Happy Birthday Meghan

Happy Birthday Meghan. Today is Meghan's 9th birthday - Meghan is my niece and unfortunately we can't be with her today for her birthday, but I am sure she will have a fun day and I know she reads this blog. Hey Meggie - please save me a bit of cake!.

This is a photo of Meghan when she was on holiday at my house in December - she was weating a CFA helmet and goggles and looked pretty funny.

And this is Meghan's sister Alice, who is also wearing the CFA goggles and helmet. You look great girls.

Spectacular Fiji

Jim and I have just returned from a long awaited holiday to Fiji. We have always wanted to visit Fiji and Jim's sister Cheryl is teaching there for a while, so it seemed like a good idea to visit Simon and Cheryl and see Fiji.

This was our first look at a Fijian beach, from the Sheraton Hotel at Denarau. Nice huh!

Friends had recommended that we stay at Mana Island, which was absolutely spectacular. We especially loved swimming in the horizon pool - it was awesome to look out across the pool and see the ocean.
The weather was perfect, the water was warm and teeming with colourful fish- in all shapes, sizes and colours, colourful coral and the most amazing blue starfish. We swam out to the edge of the reef and were stunned at the colour and depth of the water as the reef dropped away. We treasure our time at Mana Island and will definately return.

There is something magical about a Fijian sunset ... or maybe that comes from the rum in the cocktails at Happy Hour! We enjoyed Fiji and had a wonderful, relaxing holiday. The Fijian people were so friendly and kind, and beautiful people.

Where is your favourite holiday destination and why did you enjoy it so much?

Helen and Jim

Easter 2009

Easter is one of my favourite times of the year. The weather is usually nice, and it is a long weekend - long enough to get together with family and have some time to relax.

This year we went camping at Boundary Bend. It is a beautiful spot and it was a big camp this year as we celebrated Mum and Dad's 40th Wedding Anniversary. My friend Ellen baked an awesome chocolate mud cake, and brought along raspberry's, which was a delicious finale to our traditional camp oven roast for lunch.

The weather was glorious and it was a wonderful weekend.

Ahhh..

Mechanical Cow

Jim's been busy building a letterbox in the shape of a Cow for his cousin for his 50th birthday. I hope you like it Peter! This is the second cow Jim has made because he also made one for me for Christmas last year. They look great and it was funny to see the cows together. Then, he loaded the cow into the back of the ute and drove it off to live at a dairy near Lockington. This cow has a fantastic way to direct the letter from the front, down to the rear, where they sit on a steel mesh mat and stay dry from the rain. Jim is such a clever boy.

What do you think of it?

Bendigo Says Thanks

A few weeks ago we went along to the 'Bendigo Says Thanks' concert. It was organised by local musician Kate DeAraugo. Kate organised for some fabulous local bands, and excellent visitors to play for free - amazing. Anyway, Kate's performance was excellent, and so was Emily Williams, Paulini and Venette Fields - I have to say the she is a real favourite of mine. Apparently, Angry Anderson was still singing at 10.30 - I was tucked up in bed by then.
The idea of the concert was for people in the community to say 'thanks' to the Emergency Services volunteers and staff who have done such a magnificent job in managing the Bushfire Emergency in Bendigo.

Jim and I went along with the Woodvale Slip-on Unit and we were really humbled by the support and thanks from the community. There was a special area for Volunteers to watch the concert, with great viewing, food and drinks. One really memorable moment for me was when a little boy, aged around 5 or 6, came up to shake Jim's hand (he was wearing the CFA yellow overalls) and he said to Jim, ' thank you Mr Fireman, thanks for saving my house'. It was a really special moment and one that will stay with us for a long time. It was a great day and here are some photos.

Helen

Update on Reggie

Reggie is doing well and we have been surprised at well he managed with three good legs. His broken leg is healing well and we are doing our best to slow him down and try to stop him from jumping and running. It must be feeling better. He has has the inside pin cage removed and that has made it a bit more comfortable for him and us, as we don't have the daily battle of trying to dress and bandage his leg, so he can pull it all off the next day.

He still has the outside cage on to hold the pins in place and we hope that they will all be removed after Easter. He's a happy dog and very keen to chase after the cat or a kangaroo ... anything really.

Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Procession

The Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts festival was on recently and Jim went along with the Woodvale Fire Truck in the procession. This is one of Jim's favourite times - he goes down to the fire station and there is a team of people who polish up the truck and get ready for the procession. It's a fun time and the weather is normally lovley. It was a great day this year and a lot of fun.