God it’s been ages and I have probably lost the majority of my audience, a big sorry to all for your patience.
So what have we been up to the last 2 months – the answer to that one is easy, loads.
France 0 Scotland 1
What can I say, Scotland turned over France in the qualifiers 0-1 all down to a wicked James McFadden wonder goal – nearly equal to Archie Gemmels during the Argentina 1978 World Cup against Holland.
I am so not worthy!
Lewis’ Birthdays
Lewis hit his 14th Birthday and in true Aussie fashion we celebrated with a Pub BBQ with Uncle Paul and Auntie Christine.
He is becoming such a teenager who is great in bed – he could stay there 23 hours a day!
He got a PC tablet so that he can develop his passion of car designing and map drawing from the comfort of his bed.
Fishing with Peter C
We all got up at 5am to meet my mate from work, Peter, so that we could spend the day fishing – we had a wicked time and the boys caught over ten fish each – although none of them as big as those that Peter normally catches!
Half way through the morning Pete asked me if I wanted a coffee, I said yes expecting a thermos. No chance, this is Sydney, a floating café turned up and served Pete and I with one of the best Flat Whites, (Milky Coffee’s for you Pom’s), we had tasted and the boys with an ice cream each – sorted.
Not so mighty Scottish Rugby TeamSo Scotland scrapped through to the quarters in the RWC, albeit very unconvincingly. Facing the Argentinean’s will be a big challenge but one that they will stand up to and with any luck they will make the Semis.
I was disappointed to see the Irish and Welsh exit, as I know that they can play much better than they did.
As for lucky England…come on you Springbok's!
Ross’ End of Season Awards
We had a great family day out with Paul and Christine at the end of year Harlequins Rugby celebration, which basically involved us playing footie, drinking and generally mucking around.
Ross came second in the player of the year awards so was very pleased and we all had a good laugh.
Bruva Paul ArrivingUncle Paul and Auntie Christine have arrived in the Wonderful World of Oz and are enjoying everything that the country has to offer, Hamilton Island in 5* luxury, beach trips, 2000km drives in a Wicked Camper Van, (picture to follow), to Brisbane to see old friends, BBQ’s, sun & fun – and are they both spoiling the boys too much.
In addition they smuggled a case of Maltesers (for Fran) and Tunnock’s Wafers (for Me) in to the country, Duff trainers (Lewis wet himself in excitement), Scotland footie shirts fully named up with Lalldy and Chilling and his own brand of very special humour!
More on the trip, including pictures in next month’s instalment.
Gareth and Donna
Had a great night round at Donna and Gareth’s but as usual got very very drunk and can’t remember much of the end of the evening.
For those of us out there who does not own a shed let Gareth be your shinning light. He has a very substantial shed - it is huge, has a state of the art Hi-Fi system, leather easy chairs, carpet, guitars and lots of powerful tools. I’ve joined the queue for a sublet.
I like Gareth’s Shed
Mr & Mrs Richard and Helen Martin
Richard and Helen have arrived back from their mammoth 10-week world wedding tour which all went very well. We haven’t seen the pictures yet but everything went well and they are very happy and are settling down into legal cohabitation.
Dave and Sarah
Dave and Sarah spoilt Lewis with some highly desired map’s of Australia, (number 4 on Lewis’ birthday list), and more importantly some UK imported Hobnobs! – he was made up.
Both Dave and Sarah have both just secured really exciting new jobs so it has been celebrations all round – unfortunately Paul and I took Dave for his celebration drink before we went to watch Manley dispose of the North Queensland Cowboys in the Minor NRL Final. By the time Fran, Christine and the boys, Ben and Emma, Matt and Hazel turned up at the match we were a wee bit soggy – but very very happy!
Ross Singing
Ross recently represented his school at a choir concert at the prestigious Sydney Town Hall. Dave came along and we visited the Red Oaks, (Bens favourite Boutique Brewer in Sydney), before meeting Fran and the boys for a Wagga Mama’s, a couple of beers then an evening of entertainment.
Fran was very taken by Ross’ performance as well as one of the world’s largest organs…
Lewis Toast Masters award
Lewis had a great evening at the Young Toast Master’s awards night where he is polishing up his public speaking skills.
He had to talk, without any pre-notification, for two minutes on a subject that is given to him there and then – his subject was $8 billion! And he did ever so well.
He did extremely well and won the most improved award for his achievements over the term – he was well made up and Mum and Dad were very proud!
Rob Marland
Okay, for you Rugby Club members out there who know a second rower – you will love this.
One of my great playing friends, (he has saved me on the pitch and on tour a number of times), from St Ives Rugby club, Rob Marland, phoned me a couple of weeks ago to state that he was just down the road and that he would like to pop in.
I explained to him that we now live in Australia and not St Ives and he said yeah I know. Twenty minutes later he was on my doorstep with his brother and 21 minutes later was on the back deck with a beer in his hand!
A great surprise for the Biffa’s and a very wet night was enjoyed by all in the local Brookvale Arms - only a second rower could communicate so badly, but more importantly make me smile, get me so drunk and help me mentally of the friends I miss and the recent tour I missed.
It was great to see him and anyone else who gets lost in Manley should phone as Rob did – there is always a bed available.
Thankyou Rob for a great couple of days
Lisa
I know I told you all about Lisa’s recent trip to see us during our last instalment but I found some more pictures of the fun that she had with the Boys, Fran and our friends;
These include;
1 Being on the Home and Away set
2 Getting very wet with the boys (jet boating)
3 Getting very wet with Fran (drinking)
4 Getting very wet (on the beach)
5 And some general bits and pieces
See you soon Lisa
Manley Sea Eagles v Melbourne Storm
Yep, our local team got a bashing in the grand final by the Melbourne Storm, which was really sad after they had had such a great year.
It was Manley’s first final for ten years and everyone was well hopeful for them – but it wasn’t to be
Scenic WorldJust spent a great family day at the Blue Mountains, it’s a great day out
We tripped out on the Skyway with featured the world first Electro-Scenic Glass Floor. Get this, you are 700meters up in a ski lift and you think that you are standing on a solid floor – but no, at the press of a button the opaque glass floor suddenly becomes clear and in one moment 20 woman and small people scream as you can see through the floor at a 700 meter drop.
We rode the steepest incline Railway in the world – Fran was well made up - not.
Wandered along the Walkway through towering Jurassic rainforest, and refreshed both our spirit and soul, (marketing crap which to be quite honest the boys disagreed with, “can we go on another ride soon” & “are we nearly there yet x 3,000”)!
We then exited the valley aboard the Cableway, taking in the breathtaking panorama of the stunning World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains National Park.
So a great day of fun in the Blue Mountains polished of with lunch in the revolving 360° views restaurant, taking in the famous Three Sisters, the magnificent Katoomba Falls, Mt Solitary and the near endless vista of the Jamison Valley.
