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.