Helen had made puff pastry pizzas for lunch. They'd had their lunch already (she likes to eat very early, according to me), but Xavier had saved some of his lunch to eat with me outside under the tree.
Was a bit cool and windy - but reasonably sunny
After lunch we drove to Bald Hill - outside of Kingower, as both Terry and Nicole had told us about it, how it was like Melville's Caves, but without all the people, and you had a 360 degree view etc
Drove out past the Kingower School House, and kept going, following the signs. Helen drove rather slowly, as was in her new car, and it has a relatively low under carriage. Scraped a few times, so pulled over and stopped, and walked the rest of the way.
The plan was to have a picnic afternoon tea. She'd bought a Swiss roll, and we'd also brought a thermos for tea.
Climbed up the hill, and found a spot to sit - with a fairly good view
But then we kept walking, as there was another hill ahead of that one - couldn't really see it from where we were initially.
Anyway, the 2nd hill was much better, and it did have the 360 degree view, and some lovely grass to sit on too.
Also by this stage the sun had triumphed, and there was lovely blue sky. And the wind had died down.
Walked back to the car, (took about 1/2 hour), drove off carefully, and saw Damo and Nicole arriving at the School House. Went in to say hello, and they showed Helen and the kids the school house, the surf club, and the vegie garden. Nicole had said they had just dropped in to our place with a condolence note re Justin's dad.
Back home 5ish - and we went up to the veranda and had some biscuits and dips etc
The original plan had been to have the pizzas that I'd brought from Melbourne for dinner, but the kids were very keen to go to the pub, so Helen did rock/paper scissors with them, and they won.
Went to the pub, they had fish, and I had a lamb shank with mash - very nice.
Back home and put the kids to bed, and Helen and I watched Austin Powers - an oldie but a goodie, with a nice open fire upstairs. Was rather cold in the house, so we definitely needed the fire.
An early night, so I watched another Monarch of the Glen in bed with my trusty hot water bottle
Saturday, and it was Helen's birthday. We'd already been shopping for supplies the day before. So she/we had croissants and freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast. I gave her the tiger eye ball that we'd bought in Dubai, which she liked.
Was a rather cold and blustery day, went up to the Op Shop, across to the butcher, Denise's etc - and also lots of scootering around - which the kids enjoyed. I also finally finished organising the dvds - hooray!
Went back up to Kingower to pay Arlene for the wine I'd bought before our trip, and to also get a case of cleanskins. Dropped in on Terry on the way back, had a coffee and chat.
Back home for lunch which was Helen's favourite :- tuna, corn, mayo, spring onion sandwiches - outside again under the tree
Was still pretty cold, did a bit more scootering, but was drizzling, so not that pleasant. Had wanted to scooter to Bridgewater, but we don't think that the bike path is up and running as yet.
So, went upstairs and watched the 2nd Austin Powers dvd - I half watched, as I was also reading the Age online.
The kids also played with a Huski puppy out the front, which they thought was very cute
'
Given that it was the 1st Saturday of the month, we went up to Kingower at 6pm - for the regular monthly shindig. Maile & David were the only ones there, sitting, waiting in their car, as it was cold! The braziers were there, and filled with wood, but not lit, and no one had a match (actually I had matches, but was keeping mum on that, as I had got Helen a birthday cake and candles, sparklers etc and was going to bring it later later with a flourish) I also discovered that I didn't have an operational cigarette lighter in my car. No matter, Damo & Nicole came over soon enough, and soon had them lit. Terry, Dermott & kids, Arlene & June came over soon after this.
So stood around the fires soaking in the warmth, chatting, having a drink, and munching on twisties (I'd bought a monster party pack). Very convivial. I brought out the cake, and gave the kids the sparklers, and we sang happy birthday. No surprises, but Xavier was mucking around with burning sticks and the sparklers and ended up getting a little bit burnt on his finger. Hopefully that should teach him not to play with fire.
I guess we left here after 8pm or so, and Helen drove back carefully. Saw at least 5 dead kangaroos on the road, but luckily no live ones.
Helen put the kids to bed, and had an early night herself. So I went to bed too, hot water bottle in tow, and more Monarch of the Glen.
Sunday was Father's Day - and I had a sleep in. Helen was keeping Xavier relatively quiet. I got out of bed around 8.20, and went into the kitchen to find that Helen and Xavier were making Michaela and I breakfast in bed - which was very nice. Michaela came and joined me, and Xavier was also keen to get in on the act
Jamie came and picked us up at 10am - as Helen is interested in buying some land around here. He showed us 3 x properties - Wet Lane which was 20 acres - but a bit dull and flat, and then Kurting which was nice with views of Mt Koorong, and bush behind and a couple of horses on it - which galloped up very close to us - the 2nd photo is taken out the back window of Jamie's ute - and you can see the ute tray, and the horse just about on top of it
Lastly, there was another Kurting property which had creek access and also a little shed which could with a stretch be lived in - or at least Helen thought so. No electricity, no water, drop box toilet etc. And, none of these properties were zoned for building a house. Jamie had been discussing this with the council for some time
Helen liked the last one best, and was keen to put in an offer well below the asking price, but within her comfort zone. This last property had 70 acres, and could be used for share cropping cereals etc. I suggested lavender and sunflowers to her later like Provence, and she liked this idea a lot. I also cautioned her, as I didn't want to see her putting all her eggs in one basket, particulalry if she wouldn't be able to build there.
However, that is all academic now, as the quasi offer was rejected, it was just too low.
So, back to the house, some more scooting, and more pizza lunch under the tree. Also picked three jars worth of the small wild olives from the tree next to the house, as it's still loaded
Helen & kids left after lunch, and I tidied up a bit and then left also - so that I could make Justin a nice Father's day dinner - "Turducken burgers" from a recipe that I'd seen in the Age. turned out pretty well - minced turkey meat, chopped up chicken thigh fillets and duck breast, and then a sour dough and bacon baked sauce. Was pretty fiddly, if I did it again, I'd simplify it.
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