Aunt BJ came to stay with us on the 30th - and we duly provided entertainment by going 10 pin bowling. Hayzey won the game overall - although this was aided by a bowling frame, gutter rails and an outstanding final frame bowled by me which included a strike and a spare. It's a pity I couldn't do this for my own game ...
It was plenty of fun. Everyone picked up at least one strike and everyone had at least one clanger of a bowl. LGR had a few goes without the bowling frame and it was like watching the kid in Uncle Buck bowl - you know what I mean? "If they had a contest for resting the ball against the pins you would be the world champion!"
New Years Eve came and went in a pretty mellow fashion. LGR, myself and Aunt BJ hit some golf balls on NYE morning and in the evening Clan Jones saw in the new year with a BBQ, some dancing and the obligatory fireworks.
New Years Day was a BBQ at the house of Aunt LJ/UA. It rained. A lot. It poured at our place at about 09:00 (but in reality it rained for about 8 hours) so I called Aunt LJ to query the weather. "Beautiful. Couldn't be better. Bring your swimmers".
By midday it was pouring and all parties at the BBQ were scurrying for cover :-) It didn't change anything however and food was cooked and eaten.
Tuesday was our designated road trip day. We had a strong urge to get some rather exotic photo albums from a shop in Kangaroo Valley so we set out. It was pouring again. It poured the entire trip to Bowral, and half the trip from Bowral to Kangaroo Valley. Upon arrival at Kangaroo Valley it was sprinkling. We stayed in long enough to find a toilet and the desired albums before head towards Nowra for lunch.
The weather looked as though it was improving so we decided to head up the coast. We pulled in at Gerringong for some quick play on the beach time but moving rain clouds convinced us to pull up stumps. Within 5 minutes of leaving town it was pouring again. Decision well made!!!
The rain had cleared by the time we got to Wollongong so we visited the lighthouse at City Beach and then had a family meeting. It was decided to head home and have a proper beach visit another day.
Wednesday saw the boys and girls go in separate directions. LGR and I went into town for the purposes of:
- Catching a train
- Catching a bus
- Looking at boats
- Buying LGR some shoes
- Having an ice cream
We achieved each of these things. We were happy. LGR was very impressed to discover you don't have to wear seatbelts on buses, and that there are ambulance motorbikes in the city.
Thursday was quite mellow. We bought some new trees for the backyard, put away the Christmas decorations and then went for a swim at the local pool in the afternoon. The kids had a great time at the pool - even if LGR wanted to continually go in the coldest pool in the complex.
Then there's today. The day started with a visit to some shops to do a range of things; including pick up some jewellery that had been repaired, buy a photo album and get some more photoes printed. This all ended up taking about 3 hours.
In the afternoon we bundled ourselves into the car and travelled down south with most of Clan McK to go to the beach. We ended up at Austinmere. The water was cold but the kids didn't notice. We played in the water, in the tidal pools, on the beach and just about everywhere else. It was fun. Once the kids started turning blue (literally blue around their lips and nose) we got them dressed and meandered the approx 75m to the park for some dinner.
So that's the week (or so) in summary. There is one important element missing but most of you already know about 'the cat'. I'll put up some information (and probably pictures) soonish. I hope.