.

Day Six.

2009-12-08T08:19:00.008Z

Had to wake up early to get to Point Clare to get on the books to rent a house - we were lucky and got the house which was on top of our list in Tascott. Although I loved the one in Koolegong it wasn't very child friendly !

We were back by 12 - so spent the day next to the pool with another family who are from New Zealand. Here are some pics of Luke and Anna-Kate having fun. Luke even learned how to dive !

Very proud of Luke xxxx

Day Five.

2009-12-07T06:31:00.003Z

Greg went off to Sydney this morning. He had to organise the banking, get a letter from his new employers and look at some cars.

So Anna-Kate, Luke and I stayed at the Park - we actually spent most of the day next to the pool. Chatted to another mum who is here from New Zealand, also looking to rent.

We have finally decided on Point Clare - it is good to have made a decision ! No pics today as there were loads of people in the pool with us!

Day Four.

2009-12-06T09:00:00.008Z

As it is Sunday we went to the beach, we went to Manly as it is not too far away from where we are now.

Here is Luke running away from the sea - you are only allowed to swim between the flags.

I hardly saw Anna-Kate she spent 2 hours in the sea!

Luke playing on the beach - next to my feet.

Me ! I was there too ! I take pashminas everywhere!

I could not believe how blue the sea was - it was stunning!

We were back at the campsite by 1pm and spent the rest of the day in and around the swimming pool. Greg bought me a nice chair so I sat under the trees until about 7pm reading a book and catching the breeze - it is hot here !

Day Three.

2009-12-05T09:59:00.002Z

Going around in circles. Empire Bay, Tascott, Point Clare or Koolewong. Sigh. Decisions are so hard !!! Tomorrow is Sunday must find something fun to do. Will sleep on it ... any advice will be great !

Day Two in Australia.

2009-12-04T07:53:00.003Z

Today we did the grand tour of Woy Woy, Umina Beach, Point Clare and Gosford. We also detoured and visited Tascott and Koolewong.

Umina Beach is the front runner at the moment (due mostly to the sweet school and beach.)

Greg going off to estate agents tomorrow alone - to rent a property and to talk about purchasing another property!

Day One.

2009-12-04T07:35:00.004Z

We arrived in Australia just after 6am on Thursday, the 3rd of December. Luckily we breezed through customs - phew , hours of watching Nothing to Declare has paid off !

Our first view of Sydney Harbour Bridge. We arrived at Dural early - but luckily our cabin was ready. It is right next to the pool, which makes the children happy.

I slept most of Thursday as I was really tired !! Anna-Kate also had a nap, but Luke made it through the day. As did Greg - but we all had an early night anyway. The weather was lovely so the children swam (a lot) I sat on my bed and listened to the birds - there were 3 noisy parrots in the tree outside!

Living in an empty house !

2009-11-27T13:06:00.011Z

Good Morning ! Having breakfast before the packers arrived (this was on Weds). Luke's face says it all !

Anna-Kate in the lounge on Thursday morning.
The lounge from the hallway. Boxes, boxes everywhere.
In the dining room with her daddy.
In the playroom - posing.

From another angle.

Then we saw the sky - Thursday morning - it was a very strange colour!

The 20 foot container, waiting to be loaded with all our boxes.

One Week to Go !

2009-11-24T06:35:00.003Z

We only have one week until we get on the plane leaving for Australia. It is getting very exciting now. Today I begin packing our suitcases. Tomorrow the packers come to begin packing up the house.

Boxes, boxes everywhere !

Our Farewell Party.

2009-11-23T06:21:00.010Z

Three generations together - me, mum and Anna-Kate.

Having a chat while serious wii bowling was happening!

Now the group pics - my 'baby' sister (Abigail), Mum, me and Anna-Kate.

My 'baby' brother Ben, Mum, me, Abs in the front and Dad,

Ben being naughty and doing bunny ears (!!), Mum, me, Luke, Abs in the front with James and Dad,

Abs, Ad, Mum, Sarah and me,

Anna-Kate, James and Luke.

Luke and Greg having a giggle!

Even though it was sad it was a lovely day - we missed you Tom and Claire - sorry I was so unorganised and didnt get word to you about the do !

I love grey !

2009-11-16T06:24:00.003Z

Ben, Sarah and James (big brother, his partner and son!) bought me the Happy Hooker crochet book for my birthday - so I decided to make a shawl from it on Friday. I wanted to use up my yarn before the big move. And I am loving grey at the moment !

Through the Front Door.

2009-11-14T07:22:00.004Z

It is Saturday again, so time for another theme - this week's theme is - through the front door. Pop over here to see some more views. My view from the front door is not very exciting I must admit - you walk in the door and see stairs going up and a door to the lounge. Here is the view up the stairs ! My dog Brandy and one of the cats (Tequila) sitting at the top of the stairs - they were waiting for me to go to bed.

New Bag.

2009-11-13T07:15:00.004Z

Finished this crocheted bag yesterday. It has lots of handy pockets inside and one on the outside. I love pockets !

It is final - our house has sold - the sign is up outside!

My Creative Space...

2009-11-12T07:31:00.003Z

At the moment my creative space is this corner of the 2 seater sofa. I have lots of ends to weave in the green granny square blanket and the 2 scarves. Am working on the crocheted bag today too - just the finishing touches are needed. Just working on smallish projects at the moment due to the big move !

We have sold the house so no more viewings and my husband is home from Libya this Saturday - so all is well with the world.

Always looking for info about areas on the Central Coast, NSW - anyone out there know the Gosford / Woy Woy / Point Clare / Umina Beach area ?

Thanks in advance !

Vanessa

My Place and Yours - My Secret Weapon.

2009-11-07T06:45:00.003Z

This weeks theme is - My Secret Weapon. More on this theme can be found - here.

I had to think about this for a while.

My secret weapon which helps keep me sane when I am home alone in the evenings, is my crafts at the moment I am knitting scarves as this is a) quick and b) doesn't make much of a mess ....

But it could also be my laptop - this helps me communicate with hubby when he is working in Libya and my MIL lives in South Africa and she can keep up with family life too ...

My secret weapon which helps keep my children's rooms tidy at the moment, while we are selling the house is money .... sigh bribery works wonders !

Wacky Hair Day !

2009-11-06T07:57:00.005Z

Luke with his go faster stripes ...

Anna-Kate wanted stripey plaits !

Off to school we go.

Positive thoughts only today !

2009-11-06T06:13:00.003Z

We need to sell this house at a fair price - we are not being greedy we just need to clear a nice sum of money to start a new adventure in Australia..... good thoughts only today!

Wish upon the moon !

My Creative Space...

2009-11-05T07:47:00.003Z

Here is my creative space - today I will be working on scarves. This was going to be a blanket then I thought it could be a wrap - but now have settles on scarves !More creative spaces can be found here .

Lots of count downs...

2009-11-04T08:05:00.002Z

We have lots of count downs going on in our house at the moment.

The children have only 19 days left at their school.

We have roughly 26 days left in the UK if we leave on the 1st of Dec as planned.

Greg comes home in 10 days time !

And there are 51 days until Christmas.

Have a great day today !

Cold, Wet and Rainy Days.

2009-11-02T09:30:00.004Z

How we kept busy yesterday on a very cold, wet and windy day ! It was so miserable outside we decided to have an arts and crafts day indoors!

Anna-Kate coloured in this crazy paving drawing.... she is busy doing a whole page of overlapping circles as we 'speak'.

This is Luke's creation - it is a raptor (I think!)

And my effort - 2 scarves - from the Happy Hooker crochet book, a birthday present from my brother and Sarah !

The ends have not been woven in yet.... a job I don't enjoy very much!

Halloween 2009.

2009-11-01T08:13:00.008Z

My cat - Sherry - ignoring all things Halloween and taking a nap instead !

The 2 pumpkins as designed by Anna-Kate and Luke, cut by me.... not very well !

Luke holding his pumpkin.

Luke holding a severed head - he made himself.... Anna-Kate looking scary - with her pumpkin. A close up of her make-up.We were joined by Granny and Grandpa. Granny and I went trick or treating with Anna-Kate, Luke went with his friends from up the road. They both came home with quite a stash and I managed to get rid of the sweets I had from last Halloween !

My Place and Yours - Blog HQ.

2009-10-31T07:30:00.002Z

My usual Saturday post is following a theme as found here - it is great fun ! Here is my blog HQ. I do have a lap top but I usually sit on the sofa in the lounge. The lounge is central in this house so I can hear most of what is going on in other areas of the house.

The sofa is also my creative space at the moment. Because our house is for sale I have to do projects which are easy to tidy up quickly - plus I am trying to use up my yarn as soon as possible - and granny square blankets are quick and easy.

My Place and Yours - Bedside.

2009-10-24T07:30:00.003+01:00

Pottymouthmama chose the theme this week for "My place and yours " - the theme is bedside. I do not have a bedside table - I have a bedside chest of drawers. Full of goodies. Lots of jewelery, beads, bangles and watches !

I decorated the wooden box with real jelly beans and varnished. I actually made it for a swap but it was far too heavy to post so I kept it ! Lots of glass ware full of bits and bobs .... some drawings created by my daughter.... hair straightening sprays, hand cream .... nothing very exciting !

Rainbow in my street.

2009-10-24T07:27:00.001+01:00

A rainbow in our street.

My Place - as seen on Hello ! Meet Me At Mikes!

2009-10-18T08:20:00.002+01:00

Meet me at Mikes is having a weekly theme - this week's theme is 'on the shelf' here is my shelf - having newly decorated our house - we actually do not have any shelves up ! So here is my crafty bookshelf ....

Our Pets.

2009-10-18T08:13:00.003+01:00

This is Sherry - sleeping in 'her' chair.

Tequila and Brandy asleep at the top of the stairs.