I've never seen girls enjoy a day of chores like Ella and Abi. The main plan for Sunday was for Josh and Rob to take down the (rain damaged) garage ceiling (in a cloud of gyprock and plaster dust).
In the process Ella had a ball using the drop saw with Grandpa to trim the battens down to a more manageable size. She's a natural!
The girls thought the whole demolition process was absolutely fascinating. They talked non stop about it, asked non stop questions and "helped" wherever they could.
When things got quiet the driveway proved to be a great canvas for some chalk drawing.
Although Abi looked a bit doubtful about the outcome...
Another Sunday chore was bathing Nellie the very grubby Beagle. This is a chore that Abi LOVES - and Nellie less so, although Nellie puts up with anything that Abi does with her...a perfect pet for a three year old.
All Sunday chores were successfully completed - well done girls!!
We started off Saturday with good friends at Coogee's Barzura - still looking great after a minor makeover in readiness for a busy Summer ahead.
It was late morning by the time we got started on the coastal walk to Bondi - and Sculpture by the Sea.
There's always some fun sculptures to be found on Tamarama Beach. The best fun this year was this "wave of blue eyed blond haired Barbie dolls".
....and spray and wipe bottles.
We were very intrigued by this piece - based on a 1953 photograph of a little girl on a slippery slide that must have been in the exact same position all those years ago.
Sculpture by the Sea ended for us with a final view of the Bondi Icebergs and that amazing beach.
We enjoyed a German beer at the Bavarian Bier Cafe and an Israeli beer and some wonderful food at Sabbaba on Hall Street. A perfect food and wine experience after the best sculpture show of the year.
It was great to be back in Sydney yesterday after such a long break away. We'd came up with Claire for a very special reason, but a long lunch on a perfect Spring day in Coogee was the first thing on our agenda.
Sydney looks spectacular; the Jacaranda blossoms are all at their peak.
The Stanley Street Gallery in Darlinghurst is presenting an exhibition of Claire's paintings over the next few weeks and we'd come up for the Thursday night opening. Claire and I prepared ourselves for the festivities with a glass of champagne at the Verde Bar in Riley Street before the formalities began at the gallery.
Claire's work looks beautiful in this space (of course) and we met some interesting people at the opening, including some well known faces.
We're so proud of this incredibly talented young woman........
Today dawned another perfect Sydney day so we started the day perfectly with breakfast at Barzura's and a walk along the beachfront promenade.
Claire spent the morning at the gallery while Rob and I did a bit of shopping. We can't get over how beautiful this city looks.
We left London a week ago. We're over jetlag now and sort of settled in to our new "home" and loving the company of the young ones. I was back at work second day back - not making much sense but physically present...it takes time.
Our last day (almost) in London was pretty special. We got to walk with Eddie to his local neighbourhood school and then while Rob helped Davey with some garden work I got to watch the divine Miss I sleeping.....(super long eyelashes resting on those plump cheeks!)
As Ivy slept I had time to admire the beautiful detailing in the front rooms of this 130 year old Victorian era house.
Then we did lunch - London style at the local pub - the lovely old Red Lion at Leytonstone. There was a huge group of Mums and bubs enjoying lunch together as we entered. they looked disappointed when we didn't join them. We love London pubs!
It was very hard saying goodbye to London Davey, Cath and Mr E and Miss I - until next time!
Today, back to normality and back in Canberra, the pic below is the start of a series documenting our "piece of air" at C5 in Campbell as it gradually takes shape over the next 17 months or so (yes it has started!).
The large park surrounding our (non-existent) apartment is just about finished now and should be open to the public soon. It is looking beautiful.
In the process Ella had a ball using the drop saw with Grandpa to trim the battens down to a more manageable size. She's a natural!
The girls thought the whole demolition process was absolutely fascinating. They talked non stop about it, asked non stop questions and "helped" wherever they could.
When things got quiet the driveway proved to be a great canvas for some chalk drawing.
Although Abi looked a bit doubtful about the outcome...
Another Sunday chore was bathing Nellie the very grubby Beagle. This is a chore that Abi LOVES - and Nellie less so, although Nellie puts up with anything that Abi does with her...a perfect pet for a three year old.
