We have just had bangers and mash, and now Reece has found a new best friend on the way back from the bins and they are talking caravan stuff. You should have seen him in the butcher shop at bulli. So many new friends
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Thursday, January 31, 2013
29 Jan2013
Hi blog readers, very happy I have an audience!!!!!
We are enjoying a few more days in Bulli, which is just a few kms north of Wollongong. The spacious caravan park right on the ocean. We have just had a swim and then an outdoor shower attached to the caravan and then you see my lovely hair. Not blow drying , can't be bothered. The ocean has settled now and the beaches are open. There are patrolled surf clubs at every bay. So I swam between the flags and jumped around in the surf, also had a dip in the rock pool here. There are rock pools at many beaches. At Bulli here there is one at each end of the bay. They are fantastic. Why don't we have any? I did read Mr Barnett will be spending money at Scarborough and Leighton.. It would be smart to put in pools. The beaches here are so people friendly with great walkways, showers, loos,grassed areas. We have a lot to learn.
We had a fabulous drive yesterday up the Coast to Stanwell. We went along the Sea cliff bridge which is pretty speccie. I will put some pics on later today. We arched the H
Hang gliders leap off the cliff and landed right in front of us. Pete I remember you took me up there. It is a magnificent view from the top. There are some fantastic houses that seem to be clutching on to the hillside and not sliding into the ocean.
At home today. Have figured out how to do quick 30min wash ...... So washing on the line now.
Am sitting in my comfy chair, curls blowing in the breeze, and checking on my neighbours. To the left they are very quiet as we back onto the cometary, and others are too far away to be noticed... So it is very good. Very happy and content.
Love Pen
We are enjoying a few more days in Bulli, which is just a few kms north of Wollongong. The spacious caravan park right on the ocean. We have just had a swim and then an outdoor shower attached to the caravan and then you see my lovely hair. Not blow drying , can't be bothered. The ocean has settled now and the beaches are open. There are patrolled surf clubs at every bay. So I swam between the flags and jumped around in the surf, also had a dip in the rock pool here. There are rock pools at many beaches. At Bulli here there is one at each end of the bay. They are fantastic. Why don't we have any? I did read Mr Barnett will be spending money at Scarborough and Leighton.. It would be smart to put in pools. The beaches here are so people friendly with great walkways, showers, loos,grassed areas. We have a lot to learn.
We had a fabulous drive yesterday up the Coast to Stanwell. We went along the Sea cliff bridge which is pretty speccie. I will put some pics on later today. We arched the H
Hang gliders leap off the cliff and landed right in front of us. Pete I remember you took me up there. It is a magnificent view from the top. There are some fantastic houses that seem to be clutching on to the hillside and not sliding into the ocean.
At home today. Have figured out how to do quick 30min wash ...... So washing on the line now.
Am sitting in my comfy chair, curls blowing in the breeze, and checking on my neighbours. To the left they are very quiet as we back onto the cometary, and others are too far away to be noticed... So it is very good. Very happy and content.
Love Pen
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
29 Jan Wollongong
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Monday, January 28, 2013
Visiting lally and Pappy
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Sunday, January 27, 2013
Australia Day yesterday!
Sydney put on it's finest weather yesterday and today it has been raining since the early hours and has settled in. but I guess that is normal for Sydney. It is of course very humid!!!!! which I find so uncomfortable. I am in a lather all the time and my hair just loves it. I in fact was laughing at myself in the mirror the other day,my hair in ringlets!!!no matter how much Moroccan oil it is still fuzzy. ..so hence the hat. yes so I am embracing the curl. Very happy with the colour that Deago did the other week.
So to continue, Friday we had mostly at home and i did washing and cleaned out all the cupboards like a woman possessed. It is so satisfying. e then went to Chatswoo (Chatswood) to Telstra to re jig my ipad, then had a potter around. There are 3 shopping towers. Quite amazing. The best one is Chatswood Chase coz it has the high end shops and a better lay out. We then had dinner here atthe park with some fabulous people we have met. Jo and Jill Poupe from Launceston, Tas. they are doing just as we are. Jill a nurse and Jo Real Estate so we have a lot in common. jo also a hairdresser so Reece was very pleased to have him cut his hair the other day. We will keep in touch. A great curry night.
Yesterday was Australia Day and heaps of celebrations here in Sydney. We had the day with Sal Melocco. She gave us a huge drive around Mosman, Balmoral and surrounds. My word the more I am here the better Sydney is......not that I plan to move here. I would never be able to afford to live in the nice areas or houses.Truly some magnificent houses and stunning views. We parked her very nice Lexus near the Mosman Rowing club and then had a really long walk along to Cremorne Point. It took us all along the bays and we could see into more fabbo houses etc. We got to Cremorne Point to watch the Tall Ships race in the harbour. There were so many boats out in various races etc. even a big cruise liner was parked in the middle of the harbour to enjoy the celebrations and of course a 5 star view of the fireworks.
Reece was so happy because Sal took us to Middle Head where the Army Camp was that he had spent a long time doing National Service. He had some tales to tell us. I'm sure apart from seeing Lucas and Emily this has been the highlight of Sydney for Reece. This whole area is now used as other venues. We had lunch at Frenchys which was an old army building. it is all done so well.
I even took pics of the Loos. Very clever design of corrugated tin and some wooden panelling, with a central courtyard and the loos in each corner. The day was very enjoyable and we were very lucky to have Sal show us around. thanks Sal. Today , Sunday, leisurely reading the papers, washed hair, not too much. good to have a lay day. Jo, Rich, Lucas and Emily coming over later today. Emily now just starting to get her balance, so she will be off really soon.
We leave Lane Cove tomorrow and will be at the Bonnie Vale Campground in the Royal National Park just south of Sydney. There is a little village called Bundeena there. we will have 5 nights then not too sure. we are thinking of the Hawkesbury River.
Wee that's it for now.
Lori and Charty staying near lake Como not lake Coming!!!!!!!
Anth LOVING the words game
Madgie can you send some pics of the house. What is Penelope going to do this year.
Mama hope this weather hasn't knocked you around too much
Rozza persevere with the knee exercise. enjoy the outdoor cinema at home
Shirl HAPPY BIRTHDAY for the 1st
Lizzie the shop looks fantastic. what a huge job. hope you have a little rest now
Viv missing bridge. you will be getting to be an expert
Keith and Chris plans for our trip to Italy coming together. we will be there about 6 march
Trish happy birthday Phoebe
Love to you all
ps Reece is about to make lunch. Toasted sandwich in the Jaffle iron....
Love Pen and Reece
Friday, January 25, 2013
Thursday 24 jan
I am so annoyed as I need to go to Telstra today about my iPad. I can't play words with friends with Anthea and alistair. It is the first thing I do in the morning and the last thing at night.
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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Old pals
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Monday, January 21, 2013
Birthday
21 Jan 2013
Lucas was so excited unwrapping his pressies, especially the ones from Granny and Grandpa in the UK who were able to enjoy it all on Skype. unfortunately somehow i can't seem to attach many pics on my computer but will get some in the next day or so.
Just spoken to cousin Ian Dodds, His poor Mama, Diana is in Royal north Shore with a broken foot. a tumble on Saturday. He is navigating his way through the Dept Vet Affairs etc. etc. arranging care, support etc. for Uncle Ken who has now had confirmation that he has Alzheimers. So tricky times ahead with Diana in hosp till next week, Ian needs to return to Wodonga by the end of the week, fortunately he is on Hols from Qantas. Anyway, he seemed quite positive about it all and confident all will be reasonably OK .
Really beautiful today. it started out overcast and muggy but now it is cooler and sun shining. LOVELY.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Dinner
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Spit bridge , mosman
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Saturday, January 19, 2013
19 Jan 2013
From lane cove caravan park,Sydney
Sat afternoon and I am on my bed writing to you all. Reece is dozing or reading. It is 1430. We need a catch up before we are out again tonight with Sal Melocco to an Italian restaurant in Mosman. We seem to be having quite a busy time. we have been here for a week.last weekend we had in Randwick atJo's house looking after babies while they were away. we didn't do too much on monday.washing and off to the Macquarie Shopping centre to get food etc. Boy that was horrible. huge place, we couldn't find our way back to the car, very hopeless lifts (we had woolies shopping) altogether a nightmare. NOT going there again.we have since found a small shopping centre close by. Tues we went to the big smoke by train using our $2.50 all day ticket.very efficient. the train station is 10-15min walk. it is north ryde station and quite daunting when you first go in coz it is at least 4 stories underground. we went in to get some prices on air fares to Rome etc.research is still underway.nothing booked yet, but we plan to leave in the beginning of march. we will be away foe probably 6 weeks. we will leave the caravan with our old friend Ray Bland. he lives at Kyogle, 2 hours south of Brisbane. so we will fly to Rome from Brisbane.
Wednesday i got the train then bus to Jo's and went to Mother's group with her. i have done this a few times now and it is really lovely to meet her friends and the children. The children all had a fun play in the playground and the girls have a good old chat..i then went on to the hairdresser and had a complete refurbishment. cut and colour. "Deago" got rid of the brassiness and grey....
Thursday I went to Chatswood (SO MANY ASIANS THERE IT IS CHATSWOO or chatswong)on the train to go to the fantastic japanese shop that sells all sorts of plastic ware, trinkets, containers etc etc for $2.80 each. i had to go down every aisle to see all the odds and ends.We had dinner here with a couple from Tassie who are doing the same as us. and this weekend they are looking after their grandies. they are good fun so we hope to see some more of them.
Friday was ExTREMELY hot. It got to 45 in Sydney. We went to Uncle Ken and Auntie Diney apartment in Neutral Bay, then wandered up the road a little and had a fabulous Italian lunch at one of their favourite restaurants. there is no shortage of restaurants for them, they are so close to all you would ever need. great apartment with fab views.
we then drove to Jo's place and while the kids were asleep we watched the Oprah interview with lance Armstrong. well what a complete cad (i could-say worse) he is. Jo met Rich after work and reece and i looked after the kids.i had no idea it was so hot, but thank goodness Jo has aircon. we took the kids for a swim in the pool.Lucas now has a bubble strapped to him which keeps his head up. he has got so brave and jumping in and dog paddling , of sorts.Emily sits in a blow up ring thing. it was so much fun. The evening changed quite quickly. There was rain and huge winds.we were a little worried as I had left some washing out and hadn't really secured the caravan tightly. They came home a little earlier than they had planned and fortunately all was OK .just a good lesson to us to really secure everything no matter how long we plan to be away as the weather is so changeable. for instance now it is quite cool. fortunately we haven't been anywhere near the fires.
Today we had brekkie with Duncan Mitchell, Sarah and little boy Oliver who is 14 months at a nice spot at Spit Bridge. they are living in Manley and Dunc is a stockbroker with Macquarie. He was holidaying in Austria with Tony when he died.he is a truly lovely young man and he was an enormous support for us at that time. They are expecting another baby in July.
Tomorrow we are celebrating Lucas 3 birthday (a day early) We will be having , at his request, spag bog and chockie cake. sounds pretty yummy to me.
Plans for the rest of the week...... mothers group wed, lunch with Lori and Charty riley on Thur before they return to Italy where they have been for the past 2 years now. dinner with Ben Moss and fiancé Kath on thurs, dinner with my nursing pal Sheryl Taylor and Mary Ann Bennett ( and husbands). so the week is quite full.
we will leave here Tues 28 jan and go to Royal national Park just south of Sydney. It is near Pete Teudts old stamping ground of Hellensburgh. we will have5 nights there then not sure.
sending this now with lots of love
Penelope and Reece
Sat afternoon and I am on my bed writing to you all. Reece is dozing or reading. It is 1430. We need a catch up before we are out again tonight with Sal Melocco to an Italian restaurant in Mosman. We seem to be having quite a busy time. we have been here for a week.last weekend we had in Randwick atJo's house looking after babies while they were away. we didn't do too much on monday.washing and off to the Macquarie Shopping centre to get food etc. Boy that was horrible. huge place, we couldn't find our way back to the car, very hopeless lifts (we had woolies shopping) altogether a nightmare. NOT going there again.we have since found a small shopping centre close by. Tues we went to the big smoke by train using our $2.50 all day ticket.very efficient. the train station is 10-15min walk. it is north ryde station and quite daunting when you first go in coz it is at least 4 stories underground. we went in to get some prices on air fares to Rome etc.research is still underway.nothing booked yet, but we plan to leave in the beginning of march. we will be away foe probably 6 weeks. we will leave the caravan with our old friend Ray Bland. he lives at Kyogle, 2 hours south of Brisbane. so we will fly to Rome from Brisbane.
Wednesday i got the train then bus to Jo's and went to Mother's group with her. i have done this a few times now and it is really lovely to meet her friends and the children. The children all had a fun play in the playground and the girls have a good old chat..i then went on to the hairdresser and had a complete refurbishment. cut and colour. "Deago" got rid of the brassiness and grey....
Thursday I went to Chatswood (SO MANY ASIANS THERE IT IS CHATSWOO or chatswong)on the train to go to the fantastic japanese shop that sells all sorts of plastic ware, trinkets, containers etc etc for $2.80 each. i had to go down every aisle to see all the odds and ends.We had dinner here with a couple from Tassie who are doing the same as us. and this weekend they are looking after their grandies. they are good fun so we hope to see some more of them.
Friday was ExTREMELY hot. It got to 45 in Sydney. We went to Uncle Ken and Auntie Diney apartment in Neutral Bay, then wandered up the road a little and had a fabulous Italian lunch at one of their favourite restaurants. there is no shortage of restaurants for them, they are so close to all you would ever need. great apartment with fab views.
we then drove to Jo's place and while the kids were asleep we watched the Oprah interview with lance Armstrong. well what a complete cad (i could-say worse) he is. Jo met Rich after work and reece and i looked after the kids.i had no idea it was so hot, but thank goodness Jo has aircon. we took the kids for a swim in the pool.Lucas now has a bubble strapped to him which keeps his head up. he has got so brave and jumping in and dog paddling , of sorts.Emily sits in a blow up ring thing. it was so much fun. The evening changed quite quickly. There was rain and huge winds.we were a little worried as I had left some washing out and hadn't really secured the caravan tightly. They came home a little earlier than they had planned and fortunately all was OK .just a good lesson to us to really secure everything no matter how long we plan to be away as the weather is so changeable. for instance now it is quite cool. fortunately we haven't been anywhere near the fires.
Today we had brekkie with Duncan Mitchell, Sarah and little boy Oliver who is 14 months at a nice spot at Spit Bridge. they are living in Manley and Dunc is a stockbroker with Macquarie. He was holidaying in Austria with Tony when he died.he is a truly lovely young man and he was an enormous support for us at that time. They are expecting another baby in July.
Tomorrow we are celebrating Lucas 3 birthday (a day early) We will be having , at his request, spag bog and chockie cake. sounds pretty yummy to me.
Plans for the rest of the week...... mothers group wed, lunch with Lori and Charty riley on Thur before they return to Italy where they have been for the past 2 years now. dinner with Ben Moss and fiancé Kath on thurs, dinner with my nursing pal Sheryl Taylor and Mary Ann Bennett ( and husbands). so the week is quite full.
we will leave here Tues 28 jan and go to Royal national Park just south of Sydney. It is near Pete Teudts old stamping ground of Hellensburgh. we will have5 nights there then not sure.
sending this now with lots of love
Penelope and Reece
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Ticket
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Monday, January 14, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Fwd: Lane Cove, Sydney long time pals
Begin forwarded message:
From: Sheryl Taylor <sheryl.taylor4@bigpond.com>
Date: 13 January 2013 10:34:25 AM AEDT
To: Penelope Cocks <penelope5153@gmail.com>
Subject: Lane Cove, Sydney
Sent from my iPhone
Fwd: Lane Cove Sydney
We had some visitors this morning. it was my very old ( i.e. long time ) friend Sheryl Taylor and her husband Rob. Sheryl and I trained together at Charlies, then worked in Derby together then met up again in UK and did 9 week camping trip through Europe ( that's when i met Reece !!!)
So she is a good pal. She met Rob when he was SAS.They spent some time in USA when she studded journalism then back to Australia where she had a long career with Channel 9. She was the one who did RPA. since then she was retrenched from 9 some years ago as were a lot of journos. now she has just been retrenched from channel 10 after 2 years!!! But she is very resilient. 2 girls one moving to Melbourne who is a Speech therapist. the other at uni doing event management. Rob has an Occ health safety business which specialises in safety and retrieval in confined spaces. wow sounds positively awful. it like getting someone out of a tunnel..... we are going out on thurs night to lane cove for dinner. reece made some great scones for morning tea. we have just returned from Jo and Rich after having lunch with them. met a friend of Rich, Alex who has recently come from the UK to work at Citrus.he is a keen rugby player so he was teaching Lucas to throw the ball. They were planning to go to the football ie soccer but it is now POURING . amazing after all the heat it is like winter. the car needed a wash so good for us.unfortunately we didn't close all the hatches and we have a little wetness on our pillow. however this will dry out. a good lesson that no matter what it looks like it is best to close all windows if we are going out. it was great to get to see Jo etc today. I am plannig to go to Mothers Group on Wed with her.
So she is a good pal. She met Rob when he was SAS.They spent some time in USA when she studded journalism then back to Australia where she had a long career with Channel 9. She was the one who did RPA. since then she was retrenched from 9 some years ago as were a lot of journos. now she has just been retrenched from channel 10 after 2 years!!! But she is very resilient. 2 girls one moving to Melbourne who is a Speech therapist. the other at uni doing event management. Rob has an Occ health safety business which specialises in safety and retrieval in confined spaces. wow sounds positively awful. it like getting someone out of a tunnel..... we are going out on thurs night to lane cove for dinner. reece made some great scones for morning tea. we have just returned from Jo and Rich after having lunch with them. met a friend of Rich, Alex who has recently come from the UK to work at Citrus.he is a keen rugby player so he was teaching Lucas to throw the ball. They were planning to go to the football ie soccer but it is now POURING . amazing after all the heat it is like winter. the car needed a wash so good for us.unfortunately we didn't close all the hatches and we have a little wetness on our pillow. however this will dry out. a good lesson that no matter what it looks like it is best to close all windows if we are going out. it was great to get to see Jo etc today. I am plannig to go to Mothers Group on Wed with her.
Snap of us this morning. Madgie... great to Skype yesterday.
rozza knee looking beautiful. keep at it.
Anth enjoying the words with friends and with Alistair too.
Mum hope the weather is a little cooler now you are at Denmark with Madgie. hope you get to have a swim at ocean beach
Love Pen
Begin forwarded message:
From: Sheryl Taylor <sheryl.taylor4@bigpond.com>
Date: 13 January 2013 10:35:03 AM AEDT
To: Penelope Cocks <penelope5153@gmail.com>
Subject: Lane Cove Sydney
Sent from my iPhone
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Big bus
This enormous red bus was at Narrabeen. If you look at the back end you will see rows of small windows. These are the sleeping pods . They are called rotel. No one spoke English. It looked pretty horrible compared.to our luxury set up. It was forecast 40 for Sydney. Boy nowhere near it. Nice gentle breeze wafting through the campsite. Thanks rich for fixing the blog. Bye for now. Pen
sent from my Telstra NEXTG™ hand. set
sent from my Telstra NEXTG™ hand. set
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