while and I could tell that Alfie wasn't really listening. After I'd stopped he pointed to the Rooster with it's red triangular cones arranged on its head and said "Daddy what about the Dinosaur chicken?" I had to laugh up until the point where he went to the veggie patch pulled up a healthy corn plant, looked at the roots and said "Nope. No carrots here!" Kids say the funniest things!

Month by Month...

Crikey its a Bluetongue ...

There I was enjoying a slow morning updating the blog in the holidays looking out of the window, when I spotted this ...

I managed to snap it through the blinds and glass and from about five metres away... a Bluetongue lizard. It seems to have set up home in a piece of upturned fibreglass from our pond. Hopefully 'Bluey' will stay around for a while and eat the snails in the garden!

Find out more about Bluetongues here.

Dig Dig Dig....

With an Australian Summer approaching (... whhoooo hoo! ) there will be plenty of opportunities to take a dip and cool off. Alfie was getting quite confident come the end of last Summer but the Winter gave us limited opportunities to keep it up. Indoor pools are as rare as outdoor pools in the UK!

We took Alfie for a swimming assessment on Saturday so that he can start lessons. He got in willingly with the teacher with his backfloat (... Aussies call them Bubbles for some reason!?!) splashed around a bit but didn't manage to let go of his vice like grip on her arms. So we were told that he needs private lessons until he can doggy paddle with three bubbles.

Yesterday he went back to the pool for his first lesson with Mitchell. He was very excited and then a little confused when it wasn't the Mitchell he was expecting! However he soon got over that and managed to paddle with his 'Did Dig Dig' arms for a good 15-20minutes first with four bubbles and then three. Beth and I along with our wallets are hopeful that one more private lesson should crack it. Watch this space...

Ain't nobody here but us chickens ...

Alfie and I are looking after some friends chickens (... and associated other animals and veggies!) while they are away. They have three hens and a rooster which have been busy, one of the hens laid some eggs which are now starting to hatch.

In the last two days two chicks have appeared and we are enjoying watching them grow. We might get some more pictures over the next couple of weeks.

Tissue! What tissue? ...

Alfie has discovered like most boys (... and girls!) that you can get by without a tissue. Follow these easy steps...

1. Nose starts to run.
2. Extend index finger.
3. Place beneath nose.
4. Draw back finger across your face towards ear.
5. Should nose continue to run repeat steps 1-4 alternating between left and right sides.
6. Now start collecting mud/dust/sand/food stuffs to complete the look!

... and the all important step.

7. Resist all attempts to remove the snot-stache or boggie wiskers with a wet wipe!

Taken by now award winning photographer, friend and all round nice person Kate. Check out KaTE aBECKETT PHOTOGRaPHY for some more of her work.

Second Baby Syndrome ...

Regular blog readers will have noted that posts on here are well ... not regular! This is due to a busy life, demanding wife (... just joking!) and the fact that we've been here for nearly four years and therefore things have become a little less newsworthy. There is also Second Baby Syndrome ... you just don't seem to have as many pictures of number two as you did for Number One who could barely move, fill a nappy or projectile vomit without being snapped.

So with all the posts today I've tried to redress the balance a little and give Charles a little blog time ... he deserves it!

Dancing like Dad!?! ...

When you have kids you pass many things on, its quite funny to watch and listen to Alfie in particular mimicking Beth and I. With Charlie I do think that I have passed on my excellent sense of rythm, want evidence?!? Check his moves here while he enjoys some old records in the bar! ;0)

Swing into Summer

With Spring in full swing its time to start thinking about getting outside and enjoying the warmer weather. Both the boys have enjoyed a swing in the tree in the last week.

Hopefully there will be some news of a tree house in the near future!

Mummy's Birthday ...

Last week we celebrated Beth's bithday, with a leisurely breakfast and some presents. Despite her insistence that we celebrate her birthday for the entire week (or month!!!)  we did pull out the stops on the Sunday.

Beth might have had more than an idea of what she might get but with a little assistance from Alfie she managed to unwrap a dressing gown, a pre order voucher for the forthcoming Robbie Williams album a purse and a Wonder Woman coffee mug from the kids!

In the afternoon it was off to the Caves Beach Hotel for a bite to eat with family and friends...

... before spending some time on the Beach! A great time was had by all.

XS, S & XL ...

Enough time has passed since the World Cup for the shame and embarrassment to have subsided sufficiently for us to wear our England shirts out in public! ;0)

Feed the monkey to the banana...

Friday marked the end of term, my return from a three day excursion and the start of a two week holiday. Its been a busy term and so we're all looking forward to spending some quality family time together. This morning we all entertained Charlie with a felt banana, it also features me getting a little muddled on whether its the banana or the monkey that does the eatting much to Beths amusement.... baffoon! ;0)

What chew looking at ...

Still no sign of teeth inside Charlie's chubby little cheeks but something tells us that they might not be too far away! Check out this short video where the drink bottle gets a good work out!

Month by Month ....

A couple of updates in Alfie and Charlie's month by month albums...

Facebook Finale ...

For those of you that follow me on Facebook you'll notice that I'll be a little quiet from now on ... in fact if you want to find out what I'm up to you'll have to come here as I've deleted my account.

Many apologies to all my friends out there but until my employer decides to stop asking me to pick and choose who might or might not be suitable friends, Facebook is best avoided. When they come up with a policy that shows an understanding of how Facebook works and that actually spells out in English what is appropriate you'll need to email or look up Beth who is still able to manage her own social circle. ;0)

Feeding the Sharks with mum!!!...

With mum nearing the end of her stay (Where did that time go?) it was time to think of her challenge! We like to send mum packing with a special memory of something she can't do at home, think challenge Anika without the lycra! So far she's cuddled Koalas and scaled the Harbour Bridge... this morning we packed up to visit the Shark and Ray Centre!

Much like every trip out with mum it mostly involves mum being squashed in the back between Alfie and Charlie, watching cartoons and entertaining the travelers. Inevitably one or both will fall asleep before we reach the destination and so Grandma has to stay put until they wake up so that she doesn't wake them clambering over them to get out! That happened again today so we detoured to the beach where the sleeping beauties later woke allowing everyone the opportunity to get out of the car! Coffee and hot chips were enjoyed by all...

At the Shark and Ray Centre it was time for me and mum to don the "One size fits all" waders... I can assure you that they do not! Armed with gloves and peg on a stick and some smelly prawns it was into the freezing water were we were immediately confronted by a huge ray... the words from the guide "Its just like the one which killed Steve Irwin" did little to inspire any confidence. Mum seemingly neck deep in water hid behind me, while sharks circled and gave you a nudge when you tried to ignore them. We toughed it out for as long as we could without looking like we'd bottled it. Alfie and Beth fed from the side, the former being a little hesitant with the larger sharks and rays but enjoyed feeding Nemo and friends!



It was certainly an experience and Beth is promising that she will don the waders with her parents when they arrive later in the year... you read it here first!

A great day and a great experience...

Alfie Interview ...

Last week Alfie went for his pre school interview at school. We'd spent much of the week preping him although as it turned out the questions were not too taxing! Luckily for two "under the microscope" parents Alfie was his usual charming self, until we decided it was time to leave the sand pit in the pre school! Although looking on the bright side at least he wanted to be there...

He's due to start with me at school two days a week from January.

... talk to the hand cos the pre schooler aint listnin!

End of the Season ...

The coming of Spring and Summer can only mean one thing... the end of the football season. Over here amateurs play football during the Winter while the professionals (term used loosely!) play in the A League during the Summer. Quite a good idea really because it does mean that if you're a player and supporter you can enjoy the best of both worlds. For the last fourteen weeks I've been travelling around with my Under 15's school team, it's really an expectation that you do some form of Saturday sport. Its been fairly tough for Beth who loses me to school all week and then for three or four hours at the weekend and for a couple of hours for training during the week.

We've had quite a successful season taking into account the number of injuries and family holidays we've had... sometimes we've started with seven... and I'm struggling to remember a time where I've had the luxury of a substitute. Most weeks at home we've borrowed some of the under 12's! So with all that in mind its amazing we've got any results. This week we started with 10 and led twice before eventually drawing 2-2 with a team placed third. What we've lacked in points and players we've certainly made up with determination and effort.

This week being the last brought out the family to watch, Charlie sat up and watched from his camp chair while Alfie stood on the fence... at one point he turned to Beth and said "Daddy is the teacher!" Cute! I'm looking forward to spending some more time with the family over the coming weekends.

Home Sweet Home ...

With me ill progress on the house slowed to a halt... but no fear with an extra pair of hands available from mum Beth took the bull by the horns and ploughed on with only a very sick foreman for advice.

She's done an amazing job on the painting and the floor. Charlie is now sound asleep for the first time in his new room meaning that mum and dad can now get full use of the en suite for the first time without fear of waking up number two!

That brings to an end, almost still need to paint the old part of the house outside during the summer, about seven months of rennovations. We're delighted with what we've been left with. Kids in their own rooms, room for an office, room for the guests/bar and a space to eat and entertain. We might be losing a key part of the reason we didn't move soon but we're happy with where we are at the moment.

We've still got plans but hopefully they'll include a little time to enjoy weekends together as a family.

Bye Buy Beryl ...

After a long and often torturous eBay auction ... honestly the things people get away with ... anyway on with the post, Beryl was sold to a buyer in Brisbane, Queensland. To be honest when we saw where the buyer was we were kinda hoping that he wouldn't bother to come and collect it! Selling it was probably the right thing to do so that it didn't just sit in the shed. I've loved driving it, its been a great car for three years. I couldn't justify the on road costs for the odd drive out on what would effectively be on my own on a Sunday afternoon.

So long story short, I picked up the buyer at the local airport, signed her over to a lovely couple and off they went together on the long road home. They game me a call later to tell me that after 780km and ten hours she hadn't missed a beat.... I didn't expect anything less. Gone but not forgotten Beryl! ;0(

A day at the Beach ...

Much to the disgust of some Aussie mates despite it being Winter we went to the beach for the afternoon. The sun was up, the sky was blue ... why not? We wrapped up warm and had a ball ... grandma almost made good on her (quite foolish!) promise to swim during this visit. The beach was red flagged so we'll let her off this time!



Alfie spent his time digging and bulldozing, ball throwing, running and wave jumping with Grandma, Charlie meanwhile liked the feeling of the sand between his toes and the sights and sounds of seagulls squabbling over the remnants of some chips. A little reminder just as we needed it in the middle of Winter that Spring and Summer is around the corner along with all the reasons that we love Australia. Our big tree in the garden is already springing back into life ... its on the way!

Later in the afternoon Matt and Sharron joined us along with the boys as well as Beth's cousin and familiy who are visiting Australia at the moment. I'm pleased that they got to see Newie at its best! Then it was off to Blackbutt Reserve to see some Koalas, a quick play in the park before returning home for a cup of tea and cake! A busy day...

Its Christmas (in August!!)...

It has been well documented on this blog my thoughts on an Australian Christmas ... it just doesn't feel Christmassy after all those Northern Hemisphere Christmas' This leads some poeple to celebrate a "Christmas in July" are there are lots of events and parties held each year. With mum being here and missing out on some recent Christmas' we decided to celebrate Christmas in August last weekend.



We exchanged gifts, had a roast, wore paper hats, told the rubbish jokes and had a drink or two. A great time was had by all.

Flu...

How many times do you hear people say "Ooooh I've got a touch of flu?" too many ... I've done it so many times myself. Not anymore after the events of last week, my response to to those people will be no you don't beacause not only are you out of your house but you are standing upright, walking and having a conversation with someone at the same time. It started last weekend with the odd ache and pain, at first I thought it was some Ross River Fever returning but a trip to the Doctor diagnosed Flu. ... My constant groaning from inside my hoody ensured that I soon had the pick of the seats that were left in the waiting room!

I emerged clutching some of the Swine Flu tablets taken from the top of the NSW stockpile. Over the next four days I shivered, sweated, moaned, felt sick and lounged on the sofa... much like the World Cup but with flu! Seven days later I'm certainly feeling much better and returning to work in the morning. It was a tough week ... good job that I had Beth and mum here to look after me. So far nobody else has shown any symptoms ... hope it stays that way!

Growing familes ...

One sign of a growing family is when you wake up in the morning to find that you have been joined by a couple of little people. Its not uncommon to find Alfie sticking his fingers in your ear or up your nose ... or hear Charlie having a little conversation with himself. When the two get together there is no end of fun to be had...

... now as you can see from the photo below this is a huge problem as it intereres with my sleep routine!!!! ;0)

... anyway it was decided that we needed a new bed to accomodate the kids and kit out the new bedroom. So it was off to the bed shop for a King size. Now its been delivered and slept on its great ... its massive and sooo comfortable! Although it must be taken into account that I pretty much slept on the sofa during the World Cup in June and in July for the Tour de France and therefore a bed of any description feels good! ;0) Talking of bed .... night night! x

Progress ? ...

With Alfie requiring safe, reliable and comfortable transport to and from school with me in January we needed to look for something else. Well that something came up last week and we made a bid on eBay. As it turned out we were about $1000 (570 English squids) short of the reserve. We were a little dissapointed but it was as much as we wanted to pay. After a couple of days they emailed to see if we wanted it for the $2500 we offered (1400 squid), they were due to go on a long holiday and the REGO (Road Tax and MOT due on the same day here!) would expire. We got them to get the car checked and it passed so we went ahead. We picked it up on Sunday and I've already had a great couple of trips, I could be warming to her! It has warm air that blows when its cold, cold air that blows when its hot, comforatble seats and what they call a Compact Disc player... these mod cons could catch on! ;0)

You are looking at our Volkswagen food chain!

Stan. 1972 Bus. - Apex Preditor, great fun, great times and many a friend made. We still laugh about the fun we had in him ... no not that please!!! Unreliable (Did get us to our own wedding!), like throwing money in the ground and burying it yes ... but we miss him!

Beryl. 1963 Beetle. - Reliable car, drove her everyday! Picked her up in Sydney ... was about an inch off the road - road humps not an option, window fell out drove home for two and a half hours in the rain!!! No air conditioning ... no air full stop. Sometimes I thought my back would fuse with the plastic seat. She's not selling for less than $3300 (1800 English Beer Tokens) I've been offered $3100... shes on eBay at $2650 with five days to go! I'm secretly hoping we don't get there and she can stay in the garage and I can restore her over the years! ;0)

This brings me to the bottom feeder and young pretender! Born in 1999 she is literally out of the wrapper in comparison! Clearly of all the VW's I've owned she's the runt of the litter!

The Runt. 1999 Polo - to be continued!

Winter Heat ...

Did I mention that its been cold!? On Friday we made the most of a few dry hours to visit Civic Park in Newcastle for Winter Heat a free arts and performance event. We usually go to all the free council events like this ... we figure that if you're already paying for them you might as well go! Add to that time spent with friends and a cracking atmosphere its usually a good night.



This one featured fire breathing, fire juggling and movement as well as walking on hot coals. All very impressive and warming to those watching. We were also treated to some music and the Worlds shortest fireworks display. Thankfully short as Alfie started crying on the B of the first Bang.

Dave and Maz came along and we all thought how much it was like Bonfire night in the UK, you go home stinking of smoke it was cold ... the only difference being that there weren't loads of kids hanging around the shopping centre wanting a penny for their pathetic excuse for a guy in the weeks before it! ;0)

Super Splash ...

We've had some fairly cold and wet weather of late, not ideal timing for Mum's visit. Most of her time has been spent inside, but before the cabin fever sets in for good it was time to wrap up warm and venture outside...

Alfie managed to find a big puddle down the road and had a whale of a time running up and down... pausing only for a sit down to empty out the boots...

... Splish Splash Alfies making a dash!

Introducing Rex ...

Alfie likes nothing more than the opportunity to do some puzzles, draw or build something. On this particular occasion we created a robot we called Rex! Apparently he was a dirty robot and needed a bath ...

Here is Alfie and Rex in the bath together with Rex protecting a little modesty! ;0)

The Boys Month by Month ...