WEDNESDAY 23rd NOVEMBER
No I am not refering to the pop group, but the weather. Leaden skies and the wet stuff keeps coming down. Horror of horrors the temperature was down to 17 degrees. Robert went off to Beecroft where he is one of several parents involved in organising members of Nick's class in a group performance to take place in a week's time.
I drove down to the new Polish deli and bought pierogi, poledwica and krakowska sausage. The shop only opens Wed - Sat as they are smoking their meats on Monday and Tuesday. Naturally I spoke Polish with the lady assistant. Unfortunately they didn't have pierogi (Polish dumplings) with cabbage and mushrooms - only ruskie and with sweet cheese. I opted for ruskie (with potatoes).
Otherwise I had a quiet day until it was time to drive to Epping for Nick's indoor football which of course is not affected by the weather. In a tight first half Nick scored a brilliant solo goal skipping over several tackles before firing in a long range shot about 12" below the crossbar. Unbelievably the refree disallowed it claiming the ball had gone over the crossbar! The net wasn't attached to the crossbar and the ball had gone in and then fallen behind the net. There were howls of protest from the gallery with one of the other parents urging the ref to check the net properly. However the score remained 0-0 at half time. Not long into the second half, following a neat interchange of passes, Nick opened the scoring with a well crafted goal. Two more goals followed, one a powerful shot from Tom and another one from one of the two Asian lads in the team to complete a well deserved 3-0 victory - a fitting result for the last match I shall see.
The drive back to Oakhurst wasn't as bad as I thought it might be as it was the rush hour, albeit the traffic was heavy all the way back. Robert has spoken to Jeannette and apparently she has been appointed temporary Customer Relations Manager for Victoria as well as NSW. The boss there is already grateful for what she has done in a couple of days, and it looks like she will be going back for another week. The manager there said that if they didn't renew her contract in Sydney, he would give her a job like a shot. Robert said he wasn't moving to Melbourne!
There were still some risoles left from yesterday and along with fried mushroom and onions, the pierogi went down a treat, washed down by the remaining red and white wine and then beer. I saw that the Manchester teams hadn't fared too well in Europe - what a shame!
Robert decided it was time to bring Muslim Johnny down a peg or two. He texted him last night saying he wouldn't be into work. Why, came the reply. Please don't tell anybody but I've got a new job. You can trust me. Where? In Melbourne. Well the best of luck. And all the best to you it's been a pleasure working with you. Oh you're going to make me cry. "I've really got him hooked now", said Robert with satisfaction. "Just wait till I come into work in the morning and he asks me what I'm doing there - and I'll just say because I work here. You really fell for it!".
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
TUESDAY 22nd NOVEMBER
I had a briefing from Robert last night on the way to the airport and more importantly on the route back. Jeannette successfully guided me to the airport and she was there in plenty of time for her flight. I set off back home and within minutes was lost! What was worse I suddenly developed an urgent desire to have a pee. Eventually I spotted a small park and turned into a side road that led through it. I parked up and looked around - there weren't any trees to hide behind, but equally well there wasn't too many people about. I opted for a fence and quickly did the business without being seen by a living soul and successfully avoided arrest on charges of fouling the grass!
I drove on and eventually spotted I was in Victoria Road which when I looked it up on the map seemed to be heading roughly in the correct direction. However I quickly found the road name had changed and not into the name the map had led me to believe it should. I blundered around for a while, and turned back on one occasion where I seemed to be heading down some obscure back streets. And then I spotted a sign for Princes Highway. This was one of roads on Robert's list of roads to take on the way home. My sense of direction hadn't let me down! I was home just after 7am, a good hour before Robert phoned to see if I had got home OK.
I got home nicely in time to watch the Spurs v Aston Villa match live. A satisfactory result at 2-0 although it could easily been 4-0. Anyway the important thing is that this places Spurs above Chelsea with a game in hand. Been a while since that happened!
Later on I drove over to Mount Druitt and went shopping for dinner, whch involved buying minced beef, potatoes, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, corn flake crumbs (I couldn't find bread crumbs) and beer and wine. It was still raining and continued to do so most of the day. Again no walk for Reilly (well after the wash he had over the weekend Robert didn't want his glossy sheen muddied.
Robert has been involved in scamming a variety of Muslim Johnny's various friends on the phone. Johnny is one of his work colleagues and he gives the lowdown on a friend and gets Robert to phone him. So Robert has been a tax inspector telling a guy he owes the tax dept over a $1000, another guy that his car will be repossessed for an offence, yet another that he has been spotted in a fracas and if he wants to avoid arrest he must give the name of a friend of his also pictured in the scene. Johnny records all these conversations on his i-Phone and later replays them to his victims! Robert is seemingly very good at these impersonations and adlibs brilliantly. Johnny seems to have an endless supply of friends, but Robert is starting to tire of this prank.
Jeannette accidentally phoned home and was surprised to hear my voice as she hadn't realised she had called the number. Anyway she was safely in Melbourne and was on her way to pick up the car. She spoke to Robert later and told him that she had found the Bev Chain offices and had met guys from the IT dept whom she knew to speak to and they had provided her with her own laptop. Apparently things are pretty chaotic on the customer services front in Melbourne.
I cooked dinner; risoles with mashed potatoes, fried mushrooms and sprouts. I must admit it all went down well, and the sprouts were cooked to perfection.
I had a briefing from Robert last night on the way to the airport and more importantly on the route back. Jeannette successfully guided me to the airport and she was there in plenty of time for her flight. I set off back home and within minutes was lost! What was worse I suddenly developed an urgent desire to have a pee. Eventually I spotted a small park and turned into a side road that led through it. I parked up and looked around - there weren't any trees to hide behind, but equally well there wasn't too many people about. I opted for a fence and quickly did the business without being seen by a living soul and successfully avoided arrest on charges of fouling the grass!
I drove on and eventually spotted I was in Victoria Road which when I looked it up on the map seemed to be heading roughly in the correct direction. However I quickly found the road name had changed and not into the name the map had led me to believe it should. I blundered around for a while, and turned back on one occasion where I seemed to be heading down some obscure back streets. And then I spotted a sign for Princes Highway. This was one of roads on Robert's list of roads to take on the way home. My sense of direction hadn't let me down! I was home just after 7am, a good hour before Robert phoned to see if I had got home OK.
I got home nicely in time to watch the Spurs v Aston Villa match live. A satisfactory result at 2-0 although it could easily been 4-0. Anyway the important thing is that this places Spurs above Chelsea with a game in hand. Been a while since that happened!
Later on I drove over to Mount Druitt and went shopping for dinner, whch involved buying minced beef, potatoes, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, corn flake crumbs (I couldn't find bread crumbs) and beer and wine. It was still raining and continued to do so most of the day. Again no walk for Reilly (well after the wash he had over the weekend Robert didn't want his glossy sheen muddied.
Robert has been involved in scamming a variety of Muslim Johnny's various friends on the phone. Johnny is one of his work colleagues and he gives the lowdown on a friend and gets Robert to phone him. So Robert has been a tax inspector telling a guy he owes the tax dept over a $1000, another guy that his car will be repossessed for an offence, yet another that he has been spotted in a fracas and if he wants to avoid arrest he must give the name of a friend of his also pictured in the scene. Johnny records all these conversations on his i-Phone and later replays them to his victims! Robert is seemingly very good at these impersonations and adlibs brilliantly. Johnny seems to have an endless supply of friends, but Robert is starting to tire of this prank.
Jeannette accidentally phoned home and was surprised to hear my voice as she hadn't realised she had called the number. Anyway she was safely in Melbourne and was on her way to pick up the car. She spoke to Robert later and told him that she had found the Bev Chain offices and had met guys from the IT dept whom she knew to speak to and they had provided her with her own laptop. Apparently things are pretty chaotic on the customer services front in Melbourne.
I cooked dinner; risoles with mashed potatoes, fried mushrooms and sprouts. I must admit it all went down well, and the sprouts were cooked to perfection.
START OF THE MONSOON SEASON?
MONDAY 21st NOVEMBER
The weather forecast proved to be right so far; the forecast is for rain all this week, and today lived up to expectations. Temperature is down to 20 and under - I appreciate that this is warm by UK standards but as far as I'm concerned it is positively arctic conditions.
So walk for Reilly - but I did get him some teeth cleaning chew sticks, and he has been allowed to sleep in the summerhouse.
Jeannette confirmed that she is flying off to Melbourne tomorrow and I have volunteered to drive her to the airport. This means getting up at 4.30am!
The weather forecast proved to be right so far; the forecast is for rain all this week, and today lived up to expectations. Temperature is down to 20 and under - I appreciate that this is warm by UK standards but as far as I'm concerned it is positively arctic conditions.
So walk for Reilly - but I did get him some teeth cleaning chew sticks, and he has been allowed to sleep in the summerhouse.
Jeannette confirmed that she is flying off to Melbourne tomorrow and I have volunteered to drive her to the airport. This means getting up at 4.30am!
Sunday, 20 November 2011
STILL HOT BUT RAIN AHEAD
SUNDAY 20th NOVEMBER
My new sliced crusty loaf has been attacked by ants and binned by Robert, so our breakfast is fried egg and bacon but no toast. Suitably refreshed we set off for Epping late morning, and pick up Nick and go to the open air swimming pool. The sun is still shinning and the temperature is around 30, but the forecast warns of severe rain and storms in the offing.
My new sliced crusty loaf has been attacked by ants and binned by Robert, so our breakfast is fried egg and bacon but no toast. Suitably refreshed we set off for Epping late morning, and pick up Nick and go to the open air swimming pool. The sun is still shinning and the temperature is around 30, but the forecast warns of severe rain and storms in the offing.
The water is pleasantly warm and the sun continues to shine down on righteous.
We go for lunch in Epping and the egg and sausage roll I opt for is more than filling. Returning to the house we stay with Nick for half an hour or so before heading back to Oakhurst. On the way back we drive through several downpours. Robert is back in time to get the washing off the line, and I take Reilly for a quick walk but turn back when I feel the rain starting to come down. By the time I get back to the house it is coming down quite heavily. The temperature drops and the rain continues intermittently throughout the night. I watch South Africa set Australia just over 300 to win and then take two wickets for 19 runs before I decide to go to bed.
ACTION ON ALL FRONTS
SATURDAY 19th NOVEMBER
I was up at 6.00am by dint of my watch having stopped and as daylight was in full swing, I thought I might be late and promptly got up. After whiling away a couple of hours we set off for Beecroft for this morning's basketball game. This is where Nick's part of Arden School is located, and they have built a new indoor basketball court there. However that was in use by one of the more senior teams so we resorted to the outdoor court, and as the weather was superb, this was no hardship.
Arden started off with concerted attack and the opposition never got into their half for the first 15 minutes of the game. By half time the score was twenty something - nil! Nick had a superb game, outspeeding the opposition both in defence and attack, stealing the ball expertly, whizzing down the wings at speed and scored 3 baskets himself as well as laying off good passes to other members of the team who then scored. It was all in all an excellent team effort with most of the members having outstanding games. The human bulldozer, Ryan ploughed through the opposition but all too often ignored opportunities to pass to well placed members of his team, and eventually loosing the ball. However overall this was one of the team's best displays. We had a sturdily built member of the opposition who I fear lost it during the game. All too often he crashed into members of his own team knocking them flying, and whilst intercepting the ball well, kept on stepping back over his own court line thus giving possession back to Arden. After doing this three times on the trot in a very short space of time, he burst into tears and went to leave the court. The excellent ref, who encouraged both teams, told him he was intercepting very well, calmed him down and gave him the throw in (even though technically it was Arden's). Shortly afterwards he was substitued by the coach and appeared to be in some distress. At the end of the game his mother marched him straight off! Obviously not a good day for the poor lad. Arden finished up winners 44-3.
Afterwards Nick took Robert to his classroom and explained what he would have to do next Wednesday when he came in in the morning to partake in a pupil/parent event.
Robert then went off to meet Pav and I went along with Nick and Jane for some brunch (in my case scrambled egg with smoked salmon on toast), joining Lockie and Ryan's parents. Nick consumed three quarters of a burger which was about the most I've seen him eat at one sitting!
I then went back to Epping with Jane and Nick, where Jingles is no longer recognisable as the kitten I last saw earlier this year.
Eventually got a call from Robert to say he was at the Epping Hotel with Pav, and would I come over there to meet him. A pleasant 15 minute stroll in the sunshine saw me there just as Robert was finishing his drink, so we set off back to Oakhurst.
On what was turning out to be a scorching hot day, Robert decided it was time to give Reilly a wash. Normally he is terrified of the hose, but such was the heat of the day that he seemed to welcome the cooling effect of the water!
I was up at 6.00am by dint of my watch having stopped and as daylight was in full swing, I thought I might be late and promptly got up. After whiling away a couple of hours we set off for Beecroft for this morning's basketball game. This is where Nick's part of Arden School is located, and they have built a new indoor basketball court there. However that was in use by one of the more senior teams so we resorted to the outdoor court, and as the weather was superb, this was no hardship.
Arden started off with concerted attack and the opposition never got into their half for the first 15 minutes of the game. By half time the score was twenty something - nil! Nick had a superb game, outspeeding the opposition both in defence and attack, stealing the ball expertly, whizzing down the wings at speed and scored 3 baskets himself as well as laying off good passes to other members of the team who then scored. It was all in all an excellent team effort with most of the members having outstanding games. The human bulldozer, Ryan ploughed through the opposition but all too often ignored opportunities to pass to well placed members of his team, and eventually loosing the ball. However overall this was one of the team's best displays. We had a sturdily built member of the opposition who I fear lost it during the game. All too often he crashed into members of his own team knocking them flying, and whilst intercepting the ball well, kept on stepping back over his own court line thus giving possession back to Arden. After doing this three times on the trot in a very short space of time, he burst into tears and went to leave the court. The excellent ref, who encouraged both teams, told him he was intercepting very well, calmed him down and gave him the throw in (even though technically it was Arden's). Shortly afterwards he was substitued by the coach and appeared to be in some distress. At the end of the game his mother marched him straight off! Obviously not a good day for the poor lad. Arden finished up winners 44-3.
Afterwards Nick took Robert to his classroom and explained what he would have to do next Wednesday when he came in in the morning to partake in a pupil/parent event.
I then went back to Epping with Jane and Nick, where Jingles is no longer recognisable as the kitten I last saw earlier this year.
On what was turning out to be a scorching hot day, Robert decided it was time to give Reilly a wash. Normally he is terrified of the hose, but such was the heat of the day that he seemed to welcome the cooling effect of the water!
A much cleaner and sweeter smelling Reilly is left in the shade on his bed to dry out.
Although we didn't make it to the fish markets for lunch, Jeannette has purchased fish for dinner that Rob barbeques as well as preparing a tasty seafood salad for starters. I watch more of South Africa v Australia and the game is still in the balance.
Friday, 18 November 2011
SUMMER's BACK
FRIDAY 18th NOVEMBER
Although the day started overcast, by lunchtime there were blue skies and the temperature was up to 25 degrees. I even managed our long walk in the park in the afternoon with the dog without getting mud on my shoes. I was able to sit out and work in a short sleeved shirt without feeling at all cold. It was a day of phonecalls. Robert phoned putting on a spoof Indian accent, but I rumbled him after a few sentences. I then had a call asking me if I was Mr Caceres to which I replied in the negative and the bloke hung up. Then there was a woman telling me I could win a holiday anywhere in Australia for two weeks. I asked her if this included a flight from the UK and she told me it didn't. In that case, I told her, your offer is of no interest to me and hung up. Finally Robert phoned again, this time without assuming an alter ego, and told me that Jeannette was working late and would I be ready at the end of the drive at 5.30pm for him to pick me up as we were going to the pub. In the event he turned up at 4.50pm. We went to the pub at 6.00pm, had a couple and returned home awaiting Jeannette's arrival.
We went to the Plumpton Hotel where I had a sizeable rump steak, chips and salad for $16, along with a couple of glasses of wine. After returning home I watched the 2nd Test in South Africa. Yesterday the South Africans had slumped from around 240-4 to 266 all out. Today Hughes and Watson put on 180 odd for the opening partnership. Ponting was out for 0, and the South Africans took four wickets before tea with the Aussies still behind on first innings. On that note I went to bed as it is a fairly early start for basketball in the morning.
Although the day started overcast, by lunchtime there were blue skies and the temperature was up to 25 degrees. I even managed our long walk in the park in the afternoon with the dog without getting mud on my shoes. I was able to sit out and work in a short sleeved shirt without feeling at all cold. It was a day of phonecalls. Robert phoned putting on a spoof Indian accent, but I rumbled him after a few sentences. I then had a call asking me if I was Mr Caceres to which I replied in the negative and the bloke hung up. Then there was a woman telling me I could win a holiday anywhere in Australia for two weeks. I asked her if this included a flight from the UK and she told me it didn't. In that case, I told her, your offer is of no interest to me and hung up. Finally Robert phoned again, this time without assuming an alter ego, and told me that Jeannette was working late and would I be ready at the end of the drive at 5.30pm for him to pick me up as we were going to the pub. In the event he turned up at 4.50pm. We went to the pub at 6.00pm, had a couple and returned home awaiting Jeannette's arrival.
We went to the Plumpton Hotel where I had a sizeable rump steak, chips and salad for $16, along with a couple of glasses of wine. After returning home I watched the 2nd Test in South Africa. Yesterday the South Africans had slumped from around 240-4 to 266 all out. Today Hughes and Watson put on 180 odd for the opening partnership. Ponting was out for 0, and the South Africans took four wickets before tea with the Aussies still behind on first innings. On that note I went to bed as it is a fairly early start for basketball in the morning.
BRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
THURSDAY 17th NOVEMBER
The cold spell continues. The temperatures have plummeted and it is also raining solidly. It was so wet in the park that I just took Reilly to the entrance and threw his baseball into the distance and watched him race through the puddles throwing up plumes of water (and mud), until I deemed he had had a good bit of exercise, and I was sufficiently drenched by the rain and returned home with one muddy and dirty dog. He was confined to the garden until the evening by which time he had dried out!
I sat outside with four layers of clothing and was barely warm enough. And that really is all there is to tell. This definitely ain't summer weather as far as I'm concerned!
The cold spell continues. The temperatures have plummeted and it is also raining solidly. It was so wet in the park that I just took Reilly to the entrance and threw his baseball into the distance and watched him race through the puddles throwing up plumes of water (and mud), until I deemed he had had a good bit of exercise, and I was sufficiently drenched by the rain and returned home with one muddy and dirty dog. He was confined to the garden until the evening by which time he had dried out!
I sat outside with four layers of clothing and was barely warm enough. And that really is all there is to tell. This definitely ain't summer weather as far as I'm concerned!
Thursday, 17 November 2011
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
WEDNESDAY 16th NOVEMBER
Well the weather forecast got it completely wrong! The Skies clouded over and the temperatures plummeted down to about 18. So much for the prediction of 30 degrees for the rest of the week! Clothed in an assortment of T-shirts, shirt and jacket along with long trousers and socks I managed to just about survive working outside.
I took Reilly for a walk and just when I had reached the furthest point from home it started to rain. Just about sums up my day. I set off before 4pm for Epping. I had a wait of 20 minutes for a bus, and that drew in to the bus station just as the train pulled into the train station across the road. The chances of me getting up and over the footbridge to the station and buying a ticket before the train departed were none existant, so I didn't even attempt it. I had a 25 minute wait for the next train. Upon arriving at Strathfield I checked on the next train to Epping which was due out on platform 6 in three minutes. I hurried to the relevant platform but there was no sign of an Epping train on the departure board there. I went down below into the station. It was still showing the Epping train as leaving, even though the time had gone. I spotted a billboard lower down stating that buses were replacing the Northern Line until 19th November. I now had 15 minutes until my rendezvous with Rovbert outside the RSL Club. I had no phone with me and no idea of his number. A quick survey of all the depature boards showed an express train for Gosford which stopped at Epping leaving in 11 minutes. So with 2 minutes to go to the rendezvous I boarded the express. Naturally I was late (about 12 minutes) and of Robert there was no sign. It was of course raining by now. I stood outside the RSL pondering on what to do next. Walk along to Doug's house and get wet, and hope that Jane came straight home from the game. Catch a train back to Mt Druitt, or stay where I was partially sheltered from the rain. I was still considering these options when I heard a loud honking horn - it seemed to come from my left. I looked in that direction and saw a car coming out of a side road with another trying to pull into it from the main road. However it then struck me that neither of these two chaps were responsible for the honking. I turned around and there behind me was Robert blazing away like mad! I dashed over to the car to be assailed by a torrent of abuse. Couldn't I hear the horn, why was I late, etc, etc. Once he had vented his spleen, we carried on amicably to the indoor centre, where we arrived during the first half of Nick's match. The score was 1-1, and so it remained until half time. The opposition were to my mind far better at passing the ball and had one player who was about double the size of all the others. In a sudden spurt they scored 4 goals in a matter of minutes with several unstoppable shots into the top corners of the goal. It looked all over, but suddenly Nick broke through from midfield and cracked in two splendid long range shots. A run down the wing saw his centre converted into another goal, and an error by their keeper saw the scores levelled with just a couple of minutes to go. Sadly that was long enough for the opposition to come back with a very late winner, but all told it was a good display, with Nick (#4) winning the Man of the Match award.
After we had told Nick how well he played, we set off for Oakhurst. Jeannette told us she may be going to Melbourne next week to train up the Customer Services in Bev-Chain in Victoria as they are not coping with the new system very well. However she won't know until tomorrow. Anyway it seems to augur well for her contract renewal if they think that highly of her. Thought of having an early night but watched a Sherlock Holmes film on my Arcos when I got to bed, so it was well past midnight before I called it a night.
Well the weather forecast got it completely wrong! The Skies clouded over and the temperatures plummeted down to about 18. So much for the prediction of 30 degrees for the rest of the week! Clothed in an assortment of T-shirts, shirt and jacket along with long trousers and socks I managed to just about survive working outside.
I took Reilly for a walk and just when I had reached the furthest point from home it started to rain. Just about sums up my day. I set off before 4pm for Epping. I had a wait of 20 minutes for a bus, and that drew in to the bus station just as the train pulled into the train station across the road. The chances of me getting up and over the footbridge to the station and buying a ticket before the train departed were none existant, so I didn't even attempt it. I had a 25 minute wait for the next train. Upon arriving at Strathfield I checked on the next train to Epping which was due out on platform 6 in three minutes. I hurried to the relevant platform but there was no sign of an Epping train on the departure board there. I went down below into the station. It was still showing the Epping train as leaving, even though the time had gone. I spotted a billboard lower down stating that buses were replacing the Northern Line until 19th November. I now had 15 minutes until my rendezvous with Rovbert outside the RSL Club. I had no phone with me and no idea of his number. A quick survey of all the depature boards showed an express train for Gosford which stopped at Epping leaving in 11 minutes. So with 2 minutes to go to the rendezvous I boarded the express. Naturally I was late (about 12 minutes) and of Robert there was no sign. It was of course raining by now. I stood outside the RSL pondering on what to do next. Walk along to Doug's house and get wet, and hope that Jane came straight home from the game. Catch a train back to Mt Druitt, or stay where I was partially sheltered from the rain. I was still considering these options when I heard a loud honking horn - it seemed to come from my left. I looked in that direction and saw a car coming out of a side road with another trying to pull into it from the main road. However it then struck me that neither of these two chaps were responsible for the honking. I turned around and there behind me was Robert blazing away like mad! I dashed over to the car to be assailed by a torrent of abuse. Couldn't I hear the horn, why was I late, etc, etc. Once he had vented his spleen, we carried on amicably to the indoor centre, where we arrived during the first half of Nick's match. The score was 1-1, and so it remained until half time. The opposition were to my mind far better at passing the ball and had one player who was about double the size of all the others. In a sudden spurt they scored 4 goals in a matter of minutes with several unstoppable shots into the top corners of the goal. It looked all over, but suddenly Nick broke through from midfield and cracked in two splendid long range shots. A run down the wing saw his centre converted into another goal, and an error by their keeper saw the scores levelled with just a couple of minutes to go. Sadly that was long enough for the opposition to come back with a very late winner, but all told it was a good display, with Nick (#4) winning the Man of the Match award.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
MORE GOOD WEATHER
TUESDAY 15th NOVEMBER
Not much to report today. A fairly uneventful day. Cloudless skies with just a hint of breeze (maybe a degree or two cooler than yesterday), absolutely perfect weather for sitting out in the fresh air and working away.
I had offered to cook curry and set about it around 4pm. The Bombay potatoes turned out a treat (I'm sure you'll be happy to hear Tony), and these were accompanied by curried mushrooms with a liberal sprinkling of garlic, Rogan Gosh chicken with added peppers (or as they are known over here - capsicums), onion ratha, poppadoms and rice. There was just enough left for my lunch tomorrow. Washed down with some Pinot Grigio it all went down very well.
The evening cooled down quite a bit and I was forced into donning a long sleeve shirt and socks in order to continue work out in the fresh air.
Not much to report today. A fairly uneventful day. Cloudless skies with just a hint of breeze (maybe a degree or two cooler than yesterday), absolutely perfect weather for sitting out in the fresh air and working away.
I had offered to cook curry and set about it around 4pm. The Bombay potatoes turned out a treat (I'm sure you'll be happy to hear Tony), and these were accompanied by curried mushrooms with a liberal sprinkling of garlic, Rogan Gosh chicken with added peppers (or as they are known over here - capsicums), onion ratha, poppadoms and rice. There was just enough left for my lunch tomorrow. Washed down with some Pinot Grigio it all went down very well.
The evening cooled down quite a bit and I was forced into donning a long sleeve shirt and socks in order to continue work out in the fresh air.
NEW WEEK
MONDAY 14th NOVEMBER
Got up as usual and went outside to work as normal. Received a bit of a shock when Robert turned up about 10.00am. Apparently he decided to have another 5 minutes when the alarm went off and didn't wake up until after 7.00am. He rang work and they told him to have a day off (sick) as things weren't that busy. We drove up to Plumpton to see if I could get a mains tester whilst Robert called in at the surgery to get a sick note. I had no luck, he was successful. In view of my failure Robert decided to invest in a new hoover.
Having brought it home he decided to give the house a clean, but after a few minutes of cleaning one of the wheels snapped off. He returned to Plumpton and got a replacement machine and continued with his work.
I did likewise. Another superb day weatherwise, waited until the evening to take Reilly for a walk when it was a shade cooler.
Jeannette surpassed herself cooking chicken breasts in mustard sauce with Camabert cheese and asparagus - I'm sure the dish has a name but as far as I'm concerned "damned tasty" will do!
Got up as usual and went outside to work as normal. Received a bit of a shock when Robert turned up about 10.00am. Apparently he decided to have another 5 minutes when the alarm went off and didn't wake up until after 7.00am. He rang work and they told him to have a day off (sick) as things weren't that busy. We drove up to Plumpton to see if I could get a mains tester whilst Robert called in at the surgery to get a sick note. I had no luck, he was successful. In view of my failure Robert decided to invest in a new hoover.
Having brought it home he decided to give the house a clean, but after a few minutes of cleaning one of the wheels snapped off. He returned to Plumpton and got a replacement machine and continued with his work.
I did likewise. Another superb day weatherwise, waited until the evening to take Reilly for a walk when it was a shade cooler.
Jeannette surpassed herself cooking chicken breasts in mustard sauce with Camabert cheese and asparagus - I'm sure the dish has a name but as far as I'm concerned "damned tasty" will do!
Sunday, 13 November 2011
BONDI
SUNDAY 13th NOVEMBER
Not quite such an early start today as we had quite a few bevvies last night! We headed for Epping and jumped into Jane's car as she has the electronic tag for the motorways, and drove to the sports shop at Macquarie where they exchanged the rugby ball with no problem. I reckon the previous one was over pumped and that is what caused it to blow.
Nick, the young Aussie born Sydneyite has never been to Bondi Beach. He wanted to know what "iconic" meant when Robert described it thus. Jane had read that there were sand sculptures on display there, so all in all that was to be our destination. It took about 45 minutes to get there and then a while to park. We played with the rugby ball on the beach - my spin pass wasn't working as well as I would have liked but I took one superb diving catch from a Robert kick. The only problem was I then needed his help to get me up on my feet!
Not quite such an early start today as we had quite a few bevvies last night! We headed for Epping and jumped into Jane's car as she has the electronic tag for the motorways, and drove to the sports shop at Macquarie where they exchanged the rugby ball with no problem. I reckon the previous one was over pumped and that is what caused it to blow.
Nick, the young Aussie born Sydneyite has never been to Bondi Beach. He wanted to know what "iconic" meant when Robert described it thus. Jane had read that there were sand sculptures on display there, so all in all that was to be our destination. It took about 45 minutes to get there and then a while to park. We played with the rugby ball on the beach - my spin pass wasn't working as well as I would have liked but I took one superb diving catch from a Robert kick. The only problem was I then needed his help to get me up on my feet!
It turned out that the sculptures were at the top of the head on the path between Bronte and Bondi - a walk that Bridie, Angela and I had done in April. Nobody was too keen to walk that far so we just viewed it from afar!
Instead we went for something to eat - Nick had been most concerned to know if they did chicken nuggets in Bondi. Reassured that they did, that is what he had whilst I went for the Bondi barramundi and chips (Fish & chips).
Nick was most taken with a cafe named Nick's and insisted on a photo. After collecting Robert's car in Epping we drove back to Oakhurst. I must admit I nodded off on the way back, and after our return Robert remarked that my forehead was even browner than before, and he wasn't wrong. There was a very nice roast beef dinner awaiting us and a leisurly evening ensued. There still did not appear to be any concrete news on the cause of Peter Roebuck's death at the age of 55 in a hotel room in Capetown, where he had been reporting on the South Africa v Australia cricket series.
TAX REFUND
SATURDAY 12th NOVEMBER
It was an early start - Robert said we had to leave at 7.45am so I got up at 7.15am and had a coffee with some bread and cheese and took my pills, being well ready for the proposed departure time which was delayed by about 10 minutes. We drove off to Epping where Nick was playing basketball. He had been sick at school the previous day and had been sent home. As Jane was the team coach she told her son he wouldn't play in the first half in deference to his sickness. He came and sat with Robert and I in the stands and proudly told us he had vomited twice at school! Epping were comfortably in the lead - something like 6-2 at half time. Nick showed no signs of having been affected by his sickness, and whizzed around the court at speed. He was especially good at nicking the ball off opponents and hence his nickname "Man of Steal"! Another Stalin?
On one occasion Nick stole the ball from a player right under his own basket, raced up the wing, cut in and threw in a perfect basket. (He is no 44 in the photos). It was his only score of the game but he passed well and made some good runs with the ensuing pass resulting in a basket.
It all ended with a 16-4 win for Epping. After going home to change, we took Nick to the Macquarie Shopping Centre where he took his pocket money to buy a basketball at the sports shop. He actaully touched an Arsenal football much to Robert's disgust, and found a basketball he liked but was also very much taken with a rugby ball. It was a tricky choice and he agonised over it without coming to any firm conclusion. As none of my off spring had ever expressed interest in a rugby ball as kids, I thought to myself that I could hardly turn down the oppotunity to encourage a grandson in the grand sport. I told him that I would buy him the rugby ball which would leave him with his pocket money for the basketball. Nick said that "Mummy would tell him off for asking Grandad to buy him the rugby ball", but Robert reassured him that this would not happen as Grandad had volunteered to buy the rugby ball without any request from him. So satisfied, he went with his $20 to the counter where an attractive young girl was serving. "Go on tell her what you want", Robert urged, adding "He's shy around girls". Nick was furious, "Why did you have to say that Dad?" But he made his purchase. Another assistant pumped up the basketball and also took the rugby ball and put a bit more air in it.
There was assorted entertainment on at the centre with I think some pop stars appearing that caught Nick's fancy. I meantime moved on to J-B HiFi where I found a 3 CD Judy Garland CD for £6.00 and a 3 CD Shirley Bassey for £7.00 both of which will be very useful for my Charly projects.
We went home and played with the basketball, Doug has a basket fixed to the eaves of the garage so Nick can practise shooting. He had me playing a game which involved running to the other end of the drive everytime you got possession of the ball - a procedure that was custom made to knacker me in no time! We then moved onto the lawn with the rugby ball and practised passing. Nick has a good spin pass, as indeed do I. After a few minutes Nick said there was a lump on the ball, and seconds later the stitching split and the bladder popped out. As Nick was taking the ball indoors the bladder exploded with a bang. We had the receipt after rescuing it from the bin, and Nick was most put out that Robert wouldn't go straight back to exchange it there and then Instead he told him he would do it tomorrow.
We left Epping and headed back to Oakhurst diverting at the Lawnmower Centre. Robert had noticed that his Tax Refund had been paid into his account, and decided to invest in a lawn mower of his own instead of constantly trying to borrow one. We were again served by a very nice young girl (seems like it was a day for attractive young ladies - unlike the one who plonked herself beside me on the train the other day). She had her speil off pat, but Robert told her there was no need to go on as he was already sold on it. He asked the girl if she came to mow the lawn as well as part of the package, but she told him she already worked 6 days a week and that was enough. We took the mower home.
Robert soon had the machine going and did the verge of the driveway leading up to the house. It certainly looked much neater. Flush with his tax refund, Robert offered to take us out for a meal. The venue, suggested by Jeannette was a pub in Rooty Hill that I hadn't been to before, and that indeed was where he headed.
The food was very good - I had paella with loads of seafood in it, whilst Robert and Jeannette's dushes were equally tasty, and all the better for Robert paying! He insisted I take a photo of him holding Jeannette's hand to prove to the world at large that her claim that he never held her hand in public was unjustified!
We got back in time for me to watch a replay of the semi-final game (Rugby League World Cup) between England & New Zealand at the K.C. Stadium that England won 28-6 putting them into the final againt the Aussies next week. Should be some game. New Zealand were captained by Benji Marshall, Nick's favourite player, a member of the Western Tigers here in Sydney - the team that the young lad supports.
Weather continues to be ver warm with no storms for a couple of days. Forecast for next week is 35 degrees all through the week - sounds like my kind of weather.
It was an early start - Robert said we had to leave at 7.45am so I got up at 7.15am and had a coffee with some bread and cheese and took my pills, being well ready for the proposed departure time which was delayed by about 10 minutes. We drove off to Epping where Nick was playing basketball. He had been sick at school the previous day and had been sent home. As Jane was the team coach she told her son he wouldn't play in the first half in deference to his sickness. He came and sat with Robert and I in the stands and proudly told us he had vomited twice at school! Epping were comfortably in the lead - something like 6-2 at half time. Nick showed no signs of having been affected by his sickness, and whizzed around the court at speed. He was especially good at nicking the ball off opponents and hence his nickname "Man of Steal"! Another Stalin?
There was assorted entertainment on at the centre with I think some pop stars appearing that caught Nick's fancy. I meantime moved on to J-B HiFi where I found a 3 CD Judy Garland CD for £6.00 and a 3 CD Shirley Bassey for £7.00 both of which will be very useful for my Charly projects.
We left Epping and headed back to Oakhurst diverting at the Lawnmower Centre. Robert had noticed that his Tax Refund had been paid into his account, and decided to invest in a lawn mower of his own instead of constantly trying to borrow one. We were again served by a very nice young girl (seems like it was a day for attractive young ladies - unlike the one who plonked herself beside me on the train the other day). She had her speil off pat, but Robert told her there was no need to go on as he was already sold on it. He asked the girl if she came to mow the lawn as well as part of the package, but she told him she already worked 6 days a week and that was enough. We took the mower home.
We got back in time for me to watch a replay of the semi-final game (Rugby League World Cup) between England & New Zealand at the K.C. Stadium that England won 28-6 putting them into the final againt the Aussies next week. Should be some game. New Zealand were captained by Benji Marshall, Nick's favourite player, a member of the Western Tigers here in Sydney - the team that the young lad supports.
Weather continues to be ver warm with no storms for a couple of days. Forecast for next week is 35 degrees all through the week - sounds like my kind of weather.
WORKING DAY
FRIDAY 11th NOVEMBER
Apart from a walk in the park with the dog, I ventured out no further concentrating on my work for Charly, and watching a replay of South Africa v Australia. The Aussies totalled 284 with Michael Clark scoring over 150 of them. The South Africans narrowly avoided the follow on being all out for 96. They then bowled Australia out for 47 having had them at 20 odd for 9. With Hashim Amlar and Smith both scoring centuries (Smith's was undefeated), South Africa won by 8 wickets. An amazing match! The first time in over 2000 Test matches played that a player from each side was out twice in one day (Clark and Rudolph).
Robert came home and said Jeannette would be working late again, and we'd go down the pub to eat. Then he said he couldn't be bothered, and said that Jeannette's long working hours were doing his head in. She is in the last month of her contract as manager at Bev-Chain and has to re-apply for her job. They also changed her working hours from 6 - 2. However the company have got the contract for distributing Red Bull, apart from it approaching the Christmas season, so Jeannette works on to 7/8 in the evening. Robert does not think this is good for her, but she wants to prove that she can handle it all.
In the end Robert went out and got me a kebab and we had a few beers and we called it a night. Jeannette stayed the night at her parents.
Apart from a walk in the park with the dog, I ventured out no further concentrating on my work for Charly, and watching a replay of South Africa v Australia. The Aussies totalled 284 with Michael Clark scoring over 150 of them. The South Africans narrowly avoided the follow on being all out for 96. They then bowled Australia out for 47 having had them at 20 odd for 9. With Hashim Amlar and Smith both scoring centuries (Smith's was undefeated), South Africa won by 8 wickets. An amazing match! The first time in over 2000 Test matches played that a player from each side was out twice in one day (Clark and Rudolph).
Robert came home and said Jeannette would be working late again, and we'd go down the pub to eat. Then he said he couldn't be bothered, and said that Jeannette's long working hours were doing his head in. She is in the last month of her contract as manager at Bev-Chain and has to re-apply for her job. They also changed her working hours from 6 - 2. However the company have got the contract for distributing Red Bull, apart from it approaching the Christmas season, so Jeannette works on to 7/8 in the evening. Robert does not think this is good for her, but she wants to prove that she can handle it all.
In the end Robert went out and got me a kebab and we had a few beers and we called it a night. Jeannette stayed the night at her parents.
Friday, 11 November 2011
HOTTEST NIGHT
THURSDAY 10th NOVEMBER
Well according to the news, last night was the hottest night in Sydney in 44 years which is only one year less than when England won the world cup, and exactly matches (in years) young Adam's age! At midnight the temperature was 28 degrees, and I have to admit I didn't go under the bedclothes for once.
Today was another fine day although not quite as hot, probably in the mid 20s. Not much to report other than the usual promenade with Reilly and working on Charly stuff. I got a call from Rob that he wasn't going to play football, so my trip to Epping was aborted. In response to Jim's request here are some more pictures of Reilly.
Well according to the news, last night was the hottest night in Sydney in 44 years which is only one year less than when England won the world cup, and exactly matches (in years) young Adam's age! At midnight the temperature was 28 degrees, and I have to admit I didn't go under the bedclothes for once.
Today was another fine day although not quite as hot, probably in the mid 20s. Not much to report other than the usual promenade with Reilly and working on Charly stuff. I got a call from Rob that he wasn't going to play football, so my trip to Epping was aborted. In response to Jim's request here are some more pictures of Reilly.
Wednesday, 9 November 2011
UPTOWN
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER
I set off about 9.00am and caught a bus to Mt Druitt and about 10 minutes later a train into Central. On the way some Korean girl had the temerity to ask me to move my bag so she could sit down in the adjoining seat. I did so with ill grace but made sure I sat away from the window a bit so she had little space to sit in. Ah! the grumpy old man syndrome strikes again!
I walked up to Lawsons where I found a goodly selection of goodies at $5/$10 including a couple of Cliff Richard CD's, a Peter Sellers, Shirley Bassey, Miracles, as well as a triple Sam Cooke and ditto Helen Shapiro. I then walked on to Red Eye where I discovered that the main shop in King Street had moved to York Street opposite the QVC. In front of the building an artist had chalked up a large
bit of artwork on a canvas.
After also visiting a branch of JB where I picked up a Slim Dusty CD for $7, I decided to call time on my shopping. It was another scorching hot day. I caught a train to Epping and went to the Epping Hotel contemplating a steak sandwich for lunch. In the event there was only a choice of pizza or chips. I got a ginormous bowl of the things and with the aid of a glass of Boags managed to consume the lot. I then caught a train to Beecroft, arriving about 45 minutes early, which enabled me to have a coffee and read the Kindle (I'm on a David Baldacci book at present). I then went to the station entrance where Jane and Nick picked me up.
It was time for the indoor football league. Jane is the team coach and her assistant was not present today so I deputised on the bench. Nick scored the equalising goal to make it 1-1 at half time. He was in goal in the second half and took a complete disinterest in the game, at one stage turning his back to play and jumping up trying to touch the crossbar. He let in three soft goals in the space of a few minutes without making any determined effort to stop the ball. My yelling of instructions went generally unheeded as did the instructions for players to come off to be substituted! I nearly yelled myself hoarse shouting at Ethan and Ben - it was almost as if they didn't know their names or were so engrossed in the game they couldn't hear anything! Two late own goals brought the score to 4-3 but time ran out for the equaliser. Nick's reaction was to state that he was going to leave the team.
I caught a train to Strathfield and within minutes caught an express to Penrith that dropped me off at Mt Druitt in no time. I caught a bus back and was just taking Reilly out for a walk when Robert pulled in having gone out shopping. It was another very warm evening and several beers were consumed. Jeannette had to go to Jayden's new prospective High School, and when she got back made some tuna sandwiches. One was enough for me after that enormous bowl of chips!
I set off about 9.00am and caught a bus to Mt Druitt and about 10 minutes later a train into Central. On the way some Korean girl had the temerity to ask me to move my bag so she could sit down in the adjoining seat. I did so with ill grace but made sure I sat away from the window a bit so she had little space to sit in. Ah! the grumpy old man syndrome strikes again!
I walked up to Lawsons where I found a goodly selection of goodies at $5/$10 including a couple of Cliff Richard CD's, a Peter Sellers, Shirley Bassey, Miracles, as well as a triple Sam Cooke and ditto Helen Shapiro. I then walked on to Red Eye where I discovered that the main shop in King Street had moved to York Street opposite the QVC. In front of the building an artist had chalked up a large
After also visiting a branch of JB where I picked up a Slim Dusty CD for $7, I decided to call time on my shopping. It was another scorching hot day. I caught a train to Epping and went to the Epping Hotel contemplating a steak sandwich for lunch. In the event there was only a choice of pizza or chips. I got a ginormous bowl of the things and with the aid of a glass of Boags managed to consume the lot. I then caught a train to Beecroft, arriving about 45 minutes early, which enabled me to have a coffee and read the Kindle (I'm on a David Baldacci book at present). I then went to the station entrance where Jane and Nick picked me up.
It was time for the indoor football league. Jane is the team coach and her assistant was not present today so I deputised on the bench. Nick scored the equalising goal to make it 1-1 at half time. He was in goal in the second half and took a complete disinterest in the game, at one stage turning his back to play and jumping up trying to touch the crossbar. He let in three soft goals in the space of a few minutes without making any determined effort to stop the ball. My yelling of instructions went generally unheeded as did the instructions for players to come off to be substituted! I nearly yelled myself hoarse shouting at Ethan and Ben - it was almost as if they didn't know their names or were so engrossed in the game they couldn't hear anything! Two late own goals brought the score to 4-3 but time ran out for the equaliser. Nick's reaction was to state that he was going to leave the team.
I caught a train to Strathfield and within minutes caught an express to Penrith that dropped me off at Mt Druitt in no time. I caught a bus back and was just taking Reilly out for a walk when Robert pulled in having gone out shopping. It was another very warm evening and several beers were consumed. Jeannette had to go to Jayden's new prospective High School, and when she got back made some tuna sandwiches. One was enough for me after that enormous bowl of chips!
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