Time in Tumut

Friday 1st May saw us pack up 'Winnie' and head our for another weekend trip. Our destination this time was Tumut. The community there were putting on the Festival of the Falling Leaf and so there was a market day, Street Procession and Fireworks.

We travelled up on the Friday morning with our friends Fred and Jenny, enjoying a stop at Junee for lunch before heading on to Tumut.
We set up camp at the Riverglades Caravan Park and decided to go for a bike ride - to cut a long story short my bike needs a new back wheel as I fell on it! Never laughed so hard for a long time.

The Blakes arrived and set up their tents and by then it was time for tea. Plenty to eat and drink, plenty of conversation and time for bed.

Next morning the guys rode their bikes in the mountain bike challenges and us girls headed off to the markets, watched the street procession, had lunch in the park and retired to the caravan park for a nana nap. The Harris' joined us and we had a short happy hour at the van. Afterwards we went to watch the fireworks and came back for tea.

Sunday the weather was again beautiful and after a walk around the wetlands area, we packed up and drove out to Blowering Dam. Such a beautiful area and just perfect for a picnic lunch. On the way home we stopped into the liquorice factory at Junee for some supplies! A great weekend!!

It Snowed!!!!

Last weekend we went up to Oldina Lodge at Falls Creek in Victoria for a staff retreat. It was expected to be very cold but nothing like what eventuated!! After starting to rain on the Friday afternoon (which made for a scary trip up the mountain in the fog and rain), raining all day Saturday, we awoke Sunday morning to a blanket of snow!

There was only a few centimetres so I decided to go for a walk - after about 15 minutes it started to come down heavier and I quickly lost my bearings and retraced my footprints, just barely visible in the deepening snow. Most of the photos I've taken were from behind the glass in the upstairs window - the best way to look at the snow - in the warmth and comfort with a roaring fire behind me!














After lunch we headed home very slowly down the mountain ... such a beautiful sight.


Some of the things that I learned from the retreat:

• The body can defend or grow - but it cannot do both at the same time!
• That health is Optimum physical, mental and social well being and not necessarily the absence of disease.
• There is no such thing as failure, there are only results.
• Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there - Will Rogers.
• Have positive goals and not negative ones.
• Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.

I was challenged to be more aware of the decisions I make and to this end I have decided on a few goals;

To live a more satisfying life I will:

1. Count my blessings
2. Practice random acts of kindness
3. Savour life's joys
4. Thank a mentor
5. Learn to forgive
6. Invest time in friends and family
7. Take care of my body
8. Develop strategies for coping with stress and hardship

It was a good weekend -and I was reminded that people pray for me and care for me
"So I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in Him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 ( Thanks Judy!)

Easter Blessings

We were able to have a few days over Easter to spend out at the lake - as you can see from the new banner photo - this was the view from our motorome. Even though it wasn't as peaceful this time - due to the Australian Jet Sprint Boat finals being run next door and a 21st birthday bash (even louder than the jet boats! lol) it was still a time of recharge and renew!


Spent time rowing around the lake in my new little kayak and having some of the family visit with us made for an enjoyable time. Richard and I took the kayak out each day and I enjoyed seeing the lake from a different angle - from behind his back - lol.

Michelle has a few lessons (and a few bruises!) on how (not) to row from Tim - a very patient teacher!We were treated to some spectactular sunrises and sunsets - and you know how much I love taking photos of them!




On Saturday evening we were able to attend the launch of a new CD by local singer-songwriter (and excellent chiropractor lol) Ryan Day It was brilliant and I enjoyed it so much - Go Ryan!!

All in all - a great weekend!

Another Layout!!!!!

Here's Layout No:3 for the year - at this rate I'll be scrappin til I'm ninty!! Oh well it doesn't matter - at least I will have acheived this much.

Keeping right up with my simple is completed theme, this layout is of the time we spent in Canberra with our other grand son's - we had a wonderful time with them saling around Lake Burley Griffin.

We hadn't sailed around the lake before so it was good to see all the familar icons from a different perspective.
The boys were a little apprehensive at first but soon settled in and enjoyed their trip.

Another Great Weekend - Happy Australia Day!!

Had another great weekend - as well as celebrating the Australia Day weekend, we celebrated grand daughter Sam's 18th birthday at the lake on Saturday - mostly with her father's family - we haven't done that since she was about 2. She had a wonderful time celebrating with her families!

Anna & Isaac stayed the night with us in the van and our family came back out for tea on Sunday night along with some other friends - very low key but most enjoyable.

I even took the canoe out for a row around the lake Monday morning - no photos though.... I'm the photographer!! Lol

So now I'm washing and catching up with emails, downloading photos.. You know... all the important stuff!!

More Getting Away From It All

Friday we packed the motorhome again and headed off 30 kms away to a little place on the Murrumbidgge River called Darlington Point. We were joined by some friends for a 'chill out' weekend.

I went for a few walks alongside the river - seriously lacking in water! The others went bike riding but I haven't figured out how to take photos while riding a bike (just an excuse really- lol) so I stuck to the walking.

Saturday evening we set off for a little walk over the bridge to the pub for a drink before heading to a new resturant that has the most wonderful Italian food - Riverdestra. After eating WAY too much we walked home and continued our evening under the stars.

We plan on taking lots more such weekends this year.

R & R at Lake Wyangan

Rest and relaxation was the order of the day (week) after we returned from Canberra.

We called in at home to restock the van and headed out to Lake Wyangan and had the van set up and tea organised by dark. It was a wonderful relaxing time.

We had a visit from the rest of the family on New Year's Day - they enjoyed the sailing the kids spent most of their time in the water either sailing, swimming or canoeing.

A good start to the new year.