Here and there

It's been another busy few weeks, with a three night visit to Coogee after the London mob's stay in our little apartment then time catching up with life back in Canberra in early September before heading back to Coogee again. We've been here for the past week - and another week to go - our first long stay here in many, many years. It feels good!

We've been able to have this time away because Rod's care needs and the settling of his affairs are both now at a stage where we don't need to be quite so attentive. A buyer has made an offer on his house, and it's been accepted. Fingers crossed that the exchange of contracts and settlement will all proceed smoothly too. With Rod's house sold another big responsibility (and worry!) will be out of the way too.

We were all so relieved to see that the London mob had ONE sunny day here in Coogee the day before they left for home - after their solid week of drenching rain. Davey sent us this picture of Ivy and Eddie withstanding what must have been very cold ocean temperatures at Clovelly Beach, just to prove the sky was blue for at least one day of their Sydney visit.

A passing tourist captured this happy snap of us with our Coogee neighbours (Greg and Lizzie) enjoying a night out at the Rocks on the 30th August. I will remember this night as a happy night, but also for its many phone calls, between drinks, as we negotiated the sale of Rod's house between the agent, Claire and Rob and me!!

The next night, back in Canberra again, we went to a Body Shirt gig at the Dissent Bar in the city. We always enjoy these gigs, marvelling at Angus's drumming and the way the band is going from strength to strength. Josh, Jody and the girls came along for this gig too, for the first time - and loved it!

And did I say it's September now - peak blossom time in Canberra - a joy to behold everywhere we look!

It's always lovely to share some time with Abi and Sammy. Last Sunday we met up with the family at Waverly Equine, a beautiful property just outside Murrumbateman. It was a training day not a competition event, which was just as well because Sammy got very moody about one of the jumps in particular and became very frustrating to handle - not one of his best days .....but a beautiful day for us out in the country.

We were back in Coogee again by last Monday - a beautiful warm sunny day (28oC max). Monday, late afternoon on the beach, looked like a summer weekend, it was so crowded.

On Tuesday I met up with my dear friend Tania in the afternoon to check out an exhibition at the State Library (and enjoy a good chat). Rob met up with us later for a sangria or two at Bar Topa in Paling Lane .......

..... before heading to nearby Bar Totti's for their signature share plates and wine list. Bar Totti's is a much in demand city bar and eatery.Tania did so well to score us a table. Áine was able to join us too this night which was such a bonus, especially to hear all about her car dramas and well developed travel plans for the next 6 months. 

The share plates at Bar Totti were scrumptuous. We'll be back, especially for that bread, the prosciutto, the BURRATA and that TIRAMISU!!

We had more drenching, torrential rain in Sydney all day Wednesday and Thursday morning this week. It was Sydney's wettest September day in 146 years on Wednesday - and flash flooding everywhere.

It cleared by Thursday afternoon and we went for along walk to clear our wet weather cabin fever. Seas were rough after all the rain and wind.

With the sun out on Friday we went exploring ... to Annandale, to check out the new location of my old fave Lunatiques (now The Merchant's Warehouse)...........

Not quite as jam packed as the old Lunatiques (unfortunately).

I loved their junkyard - aesthetic garden area the best! (yes that's a piano - with plants)!

Afterwards I shouted Rob lunch at the very character filled Cherry Moon General Store on Nelson Street, which made the day in Annandale even better!

Yesterday we started a few garden projects at our apartment block. We've never stayed long enough here before to be able to help out with this sort of project. Hopefully we can do more in the future as the old place could do with some TLC in this department.

Another beautiful day today - these big blue skies, together with the gentle sun on your skin, are a joy to behold!

We did the Coogee - Clovelly walk today - just stunning!

London Mob visit (3)

For the London mob's last full day in Canberra the city turned on a near perfect late Winter day. We headed out to Freshford in the morning with Cath and Ivy ready for some horsey fun. 

Josh, Jody and Abi had prepared a great morning's entertainment there with Sammy, obliging mobs of kangaroos, flocks of parrots and even a wombat burrow or two. 

Sammy was on his best behaviour this morning, obviously realising he had an appreciative audience. He put on an amazing display in the lunge ring with Abi, as a warm up for showing off his (and Abi's) jumping skills in the main arena.

Afterwards it was time for Ivy to make friends with Sammy boy. She wisely took it quietly to start with........

But by the end they were like old mates (with carrot benefits!).

Did someone say carrots?

Meanwhile the boys had been hanging out together exploring the joys of shopping in Canberra.

The young ones spent the afternoon bouldering at Block Haus at Dairy Flat in Fyshwick with Rob and Joshy in charge. Bouldering is familiar territory for Eddie, Ella and Abi but Ivy found her mojo here as well on the white and blue courses.

I went vintage shopping with Jody and Cath while all this was going on with all of us meeting up afterwards at Capital Brewery for a rushed beer and a few bites of a Brodburger before closing time.

We extended the time for saying goodbyes as long as we could. The obvious rapport and easy humour between Abi, Ivy, Ella and Eddie back at our place later that night doing a lot to lighten the mood.

Davey, Cath, Eddie and Ivy left for Sydney the next day hoping to catch some promised sunshine there after their week of rain last week. 

Goodbyes are so hard. Their visit has been magic, and left us all wanting more!!

London Mob visit (2)

Saturday was a very big day here. At 1.00pm Rod's house in Jerrabomberra went up for auction. Regrettably it was passed in - with only one bid - and a bid that didn't meet our mark unfortunately. It's a very stressful business selling houses. We were very grateful that Davey was here for all the tricky negotiations around all this. We remain hopeful the house may be snapped up before too long - but we have a ways to go yet obviously!

Saturday night was the occasion of Claire's long awaited 50th birthday party (and celebrating Ollie and Angus's birthdays too!). There was a dress up theme - sound, screen and stage. Rob and I pulled out all the stops for the party, paying homage to the characters of Moira and Johnny Rose from Schitt's Creek. Rob pulled off an amazing Johnny - complete with the eyebrows, a gift from our lovely Braddon hairdresser (also named Rob).

My exceptional wig was on loan from lovely Rob (the hairdresser) too.

The birthday girl was a Viking Queen for the night ......

This spectacular pair came as fave characters from The Sopranos. Jody found the best bits of their costumes at Dirty Janes and other vintage sources!

We made quite the entrance too at the fabulous venue - Grainger on Geelong in picturesque Fyshwick.

Everybody who was anybody was there .........

The young ones all had a fabulous night - as did the not so young ones ........

Davey and Ivy delivered the sweetest, funniest speech ........

which was the highlight of the night, especially for Papa ............

... and Ivy wrote and read the sweetest, cutest poem for Claire - which brought the house down!

The awesome live band, Parallel Lines, got everyone up dancing

The young ones partied so hard!!!

I had a moment when I was accosted on the dance floor by this creepy looking character. It was only later I realised he was a friend (and a dear friend of Rod's) beneath that mask & wig. What a relief!!!

This girl had the best party ever!! That Mighty Ducks Ice Hockey shirt she's wearing is actually a 1990s era original - owned by Josh - it was great to see it again. That shirt also had the night of its life (as did this wig).

Another fabulous, memorable night for all of us - the best birthday party ever. Thank you Claire!