It's great to be back home!

Yes, my hair is clean, showers are wonderful and its been great catching up with family and friends. My first day back was spent on the computer loading and naming all my 500+ photos, only to burn them to disk to find the photos had organised themselves in alphabetical order of the names instead of the date they were taken - more challenges with technology!!!



Good Friday - woke up late - 9.30am (5.30am WA) and got ready for the lunch fest at Spanish Viv's (and family) - a gathering of some of my family and the neighbours we grew up with. Keeping in theme with the day, it was fish orientated plus homemade, hot from the oven, hot cross buns. Can anything beat that once a year, (if you do it properly) look forward to, festive food! It was a great time catching up, with lots of laughs. Feeling very replete once lunch was finished, several of us then decamped for Whitianga to attend the Inaugural Bluesfest -festival based on the Byron Bay one in Sydney that was being held at the exact same time. I remembered somewhere near Tairua why I am not a repeat visitor to the area - lots of windy roads, with no passing lanes, lots of traffic etc etc. In saying that, there is movement afoot with passing lanes being constructed as I write so who knows in the future. More food, wine and conviviality then bed. Saturday dawned bright and fine and after a full cooked breakfast, the cars were packed with more food - bacon and egg pie, chicken, salad, apple pie.... off we set for Dakota fields where there were two stages set up, ample parking and a quietly festive atmosphere. Armed with tarpaulin, chairs etc we found a spot mid stage and slightly back and set ourselves up. Sound checks and then to begin on centre stage, Herbs kicked off the day. I had never seen these guys live, and enjoyed the very New Zealand reggae sound. They were followed closely by Midge Marsden - Mr NZ Blues to many. I first heard MM play live around Hamilton Lake around 20yrs ago, and he still has it. The crowd enjoyed the new songs and sang along to some old ones and I thought yay, this is going to be good. However, there were distinct gaps as the day unfolded, and as one critic in the Herald said, it was somewhat misnamed as the Bluesfest when a lot of music was not blues. Luckily I had taken along a book to read, (as did three others of the group heh, heh) so lay in the sun and read through the uninteresting acts.

The next act of note was an Australian guy called Xavier Rudd - an aboriginal guy who blew the crowd away. He played several instruments at once and sang - a very talented musician. Will look for him when I go back. The crowd increased in size as the day went on. Have never seen so many 'old' people out and some scarily bopping up the front of the stage (and then realised, I am not far off that bracket myself, LOL). I recall my head snapping around like a meercat as we approached the grounds and the smell of dope wafting about - which only increased as the day and night wore on. Water was selling at $5 bottle - rip off merchants!!!!! and tickets were being sold for booze - you had to buy $30 worth that gave you 10 cans of beer or spirit mixes - hmm, I wonder how they got round responsible host laws???? (small health and safety commercial LOL). The tickets had said no drink or food could be taken on site but every man and his dog seemed to have chilly bins etc with them. We left ours in the car and went back for a graze late afternoon.


Highlight of the afternoon was Keb Mo - have got a CD of his and again, a master of the blues. I know he has been to NZ several times and he was well received by the crowd. From my point of view many of the other acts were extremely forgettable - KT Tunstall - one or two songs were recognisable, but hardly blues and very samey. The absolute worst was a guy called Ian Brown from a band called Stone Roses (or something like it) who was truely, badly, awful. He had the personality of a plank of wood, and spat on the stage in between chewing the mike belting out unrecognisable lyrics of forgettable songs. There were youth (drunken and stoned) who were bopping away this act but I think the words drunken and stoned probably explained that.

And then the piéce de resistance of the whole fest - Buddy Guy - a man in his 70's who with his band, had the crowd up on their feet rocking his entire set. The man was a consumate performer and totally engaged with his audience. Each time the crowd wound up he would say, wait a minute, sshh, wait a minute, and then go onto something else. His band was brilliant and he did this thing whereby he would play and they would have to follow with their instruments until they ripped into their own solos. This was real Mississippi black, blues. In between, he did take offs of Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Lightning Hopkins, & Hendrix to name a few. He certainly did not disappoint and for me was the highlight of the entire do.

Left early the next day to avoid the traffic today (a wise decision) and back to Waiuku.

Today, went to Pukekohe for a quick visit to the Warehouse - I do miss that store in Oz. Had a bit of a blitz on buying DVD's to take back with me. Managed to find Outrageous Fortune series 2, so am keeping my eyes out for series 1. All very cheap as there was a sale on - my favourite price LOL. Did a peruse through Postie Plus to supplement the meagre wardrobe I bought back and got a few items to carry me through. Scarily, picked up a pair of togs (swimmers/bathers) for $20 so thats 1st stage to get my bronze medallion LOL. The next stage is to get into the pool to see if I can still swim!!!! Watch this space.

Had an interesting night tonight - was guest speaker at the Waiuku Lion's club - Mum and Clive are both members! Felt very at home as a similar format to Rotary and Jaycees and everyone was very welcoming. Had to wing my presentation in the end as I had planned on showing photos and speaking to them but no equipment available on the night but all seemed to go OK. Off to Hamilton in the morning to catch up with friends so will get some shut eye now.

Cheers

Lynn

Am I nearly there yet??

Hi folks

Yes, am back in NZ safe and sound but not without incident. To go back a pace ... Tues night last week, took Easter eggs up to the girls to say goodbye (sorry workmate for the sugar rush, LOL) and a birthday cake . After a coffee I headed back to my house to finish packing. I have this wonderful instruement bought at Heathrow airport that you can weigh your luggage with, so after carefully packing suitcase and back pack, checked out the weights. It was at this point, I realised, the camp kitchen I had bought for my sister and family (that I was trying to get back to NZ) weighed 16k and not 30k like I thought. (OK, the writing is small on these hand held scales and I never noticed the lbs sign v kilos!!!!) so an immediate repack ensued. At the original 30k it would have cost $400+ to freight fwd or $280+ for overweight luggage. I threw out clothing and only packed bare necessities around the camp kitchen (it came with it's own carry bag) - that then became my 'suitcase' whilst I packed remaining goods in my back pack managing to come under allowable wieghts for both. Yay.

I then decided to wash my hair - no problems until I went to use the blowdryer. I plugged it in and boom, the front nozzle shot off onto the floor and when I dropped the blowdryer onto the carpet it started to glow red - minor heart attack as I leapt towards the plug and pulled it out (never 100% confident when dealing with electricity and then gingerly picked up said machine, opened the door and threw it on the lawn - just in case it reignited in the night or emitted poisonous fumes during the night!!!! Next dilemma, going to bed with wet hair - urk. Read for a while in case it self dried and finally turned out lights around 1.30am, packed, dishes done, floor swept etc etc.

During the packing I also realised, I had left my sunglasses up at school - b----y bollocks! Again, a dilemma - do I throw something over night attire and get them then and there, or do I leave it until the morning - and chose the latter. Setting the alarm for 5.30am next morning, grabbed the torch and shot up to school to get glasses - as I was walking back - I noticed another house with all the lights on and thought - who is mad enough to be up at this time ..... I had walked halfway to the front gate after taking the wrong fork in the road .... (I did better in the pitch black the week before LOL) as it was MY house with lights blazing!! Made it back to my place with mins to spare before my ride arrived, one last look about and off we went.


Br threw me a bit of a curve ball when he asked if I knew any prayers for safe travel (this to the person who could not find her way back to her own house, LOL) and at 6am I have to say, nothing sprung to mind. Fortunately, Br had one to go and off we set, with two pairs of eyes looking for kangaroos who might leap out in our path. Fortunately the prayer worked - there were three dead kangaroos on the side of the road between Tardun and Perth and not one did we have to hit! Had a pit stop on the way, where I bought some breakfast and drinks for the trip. The slight delay, whilst I purchased said goods (and possibly the prayer!) meant that we just missed getting struck by a falling branch off a tree!!!! somewhere out of Bindoon. I saw the branch falling at the same time I heard a crack like a gun over the sound of the car going. A fortunate escape.

Br had an appointment in Perth so I drove to the lake and waited to pick him up - I had a library book that needed finishing and was more than happy to sit and read. After meeting up with Br again, we went to where he was staying in Perth and I ended up having lunch with 8 other Br's .... ( thats up there with me staying in a nunnery in Fiji at St Christopher's, LOL). I then had a grand tour of Perth (the Catholic highlights) .. We went to Aquinas College first (had to drop a parcel off there) followed by a visit to the Christian Bros office, then to Clontarf (originally an orphanage, now an aboriginal college), Trinity College, then the main road in Perth city, and a drive through Kings Park. There were a few other jobs we had to do that meant we had covered a good amount of Perth before heading to the airport. Perth very much reminded me of Auckland with so much water. Aquinas and Trinity college land went right to the water in each case, both schools with great buildings and grounds. Kings Park looks well worth a return visit, as there are botanical gardens, war memorials, water gardens and many walks through it. One of the things I found amusing was road signs with outline pictures of tortoises on them as in beware! tortoises crossing!!!! Thankfully, not something we had to worry about that day.

I still had a couple of hours to go so we decided to go to the movies - The Other Bolyn Girl - historically inaccurate and filmed quite darkly - I think there are better movies about Anne Bolyn to see. As I had checked my bags prior to the movie, I got dropped back at the airport and had just enough time to get my tickets and walk to the right lounge and I was off - 12.15am Wednesday. Needless to say, I slept to Sydney, but wait there's more! Had to transfer from the domestic to international airport by bus - moved to the correct lounge, boarded the bus and after numerous starts (and 15 mins) another bus finally turns up to take us to the correct terminal. A short gallop to the right lounge there, straight onto the plane and we finally left! I slept my way to Auckland which was great. Customs, another cut lunch and a map and I was finally out the gate to be picked up, about 2 hours from ETA. Back to Waiuku and roast chicken with umpteen vegetables for dinner - yay. Great to see family and catch up - sister and family came for dinner also. Although it is only 8.20pm in WA, its 12.20pm in NZ so will sign off for now. Tomorrow I will write about my awesome weekend spent at the Inaugural Bluesfest concert in Whitianga, that I attended yesterday - watch this space.
Cheers
Lynn

You will not believe it!!!!

I have been run over by a bungarra!!!!! I have photographic proof (mud on foot LOL)!!! I know, its not an everyday occurrance or something I have ever aspired to - to be run over by a lizard ...

Yesterday all the girls bar one went out on Cart with the workmate and her family while Cinderella had to stay with the one who did not go - and cleaning ensued LOL. Just after midday we set off to a dam just out of Yalgoo (note the proper spelling this time) with a name like Yuralga (I'm told spelling doesn't matter when you say the name - had to tell the aussi's here I am trying to write about these places LOL). We lurched off the main road in the bus and travelled into the scrub on little more than a dirt track and after about 15 mins we arrived at this dam. One of the girl's families was there to meet us with their camp fire going, relaxing back with billy tea under the shade of a scrubby looking tree. There was a camper van also on the site that had an outdoor convenience tent - that amused the locals no end. There was evidence of other campsites in the past with remains of camp fires, broken glass etc. One of the first things I saw was a duck head, moved on a bit and there was a heap of feathers - presumably from the same duck which must have provided tucker for someone.
I asked no questions LOL.

We proceeded to the dam, which is a large square pond type thing that had a concrete sided channel into it on one side and a concrete channel out of it on the other. The water drained into it from a swampy stream. We had taken some nets and meat (pulverised steak from our barbeque dinner that night) to try and catch some yabbies in the dam, so put the nets in and then went to the channel (in) end whereupon the girls leapt into the water. Kiwi me, having several heart attacks, dirt floor channel, outdoor swimming with no bronze life saving medal .... etc, etc. Just managed to cope because the water was only knee deep so it was more of a soak than a swim and threatened everyone with dire consequences should they dive into said channel. Got the same amount out and the end of the day that went in, so survived with kids all happy at getting wet.

Then there was the big tadpole hunt, as the stream and dam were filled with tadpoles and small brown frogs about 1" big (sorry to all those people who only know metrics LOL - ? 2cm?)
Unbeknownst to me, the girls bought some back and only discovered them this morning, in a container with a rock for the frogs to sit on and a glass upended for others to sit on!!

We were about to leave when the cry 'bungarra' went up. The girls had seen one run into a pipe and it was all on. They tried shaking it out of the pipe, belting the pipe with a rock but it did not come out. They then decided to put the pipe in the stream because these lizards do not swim, in the hope that they might drown it!! The pipe went in and bubbles came out, but the bungarra must have held some of its breath because it was still in the pipe LOL. One of the girls then got a rock nearly as big as the pipe and dropped it in which finally dislodged said beast when our bus driver grabbed it by the tail swinging it around amongst the girls. There were squeals galore and then as he was swinging it around again he let it loose - needless to say, said lizard then at a gallop (or similar speed) shot across the ground with the girls in full cry, and who should be standing in the beast's path but myself thinking it will dodge me surely. It happened so quick, I didn't have a chance to take a photo even with the camera in my hand LOL and the next thing, zoom, across my foot as it shot further across the ground to the nearest tree which it raced up. The girls were in fits of laughter at the fact the bungarra had run over me (I'm told today if it had been another sort of lizard, it would have run up me, onto my head as they seek the tallest spot to go - for which I am extremely thankful, I might add). The girls then tried to knock the bungarra out of the tree only managing to call them off by the bus starting to go without them. Took a photo of my foot when I got back to school as I said no one will believe I have been run over by a lizard otherwise LOL!!!!

Took roads out in the middle of nowhere on the way back and just missed hitting a kangaroo for which I was truely greatful again. These girls would have wanted to skin it and eat it if we had hit it - if it had still been alive, they would have killed it on the spot. In fact one of the girls said that is what she wants to have for her first meal at home, for her mum to have a stew on (kangaroo) which made my possible roast chicken (with stuffing) and veg seem a bit tame LOL. (But none the less tasty!!)

I did get to try some damper yesterday, not cooked in the camp oven but brought from home by our bus driver. Not unlike Rewena bread and quite yummy with lashings of butter (Laura, you would approve!!) We did not catch any yabbies which was a shame but all in all quite a day with enough hunting and gathering for this girl.

Am heading on down to my house now to pack, make a birthday cake for one of the girls, to turn my basil into pesto and to use up my parsley in scrambled eggs for lunch. My ride is set for 6am tomorrow and its off to Perth. I may get a chance to email from the airport as I am sure they will have internet there. Will check all emails before 10pm here tonight (2am your time NZ readers LOL)and see you all soon.

Love from Lynn

Four More Sleeps

The countdown is really on now. I am working until Monday morning and then our weekly meeting - probably till about 10am and then its all go. I have to wash everything, sort out the fridge, tidy a bit more, and work out what I am bringing back with me. Went to Geraldton yesterday 9am - 4pm and with swimming sports the day before I am severely running out of time to get everything done.

Yesterday was the first time I was able to use my own aussi bank account - yay - finally got paid this week as all my paperwork was in. So, no more using my NZ bank card with all the conversion costs etc. Ran a little amuck as one is want to do when you see serious dollars in your bank account LOL - mainly bits and pieces for cooking next term (all had the magic sale price attached) and a couple of CD's for road travelling music. Only got one super hero thing (I know, but I weakened) - I was zooming along the aisles at Woolworths and spotted Spiderman muesli type bars, so grabbed a box. They are suitably interesting with smarties on top but are 30% more fibre LOL and low in fat (no mention of the sugar levels!!)

It was Palm Sunday service last night (I know it was Friday!) and it was a great service. The senior boys really came up to the mark and turned up ALL in correct uniform and wore ties - looked very smart indeed. The behaviour of all the students was impeccable (another first) so was able to enjoy the service without sending dagger looks about the congregation. The Chapel had been decorated with palms and the Yr 8's led the service. Father explained how he had been to Jerusalem and seen the places mentioned last night and described how far Jesus would have had to carry the cross (from the swimming pool up to the Chapel) which made it relavent to the congregation.

Bought a new Sing Star disc yesterday and the girls have been having a wonderful time with the play station and trying to beat each other's singing scores. I have watched over the space of four days how some girls who never get involved with group activities have first of all sung in the back ground, and then got brave enough to have a go. (Am also watching for some good voices for choir next term LOL.)

Am typing this in the library. Have put a DVD on the big screen and those who do not want to watch are busy on the computers in here. I also get to have a go on the computer which is a bonus. (one that is four hamster speed, rather than 1 1/2 - 2 hamster speed).

Thought I would update everyone for my movements (that I know) when I get back to NZ. Am leaving here at 6am Tuesday - am driving to Perth with one of the Brs who has an appointment that day, so that saves a bus trip. I fly out of Perth at 12.15am on Wednesday 19 and arrive in Auckland at 12.15pm and then on to Waiuku. On Good Friday I am going with several of the troops to Whitianga to a Blues Festival, back on Easter Sunday to Waiuku. Tuesday I am looking to go to Hamilton, the following weekend in Waiuku for extended family hoolie. Will also be in Waiuku the weekend around the 10th April. The only other date set in concrete is Wellington on the 17th April (Thurs) from Auckland and back again on the 22nd (Wed). Am working on information given about availability of several people to fill in some of the gaps. I will have my cell phone charged and turned on the minute they let me turn it on after landing so will expect lots of texts LOL.

Just caught up with the workmate before and she showed me photos of two goana's she saw this morning on the way to Morewa - that is what the girls caught and killed last week - instead of bungeye it is more like bungarra (the local term) for these beasts. Needless to say, these two are still alive but I would not have liked their chances if we had been on a bus trip and they had been spotted.

The temp has definitely dropped, its in the 20's at night and last night had a blanket and a duvet on with the air-con off and was just right. Am thinking I may have to bring my woollen duvet inner back with me as the feather one may not cut it in winter.

Even so, lots of the students and staff are going CAMPING over the holidays. Went to 'Rangers' yesterday which is camper's heaven - tents and every toy you could think of for camping, clothing for the great outdoors, fishing gear,...... Even my eyes lit up at what was available. They use dome tents over here, did not see a square tent in the shop at all. Something to do with the wind apparrently - they are better for the conditions out here. Saw a pegless washing line and thought of the Awhitu lot - washing lines and first gin - the things that spell camping at Christmas LOL.

Girls are all wanting to go and get blankets because they are cold!!!! It is at least 30o outside!!! So will sign off for the meantime.

Catch you later
Lynn

Time keeping at Swimming Sports!

Wonders will never cease - I have just attended my first complete swimming sports (9am -1pm, so not too bad) and I was a time keeper. First of all there was a revolution with some of the boys going walk about because it was too cold to swim (30o, but there was a cool breeze, and it was overcaste LOL). However, with some coercian, most got involved and in the end one of the boys swam every race except the first one that he had missed. Every time someone swam, they got a point for their house and it was great to see the whole school get in behind some of the ones who by grace and by God, managed to get to the end of their races. One boy in the underwater race (you swim underwater as far as you can go), swam across four lanes and still managed to come second.

The best part of the day was Br using two bits of ply wood as the starting 'gun'. Apparently, you are not allowed to use starting pistols here anymore at school sports - something to do with anti-terrorism - PC stuff gone mad!!!!!
I loved the No 8 wire attitude of improvisation and the wood worked, LOL.

My time keeping went all right, it meant I had to pay attention to what was happening in the pool all the time and it was interesting who lined up in my lane. Some were students I get along with all right and some were ones I have had the biggest run-ins with - go figure. The other funny thing is the ones who duck swimming - we have had one girl who started her campaign a week ago, first of all waking me up in the middle of the night saying she had been sick, the next day saying she had a sore throat etc etc and today she had a temp!!! (she said)- so much the same as any school sports day indeed.

Didn't finish duty last night until 10.30pm and by the time I had a bit of a handover it was 11pm when I walked home. After my last attempt in the pitch black, I took a torch and am not sure if that was more successful - I found myself walking in a semi circle onto the oval and then as I straightened up between the trees on each side of the road, I was sure I could hear scritching in the branches. I half heartedly shone the torch into the leaves (gum trees) but wasn't to sure if I wanted to really see what might be in there. Couldn't see anything and carried on until I noticed a cricket wicket in front of me and thought that was a strange thing to have in the middle of the road, only to find I had completely walked past my place and was almost on the next door neighbour lawn. I may take the stronger of the two torches next time LOL. For those playing at home - we had 5mls rain in that downpour the other night.

Got home and decided I was tired enough to go straight to bed so after a shower to wash off all the insect repellent I had slathered over myself to walk home, I leapt into bed and had the best sleep in ages. I had the air con and the ceiling fan at warp speed so it was cool enough to sleep with my duvet on and it was perfect. (I know it sounds weird but that's what the kids do - have the temp as low as possible and have several layers of clothing on plus duvets to sleep!!) Left it to the last minute to get up this morning to fully enjoy the whole experience.

Am just waiting for assembly now to hear which house won the day and then will wander back home to think about cooking something for dinner that will use up all of my veg etc before coming home. (six more sleeps). Might be going into Geraldton tomorrow for a quick trip with the workmate but its not definate yet.

Spoke to the boss yesterday - I may have the ute by the time I get back from holiday which is just about right in WA time LOL. He also asked me if I would go to Melbourne for a boarding school conference (Hmmmm, let me think) and then I nearly fell off my chair when he asked if if I had ever thought of going to Africa !!!! It would seem that there is a Christian Bros set up over there and a chance to go and be part of it for a period of time!! My first thoughts were - insects, injections, disease, iccky things, and civil war in most places - but what the heck - will do a bit more exploringing exactly where, what and how and go from there. Can my life get any more different LOL?).

Yesterday in phase two of my unpacking, I set up the DVD and video and watched a DVD on the underground city which is beneath Istanbul - fascinating - and part of 'House' that Mum had done for me. Will continue with the rest when I go home.

It's Palm Sunday Mass tomorrow night ( I hope you are all suitably impressed by how up on the Church calander I am these days). It would seem that the Catholic Church still follows it, and at school here they still do the colours of the church seasons in their vestments etc, what is more, the students get told each week what week it is and what the colours represent). It is very reminescent of the Anglican services I attended as a child in Waiuku and then at Auckland Dio as a student.

Time for assembly so had better go and find out the placings for the houses.
Cheers Lynn

Came a Hot Tuesday

This is my second attempt today. Had just about finished my last masterpiece when I hit some key or other and everything disappeared except the last letter of the word I was typing, never to be retrieved again! Arrrgh

Am just waiting on some washing to dry as we have a girl going home tomorrow who will not be back until next term. She is being picked up at 6.30am, hence the mad panic to get everything sorted.

Have had the four seasons again in the last couple of days. Didn't get back to my place until mid day yesterday, had a meeting at 8.30am which lasted until 10am and then catch up on email, morning piece (what they call morning tea here - an historic term) and the day flew away. Got home to look again at the now open boxes with stuff strewn about the place and where to start! Decided with my bed. Hefted the mattress up (queen size on a double base!) to put the valance on, then the mattress protector (cotton one side for summer and wool the other for winter) and THEN my brand new 1000 count palest apple green sheets followed by my feather duvet in its cover, all with matching pillow cases and four pillows. It will be tomorrow night before I get to road test it all out and can not wait.

In a what was I thinking moment, I found I had packed one fitted sheet, no other match! One brand new duvet cover - no matching pillow cases! and two pillow cases with no matching duvet cover!! May have to bring some of that stuff home or bring the matching stuff back as I need to have the right things about me LOL.

I had been to and from school twice yesterday in the heat and after grazing on raw veg and hummous for dinner (too hot to be bothered cooking and I had cleaned the kitchen LOL) I was ensconced on the couch with my book and had a wee moment resting my eyes. I woke up to the sky looking as black as the inside of a cow's armpit and the next minute there was a crack of lightening, I counted to three and then a boom of thunder with a torrential downpour. This was 7pm and I was on duty within the hour! I was very nearly tempted to ring up to workmate's husband for a lift up to work (they have told I must do this any time) but waited for half an hour until I could count to 13 before the thunder came after the lightening. By then there was blue sky on one horizon at the back of me and towards the school it was still dark with lightening all over the other horizon. I decided to wing it, so got into old clothes, put everything else I wanted to take in three plastic bags, put on my sneakers and set forth. I had debated about putting a plastic bag over my head (had just done a hair wash in a bucket earlier that afternoon) but decided against it. (Especially as you can suffocatetodeath if you do it wrong!) As it was, I barely got damp on the way up even though the ground was running with water in that short space of time. I did wonder about getting struck by lightening heh heh, but figured with the distance increasing between lightening and thunder, I could gamble on getting up to school safely.

I spoke to someone today about getting my bus licence. I have to get two referees who have known me for over four years (they will be rung I'm told), and I need to have the date I sat my licence (must be over four years ago) and that is just to get a WA licence. I got told the last NZ person (my neighbour)didn't have a date that she sat her licence which caused difficulties. Luckily mine does, so no need to bother the licencing crowd in NZ! I then have to get a permit to sit the next licence, then a medical and a driving test and about $200 in round figures thank you very much. Yr licence only lasts 5 years here as well. I asked if there was a learn how to drive a bus school here (she laughed) but said if I was able to drive a mini-van on my NZ licence I may be able just to transfer the whole lot over - I am not to go into Mullewa tomorrow as this particular person is not working that day and as she has already discussed it with me, to go in when she is there. I loved how she talked about our other staff member getting her licence with me. I do not think confidentiality has hit WA yet. On the other hand the small town knowledge is a wonderful thing for getting things done when you need. Watch this space. The difference between what my NZ and prospective WA licence is about the weight of the vehicle I intend to drive!

On Thursday I am to be a time keeper at the swimming sports day. I tell you, there is no end to my upskilling that is going on out here. I cannot even use the stop watch part on my wrist watch but I am told there is only one button I have to press, once to begin and once to stop - should be able to manage that! I am on the 9am - 12 shift. I will have to pack that night as I am working the weekend right up to Monday evening so its really all getting very close to coming home. It will be the nearest I have been to the school pool since I got here. I thought I had put my togs (only worn once in the 10 yrs I have had them LOL- for the polar plunge at one ice-breaker weekend when I nearly drowned two years ago- but they have not appeared as yet! With the temps down to 30o it will soon be too cool to swim LOL. Truely, in 40o heat, there are kids here wearing jackets and three or four layers of clothing. I must admit to bringing a cardigan up to work last night - just in case LOL.

Am just about to check the washing so will sign off for now.
See you soon
Lynn

My cup runneth over and over ....

Does life get any better, I have been able to do this from home. I wore out two hamsters (in the wheel) waiting for this picture to down load, but another Eureka moment!!! I swear I have done nothing different to the last time I tried and it wouldn't work- unless it is because it is past the witching hour LOL. This is a picture of my abode as I walk back from school. Note vegetation and this was taken when I first arrived. Next Eureka moment:

My minimalist lifestyle is officially over - I had a ground kissing moment today (metaphorically speaking, - otherwise would have had a mouthful of ants LOL) when my boxes of "stuff" finally b.......y got here!!!! The poor bloke that delivered it spoke very little as he unloaded his van obviously sensing whilst I was delighted to receive said goods, there was much being 'unsaid' by myself . He had the grace to apologise for being two days late and I was gracious back, through only slightly clenched teeth, and replied it was the Perth branch of the company I had issues with and I would take them up with them accordingly. Very luckily for him, I was about to head out the door to Geraldton as he arrived, so did not get to the life story stage of hearing all his woes as a carrier, signed off the paperwork (may it burst into flames) and left.

I have opened said boxes tonight and had some laughs. Some things I had entirely forgotten I had packed and had many pleasant surprises. There have also been some 'Oh my God, what was I thinking' moments LOL. First things unpacked was my bedding and linen - ah, the utter joy to have more than one of everything! - the irony of it all is that I am not likely to get all this sorted before I come back home in 10 more sleeps. The other challenge being, where am I going to store everything LOL. It is like Christmas all over again.

This all happened just after I had managed to set up my new printer/copier/scanner finally. Perfect timing as I now can begin to get all my photos sorted, scanned and get printed hard copies as I like. Yay!

As I said before, I went to Geraldton and back today as workmate's husband, children and visiting friend were heading in to take the girls back to boarding school. I had stayed up at school last night instead of coming home as by the time we had moved fridges about, done supper etc I did not want to walk back in the dark with the risk of being eaten alive. (Am not 100% sure about the anti - bite tabs yet as have had a couple of new ones but none since I doubled the dose LOL). I also wanted to catch up on some emails, so the workmate and I decided to have a big girl's sleepover. Dragged a mattress out of one of the spare cubes and put it on the floor in the second room of our flat which worked fine.

Since taking photos of the local flora and fauna, the girls bought a new moth for me to take a photo of this morning - a little greeny-white thing with caramel coloured legs and undercarriage. The workmate was on duty today so I left after breakfast and she went off on a bus trip with the girls (only 13 as the others at basketball final and breakup in G ton). They went out bush and had a great time. They went to a river, (knee deep) and had a 'swim' and then they went looking for bush tucker. Apparently the bus got stopped on a dime when some plant was spotted up in a tree so everyone hopped off to try it. The next stop ( a repeat of the first) was when one of the girls spotted a lizard (sounds something like bung eye but will clairfy the name tomorrow LOL). Apparently the girls surrounded the tree and chased it until one put her hand in some bushes and grabbed it by the tail and proceeded to bash it on the road. Because she was taking to long for it to demise, one of the other girls grabbed it and whacked it on the head and just to make sure broke its legs (to immobilise it in case it wasn't dead!!!) and then put the demised beast on the bus to bring back to school - the idea was to cook and eat it..... There was also something else they tried that tastes like honey - will have to get the workmate to refresh me with the details tomorrow when she shows me the photos (that she took on my camera) of the great hunting and gathering expedition. I have made a snap decision that she will do the great outdoor pursuits next term if there is hunting and killing to be involved ( I would have had a 100 health and safety reasons why none of the above should have happened LOL) and I will do the trips to Gton, 10 pin bowling etc. unless we go out on Cart or any other horse riding on the farm!

In fact the demised lizard creature never made it back to school. When the group stopped at Mullewa pool on the way home, they donated the remains to a local aboriginal family who took it home to eat instead. (We had barbeque steak, sausage and chops which was exciting enough for me!!!)

My day was not as eventful but did do a small amount of being outdoors LOL. We got to Geraldton - and it was shut!!! I kid you not. We got there about 3pm and not a supermarket, nor anything else was open, it was like a ghost town!!! The only places we found open apart from one or two petrol stations was Bunnings and I know Rangers (a shop that sells stuff for the great outdoors) was open until 4pm because I had read a pamplet checking out the times earlier in the day. So instead, went to a swing type thing for the kids to have a go on just by part of the waterfront for about 15 mins. We then went further up the road (coastline) to where a lighthouse from the 1860's is still standing. We were able to park and walk on GRASS or the nearest thing to what I would call grass, to the beach. There were quite a few windsurfers out and people windsurfing with a parachute attached (not up enough on water sports to tell you the proper name) which looked amazing as one minute they would be surfing and the next they would be airborn. The sand I walked on was white and had a different texture - not gritty - more soft if that makes sense. We waded through ankle to calf deep water that was crystal clear with seaweed etc in it and then more sand and then the tide proper. Walked slightly behind everyone else just in case there was anything foreign lurking but all was OK. It was very windy but warm wind so also OK.

We then went back up to the monument for the HMAS Sydney to show the visiting friend and then after a quick trip to Macca's we dropped the girls off back at their school. I got to go in and have a quick look at the girls rooms (industrial espionage) as none of the blokes were allowed in the front door!!! The two staff were sat directly inside the door and that is as far as fathers/brothers etc are allowed to go other than the first and last day of term!

And then, once we had cleared Gton I drove back - the whole way - gravel road and all!!!. Had to laugh as the youngest boy (7rs) asked his father was he going to die? (have not had a reaction like that to my driving since, ummmm, my own boys were that age LOL - and I repeat once again - I never hit the goat!!!!). He then asked if I had a licence - to which I replied, yes, and I had sat it before his father was born! He then asked what speed I was doing ... 100k (the speed limit is 110k and most people drive at 130k) and yet again once I got to the gravel - I was doing 80k -and his father said he usually drove at 110-120k. Then once I had safely got us home and after I had put the car in park, turned the key off, I got asked if I had put the handbrake on !!!!! There was not a beastie to be seen on the road to be hit, very little traffic on the main road and none after the Mullewa turnoff, so apart from the complete lack of confidence from one passenger, not a bad go for my longest drive yet.

Go the Kariaotahi team and congratulations on your second 'Walk for Life' attendance. Yes, I will donate to the cause so put me down for $100 (NZ,) and I will sort that out when I get back. I know five people who have died of cancer since this time last year - two of them younger than me! - which was in fact part of my decision making process to do something so utterly different this year by stepping out of my comfort zone, and just having a go at whatever came my way (excepting dead lizard for dinner, although never say never LOL).

Need to get some sleep, as I have a staff meeting early in the meeting and I have to dash up to school and type the mins before 8.30am. Am on again tomorrow night so will take up my 'Dio' teddy bear (in uniform) that the Kitchen staff gave me last year, to show the girls and will see what else I can find during tomorrow's unpacking. Nighty night.

Lynn

Back to basics or no more photos for the moment!

Ah, my brief moment in the sun, or should I say, my ability to add photos is over(until I get back to NZ where hopefully everything will work again!!!!!). Yes, the communication gremlins struck again in the night. We had a smidgen of rain from some cyclone and the server went down yet again. There was also a spectacular lightening and thunder storm this morning that might also have had something to do with it. Had a senior moment when setting the alarm last night as after some serious emailing, I also read for awhile and set the alarm for 6am to torture some hapless year 8's by getting them up at 6.30am for staying awake late last night and not settling for at least an hour past their bedtime.

I leapt out of bed and jumped in the shower and 'what the'!... just for a change, only the HOT water was going. It was a VERY quick shower and managed to get enough water out of the cold tap in the hand basin to sluice off the last soap and finish the job before that ran out.(I tell you it is more like camping here with a roof on every day LOL). I got dressed and then I happened to glance at the clock once more (with my glasses on by now LOL) and it was only 5.30am!!!!! Arrghhhhhh The plus was there was lightening all over the place so spent some minutes looking out the window - most of the lightening was happening over the horizen and then whammo there was this brilliant bolt of forked lightening that looked as though it happened right out the window. Nearly leapt out of my skin! There was thunder as well so all very spectacular. Decided to set the alarm again and then closed my eyes for 30 more mins before getting up said yr 8's. 'What time is it Miss', 'Time to get up' I replied!!! and thus the day began.

Went down to the office once school started muttering imprecations about water cold, water hot and got told that the pump doesn't get turned on until 6.30am to refill the tank for morning use!!!!!! And should too much water be used at night, it will cease to run cold water sometimes, hot other times!!! and no one thought to tell me this?? Major plumbing crisis averted and will know never to have a late, late shower or an early early one in the future.

While in the office the mail was delivered (three times this week, oh giddy delight!) I am now officially able to work with children and have photo ID to prove it that covers working in all states in Australia for three years. A passable photo is on it (a blind man on a galloping horse and all that) as long as I do not change the colour of my hair or my glasses LOL. And lo and behold, another parcel from NZ with more NZ items. I had to take it to the workmates place to open so she could appreciate my parcels and she cracked up at my glee on opening each wrapped item. Once I got back to my place, a cleaning frenzy took place and I now have my NZ magnets on the fridge (which led me to defrost the beast)- I know a giant leap from magnets to defrost but the fridge is the common denominator heh, heh.

At 2pm or there abouts I rang Crown removals yet AGAIN as still no sign of the goods (I swear elephants give birth quicker than my stuff is being delivered) and was given a number to speak to someone with a name that sounded like Yen (possibly Jen??) who vowed and declared my goods were being loaded as we spoke and I should have them by 6pm....
Unless they are on my front porch (out of the sightline from school, and against my instructions), the removal truck has not been seen up at school where I directed them to come. I think my next step is ringing the Police and putting a missing goods alert out LOL but if they are like the local fire brigade, they would probably ring me back a day later to see if I had found them myself (refer back to blog re fire). Luckily we had Mass tonight so there is a smidgen of forgiveness for those who p--s me off running very tepidly through my veins (can you tell I have had two diet cokes today LOL)at the moment, which I will keep in holding pattern just in case my boxes are on my porch.

Watched a movie with the girls tonight called 'The Bridge to Terabithia' which had several girls in tears and was quite moving in places until the hokey end (I thought). Nearly the whole house watched it which was very nice and everyone has gone to bed and gone to sleep - yay. Am on tomorrow with Sunday off but I am ringing the woman who looks after the horses tomorrow as she offered to come up and take a few girls (and me) for a ride Sunday morning instead of Cart. Will let you know how it all pans out.

Am going to try for an earlier night tonight and try to count properly as I set the alarm. May have to read until the Coke wears off LOL.
Later,
Lynn

I think I can download pictures!!!!!

Ok, so the photo is a little large but miricle upon miricles, I have managed to get one on my post finally. There is a boffin here doing something

to the computers and all sorts of things seem to be working again! For those of you who think I have not emailed you in the past week, I sent lots out and only found out yesterday that in fact some had not been received - somthing in the system that put my hotmail in the sent folder but in fact they never left!!! have resent some today and hopefully this is all good to go again. I actually have a toolbar for this post now, as I write this, that has been missing for over a fortnight!!

It is a balmy 30o this morning - I believe there is another cyclone somewhere near which MAY give us more rain by the weekend! The world could end and I would only find out by chance as I have not seen the news on TV since I got here and average one Western Australian newspaper a week to read, with perhaps one Geraldton paper a week. I used two read two papers a day back home plus the County news and Waiuku Post when I could catch up on them LOL.

The photo is of moi, driving the tractor (actually, it is probably at a standstill but you get the picture LOL). This was on the first weekend I did cart. I will try and down load more over the weekend when I have more time.

GREAT NEWS, ...up there with the second coming ...- my boxes from NZ are on the way - not with the people I asked Crown to send them with - I feel a pithy letter coming on to the Australian branch - but nevertheless, I should receive them today or tomorrow. I will be OK with either. Have had a couple of days where for the first time I had been feeling a bit flat and think it is just because I still do not have my stuff and have been champing at the bit so to speak to get stuck in to a range of activities during my down time so I feel I have achieved something other than work. Also, finding out my emails had not got through really aggrivated me (a swear word or two would better describe my feelings on this one).

Got a lift into Geraldton yesterday with one of the office ladies this time. We had two boys to take to the hospital for x-rays and I stayed with them while she had other things to do. I had zoomed into Mullewa library and dropped off my books and grabbed 6 new ones - most by authors I have never read before but they were the required 1 & 1/2 inches + thick each, which usually means a reasonable read. Finished one this morning by Lee Child which was very Clive Cussler like - derring do at the bottom of the sea, suspense and drama, and quite enjoyed it.

Finally found baking trays that will fit the gas oven!! The third lot I have bought - and also got a pyrex measuring jug that will go in the microwave - very handy for scrambled eggs and gravy!! I got the grandson's Batman parcel off in the post and after telling myself I probably need not to buy anymore superhero stuff, I spotted a Spiderman face tin (with lollies in) which I have justified as an Easter thing and a small sheet of superhero stickers at the Redspot shop and that is THAT (for the meantime LOL). I have also found sugar jube lollies except they are sour and how yummy are they. ( I did share some with the boys but they were an interesting aperitife to tea last night). I spent the least amount ever at Coles but have also found that they do this thing with magazines that you get free products with them that you do not get at other outlets. With last months 'Noteboook' there was a packet of face wipes (very good) and with this weeks 'Woman's Day' there was a pack that had a John West Tuna meal for one, a small gator aid drink, a dish cloth, a skin rejuvination cream and a sachet of hair enriching product!!!! and no extra charge. So, will shopping for mags at Coles from now I (I am so easily bought LOL).

Also purchased were several items to use post being eaten alive by insects. The VERY helpful chemist lady has given me Betamine tablets (100) to take one each day and apparently they make you 'untasty' to mosquitos and midges. In a giant leap of faith, I have begun them and if they work ... I may resume camping at Awhitu at Christmas where the mosqitos make these ones seem like pesky nuisances (the Australian ones don't whine LOL - most unusual I thought) . She also gave me antihistamine tabs (that do not make you drowsy) and some gel to put on bites that I already have so I did not continue to scratch with the itching on my arms and lower legs. Watch this space!

Did not get to bowls this week as you know, but the team still won so its 3 for 3 at the moment. I stopped and got the Mullewa Mail -(the local news) and I am now in print!!!! I wrote a bit about my workmate and I for the newsletter for the school as the whole thing ( CBAS newsletter) gets published each month in the news along with various other bits of Shire info. Have also received a personal invitation from the Shire to attend a family day but unfortunately it is in the holidays. Just trying to imagine the Council in Waiuku/Pukekohe inviting new people in the district personally to an event LOL. Just another thing that makes living in a very small place rather nice.

The other good thing that happened yesterday is that I received a parcel from home - Yay- and with papers etc that were extremely helpful, I received some belated birthday gifts. All much appreciated and will contact those concerned by email. I will be watching the tapes as soon as my video/DVD arrives in my goods from NZ.

Am on duty tonight and most of the weekend. 13 more sleeps till I come home! Have a meeting in a few minutes so will sign off for now. Cheers

Lynn

Green shiny bugs!

I think I mentioned green shiny bugs in my last post. Asked one of the staff what they were today expecting something exotic ... they are commonly known as stink bugs!!!!!! LOL and will do so if squashed (stink that is). I then watched one of the staff lift one of these creatures off the floor with a piece of paper and deposit it outside.

This episode was followed by yet another staff member coming into the staff meeting room to ask if I had seen the damp ceiling in the staff work room, that must be under the girls bathroom. This woman would possibly call the Titanic going down, a minor shipwreck. I wandered into the staff work room and it looked as though a bomb had gone off with a whole segment of ceiling missing and fragments of the same all over several teachers workspaces. There was bare plumbing exposed in all its glory and a smell of mouldering mustyness coming up from the carpet. My rough guess is that the showers that continuously leak from the taps upstairs in the girls bathroom was perhaps contributing cause. Shall await updates as have not seen anyone in to fix anything today. (Public Holiday in WA today for everyone but us).

We are experimenting with organising the afternoons with girl/boy splits at the moment which is not going down well with the girls LOL. Today our lot got to go horse riding or were upstairs relaxing or watching a DVD. Tomorrow we may be in the library, computer room or able to go for a swim. Dinner has also been split into senior/junior sittings which has led to a quieter dining room with each group doing homework while the other eats. There was a big change around of rooms on the weekend and we have nearly all the yr 8's in a side dorm instead of the main thoroughfare which tonight worked brilliantly getting them to bed first, and settling them before the next lot. Everyone was a bit ferral last night as they had bought lollies etc on their trip out and were still looping on sugar. Had several on kitchen duty AGAIN this morning, two banished from the horses for 24hours and one Saturday detention from last night and tonight, crossed fingers, all is well.

Tried my blender out for breakfast/lunch today and made a banana smoothie with home made yoghurt and milk. Worked very fine and tasted yum. Almost too hot to eat much more than that but decided to have a ham sandwhich before I came back to work.
Humungus amounts of laundry is being done post camp and there are washing baskets all over the bathroom floor. I put several loads in for the girls during the day before I went home to try and catch up.

Am working tomorrow night so will not be going to bowls, sigh! I did contemplate swapping a shift with my workmate but that would be taking things too seriously LOL. I may not get to go to town on Wednesday as the Br who does the town run is away in Perth so will have to see if I can at least cadge a ride to Mullewa to post my Nana parcel and to change my library books which are now a week overdue!! I have found one to go on with in the library here which is a murder mystery and as yet have not figured out who done it and I am halfway through. It is written by someone I have not read before which is always good as I do tend to stick with authors that I like reading everything they write.

Thanks for the comments LOL I knew you would get the hint Mum and I was wondering how many vegetables you would be able to come up with for the same meal. I understand that dairy produce has increased quite a bit recently. One thing I did see and salivated at on Saturday was whole rounds of Castello cheese (blue and white) for $10. I was very tempted but also knew I would sit down and eat the whole thing .. probably .. in one go, and so decided to wait until the right occassion (entertaining)LOL. I really need a visit from some of the iwi to fully enjoy all this - hint,hint.

Had a Nana nap this afternoon so am off to read some more before shut eye. Catch you later.
Lynn

The weekend that was and things I am looking forwards to.

i am sitting with two small moths on the screen so excuse any mistakes. It was my sort of weekend off this weekend so ambled home on Friday night about 10ish. The year 10 camp was due back we thought about 5-6pm and were still not back by the time I left. I got a ring from my workmate to see who she should ring to find out the ETA and as I happened to notice the neighbours lights on (camp leader's husband still up) suggested a call there. Apparently they were not due back till after midnight so lucky for me. They ended up by getting back at 2am!!

Cadged a lift into Geraldton on Saturday with yet another neighbour, a teacher, so was up at the crack of 7.30am to do some chores. Started with a laundry marathon and washed all sheets, duvet cover,etc, clothes and towels. (Didn't get the towels on the line until after I got back at 6.30pm and they were dry by 7.30pm - I love the weather for drying here). Left about 10am and had a great day. Went a different way in (there are two ways with miles of dirt road to reach Mullewa LOL) which seemed six of one, 1/2 a dozen of the other to me. Went to Bluff Point post office first and small squeal - they had a Batman Post Bag (also Wiggles and Dora the Explorer) which naturally bought my Nana instincts to the fore, and had to have it. I am now ready to post the Buzz Light-year, Spiderman and Batman clothing I have found to one small grandson.

It seemed lunch was on the agenda next so I got taken to a cafe/restaurant called Toppalini's (I think I have the spelling right)which was very good. I had a basil pesto and tomato tart with salad (fetta and pine nuts) a very reasonable $16 and coffee. The joy of yummy vegetables and something that is not deep fried!! and my third great cappucino. It seemed we were then fortified to go shopping. This time at the mall with Woolworths as opposed to the one with Coles - spread the love I say. I have not got a favourite yet, they are both a bit bewildering with unfamiliar layouts etc. Which takes me to the first thing I am looking forward to - Vegetables!!!! Recognisable, reasonably priced, vegetables that do not look as though they should be having the last rites said over them (greens). Capscicums are $6+ a kilo, carrots are cheap but they go soft in the fridge within a week. I did find some (cherry) italian tomatoes which are as yummy as the cherry ones and a different look in a salad. Lettuce goes off very quickly here and have thrown out one and 1/2 bag of leaves (salad mix) so it is a challenge buying things that will last a fortnight. I have bought no frozen food as after and hour and a half trip, it is obviously not frozen any more. I have taken a chiller bag with me but not entirely sure that it is all that efficient with the temps we experience here. Tomatoes were $4+ kilo so bought some off the side of the road for $1 - much more reasonable. For all the time I took and the amount of bags I unpacked I still do not seem to have the plan of attack completely sorted. I did buy more mega death to ants stuff and am slowly moving bait around the house again.

Because I have visions of entertaining or even just cooking for the fun of it I decided to get myself a kitchen whizz and mixer so off to Mitchell Brown which is a sort of Bond and Bond type place we went. The place is gadget heaven - so stood debating price verses how many extras came with each object and as I was getting a price for things the sales girl indicated she could drop the price further for the two things I wanted. My kind of talk indeed. So, left the store with a Sunbeam mixer and a Breville kitchen whizz/blender with $50 off total price.

But wait, there is more LOL. I think I have mentioned before that they do not sell wine in supermarkets so it was off to the bottlestore on the way home. I had no need to purchase anything really, but since when has that stopped me LOL. Hmmmm I thought, if I decide to entertain, or to go visiting, I SHOULD have some wine to take with me to be hospitable (of course). Decided to try some South African wine (it was buy one and get one free), some Australian wine (recommended by my driver) and lo and behold, I spotted a bottle of Greenstones Ginger Wine for only $7!!!!!. I had four bottles all together and the bloke at the counter said, if I bought two more bottles I would get an extra 20% off...... So, came home with six bottles of alcohol, in a carrybag with six compartments in it to carry said wine for $29!!!! Now, have yet to taste the wine so the jury is out as to how much of a bagain I got. Watch this space!!!

I had visions of cooking a proper tea once I got home, but after unpacking goods, getting in the washing and sitting down to read my book... I fell asleep. I think the heat got to me as the car I went to town in had no air conditioning (broken). Wanted to have a clear day today so once it all cooled down about 9.30pm, did my ironing and cleaned house from top to toe, showered and hopped into lovely clean sheets and went out like a light.

Today was Cart again (see blog from last week) so was up early as this time we were heading out at 8.30am before it got too hot. Walked up to school and organised water and cut up oranges for morning tea to take out with us, plus got sunblock organised. We had more girls than last week plus the workmate's husband and children so did not get to ride but did drive the tractor again. All the water that we had driven through last week has disappeared and there were some major bounces as we drove over flood beds and where water had washed away roading. We went a different way but still did about 15k all up which I think is pretty good going for the horses who trot and canter the whole way. Have yet to check for bruising from all the bouncing LOL. Had some beauties from last week.

Being on the back in the trailor is dusty business so decided to wash my hair when I got back and thing I am looking forward to number 2, is a shower and being able to wash my hair in fresh water instead of salty bore water. Washing clothes in fresh water will also be a treat (ah the simple things of life LOL). Today I got a bucket of water from the rainwater tap in the laundry (this water is NOT crystal clear but slightly brown!!!)and proceded to wash my hair in the kitchen sink, baling water out of the bucket over my head. It is the second time I have done it and both times have ended up fully wet through which has necessitated a shower once my hair hs been done. Its the only way to get hair that approximates that lovely soft, clean feeling instead of the baling twine feel it has when washing with bore water. Ended up putting a very small roast of pork on to cook at the same time - it was too hot to do veg etc so cooked it for cold meat for the next few days having hot roast pork sandwhiches for lunch. Very nice and did not have to share the crackling with anyone LOL.

The girls all went to Morewa Pool with the workmate for the afternoon, so curled up with my book and read and slept for the rest of my time off - bliss. Am starting to count the days now until the holidays. I may have scored a lift to Perth on the Tuesday as well, as the teacher who took me to town Sat is taking his class down to Perth on a bus trip that day, so am keeping fingers crossed. I cannot believe the time has gone so quick.
So it's goodnight from me, the place is all quiet so will do one more round and then to bed.
Lynn